Evan Rosier (Harry Potter Fanfic/ Prequel)

3 | 34 | Brace Yourself, You Gotta Look Pretty

Friday, June 28

Today is the last day of our O.W.L.'s.

Finally, these stressful weeks are almost over. Afterwards, we'll have a couple of weeks left to relax before summer break. I can hardly wait.

I've been called a swot, but believe it or not, I was just as stressed about the tests as everyone else. Blair's nose was stuck in a textbook the entire time, which is so unlike her. Cynthia was very crabby and irritable, which is also not like her.

Evan seemed to be the only calm student during the O.W.L.'s. I don't know how he manages to stay that way.

When the exams are over (luckily the last was before lunch), I skip my meal and take a good nap.

I wake up at around 3 in the afternoon and leave the Ravenclaw tower. In a mindless decision, I go to the lake.

It's bittersweet how gorgeous the lake looks right now. Months ago, I fell in from not so frozen ice, and I could have drowned. Now, it looks so safe, as if I can go have a swim right now.

The next day, everyone has visibly relaxed. Blair is chatting without a book in her hands and Cynthia is talking normally, the frustration gone from her eyes. It's refreshing.

"Arabelle!" Cassia calls from beside me. I didn't even know she sat down.

I snap my head up and glare at her. We haven't talked at all in months, so I have no idea what she would want from me now. "Why are you here?"

She smiles, and I get up. If she's here to taunt me, I'm not dealing with it.

"Wait." She grabs my arm and I scowl. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize!"

"So you forgive me?"

"No!" I rip my arm away and leave. I won't sit here and be disrespected. I'm sure Cassia just wants a favor from me.

She finds me in the hallways that same day and I immediately try to walk away. "Please, wait," she says, grabbing my arm again.

I turn my annoyance to her. "What?"

"I mean it, I really am sorry." Her gaze is apologetic but how I know conniving she is.

"Okay, whatever." I just don't want to talk to her.

"Do you forgive me?"

I give her an are-you-kidding-me look. "Probably not. You were a jerk." She pouts and I finally say, "I'll think about it."

Well, that's one thing I probably don't mean, but she leaves me alone anyway. I have to tell Blair about Cassia, but I decide to do it later. For now, I just want to relax.

~ * ~ *
Evan stands next to me in the hallway while I sit on the edge of a window.

"You'll come over, right?" He asks while I flip through the last pages of a 1920's classic.

"Every day," I tease.

I see his smirk out of the corner of my eye. "I'd rather you come over. Mother and father always make sure there's good food when you're around."

I stare at him for a few seconds and then shake my head. "I feel so used."

"Right, how could I go on about that other meal when you're right in front of me?" He says, winking flirtatiously.

I know he's only joking, and I try to laugh. It comes out like a very nervous snort. I can still feel my cheeks redden. "You're terrible, Evan."

"I'm actually the best, thank you. Would you rather Wilkes say that to you?"

My nose scrunches up against my will when thinking of Wilkes. "God, no."

"Or any of my other friends?" His eyes twinkle dangerously. It's not pleasant.

"Never," I reply, just because it's what he wants to hear. Well, also, because it's true.

"And Severus?" He pauses uncomfortably after this. I turn to give him a look, but he isn't really teasing.

"Do you think I fancy Severus?" I ask, trying to sound sarcastic but I'm genuinely curious.

"Yes," he replies without hesitation.

I stare at him for a few moments, then shake my head. "Never. No, definitely not, we're only friends. I've only got one guy in mind."

It surprises both of us to hear it. Who is it? Evan asks the same, but I force a teasing smile and say, "Can't tell you. Anyway, what about you?"

"Romance is so '60's."

I roll my eyes and chuckle. "Seriously. Got your eye out for any special lady?"

He looks around the corridor, as if waiting for her to appear. "I don't know yet. Besides, I'm thirteen. If you want me that bad, come back at sixteen."

I laugh at his tease, but I am still slightly embarrassed. Why did I just admit to Evan that I liked someone when I really don't?

~ * ~ *
"I knew it!" Blair exclaims. I wrap my hands over my eyes and she continues, "You love him!"

"No, no, no," I deny, glaring at her. She still smirks back. "I do not."

We go back and forth like this for a few minutes until the teachers call us forward to put our things on the train. "Blair, don't say a word of this on the train," I warn.

She winks at me. "What a perfect romance."

"Blair!" I say, not as vicious as I intended. Now, I just sound like a whiny nine year old.

We head to our usual compartment and I load my things on the rack with everyone else. I eye Blair as she sits down and bursts into conversation. If she says anything about Evan, I will throttle her.

She and I go to change into our regular clothes, with me going in first.

When I get out, she says in my ear, "I'm not saying anything, I promise."

She keeps her word throughout the entire train ride.

The train ride is over eventually. We pile onto the platform and find our family members. Mine, my parents, are already waiting for me. "What are they feeding you at school, Belle?"

I smile and shrug. I don't think I've grown much. We pass by the Rosier's and I wave to them.

A sudden thought of the summer ball Heather is hosting this July pops into my head, causing me to think of the purple dress Evan bought me.

My smile is brighter and I tell my parents all of the details of the dress shopping and what Evan told me of the ball.

~ * ~ *
Published 6-20-20