CHAPTER ELEVEN

There were only a select few individuals at Hogwarts who had witnessed the rare sight of an angered Evanie Scamander, and those who had were determined to never experience it again, fearing the extent to which she could hurt with her anger.

Once confronted with the betrayal of her secret being revealed, Evanie felt a deep sense of emptiness within her. It might have seemed insignificant to some, but for her, trust was a precious and sacred thing, one that was almost impossible to reclaim once lost.

Others perceived her anger, yet only Ezekiel could see the profound hurt hidden behind her fierce facade. In moments of solitude, when they were alone, she would shed tears, the depth of her pain concealed beneath the surface.

They had relied on each other for a long time, and perhaps they had found a certain friendship with those four Gryffindors, but it seemed as if their trust and camaraderie had been shattered, leaving them to pick up the pieces.

She was the kind of person who could conjure up a multitude of scenarios in her mind, contemplating a plethora of possibilities when faced with difficult situations. This was the primary reason she had previously chosen to keep her distance from others and avoid making friends. Yet, when she had opened up to the Marauders, particularly Remus, she began to hope that perhaps the concept of friendship wasn't as dismal as she had initially believed.

But now, she found herself back at the starting point, her heart heavy with disappointment and betrayal.

Ezekiel's anger had gradually dissipated, overshadowed by his concern for his sister's feelings. Granted, his secret was likely more sensitive and potentially more damaging, but a secret was still a secret nonetheless.

Despite feeling a mix of anger and betrayal from the Marauders, he found it hard to completely hate them. However, a significant difference was that he understood the profound impact their actions had on his sister, the revelation of her secret without her consent being deeply hurtful.

"How did you manage to persuade Flitwick to let us stop attending the study sessions?" Ezekiel inquired, gently tapping his sister's head resting on his lap as they sat beneath the welcoming shade.

"Simple," she replied casually. "I just told him that we work better together than with anyone else, but not to worry, I apologized to Evans," she added, prompting a weary sigh from Ezekiel.

Ezekiel shrugged his shoulders, unbothered by the situation, knowing that both he and Lily didn't necessarily need the study sessions to engage in conversation. He was certain that his sister was aware of the growing affection between them, so her apology seemed unnecessary in his eyes.

But his primary concern lay with his sister. Unlike him, he didn't face difficulties in forming friendships due to his outgoing nature. However, his sister's introverted personality often hindered her from forging close connections with others.

"The next full moon is in two days," Ezekiel began, his tone careful. "If you don't feel up to it—"

Evanie abruptly shut her book, cutting him off before he could complete his sentence.

"If you dare finish that sentence Ezekiel Scamander, you'll regret it greatly," she warned, her voice sharp and final.

"Well, given what occurred, I feel that it may be more challenging for you to handle me," he replied, his words carrying a trace of disappointment.

She sat up, her eyes narrowing as she met his gaze.

"Just because I had a disagreement with someone doesn't change anything," she insisted. "Besides, I've encountered plenty of people who upset me before."

Ezekiel, with his hands on her shoulders, countered her argument.

"But this situation is different, considering you had... something with Remus," he pointed out.

"It's over and done with now, Zeke," she stated firmly. "If you bring it up again, you'll find yourself on the receiving end of a rather unpleasant hex," she threatened, but then softened, her voice more gentle.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have directed my anger at you," she apologised.

"I'm angry about the situation as well, but..." he continued, his voice taking on a cautious tone again.

"Look, I know James and Sirius told the other boys, but perhaps it's not as dire as you're making it out to be," he explained, attempting to provide a new perspective to ease her mind.

"Are you implying that I should just forgive them?" she inquired, her tone measured.

Ezekiel nodded slowly, offering a small encouraging smile.

However, her response was sharp and filled with disbelief. "But why? Why should I trust them again after they shattered my trust?" she questioned, genuinely perplexed.

Ezekiel's smile held firm, determined to make his point.

"Because everyone deserves a second chance," he argued gently. "No one's perfect, and people make mistakes... especially James and Sirius."

Her eyes flared with irritation, a huff escaping her lips. "Are you joking? They're not exactly known for being reliable or responsible!" she retorted stubbornly.

Ezekiel shrugged, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"I'm well aware of their... reputation," he acknowledged, "but that doesn't change the fact that they deserve a chance to make things right. Believe me, they feel awful about the whole situation."

Frustration etched on her face, she crossed her arms across her chest. "How do you know they feel awful?" she questioned, her tone still filled with suspicion and irritation.

Ezekiel chuckled lightly, knowing that she seldom paid attention to most rumors, except those concerning him.

"I listen closely to all the whispers floating around," he replied casually. "And the chatter I've overheard suggests those four haven't been causing much trouble lately."

She made a face, skepticism evident in her expression. "And that has led you to believe they don't feel awful?" she questioned, her tone still laced with doubt.

