The Evans Council
The dance was, as always in Godric’s Hollow, a merry affair. Yet Lily was, as often, not in a good mood.
This was mostly due to her father’s pep talk, right before the party, reminding them of the presence of many respectable ladies and gentlemen and, therefore, of their duty to be on their best behaviours. They were, after all, too old to remain unmarried much longer. Lily had groaned at that, and her mother had grabbed her arm.
“Lily.”
“Mother.”
“Be nice.”
Lily promised to be nice.
At meeting the Meadowes inside, though, her spirits were lifted a little. Their eldest daughter, Dorcas, was a dear friend to both Remus and Lily. For a long time, Lily had held the secret hope that her brother would marry her best friend and make her a sister for good, but it had become obvious from an early point that the two shared deep friendship and respect but no romantic feelings.
Halfway through the evening, the music stopped and the doors opened, revealing at long last the main reason behind the presence of many a young single lady tonight: the new residents of Grimmauld Place. There were five of them, two ladies and three gentlemen. One of those men, Lily decided at first sight, was utterly unpleasant. Mr Malfoy (Dorcas, who loved a good gossip, whispered his name in her ear) had pale blond hair and such a haughty air about him that it rendered him utterly ridicule. He looked as if his presence at such an event was a terrible affront to his person, and Lily rejoiced at that, for she enjoyed making fun of ridiculous people and he seemed like a good potential victim. The lady at his arm was his wife, Narcissa Malfoy. Though very pretty, Lily thought her pained expression made her look as if there was constantly something smelly under her nose. Of Miss BellatrixBlack, Lily couldn’t say much; there was something so disturbing about her that she dared not stare too long at her mean-looking eyes, for fear of nightmares. The gentleman at the centre of the party was a brother to the two ladies, and the potential prey of all unmarried ladies around. Sirius Black, with his long dark hair, bright smile, well-trimmed beard and general good looks was instantly deemed the most beautiful man on Earth by all in attendance tonight, though Lily suspected it has more to do with his important wealth than his general countenance. Trailing behind him, a head taller at least, was Mr James Potter. Though just as handsome as the rest of the party, he looked very out of place surrounded by his pale-faced companions. Messy dark hair, hazel eyes, brown complexion; in fact, he looked out of place in this assembly, for the only ones with a darker skin were the Meadowes whose ancestors had come from America a few generations ago.
“He’s half-Indian,” whispered Dorcas, who knew everything about everyone. “His father had fallen in love with an Indian princess and brought her to Gryffindor. His parents weren’t pleased. Classic tragic love story.”
“And they were accepted at court?” Lily whispered back, her attention still focused on the stranger. “Since when are the nobles so open-minded?”
“Oh, he must have faced his fair share of opposition, I’m sure,” Dorcas shrugged. She, better than anyone, knew of the bigotry of their circles. “But I heard he’s well-liked wherever he goes.” That wouldn’t surprise Lily. He was handsome, had an easy smile and moved like he owned the place. Though what he did own, according to Dorcas, was a good tenth of England.
Mr Evans, for his part, looked appreciative of this fact and when he moved to introduce himself, waving at his family to join him, Lily moaned internally. This was sure to be interesting. The Evans family (minus Alice, who was nowhere to be found) and Dorcas gathered around the gentlemen named Black and Potter, for the rest of their party had fled away, apparently not deeming the other guests worthy of their time. The introductions were made, and Black was found to be a pleasant fellow, easily joking around as if they were all old acquaintances. All the while, Lily's attention remained focused on him, for he seemed to be unable to take his eyes away from Marlene’s face, but the sudden and unpleasant feeling of an elbow between her ribs took her attention away.
“For God’s sake, Mary!”
“Who’s that man over there?”
“How would I know?”
“Dorcas, who’s that man over there?” Mary was whispering, but was hardly discreet.
“Well that's Amos, Diggory’s prodigual son. Freshly returned from his boarding school in Scotland.”
