PART 16

ONCE upon a time , Evanna Frey had been an alluring angel sent from the depths of heaven. An angel who had pure , porcelain wings ; infinite love for the world she belonged to and a heart yet to be tainted by the seducing calls of the devil.

 Evanna Frey was a winsome hallucination every living soul loathed to be ridden of , and yet feared for her charm. She was , what people would call , a winged gem - and yet , the finest of sinners. For unlike those beautiful creatures with virtuous souls - Evanna's lungs were coated in the onyx ashes of indented , burnt out cigarettes ; pockets filled with pills as pure as ivory ; pale , violet crescents etched onto the skin under her eyes and stygian lined her liver from the amount of alcohol that had passed through her lips. Devils danced in her eyes , and her ambition and greed set her soul ablaze. She was the epitome of the seven deadly sins that conquered each human heart , a devil that took the manifestation of a perfectly harmless girl with blue eyes that no longer held curiousity - but determination ; and chestnut hair that perfectly framed her captivating features. Lies poisoned her lips. 

Purple bruises littered her pearly , delicate skin like rivers of amaranthine - scarlet lips in a small frown as she wandlessly concealed and cured the fresh scars. Her cat nuzzled against her foot , providing her slight warmth as she huddled against the cold wall of her enormous room at the Frey Manor. Her mother had left at the crack of dawn , apparating to Canada for a meeting with other foreign delegates of the Wizengamot.

This recent development had allowed Evanna to crawl back up the wine red carpet that covered the marble staircase , taking the corridor up to her bedroom in the west wing from her previous encampment at the corner of the parlour. After she finished healing the minor wounds , she slowly stumbled towards the bathroom - ignoring the purrs of her white feline.

Lifting her pale green dress  , which had been stained an astonishing shade of emerald by the rivers of blood that had flowed out of her body - she examined the deep gash. The wound she had received a few weeks earlier at the third task had been cut open again - and though the blood had temporarily stopped , Evanna was aware that it wouldn't be long before it caused her pain again.

                                                        _______________________

It was at the strike of midnight that Evanna was aroused from her light sleep. A screech came from the stained glass panes of her bedroom window , and she pushed herself out of the duvets that had smothered her.

Opening the windows and pulling it by it's hinges , Evanna was greeted by the salty sacrilege of the deep Cornish sea , and the sight of a majestic eagle owl. Raising a brow at it , she allowed it to perch upon her arm. It's tawny claws clutched a fine envelope between them , a significant 'M' , marred upon the gold wax seal that coated it's rim.

The owl nuzzled against her cheek , and letting out a soft laugh - the girl petted the nocturnal creature. Gently taking the letter from it's deathly clutches , Evanna then let the owl perch on her bedstead.

Opening the wax seal , she pulled out the letter that the envelope contained. In elegant writing , she read ,

"Dear Ana , 

                  You haven't been answering my letters. Is everything alright ? Nott , Greengrass and the others constantly pester me as to why you haven't been replying. Everyone is worried. I hope you are not ill , and if you are - then feel free to not reply to this letter and rest instead. And I also hope your wound is healing up well.

Yours , 

Draco."

Smiling as she read it , she folded the parchment back into the envelope. With her mother gone for a week , Evanna could have the luxury of not having letters addressed to herself be intercepted. Lyra only allowed owls from the ministry or official matters into the house - most of which were addressed to herself. Up till now , it hadn't been a problem as Evanna hadn't gone about making friends - but now owls from Draco , Theo , Daphne , Blaise , Pansy and Hermione would be intercepted by the elves on a daily basis. It had also partly been the reason of her recent scars. Evanna , however , always found a way to the read those letters expressing concern.

She swiftly took two pieces of parchment from the mahogany desk that stood opposite her four poster , hidden behind shelves of books - and a quill.

She wrote ,

"Dear Draco ,

                       I am not ill , although , I thank you for your concern. I am quite alright actually , and I haven't been able to answer the letters due to a sudden trip to Peru with my mother. I am very sorry for it. Please tell the others I am fine.

P.S. I terribly miss your company. Can we meet this Wednesday at London ? Trafalgar square , preferably ? I know you despise muggles - but , please ?

Yours , 

Evanna."

On the second piece of parchment , she wrote -

"Dear Hermione , 

                                 I am calling you by your first name if that is alright with you.  Due to some recent developments , I won't be able to answer your letters. I know it is quite hypocritical of me to say so especially when I was the one to ask you to write. I read all your letters , and if I can - I will try to reply. But please don't expect me to be punctual. I sincerely apologise. Do keep me updated on the matters of the Ministry.

Sincerely , 

Evanna."

