Troublesome

Very tired, so I didn't bother with editing. Enjoy anyway, I hope. I've been having a lack of motivation when it comes to writing, but I do promise that I'll be posting the next chapter here in the next day or so.

Severus had a problem; they couldn’t get married with out a witness to sign the documents. There wasn’t a soul in the wizarding world he wanted to know about his marriage to his student. This is why he had invited Evelyn to his office to see if she could think of some one, and when she said yes, she knew the right person to do it, he was surprised and a little taken aback.

“This person is trustworthy and will not tell anyone will he,” Severus asked her, still a bit cagey. Evelyn nodded her head eagerly.

“Oh yeah, I’ve already written him and told him I was pregnant, but I haven’t told him you’re the father yet.”

This did not make him feel better however. Severus Snape wasn’t a popular man, rather notorious. He was an ex death eater and now he terrorized the children of the people he’d once terrified during his youth. He just hoped who ever this person was that they could keep a secret.

“Alright, tell him to be at my Mother’s house next weekend at ten o clock sharp. It’s a Hogsmeade day so no one will miss you too much. “

Evelyn nodded her head serenely, as though she weren’t even listening to him. That was new habit she’d taken to recently, at any mention of the marriage it’s self she’d turn a deaf ear, though he knew she heard him. It wasn’t like he wanted it to happen either, but it was the responsible thing to do.

“Not very symbolic,” Evelyn said. Snape wasn’t sure what she meant by this, and she seemed to catch on to his ignorance. “I mean, there will be no ceremony of the union it’s self, just a piece of paper with some one looking on. “

“Did you want a ceremony?” The idea horrified him, but he owed her at least that much. He knew that every girl dreamed of their wedding, and although he could not give Evelyn her dream wedding, he’d give her what ever she wanted within reason.

“Well, yeah, what girl wouldn’t? I mean, I know I can’t go over the top, and I certainly wouldn’t want to, but it’d be nice to complete the union with some sort of ritual other than just signing a piece of paper.”

Severus tried not to let his annoyance show. He bit his tongue; he felt like telling her a million things. This wasn’t a marriage to celebrate; she’d made that much clear when she refused to take the ring. She’d made that much clear when she’d denied having a toast with him.

But yet, his heart ached for her. It was a new sensation, this empathy, and it made him angry but he couldn’t help himself. His own mother, Eileen, had not had much of a wedding. Of course, there wasn’t anything to celebrate. Severus had been implanted in her womb and it caused him great regret to know that he was the cause of his mother’s unhappiness.

“Did you have anything in mind?” He knew full well she did or else she wouldn’t have brought it up willingly. Evelyn bent down slowly and extracted a book from her book bag. It was old and the pages were yellowing, looking as though it were about to fall to shreds at any given moment. He could barely make out the title which read, “A History of Magical Romance.”

He could tell already that he would not like her idea.

“I was reading up on ancient wedding practices when I came across an entire chapter dedicated to shotgun weddings, as the muggles say.” She opened the book and flipped it around for him to get a better look at it. “Back when Catholicism was on the rise, people who found themselves in the predicament found that it was very hard to have their union blessed by the church because they’ve consummated before they were married and that wasn’t taken too lightly back then. People began to find alternatives, back then they were all about rituals and ceremonies and if they couldn’t find a priest to bless the union they opted for more…pagan… alternatives so they could feel right with the world.

“They figured if they couldn’t get the Church to bless the union that the Earth would probably be more understanding, after all weren’t they repopulating like man kind was intended? At any rate, there were several rituals, but a lot of them include the bride and groom fasting and I didn’t think you’d like that very much.”

“Absolutely not. You have to eat,” he said. Evelyn nodded.

“I know. But there was one that I was interested in, and it didn’t seem so bad.” She took the book and flipped through the pages, and she pointed to a passage as she handed it to him fully, wanting him to read it.

The Earth Binding Ceremony was one of the more popular choices amongst Wizard and muggle kind alike because it is a simple ritual and requires nothing but the bride and grooms participation and a few easy to find materials that come from the Earth it’s self. The Bride and Groom enter a forest or a heavily wooded area at Midnight only to emerge twelve hours later as husband and wife. During the twelve hours, the couple will unite them selves with the Earth using a stick, a fire, the breath from each other and water. For more information please turn to page 494.”

Severus closed the book quietly and handed it back to her. Her face looked eager for his approval. She shoved the book into her bag.

“Is this what you want to do?” He asked her.

“Well, yes, but only if you want to.”

No, he didn’t want to.

“I’ll comply. I suggest you get to class; you’re already five minutes late. I’ll take care of the arrangements.”

