FIVE: Genius and madness

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The one thing everyone in Hogwarts knew about Evelina Valentine is that she loves to win.

Evelina is smart and well a top student of course — she's won at practically everything: from chess, debates, and dueling clubs. She thrives on competition and being the best. Winning is practically her middle name. (It's actually Inze, but she wouldn't let you know that.) If there's a way to outshine someone, Evelina will find it. She has an uncanny ability to do things just slightly better than anyone else.

Creativity and psychosis often go hand in hand, or for that matter — genius and madness. Evelina experiences both daily.

She's brilliant, yes — but there's an intensity about her, a fervor that borders on obsessive. It wasn't just that she liked success—she needed it. Victory was woven into her identity. She could argue a Slytherin down to the floor in a debate, then turn around and brew a flawless potion that would make even Professor Slughorn raise his eyebrows in approval. Her brilliance was undeniable, but sometimes it consumed her. Her eyes would gleam a little too brightly when she finished at the top, her smile a little too sharp when she bested her classmates.

It made her insufferable to some — especially to a certain Gryffindor boy who seemed to enjoy pushing her buttons.

Remus Lupin.

Remus had no problem being smart, but Evelina's relentless need to prove she was smarter drove him mad. Every Muggle Studies debate, every Potions class, it was the same story. If Remus had a good idea, Evelina had a better one. If he finished a paper early, she finished it faster. Her constant need to outshine him was exhausting, and yet, Evelina thrived on it.

To most people, Evelina was the definition of genius—but Remus had seen enough of her competitive streak to recognize the madness lurking beneath the surface. He wondered, more often than he cared to admit, how far she was willing to go to maintain her perfect record. Would she break? Or would she just keep spiraling, driven by that insatiable hunger to win?

Because that was Evelina Valentine — brilliant, competitive, and teetering on the edge of something far darker than anyone realized. Genius and madness. Two sides of the same coin, and Evelina was both.

But every so often, Remus would outshine her, which absolutely triggered her.

Like right now, she was in the thick of that madness.

They were in their debate club, and the classroom was almost empty except for the four of them — Remus and Sirius on one side, Evelina and James on the other. The debate topic should've been straightforward, but for Evelina, this wasn't just about making a solid argument—it was about winning. She had been calm at first, laser-focused, her plan unfolding perfectly.

But as soon as Remus started making his counterpoints, Evelina's frustration began to flare. Her eyes flashed every time he spoke as if she couldn't stand that he had an answer to every point she made. He was barely trying, and yet, somehow, he was still ahead.

James Potter was leaning back in his chair, shooting concerned glances at her as she tore through her argument like a woman possessed. James had seen her competitive side before, but today was something different. She wasn't just determined to win—she was desperate. The room crackled with her intensity. 

James leaned over and whispered, "Valentine, you need to calm down."

"I am calm," she hissed, her grip tightening on the edge of the table. But she wasn't. Her brilliant mind, usually so methodical and precise, was spinning out of control, fueled by her need to beat Remus. She had a plan, a carefully laid-out strategy to demolish his argument, but his calm responses were throwing her off. She was going mad trying to regain control.

Remus, on the other hand, wasn't even breaking a sweat. Every time she fired at him, he parried with an effortless counterpoint, and it was driving Evelina to the edge. In the back of his mind, he knew this was bothering her more than it should, and while part of him felt bad, the other part—the competitive part—was secretly enjoying it. It wasn't often he got to outshine Evelina Valentine, and as much as she hated it, there was something oddly satisfying about it.

Sirius smirked from across the table, clearly enjoying the tension. "Looks like you're losing your cool, Valentine."

"I'm not losing," Evelina snapped, her voice sharp as she glared across the table. But inside, she could feel her control slipping. Her brilliant mind, usually so methodical, was spiraling, driven by her need to win.

"You're focusing too much on the benefits, Valentine," Remus said smoothly. "There's a reason the Statute of Secrecy exists. Muggles knowing about us would disrupt the balance between our worlds. The risk is too high."

Evelina's eyes narrowed. "We can manage that risk," she countered, her voice edged with frustration. "Imagine the possibilities if Muggles and wizards worked together—scientific advancements, technological breakthroughs. Magic could revolutionize their world, and their knowledge could enrich ours."

