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CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. CURSED

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Winter had quickly come. Thick blankets of snow coated the ground as Evangeline, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Cleo made their way to Hogsmeade. It was freezing cold and Evangeline had bundled up, her body clad in the jumper that Mrs. Weasley had knitted her last Christmas as well as a large coat on top. She had on dark jeans and one of her red and gold Gryffindor scarves around her neck as well as gloves on her hands.

A gray beanie sat on top of her head and she listened to her friends talk about the Potions textbook that Harry had. "For weeks,
you carry around this book. Practically, sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out
who the Half-Blood Prince is," Hermione said. "I didn't say I wasn't curious and I don't sleep with it," Harry replied.

"Well, it's true. Well, I got a nice chat before I go to bed. And all you do is read that bloody book. It's like being with Hermione," Ron said. Hermione turned to give him a look whilst Evangeline chuckled. "Well, I was curious. So, I went to—" The other four cut her off. "The library," they said simultaneously. "And?" Harry asked. "And nothing. I couldn't find a reference anywhere to the Half-Blood Prince," Hermione responded.

"There we go. That settles it, then," Harry said. The five's attention was drawn to Professors Slughorn and Flitwick who conversed in front of them. "Yeah, I was hoping to find you in the The Three Broomsticks," Slughorn was saying. "Uh no, emergency choir practice I'm afraid, Horace," Flitwick replied.

Harry continued to stare at Professor Slughorn as Flitwick walked past them. "Does anyone fancy a butter beer?" He asked them. Cleo sighed, "Do we have a choice?" Harry ignored her question and walked forward and to the The Three Broomsticks. "I'll take that as a no," she muttered as the four followed after the boy.

They entered the pub and walked to a table. "No, not there. Over here," Harry said, pointing to a different table. Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows and the five went to the table that Harry had pointed out. Ron went to sit down next to Evangeline but Harry stopped him. "No sit beside me," he said. Ron looked to Evangeline who shrugged, taking a seat next to Hermione.

"Okay," he said. A waiter came over to them as Evangeline took off her coat. "Something to drink?" He asked. "Uh, five butter beers and some ginger in mine, please," Hermione answered. The man nodded his head and went to get them butter beers. Evangeline looked around the pub, leaning back in her seat. Ron was looking at something behind her.

"Ah, bloody hell," he said. "What?" Evangeline asked, turning around in her seat. Across the pub, Ginny was sat at a table with Dean Thomas. "Honestly, Ron. They're only holding hands," Hermione said. As soon as she said that, though, the two leaned in and began kissing. "And snogging," she then added. Ron was not having it. "I'd like to leave," he said. The waiter had come back with their drinks, setting them onto the table.

"What? You can't be serious," Hermione said. Evangeline agreed, "Yeah, I think you're overreacting just a smidge." Ron leaned forward, "That happens to be my sister." Hermione shook her head, "So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging Evangeline? Would you expect her to get up and leave?" Ron looked at Evangeline who raised her eyebrows.

"T-that— That's not the same," he muttered. "Yes it is," Hermione, Evangeline, and Cleo said. Evangeline picked up her glass and took a sip of her butter beer, savoring the delicious taste. She loved butter beer. It was truly a delightful drink. Harry waved at someone behind them. "Hey, my boy," Professor Slughorn said. Harry stood up to shake his hand, "So wonderful to see you."

"And you, and you," Slughorn said. Evangeline took another sip of her drink, angrily wiping off the whipped cream that had gotten onto her upper lip. Ron watched her in amusement. "So, what brings you here?" Harry asked the man. "Oh, Three Broomsticks and I go way back. Further than I care to admit. I could remember when it was One Broomstick," Slughorn answered. He tipped his cup over and some of the alcohol from it spilled onto Evangeline.

She jumped, clenching her teeth together. "All hands on deck, Caspian," Slughorn joked. She sent him a tight lipped smile whilst Ron handed her some napkins. Evangeline wiped her pants but they wouldn't dry. Harry and Slughorn continued to converse as she patted down her pants. She was highly annoyed. "You would also be welcome, Miss Caspian," the man said.

She looked up at him, "I'm sorry?" He chuckled, "I'm throwing a little supper party and a select few students are welcome. I would like it if you were in attendance." Evangeline nodded her head, "That sounds fantastic, sir. I'll definitely be there." He nodded his head, "Splendid! Look for my owl." He then turned to Cleo, "And, you are?" She cleared her throat, "Cleo Valentine, sir." He nodded his head, "Very nice to meet you." He turned to Ron. "Good to see you, Wallenby," he said with a smile before walking away.