Ezekiel sighed, a knowing smile on his face. "Who do you think is the mastermind behind most of their mischief?" he asked.

She responded without hesitation, "James and Sirius."

Ezekiel's smile widened as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. They're the main instigators of their antics. But here's the thing..."

She rolled her eyes, still unconvinced. "And what 'thing' would that be, oh wise one?" she asked sarcastically.

Ezekiel chuckled at her sarcastic remark before continuing, "They've been trying to talk to you. But I guess you've been so immersed in your own thoughts that you haven't even noticed it."

A flicker of surprise crossed her face as she took in his words. "They've been trying to talk to me?" she repeated, her voice now laced with curiosity rather than anger

Ezekiel nodded, his smile turning sympathetic. "Yes, they have. I noticed them trying to approach you a few times, but you looked lost in your thoughts, probably avoiding them, and they didn't want to push it."

A mixture of confusion and skepticism crossed her face as she grappled with this new information. She wanted to protest, to argue that she doubted their sincerity, but something in her brother's words made her pause.

"Why are you defending them?" she asked instead.

Ezekiel sighed, his expression earnest. "Because I believe in second chances," he replied. "And I know you're upset, and I get it. But don't you think you're overreacting a bit?"

He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know they messed up," he continued, "but they've apologized and they're clearly feeling guilty about it. Maybe it's time to at least hear them out."

She shrugged off his hand, frustration building up again. "Overreacting? They invaded my privacy, exposed my secrets. It's not like they accidentally spilled ink on my notes," she protested, her voice rising.

She ran a hand over her face, her words now laced with weary resignation. "And an apology won't make it all go away."

Ezekiel's expression softened, understanding her perspective even if he didn't agree. "I'm not saying an apology would fix everything, but it's a start," he countered gently.

He took a careful step closer, his tone growing serious. "I get that you're upset, and you have every right to be. But shutting everyone out isn't going to help. You're only isolating yourself, and I'm worried about you."

Her frustration flared up again, her voice now tinged with bitter sarcasm. "Oh, really? You're worried about me? Maybe you should worry more about those four instead of me." She snapped back.

Ezekiel sighed, knowing it would be difficult to convince her now.

"I care about you, and I want you to be okay. And being alone isn't what you need right now," he said in a gentle yet firm tone. His eyes full of worry.

She huffed, her arms crossing over her chest in a defensive gesture. "I'm fine," she lied, the lie obvious even to her.

Ezekiel let out another sigh, his eyes searching her face. "You're not fine," he stated bluntly. "You're angry, hurt, and you're pushing everyone away. Including me."

She opened her mouth to protest, but Ezekiel held up a hand, silencing her. "No, don't even try to deny it," he said firmly. "I know you haven't been eating properly, you've barely slept, and you aren't talking to me."

Her eyes widened at his words, a mixture of surprise and shame flickering across her face. She had thought she was doing a good job hiding it, but Ezekiel, as always, saw right through her.

He took a step closer, his voice now softer. "You don't have to do this alone, Sis," he said gently. "You don't have to shut everyone out. Trust me, it's not going to make you feel better."

She bit her lip, her frustration and anger momentarily giving way to vulnerability. She wanted to push him away, to continue hiding behind her anger. But Ezekiel's earnest expression and gentle tone was enough to crack the walls she had built.

She looked down, avoiding his gaze for a moment before finally looking up, her eyes welling up with tears she had refused to shed so far. "I just...I don't know how to trust them again," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Ezekiel moved closer, gently enveloping her in his arms, holding her tightly. "I know," he whispered back, his voice filled with compassion.

He pulled back slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders, locking his gaze with hers. "No one's asking you to trust them again right away," he told her. "It's going to take time, and it's a process. But completely shutting them out won't help either."

She took a deep breath, her voice wavering as she spoke again. "I just...I feel so betrayed. They violated my trust and my privacy. How can I ever forgive them for that?" the tears were now falling freely.

Ezekiel's grip on her shoulders tightened, his expression solemn. "I know you feel betrayed, and your feelings are valid. It was a massive breach of trust, and it's okay to be upset."

He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "But forgiveness isn't about them; it's about you. It's not about excusing what they did or forgetting what happened. It's about letting go of the anger and hurt to find peace."

She looked up at him, her eyes red rimmed from the tears. "But how am I supposed to let go? Whenever I think about them, all I feel is anger and hurt."

She swiped at her tears, frustration evident on her face. "I can't even look at them without feeling betrayed. How am I supposed to just...let it go?"

Ezekiel's grip on her shoulders loosened slightly, his thumbs gently rubbing soothing circles. "It's not about letting go overnight," he reassured her. "You don't have to force yourself to forgive them. It's a process."

He paused again, his voice quieter. "It starts by acknowledging your feelings of hurt and anger. And then, slowly, you start letting yourself heal. Not for them, but for yourself."