The Final Chapter

Chapter Eight

Severus sat up in bed, and stared into the corner, where he could see something moving. Evelyn still slept. Severus suddenly spoke a spell that cast light into the corner, and there was Brad Pitt.

"Shhhhh, don't wake her," Brad whispered.

"No, no, no!" Severus had never felt more afraid in his life.

Brad stood and approached Severus, then turned toward Evelyn.

"Don't touch her!" Severus hissed.

"Why not?" Brad asked.

"Because I would kill you," Severus countered.

"You're no fun at all Sev," Brad remarked. "You could have absolute power over her. You could dictate her every move, read every thought in her mind; you could make her do anything, but you don't..."

Severus got up and pushed Brad back away from the bed, away from Evelyn.

"Forget it," Severus said. "I won't..."

"She needs some discipline, I think," Brad insisted. "After all, she is such a slut!"

"No!" Severus vowed.

"No? What has she done when she wasn't with you, Sev? And with whom?

"Remus, Neville, Fred and George..." Brad taunted Severus.

"No! She's done nothing! She told me! I can see in her mind that she's telling the truth!" Severus assured him.

"But they all tried, didn't they? They should be killed. All of them. And Argus can hardly keep from drooling when she's around. And Hagrid..."

"No!" Severus screamed. "You're making things up!"

Brad laughed and pushed Severus aside. He walked toward the bed and stood there, looking at Evelyn. "I can see it all in your mind, Severus. It's all her fault, you know."

Severus closed his eyes but couldn't block out the voice. He growled and attacked Brad instead of dwelling on it. Brad laughed and then Severus woke, sat up in bed, and looked around the darkened room.

Nightmares, he thought to himself. Not real .

That thought did not comfort him.

It was his fault, not hers. He had asked for a film that was "edgy, twisted, violent, and gory, but not a horror film."

She had given him Fight Club.

How was she to know how it would affect him? How could she know? He had never told anyone, not even Ev, about his self-destructive tendencies. He lay back down, wrapped himself around Evelyn, and vowed to remove that entire film from his memory, as soon as possible.

One evening, after being away for awhile, he came directly to her window. Although it was not late, her room was dark. Passion overcame caution, and he entered her room. He lit candles, slowly bringing the light into the room, and saw that she was lying on her bed, still clothed, though his heart fluttered uneasily in his chest when he saw that she was garbed in solid black. His eyes moved across the room and did not fail to notice the medicine bottles and wineglass on her desk.

He rushed to her, grabbed her up, and took her into his arms. Not dead. He sighed with relief.

She opened her eyes, which were swollen and red from crying.

"What's wrong, darling?" he asked her. "Whatever it is, I'll take care of it, don't worry." He stroked her hair and rocked her gently.

She began to cry and continued crying, but managed to tell him that her father had died. He gave one moment's thought to his responsibilities to the Order, and the need to find out if this was related in any way, or just an ordinary death, but he would deal with that later. His first priority was Evelyn.

So he spent the night holding her and stroking her as she slowly unfolded the story of her father.

Her mother had kept the information to herself until Evelyn was 18. That summer, after she graduated from high school, Evelyn learned of another world, where she had a father. Of course, she decided to come to see him. After all, they had left him, although it did occur to her that he could have easily found them had he wished.

Seven Doves would not accompany her to Hogsmeade, but assured Evelyn that she had nothing to fear.

It did not go well, and Evelyn had screamed at him that she hated him. Aberforth had responded by telling her he didn't care. And then she had left.

And then last summer when her mother died, she came back again, to tell him. He took the news without emotion, but this time Albus was there, and he took Evelyn away before the screaming began.

"He loves you, Evelyn, he really does. You remind him of your mother, and it hurts him to see you, can you understand that?" Albus had asked her.

She understood, but she had said things she couldn't take back. And now she never could.

"Shhhh, he knows you don't hate him." Severus tried to console her, but she was distraught. There was nothing he could do but stay with her, where he belonged.

Draco had ditched his buddies and proceeded directly to the library, barely making it before closing. As he entered, Evelyn looked up and he could see in her eyes the suspicion and distrust he had for him. She has every right to feel that way, he thought.

