The Branding Who: Evan and Ophelia When: 4 July Where: Ophelia’s home What: Evan goes to her after his Branding Rating/Warnings: Dark themes Status: {Closed, Complete}
Evan was shaking when he appeared on Ophelia’s property outside of the Apparition bans they had set up. The unforgivable curse, which had been used as a test of loyalty, left him feeling weakened and shaky, but he knew that that would pass with a night’s rest. The searing pain of the Branding itself had been nothing he hadn’t handled before. He had been proud to receive that pain, that sign of his loyalty. He was now marked in a way that made clear he was Pure, that he would support the wizard society. He was not his Mother’s son. He was now accepted as part of the circle that included his cousin Bella, Cissy’s husband, and his Father’s childhood friends. He was truly free from his Mother’s taint, and could focus on living up to his Father’s name. This was a sign that he could, that he would be supported in his quest, and given opportunities to prove it.
The Branding and Unforgivable had not been all of it though. At one point, when the Dark Lord grabbed his arm, he’d looked into Evan’s eyes - that wasn’t right, he saw through Evan’s eyes into the deepest parts of his mind. That had been the most unsettling part of the entire ceremony, and the most unexpected. Evan tried not to think of it, but he could still feel the dark touch lingering among his memories. The memories Evan tried to forget had been brought to the surface. At one point, during a memory of being punished by The Mudblood, where Evan was smirking even as the belt drew blood waiting for his Mother to decide it had been enough - this memory had brought actual amusement from the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord had been pleased with his rebellion, his willingness and strength to be hurt to prove the point to his Mother, but there was more, and Evan felt like the Dark Lord knew something, and that the Dark Lord was amused by what he’d learned about Evan.
Evan was left feeling exposed, something he hated, and that was the reason he went to Ophelia rather than going home. He did not have the strength or resolve to handle a conflict with The Mudblood or his Mother tonight. Evan stumbled towards the door, unable now to walk without showing the effects of the spells cast on him. What strength he had had been used up when he was with the Dark Lord since he could not show such a powerful wizard his weakness or the way the spells had actually affected him. But Evan could only maintain the façade of being undamaged for so long before the pain caught up with him. He had nothing left now for such shows of pride.
Ophelia was laying out on her couch, still unused to having a whole house to herself. When Evan passed through her wards though, there was a faint sound, a ringing almost. It drew her attention and she got to her feet- she knew the sound was simply informing her that someone was coming, someone with a marker that showed they were welcome on her grounds. She walked to the door, peering out, and her eyes widened as she saw Evan stumbling across her grass.
She ran out the door to him, her arms wrapping around him, offering herself as a crutch of sorts to ease him into the house. This was one of the times it seemed her size was helpful, since she would naturally have a slower pace than him. As soon as they were in, she turned to her house elf, snapping (which was quite unlike her), “Bring me the strongest pain potion I have, and water. To drink and to wash him up with…”
“No pain potions.” Evan murmured, though the fact that he let Ophelia help him walk into the house indicated a lot about his condition. “I just need to rest… I could not… go home like this.” He collapsed onto the sofa as soon as it was close enough, using on hand on the armrest to at least control his fall a little. He was willing to let Ophelia see him less than put together, but still wanted to maintain some aspect of control at the same time. He didn’t want her to worry about him. It felt better to be sitting, the chair offering support so he didn’t have to exert as much energy to hold himself upright. “I hope you do not mind.” He added.
Ophelia frowned at his indication that he would not take a potion, shaking her head at his stubbornness. The bowl of water would be put to use though, and she took the washrag, using it to wipe his forehead first. A soft kiss was placed on his forehead and she sighed. “Tell me where you hurt, Evan?” She did not expect an answer but if he did it could offer her a suggestion of how to help. The glass of water was put to his lips and she watched him quietly.
