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CHAPTER FOURTEEN. BUDDING FRIENDSHIPS

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The next few weeks had flown by quickly. Evangeline had gotten back to studying for her O.W.L. exams, feeling more confident in all of her classes. Except Arithmancy. Arithmancy was killing her.

She hadn't spoken to Gemma, save for the few two or three worded sentences. Evangeline didn't really care though and she knew that Gemma didn't either.

Over these past few weeks, Evangeline had seen herself growing closer to the people that she had once strongly disliked. Because of all the Dumbledore's Army meetings, she had been spending more time with Harry, Cleo, Ron, and Hermione. The four had seen a change in her, one that Evangeline herself noticed as well. She wasn't sure how she felt about it yet but she was sure that it was good.

She found herself enjoying the time she spent with the four and was even finding Fred and George to be less annoying. She was smiling a little bit more, though the only people to had seen it besides Vivian were Neville, who nearly fainted at the sight, Hermione, who was equally as surprised, and Ginny Weasley, who remained unfazed.

With each meeting of the Army, Evangeline felt as though she was more skilled than she ever was. Within the last few meetings, she had mastered the disarming spell, stunning spell, and levitation spell. And it was all thanks to Harry Potter. She didn't think she would ever be able to thank the boy enough for what he was doing.

And with each passing week came more of Umbridge's decrees. The woman knew that something was up and it wouldn't be long until she found out what it was if they weren't more careful.

Evangeline was currently sat at breakfast, a small notebook opened in front of her. After what had happened the first time that she had tried the stunning spell, the girl had been trying to piece together things from the flash of the memory that she had seen, writing down anything she could remember. She was very unsuccessful with her task, not remembering much of anything at all. The only thing she had to go on was what Ron told her about a letter.

Ron.

Evangeline wanted to roll her eyes at the name. The boy had been breathing down her neck for a few days after the incident. He felt as though something was wrong with her. This was because she had been somewhat nicer to everyone. He thought she was broken, like a toy or something. She had threatened to beat him with a stick if he didn't leave her alone. It was safe to say that he believed that she was okay after that.

Even so, the two spent a lot of time together, more than she would like to be honest. But still, he wasn't the worst company to have. He was actually quite funny, though she never showed that she felt that way.

Across from Evangeline sat Neville Longbottom, who was holding his wand, practicing the proper way to move it when saying the Expelliarmus charm. He still hadn't mastered it, but all in due time. Evangeline knew that he would eventually get it down. "Try loosening your grip on the wand, just a little," she suggested, not looking up from the notebook.

Neville nodded and did as he was told, whispering the spell to himself and moving the wand along with it. Vivian sat down next to Evangeline, letting out an annoyed sigh as she plopped into the empty seat. Evangeline glanced over at her, closing her notebook. "What's wrong?" She asked. "Umbridge and her stupid inquisitorial squad. They've been watching me like hawks. Malfoy is under the impression that I'm breaking the rules," Vivian answered.

Neville looked up at the older girl. "You kind of are," he whispered. Vivian sent him a look and he looked down at the table. "I can't believe I was ever friends with that toad," she muttered. "I told you he was trash. I don't know why you ever thought otherwise," Evangeline said with a shrug. Vivian rolled her eyes and leaned in closer, making sure that no one was listening. "I might have to miss the next D.A. meeting. To get those cockroaches off my back," she said.

"Probably a good idea," Neville said and Evangeline nodded in agreement. Vivian stood then, telling the two that she'd eat at the Slytherin table that day and bid them a farewell. Evangeline picked up a piece of bacon, taking a bite of it. Soon enough, another body landed in the seat on the left of her. A hand reached over and stole a piece of bacon off of her plate, putting it in his mouth.

Evangeline snatched the bacon out of Ron's mouth, sending him a glare. "I don't know why you thought that it was okay to do that but it's not. We're not close enough friends for you to eat my food," she said. Ron pouted and Evangeline couldn't help but think that he looked cute. However the thought quickly left her head after it popped into her mind. "So you do think that we're all friends then?" Harry asked, taking the seat on one side of Neville, Hermione sitting in the one on his other side. Cleo sat down on Evangeline's right side, with Ginny sitting next to her.

"No," Evangeline deadpanned. "Well, that's what you said," Cleo pointed out. "Was not," she replied. "It was," Neville said. Evangeline narrowed her eyes, slightly squirming in her seat. "Well, what do I know? I've never had friends," she said. "And before you lot go feeling sorry for me and what have you, I've been perfectly fine with being friendless so don't go thinking otherwise," she added.

