The Art of Persuasion

Chapter 11 : Geoff's Amazing Puppets

I closed my eyes slightly as tears continued to stubbornly form. Pain seared through my chest as I gasped for the cold, harsh air. Of course, I would have stopped any minute if Sirius Black weren't hot on my tail. The bloody git wouldn't just give up. I opened my eyes again as I tried to think of a place to go. So far, I didn't have a damn clue.

"For God's sake, Evelyn!" Sirius called after me as I shoved past an unsuspecting couple. I could feel glares being tossed at my head. The sound of feet racing through the snow became louder every second. This encouraged me to sprint at full speed, which only caused even more trouble. My legs began to slow down against my will as my energy began to slip. My breaths became shorter as I continued to sprint. However, after each step I took, Sirius only came closer.

Panic soar through my body as I realized Sirius was less than ten feet away. I turned my head slightly to see how fast he was running. However, this move of mine was a horrid mistake that I would regret. Before I knew it, my foot crossed its path with my other. Of course, this ended up putting me in position where my face met the ground.

The running steps slowed down in jogging till they came near me. I felt my face flush with fury and embarrassment as I thought about how Sirius just saw me trip. The footsteps stopped as I slowly brought myself off the snow. Silence endured for a second only to break into a bark of laughter.

"Honestly Evelyn..." he said as he grabbed my hand and lifted me up. It was obvious was he holding back laughter as his eyes threatened to explode with mirth. Anger continued to boil inside of me. I turned my head away as I yanked my hand out of his grasp.

"Don't touch me." I snapped as I glared at the snow. Sirius stiffened as I said this but touched my shoulder. I shrugged it off and attempted to leave. However, a hand firmly latched onto my wrist, holding me back. I turned swiftly around to meet an annoyed Sirius.

"Let go!" I snapped once more as I struggled. Sirius's other hand caught my forearm as I flailed about.

"Not until you stop acting like a little girl. You're sixteen, not four." I gave up shortly after he said this. I glared at him as he lowered my arms. He gave me an odd smile and continued.

"Now tell me...what did I exactly do?" he asked slowly, as if I were some moron.

"You were being a prick." I stated as I looked down from his gaze. He shifted a little as I said this.

"How so?" he inquired, which got me even angrier. My eyes darted towards his then back to the ground.

"By...by...well first, you snog me unexpectedly! Then, you throw nasty comments about my relationship with Geoff! Of course, you can't realize it since you're too bloody arrogant!" I snapped as my face flushed with anger. Sirius frowned slightly as I said this.

"First of all, you didn't give a damn when I snogged you before. Why start caring now," I gazed at the ground once more as my face flushed even more. "Secondly, I'm just stating how things seem. I mean, if you didn't fancy him, then why did you agree to be his girlfriend?" Sirius challenged with a smirk. I shot my head up right after he said this.

"For your information, I asked Geoff to be my boyfriend." I blurted without thinking. I mentally cursed myself as Sirius's face formed into a curious expression.

"Is that so," he asked as he continued to gaze at me "Do tell how that occurred." My eyes narrowed as he challenged me once more. His smirk taunted me as my face flushed.

"It's none of your concern." I snapped at him a bit too loud as I continued to glare at him. He mocked a sorrow expression as I said this.

"I thought we were chums, Evelyn." an eyebrow rose as he stressed the word chum. I thought for a moment in confusion till it registered what he was saying. He was warning me to keep it down. I looked to see watching bystanders. I opened my mouth but I saw people watching in the corner of my eye. I hesitantly shut my mouth and gave Sirius a sarcastic smile. He returned the grin and motioned me to follow him. I hesitantly did so.