FOUR: Pleasing a storm

✸

          Remus Lupin knew that if Evelina Valentine was going to tutor him for potions, he had to remain on her good side to prevent sparking arguments that could drive them both up a wall. Conversely, if he were to guide her in becoming more social, he had to uncover her interests beyond books and her drive to become a higher achiever. . .which was all Remus knew about her.

But Remus was always up for a challenge. He was determined to get on her good side (if she even had one).

It was exactly 6:00 AM and the library had been open for a few hours by now, of course, Evelina was already there. Remus knew she would be one of the few students to catch the library first thing in the morning, and well a little assistance from the Marauders map is always a charm.

Remus moved quietly through the hushed aisles of the Hogwarts library, the faint scent of old parchment and leather-bound volumes filling the air. Sunlight filtered through the tall, arched windows, casting a warm glow over the rows of bookshelves. His eyes scanned the rows of bookshelves, each filled with centuries of accumulated wisdom. He knew exactly where to find her, he made his way to the far corner of the library. It was a secluded spot, tucked away from the main thoroughfare, where he often found solace amid the chaos of school life.

As he rounded the last shelf, he spotted Evelina Valentine in her favorite spot.

She was perched at her usual table, surrounded by a few towering stacks of books. Her head was bent low, a quill in her hand as she concentrated deeply on the crossword puzzle in the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. Her brow furrowed in thought, and her lips moved slightly.

"Stuck on tricky one, are we?" He spoke up, a hint of amusement in his voice as he startled the girl.

Evelina practically jumped out of her seat, she looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly when she saw him. "What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice unfriendly.

He pulled out a chair and sat down next to her, "I'm here for my Potions lesson, remember?"

The blonde girl's lips twitched in a half smile. "Right, you need my help."

"Again, Professor Slughorn's idea," stated Remus. "I'd rather pitch myself off the Astronomy Tower than personally ask you for help, but if anything, I think you need my help." His gaze rested on her Daily Prophet as he gestured to her almost-solved crossword.

Evelina let out a cold laugh. "I don't need your help, Lupin. I can answer this last one by myself." She turned back to the crossword, pointedly ignoring him.

"The answer is asphodel," he sighed, retrieving his own Daily Prophet from his bag and leaning back in his chair.

Evelina's jaw went slack — how dare he! How had he solved something she'd been stuck for the last hour in mere seconds? She hadn't even gotten the chance to find the answer herself.

With an annoyed grunt, she snapped, "I knew that, I was thinking it over," she said with a huff, glaring at him.

Remus's lips curled upwards. "Sure you were." He turned his Daily Prophet to the solved crossword page, revealing his messy yet neat handwriting. "I just happened to solve it before you."

Evelina's eyes flicked to Remus's crossword page, her annoyance simmering just below the surface. She hated how easily he seemed to solve everything, and his smugness was infuriating.

"You think you're so clever, don't you, Lupin?" she hissed, slamming her quill down. Without waiting for his response, she gathered her things, shoving her books and quill into her bag with rough, hurried movements. Remus watched her, his brow furrowing slightly, unsure of how to respond as Evelina disappeared into the maze of bookshelves.

             Later that day, the Gryffindor Quidditch team had just secured a resounding victory against Slytherin, and the castle was buzzing with excitement. Evelina found herself at the Quidditch pitch, already seated in the Ravenclaw stands. She wasn't particularly interested in Quidditch, but Emmeline and Caradoc had dragged her along, and now she found herself surrounded by the raucous cheers of students celebrating Gryffindor's victory.

As the Gryffindor poured out onto the field, revealing their win, Evelina caught the sight of two Marauders at the center of attention. James Potter, Sirius Black, and well their friend Marlene Mckinnon were all basking in the glory, while Peter and Remus stood slightly off to the side, smiling at the scene.

Evelina rolled her eyes, trying to focus on the book she'd brought with her. But before she could immerse herself in her reading, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Valentine!" Remus called out as he climbed up the stands, making his way towards her. "Surprised to see you here."

She glanced up at him, annoyed. "Don't be. My friends dragged me here."

"Ah, so you're not a fan of Quidditch then?" he teased, taking a seat beside her without waiting for an invitation.

"Not particularly," she replied curtly, turning a page in her book. "Unlike you, who seems to thrive on pointless games."