Nobody said anything, which she was pleased about. The group began conversing with one another and Evangeline went back to eating her food, ignoring everyone around her. Ron's staring made her roll her eyes. "Yes, Ronald." She didn't look up at him, which he was pleased about seeing as his face was turning red. "I, uh, wanted to ask you something," he said.

"So ask," she said, placing her head in her hand and pushing the food in her plate around, no longer hungry. "You're good in Astronomy, right?" He began. She shrugged, "I suppose." He cleared his throat, "Well, I was wondering if maybe you could help me out. I've been having trouble with remembering the names of the stars that we've been learning."

"You want me to tutor you?" Evangeline asked. Hermione's attention was pulled to the two's conversation. "Ronald, if you need a tutor, I'd be happy to help you," Hermione said. Ron sighed, "Thanks but I don't want your help. You're smart and I guarantee that I won't understand anything that you're saying." Evangeline sat up straighter, "Are you saying that I'm not smart?" Ron's eyes widened whilst Cleo snickered, her attention now on the conversation as well.

"Wha— No, no. I just meant that Hermione's really smart. Too smart. And I think that you could explain it better because you're not as smart," he said. Harry, who was now listening to the conversation as well, face palmed. Evangeline's eyes narrowed and Ron shook his head. "T-that came out wrong. What I meant to say was that you're smart but you can dumb things down better for people like me, who aren't as smart. And Hermione's smart but she can't dumb things down like, you, can?" He tried.

The Caspian girl became confused by his words. Nobody said anything, all trying to make sense of what the redhead had said. Ron's face was beet red and he avoided Evangeline's eye. The group stared on in anticipation and she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. I'll tutor you," she said. Ron sighed in relief and nodded. "Thanks, you're the best," he said.

"Whatever," she muttered before standing up. "I gotta go talk to Professor Binns before class. See you lot later," she said before walking away from the group and out of the Great Hall. "'You can dumb things down better for people like me'? Really Ron?" Ginny questioned. "Oh shut up," Ron muttered.

••••

"Working hard is important, but there's
something that matters even more: Believing in yourself," Harry was saying as the D.A. practiced the spells that they had been learning about on the dummy. "Think of it this way. Every great wizard in history has started out, as nothing more than what we are now: students. If they can do it, why not us?" He continued as the students continued throwing spells the dummy's way.

The dummy was practically flying around the circle that the students had formed around it as each spell hit it. That was until Ginny shouted a strong, "Reducto," at it and the dummy blew up on the spot. Evangeline's eyes widened as she stared at the younger girl. She was beyond impressed with what she did. In fact, everyone was.

"Little Ginny Weasley, that was incredible," Cleo said, a proud smile on her lips. "And I think that's it for tonight," Harry said with a laugh. "Same time next week," he added. The students fell into their usual routine after a meeting, breaking up into groups. Evangeline now left last with Cleo, Hermione, Ron, and Harry, wanting to make sure that everyone got out before she did.

"Everyone did a great job today," Harry complimented. "This whole thing is really coming together." Hermione smiled, "I can say I told you so, right?" Harry rolled his eyes, watching the other students pile out of the room. Ron suddenly pulled Hermione to the side, attempting to be discreet. Evangeline turned to Ginny who had come to stand next to her.

"Shouldn't you be going off to bed?" She asked the redhead. Ginny rolled her eyes, "I'm not a child." Evangeline smiled, "Believe me,  I know." Ginny pursed her lips, "Why don't you smile more often?" Evangeline shrugged, "Nothing to really smile about."

"I disagree, there are plenty of reasons to smile. You just gotta find some. It's not hard, just break down those walls, just a little, and let some happiness in," Ginny said. "Those are wise words for such a young girl," Evangeline joked. "I'm only a year younger than you," Ginny deadpanned. "Really? I thought it was four," Evangeline said, stepping backwards as Ginny attempted to hit her with her jumper.

Evangeline dodged the youngest Weasley as she continued to try to hit her with the jumper, running away from her. Ginny blocked her path, her arms spread out and Evangeline still managed to get around her. Ron watched the two joke around, a small smile on his face. It was strange to see Evangeline Caspian joking around with his sister or with anyone really. The mere sight of her in a more happy way made the smile on his face grow.

Evangeline let Ginny whack her with the jumper a couple of times before making the girl go to her dorm. Once everyone was gone, the remaining five left the Room of Requirement and headed back to their dorms.