The Bag of Books

Luke checked his watch as he walked down Diagon Alley, he had planned his journey to the last second, in the wee hours after waking at the crack of dawn and was presently right on time. When he'd woken, his stomach had been in knots before his mind registered why, and Luke had sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his face until Evie emerged through his mental fog. That had been over three hours before, and it had been the longest morning of his life. He'd asked himself why he hadn't chosen eight, or half past, or any time that would have allowed him to get to the store earlier, rather than waste time worrying. After leaving at quarter to nine, Luke was now on schedule to walk into Flourish and Blotts at the arranged time.

He was aware how ridiculous he was being, obsessing over a girl like a teenage boy with his frist crush. He'd been aware of it throughout the morning, whilst taking a shower, drinking his coffee, dressing, and flicking idly through the Daily Prophet. However, just because he was aware did not not mean that Evie stopped filling his every thought. He could still feel her skin on his, and almost count the golden flecks in her eyes from memory. Luke recalled the promise he'd made to himself, that he would keep their relationship purely platonic, but his body hadn't yet received the message. Besides, Evie probably didn't even like him, they were different people, light and dark. However much he chased her, Evie's light would likely hurtle in the opposite direction, and it would be right to.

The wizard paused outside the shop, and peered in through the window. There was Evie, teetering on a ladder in order to sort through books. Why on earth hadn't she used her wand? Because the girl had a death wish, and obviously enjoyed the thrill of potential injury. She was as beautiful as he remembered, although seemed more troubled than she'd been the night before. She was talking to someone, and Luke glanced at the counter, where Nate was standing. Luke's brow furrowed as he watched the man ramble at Evie, whilst Nate's eyes roamed over her whenever she turned her back. It made Luke feel nauseous.

Not wanting to waste another minute, and as the clock struck nine, Luke entered the shop. He couldn't help but notice the grin on the redhead's face, contrasting with the scowl from the male worker. Luke smiled back at her and ignored the man completely. "Good morning," he greeted, "I hope you haven't been waiting for me. Are you ready to go?" Luke pushed back his open coat to bury a few fingers into the pocket of his jeans. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, and was grateful for a moment that she had to go to Knockturn Alley, at least it meant he could see her again. He held the door open in case she wanted to leave immediately, and finally met Nate's glare. There were a thousand things he wanted to say to the man, but with Evie there he knew it would be completely out of line. Instead, Luke dropped his smile and disguised his frustration as concern, "I don't know how long we'll be gone," he said evenly, "but I'm sure you know what it's like in Knockturn, lots of things to slow you down." Like dark wizards, curses, and criminals. "It's a shame you haven't taught her how to work the till or you could have gone, but don't worry," he smiled thinly at Nate who glared right back, "I'll watch out for her." Nate stiffened at the comment, and Luke could feel the hatred pouring from him at the subtle criticism. He was correct, Nate had feelings for Evie, otherwise he'd never have heard the hidden meaning in Luke's words. Hopefully, Evie had missed it, the last thing he wanted was for her to think he was a child, but he couldn't resist antagonizing the man. Luke looked back at Evie, and his features relaxed before he gestured towards the open door, "Shall we?"

As he shut the door, Luke gave Nate a piercing look and smirked a little before turned to the pretty redhead. Luke watched Evie haul the book bag with her, and raised one eyebrow as she struggled to carry it down the street, a small smile on his lips. "How were you planning on carrying that to Knockturn alone?" He asked, before reaching out and cautiously taking it from her. Luke didn't want to seem sexist, but Evie was clearly finding the bag heavy and he didn't like to see her strain. He couldn't convince himself that he hadn't slipped his fingers over hers in the exchange on purpose, needing to know if the spark from the previous night still existed. As before, static raced over his skin and he met her gaze for a split second before lifting the bag away and clearing his throat as if nothing had happened.

