( 𝔳𝔬𝔩𝔲𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔦𝔦, 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖞-𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊 ) — a scandalous sleep-over

They stayed asleep in each other's arms until the next morning.

Molly — who was always the first one awake — had passed by Evangeline and Remus' empty bedroom on her way downstairs with a wheelchair-bound Arthur. The pair said nothing except for sharing a silent smile.

Unfortunately for the pure-blood and the werewolf, it wasn't just any ordinary morning; it was Christmas Day.

This meant that within twenty minutes of dawn barely cracking, the children had began to wake up.

Hermione was joined by Ginny downstairs promptly, the latter having dragged the Muggle-born out of bed against her own will. They were soon joined by George and Fred who scurried past the sleeping pair, rushing to the over-flowing Christmas tree. Last down were Harry and Ron, yawning and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.

''Shall we wake them?'' The Granger girl asked, nodding her head over at Remus and Evangeline.

Even after Fred had accidentally set off one of Dr. Filibusters Famous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks, there was no movement from them apart from Nyx flicking her long tail in irritation.

''No, let them sleep,'' Ginny advised, smirking. ''Probably had a tiring night, by the looks of it.''

Sirius strolled into the living room, steaming mugs of tea floating around the crown of his curly hair. ''That's my line,'' he quipped, chuckling to himself as he stared at the scene. ''❛She's too young❜, my arse.''

''Uncle Remus and Evie are . . . friends?'' Harry wondered, unsure as he scratched his head in confusion.

Ron sighed, his jaw locking with the amounts of fudge he shoved into his mouth. ''Are you thick, mate?''

''Don't be rude, Ronniekins,'' Fred tutted, abandoning his presents to enjoy the biggest treat of all: bullying his brother. ''Now, what's this here?''

''Looks scandalous to me, Gred,'' George laughed, encouraging Crookshanks to chase his own tail.

''I think you're right, Forge.''

''Nothing scandalous about it,'' Molly dismissed, waving her hands as she entered the room with a platter of scones, clotted cream, and jam. ''Quiet, kids — let's not wake them.''

''Listen to your mum,'' Arthur warned, wheeling himself in just in time for Fred to unwrap some more fireworks. By the looks of it, he was about to set one off, intentionally this time.

''But it's Christmas morning!''

''They're both staying with Sirius, we're the guests here—''

''Oh, it's no bother, really,'' the Black man promised. ''In fact, I'll get them up myself.''

Sirius hardly finished his sentence before tapping his wand twice on to the polished floor. He held it up to his throat, yanking the tip, before pressing the end like a button . . .

An ear-splitting honk sounded throughout Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, causing the townhouse's innermost core to shake thoroughly. Crookshanks and Nyx shot up simultaneously, their hair on end as they yowled in fear. Everyone else's hands clamped over their ears whilst Kreacher poked his head into the room, scowling and muttering obscenities.

Evangeline blinked away the bleariness, immediately aware of the unfamiliar weight of an arm resting over her waist. She peeled her eyes open, blinded by the brightness of the room, only to be met with the sight of Remus' chest.

He, too, was beginning to stir. There was a distinct aroma of lavenders clouding his nostrils, most likely since his face was buried in the brunette's locks. The older man untangled himself from the Rosier girl immediately, startled by the pairs of eyes hawking at them.

''Good morning!'' Sirius greeted cheerfully. ''Rise and shine!''

''Fuck off, Sirius.''

''Oh, no need for that language with such young ears present.''

''They have heard worse from you,'' Evangeline pointed out, wrapping the blanket from last night back over herself.

''Never mind that, it's Christmas! Or have you lost track of time after this late night rendezvous—''

As if on cue, both their face's bloomed with a bright pink blush dusting over their cheeks. Remus sported a bashful smile whilst Evangeline looked as if the only thing on her wish-list was for the ground to swallow her whole at that very moment.

''Just because you know French does not mean you should speak it.''

''Why so sour?'' Sirius frowned. ''Is this about what I said last night at dinner? Evie, I'm so terribly sorry—''

''Save your breath, Sirius,'' Evangeline clipped, standing up as she made her way out of the room in hopes to freshen up.