He would not offer her a pass; she’d just have to take a tardy. He had too much on his mind.

***

That Saturday came fast, leaving Evelyn feeling a little lost. She fretted over what she should wear, if she should wear make up or not and what she should take. No, the morning wasn’t going well at all, but thanks to the fact that it was a Hogsmeade weekend, all of the girls were gone. She was a bundle of nerves when Professor Snape came to fetch her from the dorm like a proper gentleman. He was wearing is normal robes, black and professional and Evelyn immediately wanted to change upon seeing this as she was wearing a nice floral print dress that her mother had bought her to wear to her cousin’s wedding. The last time she wore it she had been sixteen and it fit perfectly, but now she was nearly eighteen and pregnant. It still fit loosely enough but her belly made it considerably shorter, and it was cold out side.

“You look lovely,” The Professor said after giving her a once over. This made her feel slightly better but she still felt like a complete cow. She decided that the pink ribbon she’d tied in her hair made her look like a baby, so she ripped it out and let it float to the ground. Then the tears started coming, but she held them back and she sat back down on her bed.

“I can’t do this,” she said flatly. The Professor sat down next to her, much more casual than she’d ever seen him. “This is all wrong, Professor. I wasn’t supposed to marry you. I don’t know who I’m supposed to marry, but it’s not you.”

Then, the Professor did the most peculiar thing. He put his arm around her and kissed her on top of her head.

“I know that this isn’t easy for you and I know I’m not the man you want to be with, but we can make this work. It’s the right thing to do, but once the child has grown a bit and you can find means to support yourself, and if you still find me unsatisfactory, I’ll grant you a divorce, but until then, give me a chance. I’ll do my best to be a good husband.”

She smiled feebly at him and felt slightly better but she was still having doubts. “Thank you Professor. I just wish I could tell my parents. I know they wouldn’t understand, but I just feel awful about not telling them. They should be there.”

“Everything is going to be fine, Evelyn. You’ll see.”

He stood and held out his hand for her to take. It was a rather contradictory moment for Evelyn. She knew that if she took it, her life was set, and everything would be alright. If she didn’t take it, she’d have to pick up the pieces but her life would be in her control once more.

No, she thought, this isn’t right.

She took his hand anyway. She didn’t have much of a choice now did she?

***
“Where is this friend of yours, Evelyn?” Professor Snape demanded. It was ten thirty and who ever she’d invited was late. They were sitting in Eileen’s living room, the documents lying before them on the coffee table. Eileen was growing anxious and was crying off and on all morning, and Severus was annoyed. He wanted to get this over and done with as soon as possible. Evelyn was sitting on the couch, biting her lip, acting coy and playing innocent, but he could see it in her eye; she was hoping that who ever it was wasn’t going to show up.

“He’s traveling a long distance, but he’ll be here any minute now, I’m sure,” she said, looking at her feet. If they did not show up in the next five minutes, he was going to go knocking on people’s doors and drag the first person who answered over. She was not getting out of this.

Just as he was about to explode with anger, the doorbell rang. Evelyn nearly jumped out of her skin but hopped up and ran to the door. It’s about bloody time, Severus thought. He withdrew his best quill from an interior pocket and sat it down neatly next to the Ever lasting, non fading Ink well which was sitting next to the documents. He had duplicated them several times and the extras were hiding in his mother’s desk. He’d duplicated because he knew Evelyn might try to “accidentally” destroy them. He’d planned to duplicate the signed copies as well.

His heart nearly jumped out of his throat when he caught sight of Evelyn’s friend.

The little bitch!

Remus Lupin was standing, staring at Severus the same way Severus was staring at him; in complete shock.

“Professor Lupin, Professor Snape, I’m sure you both know each other well enough,” Evelyn said with a bright smile. Lupin stood with his mouth hanging open.

“You’re the one she’s marrying?” Lupin finally managed, though he had turned an unhealthy shade of white and was shaking, though Severus couldn’t tell if it was fear or anger. In fact, Severus wasn’t sure what he was feeling either.

“That I am,” Severus said, his voice a deadly whisper. “And how come she chose you to be our witness?”

He’d admit he was jealous; he’d been jealous since that day when Lupin stopped him in the hall to ask about Evelyn.

“She…she said it’d be a bit like me walking her down the aisle. I assumed it was some one…”


“Her own age?”


“Well, of course. If I had known…I would have put a stop to it. I should have seen this. I should have seen this when she first came to me to tell me about how several weeks were missing from her life…”

“Well, now is not the time to chit chat, I do believe we have papers to be signed,” Eileen said, making extra room for Lupin. Evelyn smiled innocently, as though she were completely unaware that the two men that stood before her was like caging two alpha male primates together. Only one would come out victorious, and Severus would be the one.