“No where that can be helped.” Evan admitted. As he met her eyes, his own were oddly open, exposed. He hadn’t been able to rebuild his walls yet, he would need to rest first to restore himself. He reached up to take the glass from her, or at least to cover her hand with his own. In the end he did not take it from her, allowing her to hold it for him, but guiding her hand so he could control how he drank.
Ophelia nodded slightly again and allowed him to drink what he wanted before setting the glass down and softly stroking his cheek. “As soon as you are able, I will help you to my bed. You will be more comfortable there. And do not argue with me, Evan. You need someplace comfortable to rest.” Her tone was soft but firm as she indicated that he would be resting in her room. She would likely sit up and supervise him to ensure that he was okay instead of sleeping herself at this point.
“Trying to get rid of me, Ophelia? Did I interrupt your evening?” He was trying to be his usual caustic self but his words had no real bite. That required too much energy. “I should have sent notice to you before I arrived, but I did not realize my meeting would run so late.” That he was trying to make excuses and play propriety at least offered some reassurance that he was still himself, despite whatever had happened to put him in this state.
“You will not be leaving my home until I am completely convinced you are back to yourself, so I don’t believe you will be ‘gotten rid of’ anytime soon.” Her eyes moved to his again and she frowned slightly. “I can probably get you up there without much trouble. I do not wish you to try and walk anymore, you are clearly not well.”
“It will pass. I am not so damaged that I can not manage a stair. I just need to rest a while.” Evan tried to assure her. “It is not like the Winter Holiday.” Nothing at all like the beating he’d endured that night. No, this was a proper wizarding test, not a thuggish display. “I would like to stay the night if you will allow it. I do not wish to deal with Mother tonight.”
“Was there something in my words you did not understand, Evan?” Her eyes moved to his and she narrowed them slightly. She was pretty sure that she was clear in the idea that she would not be allowing him to leave until she was sure he was okay. “You will be staying here until you are completely okay, not just a little bit okay…”
“I passed the test, Ophelia.” Evan announced when their eyes met again. That would reassure her, Evan was confident. There was pride in his voice as he spoke. He had measured up in the eyes of his Father’s friends. That made this, what he felt now, worth it. Besides, it was not like he hadn’t felt the Unforgivable curse before. He and Fourth had been practicing it for years, and who else did they have to practice it on but each other. And Bella sometimes cast it on him when he had annoyed her when he was younger. “But the spell… you have felt it before, you know. It drains you after a while.”
“I know, which is why I am telling you you are not going anywhere until I say you can. I’ve had enough curses cast on me to know that I intend to keep an eye until I am sure you are recovered.” She looked him over and smiled softly. “My future fiancee has proven himself strong and brave and dedicated, and now you must let me prove that I am capable of caring for you as well as you are of defending me.”
“I will be fine.” Evan repeated. If he said it enough, clearly she would believe him. He liked the way she said it though - future fiancee. “I will not formalize things further until you have finished school.” He knew that when the moved past the point of just courting to actually be formally betrothed the responsibilities, and the pressure on them, would increase. He wanted her to be able to enjoy her last year of school without those pressures. “Do you have something stronger than water?” He hated pain potions, but Ophelia was right, he needed something to take the edge off and make him forget the touch inside his mind.
“I believe there might be some aged firewhiskey?” She did not partake in drinking often generally, so she figured anything that she had, she could give to him. She rose back to her feet and moved to the cabinets, finally finding the bottle and pulling down a glass as well. A bit was poured into the glass and she held it out to him, not sure if he would be able to take it for himself or he was still too shaky to handle a glass for himself.
He was able to take the glass himself, though he did have to focus to keep his hand steady. “Thank you.” The burning of the alcohol helped restore him slightly. It would take far more than a glass of firewhiskey to erase the memories though at least it helped cut through a little of the fatigue that lingered. Evan watched Ophelia, searching her face, trying to measure her response even as he knew she was monitoring him. “I think He is more skilled than even Bella is.” He admitted after a moment.