Sirius smirked from beside Remus. "Or, they could panic and start hunting us like witches in the 1600s."

James shot Evelina a look, trying to rein her in. "Valentine, just — don't let them get under your skin."

But Evelina was already spiraling. Every word out of Remus's mouth was like a challenge, and she wasn't going to lose. Not to him. "We've evolved past that kind of fear," she snapped. "Muggles are more open-minded now. It's ignorance that keeps us divided, and if we—"

"You're missing the core point," Remus interrupted, leaning back in his chair, his tone infuriatingly calm. "Muggles don't need to know about us. Our secrecy protects both sides. And what if they don't evolve past their fear? One wrong move, and they could see us as a threat."

Evelina clenched her fists, her mind racing. Remus's argument was too solid, and she hated it. She had a plan, a carefully crafted strategy, but Remus was dismantling it piece by piece, without even breaking a sweat. She was going mad trying to keep up.

Remus, on the other hand, wasn't even trying too hard. For him, this debate was almost too easy. Every time Evelina made a point, he calmly countered it, his logic airtight. He could tell it was getting to her, and while he wasn't trying to humiliate her, there was a certain satisfaction in seeing her crack under the pressure. It didn't happen often, but when it did, it was like watching a storm unfold.

"I don't think you're giving Muggles enough credit," Evelina shot back, her voice rising with frustration. "They're capable of so much more than you think. If we just—"

Remus interrupted her calmly, "You're putting too much faith in them. You think cooperation would be simple, but history has proven otherwise. The moment they see something they don't understand, they'll fear it. Fear leads to control. And you can't control magic."

Their voices grew louder, the tension between them boiling over as their arguments clashed. Evelina's face was flushed with determination, her hands gripping the edge of the table, James was starting to shift uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at her with concern. Remus remained infuriatingly composed. He didn't even look like he was trying, and yet he was systematically dismantling her argument.

Suddenly, the classroom door banged open, and Professor Sikander stormed in, his robes billowing as he entered, his face tight with exasperation. "What in Merlin's name is going on here? This is supposed to be a debate, not a duel!"

Evelina shot a glare at Remus, her eyes blazing with barely controlled fury. "He's wrong," she said through gritted teeth as if her sheer will could change the outcome. But deep down, she knew it. She had lost. Remus had won this debate, and that bitter realization burned her more than anything.

Professor Sikander looked between the two, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose as though their bickering was giving him a headache. "Valentine, Lupin — enough. The debate is over."

But Evelina didn't hear him. She was too busy fuming, too consumed by the fact that, once again, Remus had managed to outshine her. Even if it only happened occasionally, when it did, it was enough to drive her mad.

Sikander cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "Since neither of you seems capable of handling a simple debate without turning it into a shouting match, we're going to settle this once and for all."

Both Remus and Evelina stared at him, confused.

Sikander continued, "You each will find one more person—one for Remus, one for Evelina—to act as your supporting partner in addition to your current teammates."

Evelina furrowed her brow. "But we already have Black and Potter as our partners."

"Yes," Sikander nodded, "but your new partners will join alongside them. Think of it as a second layer to your team. The two of them will then compete against, and the team that wins will declare either Remus or Evelina the final winner, It's just for a day you're new partners won't be officially a member of the club."

Evelina's eyes flickered with determination, already calculating who she could bring in to guarantee her victory. Remus, meanwhile, glanced at Sirius, who simply raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sudden twist.

"Consider this a chance to prove who's really the better debater, without actually debating alongside your partners," Sikander said dryly. "And hopefully, this time, without turning it into a duel." He said firmly before leaving.

Sirius, who had been lounging in his chair, looking thoroughly amused by the entire scene, leaned forward with a grin. "Well, this just got interesting," he said, throwing a glance at Remus. "Who're you going to drag into this now, Moony? Think you can find someone smart enough to keep up with me? I mean lucky for you, I'm already on your team." He smirked, clearly enjoying the idea of more competition.

James, on the other hand, crossed his arms as he turned to Evelina. "You know, Valentine, maybe if you weren't trying to hex Remus with your eyes, we could've won this thing already. Might want to save the fireworks for later, yeah?"

