Evelyn
September. For Lorenzo, it meant returning to his friends, the teachers he’s known for years. The same classes, new potions,and spells. For me it meant mentally preparing myself to be the new girl on campus.
“Evelyn, sweetie. Are you almost finished packing? We don’t want to miss the train!” my mother’s cheerful voice echoed through the mansion. I sat disheveled, one suitcase packed, one with clothes strung around it as I contemplated why I needed to be the one packing. “Mother, I truly don’t understand why I must go. I thought things were going great with homeschooling. Besides, I’m not going to know anyone there! Lorenzo’s an entire grade above me and I’m certain he wouldn’t want his little sister tagging along with him and his friends all the time” I whined. Truthfully, I was excited to go, and be with my brother. I was just nervous to be the new girl at Hogwarts. My mother appeared in my doorway, her bright smile becoming more infectious as she stepped into my messy room. “Now little bee, you mustn’t fret. I’m sure Lorenzo can’t wait to introduce you and get you settled in. I know you’re nervous but frankly dear, you’re old enough to be done with homeschooling, and your father and I would like to travel more before we get too old to do so. Surely you understand? Now run downstairs and eat breakfast, I’ll finish packing your bags and have them brought downstairs.” She replies as she ruffles my hair and kisses the top of my head. I slide down the banister of the stairway, knowing my parents despise when I do that. “It’s not ladylike, Evelyn Rae.” At least they won’t have to deal with it for a while after today. I waltz into the kitchen to see my father reading the Daily Prophet with an unreadable expression. Before I can decide whether to address him, he glances up from his paper, and breaks into a grin. “There’s my teacup. Come, give me a hug. Are you excited to attend Hogwarts finally?” he asks, wrapping one arm around me as he drinks his coffee with his free hand. I nod yes slowly as I stuff my face with a breakfast sandwich, trying not to laugh at the horrified expression on his face. I quickly swallow the last bite, drink my cup of orange juice, and begin to ramble. “Well of course I’m excited I’ll finally be with Enzo again, and I’m sure his friends will be civil enough towards me, I’m just nervous Papa. What if nobody likes me? What if I can’t make friends of my own, or if I’m not as smart or powerful as the rest of you?” I began to tremble. Pulling me into the chair next to him, my father turned to me with the softest expression I’d seen on him in years. “Now teacup, you’re going to do just fine. I’ve spoken with Dumbledore, since you’re coming in so late, they had to make accommodations for your uniform, but I was guaranteed there will be no questions from the faculty. You’ll be in Slytherin, this was decided before you even get there so you can be spared from getting sorted in front of the entire school. I know how you hate being the center of attention” he assures me, rubbing circles onto my hand with his thumb. I take a deep breath, knowing my parents are right. I am going to do simply fine. I need to relax and enjoy this opportunity. I am so focused in my own thoughts I never heard my mother come downstairs with my bags until she rested her hand on my shoulder, startling me. “Come Cherie, we must hurry if we wish to make it to the train station in time.” “Yes mama. Papa, are you coming?” “No teacup, I’m going to be staying behind to square away some last-minute affairs before your mother and I leave later tonight. However, you can write as often as you would like, Howlette will make sure we get our mail. I love you very much brave one. Enjoy!” With one last ruffle of my hair, and a breath-taking squeeze, me and mom are out the door and on our way to the train station.
(Time skip- Evelyn boarded the train with a few minutes to spare. Kissing her mother’s cheek goodbye, with tears in both of their eyes, Evelyn waved to her mother as she embarked on a new journey. Now, as she arrived at Hogwarts, it was nearly dark, so the castle loomed ahead and looked slightly more intimidating than she had seen in pictures from Lorenzo.)