Ophelia was attempting to force back the worry that was clear in her eyes, and she looked around the room. “Tilly? You will turn down the sheets in my room for Master Evan, and you will bring a chair into the room as well. Make sure there is a glass of water in there, and enough pillows that he will be comfortable in the bed.” She looked to Evan at his words and sighed softly, taking his hand. “Your strength in withstanding what you did is to be admired, my heart.” She brushed a kiss over his forehead and smiled at him, though she was still worried.
“Have we not gotten the other bedrooms setup for you yet?” Evan asked, without actually lifting his head from the back of the sofa. “I would not put you from your bed.” Evan argued weakly. Really, Ophelia could tell he was in no position to force the issue, but he was not going to put her from her own bed, at least not without some argument. “Unless you are intending to share it with me.”
“I intend to sit by your side to ensure that you do not have a concussion or worse. Those curses are not good for you.” And she knew that he had experienced them, but it was still not something that made her happy. She was concerned about him and she did not like the thought that he had been hurt, even though he said he was fine and okay and all.
“No, it was just the Unforgivable and a loyalty test.” Evan assured her. “Nothing that would cause a concussion… He did not need to cause injury, there would be no reason for him to. Indeed you know I have suffered worse before.” He didn’t like admitting it, though she had seen him six months ago. He still feared it would be repeated, if Evan was to be honest. The tension at home was still there, despite the fact that Evan had been home only a brief time.
“I do know. I do not approve of this, but I know it.” Her eyes moved to meet his and she shook her head a bit. “Come then. I will get you settled into bed so you can rest and heal.” She would help him up the stairs and to the room when he was ready, she did not want to risk him hurting himself if he was a bit weak still. She would make sure that it did not seem she was helping him to save his pride though.
Evan frowned. Why wouldn’t Ophelia approve of this? It made no sense. She believed like he did, that their world, their society, was being compromised by the muggle influence. This was the sign he needed to show he was his Father’s son. It proved he met the approval of his Father’s friends and associates, and of the powerful, influential people of their Society. He needed this to put aside the remaining naysayers who questioned his blood and the influence of his Mother’s tainted blood. But Ophelia had said before, she saw him making choices she thought were mistakes. “What is to disapprove of?” He asked, intensity starting to reappear through the exhaustion.
“The fact that you have experienced such things. The fact that you have been so injured.” Her eyes flashed a bit, as though she were daring him to contradict her. She softly stroked her hand over his hair, offering another kiss on his forehead. “You are a strong male from a strong bloodline. You should not have to prove yourself to anyone. It is a sad thing that anyone believes you should be thus treated.”
The intensity faded as quickly as it appeared as he relaxed under her touch. “Mother.” was the reply. She was the reason he had to fight so hard for recognition. But no more. It struck him too that Ophelia tended him better than his Mother, fussing over him, reassuring him. He finished the drink and considered whether he had the energy to move upstairs. “If I do as you wish, where would you sleep?”
“As I said, I will remain with you to ensure that your needs are tended to.” She had no intention of sleeping while he had any weakness left, since she was so unused to seeing that in him. Her eyes moved to his again and she stroked his cheek softly. “I will walk with you to the room and we can sit together. I will be sure you are warm and comfortable and settled, and then I will remain so you can sleep in safety.”
Evan was not worried about his safety, not here, and finally relented to Ophelia’s pressure. His arms only shook a little as he pushed himself off of the sofa to his feel, enough that Ophelia would notice, but not so much that Evan couldn’t deny it had happened. He put his arm around her pretending it was a choice to be closer to her, but he was feeling exhausted and still weakened from the curses. “I will not take advantage.” Evan murmured. He was in no shape to anyway, but he also cared too much for Ophelia to do so. Still he was enough of a gentleman that he needed to reassure her, although he hoped she already knew. “I will sleep in your bed only if you will promise to sleep with me…” He really did not want to be alone, and could not go to Elizabeth in the state he was in. Not when he could still feel the touch in his head. “You can not keep me safe from my own memories.” He finally admitted. It was as close as he could admit to loving her. He allowed her to see him in a somewhat vulnerable state, by his own choice.
