PART 12

EARLY February had arrived , bringing with it the bliss of the onset of spring. The dusk sunlight pierced the clouds , travelling through the blades of grass and tinting the faces of the students and teachers crowding the corridors. Spring was round the corner , and it seemed that Demeter had once again blessed the earth with blossoming flowers , the song of birds , and with ripening fruits. A hush covered the earth , weeds and fresh grass sprouting from the soft earth , and vines creeping up the cold bricks of the castle.

  Somewhere , as the sky darkened , the Slytherins had gathered by the fire in the Common Room - notebooks , textbooks , and parchment strewn all around the floor. Blankets pulled across their knees , huddled together as they prepared for the upcoming examinations together. A pronounced silence was ever-present in the room , only broken by soft murmurs.

The corner right by the marble hearth , from above which the tapestry of Salazar Slytherin glared down at them , had been occupied by the famous Slytherin quintet. A girl with short , black hair that fell to her olive eyes - Pansy Parkinson - sat on an armchair , flipping through the pages of a Potions book. Blaise Zabini sat by the foot of her armchair , feet sprawled comfortably across the peridot carpet - hand furiously scribbling notes onto fine parchment - his coffee skin gleaming in the emerald light of the flames. Daphne paced behind the duo , fingers tightly knitted between the pages of 'One Thousand Herbs and Fungi' - green eyes shut tight as she recited the names one by one.

Theo lay on the couch across from them , book held high as he read through the Divination textbook , red dots obscuring his vision as most concepts went over his head. Draco sat at another desk , completing his homework.

Amongst the group of Slytherins , was an out of place Ravenclaw - her caramel hair spilling onto her shoulders , her head bent over a borrowed book on 'Ancient Runes.' Her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration , and her hands often worked to write down things not mentioned in their textbook.

Draco had introduced Evanna to  his friends , and all of them had clicked with her immediately. Blaise and Evanna , for their love of sweets and limericks ; Pansy , Daphne and Evanna , for their collective admiration of fashion ; Theo and Evanna for their shared love of quidditch and astronomy.

And so they sat , heads bent in concentration over their respective studies. The group had decided to gather there after dinner for a late 'study session' , and to clear doubts if anyone had them. Time ticked on , the hands of the clock moving to point from half past eight , to almost midnight.

With an audible groan , Theo shut his book , letting it fall over his face. 

"I'm hungry", He complained , voice slightly muffled.

"We had dinner not long ago", Draco said absently , scrunching his nose.

"That was almost four hours ago", Theo said , another groan following shortly. Pansy closed her book , pressing her fingers to her forehead - before looking down to find Blaise half-asleep at the foot of her armchair. Daphne stopped pacing , her legs giving way as she slid down to the floor , head cradled between her hands.

Evanna put her book away , swinging her legs over the couch and sitting upright as she spoke ,"Let's go to the kitchens."

"What ? What if Filch catches us ?", Daphne asked.

"Daph , at this point , I'd rather get a detention than stay hungry", Theo grumbled , digging his face deeper  into an embroidered cushion. Pansy laughed softly and said ,"But will the elves be awake ?"

Evanna stood up , and rested her hands on her hips as her gaze drifted around.

"Do anyone of you know how to cook ?", She asked - only to be met with negative responses. Sighing , as she shook her head , she said ,"Well , good for you all - I actually do know how to cook."

She stretched her arms out , before beckoning them towards the door of the common room. Draco raised a brow and asked ,"Are you sure ?"

"Completely", Evanna replied , already walking noiselessly across the carpeted floor towards the stone wall. The four followed suit behind her , creeping in the shadows of the dungeons as they slowly made their way towards the kitchens.

"Ouch ! Blaise you stepped on my foot !", Pansy whispered irritatedly.

"Sorry."

They walked noiselessly , Evanna often hushing them when she saw Filch or Mrs. Norris approaching. Before long , the silver light of the moon that penetrated the arching windows had led them successfully to their destination.

They stood in front of the portrait of a pear , looking confused.

"Evanna , what do we need to do next ?", Draco asked.

"Honestly , have none of you ever gone down to the kitchens at night ?", She asked , rolling her eyes.

"No , because we got others to bring food for us."

Groaning softly , Evanna said ,"We need to tickle the pear ?"

"We need to -what ?", Draco said.

"Are you drunk ?", Theo asked , raising a brow ,"Because if you are I want to have a part in that hidden stash of firewhiskey too."

