PART 9

EVANNA seated herself on a scarlet armchair , threaded with gold strings , that crossed each other and travelled down to the wooden legs like the pelt of gold fur upon a red plumage. Her feet gently tapped the soft , embroidered carpet that covered the maple wood floor.

A warm , bright fire burned inside the marble hearth - tinting the room in a comforting , orange light. The windows that rose from the thresholds across the wooden floor were arched , and beaded cushions - some embroidered with gold lions - lay scattered on the couches that sat mismatched upon the red-and-gold carpet.

The room was quite aesthetically pleasing , had it not been for the crumbs of food , bottles , books and even scrumps of wrinkled clothes that lay on the floor , or on the tables. Evanna had made sure to clear her place before she sat. Either the Gyrffindors were extremely lazy , or extremely untidy. On her part , she was yet to decide which quality they possessed in excess , or maybe a little of both.

She couldn't help , but compare the place with the Ravenclaw Common Room. Initially , when she hadn't spontaneously decided to be a Ravenclaw , Evanna had thought that the lair of snakes would be the most pleasing to the eye. But now that she had seen three Common Rooms - she knew each was different , each unique and extravagant.

Maybe it was her bias , but the Ravenclaw Common Room appeared the most elegant of all. With it's royal blue couches and soft carpets designed for reading , littering the spot in front of the burning blue flames of the hearth , the thick , velvet blue curtains that flowed down like a mesmerising waterfall and the tall shelves of old , leather-bound books - made the room seem almost other-wordly. Not to mention , the permanent smell of pine , linen , lemon and old parchment that hung in the air , the monthly quizzes to test everyone , the weekly book-club meetings where everyone was free to share whatever they felt about a certain book. Merlin , they even discussed cinema. Some muggle-born Ravenclaws had successfully smuggled disk-like objects - which they called CDs - containing beautiful ,sequenced events called a 'film.'

Evanna had enjoyed it all. She wondered if the Gryffindors did things like them.

Across from her , seated on a rug - lying in front of another armchair was Hermione Granger. Her mouth was agape and her brown eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. Harry sat somewhat stiffly behind Hermione , eyes focusing on the golden egg that sat atop his palms. Ronald Weasley's eyes had drifted in boredom towards the ceiling , as he lay comfortably on the couch as though not in the presence of a stranger.

Evanna admired this quality of indifference about him.

She had just told them that the egg needed a catalyst , more specifically , water. And that the second task would take place on the banks of the Black Lake. Hermione had had a hard time believing her , and now sat baffled - while Harry kept zoning in and out.

"And , how are we supposed to open the egg using water ? More specifically , what is the process ?", Hermione asked , finally regaining her composure. Evanna's lips quipped upwards in an easy smile , as she leaned back and crossing her arms across her chest - said ,"I need something in return."

"In return ? Merlin , you both are about to die ! Harry needs the information", Hermione said , softly , yet exasperatedly at the same time.

"An eye for an eye , Granger", Evanna said , now sitting up and leaning forward. She leaned her elbows on her knees and clasped her hands , saying ," I know about the Marauder's Map."

Almost immediately , Harry's eyes shot up from the egg , portraying panic and Ron , sat up as well. Hermione's eyes flitted from Evanna's face to the table between them , and back up to meet her cerulean irises.

Evanna raised a mocking brow. Clearing her throat , Hermione beheld a look of indifference , as she feigned confusion and spoke ,"The what ? I am not sure what you are saying , Frey."

"Very clever , Granger. But I know the truth , and I don't think that I need to solemnly swear on it", Evanna said , a mischievous smile on her lips as her eyes glinted over. Ron gulped , and Harry and Hermione looked at each other.

Harry sighed , before asking ,"How do you know ?"

"The Weasley twins need to be a tad bit discreet about what they are revealing. I have known for a year , Potter. Thought you'd have all the luxury for yourself ?"

"So you want the Marauders Map in exchange for the information", Hermione quipped abruptly , holding stern eye contact with the Ravenclaw in front of her.

"Now , it isn't exactly how you put. I need the Marauder's Map for one day , in exchange for the information that may help save Harry's life", Evanna emphasised.

Hermione scowled , while Harry looked eager to agree. Before he could , however , open his mouth to get out a single word , Hermione spoke ,"No. We'll find the information ourselves."

Evanna shrugged. "Suit yourselves. But this secret may not go to the grave with me", She said , as she stood up to leave. Walking down across the carpeted floor , Evanna could hear snippets of their conversation , or rather , quarrel.

"But Harry , that's ridiculous. We are risking handing over something so useful to her. What if she has connections with them. Then what ? What if it falls into wrong hands ?"

"Hermione , look , I know what you are saying is legitimate. But she is our best shot if you intend for me to survive the competition. Besides , what use is hiding the map when she already knows ? If we don't give it to her , she might tell others."

"We could always , you know .... erase her memories."

"That isn't how you go about it."

"Bloody hell Harry , we're not having a good effect on her."

A frustrated sigh , and an exasperated groan followed. Just as Evanna had decided that she had magnanimously failed - the squabbling ended , and before she could take take a step further - Ron called out to her.

"Oi , Frey !"

Evanna traced back a few steps , walking over to where the trio stood at the center of the room.

"We're ready", Harry said firmly.

"Sweet."

