Evan Rosier (Harry Potter Fanfic/ Prequel)

2 | 20 | Take Your Time

Sunday, January 7
(Arabelle's POV)

I was wrong to assume Evan would apologize so quickly.

Should I even wait for one? If he hasn't apologized now, will he ever? The answer to that is fairly simple. No.

I won't hold my breath, at least.

~ * ~ *

I've never liked being wrong.

Especially now, when I'm so young. At the age of 12, admitting to being wrong is almost impossible. So I'm not going to do that, but I will admit I made a mistake.

Granted, it's the same thing as being wrong. It's still different, though, the wording. I'd rather say "I've made a mistake" than say "I was wrong." Others may not agree, but it's just how I think.

With that being said, perhaps I've made a mistake, and I've realized that only a few days later.

I do want Evan to be my friend. Before, I didn't want anything to do with Evan. That wasn't after I went to his house and we became closer. He's a brilliant wizard and a great person. Maybe it was just the fantastic ice skating, but I do like him.

And we can't be friends if we don't talk to each other. Don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed that he would stand aside and let his buddies attack me. That's just wrong.

Today, I see Evan alone in the courtyard.

It takes me several deep breaths, but I finally gain the nerve to walk up to him. It seems as if he's doing homework.

"Evan," I say, not exactly sure of what else I'll say. I hope this ends out as well as I thought.

"Arabelle." The reply is cool, and it almost catches me off guard. What did I expect? A warm, friendly welcome?

"I don't want to fight," I tell him, trying my best to look determined and not at all afraid of the outcome.

He stares at me. It feels like the awkward pause lasts for more than 10 seconds. "I don't want to fight, either."

"Can we be friends?" I ask, bracing myself for the answer I don't want.

"Sure." His smile doesn't reach his eyes, but I smile back. Mine is at least genuine. I know it will take a while for us to get warmed up again, but I'm willing to take the time.

"I'll see you around," I say and quickly dart off. He watches me leave, and I see him return to his homework. From the doorway, I take another deep breath and begin my walk to the library. I need a break.

I get it, I think. I'm mad at Evan because of what his friends did and he's probably mad at me because I overreacted. Both of us think our feelings are justified, which leads to an argument between who is right and who is wrong.

But the truth is, that's not how it works. I'm not right, and he's not wrong, but it's also not the other way around. No, we're both right and wrong. Still, how do we explain something like that?

This is why I don't like interacting with people. They have feelings, confusing feelings, and they always think they're right.

I'm no different. I'm just aware.

Does that make it any easier for me or the people around me? No. That's why, on times like this, I use books as a coping mechanism.

Call me a freak, but we all have our ways.

~ * ~ *
Evan and I are hanging out for the first time in several days.

We're both still wary of each other, but we're working our way up. It's a process, you see. We just don't know what to do with each other.

Anyway, we're debating whether or not we should be on the lake or not to ice skate.

Neither of us think it's a good idea, but both of us want to do it anyway. "Dumbledore won't get mad," I say, ninety-nine percent sure.

"And the ice is thick," Evan agrees. "There's no way either of us will fall."

After some consideration, we decide to do it.

"Do we even have skates?" I ask him.

"Uh..."

We have to go all the way back to the castle to get them, but I don't mind. The day is short, which means we still have enough time to spare.

He holds my set of skates for me, like a true gentlemen, until we get back to the lake. We get our skates on and he helps me get to the lake. This time, there's nothing to hold onto except for Evan.

"Don't fall," he tells me, as if I have control over my own body.

I clench my teeth and do as instructed- bend my knees, arms out, become a buff gorilla that wants to intimidate its competitors. Perfect. I slip a couple of times before I get the hang of it.

While Evan does twists and spins, I am still learning on how to skate fast without falling at the end.

"Ouch!" He teases, when I slip and fall on my face.

"You're telling me," I mumble, massaging my sore face.

"Do I need to take you to Pomfrey?" He asks. I scan his face with a scowl to make sure he isn't joking with me. He looks genuine, so I drop the face and shake my head.

"I'll be fine," I tell him. "I've had worse."

We continue to practice. I get more and more advanced with every passing hour, but I doubt I'll ever be on the skating level that Evan's on. He's magnificent.

It seems as though I keep falling every few seconds when we get farther into the lake. It can't be just me, right? Evan's falling, too, which is unlike him.

We look at each other, confused.

"Should we go back to the castle?" He asks me when we just lie on the ice.

I hold up a finger when I feel something underneath me. I look closely at the ice. There's nothing there. So why am I feeling vibrations?

We look closer at the ice, then Evan speaks.

"That giant squid!" He says, chuckling. "It just bumped its head on the glass."

"Oh." I laugh as well, relieved that it wasn't something dangerous.

We decide to go back to the castle soon after that. The sun is setting, the temperature's are dropping, and our feet are sore from skating all day. Still, I'd do it again anytime.

Evan takes my skates and we walk in the castle, going our separate ways. "Goodnight, Evan," I call, looking behind me.

"Goodnight, Arabelle."

"Maybe we can do this again sometime." I keep the hope from my voice. That would make me look desperate.

"Maybe."

We leave each other. At the Ravenclaw tower, the bronze eagle asks me a question about Transfiguration and I answer it correctly.

When I'm inside, I head straight for the girls' dormitories and my jewelry box.

I almost open the drawer, the one where I threw the onyx ring in, and then close it. Why do I need it? It's night time, and typically people don't wear rings to bed.

I've decided that Evan and I are comfortable enough for me to wear that ring tomorrow.

~ * ~ *

Published 5-28-20