PART 35

                                                            1st September , 1991 

Her cerulean gaze travelled from the marble that lined the floor beneath the soles of her leathern shoes , towards the horde of children dressed in plain black robes queueing up in front of her as they all followed Professor McGonagall through the doors and hundred corridors to the Great Hall.

The heavy gold doors to the Great Hall opened up , and Evanna walked through them into a hall flanked by towering pillars of obsidian and marble - four tables , each clad in house colours of velveteen were placed in the Hall ; members of each house occupying their respective table as their chatter bounced off the walls. A transparent ceiling allowed her to behold the dainty splatters of mercury stars that adorned the dark heavens above , constellations lining up to offer her a vision of the dead stars and  the nebulae of those newly born. She smiled at their beauty , cheekbones dusted peony as excitement filled her veins.

Finally , she was away from the wrath of her mother.

Her coruscating irises connected with those of a certain platinum-haired boy. Draco smiled as he caught her gaze , waving a little. Evanna returned the smile , along with a small wave before a voice echoed over them. She looked further to find the stern gaze of the witch clad in decadent emerald robes , standing in front of a panel of teachers all watching in anticipation - and a worn hat that sat upon a three-legged stool.

Professor McGonagall's strict stare silenced them , as well as the chatters in the Great Hall - and she opened a scroll of parchment - before speaking in a clear voice that resounded across the walls ,"As I call your name , please step forward."

"Abbot Susan."

As the name was called , a girl with blonde pigtails stumbled forward - and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head as Susan took a seat. The hat had barely touched her head , when the hat spoke through a rip in its base ,"Hufflepuff !"

And with that , Susan ecstatically walked towards the table clad in summer shades as all Hufflepuffs cheered. Several names were called , and Evanna tuned out of the conversation , thinking through the consequences of the action she was about to commit. She knew it would affect her friendship with Draco , but her servitude to the Frey family came first.

"Frey , Evanna."

The name jolted her out of her stupor , and she silently walked towards the tool , seating herself upon it as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. Hushed conversations rang around the hall , regarding the Frey heir and how she was definitely going to be in the House of Slytherin. Dumbledore edged forward on his seat , keen eyes set on the figure of the girl.

But what others did not know , was the confusion of the Sorting Hat. For centuries , there had been no doubt in its mind as to where any wizard or witch should be placed. But with the Frey heir sitting on the stool , unpleasant memories of a certain thundering evening of 1938 - the day it sorted a boy who haunted the wizarding world.

And it did not know why she reminded it so much of him.

"Difficult , very difficult", Evanna heard it's voice speak in her ears. "I cannot access some parts of your mind , please refrain from using Occlumency."

But even when he felt her release her control over her mind , all he could fathom was darkness.

"Ravenclaw !", It finally concluded , albeit hesitant. The Sorting Hat did not wish to place her in Slytherin , which would inevitably act as a catalyst and the world did not need another tyrant.

Unbeknownst to it , and the ones in the hall who gasped , Evanna smirked as she realised that her gamble had been placed accordingly. The Hat had placed her as she had been required to.

As she took a seat at the sapphire stitched table , she rested her chin on her fist - occasionally smiling at the people who clapped at having a Frey in their house - although her azure irises firmly scoured the crowd in search of a boy with stardust hair.

A lovely smile spread across her rosebud features , eyes lighting up as she watched Draco walk up to the Hat. Before it could barely touch his head , the Hat bellowed ,"Slytherin !"

Evanna watched as Draco smirked , head held high as he strolled towards the Slytherins who cheered. As he seated himself down , the new Ravenclaw waved at him - expecting him to smile as he always did and return the gesture.

He didn't. Instead , only scowling at her before turning away to talk to his new housemates.

Evanna realised that in order to please her parents , she had lost her best friend - the smile wiping away from her features. Yes she was ambitious , but she did not want her friendship with Draco to come at its stake.