"Pointless? You wound me," Remus said, "But. . .can't believe I'm saying this, but I do agree with you. Quidditch is practically a religion around here."

Evelina's brows furrowed, "Wait, you're not a fan of Quidditch?" She asked.

Remus nodded his head.

"But," She stammered, "You're a Quidditch commentator—!?"

Remus shrugged and chuckled, clearly unfazed by her barbs. "You know, now this might sound shocking to you, but you might actually enjoy the game if you give it a chance."

"I'd rather not," she replied coldly. "There are more productive ways to spend my time."

"Like solving crosswords?" he quipped, earning a sharp glare from her. "Or maybe tutoring a hopeless case like me?"

Evelina narrowed her eyes at him. "I agreed to help you with Potions, not to entertain your childish banter."

Remus grinned, enjoying the challenge she presented. "Funny, I thought it was the other way around. You're the one who needs help socializing, remember?"

She snapped her book shut, turning to face him fully. "I don't need help. And I certainly don't need you telling me what I do or don't need."

"Then prove it," he said, leaning in slightly. "Come to the Gryffindor party tonight. It'll be a chance for you to show off those social skills you're so confident about."

Evelina's eyes flashed with irritation. "Why would I want to go to a Gryffindor party? To watch you lot pat yourselves on the back for winning a Quidditch match?"

"Something like that," Remus replied with a smirk. "Or maybe just to enjoy yourself for once. You might even have fun."

"Highly doubtful," she retorted, crossing her arms. "And what makes you think I'd even be welcome at one of your parties?"

"Everyone's welcome," Remus said, his tone more sincere now. "Besides, it's not just about Quidditch. It's a chance to unwind, relax, have a drink, maybe even—" He pulled out a pack of cigarettes out his pocket, "—Have one of these."

Evelina gasped; "Absolute not!" She cried out. "Those are extremely harmful and may I add dangerous to your health!"

He shrugged nonchalantly, lighting one up. "Life is full of risks, Valentine. Sometimes it's about letting go, enjoying the moment, and being a little more carefree."

"Enjoying the moment?" she echoed incredulously. "By poisoning yourself? That's completely irresponsible."

Remus blew out a cloud of smoke, leaning back with a teasing grin. "You're wound too tight, Valentine. Maybe that's why you need to come to the party even more."

Evelina's frown deepened as she watched the smoke swirl around him, her irritation simmering beneath the surface. "You think puffing on those makes you seem more carefree? It's reckless, Lupin. And here I thought you had more sense."

"Well maybe I'm not as sensible as you think," he replied, still smiling, though his eyes held a challenge. "And maybe you're too caught up in being perfect all the time."

"Perfection has nothing to do with it," Evelina snapped, feeling her temper rise. "It's about making smart choices, not ones that could harm you—or anyone around you."

Remus studied her for a moment, the playful light in his eyes dimming slightly. "Look, Valentine," he said, his tone softening, "I get it. You don't see the point in cutting loose, but maybe that's because you've never tried. Come to the party, and if it's awful, you can leave. No strings attached. But at least give yourself the chance to see what you're missing."

Evelina hesitated, her sharp tongue temporarily silenced by his earnestness. She glanced around, noticing the crowds still in their element.

She sat and thought about it for quite a bit before replying with; "I can't, I have to study."

Remus looked at the Ravenclaw girl as if she was dim-witted. "Don't take this personally, but you need help."

"Say whatever you want Lupin." Shrugged Evelina, "But don't come back to me when you fail your N.E.W.T.s exam." She clapped back.

"First of all," Remus spoke through his teeth glaring back at her, "I'm not gonna fail my N.E.W.T.s." He stated firmly, "Second of all, you owe me a Potions lesson, so this is just a part of our deal." Remus stated, sounding more optimistic than certain.

Evelina sighed, weighing her options. "Fine," she relented through gritted teeth, "but only because I owe you for Potions."

          That evening, Evelina made her way to the Gryffindor tower, her steps slightly hesitant and her pace uneven and quick, Emmeline, Benjy, and Caradoc tried their best to keep up with her.

They reached the outside of the tower, facing the portrait of the Fat lady. The lively sounds of the party inside were already audible through the thick stone walls. Evelina paused, taking a deep breath as she glanced at the portrait in front of her.