“Evelyn, I’m sorry, I can’t do this. I can’t stand here and watch you throw your life away,” Remus said, staring hardly at Severus. He turned to Evelyn, a pleading look in his eyes. “You don’t have to do this, Evelyn. You don’t have to marry him. You don’t have to do anything. If you think you’re going to struggle that much, you can give the child up for adoption. There are a lot of witches and wizards who are unable to give birth and would give anything to have a child. Your child could have a lot more and you can be free to live your life.”

Evelyn kept smiling, but shook her head sadly.

“I’m sorry, Remus. I’ve already made up my mind. I asked you to do this because you’re my friend and I trust you. I’ll be forever in your debt if you just do this one favor for me. “

Lupin looked as though he were about to say something and Severus smirked when he saw the man’s determination dissolve into lines on his face. He sighed heavily and sat down in a chair facing the documents. He picked up the first one and read it over, frowning deeply. He looked up at Evelyn once more and shook his head. Severus picked the quill up, dipped it into the Ink well and handed it to the Werewolf. Lupin stared at it for a second before hastily signing the document. He handed it back to Severus who signed it himself. The only person left to sign it was Evelyn, and all three pairs of eyes were on her.

She’d better sign it.

She had to sign it.

Why was she hesitating? She bit her lip and Severus could tell there was a war going inside her head. Part of him hoped she refused but the other begged her to.

Evelyn looked down at her protruding stomach and placed her hand on it lightly. She drew up a deep breath and picked the quill up, dipping it in the ink. Then she signed her name promptly.

Severus hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until he let it out gratefully.

Eileen’s eyes shone with tears and Evelyn smiled half heartedly as she signed the marriage certificate as well. She passed it to Severus and the deed was done. They were officially married now. He’d no longer have to feel so guilty.

“I want pictures,” Eileen said, hopping up and hobbling into another room, only to return with a large old fashioned camera. She positioned her son next to Evelyn and stood back frowning. “There’s something missing…” She squinted a bit and tilted her head, making her look like an owl with vision problems.

“Mother…” Severus warned.

“Alright, alright. Keep your shirt on. Severus put your arm around Evelyn. Evelyn lean into Severus…there you go…now Severus grab her hand and hold it up for the camera…wait…where’s the ring?”

“There’s not one. Evelyn didn’t want one.”

“Oh for heaven’s sakes! There can’t be a wedding with a bloomin’ ring!” Eileen cried and began to pry a ring off her own finger. She shoved it on to Evelyn’s hand and stood back once more. “There, perfect. “

The flash almost blinded him and he could feel Evelyn flinch beside him. Once the bright balls of light disappeared from his vision he let go of Evelyn and stood to face Lupin who was looking quite mutinous. Severus held out a hand for him to shake and Lupin reluctantly shook it firmly.

“I want to thank you Lupin for doing me this favor,” Severus said, trying to be half way civil.

“I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Evelyn,” Lupin replied coldly. Severus felt Evelyn sidle up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I think what Professor Snape is trying to say is that wewould like to thank you,” she said. Lupin nodded his head gravely.

“I wish you the best of luck, Evelyn.”

“Thank you, Remus,” Evelyn said, smiling warmly. “And you’ll be sure not to tell any one of this?”

“You have my word.”

And with that, Remus Lupin left the residence of Eileen Prince a dejected man. He went home that night to his shabby house and cooked himself a shabby supper and ate in complete solitude, thinking that Evelyn had played a cruel trick on him.

She’d befriended him during his teaching days at Hogwarts, and even stood by him when her now husband outted him as a werewolf. Of all the people he’d met and lost touch with over the years, Evelyn had been the most persistent, but seeing her after all of that time, he could tell she had changed. She was not the happy, cheery student she’d been all those months ago, she was now a sad, lonely girl stuck between a rock and a hard place, and now she was stuck in a marriage that Remus knew she would be happy with. She deserved so much better, he thought. Evelyn had too much heart to hear the voice of reason. He just wished it could have turned out better for her. She was special, but she was young and had the weight of the world on her shoulders. People would not accept her for who she was, much like people had been with Remus himself, but she took it all in stride and held her head up. He had to admire her. He just didn’t have her strength.

As Remus climbed into his shabby bed that night, the only thing that he could think of was her smile, which had changed. She was no longer Evelyn Hewitt, she was now Evelyn Snape. He just hoped that she could survive.