Evan Rosier (Harry Potter Fanfic/ Prequel)

7 | 81 | Last Day at Hogwarts

June

As I pack, I have no problem keeping a straight face unlike the several other girls in my year- who are either crying or laughing and being overall emotional.

I guess that the fact that today is my last day at Hogwarts hasn't hit me yet; frankly, I don't even want to think about that. I don't want to think about what I'm going to do after Hogwarts. I want to stay here forever while also leaving today. It's confusing, really.

"Are you coming to eat breakfast?" Jamie asks before she and a group of girls leave the dormitory.

I shake my head, unwilling to feel anything, even hunger. "I'll eat later." After she leaves, I'm alone in the dormitory.

I fumble with my onyx ring and the black diamond one. I have them on separate hands, so I can look at either hand and be reminded of the gift Merlin has blessed me with: Evan.

I can't avoid him forever, so I head downstairs and out of the Ravenclaw tower.

"Arabelle-"

Jumping at the voice, I turn to see Evan leaning by the door, smirking. I roll my eyes at such a prank. "Arse."

"Let's go get something to eat before we leave," he responds, holding out his arm. I look at it skeptically, then groan.

"I'm not hungry."

"Yeah, right. Let's go." Figuring that he's not asking, I allow him to take me to the Great Hall. Unwillingly, I let the sweet scents of a Hogwarts feast engulf me. Maybe I am a little hungry after all.

Evan sits with me, a hard glare on his face as he scans the surrounding Ravenclaws. He shoots a cold stare to anyone who dares to so much as look at him. I don't bother telling him to knock it off in front of others. If he wants to be an edgy Death Eater, I'll let him fool others.

"Evan, you need to eat something," I tell him when I realize he hasn't even touched his shephard's pie.

"Not hungry."

I glare at him until he smirks back. "Maybe a little something."

Dumbledore stands up from his seat, clinking his fork to his glass. It effectively gains the students' attentions. Last night he did this before the feast, and he announced that Slytherin won the House Cup. I was- and still am- immensely proud of Evan.

He clears his throat and meets our expectant gazes. "This year has been a year full of wonders. We're proud to celebrate the graduation of our seventh years, who will go on leading their lives as wizards and witches with a purpose. Your career may be a mystery as of today, but we can all agree that no longer will you be children learning your first spells and potions. May you go on as the greatest of your kind." He raises a glass.

I catch a small smirk on Evan's face and vaguely wonder just how great he's going to be.

"As for all my other students, this will not be your last day of Hogwarts, nay, this is a new beginning for all. I trust you'll treat this new beginning with dignity."

And so he sits down, earning a clap from mostly students of his House. I give in a half-hearted clap as well. The feast ends not long afterwards, which means we will be leaving Hogwarts in only an hour.

Evan and I stand beside an old beech tree, peering out into the Great Lake.

"What's going to happen?" I ask in a small voice.

He doesn't have an answer.

"Hey! (L/N)!"

I turn to see the four Gryffindor Kings themselves... Or perhaps three and a half. Pettigrew never astounds me.

Evan bristles at their approach, but I silence him with a sharp gaze.

"It's our last year at Hogwarts," Black starts.

"Last day, actually," I correct him, enjoying the flash of half-amusement and half-irritation in his eyes.

"Yeah, well, we just wanted to say no hard feelings, right?" Potter cuts in.

I give him a curt look when Evan puts a hand on my shoulder. Should I say what I know Evan's dying to say? No, because I don't feel the same way. "No hard feelings." Evan stiffens beside me.

Black grins slightly but Potter just nods. Honestly, as terribly annoying as Black is, I prefer him to Potter.

Lupin smiles at me politely. I realize I prefer him over all three of them. "We'll see you around?"

I shrug. "Depends on your luck."

Lupin grins one last time as his buddies begin walking away. Evan opens his mouth to say something but I cut in before he can utter a word.

"I do not have a problem with them unless they have a problem with me. Your feelings do not override my right to have acquaintances. Understood?"

He stares at me, surprised at my outburst, then cracks into a semi-serious grin. "Understood, ma'am."

"Shall we go?"

He takes my hand gently, perhaps as an apology. I allow him to take me inside, where students are beginning to file out the other entrance. Evan and I follow up, being two of the last few students to exit Hogwarts.

The train rests in front of us, full of chattering students and tearful graduates.

Evan grasps my hand and looks questioningly at me. "After you."

I gaze at the castle one last time before stepping onto the train with Evan.

The doors shut and the train begins to stir, eventually leading us away from our second homes.

~ * ~ *
Published 9-6-20

Short chapter, but this is not the end, my friends!