GREETINGS!

It's been a while, hasn't it? The fact that I'm actually typing this feels crazy to me.

I want to be upfront with you all. When I left Wattpad a few months back, I had no idea if I'd ever return, but time off was good for me. This chapter isn't a promise that I'm back for good. For now, I will solely be updating Epiphany, no other works. 

I also cannot guarantee that my updates will be regular, and please don't be alarmed if I disappear again. Any chapter I post could be the last one. I won't be interacting as much as I used to, and I probably won't be answering messages sent to my account. 

Keep in mind, this is a trial run for me.

I do ask that you please keep your comments clean and appropriate. It was something that bothered me the last time that I was on Wattpad. I want my work to bring joy to everyone who reads it, and that always impeded the joy a little bit for me.

A lot of emotions are rushing through me right now. I'm incredibly excited to be re-diving into Eva's story, which is far from finished. I'm so thankful to everyone who's stuck around, who's kept reading, who's excited that the journey isn't over. Please know that I thank God for you often.

This is also terrifying for me. Like I said before, I more or less thought that I was leaving for good. Still, I do believe that growth doesn't happen in one's comfort zone. I'm praying for the courage to try this again. I would really appreciate your prayers, because writing for you all brings me so much joy. 

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. We're headed into Prisoner of Azkaban, so grab some chocolate and cue the harpsichord music!

"just when life was starting to make sense again..."

*

"Tom's hiring, you know. You could be a dishwasher at the Leaky Cauldron."

Remus laughed at Eva's suggestion and took a sip of tea. "Then my hands would get all dry. No thank you."

"Oh, because you of all people care about something like that," Eva scoffed teasingly.

The two sat at the kitchen table, pouring over the Help Wanted ads in different newspapers while enjoying a quiet breakfast. A delicious aroma wafted through the air, indicating that Queenie's chocolate chip muffins were nearly ready, and Newt sat on another chair, writing something in a notebook. One of the kneazles rubbed against Eva's ankle, and she absentmindedly reached down to scratch him between the ears as she read.

"Here we go! The Wimbourne Wasps' seeker was just eaten by a Hungarian Horntail! I could replace him!" Remus joked. He was taking being unemployed surprisingly well.

"You can't fly a broom to save your life," Eva responded drily before giggling. "I've officially decided. You have a Master's Degree in English, which means you're qualified to do less than nothing. I think you should start selling plastic utensils."

"Is that so?"

"That, or be a dishwasher."

"Oh, hush."

They fell back into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the clinking of cooking utensils in the kitchen and the crinkle of flipping papers. A breeze blew in through the open windows, fluttering the curtains and parchment. Queenie walked in a few minutes later bearing a tray heavily laden with muffins, and the four sat around the table, happily existing in peace and quiet.

A harried knocking startled Eva. She nearly bumped her cup of black coffee off of the table, the mess saved only by a quick-thinking Queenie. It wasn't often any of them had visitors, considering the majority of their social circle was currently sitting in that kitchen.

"I'll get it." Newt stood, his movements much slower than they used to be, he noticed with a slight smile. While the other three returned to their breakfast, all attention was on him. When the magizoologist swung open the door, his brows creased in confusion. "Hello?"

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was standing on the porch, looking quite shaken. His face was void of all color.

"Yes, hello. Mr. Scamander, I don't mean to intrude, but I come on urgent matters. Official Ministry matters, to be exact."

"Um, all right. Just this way, if you would."

Newt stuttered slightly over his words, obviously uncomfortable with the visitor. In his youth, his relationship with the British (and American, for that matter) Ministry of Magic was complicated, to say the least. In fact, he had specifically moved to the middle of nowhere to avoid the institution altogether. It was a decision Eva fully supported.

Fudge followed Newt into the kitchen, both of them choosing to remain standing. The warmth in the room had all but vanished with the presence of the Minister, leaving a general sense of uneasiness behind.

Queenie, who had been washing dishes, dropped a plate quite suddenly. It shattered across the tile.

"Here, let me clean that up," Remus said, jumping to her aid. Queenie laughed a breathless laugh and straightened up, but her bright blue eyes were fixed on Fudge and they were wild with fear.

"Thank you," she whispered. "That was so silly of me."

Newt frowned. "Queenie?"

"I'm all right, Newt honey, honest. Just a little accident is all." She laughed for the second time, then bustled over to the table and behind the chairs. Her hands gripped Eva's shoulders a bit too tightly, and Eva could feel them shaking. "Evie? Help me in the kitchen for a while, hm?"

"Oh, sure," Eva said, slightly confused by her change in demeanor. As she stood, Fudge stepped forward.

"I'm sorry, Miss Goldstein, but my visit actually has to do with Mrs. Black."

A shadow crossed Eva's face. "It's Miss Taylor, Minister." Doctor, actually. 

"Not according to your personal records," Fudge replied idly. He pulled a scroll of parchment out of his briefcase. "That's how you're listed on our records. It's right here in black and white. You never changed your name. You just left London, only returning once until you began a career at Hogwarts. That was, of course, due to the news of the Longbottoms being tortured into insanity, but after the trial, you returned here."

Eva could feel Remus' gaze on her, and she could feel the hot tears burning her eyes. "Is this what you came here for?" She asked coldly, staring down at her clasped hands. "To inquire about how I'm listed on your records? Because you're about twelve years too late for that."

"No. I wish it was something so simple." Fudge cleared his throat and took a deep breath, obviously steeling himself to say something. "You aren't going to like what I'm about to say, and you might not believe it, but, as improbable as it seems... I still can't believe it myself... Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban."