“Young ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention? The final train to Hogwarts has arrived with our final round of students. Among those we do have one new student who has been sorted into their house prior to their arrival. Slytherin, welcome Evelyn Berkshire.” The headmaster they called Dumbledore announced. Great. All eyes on me anyway. I slowly walk forward until I see a figure stand from a table far in the back. “Evelyn come sit with us! Over here” a voice yells. I know that voice. Lorenzo!! I book into a dead sprint towards my brother and jump on him as I squeal in excitement. “I made it Enzo! Mom and Papa already left to travel.” I fill him in as I sit down next to my brother. I glance around slowly and only then do I realize everyone’s watching me intently. I look at Enzo with slight panic in my eyes and he nods, understanding what I need. “Everyone this is my little sister, Evelyn. Evelyn I’m going to introduce you to everyone starting in the far left of the table. That is Draco, then there’s Blaise. Next to him is his girlfriend Pansy, then there’s my best mate, surely you remember Theo. Theodore Nott. On my left is Mattheo Riddle, Draco’s cousin, and his brother Tom Riddle. Astoria was here but she complained of a headache, so she went to the girl’s dormitory, which I’m sure you’ll see soon.” I nodded at everyone as I looked around, my gaze falling on the boy with shaggy brown hair, a crooked smile, and the prettiest green eyes I’d ever seen. “Good seeing you baby Berkshire” I hear from across the table. I scowl at Theodore as him and the rest of the table chuckle. I elbow Enzo in the ribs, soliciting a groan of pain out of him as I shoot daggers with my eyes to Theo. “Don’t think because I’m one year younger that I couldn’t still take you in a match. I distinctly remember beating your butt when we were younger, Knot-head.” I smirk as Theo’s eyes widen. “Whoa I thought we called a truce on the nickname there, kid” “Yes. We did. You also agreed on YOUR end of said truce to stop calling me baby Berkshire and kid but here we are….TJ.” I drawl the last part out, stifling a laugh as his eyes slant down at me. “Pretty and funny? Are you sure your Lorenzo’s sister?” I laugh as Mattheo questions me. I notice a subtle shift in the energy as Theo glares at Mattheo. “She’s definitely Lorenzo’s sister, which makes her off limits” he grumbles. “So… I’m going to head to my room and get settled in. Pansy, is it? Would you wanna show me the way possibly?” I ask, smiling at her. She nods excitedly and jumps up. “Oh girl, we’re going to get along fine. Walk with me and we’ll discuss some things.” She says, face lit up with enjoyment. Enzo shakes his head and smiles. “Okay sis, but come meet up with us later, we’re throwing a party to celebrate you coming to Hogwarts!” He pulls me in for a hug. For once since leaving the mansion today, I feel as though things are finally falling into place. Walking through the winding stairways, the floating staircases, and the ever-changingcorridors, I must admit to myself, I’m pleasantly surprised. The aesthetic of Hogwarts is far more charming than Lorenzo had ever let on. My mind keeps flitting back to the Great Hall. I can’t get Theodore’s reaction to Mattheo out of my head. Why did it bother him so much that I got called pretty? Was he jealous? No, that couldn’t be it. He’d been best friends with Lo since we were small. Even so, he’d simply teased me and made me feel small my entire life. He probably just doesn’t want to see me happy. That sounds more accurate for Theodore. I got so lost in my thoughts apparently not only did I not hear Pansy talking to me, I didn’t see her stop walking, as I crash into her, coming to a dead stop. “Oh, my goodness I am so sorry Pansy! I don’t know what happened, my head was going 10 different places and I must have zoned out. Again, I am so sorry.” I stammer, only relaxing a bit when I realize she’s laughing. “Girl you’re more than alright. What’s got you so flustered? Ooh was it Mattheo complimenting you? OH. By the way I meant to ask you, what’s the deal with you and Theo?” she smirked. My face, turning a shade redder by the minute, warmed. “Nothing at all is going on between me and Theodore. He’s my brother’schildhood friend, and quite frankly a nuisance to me. How long have you known him? As far as Mattheo, I can’t say his compliment didn’t boost my ego a little however I’m sure it was simply harmless flirting.” I retort back. I notice one eyebrow raised on Pansy as she replies to my multiple part response. “Well, we dated a few years back for like a week, but it was awkward, so we agreed we’re better off as friends. Awfully quick to insinuate the non-existence of something between you and him, however. Girl, I’m just teasing you lighten up Evelyn.” She laughs. I chuckle as I roll my eyes playfully towards her. “You mean Theodore Nott had a girlfriend at one point? He had a pretty one at that. I must say I’m impressed. Although, not at the fact he hasn’t seemed to have one since, otherwise he wouldn’t be so annoying.” I laugh as me and Pansy come to a set of the most exquisite black, gold and forest green oak doors I’ve ever seen in my life. “Well. These are the Slytherin Common Room doors. Let’s get inside and I’ll show you which dorm is yours, which should be easy since I’m your roommate!” She squeals. I sigh internally, relieved things are going so smoothly this far. As the doors open, I’m greeted with a breathtaking scene in front of me. Our common room appears to be underwater almost, as our windows look like an encasing for an aquarium. Pansy continues to point out certain aspects of the common room as we walk briskly to our shared dorm. We arrive and as we enter, I see my bags one of the two queen-sized beds. I begin unpacking, starting with