Early Morning Ritual, {open}

[Evangeline Wells]

Evangeline was playing with an idea in her head, wondering if it was even possible of being true. Well, she guessed it was no matter how many people would have looked at her crazy of spat on her. Muggles and Wizards really weren’t all that different, especially if she took her and Matt’s father. They were both fighting against an evil, one that was threatening to wipe out the whole world, taking lives of loved ones. They were both in a position of authority, keeping order in a naturally chaotic world. They both had weapons to protect themselves, both being able to be killed in action. And they both probably kept secrets, looking at files with a little sliver of light, evading questions when asked, saying that they were only trying to protect them. Evangeline hated when her dad went off in his office, or was on the phone, whispering secretly before shooing her away with a wave of his hand. Sometimes she tried to hear little pieces of the conversation through the door, her ear placed on the wood, but he always knew when to open the door. It was like he had a sixth sense and that was really annoying. All she wanted was a little insight, to realize everything that her father did instead of watching it on the news later in the morning. It felt terrible when she found out about his life within the pages of a newspaper. Evangeline guessed that she’d only worry more if she knew he was trying to catch a murderer or a crazy drug dealer. It would probably keep her up at night, fearing for his life at every waking moment and even when she was sleeping, plagued with vicious nightmares. Sometimes she was glad that she was oblivious to everything, it made it easier to sleep at night. Evangeline looked at Matt for a moment, wondering if he ever thought the same thing, if he ever worried. Maybe it was just her girly ness that made her so emotional when it came to her family. Evangeline didn’t like to stereotype her own gender, but sometimes it was true. “Me too, sometimes I think they follow me around because I try to be nice to everyone. I swear I’m a magnet for pathetic people. I wonder if I can change the polarity or something. But most of the people are pathetic because they are lazy, not because they were just born that way.” She said, looking over her shoulder as though she expected someone to be there, chatting her ear up. “I hate that question! I have no idea what I want to do and if I pick something I usually switch it in a day or so. My parents expect me to have my whole life plan mapped out, but I haven’t even thought about it.” She said with a sigh, her face falling slightly. Evangeline was one of those lost souls, wandering on random paths and hoping that she’d find her place, her niche. There were so many careers that it overwhelmed her. Every time one seemed brilliant, another one popped up. Evangeline had to stop her small rant about life in her head when he mentioned books, having to switch gears. It was hard for her to pick out her favorites, but there were a few she loved to read. “I actually have become fairly partial to classics because of my brother. I really like anything by Mark Twain, I love his book Huck Finn, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and some Edith Wharton books. I also like a bit of fantasy, but most people aren’t interested in them.” She said with a small smile, remembering a mini fight she had gotten into with her friend over certain books. They had total opposite tastes. “Yeah, I’ll admit sometimes it is fun, learning about why certain things are added. That’s when it’s goof to have a brother who always writes in the margins.” She said with a fond smile, picturing his handwriting in his mind, that chicken scrawling covering the whole page. “You know, I really have no idea. I always thought it was just the government, but he uses the term for everything. I would never consider this world a cult, but its probably just because we do magic…He seems a dense, but is actually smart, he just has a closed mind.” She said with a roll of her eyes, her usual thing when her brother was mentioned. Her brother could just be a pain in the arse, all the time.

“I find no reason to lie. If I have a problem with something, I’ll say it because it’s going to grate on my nerves, or if I like someone I’ll be fine with admitting it. Lying doesn’t always have benefits. I don’t find intelligence that annoying, unless they’re making fun of me. They act like I can’t pick up subtle jokes just because I’m a Hufflepuff but I’m afraid they’re wrong.” She said, anger lacing her tone. It bothered her when people tried to belittle her, but it was even worse when they tried to be smart about it. “Oh yeah, I’m probably the most costly person alive.” Evangeline said with a small laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. A lot of people don’t seem to realize that, even though we’ve probably all studied about them. I’ve never seen one before and it’s not like I can just pick them out of a crowd. Oh, I complain about school, people, and the weather. All petty things, but if someone’s ranting with me it’s fine. I’m not going to open my mouth if no one wants to hear it. What about you?”

[Matt Roberts]