The plate slipped from Remus' hands and shattered all over again. No one made a move to clean it up.

Eva just stared at Fudge.

"I - what?" She whispered weakly, rising from her seat. Queenie tried to guide her back toward the chair, but she shrugged her off and walked over to the Minister.

"He's escaped," Fudge said with a grim shake of his head. "Got himself out a day or two ago, I'm afraid. We're all at a loss, naturally, but-"

"No."

Fudge did a double-take, obviously confused. "I beg your pardon?"

"You - you've got to be lying. No one escapes Azkaban. That's impossible." Eva ran a shaking hand down her face, ignoring how her voice sounded higher than usual. "It's impossible. He's still there. This... this is some cruel joke, isn't it?"

"I can assure you, Mrs. Black, that I am telling the truth."

Mrs. Black.

Mrs. Black.

Mrs. Black.

Eva couldn't breathe. Her heart picked up speed, beating too-rapidly against her ribcage. Suddenly, the kitchen seemed too small.

"There are certain security measures the Ministry must take. A situation like this is unprecedented, of course. You must understand, anyone who could potentially be in league with Black-"

"You're not saying you believe that Eva is helping filth like him," Remus growled, stepping forward. Despite being younger and poorer, he towered over Fudge, who laughed nervously and took a step back.

"Nothing of the kind, Mr. Lupin," he stammered. "We were simply looking for information. Leads, perhaps, on where Black might go. The two of you, specifically Mrs. Black, were the most probable people."

"It wasn't me. I don't have time to explain, I need to go, but I need you to believe me first. I'd never betray them, I promise you."

"We don't know anything more than you do," Remus said, his voice angry and low.

"How else would Voldemort know their location! He was their Secret Keeper, Eva! We all trusted him!"

"Well, I'm just here to make you aware. Things are going to change in Britain now, and not for the better. Not until he's caught."

"Meaning what?" Newt asked testily.

"B-Blondie. We've got to go. You go to Remus' and tell him. I'll go find Peter, okay? Okay?"

"Dementors will be searching for Black constantly. He's dangerous. The Muggle Prime Minister has been made aware of the fugitive, so as to protect the Muggles as well. A reward will be offered. Hogwarts, of course, will also be given extra security on account of Harry-"

Eva finally found her voice. "Harry?" She asked faintly, leaning on a chair to keep her balance. "What does Harry have to do with this?"

"Well, we believe that the boy is in just as much danger as you, perhaps even more so, as the two of you might naturally be Black's targets-"

"Targets?" Queenie asked, her generally sweet voice sharp. "You don't actually think that he would be a threat to her? They're married, Minister!"

"We cannot afford to assume the best in him, ma'am," Fudge said. He pulled another parchment out of his bag and spread it out on the kitchen table. "The man killed thirteen people in a night and was responsible for fifteen deaths. He was working for You-Know-Who at the height of his power. After all of that and twelve years in Azkaban, I doubt there's any human left in him at all."

Eva's eyes filled with tears as they fell on the parchment. The wanted poster. The reward money. HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WIZARD? Sirius Black was staring back at her, but that wasn't her Sirius. He had crazed eyes and a hollow face and messy hair. His expression held years of pain and insanity.

She placed a hand on the parchment and closed her eyes, taking in a shallow breath. Someone was talking to her, but she barely heard the voice. It grew fainter and fainter until her entire world went black and her knees buckled beneath her.

*

"Is she okay? Should we do something?"

"Don't fret too much. It's just from the shock, honey. It was too much for her. The Minister didn't exactly break the news gently. At least she didn't hit her head. Newt, can you go get some water and a rag? And Remus, let's bring her over here."

Eva was dimly aware of a pair of strong arms lifting her from the ground and holding her close until, with that same gentleness as before, transferring her to a couch.

"She's like ice, Queenie."

"Shock can do that to a girl. Just make sure she's comfortable. I'm gonna go help Newt and open a few more windows."

A hand brushed the hair out of her face and carefully positioned a pillow under her head. Eva's eyes fluttered open.

"R-R-Remus?" She whispered hesitantly.

He nodded, his lips pressed in a firm line. The warmth had leached out of his expression. "Lie still for a moment."

"The Minister-"

"-Is gone," he finished. "Took his leave right after you passed out. Cowardly move, if you ask me, but I suppose he's got a lot to do, with... you know. Him."

Eva immediately pushed herself up, only to be immediately pushed back down by Remus. She struggled against him for a moment. "Rem, stop it."

"No."

"Let me go!"

"No," he repeated. "Eva Brandi Taylor, stop trying to get up for once in your life."

"Why? Why, Remus, why?"

A tired look filled Remus' chocolate brown eyes. "I've seen too many people with uncontrollable emotions storm away and never come back."

Eva swallowed and ran a hand down her face, then exhaled slowly. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You just happen to be my favorite person, and I think we've almost lost each other enough for a lifetime." He sat down on the ground. "Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, she sighed. "Not in the slightest."

"Yeah. Me either." Remus shifted his position, clearly just as uncomfortable as she was. 

"What if we wake up tomorrow and this was just a bad dream?" She knew all about those, after all. One might consider her an expert.

"That's unlikely, but it would be nice," Remus mumbled. "As a matter of curiosity, where are you planning to go once you do cool off? I know better than to try and stop you permanently. I just thought I'd slow you down."

Her answer came instantly. "Privet Drive."

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