( 𝔳𝔬𝔩𝔲𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔦, 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖞 ) — tell me more about yourself

''Thomas! Finnigan! Pay attention, please!''

Evangeline's irritated voice cracked like a whip through the Charms class on Thursday, causing both students to jump and look up. She was rarely like this — apart from during exams, which she thought she had left behind — but between the crippling loneliness in her personal life and never-ending rolls of parchment to mark, the brunette was at the end of her tether.

It was the end of the lesson; the fourth years had finished their work, and the bell was due to ring any moment.

''Now that Dean and Seamus have been kind enough to act their age,'' she began, side-eyeing them reproachfully. ''There is an announcement I have been instructed to inform you all of — The Yule Ball is approaching. It is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with ourforeign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years andabove, although you may invite a younger student if you wish.''

Lavender let out a shrill giggle, to which Parvati nudged herhard in the ribs, her face working furiously as she too fought not togiggle. They both swivelled around to look at Harry.

''Dress robes should be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. As much as this is an opportunity to let loose a little, as your teacher I must implore you to let the usual standards of behaviour slip. However, between us, there is always the off-chance that I will turn a blind eye to whatever antics you will all get up to.''

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Evangeline called above the clamour. ''Harry — a word, if you please.''

The Potter boy proceeded merrily to her teacher's desk. She waited until the rest of the class had gone, before speaking. ''Harry, the champions and their dance partners — ''

''Dance partners?'' He asked, going red. ''I don't dance.''

''Well, you do now. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball.''

''I'm not dancing.''

Evangeline sighed heavily. She hardly found it difficult to discipline her students, but she couldn't help the pity rising in her chest every time she looked into the boy's bright green eyes. ''It is tradition. I have spent the better part of my life dancing at all sorts of events, I can assure you it is not as daunting as it seems. Make sure you get yourself a partner in time, Harry.''

''But— I don't—''

''Run along to lesson, now. Before you are late.''

The third time, Evangeline had been invited. Snowflakes tumbled down from the heavens, their predecessors crunching under the high heels of her boots as she walked up the length of the path leading to Remus' cottage.

After a long day of lessons, she had gotten back to her living quarters, only to be greeted by a scrawny-looking owl. An invitation to have supper was held in it's spiky beak, written in what she had come to recognise was his handwriting.

Any and all plans of a long, hot bath and early night flew out of the window, much like the owl. Within seconds, the brunette had changed from her fine work clothes into her usual expensive wardrobe, before eagerly walking to the edge of the grounds and Apparating.

''I thought you weren't going to come,'' Remus admitted.

Evangeline smiled apologetically at the older man sat in front of her. ''The walk to where the Anti-Apparition protection charms no longer work was a grueling one today,'' she sighed. ''I might have to ask Dumbledore if there are any easier ways of leaving the castle. After all, it is a school, not a prison.''

''Do you have a fireplace?'' He asked, to which the brunette nodded. ''We can link mine to yours using the Floo Network. That way you won't have to go through all that trouble.''

''Why did I not think of that sooner?'' She wondered, laughing lightly. Music to his ears. ''I must admit, this job has taken it's toll on me — I can hardly remember what my own name is half the time.''

''I can give you a clue; it's a beautiful name,'' Remus told her sincerely, before realising what he had said. He recovered fairly quickly, clearing his throat to cut through the brewing tension in the air. ''Well, at least its Christmas soon. Two whole weeks free from teaching and children.''

''Thank Merlin for that. Oh, that reminds me,'' she remembered, reaching into her handbag. ''I got you a present.''

''You didn't have to,'' the werewolf muttered, more than ashamed. ''I didn't think to get you anything.''

''There is nothing you could have gotten me that I do not already have,'' Evangeline assured him, handing over the small parcel. It was elegantly wrapped, adorned with a dazzling blue bow. ''Besides, it is nothing special.''

Oh, but it was so special to Remus. Not only was it a first-edition ❛Pride And Prejudice❜, it was something that had been in her possession. The leather he was now holding had been previously graced with her delicate hands, and the thought made his mind go fuzzy and heart swell.

''Thank you,'' he smiled; a smile that Evangeline would be willing to do anything for, as long as she was the cause. ''It's one of my favourite books. How did you know?''

''I'm a Seer,'' she joked. ''Honestly, I saw you had a copy of it on your bookshelf. It was all scribbled over and stained, so I saw an opportunity and took it. Since we are on the topic of Christmas, have you heard about the upcoming Yule Ball?''

''I have,'' he confessed, to which she peered over at him curiously. ''I have my fair share of sources that keep me updated, Eve. I also heard about the first task of the tournament, and I can't thank you enough for being there for Harry when I can't.''

''It is no trouble, really. Harry is such a lovely boy — it breaks my heart that he has so little people to look after him. I am happy to help in whatever way I can.''

If not for her strikingly pulchritudinous outward appearance, Remus knew that Evangeline's heart would have been the most beautiful thing about her. She was living proof that someone could walk through hell, yet be an angel.

''James and Lily would have liked you, you know.''

''James and Lily,'' she repeated slowly, reminiscing on their past conversations. ''Your old school friends?''

''Some would say friends, but James was like a brother to me. So was Lily — not a brother, obviously, but a sister. Harry's parents. If only they were here right now . . . ''

''Maybe they are,'' she suggested. Remus blinked at her slowly; had the pure-blood not realised that they hadn't simply moved away, but they were dead? ''Don't look at me like that, Remus. I know they've passed away, but those that love us never really leave us.''

''Sometimes I feel like they did.''

''You might feel like that, and that is normal. We all get a little lonely sometimes. But just because you feel like you are alone, does not mean that you are. For all you know, they could be sat between us on this sofa right now.''

''It sounds like a them thing to do,'' he laughed. A genuine laugh, the laugh that only seemed to sound during his evening talks with Evangeline. ''It feels as if you know so much about me, but I hardly know anything about you. Tell me more about yourself, Eve.''

''There is not much to tell,'' she shrugged. ''I already told you about how my life was growing up, and it is not like I have any friends worth mentioning.''

''What about those Slytherins?'' He asked. ''You six seemed to be a tight-knit group.''

''We were, but only because of circumstance. Last I heard, Sylvia has gone travelling. As for Pollux, Juliet, Apollo, and Cassius, I have not heard from them since I left that society.''

''In that case, you could say we're both right ❛Billy Nomates❜.''

Evangeline being Evangeline didn't understand these Muggle expressions, of course. She blinked at Remus with wide eyes, not understanding the reference in the slightest. ''But neither of us are called Billy?''

''I always forget you wouldn't understand these jokes of mine,'' he grinned.

''I have never even met a Muggle,'' she confessed, resting her head against a plush cushion. ''What are they like?''

''They're horrible,'' he joked. ''Biggest scum to walk this earth. Their hobbies include seeking out wizards and witches, only to lock them up and throw away the key.''

''Oh, stop it, you,'' she rolled her eyes. ''If you continue with these ❛Muggle expressions❜ of yours, it might be beneficial to explain them immediately after. Unless you are willing to teach by all of them, one by one.''

''It would be an honour, Evangeline.''