                                                                ____________________________

SCORES of rules had been set before her as she held the coveted parchment in her hands , complete with a red seal and the coded names of the four , infamous troublemakers. Evanna had met only two of them in person. She had been made to promise that she would never tell anyone about the map , nor reveal it's secrets to anyone at all. She couldn't tell others about how to open it , or how to close it , or what it was in general. 

After the bout of promises had ended , and she had drawn back the two crossed fingers from behind her back - Evanna clutched the map tightly under her robes as she slipped out of the Gryffindor Common Room.

Evanna could burst out with excitement to use the map. But first , and foremost , she had to learn a duplicating charm.  Rushing down the corridor , Evanna quickly turned the corner towards the Ravenclaw Tower - where two gift-wrapped boxes of Chocolate Cauldrons were sitting comfortably on her bed.

She took the dark , winding staircase up the Raveclaw Common Room , and as she barged into the room - she was greeted by a fresh , crisp wind that blew from the north window. Smiling slightly as she was reminded that winter , her favourite season , had arrived - she climbed up the staircase to her room.

Every Ravenclaw had a private bedroom - a series of rooms on either side of the corridor. The boys' rooms were to the left , girls to the right. Her fingers curled around the silver doorknob that had her name engraved on it , and she pushed open the mahogany door. Quickly hiding the map , and concealing it with several charms - Evanna clutched the two boxes before hurrying to find Joseph.

                                                    _______________________________

A jingle of a golden key sounded from Evanna's robe pocket , as she skipped along the hallways towards the Prefect's Bathroom. She intended to use the key to obtain access to the bathroom just after classes ended. As she headed towards the Potions Classroom , her eyes narrowed when she recognised a girl donning scarlet and gold robes.

Hermione had been sitting on the wooden bench for what had felt like hours. She had buried her nose in a book , in order to trick her mind into believing that everything was fine. When she couldn't keep the boiling anger and the bubbling sadness within her , she broke out into sniffles - which turned into soft , angry sobs.

All of a sudden , she felt a sudden touch on her shoulder. Furiously rubbing at her skin with the sleeve of her robe , she turned to face whoever had tapped her with a smile. But it was no use , and Hermione knew that. Her face was splotchy , and her voice would probably be shrill when she spoke.

Needless to sat , Hermione was astonished when she found a pretty brunette smiling down at her. The Ravenclaw sat next to her without a further word , and said ,"I'm not going to ask you if everything is fine or not , because it is clear as day that you are not alright. So let's get straight to the point. What happened ?"

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Never in her life of fourteen years had someone come up to her so nonchalantly and called out her behaviour without so much as a bother. She cleared her throat , but tears prickled her eyes again , and her skin burned with suppressed rage at a certain redhead.

"It's alright. Take your time. Professor Snape is merciful with me , atleast that is what I like to think."

Evanna shut her eyes , humming softly under her breath as she leaned back on the bench , the weeping willow overhead shading them from whatever minimal rays of sun that successfully protruded the thick , white clouds.

Hermione too a deep breath , steadying her nerves before speaking - voice as soft as the equinox's zephyr ,"Ron asked me out to the ball. Well , he didn't even ask. He just implied that I probably would not be able to get a date by myself , and since he had no one either - I should go with him."

Hermione didn't even know why she said the truth to Evanna , especially when Malfoy - the nemesis of the Golden Trio - and Evanna were friends , and she could always spill the secrets to him. But something about her sparkling , innocent blue eyes  and the nonchalant shrug of her shoulders made Hermione feel that the Ravenclaw was being earnest , and could trust her not to tattle-tale.

"And ? That can't be the only reason you're upset", Evanna pointed out.

Hermione swallowed , and spoke ,"Actually , I wanted Ron to ask me. Genuinely , nicely. I waited weeks for him , even when I'd got the offer of going as someone else's date. I told that person that I wasn't sure , and they said they would wait. But now that Ron has finally asked me , it's in such a ...... magnanimous way. As though he's doing me a favour."

"Well then , whoever was the other person that asked you - go with them", Evanna said.

"What ?", Hermione asked , incredulously.

"Yes. Show Weasley you're more than capable of going to a ball without him as your date. Show that you have standards too", Evanna said earnestly , reaching out to hold Hermione's hand.

Hermione's eyes drifted down to her lap , and she said ,"But , the person who asked me - he just so happens to be very popular. And I-I don't think I'm good enough for him."

Evanna sighed , as she shifted slightly to lean over to Hermione - her haunting blue eyes focused on the Gryffindor's face.

"You just said that the person who asked you agreed to wait for you. It means he really likes you and is genuinely interested , Hermione. And don't you ever lose your confidence. Honestly , you're so charming you should teach Professor Flitwick's class", Evanna said. Hermione's cheeks became dusted with a ruby powder , as she stammered ,"T-thank you."

Evanna dropped Hermione's hands with a smile , and she stood up. Looking down at Hermione , she said ,"Now go , and accept that person's invitation. And show up to the ball with your head held high. If you want , we could get dressed together at the Ravenclaw Common Room ?"

Hermione smiled , and nodded - agreeing to Evanna's offer. Just as Evanna was a few steps away , she abruptly stopped , before retracing her steps back to a confused Hermione. She bent down so that her lips were lined directly to Hermione's ear , making the girl blush again - before whispering ,"Viktor Krum is a very suitable date indeed."

Hermione sat there , her mouth wide open at the girl's ability to know all such hidden secrets - as she watched her stride away towards the dungeons.

                                                      ____________________________