Evan Rosier (Harry Potter Fanfic/ Prequel)

Year 3 | 25 | Lonesome Summer

Saturday, June 30-Tuesday, August 7

I have had minimal visitors over the summer, which is highly unusual for us.

Typically, Blair would visit every week or so, and I expected Evan to stop by often as well. Both Cassia and Cynthia promised to come over some time this summer, but it hasn't happened yet. I keep sending them letters inquiring about their matters, but all I've been getting is 'I've been busy.'

Rubbish. How stupid do I look?

For this reason, my behavior has been rather indecorous. I've stopped asking my parents if we've gotten any invitations from the Rosier's or Blair. Even though they've been wondering what happened as well, they don't care nearly as much. They can go anywhere, see anyone they want. They're all I have, and Clobbey.

Maybe that's why I've been particularly nasty to the house elf recently. I don't been to be callous or anything, but he is so maddening.

"Miss Arabelle, what shall I clean?"

"Miss Arabelle, is your room in need of a touch up today?"

"Miss Arabelle, allow my compliance."

"Miss Arabelle-"

"CLOBBEY."

The house elf jumps a little at the tone of my voice. He's standing at my doorway, broom and dust pan in hand, gawking at my room.

I stand from my bed and stomp to the door. "I will set you free, damn you."

He jumps back in horror and scrambles down the stairs. I slam the door shut and stomp to my bed again. I only sulk for a few minutes before sitting back up and leaning over to pick up a spare piece of parchment and a quill.

I scribble down a few lines,

"I'm losing my patience, Rose. What exactly is the hold up? I expect a visit as soon as possible."

I roll up the parchment and seal it shut. My owl, Chernobyl, isn't in her cage, so I go outside to check the little nest she made in the tree out front. She's not there.

Irritated, I head back inside and wait by my window.

She shows up after dinner time. "Chernobyl!" I turn my stern gaze to her when she enters the room. "Where were you this entire time? Have I got a letter?"

It's evident that I don't. In replace of the letter that should have been there, she has a frog. A frog. "You were out hunting-" I take the frog from her beak in disgust- "for hours just to turn up with a frog?"

She squeaks in protest and snatches the frog back, earning a cry of pain while she gobbles it down. "You- ugh!" I hold up my finger and see that she has nicked me. I bring it up to my mouth and clean the blood off.

"Enough pigging, you." I reach over to pick up my note. Upon its touch, I relax. Evan will give me some answers. Now I feel guilty about bad-mouthing Chernobyl.

"Here." I slip her the note and gently rub her feathers on the neck where she likes it. "Sorry for the attitude."

Before she takes off, I make her wait. "Give him a nice peck for avoiding me."

A small gurgling noise comes from her throat; I think she just purred or something. With that, she leaves. I watch her go.

I decide to go to bed early that night.

In the morning, Chernobyl hasn't arrived yet. I stomp to the door in frustration, ready to chew her out when I see her again.

I go to check the tree, but don't step off the porch. It's bloody soaked out there. How hard was the rain last night?

I don't feel so annoyed anymore. No, it is perfectly normal she wouldn't have come yet, it was raining far too hard for her. In fact, I'm glad she didn't fly in the rain.

Luckily, she comes just after I finish breakfast. "Chernobyl!" She drops the letter on my bed and shake droplets of water off. "You were flying in the rain," I comment, flinching at the spray.

She hoots and flies off, probably to go hunt again. Maybe she'll find something more bearable than a frog. Gross.

No longer interested in my owl's whereabouts, I examine the letter. It has a neat "ᴀʀᴀʙᴇʟʟᴇ" on the front. Undoubtedly, it is from Evan.

I rip it open, apprehensive.

"Arabelle,
We're not home. We're doing a certain business for the Dark Lord, which doesn't concern you.
Okay, that went off a bit rude. Your owl pecked me, did she think I was being rude? Listen, if it makes you feel any better, I have no control over this at all. I really wish I could come over, but you know that. I miss you lots.
I know I can't say anything about what we're doing, but I want you to know when we get out of this, I'll come. And as soon as possible, as you've instructed.
My word,
Rose"

I hope he isn't bluffing. This time, I'll take his word for it. I coddle my owl in content, cooing at her. She seems to take this odd behavior lightly.

I don't bother to write Evan back. His parents might think wrong of me, so instead, I continue my day, and my week as normal.

Even though Evan has given me an acceptable excuse, my other friends are unexcused. I'll write them about it, and I'll be very stern. Maybe I'll have Chernobyl peck them until they come over.

It's tempting, but I understand they need their time. I just wonder what they could possibly be doing that's kept them so busy.

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Published 6-7-20