downfall // marauders era

f i f t e e n

Eve was trying to control her breathing as her eyes darted around and around, seemingly trying to look through all of dead-looking trees that had leaves piled up their trunks. She snuck a quick glance at Theo and saw he wasn't worried at all. She was going to ask why, but he spoke up before she could.

"Potter, is that you? Black, Lupin, you there as well?" He asked with humor ringing through his voice.

It was then that three very sheepish, red-faced boys stepped out from behind the trees they were attempting to hide behind. Eve's face turned red upon the realization that they had heard and most likely seen what had just transpired between her and Theo. They had heard them talking, heard him ask her to the ball, they'd even heard them kiss.

"You three are absolute gits! You go and ignore me all week and then you follow me around? Get out of my face now before I hex you out of your socks!" She was yelling rather loudly at them, her angry tone matching the livid expression she wore.

"It's actually a good thing we were here, Eve. This guy had his hands all over you!" James yelled as he too grew angry after being yelled at.

"Oh please, we kissed once. Get over yourself, James, and leave me be unless you want to apologize."

"I'm not apologizing for something that isn't my fault!" And with that he stormed away, leaving many leaves flying around behind his angrily retreating figure. Sirius immediately hurried after him, and Remus hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and jogging to catch up with the other two.

Eve sighed and awkwardly looked up at Theo, "I'm sorry they followed us. They were probably doing it just to spite me."

"You don't have to apologize for them, Eve. Are you okay?" Eve studied his face, smiling lightly at him as she saw concern written across his features.

"Yeah, we've just been in a row for a week now. I'm just not sure when we'll make up," she mumbled.

"What have you been arguing about?" Theo asked.

"It's complicated, I can't really explain. We just haven't been seeing eye-to-eye, I guess you could say," she told him evasively.

"Oh...well, I'm sure they'll come around. I'm sorry they're being this way. We should probably head back to the castle now, though, it's getting late." Theo took Eve's hand and smiled down at her before leaning in and kissing her lightly on the lips. He pulled away just as fast as he leaned in, leaving Eve with an airy tingling sensation from the toffee flavour of his lips.

Hand in hand, the duo made their way back through the trail. This time, Eve simply stared at the ground instead of looking at the gorgeous scenery nature had to offer. Her lips curled downward as she could see the three sets of footprints that had just recently been imprinted in the squishy trail. Theo looked over at her and saw the frown that was noticeably etched upon her face. He squeezed her hand in comfort, giving her a grin and she looked up at him.

"Why are you grinning at me like that?" A smirk replaced her frown as she eyed him suspiciously.

"I can't help but grin like this when I look at someone as mesmerizing as you," he replied easily as he swung their hands back and forth.

"That was so bloody cheesy, I'm not sure why I liked it," she laughed with a light blush displayed on her high cheekbones.