Handing the first letter back to the eagle owl , who had watched her patiently , she gave it a treat. Watching it melt amongst the clouds of obsidian , Evanna called an elf - instructing it to send the letter via one of the family owls to the Grangers.

"And not a word of it to Mistress Frey", Evanna warned in a low voice. The elf nodded vigorously , bulbous blue eyes scared as it accepted the letter and rushed out of the room. 

Climbing back into bed , Evanna's eyes closed. She terribly wished that Draco would oblige to her request of meeting up. She wished to see his face , the only thing keeping her grounded. But asides that , she wished for another thing. That her mother wouldn't get the trace of Evanna leaving the Manor.

For as much as Evanna wished to remain unafraid of her mother , and unafraid she was , she too - was human. A human capable of feeling physical pain. Pain which kept her awake for nights to come , pain which caused her to dig out the pills that rested at all times in the depths of her robe pockets - and shove numerous of them into her mouth for relief. Nights on end she would stay awake , nightmares of blood haunting her mind. Her eyes would be wide , cold sweat beading her forehead - her breaths quickening and falling simultaneously. Often she would scold herself. What kind of a ruler would she be - who was afraid of her own mother's torturous methods ?

And in that whirlpool of misery , a boy with platinum hair was her only escape.

                                                                    _______________________

A boy with ashen hair , skin as pale as death and mercury eyes stood with his hands shoved within the pockets of his trousers. His hair was tousled in the summer breeze that swept across the horde of people gathered at the square - the waters of the turquoise fountain sparkling as it caught the light of the sun.

His face was fixed into a scowl as he regarded the non-magic people around him. He didn't know why Evanna had wished to meet at such an odd place , but the flutter of his heart when she had been the one to take the initiative couldn't have been ignored. And he could only comply. Admittedly it had been quite odd when she stated that she had been in Peru as the reason for not answering letters , but he had shrugged it off.

Maybe she had asked him to meet her there because it was quite refreshing to be away from magic for once - even Draco had to accept that. From the corner of his eye he saw a familiar figure make her way towards him.

Evanna's eyes easily found Draco's towering figure. Merlin , the boy appeared to have used stretching jinxes. Although , Evanna herself had grown even more tall - though not as much as the Slytherin in sight.

He observed that she had dressed herself in a loose , cream coloured jumper tucked into caramel trousers , golden buckles on a black leather belt hanging around her waist fastening it   - her caramel hair falling loose behind her shoulders and her face radiant as ever. Assuredly , London was not often blessed with spectacular weather - the sky mostly remaining hidden behind a mesh of grey cirrus. But that particular day , the sky gleamed a deep ultramarine , and it was quite warm.

"Aren't you feeling warm in that ?", Draco asked her as he met her halfway across to the fountain where he had previously stood. Evanna's cherry lips quipped upwards at the question , and she shook her head.

"No , I'm quite alright', She answered before saying ,"I'm sorry , I am quite late."

Gazing down at the  expensive silver watch that rested upon her wrist , she frowned and apologized for her tardiness. Waving her off , Draco and Evanna started walking forward across the cobblestone square floor.

"So... why did you ask to meet up here ?", Draco asked. Evanna shrugged as a way of reply , before saying ,"Just thought of a couple places to visit. They were around here - if you want to visit them with me , that is." Draco blushed slightly - shaking his head at the notion of this trip being a date , before clearing his throat.

Of course I would fucking love to go with you.

"Of course", Draco replied , before coming to a halt and facing Evanna.

"So .... where to first ?"

Evanna grinned , searching the little bag that slung from her shoulder , and producing a roll of parchment. Opening it , she read out ,"Well - I thought of visiting the National Gallery first. It's open from 9 a.m."

Grinning , Draco nodded - as they fell into step once again. Catching up on what they did while at home , their hands brushed against each other. Evanna seemed unfazed , as she animatedly told him about an alchemy book she had read - which held the possible recipe of the Elixir of Life - but Draco was averting his eyes , looking anywhere but at Evanna to avoid stuttering.

All of a sudden , Evanna was interrupted by Draco softly asking ,"Can I..um , hold your hand ?"

Tilting her head to look at the ivory haired boy beside her , she was surprised to find his cheeks dusted pink as his silver gaze firmly remained on the ground the pair treaded on. She nodded , a toothy grin etched on her lovely features as the boy tentatively entwined their fingers. Swinging their hands together , Evanna enthusiastically skipped across - pulling a laughing Draco along with her.

"I hope you are free today. I plan to visit many places."

                                                              ________________________

Draco Malfoy had always known that happiness was a fickle thing , a blessing given to few people. Fate had never given him the bliss of the emotion , and the only feelings he had ever experienced were numbness , and loneliness in all the ventures of his life.