Evangeline laughed, finding it amusing that Slughorn had called Ron by the wrong name. "It's not funny," he muttered. "It's a little funny," she replied. Ron turned to Harry when he sat down. "What are you playing at?" He asked. Harry was smiling, "Dumbledore's asked me to get to know him."

"Get to know him?" Ron asked. "I dunno," Harry said. "It must be important. If it wasn't, Dumbledore wouldn't ask," he added. Hermione was drinking her butter beer as though her life depended on it. When she lowered her cup, whipped cream was on her upper lip. "You, uh, got a little bit..." Ron pointed to his mouth before pointing at her.

Hermione used her sleeve to wipe the whipped cream away just as a figure approached them. "Hey, guys," the voice said. The five looked up to see Aldon Carlisle standing a little behind Hermione. They greeted him politely and he turned to the Granger girl. "Hey, Hermione. I was wondering if you were busy tomorrow? I needed a little help writing the Ancient Runes paper. Would you maybe want to help me?" Aldon said.

The four's eyes shifted to Hermione, awaiting her reply. "I, uh, yeah. I would be happy to help," Hermione stammered out. Aldon smiled, "Great. Thanks. I'll owl you a time and place, yeah?" Hermione nodded her head. Aldon sent them all a wave before walking away. Evangeline turned to look at Hermione, wiggling her eyebrows. "Shut up," Hermione mumbled.

••••

The four friends were exiting Hogsmeade. Cleo had stayed behind, meeting up with a friend from her Herbology class. They trudged through the snow as they made their way back to Hogwarts. Ron had his arm wrapped around Evangeline's shoulders, her body pulled close to his own.

"Have I ever told you how good you look in that jumper?" He questioned quietly. Evangeline bit her lip when she felt like laughing. "Is it because you think I look good or is it because I'm wearing the jumper that your mum knitted me?" She asked back. Ron shrugged, "Both." Evangeline pushed him away, laughing when he almost slipped in the snow.

A scream made her head snap in front of her. A girl was stood in front of a body on the ground. "I warned her. I warned her not to touch it," the girl said. The four quickly made their way over to them. The girl, whose body was on the ground, violently jerked to one side, then the other. Evangeline realized that it was Katie Bell from her Potions class. Her body continued this motion before it was thrown into the air. Her arms were spread out and her mouth was open wide as though she was screaming. However no sound came out of it.

She was suspended in the air for a few moments before her body dropped, hitting the ground with a great force. Evangeline stared at her with wide eyes. "Don't get any closer! Get back, all of you," Professor Hagrid said as he approached the scene. They all stepped backwards and let Hagrid through. He went to Katie's body and picked her up. Harry walked over to the package laying on the ground.

"Do not touch that. Except for the wrappings. Do you understand?" Hagrid said. Harry crouched down and examined the box. A necklace had fallen out of it and laid on the ground. Looking at it sent a shiver up Evangeline's spine.

Before they knew it, they were all back at Hogwarts and being interrogated by Professor McGonagall. "You're sure Katie did not have this in her possession when she entered the Three Broomsticks?" Professor McGonagall asked Katie's friend Leanne. "It's like I said. She left to go to the loo. And when she came back, she had the package. She said it was important that she deliver it," Leanne explained.

"Did she say to whom?" McGonagall asked. "To Professor Dumbledore," Leanne replied. Professor McGonagall nodded, "Very well. Thank you, Leanne. You may go," the woman said. Leanne turned around and walked out of the room. Professor McGonagall turned to look at the four that remained. "Why is it when something happens, it is always you three?" She asked, speaking to the three on the right of Evangeline.

"Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself
the same question for six years," Ron answered. Professor Snape later came into the room and went to examine the necklace. "What do you think?" Professor McGonagall asked him after a few minutes. "I think Miss Bell is lucky to be alive," Professor Snape replied. "She was cursed, wasn't she? I know Katie. Off the Quidditch pitch, she wouldn't hurt a fly.
If she was delivering that to Professor Dumbledore, she wasn't doing it knowingly," Harry said.

"Yes, she was cursed," McGonagall replied. "It was Malfoy," Harry said. Evangeline turned to give him a look. "That is a very serious accusation, Potter," McGonagall said. Professor Snape turned to face them. "Indeed. Your evidence?" He asked. "I just know," Harry answered. "You just know. Once again, you're astonished with your gifts, Potter. Gifts mere mortals can only dream of possessing. How grand it must be to be the Chosen One," Snape said.

It was quiet for a few seconds before Professor McGonagall spoke. "I suggest you go back to your dormitories. All of you," she said. Evangeline was the first one moving, turning away from the Professors and exiting the room. "That was tense," she muttered to Hermione who was walking at her side. "That's an understatement," Hermione replied.

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It's been a while since I've updated. I honestly haven't been feeling this book for a while. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please be sure to vote.