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04 | nox

nox

counter charm; extinguishes the light at the end of a wand

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IT WAS AS IF TOM WAS AVOIDING HER. TO HER surprise, Evelina found herself flinching internally when he whisked by her through the corridor without a single form of acknowledgement. Something mysterious, even dangerous pulsed in the air that he left behind for a moment, as if in warning, and Evelina decided that she was of enough caliber that she should not seek the attention of a boy like some filthy mud-blood.

When she was partnered with Tom for a divination project by Ms. Trelawney, her heartbeat nearly stopped. She had no intention of letting the manipulative boy know all of her secrets.

A little confidence was regained when she remembered she was at the top of the class, even higher than Tom. Divination was her best subject, and her wand, the materials known for choosing many people who would be exceptional seers, reflected her passion.

"So, class," The teacher began, clapping her hands together enthusiastically. She was slim, and wore robes that were a deep eggplant colour that only attributed to her motherly look. Her hair was pure white, and a set of round glassed sat perched low on her hooked nose. "Today we will be practicing cartomancy. As you know, this class is optional as fifth years, so we will go much more into depth. This subject will take just under four months, since cartomancy is one of the most difficult, useful, and beautiful forms."

A low growl ripped it's way out of Tom's throat, his arm brushing hers slightly as he flexed it irritably. She knew it was because he had to be partnered with her, and she couldn't resist nudging him back. His angry expression turned into one of shock, and then darkened so much that she was beginning to regret her actions.

Without a word, he swiftly turned back to Ms. Trelawney, and she leaned back in her seat, confused. She'd have thought he'd have done something much worse.

Stacks of papers fluttered to each pair with a flick of the teacher's wrist, and she pulled the board forward as she wrote directions in illegible cursive.

Evelina braced her hands on the wooden desk in front of her as she squinted to try and make out the instructions.

"It says first we have to choose between playing and tarot cards." Tom said irritably, running his hand through his hair.

"Thanks." She murmured to him. Biting her lip, she continued after a moments hesitation. "Are you angry with me?"

"Yes, I thought that was clear. Now, which one do you think we should get?" He replied and stood up.

"Tarot, of course. But wait, why-" Evelina sighed in annoyance as Tom nodded and stalked to the front desk to gather the materials.

A piece of lined paper, crumpled into a ball, hit her square in the shoulder, and she turned around to see Arden gesturing wildly at it. Evelina smoothed it out, pulling out a pen to reply on the back. The note read:

What's going on with you and Tom?

Evelina couldn't help but roll her eyes at the typical immature message. She was guessing it was Faye, Arden's partner and a girl in their friendship group, who'd written it, and Arden had simply become curious as well.

Nothing. We're starting to become friends because of all the times we're partnered up; that's all.

She twisted in her seat to throw it back, all the while keeping an eye on Ms. Trelawney to make sure she didn't catch her favourite pupil doing something wrong in class.

Arden read the note and nodded at Evelina, but a sceptical look was present in her eyes. Faye took it more seriously, and grinned at Evelina, appreciating the seemingly honest response.

Everyone knew that Faye was Hogwart's least trustworthy girl. It wasn't her fault though, the blonde simply couldn't keep her mouth shut, whether she meant it or not. Evelina had learned it the hard way.

There was no way she was getting the latest scoop on the two adolescents who occupied the most coveted spots in the school hierarchy. It would end up all over the school, from the students to the staff, by dusk at latest.

Evelina really didn't need the teachers talking about her relationships, and the rumours that her peers made up would make even her cringe.

As Evelina was lost in thought, Tom appeared back in her line of vision, holding a thick stack of cards. He sat down again, shifting around until he was facing her comfortably.

"Let's begin?" He muttered, splaying out the deck.

She drew in a deep breath, and it stuttered slightly in her throat, making her aware of just how nervous she was. He did the same, but his was long and silent, broad shouldered rising up and down the tiniest bit.

Tom shuffled the cards skilfully, his slender fingers smoothly pushing them in between each other and changing the order accurately.

"What is in Evelina Moreau's near future?" He said forcefully. He voiced her full name magnificently, and she nearly let loose a sigh at the the way his deep voice pronounced it. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, pressing the heels of his palms into the surface.

Cutting the deck in half with his left hand, he placed the top to the left and drew a card off the right deck.

Both their eyes widened at the result. The card depicted a tower being struck with lightning and crumbling to the ground as a man fell from it. One was already lying on the grass, dead, while another glanced down in horror from the window.

As skilled seers, they both knew what the lightning struck tower card meant.

Despite the bright colours used to paint the card, calamity and disaster were certainly not a good thing.

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hello, sorry for the short update even after the pause for vacation! thank you for four hundred reads. i'll be updating again very soon. but if we get this book to fifty votes and fifty comments, then there might just be a double update. also! comment what you think of the banners i made. idk, but at least they aren't totally cringe worthy. and and and i'm thinking of a ship name for evelina + tom. telina? evilom? tomilina? tell me down bellow.

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