Evelina shot James an annoyed look. "I don't need advice from someone who thinks Quidditch strategy applies to everything. Lupin is wrong, and I'm going to prove it."

James, suddenly looked a little more concerned, his brow furrowing as he turned to Evelina. "Valentine, I think we should slow down a bit. You're going mad over this, and we already had a good plan—"

Evelina cut him off sharply. "We had a plan, but now we need a better one. Lupin won because I wasn't prepared enough, but that's not going to happen again." She crossed her arms, glaring at Remus as if daring him to gloat.

"Come on, Prongs," Sirius laughed, clearly enjoying the tension. "You know Evelina's got the fire to keep this debate alive. Besides, Moony here barely has to try to drive her up the wall." He shot Remus a cheeky grin.

James sighed, shaking his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "This isn't a Quidditch match, Sirius."

"It might as well be," Sirius replied, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "I mean, watching these two go at it? It's almost better than a Gryffindor — Slytherin showdown."

Evelina shot Sirius a glare before turning back to James. "We need someone who's sharp, tactical, and won't crack under pressure. Any ideas?"

James gave a thoughtful hum. "I've got a few people in mind, but we need someone who won't let Remus and Sirius's team get the upper hand."

"Too late for that, Prongs," Sirius interrupted with a playful grin. "We're already ahead." He chanted happily as he strode out of the room alongside Remus, clearly enjoying the victory.

James rolled his eyes, turning back to Evelina. "We'll figure it out. Just. . .try not to go completely mad over this, okay?"

Evelina set her jaw, determination written all over her face. "I'm not going to lose again."

And she meant it.

She's gonna find the perfect candidate that will make her win.

       It's safe to say Evelina Valentine thrives on being on top.

But as she and James searched for a candidate to join their side, it became painfully clear that no one wanted to deal with Evelina's intense competitive streak. Her reputation for madness when it came to winning preceded her, and most students found excuses to walk away the moment she approached. James tried his best to help, but it seemed like every door they knocked on remained closed.

"Hey, Mary!" James called, catching up to Mary Macdonald in the corridor. "We need another member for our debate team, what do you think?"

Mary glanced at Evelina and winced. "Sorry, James, but I'd rather not. The Last time I debated her, she nearly set the room on fire with how heated she got."

Evelina crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "That was one time."

"One time too many," Mary replied, before making a hasty retreat down the stairs.

Next, they tried Frank Longbottom in the library.

"Frank!" James whispered, leaning over the bookshelf. "Fancy helping us beat Remus and Sirius?"

Frank peeked out from behind his book, his face turning slightly pale when he saw Evelina standing beside James. "I, uh, appreciate the offer, but... I've got to finish this... Herbology essay. Very important. Sorry." He quickly buried himself back into his book, pretending to read as if his life depended on it.

Evelina sighed loudly as they left the library. "I didn't even say anything yet!"

James gave her a sympathetic shrug. "Maybe it's your 'I'm-about-to-win-and-I'll-kill-anyone-in-my-way'. . .Just a guess."

They approached a group of Hufflepuffs lounging near the entrance hall, and James tried again. "Oi, Edgar, you up for joining our debate team?"

Edgar Bones smiled politely but shook his head. "As much as I'd love to, I've heard Valentine's. . .reputation when it comes to debates." He hesitated, looking directly at her. "No offense, but it's a little... intense for me."

Evelina forced a tight smile. "None taken."

After a few more failed attempts with other students offering various excuses — "Quidditch practice," "I have a headache," and even "I need to wash my toad."

Feeling defeated Evelina finally slumped down onto one of the stone benches in the courtyard, her usual fire dimmed. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel like a winner. It was a rare and bitter sensation.

James sat beside her, sighing. "I guess we're not the best recruiting team, huh?"

Evelina grumbled, "People act like I'm a lunatic. I'm not that bad."

James chuckled. "You did nearly hex Remus during a debate once."

Evelina threw her hands up in frustration. "It was an accident!"

