chapters 13,14&15
Chapter 13 - Do I look like her?
It had been quite some time since I had last needed to visit L’mun’s shop. I hope she doesn't think she's in trouble when I show up unannounced.
“And here we are, L’mun’s Belle Bijoux.”
“Belle Bij- Bijoux?”
“It’s French. It’s also one of the many locations where the Douglass family sells their jewellery. The main family runs the one in Australia.”
“So who runs the one here?”
“That would be L’mun and her husband, they're quite good at it too.”
With that they enter. It was rather fancy but nothing out there, after all, we catered to both muggles and wizards, though the muggles were never able to get their hands on the enchanted jewellery, they weren't kept in the store for obvious reasons.
“M, my lady, I wasn't aware you were coming I-.”
“It’s ok, I'm not here for business, you didn't forget about anything. I'm here so that Harry can get his ears pierced. We have a pair of earrings that he wanted to wear already, so just use the needle and use a healing spell so that he will be able to wear them right away.”
“Oh thank Merlin. Harry dear, how old are you?”
“I'm 11.”
“And your date of birth?”
“31st july 1980.”
“Address?”
“Hogwarts.”
“You'll be having your ears pierced, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Are you wanting to do it the wizarding way or the muggle way?”
“The muggle way, but with accelerated healing.”
“Allergies, or bleeding disorders?”
“Not that I know of.”
“And a guardian’s signature?”
“That will be me. I am currently taking care of him.”
“Please sign here. And that should be it, please follow me.”
With that we made a beeline towards a room just off the side of the reception desk.
“Just sit here for me, Harry. Do you want Lady Sìleas to be in the room with you?”
“Yes please.”
Harry sat there nervously while listening to L’mun as she explained the process.
“I'm just going to wipe your ears with a disinfectant real quick, so don't get shocked by the sudden coldness.”
After marking the spots on his ears and making sure that they lined up, she brought out the needle gun.
“It might sting for a second, but after that you'll be ok.”
It was funny seeing Harry squint his eyes shut as the needle gun was brought closer to him only to not react at all when the needle pierced his ears.
“And, done.”
“Huh? But nothing happened?”
“Harry, she's already pierced your ears and healed them. Here, let me put your earrings in.”
“Oh, they really are pierced, I thought it would hurt more but I didn't feel a thing.”
I handed him a mirror so he could get a good look at himself. He rotated the mirror at differing angles, admiring his new look. The expression in his eyes made me wonder if you would have looked like that too, Lily.
“So do you like them?”
“I do, very, very much.”
Prying Harry away from the mirror took longer than I anticipated. The sparkle in his eye was a precise copy of his fathers, always preening in front of the mirror, bloody peacocks.
~ Draco’s point of view ~
“Sooo ~ you think Aunties gonna find the guts to ask Evangeline out on a date?”
“Definitely.”
“Wait, really?! Those two have been dancing around each other for years.”
“Well now that she’s working at Hogwarts, she won't be able to visit as often and she's realised that she's been stuck in that awkward middle stage of obviously liking each other. But they are both too scared that they're gonna mess up the existing relationship, and soon she’s just gonna shoot her shot, before she can no longer take one at all. She's being so obvious about it, only someone as dense as Uncle wouldn't realise.”
“You think Evangeline will say yes?”
“Undoubtedly. Once she finds out Sìleas is going to work at Hogwarts, and they won't be able to see each other as often as before, the realisation will set in that if she doesn't act now they will grow apart.”
“What? Sìleas is going to be working at Hogwarts?”
“Evangeline, hi, I didn't see you there, how are you? It's been a while?”
“Don't you dare change the subject Severus Tobias Snape.”
Chapter 14 - So, is that a yes? Definitely
The Nine Lives Caffe is the epitome of serenity, so you can imagine my surprise when I opened the door to what could only be explained as a man begging for his life.
“Well this wasn't what I was expecting. Sev, what on earth did you say?”
“YOU’RE LEAVING?!?!” She turned around and yelled at me, oblivious to the volume of her own voice.
“Oh, Evangeline, I wasn’t planning on you finding out like this. But I am, indeed, going to work at Hogwarts for the foreseeable future.”
I could see Laurel, stationed at the caffe counter, snap their head in my direction at that comment. It was rather alarming the noise their sudden movement made.