“Amos Diggory?!” echoed both Mary and Lily.
“No way.”
“He’s grown handsome!”
“It’s quite the surprise. He was rather funny-looking as a kid, was he not.”
“Thanks puberty." Mary praised. "Is he promised to anyone?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Well, mark my word.” Mary had that determined look in her eyes that said an idea was forming in that twisted brain of hers; a look Lily had come to dread. “I hereby declare that I am madly in love with him and that I shall be Mrs Amos Diggory before the year is over.”
“Mary, don’t!” But she was gone. Lily was forced to turn back to the conversation at hand, quite frightened of the new ways her sister could find to embarrass them all, and realised that the whole interaction had not been lost on Mr Potter, who looked thoroughly amused. Remus had noticed, as well.
“Miss Meadowes, would you give me the next dance?” he cut in, opting to save his friend from humiliation rather than his own sister. Lily swore she’d never forgive him, for now James Potter’s mocking glance was focused entirely on her and she found it quite distasteful. She glared back.
“Quite the delightful girls you have here, Mr Evans. You must be awfully proud.” Potter’s voice was pleasant, deep and warm, but dripped with sarcasm to which everyone but Lily was apparently oblivious. Her father, especially, chose to take it as a genuine compliment.
“I could not be prouder. They’re bright and well-educated. And the prettiest girls of the town, wouldn’t you say?”
The men laughed, but the remaining Evans women looked mortified.
“Yes indeed,” Black replied, and he winked -winked!- at Marlene.
“Mr Evans, I see Mrs Diggory's over there. We ought to greet her. If you’ll excuse us.”
Lily internally thanked her mother for the swift rescue. Yet it was Mr Black who looked the most pleased by the recent turn of events as their parents hasted away. The look he sent Marlene was positively wolfish. The look she sent back was ten times worst.
“Miss Evans, if you’d do me the honour?”
“Certainly, Mr Black.”
He led her to the dance floor, both looking entirely too pleased with themselves and each other. It was sickening, Lily thought. But she had been too distracted to think of a proper excuse to get away, and now she was stuck alone with Potter. She felt a bit like she’d been trapped. He was still looking mockingly at her, with a smug grin she itched to slap off his face. She has promised her mother she’d be nice, though, so she didn't act on her impulse.
“Are you enjoying the party, Mr Potter?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve never seen such a party. Everyone here is so funny.”
“Funny?”
“Picturesque, I should have said. Look, everyone’s so excited and loud, dancing and laughing like that. It’s quite like watching the monkeys at the zoo, don’t you think, Miss Lily?”
Following his gaze, Lily discovered that the show offered to them was, indeed, quite pitiful. Most people were obviously drunk and behaving themselves as such. She felt a little bit of shame and, the second after, a great bit of anger. How dared he make her feel ashamed of the people she’s grown up with!
“My my, and who’s that sad little fellow over there?” The amused lilt in his voice was still present, but Potter was frowning as he looked at the other side of the room.
“This is the apothecary, Severus Snape.” answered Lily, highly disapproving of the adjective Potter has just used. Sure, Severus looked quite out of place at any party, with his dark clothes and constantly serious face - but he was a childhood friend of Lily’s nonetheless.
“Ah yes. Dear Snivellus.”
“You know Severus?” She asked, choosing not to comment on the less-than-flattering nickname. She has promised Mother to be nice, she forced herself to remember.
“We went to school together. He hasn’t changed one bit ever since.” Potter replied with obvious disdain in his voice, still not taking his eyes from the other man. “Oh wait, yes he has. He’s grown uglier.”
If he had glanced at her now, he would have been met with the infamous Evans glare; but he laughed.
“Are you, people of this noble town, afraid of water, or is it just our mutual friend Snivellus who doesn’t bathe?”
She scoffed. “Do you intend on dancing at all, Mr Potter, or have you come here with the sole purpose of making fun of everyone?”