But as he took in the flushed cheeks of the laughing girl beside him , his own lips curling upwards into an unknowing smile - it was safe to say that Draco Malfoy - the finest of sinners - had possibly found his own happiness too.

He knew it because so far , he was having the best day of his life - and that was saying something , after having been spoiled by his parents since childhood. He basked in the feel of the Ravenclaw beside him , who spiritedly narrated to him myths of any greek or roman sculpture they passed by - or about the bewitching portraits that adorned the marble gallery - their voices echoing off the dome shaped ceiling. Even though he could not say that he was paying much attention to what she told him about the paintings and sculptures - he adored listening to her soft , honeyed voice that seemed to effortlessly pass into his ears.

After the National Gallery , the duo visited a bookstore , which housed an enormous variety of muggle books. He learned that Evanna enjoyed reading muggle books from time to time , her particular favourites being a book called 'The Alchemist', and 'The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.'

"Why do you like them ?", Draco asked , leaning against the shelf  as he watched Evanna go about , selecting certain books with the utmost concentration.

"The Alchemist is quite a fascinating tale. 'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting' , is how the book can be described in one line. The feeling of reading it is peculiar , inexplainable - how you begin to look for a treasure and follow your dreams and realize that everything has been within your reach all along. 'The Diary of a Young Girl' describes the woes of a teenager living in hiding during the Second Muggle War. Both are vastly different , but I just simply enjoy both. No certain reason", Evanna replied , before turning to face him - three books clutched to her chest. Her hair spilled onto her shoulders , and her eyes sparkled.

"Am I boring you ? Sorry , we were supposed to go somewhere else - but I got distracted-"

"No worries. It's fine , honestly. Take your time Ana", Draco replied , smiling back at her. She nodded gratefully , before selecting a few more. Balancing five of them between her arms , while Draco held the rest - the pair payed for the books. After much pressure from the platinum-haired boy , Evanna allowed him to pay for half of the stack , although he had originally wished to buy the entire thing for her.

After the stop at the bookstore , the two had visited Westminster Abbey - where Evanna had proceeded to start a conversation with him regarding muggle history. As much as Draco hated muggles , he knew quite a bit about them. The pair travelled across the city , from the National History Museum , to the beautiful clock-tower by the name of Big Ben. And when the dials of the clock struck six in the evening , the pair walked into a park.

The sun had lined the horizon a deep read , clean arrays of houses lining the roads on either side of the park. The pale silhouette of the moon peeped through the holes in the misty clouds - stars burning like strings of pearls dominating the expanse of soft blue , lilac and rose splayed heavens.

Evanna swung the linen bag which held her books , twirling as dizzy laughter escaped from her throat , the other hand holding the cone of an ice-cream.

"Ana ! Slow down ! You'll drop your ice-cream", Draco called out to Evanna. The park was mostly empty , except for a scant few people scattered across.

She proceeded to sit on one of the benches to catch her breath , taking a small bite of the chocolate ice-cream. Relishing in the taste of the dulcet dessert , she watched as Draco walked up to her - sitting beside her.

For quite some time , they bathed in the comfortable silence that had engulfed them - both enjoying their respective desserts. The sun completely dissolved into the dark green that dotted the horizon , and the crescent moon appeared in the sky - the red reminiscent light of the setting sun still illuminating their path.

Aprubtly , Evanna stood up after finishing her dessert. Extending her hand towards Draco she asked  ,"Twirl with me ?"

Draco rolled his eyes , but inwardly his heart raced as he stood up - his palm cocooning  Evanna's dainty hand. Stretching their arms out , they both laughed as they spun in swift circles - the wind whipping at their faces. Laughter echoed in their ears until they finally slowed down to catch their breaths.

As they faced each other , Draco felt his lips quip upwards when he saw the cheerful glint in Evanna's ocean like irises. All of a sudden , she leaned forward to wrap her arms around in an embrace - leaning her head on his shoulder. Slowly , he returned her hug - inhaling the scent of her hair.

Peaches and honey , with hints of lavender.

And when she had thanked him for the day  , and walked towards an alley to apparate - waving back at him , Draco waved back - eyes fixed towards her direction until she vanished into the shadows. Letting out a dreamy sigh , an enduring smile on his lips and a feverish glint in his eyes , he  walked away - apparating a few feet away from where Evanna and he had stood two minutes ago.

[ SORRY THIS WAS SUCH A FILLER CHAPTER. BUT THE EVENTS IN IT ARE QUITE IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR READING. VOTE , COMMENT AND SHARE.

WITH ALL MY HEART ,

ORPHIC_MOON ]