"Yeah, well, it didn't look like one," James teased, leaning back against the bench with a grin. He noticed her mood shift again and quickly added, "Look, we'll find someone, alright? It's not the end—"

But before he could finish, his eyes lit up as he spotted Lily Evans in the distance, walking with Alice Fortescue. Evelina followed his gaze, already knowing what was coming.

"Oi! Evans!" James called out, standing quickly and waving her over with newfound excitement. "You'll want to hear this, I've got a brilliant—"

Before he could even finish, Lily turned around and barked back, "No!" without breaking her stride. She kept walking, Alice laughing beside her, as they disappeared around the corner of the courtyard.

James slumped back down onto the bench, a deflated sigh escaping him. Evelina couldn't help the small, wry smile that tugged at her lips. She nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Looks like I'm not the only loser today."

James groaned, rubbing his face. "Thanks for the reminder." But after a moment, he chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, at least we're in this mess together."

Evelina laughed softly, the weight on her chest lifting just a little. "Yeah, together."

As Evelina said that, something stirred in her thoughts. She didn't expect to feel this way about him. James Potter wasn't who she thought he was. Sure, he was loud, obnoxious, and had an ego the size of a lake, but his heart matched it. He genuinely cared about people, even when they drove him mad.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, James glanced at the clock on the wall of the courtyard, his expression shifting. "Oh, shit! I have Quidditch practice," he said, immediately standing up and running his hand through his messy hair.

Evelina raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her amusement. "Really? That's your excuse?" She questioned.

"No, really! I'm not using it as an excuse to run off!" James insisted, a playful glint in his eye. "I'll even find a candidate for the team later today. You'll see; I'll make sure we've got a solid lineup."

Evelina laughed, shaking her head. "Just go, Potter. You're too much to handle as it is."

With that, James flashed her a grateful smile before rushing off, the courtyard now empty except for the distant chatter of other students. Evelina felt a rush of mixed emotions as she watched him go. Perhaps it was just the weight of her thoughts, but she was struck by how easily he could switch from serious to carefree, while she remained caught up in her own worries.

To clear her mind, she walked over to a shaded corner of the courtyard where a weathered chessboard sat on a table. Needing to take her mind off things, she began setting up the pieces meticulously. She had always found solace in the game, a perfect way to channel her thoughts into strategy.

She set the timer and began to play against herself, determined to beat her own high score. The rhythmic ticking became a soothing backdrop as she immersed herself in the game, moving the pieces with precision and care.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence. "Are you playing with anyone?"

Evelina jumped, startled, and turned to see Regulus Black lurking in the shadows of the courtyard. She'd heard a lot about him—how his views and beliefs differed from Sirius's, and how he was often overshadowed by his older brother's reputation.

As he stepped into the light, she couldn't help but study him more closely. He had a calm, almost aloof demeanor that intrigued her. Regulus was known for being quite smart for someone a year younger than them. Unlike his brother, he carried an air of quiet confidence, and there was something about his expression that suggested depth beneath the surface.

"Just myself," Evelina replied, curiosity piquing. "Want to join?"

He raised an eyebrow but accepted, sitting down across from her. "Do you think you can beat me?" she challenged playfully, feeling a competitive spark. She considered herself practically a master at Wizard's Chess, but Regulus showed no sign of fear. Instead, he simply declared, "Let's play."

As the game progressed, Evelina was impressed by his strategy and focus. He made moves that challenged her assumptions and forced her to rethink her own strategies. She had expected a simple game, but Regulus had a sharp intellect that kept her on her toes. He didn't react much, his expression inscrutable, which only fueled her curiosity further.

To her astonishment, Regulus won—not just the game, but he beat her own record time as well.

"Wow," she said, genuinely shocked. "I didn't expect that. You're better than I thought."

Regulus shrugged, a hint of a smile on his lips. "It's just a game."

"No, it's more than that," she insisted, Evelina stared at the chessboard in disbelief, her mind racing to process what had just happened. She wasn't used to losing, especially not in a game she had practically mastered. And yet here she was, staring at the remains of her defeat, the pieces toppled over as if mocking her. Regulus Black, of all people, had beaten her—and in record time.