Evanna Frey wanted both things , but she had lost him. Albeit , he was shallow enough to not maintain relations with her just because of her house - but she knew that it was because Draco wanted to please his father too.

                                                   "Evanna Frey should have been in Slytherin."

                                               _________________________________

DRACO Malfoy silently observed the sleeping form of Evanna Frey next to him , cheekbones hollow and her features thinner than before , his soul wishing to heal her bones as though he were blessed with charism. The sapphire locket around her neck , hardly hidden underneath her robes - coruscated emerald in the pale moonlight that bled through the narrowing gaps in the blinds covering the dust coated windows - her hair spilling in a titan pool in the silver light of the evening moon - the bracelet he gifted her glowing on her wrist. Cal , who was still curled on Evanna's lap ,  let out a mewl.

"Ana , wake up. We're here", Draco whispered softly , nudging Evanna's asleep form gently in order to wake her up. The sun had long hidden behind obsidian cirrus , dainty stars visible through the mist that ringed the forests of emerald on the moors - the Scottish highlands jutting out of the soft earth. The moon hanging like a wraith of coruscating mercury from the dark heavens lit by stars. 

Evanna let out a groan , burying her head further into his neck as a sign of protest - making the boy blush fervently , feeling her grin as she stayed in the position. He suddenly noticed a glistening obsidian ring on her hand , a ring which had not been there before.

"I don't want to."

"But we have to", Draco insisted - secretly wishing the train ride had been longer. Immediately , as though a switch clicked in her mind - Evanna pulled her arms away , taking her warmth with herself. The smile faded from his lips , as he observed that she appeared slightly less tired - although her porcelain features still seemed quite worn as though she hadn't slept well in long.

"You're right. We should get going", Evanna said formally. Draco stood up to help her with her trunk - but Evanna politely declined his help. As they held their trunks , Draco's gaze drifted towards the corner of the rack - where he had previously felt movement. He arched a brow ,  knowing someone was watching them , and had a greater hunch that he knew who it was. Cal jumped off the seat , brushing herself next to Evanna's ankles and following her faithfully as she stood by the door of the compartment.

The boy with the mercury eyes followed her suit , and watched as she too directed her azure irises towards the rack.

As she stepped out , he said ,"Ana walk without me. I think I left something , I'll join you soon."

Nodding , she understood the meaning of his words as she whispered ,"Don't do much harm , Draco."

"I won't", He assured.

With that , she disappeared down the corridor - through the train door , and out into the inky darkness - her at following her. Draco closed the blinds on the window , casting a non-verbal silencing charm.

Whirling around on his heels , Draco whipped out his wand as he bellowed ,"Petrificus Totalus !"

A loud snap resounded , following which the Slytherin found an out-of-place Harry Potter lying upon the floor , his invisible cape having fallen off a little allowing Draco to confirm his suspicions.

"Didn't mummy tell you it was rude to eavesdrop , Potter ?", Draco sneered , pushing his wand into Harry's throat - muttering a spell under his breath , effectively severing the latter's nose.

"Oh , right - she was dead before she could wipe the snot off your nose", Draco answered - kicking the Boy-Who-Lived in the stomach - lips twisting into a mocking smile as he withdrew his wand , pocketing it.

"My threats all these years have not been empty , Potter. Enjoy your ride back to London", The Slytherin threatened , pushing the invisible cape over Harry's injured face , covering him into nothingness - before walking out of the door , into the obsidian night of frigid winds.

                                            _____________________________

"That son of a bitch", Evanna gritted under her breath , watching as a bruised and bloodied Harry Potter walked through the heavy gold doors of the Great Hall - joining his housemates at the table embellished in scarlet , all his friends casting weary glances towards them.

More specifically , towards Draco.

She tilted her head towards the boy with stardust hair , who seemed to have zoned out - absently staring into his reflection that was casted upon the polished silverware at the Slytherin table , as she sat opposite to him at the edge of the Ravenclaw table.