She did not know, however, that at some point long before Christmas, Pansy had forced Draco to read every book Evelyn had suggested to the students. Muggle books. His father would disinherit and disown him if he knew. It didn't take long for Draco to appreciate the value of diversity and soon was reading beyond Evelyn's suggestions. When Evelyn had dressed as Sojourner Truth, Draco had read everything ever written about the wise and mighty woman who had been born a slave. When she had worn a mohair suit and electric boots, and suggested Elton John, Draco had readily complied. From Pocahontas to Hitler, Draco had studied them all. He remembered seeing her dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, on a day Remus Lupin had met her after work, back in the fall, and was intrigued. Now the mere thought of it had him so amused he couldn't stop smiling. All the guys figured he had met a girl. They were right, and wrong.

At first, when Draco had seen her dressed as Ace Frehley of KISS, he had been amused, but she was not always frivolous in her selection of costumes. He was somewhat unnerved by the ninja assassin, and the Vietnam Marine, both complete with weapons (he did not know about the concealed weapons she carried daily). He had, however, learned so much about Muggles, he was certain he could live among them if he wished and never be exposed as a wizard.

The thing he loved the best were the Friday night films. Evelyn would always dress as a character in a film on Fridays, and then after the library closed, she was allowed to show the film. He had seen Young Guns, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Gone with the Wind, The Ten Commandments, The Fifth Element, A Knight's Tale, and the list went on.

He also had confusing thoughts about the wizarding world. He had not thought of the lives or the wishes or happiness of house elves until he began his unnofficial and very secret Muggle studies. Now he could see that his world's attitude toward other creatures, and Muggles, mirrored that of Muggles attitutes toward certain other Muggles for what seemed to him to be foolish reasons. He wished he could discuss this with Evelyn, but he knew she would never be comfortable with him, the way she was with some of the other students.

Then he smiled ruefully as he imagined trying to explain to Hermione Granger that he wanted to help with her house elf revolution.

Today he knew that Evelyn was dressed as Alice, and had read the book by Lewis Carroll, and had read everything relating to that story, including music.

As Draco moved toward her, Evelyn stood, prepared for the worst. Draco would not find her such an easy target today, and not so silent.

Then Draco smiled, and pulled a funny-looking bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

Evelyn gasped. "Wisteria!" she exclaimed.

"I know they aren't proper flowers for a gift," Draco explained. "But I thought you might overlook their sad appearance since my gift to you is their lovely scent." He smiled his most charming smile, and Evelyn wondered how the girls could see this smile daily and concentrate on school.

"They're perfect, Draco," she assured him a shaky voice, wondering how he knew they were her favorite, because of their heady scent.

"And I know they are no substitute for a proper apology." Draco stepped closer and took her hand. He looked into her eyes.

"Miss Evelyn, I do sincerely apologize for my careless words a few months ago. I was a complete idiot. Please forgive me?" he asked.

"Yes, Draco," she said. "I forgive you." She smiled.

"And Evelyn, I have one more thing to say." Draco smiled another genuine smile. Evelyn recognized that he was no longer his father's idea of what he should be, but a completely different person.

"I know you were seeing Professor Snape at one time..."

Evelyn managed to show no expression, but was unable to maintain eye contact for a moment. Fortunately, Draco would regard this as sadness or shame, or whatever. He would never guess the truth.

Draco slowly and carefully placed one finger under her chin, and lifted her face.

She looked at him, almost hypnotized by those eyes, but seeing more than he suspected. He was still unsure about his future, though this was carefully hidden, and he showed confidence that was far advanced for his years.

"I don't know what he did..."

Evelyn could feel his confusion about Severus. On one hand, Severus had always been someone that Draco admired and respected. On the other hand, Draco was getting older and seeing things differently, and seeing Severus as a man and not as an idol.

"Whatever he did, and whatever Professor Lupin did...

"Evelyn, I would not have been such an idiot."

Evelyn thanked her lucky stars that Draco could perceive no more than she allowed him to see. He also knew nothing about what his father had done and she was not about to tell him. The last thing Draco needed was one more reason to hate his father. Evelyn knew from her own experience. She wouldn't wish what had happened to her and her father on anyone, including Lucius, as much as she hated him.

Thinking of her father made tears fill Evelyn's eyes. Once again, Draco misinterpreted Evelyn's actions.

"Oh, don't cry, Evelyn. Don't you see that both of them are emotionally damaged? Any man would love you, Evelyn, if he's not an idiot."

"Draco," she whispered. "That's truly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Oh, I hope not, Evelyn," Draco assured her. "And there are more things I would say, if you would listen."

"Draco, you shouldn't even be here. You know your father would be so angry."

"To Hell with my father," Draco swore. "I do whatever I want. Come with me, Evelyn. I'll show you where I got the wisteria. There is so much of it that you can nearly get drunk from the scent of it." He laughed.

"Draco..." she began.