Her eyes flickered up to him, trying to gauge some sort of reaction. She expected a smirk, a gloat, or even a smug comment. But Regulus remained calm, composed, almost detached, as if winning wasn't a big deal to him. He merely sat there, quietly observing the board with his sharp, calculating eyes. It unnerved her more than she wanted to admit.

"You're not bad yourself either," he said casually, as though discussing the weather rather than his victory over Evelina Valentine. "You're quick. But you rely too much on predictable strategies."

She felt a flicker of irritation at his assessment. "Predictable?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I've beaten almost everyone at this school."

Regulus gave a slight nod, acknowledging her point. "Maybe. But you rely on the fact that people get intimidated by your reputation. They overthink, and that's where you get them. They crack. I don't."

His words hit harder than she expected. He wasn't just pointing out her flaws in the game—he had seen right through her, in ways even her closest friends hadn't. For someone as reserved and mysterious as Regulus Black, he certainly seemed to understand people far more than he let on.

Evelina's pride urged her to snap back, to defend herself, but instead, she found herself pausing. He was right. People did overthink when they played against her. They assumed she'd outsmart them, and that assumption led them to mistakes. But Regulus hadn't. He had played her like he would anyone else, with no fear, no hesitation. And he won.

"How did you learn to play like that?" she asked, her tone softer now, tinged with genuine curiosity.

Regulus leaned back slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of the chessboard. "Family tradition, I guess. My father taught me, said it was important to always see ten steps ahead. In everything. Chess is just practice for that."

Evelina tilted her head, intrigued. She had always thought of the Black family in terms of Sirius—rebellious, brash, and completely different from the pure-blood ideals his family tried to impose. But Regulus was a different story altogether. He had chosen the path of the Blacks and embraced their beliefs. And yet, there was something more to him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"I've heard a lot about you," Evelina admitted cautiously, watching for any sign of reaction. "You and Sirius couldn't be more different."

A ghost of a smile appeared on Regulus's lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "That's what people say." He paused, his gaze shifting to the chessboard as if it somehow represented something larger, something unspoken. "But people don't know as much as they think they do."

There was a weight to his words that lingered in the air between them, a hint of something deeper. Evelina had heard the rumors about Regulus, the whispers in the hallways about his involvement with dark magic, and his allegiance to Voldemort. But sitting across from him now, she saw a different side. Calculating, yes. Detached, maybe. But there was more beneath the surface, something she couldn't quite define.

"You don't care what people think about you, do you?" Evelina asked, almost without thinking. She had always cared—about winning, about being seen as the smartest, the best. But Regulus... he seemed above all that.

He shrugged lightly. "People think what they want. It doesn't change anything."

There was a silence between them as Evelina absorbed his words. It was a strange, unfamiliar feeling for her—sitting there, defeated, without the rush to immediately prove herself again. She felt... humbled, in a way. And yet, she wasn't angry. Not like she usually would be. Instead, she felt a sort of calm she hadn't expected.

"Well," she said, breaking the quiet, "you certainly surprised me, Black."

He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "You're not easily surprised. I'll take that as a compliment."

Evelina smiled faintly, leaning back in her chair. "You should. But don't think I'm going to let this go. I'll beat you next time."

Regulus's lips curved into a subtle smirk, the most emotion she'd seen from him all day. "We'll see about that, Valentine."

As he stood to leave, Evelina found herself studying him, wondering just how much more there was to Regulus Black than anyone truly knew. He was an enigma, someone who didn't fit into the neatly labeled boxes that Hogwarts had for people. And as much as she hated to admit it, there was something about that mystery that intrigued her.

As Regulus walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the courtyard, Evelina turned back to the chessboard. Her loss still stung, but for the first time, it didn't consume her. Instead, she felt a strange sense of excitement, knowing that someone could challenge her like this—and that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than always winning.

She reset the pieces, her fingers brushing lightly over the board. "Next time," she whispered to herself with a quiet grin, as an idea sparked in her head.

If she wanted to win the debate team, she'd had to find the perfect candidate, who was not only clever, but as well as strategic and not afraid for a challenge. . .and especially not afraid of Evelina Valentine. The ones who don't crack nor run off when they see her.

Regulus Black is the perfect candidate.