Snow crunched under his feet and coated the buildings around them. More must have fallen in the night and it hadn't yet begun to melt, causing the pair ot leave footprints behind. In the white, Evie's hair stood out like red fire, flaming around her face. Every time he saw her Luke found the witch more attractive, and the snow setting enhanced her beauty even more. "How was the rest of your night?" She asked, and he shifted the bag into his outside arm. "My night was fine," he said, "although I was up quite early." He wasn't sure why he'd told her that fact, and looked ahead to the corner which would take them to Knockturn Alley. Luke didn't like lying, and when it came to Evie he was even worse. Everything about her was honest and good, when he withheld the truth Luke felt as though he was disrespecting her in some way. "How was yours? Have you spoken to your friends?" Veronica flicked through his head, and he frowned. Luke still didn't know what they had said to upset Evie, and a part of him was extremely curious. However, he wasn't the type who bugged others for information that had nothing to do with him.

Luke didn't react to her words, not knowing whether he was hearing what he wanted in them, or if Evie was flattering him. He could fool himself into believing that she had enjoyed the night just as much as he had, and that his feelings were reciprocated, but he doubted that was true. Evie was one of those people who were good hearted and because of it a nightmare to read. She would be able to say a good thing about everyone, and he couldn't picture her rejecting a man outright. It made it almost impossible for him to decipher her gestures and words, wondering if there was an emotion behind them.

"I don't regret anything either, and I'm sure my friends forgot it was my birthday once they'd had a few drinks." He was certain of that fact, and as each of them had ditched the group for a witch at some point, he knew they wouldn't be bothered by his sudden departure. Mitch may even encourage it, after all, it had been a long time since Luke had shown an interest in anyone. He glanced at Evie and was pleased to see she was wrapped up warm, and had brought her own coat that day. Her style was muted, but rather than the subtle colours making her seem dull, it only highlighted the boldness in her hair and eyes. He needed to stop watching her, it was becoming an unhealthy obsession, and he was only supposed to be pursuing her friendship.

"Why do you make the trip to Knockturn, if you don't mind me asking? Can't the woman get to the shop herself?" Luke didn't sound stern, but his interest had peaked. Surely it wasn't normal procedure for Evie to leave the store and wander around delivering books all day? They were nearing Knockturn, and the buildings had begun to lean forwards until the street almost arched above them, blocking out a significant amount of light. A man was sitting in the corner, like a tattered guard, and was staring at them with a lazy eye. He couldn't believe she came down the road alone and Luke scowled at the thought of Nate. Was Evie oblivious to the sombre figures around her? Did she not notice the way the men drooled over her as if she was a prize to be won? Luke automatically stepped closer to her, his shoulder almost overlapping hers. Luke would never let Evie walk down Knockturn alone again, not if he had anything to do with it.

Luke looked at Evie and shrugged his shoulders at her teasing question. He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips into an innocent smile, as if not able to disagree with her statement. After a moment, it broke and he chuckled causing the contact of their arms to break. Luke quickly returned to her side, ensuring his shoulder touched hers. Evie didn't appear bothered by it, and even if it was just to feel secure, he appreciated it. "I've been down here quite a few times, for various reasons. Nothing dark, but I knew some people who weren't exactly heroes. Being in Slytherin didn't help, they basically lived down here over summer. Besides, everyone is afraid of something."

Luke had followed the other Slytherin boys in the first few years, wanting to belong and fit in, but it faded after a while. He wasn't like most of them, and dark magic had never been his area. For one thing, they all had a deep rooted issue that drove them, anger, grief, resentment, something that made them want to hurt others. Luke lacked that, and was glad of it, although when he'd separated from the group he'd made a few unwanted enemies. Apparently, once you joined a dark group they didn't like you to leave knowing various secrets, despite Luke barely paying them any attention. He hadn't seen most of the boys for years, and had no wish too. "I'm not surprised Dorothea doesn't want to leave her house, I wouldn't if I lived here. Shouldn't she find somewhere that is safer? Diagon Alley, or even moving up to Hogsmeade?" At least then Evie wouldn't have to make the trip to see her, and Luke could stop worrying. She was too nice, and it was both a virtue and a curse. Every single person they walked past glared at them, and Evie stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the grubby witches and wizards. How she had never got in trouble down the alley, Luke would never know.