"Please, Evelyn. You have nothing to fear from me." And while Evelyn had no doubt that Draco was sincere, she knew that to give any more encouragement would only make things complicated.

So she let him down as gently and sweetly as possible, hoping that Draco Malfoy would retain this newfound honorable and sweet disposition, though she knew it would always remain hidden from most.

She was just coming in to work when she heard the news. Severus had been murdered.

Evelyn didn't wait to hear more. She rushed home to change into the white deerskin outfit, the one Stands With a Fist had worn at her wedding in Dances With Wolves, which had been Sev's favorite movie. Then she gathered her letters and her potion and rushed to find her uncle.

She found Argus Filch first.

"Where is he?" she questioned Filch. He looked at her, not comprehending.

"Severus! Where is he now?"

"Evelyn dear," Argus said softly. "He didn't make it. He's gone. Dead." Mrs. Norris rubbed against her leg.

"Where is he?"

He told her, and she thrust the letters into his hands and fled. By the time Albus had been hastily summoned and given the letters, she was there with Severus. By the time Albus arrived she was lying next to Severus's dead body, one arm wrapped around his shoulder, her head on his chest, one leg lying across his, her foot comfortably lying between his ankles, the way they sometimes slept.

Just as Albus entered the room she lifted the bottle of potion and drank from it. She was dead before her head landed back on Severus's chest.

Albus covered his face with his hands. He had now just lost yet another loved one in so short a time. Why? he wondered. Albus thought frantically. The time turner....exchange her poison for a sleeping potion. It could work...

"Albus."

He looked up to see Severus and Evelyn, ghosts now. They would be together forever, just as Evelyn had planned.

"Forgive me, Albus. I just couldn't...."

Albus stopped him with one raised hand and covered his eyes with the other. He was silent for a very long time, and Evelyn was becoming concerned. She needed the acceptance and blessing of her uncle. Severus needed it even more than she did.

"If you had obeyed me, Severus, you would still be dead and she would be alone. As it is, we have you both, and you seem to be happy." He looked at Evelyn. "Are you happy, Evelyn?"

"Yes, Uncle Albus," she replied.

"But you were right Albus, we fell," Severus admitted. "I thought I could make this work out somehow."

"Yes," Albus agreed. "But you didn't fall very far, did you?"

No one had never known of a ghost wedding, but since no one objected, Severus and Evelyn were married as soon as her girls could get there, and after the students had taken their NEWTs, as Severus had insisted on remaining Potions Master.

"Any regrets, darling?" Severus asked his new bride that afternoon.

"None, except one," she answered.

He looked at her, waiting to hear it, and hoping it was something he could take care of.

"You have never had children, Severus. I regret that I didn't meet you years ago, so we could have had a life together, and children..."

Severus held her and kissed her softly. There was nothing he could say.

"But you may think of my girls as if they were yours, Severus. They have no father."

Severus smiled. "Thank you, darling. There is no greater wedding gift you could have given me. And my gift to you is that I will be the best father possible."

"And grandfather, when the time comes?" she asked with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"Of course, darling," he answered.

"Even if they are red-haired, Mudblood Weasley grandchildren?" she asked gleefully.

He stopped and looked at her for a moment.

"I do owe you for that boggart incident, pumpkin," she reminded him.

Severus burst out laughing. He glanced over at Evelyn's twin girls, who were sitting with Fred and George.

"You think?" he asked her, staring at the four of them.

"I strongly feel so," she said. "I may be a Squib, but that doesn't mean I don't have any magic. Divination, you know. That doesn't require a wand."

"So you knew all along how things would turn out?"

"No, dear. Divination is not a precise science. And it was sometimes difficult for me to know whether what I saw was the truth or only my wishes. And sometimes I would try so hard to see ahead, but I never saw us together and alive as we had hoped.

"And here comes Uncle Albus, with a wedding gift for you," she giggled.

Severus, who had given up all hope of ever teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, was then offered just that position.

He was speechless.

"Well?" Albus asked, grinning. "Don't tell me don't want it, son. I know you always have. Maybe you've changed your mind? Maybe you'd rather spend all your time with Evelyn?"

"We have an eternity to spend together," Severus insisted. "Of course I want it."

"That's settled then." Albus declared.

"Now Evelyn, I wish to give you a wedding gift also, but what? Is there anything I can give you?"

Evelyn thought for a moment and then told him, "I will let you know when I think of something."

"Fair enough," Albus agreed. "Now come along, both of you, and enjoy the party in your honor. The honeymoon can wait. As you said, you have an eternity."

The End