Evelina's admiration for Regulus grew. Here was a young man who, despite his family legacy, had carved out a niche for himself with intellect and quiet determination. She was fascinated by the contrast between him and his brother. While Sirius was loud and boisterous, Regulus had a quiet intensity that drew her in. She wondered what he thought about the expectations placed on him and if he ever felt the need to rebel against them.

"Hey, Black! Wait a second!" She called after him.

He paused, glancing over his shoulder, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes.

"You should be on my team for the debate," she said, a hint of mischief in her tone. "I mean, you clearly know how to think several steps ahead. With your strategy and my... flair for persuasion, we could actually stand a chance against Lupin's team."

Regulus raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk forming on his lips. "You want me to join you? After I just beat you at chess?"

Evelina nodded, "Plus, I need someone who isn't afraid to challenge me and won't crumble under the pressure of my—let's say, intense personality." She shot back, grinning, "So, what do you say?"

Regulus regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing her offer. Evelina braced herself for him to refuse—after all, the debate team wasn't exactly a popular choice for someone like him, who often kept to himself. But instead, he returned the grin and nodded, surprising her once again.

"I'll join." He said.

And Evelina couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what was to come. This was only the beginning.

         Evelina stood in front of James, a wide grin on her face as she practically bounced on her feet. She was brimming with excitement, something that didn't go unnoticed by James, who looked at her warily.

"Are you sure about this?" James asked, his brows knitting together in concern. "This new partner of yours better be as brilliant as you're making them out to be. If we lose, I swear—"

"Potter," Evelina interrupted with a gleam in her eyes, "trust me. It's so unpredictable that it's perfect. We're going to crush them."

James let out a sigh, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Alright, alright. I'll take your word for it." He didn't look entirely convinced, but he seemed to be willing to go along with it for now.

The classroom door creaked open, and Sirius and Remus entered, their familiar smirks and confident auras filling the space.

"Looks like someone's excited," Remus teased as he shot Evelina a challenging glance.

"Excited to wipe that smug look off your face, Lupin," Evelina shot back, folding her arms and meeting his gaze head-on. Their banter was as sharp as ever, both of them reveling in the competition that awaited.

"Well, well, Valentine. Heard you've been doing some recruiting," Sirius teased, his voice dripping with playful arrogance. "I hope they can keep up with the likes of us." He flashed a playful grin as James still looked uneasy.

Evelina rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, they'll do more than that."

Remus raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "You sound confident."

She shot him a pointed look. "Shouldn't I be?"

Just then, the classroom door opened again, and Professor Sikander strode in, making his way to the large desk in the center of the room. "Alright, everyone. Take your places," he instructed, his voice firm but calm.

On the left side of the desk, Remus sat down, facing Evelina, who took her place on the right. Alongside Remus, Sirius stood confidently, leaning against the debate table with a smirk plastered across his face.

James stood alongside Evelina, glancing around nervously.

"All right, let's get this started," Professor Sikander announced, folding his hands in front of him. "I trust both teams have chosen their new partners. Lupin why don't you start first."

Remus nodded and declared his new teammate, at that moment the door opened and Remus's new teammate entered the room — Marlene Mckinnon. She strode confidently to Sirius's side, giving him a quick handshake as James' jaw dropped.

James blinked in shock, his face paling slightly. "We're doomed" he whispered to Evelina, looking utterly terrified.

But Evelina remained calm, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, a serene smile playing on her lips.

Sirius, of course, couldn't resist. "Not bad, eh, Valentine?" he taunted, gesturing toward Marlene with a proud grin. "We've got a solid team here."

But Evelina didn't react. She simply tilted her head and said, "We'll see about that."

Then, with deliberate poise, she stood from her chair and turned to face the door. "I think it's time to introduce my new teammate." She announced confidently.

The room went silent, and then the door opened once more. The figure that stepped into the room made every head turn—including Sirius's.

Regulus Black entered, his expression calm and collected as he walked toward Evelina. The air in the room grew thick with shock, especially from Sirius, whose smirk faltered the moment he laid eyes on his younger brother.

"Oh my Merlin's beard," James whispered looking at Regulus in astonishment and absolutely frightened, but there was no doubt in James' mind where they're gonna lose this debate, he now knew they had the upper hand.