my clothes. I hang up the few uniforms my father got for me, along with some of my “weekend clothes” I’d packed. I scurry to the chest with my name on it and store some of my more “risqué” clothing in the bottom before throwing extra towels and pajamas on top of them.” After clicking it shut, I sit on top of it, relieved the clothes are unpacked at last. Pansy’s decorating her half of the dorm. I sit and watch her as she focuses intently on each piece, making sure it’s set to her liking. She glances over and sees my side, bare save for a few clothes. “Oh no. That won’t work. We have to give some life to your side lovely lady. Do you have any posters or anything to hang up?” She questions. I shake my head and reach in my bag to pull out the lone picture frame I brought with me. It’s a picture of me and Enzo when we were about 7 and 8 years old. I smile warmly as I remember how inseparable we used to truly be. Only then do I glance at the background of the photo and study it more closely. How did I never notice Theodore in the background? Why was he staring at me? I’m so going to confront him tomorrow with this. Creep. I laugh to myself as I set my photo on the dresser. I look at Pansy smiling and figure now’s the time. “So. What do I need to know about our fellow Slytherin’s that wasn’t said at the breakfast table? I figure if anyone is going to warn me, it should be you” I laugh. She smiles and sits on the edge of the bed near me. I settle in, leaning against the headboard as I brace myself. “Well. You’ve met everyone except Astoria, she goes by Tori to most the boys. There are the 3 Gryffindors, we call them “The Golden Trio”. You’ll probably meet them at some point. I wouldn’t mind them too much. They don’t like Slytherin’s at all to be fair. There’s Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We’re all pretty sure Ron and Hermione are going to end up snogging one day but who knows As far as our wacky group goes. You seem to know Theo well enough. Blaise and I have been together about 2 years now, he’s a good man, despite being best mates with Draco. I say that lovingly, as you’ll notice as time goes on. I prefer to think of myself as the annoying little sister Draco never asked for, nor wanted, but time delivered regardless. Then we got Tom and Mattheo. I’m surprised Tom showed up, he’s never in the Great Hall before lunch. Mattheo that you met today, he’s a tad bit of a flirt, but usually never outwardly in front of our group. Usuallyhe just has little secret flings and we find out about them after. I must admit, I was surprised to hear two compliments come out of his mouth in one sitting. I can assure you if he’s that brazen now, there’s more coming at the party tonight. OH! That reminds me. Do you have any clothes for parties? We can go shopping at Hogsmeade tomorrow and you can borrow one of my dresses tonight if not!” She exclaims. I can tell from her excitement that these parties are to be taken seriously. I opt to borrow one of her dresses tonight and go shopping tomorrow. After all, mom and dad sent me with plenty of money in my account at Gringotts. As she rummages through her closet, I hear her mumbling to herself and suddenly dresses begin flying past my head onto the bed. I hear “THIS.” And out pops her head from the closet. In her hands has got to be the shortest but cutest dress I’ve ever seen. Before I can protest with questions of how my brother is going to react, she threw the dress to me. Strapless, black dress that goes down to my mid-thigh, hugging my body in all the curves I wasn’t completely aware I had. The dress itself is stunning, a little short for my liking but I’m going to let loose and trust Pansy on this call. I turn around after slipping into the dress and stare in awe at the sight before me. Just when I thought the dress, I’d borrowed was gorgeous. The dress Pansy chose to wear was breathtaking. (Photos of dresses, hair and makeup included at end of chapter). Pansy waved her wand over us both, completing our looks within minutes. I smiled shyly at her and twirled. “I don’t think I’ve ever dressed like this. It’s been sweatpants or jeans my whole life” I admitted. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m your best friend now. We’ll get you a new comfort zone love. Now, I texted Blaise and asked him to escort us to the party. I know you said there was nothing between you and Theo, and I’m going to take it at face value for that. So, I might have asked him to bring along a friend to escort you.” She confessed, smiling. I rolled my eyes and laughed as I heard a quick rapport at the door. “Well, my lady, I’m assuming the gentleman are here to get us. Shall we?” I mock bow, as she mock curtsies and laughs, opening the door. There stands Blaise and Mattheo, both dressed in black suits with green pocket squares and black ties. Blaise takes Pansy into his arms, twirls her around and kisses her. Mattheo’s eyes rake up and down my body as he lets out a low whistle. “Well now, I know Nott said off-limits but I’m finding it hard to listen my lady. Now, I can’t let a gorgeous girl walk herself into a party of animals. Do me the honors?” Mattheo requests, holding out his hand. I giggle and take his hand, feeling the color seep into my cheeks as he raises my hand, kissing it slowly as he makes eye contact with me. “I’d be honored to be on your arm walking through those doors, Mr. Riddle. Let’s go see what these Slytherin parties are really like hm?” I reply, glancing over at Pansy and Blaise who are staring at us slightly shocked. I cleared my throat and smiled to myself as we all began walking towards the common room. Standing outside the doors, it sounded quiet and empty. However, something in my gut told me my life was going to begin to change forever the minute we walked through those doors.