Emmeline took notice first, her keen eyes catching the way Evelina's hands fidgeted with the edge of her skirt. She put a reassuring hand on Evelina's shoulder; "You alright Eve?" Emmeline asked softly, concern lacing her voice.

Evelina managed a small smile. "I'm fine, just a bit out of sorts."

"You ate six bars of chocolate on your way here." Caradoc chimed in. Benjy, trailing slightly behind, noticed Evelina sneaking another piece of chocolate from her purse and popping it into her mouth. "Make that seven bars of chocolate." He added.

Evelina rolled her eyes and shrugged, "The chocolate helps the passwords lionheart." She muttered the last bit.

Caradoc nodded and retorted the password back to the Fat Lady. With a graceful yet exaggerated flourish, she swung open, revealing the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. The painting's movement was accompanied by the sound of gears and hinges hidden within the stone wall, creating a sense of magical grandeur. Beyond the portrait, warm light spilled out, along with the sounds of laughter and cheerful chatter from the party inside.

Evelina took a hesitant step forward, feeling the gentle push of her friends behind her. As they crossed the threshold into the bustling common room, she felt a wave of unease wash over her. The room was packed with students, all celebrating Gryffindor's victory. The air was thick with the mingling scents of butterbeer, roasted marshmallows, and something floral—perhaps the enchanted candles floating overhead.

Evelina's eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face, but the crowd was overwhelming. Emmeline and Benjy were quickly swept up in the excitement, joining a group of Gryffindors who were already dancing near the fireplace. Caradoc gave Evelina a reassuring smile before he, too, was pulled into the festivities.

Evelina found herself standing awkwardly near the entrance, unsure of where to go or what to do. She wasn't used to this sort of environment—loud, chaotic, and brimming with energy. She was more at home in the quiet solitude of the library or her dormitory, surrounded by books and parchment.

As she glanced around, she noticed a plush couch near the corner of the room, away from the main throng of students. Without much thought, she made her way over to it, grateful for the small oasis of calm it offered. As she sat down, her eyes fell on a novel that had been left on the cushion beside her.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

Her curiosity piqued, she picked up the book and turned it over in her hands. The cover was slightly worn, a sign that it had been well-read and cherished. She flipped open to the first page, and before she knew it, she was immersed in the world of the Dashwood sisters, the noise of the party fading into the background.

Minutes passed, and Evelina found herself lost in the story, the familiar comfort of literature soothing her nerves. She barely noticed when someone approached the couch and stood in front of her.

"Enjoying yourself?" Remus's voice broke through her concentration, and she looked up, startled.

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words. "I—uh, yes," she replied, holding up the book as if it explained everything.

Remus raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Sense and Sensibility? Not exactly the party material I had in mind."

Evelina shrugged, returning her gaze to the page. "It's better company than half the people here."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, the point of coming to a party is to actually participate, not hide away with a book."

"I'm not hiding," she retorted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked up at him again. "I'm simply choosing a more stimulating form of entertainment."

"Right," Remus said, his tone lightly teasing. "Because Jane Austen is known for her wild parties."

Evelina rolled her eyes. "At least her characters have depth. I can't say the same for most of the people here."

"Ouch," Remus replied, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"I just don't see the point in all of this," she admitted, gesturing to the crowded room. "What's so great about loud music, mindless chatter, and people acting like fools? Or worse, make yourself the fool."

"Sometimes it's nice to let loose," he said, sitting down beside her. "To forget about school, and problems and just have fun."

Evelina scoffed. "Fun? This is chaotic. I'd rather be anywhere else."

"Then why did you come?"

"You invited me shit head."

He smiled at that. "Well, I appreciate that you made the effort. But maybe try setting the book down and giving the party a chance?"

Evelina shook her head. "I'm not interested in making a fool of myself."

Remus sighed, leaning back on the couch. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"I've been told," she replied dryly, her attention already returning to the book in her hands. But before she could start reading again, she glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And besides you're not exactly a social butterfly yourself Lupin, don't you hate socializing with people as much as I do? So why bother?"

Remus gave a wry smile. "I do hate most people, and I'd often rather grab a fork and stab myself than make small talk with half of the idiots here." He said with a hint of a shrug, "But sometimes, it's necessary. It doesn't stop me from hanging out with my friends. . . a few drinks, so forget about my problems. Put the world aside for a while."