Remus looked equally surprised, though he couldn't keep his composure. "He's not even in our year!" He barked looking at the Professor hoping he'd agree.

Before Professor Sikander could reply, Evelina beat him to it; "I believe the Professor said anyone, year older or well perhaps younger should not matter." She grinned.

Remus stuttered as he tried to find the right words but couldn't, he kept glancing at Professor Sikander hoping for something. However his hopes were torn as the Professor sighed and said; "I believe she's right Mr. Lupin, I did say anyone."

Remus looked defeated and frustrated slumped back down in his seat.

Evelina, on the other hand, maintained her calm demeanor, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Now it's a real debate," she said smoothly, as Regulus stood beside her.

Sirius broke the silence, shaking his head in disbelief. "You've got to be joking."

But Evelina only smiled wider, folding her arms. "Not joking at all, Black. I told you—I play to win."

Sirius let out a humorless chuckle, gesturing toward Regulus with a scoff. "Win? You picked him, of all people, to fight for Muggle's rights?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Regulus remained as composed as ever, his gaze cool as it shifted to his brother. "Coming from the one fighting against their rights," he said smoothly, his voice sharp. "I'm sure Mother would be proud."

The venom in his tone was unmistakable, and it hit Sirius like a curse. He stiffened, eyes flashing with rage. "You little—" Sirius growled, taking a step forward as if ready to lunge, but Marlene's firm grip on his shoulder held him back.

For a long moment, the two brothers locked eyes, the air between them thick with unresolved tension. Sirius's emotions flickered between fury and something far more complex, but in the end, he forced a smirk back onto his face, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Fine," he muttered, shrugging as if it didn't matter. "Let's see how this plays out."

Evelina glanced at Regulus, feeling that rush of adrenaline again. With him by James' side, this debate was going to be far more interesting than she'd imagined. The room was tense, the stakes higher than ever.

This was only the beginning, and Evelina Valentine wasn't about to let anyone—not even Remus Lupin—stand in her way.

The debate started smoothly enough, with James and Marlene trading points like old friends sparring, their back-and-forth sharp but lighthearted. But between the Black brothers, it was a different story. Every argument Sirius threw out, Regulus was quick to counter, the tension between them simmering just beneath the surface.

Sirius leaned forward, voice cutting through the room. "It's reckless to even consider letting Muggles know about our world. They don't understand magic, and the moment they feel threatened, it'll be chaos. History's proven that."

Regulus, sitting calmly across from him, barely lifted an eyebrow as he replied. "Funny you'd say that considering how often you told me that Muggles were more capable of understanding than most wizards give them credit for. Or have you conveniently forgotten those nights when you ranted about how narrow-minded pure-blood traditions are?"

The words hung in the air, and Sirius froze, his face paling as the weight of his brother's statement hit him. For a moment, his confidence faltered, a flash of vulnerability breaking through. Sirius's jaw clenched, the usual fire in his eyes flickering.

Remus, sitting beside Sirius, pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, clearly realizing there was nothing he could say to save his friend from Regulus's pointed rebuttal. His silence made Evelina's lips twitch into a smug smile. She couldn't help herself—watching Remus's frustration mount, and seeing Regulus, of all people, catching Sirius off guard, was too satisfying.

Sirius was struggling, and it showed. He was fighting against a cause he didn't truly believe in—forced into arguing against Muggle rights simply because he and Remus had been randomly assigned to the opposition that morning. Every argument he made felt hollow, and deep down, it gnawed at him that he had to defend a viewpoint he despised. He believed in Muggles' rights and had fought for them countless times in private conversations, but now, for the sake of the debate, he was on the wrong side.

Regulus, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Despite his upbringing in a family that openly disdained Muggles, he seemed to glide through the argument with unsettling ease, fighting for their rights as if it were second nature. There was no sign of hesitation or conflict in his voice, no crack in his calm demeanor. It shocked everyone—especially Sirius—how easily Regulus managed to argue a position so contrary to his family's deeply ingrained beliefs.

It was hard for Sirius to keep up, knowing his own arguments lacked conviction while Regulus seemed almost disturbingly comfortable playing the role of the advocate for Muggles.