He turned his eyes to her at last. There was an amused spark in the hazel irises that immediately get on her nerves. “Is this an invitation, Evans?”
“What a clever way to avoid my question.”
He grinned, wide and bright and positively infuriating. “What a charming way to avoid mine. Shall we dance, now, since you so desire it?”
“You do think very highly of yourself, Mr Potter, don’t you?”
“Why, I don’t have any reasons not to, don’t you agree?” He leaned towards her slowly, so that she felt his breath on her cheeks. And if she did internally agree for a confusing second, she was quick to take a step back.
“I’ve never seen anyone so arrogant as you, Sir.” So much for being nice.
He laughed. Prick. “See, your neighbours agree with me!” It was true. She realised just how many people were staring at the both of them; half the mothers and unmarried daughters of the party looked at him as if he was God himself; the others looked murderously at Lily. “So?”
“So what?” She asked, and turned back to find out he was shaking with barely contained laughter.
“This dance?”
Lily had enough grace to smile and curtsey, but not enough to hide the venom in her tone. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I promised the next dance to my brother.” She turned on her heels before he could reply, running to the other end of the room where Remus and Dorcas were chatting.
“Remus, I need you to dance with me. It’s a matter of life and death.”
An hour later, Lily and Dorcas had retreated to a couch by one window, where they could observe and hear the party without being seen, hidden by heavy velvet curtains. Lily had danced with her brother twice before deciding she had done enough efforts and grabbed a bottle of wine and Miss Meadowes’ hand, taking them both to their favourite hiding spot. Dorcas, who was a good friend and enjoyed gossips as much as anyone, had willingly followed.
“And he looked so pleased with himself! What an arrogant toerag!”
“Lily, it’s the tenth time you bring back the topic of James Potter. Are we not done yet?” Dorcas complained, taking another sip of wine. Her cheeks were flushed with her slightly inebriated state; whereas her companion’s were red also, but with fury.
“But you should have seen him, Dorcas! What a pompous prat!”
“I swear, never have I ever seen such a beauty as Miss Evans!” The conversation between the two girls was cut short by this exclamation. Drawing the curtain open just slightly, Lily discovered it came from a very pleased-looking Mr Black. She exchanged an excited glance with an equally excited Dorcas.
“She is beautiful, indeed. But she smiles too much.” That was Mr Potter. Lily pretended to choke, and Dorcas chuckled in silence.
“Too much! How could one smile too much?”
“By smiling to the wrong people. Most people she smiled to didn’t look like they deserved it.”
“Her sisters look lovely as well. I’m surprised you haven’t asked the second one to dance yet, though. I thought you had a thing for red hair.” Potter chuckled, and Lily rolled her eyes.
“I’m quite wary of this one. She has not been asked to dance once so far. For such a pretty girl to be avoided like the plague by all men in attendance, she must have some terrible fault. Bad breath. Mean character.”
Lily didn’t realise she had risen until Dorcas had grabbed her hand and forcibly pulled her down, bringing her attention back to the scene unfolding.
Mr Black chuckled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
There was the smug grin, back on Mr Potter’s lips. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge, have I? Even if this one seems particularly aggressive and lacking humour, from what I’ve gathered from our brief interlude. But we’ll talk of it once we’re back at Grimmauld; go back to your pretty partner. I can well see I have been robbed of my first place in your heart.” They departed at that, both laughing.
Lily turned back to Dorcas, positively fuming. “How dares he?!”
Her so-called friend merely shrugged, not half as shocked as Lily was. The traitor. “Was he wrong, though?” She whispered. “The men you’ve refused to dance with are still bitter, and the rest is probably too scared you’d bite to ask.”
“I don’t … bite!”
“Only because your mother forbids you to. You should have danced with Mr Potter, and proved him wrong by showing him what a delight you truly are.”
“Hear me out, Dorcas. I would never, ever dance with Mr Potter, even if your life depended on it!”