“But why? You hate school. Not to mention having to work for that old oaf, Dumbledore!”
“Oh I know, but it's important, I can't really talk about it here”
“And when were you planning on telling me?!”
“Today actually. That and more...”
“And more, like what?”
“Like, will you marry me?”
Dead silence.
In the cocktail of emotions running through my body, I had forgotten my surroundings, and that Sev and Draco were also in the room, not to mention all the people that were just trying to have a cup of coffee or slice of cake. I could feel the eyes of the entire cafe locked on to me and Evangeline.
“I knew you were gonna ask her out, but marriage right off the bat-”
“Shut up, Sev.”
Before I could even begin to regret my words, I was engulfed in the tightest hug imaginable. Her arms wrapped around me, bringing me home in the sense of safety of her embrace.
“YES, YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES!”
“Oh the ring, I have a ring, just give me a second.”
I frantically patted down my pockets trying to locate the ring, before the moment would pass, I got down on one knee and asked once again, somewhat embarrassed by my lack of preparation the first time.
“Will you marry me.”
“Yes.”
Sliding the ring onto her finger felt like the happiest moment of my life. The ring symbolized not just our commitment to each other, but also the journey we had taken together. It was a promise of love, trust, and a shared future, capturing the essence of our relationship in a single, beautiful band of silver, upon first glance simplistic and classic. Up close, delicate engravings, intricate and intentional by design, signifying our bond. Every glance at it would remind us both of the life we were building together.
“So when's the wedding?”
“Oh my Merlin, Sev, can you give us a second?”
~ Laurel’s point of view ~
“You can come out now the argument is over.”
“What even happened? One minute I was making cake and the next Ludociel came in looking like a bomb went off.”
“Well I'm not sure how to explain what just happened, but long story short Sìleas is now working at Hogwarts and she just got engaged to the boss.”
“Ok, did a bomb actually go off and give you brain damage? Because there is no way what you just said actually happened.”
“You can go out there and see for yourself.”
“I’ll do just that.”
~ Sìleas point of view ~
“Well this is awkward. I was planning on having Sev take you somewhere while I proposed but that didn't happen. And Sev, really what did you say?”
“I was talking to Draco about how you were probably going to finally ask Evangeline out and whatnot, when she decided to eavesdrop.” Sev pointed a sharp stare in Evangeline’s direction.
“I wasn't eavesdropping, I was coming over to take you orders personally because you haven't visited in a while.”
“You were going to try and pry information about Sìleas from me like you've always done. Really, you've been doing it since we were attending Hogwarts.”
“I was nervous that I would leave a bad impression or make her uncomfortable, so I went to you since you were the only person she was close with at the time.”
“Can you two stop bickering? There are children at the table.”
“Sorry Sìleas.” They both glared at each other in tandem. Despite being good friends with her, Sev is still an older brother.
“Sorry about that boys, this was all kind of sprung on you.”
“It's ok Professor Sìleas, by the sound of it, it was sprung on you too.”
“Congrats you two, and here’s your food, sorry about the delay.”
“Thanks Ludociel.”
~ Laurel’s point of view ~
“Guys, Laurel wasn't suffering from a concussion, they really are engaged.”
“I told you, now pay up!”
“I don't believe it.”
“Well you better, boss isn't gonna shut up about it for months.”
Chapter 15 - but what if?
~ Time Skip ~
Despite the suddenness of it all I do believe me and Evangeline will adapt to it accordingly. I plan on staying the night at her living quarters for soon we will both be buried in work. For now though she does have a job to do and I will leave her to her work.
“Harry dear, would it be ok if I walked you home? There are many dangers lurking around Diagon Alley when it's this late, especially for a young celebrity like yourself.”
“Uh sure, though my Aunt and Uncle might be a bit rude.”
“I’ll be fine. I've dealt with worse.”
The walk to 4 Privet Drive was more entertaining than I’d anticipated. For such an affluent neighbourhood, there sure were a lot of kids walking around at night, nothing a good glare and a few words even a sailor would blush at couldn't handle. The absolute shock on some of the kids' faces was priceless, not to mention the innocent questions Harry asked about the words I used. I had never bothered visiting Petunia neither before or after the death’s of Lily and James. Sev tried once, they threatened him with a gun. I’m still mad at them for that.