After what felt like an eternity, the debate finalized with Professor Sikander's declaration, his voice cutting through the tension in the room: "Valentine's team wins."

Evelina could barely contain her grin, her heart racing with the thrill of victory.  She glanced around the room, watching the reactions unfold. James was already teasing Sirius with a triumphant smirk.

"Better luck next time, mate. Maybe debating's not your thing," James quipped, leaning in closer to nudge Sirius.

Sirius grumbled something under his breath, while Marlene laughed beside him, rolling her eyes. "Relax, Sirius, we'll get them next time."

But Evelina wasn't paying attention to their banter for long. She had her sights set on Remus, the real rival in all of this. Approaching him, the thrill of victory still fresh, she couldn't help herself. Her tone was teasing, but there was an edge to it.

"Winning is just so much more satisfying when I know I've beaten you," she said, the smile on her lips sharp and triumphant. "Don't take it personally."

Remus, however, wasn't in the mood for her gloating. His face tightened, and his usual calm demeanor cracked. "You think this was some brilliant strategy?" His voice was colder than she expected. "It wasn't skill—it was luck. And you've gone mad, Valentine, if you think you're on top because of some grand genius. I say you're getting lazy."

That stopped her. Evelina blinked, taken aback, her stomach twisting with an unexpected sting. "Lazy?" she repeated, a mix of disbelief and frustration bubbling up inside her. "I'm not lazy," she shook her head.

Remus pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slightly as if to clear away the frustration. "Yes, lazy. You think everything's about showing off how clever you are, about winning. You're blinded by it. It's not about the debate anymore, Evelina, it's about proving something to yourself. And that's where you're falling apart." He said firmly.

She folded her arms, "Why can't you admit, I'm just a great genius?" She questioned.

"There's no great genius without some touch of madness." He answered back.

She stared at him, her pulse pounding in her ears. Remus was supposed to be the calm one—the rational one. But here he was, accusing her of being reckless and lazy. The worst part was that it bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

"So now I'm just mad and lazy?" Evelina shot back, crossing her arms. "You can't stand that I won. That's the real problem here."

He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "No, that's not it at all Valentine. But there's a fine line between brilliance and chaos, and you're dancing on the wrong side of it."

She was about to retort, but his next words stopped her cold.

"You're trying to prove something to yourself. And in the process, you're forgetting what matters."

"What matters?" she scoffed, defensive now. "What exactly matters, Lupin? Enlighten me with your poetic nonsense."

He let out a slow breath, glancing up at her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable, not because it was hostile, but because it was. . .almost pitying. "What matters is balance. You can't burn through everything in a blaze of ego and expect people to stick around. Eventually, there's nothing left but ashes."

She blinked, her lips parting slightly, unsure how to respond to that. Remus had always been the smart, calm one—but now he was being something else entirely. He was dumb and poetic, and it threw her off.

"You're talking in riddles now, Lupin," Evelina muttered, trying to shake off the unease his words left behind. "Is this you getting all deep and philosophical on me?"

His expression softened, though there was still an edge of frustration in his voice. "I'm not trying to be poetic, Valentine. I'm just saying, you can't keep pushing like this. You're not invincible."

"Maybe not." She frowned, the sting of his words still lingering. "But I've won, haven't I? Doesn't that say something?"

Remus gave a faint, tired smile. "It says something, yes. But sometimes winning comes at a cost you don't see until it's too late."

Evelina opened her mouth to argue, but the words died on her tongue. She wasn't sure what to say, and that infuriated her more than anything.

As he turned to leave, his final words hung in the air. "Just think about it, Valentine. There's more to life than winning."

She watched him walk away, feeling a strange mix of frustration and confusion. Lazy? Mad?

Remus Lupin had always challenged her, but this. . .this felt different. His words had left a strange, heavy weight on her chest, one she couldn't quite shake. The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled, they always said. But Remus had a way of making her feel like that madness had consumed her entirely.

And that thought unsettled her more than the debate ever could.

Evelina Valentine wasn't about to let that slide. She wasn't going to let Remus Lupin get under her skin, and she was determined to prove him wrong.