"Is that what you're doing now? Running away from your problems?"

Remus nodded slowly. "Yeah. Sometimes, I just need to let loose. I've got a lot of regrets that I want to fade away, so I get wasted—like all my potential," he added with a self-deprecating smile.

Evelina was silent for a moment, taking in his words. There was a depth to Remus that she hadn't expected, a vulnerability that caught her off guard. It was strange to hear him speak so candidly, and she found herself at a loss for how to respond.

Before she could think of something to say, Remus seemed to realize how much he'd just revealed. His expression shifted, his walls going back up. With a sudden smirk, he leaned over and plucked the book from her hands.

"You know," he said, flipping through the pages, "you might as well stop reading. It's not like you don't already know how it ends."

Evelina frowned, reaching for the book, but he held it just out of her grasp. "What are you talking about?"

"Marianne ends up with Colonel Brandon," he said casually, his tone laced with mock seriousness. "And Elinor, well, she gets her happily ever after too. But I suppose you knew that already."

Evelina's eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared at him, her jaw slack. "You—did you just spoil the entire book?"

"Maybe," Remus replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Or maybe I'm just trying to get you to close the book and join the rest of the party."

She snatched the book back from him, glaring at him with a mix of irritation and amusement. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, you're still sitting here," he pointed out, leaning back with a smug smile.

Evelina rolled her eyes, opening the book once more. "Only because it's better than being out there with the rest of the circus."

"Suit yourself," Remus said, standing up. "But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

"In your dreams." She shot back.

He casually shrugs, "By the way, that's my book you're holding."

Evelina's eyes widened, "What!?" Her gaze moved away from the book and to Remus, He gave her a final, teasing smile before walking away, leaving Evelina alone on the couch. She watched him go, her annoyance simmering just beneath the surface.

Remus made his way through the Gryffindor common room, where the noise and activity had reached their peak. He navigated through the crowd, trying to shake off the disconcerting feelings the encounter with Evelina had stirred up.

As he reached the drink table, he spotted James and Sirius approaching. James, with his ever-observant eyes, took one look at Remus's face and said, "What's got your attention? You look like you're about to take on a Niffler."

Remus shook his head, a tired sigh escaping his lips. "It's nothing," he muttered, trying to brush off the conversation.

Sirius, ever quick to notice anything out of the ordinary, glanced around and then zeroed in on Evelina, still seated on the couch with her book. His eyes widened with realization. "Oi, is that bloody Valentine over there?" he asked, gesturing towards Evelina. "This has something to do with your guys deal, doesn't it?"

James followed Sirius's gaze and saw Evelina engrossed in her novel instead of joining the party. "Looks like she's still in her own little world," he remarked.

"Well, we just need to show her what true fun is." Sirius crossed his arms and said. "And no offense Moony, but you are not really a fun expert."

Remus rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a wave of frustration. "Yes, it's her. But just leave her alone. I'm trying my best here, and frankly, pleasing her is like trying to please a storm."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You actually spent time with her? Aren't you supposed to be enjoying yourself?"

"I am enjoying myself," Remus retorted, his tone sharper than he intended. "Trying to get on her good side isn't exactly a walk in the park. I'd rather avoid a full-blown hurricane."

James and Sirius exchanged glances, catching the underlying frustration in Remus's voice. They could see he was genuinely trying, despite his usual sarcastic demeanor.

"All right, all right," James said, clapping Remus on the back. "We'll back off. But if you need any more help with your storm-chasing, you know where to find us."

Sirius nodded in agreement, though his grin remained. "Just don't let it drive you mad. We've got a party to enjoy."

As the two boys moved off to mingle with the rest of the crowd, Remus stood there for a moment, staring at Evelina from a distance. He felt a twinge of empathy mixed with annoyance. He had tried to extend an olive branch, and it seemed like he was back to square one.

He picked up a drink and took a deep sip, hoping it would help him shake off the frustration. The night was supposed to be about fun and celebration, not about battling storms—literal or metaphorical. Remus resolved to make the most of it, even if pleasing Evelina was proving to be an impossible task.

HEY!! haven't rlly spoken on here for a while but i hope you all are enjoying this book so far! I'm rlly enjoying writing it, this chapter not so much as it took such a long time to figure out and finish 😭 but it's finally here and yeah just thank you all for everything <33