“We're here already. How time flies by in good company. Do you need any help getting your stuff through the door? Or will this be our last meeting till I pick you up for Hogwarts?”
“I’ll be fine, you’d think this thing would weigh a ton with all the things jam-packed in there, but I can lift it easily. Cola seems content there at least.”
“Cola?”
“It's the nickname I gave Vul-pecula. It's easier to pronounce.”(easier to spell and remember too.)
“Well I'll be off now, have a good night harry.”
“You too.”
I turned around and made my way down the walkway, only to be stopped dead in my tracks by an ungodly sounding shriek.
“Petunia.” I do not think my tone has been any dryer, except when talking to Dumbledore, but it's an impulse.
“You!!”
“Me.”
“How dare you show up here, out of all the people Lily went and “befriended”, you were the worst. You and your blasted cat.” She spouted, venomously.
“They’re a cat and you left a vase within range. Were you expecting them to reorganise the display?”
“Why, you!”
“Oh shut up, you’re gonna wake up the entire neighbourhood with your incessant shreking, and that’s if you haven't already. If you want to continue your one sided screaming match, take it inside.”
“I'm not letting you and your foul cat into my house. You blasted witch.”
And with that she proceeded to drag Harry into the house and slammed the door. She was so easily riled up, it’s almost enjoyable at this point but she makes it too easy.
~ Harry’s point of view ~
“What was that about?”
“Go to your room!”
“But.”
“Now!!”
I’d never seen her so angry before. It's normally Vernon who gets mad. Nevertheless i wasn't gonna fight her on it i was going to go straight to my room anyway. Before I even got to my room Dudley turned the corner at the top of the stairs blocking my path no doubt coming over to find out what all the yelling was about.
“What are those on your ears? ”he said in a stupor though he always sounded like he had no idea what was going on.
“They’re earrings, they're also none of your business.”
“But you were going school shopping not doing whatever that is, that's not fair mom!!”
I tried pushing past him to no avail, aunt petunia was there in seconds and only now seemed to realise that i was wearing earrings.
“What on earth were you doing with that witch? Is this why you came back so late!”
“No, we came back late because we went to get lunch and she ended up getting engaged.”
Her face was red. She probably hadn't even heard what I said.
“Take those out this instant!!”
“NO!! These were my moms and you're not going to take them from me too.”
She froze. Uncle Vernon, who by the look of him had just got out of bed having been woken up by all the noise, stood frozen at the top of the stairs just to the right of Dudley.
“Mom you ok you look pale.” Dudley sounded rather loud in the silence despite how softly he had spoken.
“You boys go to your rooms this instant.” Uncle Vernon spoke, rather quietly too.
It was probably the first time me and Dudley actually went to our rooms instead of trying to eavesdrop on whatever conversation aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon were having. Her reaction was strange. She was always so rude or evasive, even nonchalant when my parents were brought up but she seemed sad, angry when I mentioned that the earrings were my moms. Even uncle Vernon had a strange reaction though it seemed like his reaction was a reaction to aunt Petunia's reaction. This is hurting my head. I'm going to sleep.
~ Petunia’s point of view ~
“How does he have those?! Why does he have those! When I was told my sister was dead all I got was a new responsibility, a half assed explanation and nothing else. No money, no legal documents, no belongings, no nothing. And now I'm being told I have to send him to some wizarding boarding school but still let him back into my house every year. I let him go shopping for school supplies and he comes back with that wretched woman and his ears pierced! What next a cat!!”
“Petunia dear, maybe you should calm down. It's not good for you and you might wake up the neighbours.”
“Your right, your right I let my temper get the hold of me.”
As unceremonious of me as it was, I slumped into the sofa. It had been so long since I had to deal with any of this ‘magical nonsense’ and now it's come back to haunt me.
“Vernon dear what if,” I paused. “What if the man that killed Lily comes after us because of the boy? I mean he already tried to kill him once when he was a baby, who's to tell what he'll do to us. Not to mention that woman, from what I could understand of Potter’s ramblings about ‘work’ she was deeply involved with tracking him down, she has certainly caught his attention and has a neon flashing target on her. For all I know she was why they got killed in the first place. Think about Dudley.”