"Are you alright , Draco ?", She whispered - receiving a nod as an answer , and a tired smile that convinced no one.

"I am , just tired", He replied - and before Evanna could say anything as a way of reply , their attention was pulled towards the Head Table - as Professor Dumbledore struck a spoon against his goblet. Feeling that he held the attention of the students , the Headmaster stood up , clearing his throat before holding his arms out as a greeting.

"Very best evenings to you all", His voice echoed through the columns of marble.

 "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff. Horace Slughorn. Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post...as Potions Master."

At this , an old Professor with hunched shoulders and thick straw coloured hair stood up to the applauds of the students. Dumbledore continued -

"Meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts...will be taken by Professor Snape." At this , the Slytherin table cheered , whilst all others groaned. Evanna almost snorted at the smug smile that graced Snape's features.

"As you know, each and every one of you were searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why. Once, there was a young man. Like you, sat in this very hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept under it's roof. You see, to all the world, a student like any other. His name - Tom Riddle."

A hushed silence embraced every corner of the Hall - all students at the edge of their seats or casting wary glances at each other. Evanna's fist clenched around a fork as she realised what was coming next.

 "Today of course, is known all over the world by another name. Which is why as I stand, looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps...dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, that greatest weapon...is you. Just something to think about. Now off to bed !"

With that , all students were dismissed - and they began leaving the Hall in files. Evanna stood in front of her house table , alongside Terry Boot - waiting for the first years to line up.

"Good evening everyone , I am Evanna Frey - Ravenclaw prefect", Evanna introduced - an easy faux smile etching onto her bewitching features as her hands remained locked behind her back.

"And I am Terry Boot", the boy with mahogany curls introduced himself.

They ushered the first years out of the Hall - all of them staring at Evanna and Terry in awe , while the duo directed them towards the dormitories.

"A few rules - curfew starts at nine , so don't stay out after that", Terry said , and Evanna nodded to his words.

"Also , to enter the Ravenclaw dormitory you have to solve a riddle", Evanna clarified , as they stopped in front of the dormitory. An eagle carved of stone , spread its wings with dull carmine eyes haunting all those clad in sapphire robes. The torches that hung from the cracks in the walls irradiated a sheen of golden light  , the eyes of the first years full of wonder and fear at the same time.

Evanna pitied them , a war would wage within a year - and the young ones would be the innocent casualties at the hands of the Death Eaters and the Order members alike.

"For example", Evanna spoke , and whirled to face the stone eagle. Within a moment - the eagle's eyes lit up in a flare of scarlet , its wings fluttering slightly as it uttered in a low rumble ,"What came first , the phoenix or the egg ?"

Evanna smiled , turning to face the new students once more - all of them seemingly confused.

"Do any of you want to give it a try ?", Terry encouraged.

A few hands were raised , and Terry called forth a new girl by the name of Emily Johns , her verdant irises glistening in the dim light as she spoke in a shy manner ,"Well , we have no way of determining whether the phoenix or the egg came first , because it's like a cycle. Whichever we choose , there will always be a doubt - as in , if we say the phoenix came first , then people will wonder how the phoenix was born without an egg being there first , and vice versa."

"That's an on-point observation , anyone else ?", Evanna questioned - as a few others chorused how it seemed like a 'circle.'

"Precisely , a circle. And a circle has no beginning nor an end", Terry grinned , motioning as he spoke to the eagle.

"Neither. A circle has no beginning or end", He said - as a gasp went around their juniours , the doors materialising , as Evanna pushed it open to reveal the magnificient bewitched ceiling which provided a clear view of the nightly heavens above. Royal blue tainted the room , the spirit of the  eagle present in the blue carpets , the armchairs and the sapphire flames in the hearth.

"Welcome home", Terry grinned.

[ A/N : MY WRITING IS SLOWLY BECOMING SHIT. I PROMISE THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE SPICIER ]