Evan Rosier (Harry Potter Fanfic/ Prequel)

2 | 12 | Is This Really Necessary?

Tuesday, September 5

Breakfast is not as pleasant as I had hoped.

While I'm nibbling at my potato casserole, my red owl, Chernobyl, comes and dives into my plates, knocking food onto me. "Chernobyl!" I scold, standing and scowling at the mess she made. I hear several students' snickers around me.

She chucks a letter and a tiny package at me and leaves. I glare after her. Normally, Chernobyl is so well behaved.

I tear into the package, desperate to know what was so important that it cost me my breakfast. With a pale face, I stare at the contents.

Without another word, I go to the Ravenclaw common room to be alone.

I sit on the sofa and open the letter with shaky hands.

Arabelle,

Clobbey found this in your jewelry box when he was dusting. Where on Earth did this come from?
    It's glamorous, Arabelle! Very expensive, too. Is it a gift from one of your friends? You have got to wear this immediately. Do it for your parents. A ring this beautiful cannot be passed into a simple box.
    Love with all our hearts,
    Mother and Father

I gulp, staring down at the onyx ring that Evan got me last Christmas.

Can I just not wear and say I did?

No, she would ask Blair. And there's no way I can tell her about this anyway. The only solution I have is to do what Mom says. If I tell her Evan got me this ring, she'll think we're together.

But it's the weirdly expensive ring that creep gave me.. If I do wear it, he'll be so happy. Do I want him to be happy? I don't think so?

I don't really have a choice in this, do I?

With a sigh, I slip on the ring and my robes. Next time we go shopping for the robes, I'll make sure mine is extra big to cover up my hands.

I don't want a single person to figure out about this.

~ * ~ *
"Arabelle, what on Earth is that?" Blair asks, pure amazement in her tone.

I quickly cover up my fingers. "What is what?"

She takes my hand away and inspects the ring. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. Just my luck. "Where did you get this ring?"

I pull my hand away and stammer. "Uh- a friend."

"Which friend? You don't have a lot of those," she teases.

My eyes dart to the side. "I don't think you know this person..."

She tilts her head back with a sharp laugh. "I know all four of your friends, Arabelle."

I peer at the crown of the jeweled ring, realizing not for the first time of its beauty. "It's odd, really. My parents just wanted me to wear this when they saw I had it."

"Mhm." Fortunately, she doesn't press on.

I mentally curse myself for letting her see. It's only a matter of time before someone else finds out.

After Charms, that Lily Evans girl accidentally knocks into me. With a yelp, I fall to the ground. "You hit like a mountain troll!" I snarl, picking myself up and dusting off my robes. Grabbing my books and turning away, she gasps in amazement.

"I'm sorry, Arabelle! That ring is so beautiful. Where did you get it?"

"Uh- nowhere!" I answer quickly, trying to cool down before I can expose myself.

She smiles. It's warm and genuine. I can't tell if I like it or not, but I can see why Severus does. "May I see it?" Gulping, I hold out my left hand for her to see the ring. She peers at it, her mouth open. I refrain from rolling my eyes at the sight. "It's gorgeous."

"Thanks," I grumble.

"Well, see ya."

I don't respond and she heads away. I decide she isn't as bad as I initially thought.

"Hey, Belle." It's Severus. He steps to my side and watches Lily go to her next class.

"Sev." We see Potter come and join her, laughing his head off with his friends. I hear a faint 'what's so funny?' before Lily joins in. I grab Severus's arm, unwilling to let him see more. "Let's get out of here."

He doesn't answer me. "So what's with the ring?"

I throw my head up in surprise. "Everyone's noticing?!"

"Yeah." He grabs my hand and looks at it closer. "It's beautiful."

I find myself pulling away and sighing. "It's from Evan. I haven't told anyone else but I think I can trust you. My parents found it in my room since I haven't worn it and they told me I have to wear it now." I scowl. "All about their image."

"I think it looks lovely on you," he tells me. "Even if Rosier did give it to you."

I sigh. "Thanks." Feeling better, we head to our next class, smiling and laughing as we usually do.

~ * ~ *
Published 5-24-20