Everything was darker now, Matt realized with a jolt. The innocence that once surrounded the school had vanished, even the first years found themselves wondering about the outcome of the war, what side they would take, and so on. No one's mind could escape the war...which was incredibly sickening to the seventh year. He found it strange, once he really thought about it, that muggles really knew nothing at all about a war that was happening within their own country, one that would affect them as well. Was that fair? Was that right? He didn't know the answer and that greatly disturbed him. He wrung his hands as he thought, unaware that he was even doing it. He wished his mind wouldn't flutter to these thoughts but his mind seemed to do it all on its own, not even asking for his consent. He tried to think of something happier and failed once again. His eyes locked with hers for a moment before he quickly tore them away...what if her family was affected? Everyone was at stake now. He laughed weakly at her comments, his mind was still somewhere else for the moment. He nodded his head at her last comment, "Yes, most of them are that way because of laziness, which is why I normally make the sweeping generalization that most pathetic people are merely lazy and are pathetic by choice. I wonder why you attract them, I suppose they think you'll help them or just accept that they are that way," he added, shrugging his shoulders casually at the end of his assesment. He laughed at her response, it wasn't one he was used to hearing. Most had either some extravagent unrealistic plan or something that they just seemed made for, he rarely heard that they had no idea. She was an upperclassmen too, Matt just found this strange, not pathetic or anything, just strange. He raised his eyebrow slightly, "You haven't even thought about it? Don't you think you should probably get onto it?" he asked rhetorically, feeling more like a parental figure than an acquaintance. He had a terrible habit of doing that. He had only heard of Mark Twain out of the authors she had listed, he liked him well enough. He chuckled at her last comment, "Is living in the muggle's version of fantasy not good enough for you?' he teased lightly. It was strange that their world was considered a fantasy world but most of the world's population. He could tell by her smile and tone that she was fond of her brother, he gave her a small smile and felt no need to comment further. Matt shook his head and sighed dramatically, "Why are the really smart ones always closed-minded?" It seemed like it usually ended up that way. Come on, You-Know-Who was no dummy.

Matt had been one to make quick judgments on Hufflepuffs and felt slightly guilty at her comment, though he had never really acted on his opinions of that particular house. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, leaning against the stone walls of the owlery, he wondered just how long they had been talking. "I don't believe that lying has benefits, and if it does, its incredibly rare and usually comes with a hefty price. So I'm glad to hear there is at least one person I can count on for an honest opinion," he replied, flashing her a toothy grin. He laughed, "Oh I complain about all of those things as well, along with the war and such, as most people do. Although of course, complaining about that isn't going to solve anything," he replied thoughtfully, wanting to say more but his thoughts were taking over once again.

[Evangeline Wells]

Evangeline recalled the letters she had just sent off, each one superficial, containing a few tidbits here and there, but nothing that was really worth including. She was assuring them she was still alive, that Hogwarts was still in one piece, but she never stopped to really talk to them, to tell them all her fears, the constant emotion that gripped her when she opened the newspaper, hearing about more cruelty, more conflicts, some about ridding the world of all the muggleborns. They all seemed to hate people like her; ones that were given the gift by chance, blood not coming into play, and that scared her to death. What if the Dark Lord managed to break through the barriers? What would he do to her? What would he do to her parents? These questions constantly plagued her and yet she couldn’t voice them to her family. She didn’t want them to be touched by the war, to have to fear for her life, have to fear for their own lives. Evangeline was the last person who wanted to put anyone in danger, and she wouldn’t be able to bear any death on her conscience. Evangeline noticed how Matt’s laugh had faltered, wondering if terrifying thoughts were running through his head as well. His dad was an Auror, someone who had to risk his life on a daily basis. How could Matt handle all that? Sure, her dad carried a gun and stopped the ‘bad guys’ but it wasn’t like he could be killed by a few words and a piece of wood. “Most are; there’s no doubt about it. They think that they can get through life with the help of nice people, but they’re wrong. No one likes people who constantly have pity parties. I know that me being a Hufflepuff almost qualifies me as being nice, but even I have a breaking point.” She said with a small smile, one that almost seemed strained. It was hard to think of pathetic people, or anything for that matter, without somehow linking it to the war. She really needed to just stop the negativity, it only made her heart heavier. "What are you, my mum?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, playfulness hinted in her tone. “But really, I have thought about it, a lot actually. Maybe it’s that I’m afraid to grow up or something, but it’s also because I don’t know which way to go. I can work with magic, or have a normal muggle job. I would imagine you think I’m weird for even considering a muggle lifestyle, but maybe it’d be easier.” She said with a shrug, not completely liking her own words, but they poured out of her mouth. Evangeline rolled her eyes slightly, looking out the small window, knowing she was living in a fantasy. “I think that it’s different when you are living her, instead of dreaming of it. And sometimes I like getting away from all the problems here.” She said, knowing that she read to escape, for peace from the war, living someone else’s life for a just a little while. It made the pain easier, all the things she didn’t want to feel. Evangeline shook her head slightly; not knowing the answer herself, hating that her brother could act like that towards her. She always thought that he knew her better, knowing that she wouldn’t abuse her power, wouldn’t embrace darkness, but he didn’t seem so sure. “I don’t know why, but it truly sucks. We need smart people, but they are too busy off in their own prejudices.” She said a bit bitterly, hoping he understood that she wasn’t talking about him. She didn’t think that he would ever fall into that category.

“I find lying to just be stupid. I know it hurts to be brutally honest, but sometimes it’s better in the long run. I would rather have someone tell me the truth than lie to make me feel better.” She said with a small shrug, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Evangeline wasn’t a big fan of liars; it made them so unreliable and untrustworthy. She always tried to look for honesty in people, although sometimes people who were honest could be a bit rude. “It doesn’t solve a thing, but it does make me feel better.” She said with a smile, knowing that letting out her feelings always kept her calmer.