Ophelia did notice the shaking, but she knew better than to mention it. No male ever wanted to be reminded of weakness, and she allowed his arm to go around her shoulder and provided the support she could physically. She was small and so it was not a lot, but she took as much weight from him as her body could as they walked to the staircase. “I trust you, Evan, you know that. I always have.” Her eyes flickered to him and she offered a tiny smile as they slowly moved up the steps- she did not want to rush him and cause him to fall or anything of that sort. “I will lie in bed with you.” She could not say she would sleep, she was not sure if she would and she would not lie to him. “I cannot, you are correct, but I can offer my comfort when they are surfacing. I can be here with you.” She guided him into bed, pulling the blanket to cover them both, her arms wrapping around him.
“They did not surface; they were pulled forth that He could know me better.” Evan admitted as he settled into the bed. He had not bothered undressing beyond removing his shoes and outer robes, although his shirt was already unbuttoned at his left wrist. He fingered his wand underneath Ophelia’s pillow before letting out an exhausted sigh and letting his eyes drift closed though his mind as still active. “What do you remember of our childhood?”
“More than I would like, really. A lot.” Ophelia shrugged a bit and looked down at him, watching him grow more comfortable and settled. “I remember watching everyone play but not being allowed to. I remember you and Fourth running about rather crazily, pretending to hex each other before you had real wands.” Another shrug and she lightly stroked over his hair, kissing his forehead. “I remember you being able to tolerate a lot of things. You got angry instead of hiding yourself. It’s your strength, really…”
“I am both tolerant and short-tempered?” Evan mused. He did not think of himself as particularly tolerant, and “I am not used to thinking of my temper as a strength. I would rather I did not lose it as easily as I do.” Losing his temper demonstrated a lack of control, but Evan couldn’t help himself. He reacted quickly to things whether he wanted to or not. But he liked, overall, what she remembered better than what he was thinking about, except for her inability to play. It reminded him of his assignment, though he did not speak of it yet. He wanted, for a moment, to focus on good things if it was possible.
“You did not back down. So tolerant.” Ophelia nodded slightly. “I don’t generally forget many things. I remember myself and Regulus watching you and Fourth play because you were a better example than the blood traitor…” Even though both of them, by strict definition, were now in that category. She continued to stroke his hair, holding him close to her and offering as much comfort and warmth as she could.
“I do not think I can back down.” Evan admitted. It was as close to self-analysis as he was capable of being, and immediately followed it up with arrogance. “I do not see the point when I am right. It always felt odd to me that Regulus did not play with us more. He was only a couple years younger, but then I never got on much with his brother either.” Perhaps there was rivalry even then among the younger cousins of Cissy and Bella.
Ophelia smiled a tiny bit and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if you can or not. You’re wonderful as you are. I’ve always thought so.” She would not have accepted his suit if she had not felt that way about him. He was important to her. “Regulus was never one for rough play. I think I might have enjoyed it if I were permitted and not so...quiet. But he did not, not at all.” The rivalry was never something she thought about, but she guessed there was some sort of dislike between all the cousins, and so she just accepted it as the way things were meant to be.
“You flatter me. I know I am a difficult prat on my best days.” Evan did grace Ophelia with a ghost of a smile. Flattering witch knew what she was doing though. He wanted - needed - something positive to counterbalance the memories he couldn’t face. To drown them out so he could sleep. “If you do agree to marry me, you will have to get over my ego enough to correct me when necessary. I wish you do tell me as you truly feel. I would not have you hide the truth of yourself from me.” It was why he accepted her friendship with Cresswell, in part.