The more furious Lily grew, the more amused Dorcas was. “A delight, truly.” She chuckled, but Lily, mad at her friend, all but stormed away from their hiding place… only to crash in full force into the chest of one Mr Potter.
“Well, Miss Lily, never has a lady tried so hard to end up in my arms.” He had grabbed her by the forearms to stabilize her, and she immediately recoiled with horror. “So, care to dance?”
“No, Sir. I wouldn’t want to bother you with my bad breath and mean character.”
She fled after that, leaving behind a laughing Dorcas and a stunned Mr Potter.
“He danced with Marlene all night long, can you believe it?”
The sun was rising on the horizon, but the five Evans’ siblings were still wide-awake, debriefing the night’s events in their nightdresses, squeezed on Lily and Marlene’s bed.
“He barely glanced at any other girl at all!”
“How terribly improper.” Alice snorted.
“Oh, enough with Mr Black already,” ordered the eldest girl with a flip of her fair hair. “The Evans Council has more urgent business to discuss. Such as: where did Alice Evans disappear tonight?” Alice rolled her eyes, while the rest of them feigned shock and outrage.
“True that! We haven’t seen her at all.”
“How scandalous!”
“I have seen her!” replied Mary with a smug grin, deftly avoiding the pillow Alice threw in her way. “And the truth will shock you. I have seen Alice Evans... Drum rolls, if you please!”
In a well-rehearsed ensemble, Remus, Marlene and Lily started clapping their thighs, leaving Alice mortified.
“… With Frank Longbottom! Yes, ladies and a gentleman, Alice Evans spent the whole evening hidden away in the sole company of her long-time crush!”
“Disgusting.”
“Properly revolting,” Remus nodded wisely.
“Stop that!” cried Alice, reaching out to hit each of her siblings with her own pillow. “You make it sound so bad, but Papa knew where we were all along.”
“Sorry, sorry darling,” Marlene softened, gently patting the younger girl’s head. “Has he proposed already?”
“Marlene!”
“Well, I have to ask. You two have been very much in love for years. There’s only one thing left to do.”
“We’re not engaged, but …” Alice paused, blushing slightly; which gave ample time for Mary to wolf-whistle. “Mary! We are promised to each other, yes. His parents agree, and Mama and Papa as well.”
"Awww," her siblings cooed as one.
“What’s getting in the way, then?”
“Augusta Longbottom,” affirmed Mary, nodding. “She’s terrifying. I’d rather marry a cockroach than have her as a mother-in-law.”
“Oh hush, Mary. It’s just... He has applied for a cure years ago, but still can’t find employment. People claim he is too young for the task… And we cannot marry while he is still his parents’ responsibility. They’re not rich, I couldn’t possibly be a burden to them.”
“Oh, Alice.” Remus reached out to take her hand.
“It will work out in the end, I’m sure,” offered Lily with a soft smile, and the room was quiet for a while.
“And if not, you and Frank could live with Marlene and Black. They’ll be rich enough to support us all.”
“Mary!”
“What? You two are smitten.”
“I’m not smitten!”
“Let’s make a pact then.” Remus rose from the cushions he had laid on. “From now on, the main goal of the Evans Council will be to do everything in its holy power to unite our two most honourable members with their soulmates.”
“And me,” Mary chirped, “I’m going to marry Amos Diggory.”
Remus rolled his eyes, amused. “One thing at a time, Mimi. First, we must make Mr.s Black and Longbottom propose...”
“I’m not in love with Mr Black!”
“… And plot our revenge against the dreadful Mr Potter, who has been terribly rude to our precious Lily-flower.”
“Thank you, Remus.”
“Even though he has a nice jaw.” Mary reflected outloud, opposed to the bashing of such a honourable representative of the male sex.
“His one redeeming quality.” Remus generously conceded.
“Not redeeming enough!” claimed Lily, outraged.
“Mr Black has a nice jaw.”
“Marlene?”
“Yes?”
“You’re in love!” Four voices shouted, and Marlene buried her head in the mattress, half groaning, half laughing.