"No , I'm not", She replied through gritted teeth , before brushing her fingers along the edges of the yellow-green pear. The portrait moved , giving way to a door. Opening it , they stepped down onto the stone floor of the kitchen.

Pulling out chairs with minimal scraping noises , they sat around.

"So .... what do we eat ?", Daphne asked.

"I don't know about the others , but I'm craving something sweet", Draco said - as he found Evanna giving him a knowing look. Feeling heat creep up his neck , he looked down onto his lap.

"I know a victorian sponge cake recipe. But I need your help", Evanna said , looking at the others.

"Merlin , tell us something you don't know , Evanna", Pansy said. Evanna laughed a little and responded with ,"I am not good at many things , for instance , applying make-up and Care of Magical Creatures."

"Sponge cake it is then", Theo said with a solemn look in his eyes , standing up determinedly. Chortling , the others stood up too - collecting supplies such as spatulas , bowls and packets of sugar , milk , cream and butter.

With a smile , Evanna silently conjured six aprons - handing it out to all of them.

"We have to wear these ?", Pansy said disgustedly , while Blaise scrunched his nose at the sight of them. Daphne laughed , nodding.

With a hum under her breath , Evanna stood at the end of the wooden counter - placing a bowl in front of her as the others stood beside and across her.

"Pansy and Blaise please prepare the cream. You need eggs , butter and powdered sugar for it. Mix it well and then add some vanilla essence to it. Theo and Daph please cut the fruits and warm the oven , while Draco and I do the rest", Evanna said absently , tying her hair up into a messy bun as the others did a comic salute of sorts.

They soon fell into a work rhythm , focusing on their particular jobs - their hunger subsiding by the minute as they concentrated on preparing a cake. 

Pushing the bowl towards Draco , Evanna said ,"Mix while I add the ingredients."

She smiled slightly as she examined Draco. His tall , towering body that appeared gigantic in contrast to hers looked adorable as he stood there with a focused look and an apron around his neck - ivory hair fall to his mercury eyes. But of course , she would never admit it.

She said poured the milk , crushed the eggs , and the butter , salt and sugar - while he stirred , his shirt sleeves pulled up to his elbows. 

Evanna asked him to wait , before walking towards the wooden shelves - looking for flour. The brown bag had been conveniently placed at the top , and she let out a huff. Balancing on her toes , she stretched her arms upwards. A smile etched onto her face as her fingers brushed against the coarse fabric of the bag.

As she pulled it towards her , finding it to be much heavier than expected - she stumbled backwards , pushing Draco in the process as she met the ground. Draco had fallen right beside her , both shocked at the spur of the moment. Evanna sighed , sitting up to look at him - before she burst out laughing. The others too , started laughing.

The corners of his lips too turned upwards at the sound of her laughter - before he too began chuckling at their own mess. Both teenagers sat in a pool of white flour , covered from head to toe in the pearly , powdery substance. Evanna's hair had streaks of white , her face coated in flour and her jumper and trousers too had some of it - though her yellow apron was the worst affected.

Draco , himself , looked paler due to the fresh coat of flour on his skin - his hair having grains of it and his black trousers having light stains of the same. The bag sat between them - open and half empty of it's original contents.

Evanna and Draco stood up , brushing their clothes out as the others still doubled over with laughter. Evanna looked up to meet his grey irises , finding them already looking at her fondly.

"Um , there's a little something right there", Draco said softly , reaching out to gently brush off an excess of flour that coated her cheeks with his thumb. She smiled , leaning slightly into his touch , before he retracted his hand.

"You have a little something there too", Evanna whispered , standing on her toes , reaching her fingers out to dust some off from the corner of his eyes. Draco could only hope she couldn't hear the violent beat of his heart and that he wasn't blushing.

A stray strawberry hit him in the temple from nowhere , and Evanna moved back. Scowling , Draco looked at the others. Theo was making a disgusted expression , while Pansy and Daphne smiled cheekily at each other. Blaise said ,"Oi , lovebirds ! Do that later. I'm hungry."

Sneering at Blaise , Draco turned to face Evanna with a small smile , who stifled a laughter.

"Alright", Evanna said , as she lifted the flour bag - which was now considerably lighter - and poured some of it into a measuring cup until it was full. Emptying the cup into the bowl , she ushered Draco to stir.

"It has to be light and fluffy", Evanna said to a frustrated Draco - who began stirring , almost stabbing , more violently. Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth.