''So you'll let him apologise and not me?'' The Black man huffed, rounding on to the Lupin man. ''Y'know, she was much nicer before you got your paws on her, mate.''

''Fuck off, Sirius,'' he repeated.

After yet another unnecessarily awkward interaction, both Remus and Evangeline kept their distance from Sirius for the rest of the day. Whilst he apologised profusely and claimed it was all in good-natured banter, neither one of them forgave him until the evening, although they were both over the situation hours prior.

''What can I say, it was fun watching you squrim,'' the brunette shrugged after Sirius had completed his last grovelling session of the day.

''You're evil,'' he sighed. ''Remus said something along those lines, too.''

''Great minds think alike.''

''You two are made for each other, I'm glad you're both beginning to realise it. Speaking of . . . ''

Aside from a bark-like laugh, there were other attributes one could pick up from their Animagus form and carry it back to their human form. His ears twitched, and Evangeline assumed he could hear Remus coming up the stairs.

Her assumption proved to be correct as his tall figure entered through the ajar doorway. The sandy-haired man was wearing a knitted Weasley jumper, courtesy of Molly, and there was a small parcel in his hand.

Sirius made himself scarce rather swiftly, practically skipping out of the room as he mouthed ❛have fun❜ to the Rosier girl and clapped his best friend on the back in support.

''Hey, you.''

''Hi, Remus.''

''Hello.''

''Is there something you need?'' She asked after a moment of him standing still, just staring at her.

''Oh, no,'' he replied, pursing his lips in embarrassment. ''I just wanted to give you this.''

The Lupin man fiddled with the gift box in his hands for a few seconds, before thrusting it forward down the length of the bed. Evangeline glanced up at his nervous expression, smiling reassuringly as she unboxed the present.

Under a layer of meticulously-wrapped paper was a black box, sleek and small. As her manicured hands slipped off the top, there was a small crimson cushion. Resting on it was a beautiful bracelet, with red, oval-cut gems set in shiny silver.

''It's ruby, which is the birthstone for July,'' he explained. ''And I noticed that among all your heirloom jewelry you don't have many bracelets, so . . . ''

''It is perfect,'' she breathed, gazing at the bracelet in awe. ''Thank you, Remus.''

''Don't worry about it. Merry Christmas, Evangeline.''

''Merry Christmas.''

As he turned to leave, the slight sound of rummaging made him halt in his movements. The werewolf turned around in curiosity, only to be met with the sight of the brunette bent over as she searched through the contents of his truck.

He averted his gaze as she began to straighten, looking anywhere but at her until she was stood before him with something in her hands.

''I got— well, I made this for you some time ago,'' she started. ''It is not much . . . ''

But he wasn't listening. Instead, he was fighting back the tears that threatened to spill as he looked through the photo album she had put together with pictures from Sirius.

''I am not the best at arts and crafts, but I am rather good with my hands—''

''Thank you. Thank you, Evangeline — really,'' he murmured, tracing his hands over a group photo of the Marauders at James' house in 1974. ''I don't think I've ever gotten something so thoughtful.''

Evangeline stayed perched on the end of the bed in silence, taken aback by his statement. Then, she slowly approached him, taking the present from his hands and wrapping her arms around his strong torso whilst she tucked her head into his neck.

Remus stood still for a second, before his muscle memory kicked in and he returned her embrace. His large hands rested on the small of her back, rubbing soothing circles as they swayed for a few moments in nothing but pure, innocent bliss.

''Do you know what would make this an even better Christmas?''

He hummed, unwilling to disturb the peace blanketing the room; his eyes were shut as he awaited her elaboration.

''If you taught me how to cast a Patronus. Harry wants my help teaching it to the D.A. back at Hogwarts, and who better to help me than the best DADA professor I know?''

The older man grinned at her flattery. It was just like old times between the two of them, before any complications had happened and he wanted to savour the sense of security for as long as possible.

''Your wish is my command, Eve.''

From that moment onwards, there were two things that become obvious to the residents of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place: the first was that Remus and Evangeline found any excuse to touch each other. The second one was that they were inevitably falling in love with each other, and hard.