“I am rather sure I already agreed to it, Evan. Just because there has been no official proposal means nothing. I will wed you if it is what you desire, know that.” Ophelia smiled and pressed a soft kiss on his forehead before returning to stroking through his hair gently. She wanted to be comforting and distracting, he needed it, and so talking of good things was the focus for now.
“I will not make anything official until you are out of school. I would not that you have that additional pressure. And another year will increase my status such that none will speak of any possible inappropriateness to your choice.” However their discussion reminded him of the task he had to do. The Dark Lord had tasked everyone with a mission to prove their loyalty further. Evan knew exactly who he wanted to remove from society. But for that, he needed to ask Ophelia for permission, so he added, “However…” Evan met her eyes, needing to see her as he asked, “I wish to speak to your father, if you would permit me.”
Ophelia narrowed her eyes as he brought up her father and she frowned. “Speak to my father? Evan, you are aware that he’s in Azkaban and has nothing to do with my choices anymore, right?” A hint of confusion passed her face as she examined him, not really sure what he would want from her father. She would not say no obviously, there was no reason for that, but it did not make sense to her and she did not want Evan to have to go to Azkaban to meet with him. “I don’t know if they will let him out to meet with you….”
“No, I would not wish him to get out for any reason. I would visit him there.” He confirmed. “I would that I could see he is being punished appropriately… and ensure he will never leave that place.” Evan intended to ensure this by being the one to end him, but there was no need to discuss that further. Ophelia had already more or less given him permission for that so long as he was not caught.
Ophelia curled closer to him, nodding. “If that is what you wish to do, I will not stop you from it. I would like you to be as careful as possible and come here after?” She knew if his state after just a glance into his head was this far off, she could not imagine how he would feel after a trip around the dementors.
“Wish you an update on him that you need not see him yourself?” Evan misinterpreted her reasoning. “I can if you wish me to.” His tone was reassuring, trying to convince her all would be well. He had vowed to protect her after all, be it from Regulus or her father or anyone else for that matter. “If it will reassure you that he is well secured.”
“I just cannot imagine it will be a comfortable place to visit, and I would prefer to know that you made it in and out safely. As I understand it, dementors are not friendly creatures…” Ophelia quirked a half-smile and kissed his forehead again, curling her body as though she could protect him from all of the stress it would likely put on him.
“For your father’s sake, I hope not.” Evan murmured maliciously. “I will do it soon. This week likely. As you would I visit you after, is there a night that I ought avoid so as not to inconvenience you?” Evan asked as though he was planning an ordinary meeting, not a visit to Azkaban to begin plotting the murder of her father.
“I will be doing nothing but clearing out the things left to me much of the week. Checking to see what Meliflua heirlooms are about and what should be discarded.” A tiny smirk curved her lips at his tone and she resumed running her hands lightly through his hair. It was nice being close to him this way, comforting really. They were close, after all, and he was important to her.
“I can send a clerk to collect anything you do not wish to handle.” Evan relaxed further, being able to focus on helping Ophelia and not being caught in his own memories helped tremendously. He released another silent sigh, relaxing further. The weariness was starting to cross over to general tiredness. He could, would, likely sleep soon.
“I would appreciate that a great deal. There are so many things I am unsure of the value for. And so many things I would rather not touch, for fear that there are curses on them. Revealing spells can only tell you so much, after all.” She could feel him relaxing against her and it was good, in her mind. He needed to sleep, of course, and she would gladly sit with him until he did, and maybe sleep when he did.
“I will ensure anything you do not wish to keep will be properly transferred.” He murmured. “And can acquire anything you do not have that you would wish for.” Ophelia was good and he was more relaxed with her than anyone else in his life. He would not allow himself to appear so revealed to anyone else.
“Rest now, love, and we will consider my property later. It is not anything that must be handled immediately.” Ophelia smiled and rested back against her pillows, oddly comfortable with him in her bed, even with the fact that she should not be quite so settled with him there. There was no threat in him toward her, even if there was to others.