"You need to know how to cook , blondie. You might not always have house elves around , and it is a skill everyone should learn", Evanna adviced , leaning over and placing her right hand against Draco's. A jolt of electricity passed through his skin , as Evanna explained to him how to mix properly , holding his hand and doing the motions with it. Although he hardly payed attention , he nodded his head when she asked ,"Got it ?"

Pansy sighed , chuckling slightly at their antics before returning to her job.

                                                           ___________________________

"That's it. Theo , just spread the cream put with the blade of the knife", Evanna explained , biting her lip slightly as Theo tried to put cream on the layers. After his struggle was over , Daphne garnished the top with tiny shreddings of nuts , and cut strawberries.

Seeing a raggedly cut strawberry , Draco said ,"That strawberry looks like it wants to die."

"I cut it", Blaise said , puffing his cheeks out.

Evanna cut the pieces , placing one on each of the six plates - handing one to each of the eagerly waiting five. Theo let out a squeak , sitting up on the counter and immediately putting a piece in his mouth. Evanna chuckled , sitting beside him , as the rest followed suit.

"Mhm", Pansy said , eating the dulcet dessert. "Evanna please let me know the recipe. I plan on trying cooking to pass time. May as well make dessert."

"I will", Evanna said.

"It really is amazing Ana", Draco said - and Evanna's heart warmed upon hearing her old nickname.

"So ..... Ana ?", Blaise teased , receiving a kick from Draco.

"I think it's cute. And the cake is delicious", Daphne replied with a lovely smile.

"Merlin , if you make such good cake - I may as stay up till late if it means that I will get this when I'm hungry", Theo mumbled.

As they sat , laughing and talking , Evanna felt as though she had finally found something her old self may have wished fervently for. Friends. Her heart fluttered at the sight of them each , especially at a certain platinum blonde when she caught him smiling at her.

Shaking her heads , she repeated firmly to herself ,"Allies. Acquaintances."

Almost an hour passed , an the plates lay in a pile along with the silverware - spotless after a 'Scourgify' charm. Draco looked towards Evanna , when something caught his eye. It was the beginnings of a wine red scar , carved deeply into her porcelain skin - vainly hidden behind the neck of her loose jumper. It's edges creased an yellowing. Due to their respective positions across the counter , the others could not see it. As if it had been hidden , the scar slowly spread it's way across her neck. He hoped he didn't wince when he saw it.

A scar. Obviously not from a school duel or quidditch. If she had one , did it mean she was hiding more of them ?

From a very long time , possibly since they had laid the basis of their friendship - Draco had known that Evanna hardly ever talked about her family life. She and her mother had a distant , crumbling relationship , and he knew that in the vast Frey manor - it was easy for Evanna and her mother to hide from each other.

He had never expected it to be so brutal.

Evanna's yawn snapped him out of his trance. "I feel sleepy. I'll go up to the Ravenclaw Tower", she said in between yawns , jumping off the counter.

"It's too late. Do you want to sleep with us ? We have a spare bed in our dorm", Daphne offered.

"If that's alright with you", Evanna said , a tad sheepishly.

"Of course it is", Pansy replied , waving her off before returning to her conversation with Theo.

"I'll come with you", Draco offered , following to stand behind her. Evanna nodded , smiling thankfully as Daphne said ,"If you want pyjamas ,we have spare ones in the closet beside the dresser." 

"Whipped", Pansy whispered to Blaise , who nodded in agreement.

Draco's ears pricked up on hearing that , as he turned his head to glare at them. As they walked out , Blaise's bronze irises did not fail to see how the platinum blonde had interlaced his fingers with the Ravenclaw's.

"Definitely whipped", Blaise whispered back.

As the duo walked out of the kitchens , hand-in-hand , Draco said ,"Evanna."

He came to a stop , and so did Evanna , who whirled around to face him with a confused expression. In the silvery light of the moon , Evanna looked the epitome of innocence , with her caramel hair resting at the nape of her neck , a few strands framing her face and clad with a loose blue jumper.

"If you want to tell me something , you can", Draco said softly. Evanna's eyes widened , and he assumed she had understood that he had seen her injury. She looked down onto the floor , a look of fear , fury and shame mixed within her cerulean irises.

"That is , if you want to", He assured with a smile. Evanna looked back up to meet his gaze , and smiled lightly.

"Thank you", She whispered.

"For what ?"

"For everything", She said , standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. She laughed slightly when she noticed his reddening skin , and tugged on his hand. They continued their walk , basking in the presence of each other ,  back to the dungeons - Draco with a newfound aim of helping Evanna Frey at all costs , and Evanna with a newfound sense of security.