Will you love me even with my dark side? -- Spring 2000

It was my last year at Hogwarts and I was surprised by how I felt towards Maisie.  She seemed to not care about my past -- all my dark sides and my mistakes.  We had been seeing each other all this year... and it has taken me the entire term to figure out my feelings for her.  But she never rushed me.  I found her out by the lake's edge with her sister.  I walked up and said, "Can I talk to Maisie alone?"  Even though Ellie rolled her eyes, she left us be.  I sat down next to Maisie.  "I think we should talk since I'm graduating..."

And here it was.  I had hoped to put this off for longer than this.  "Hey Evan," I said to him brightly, despite the way I was feeling on the inside.  "You're always so glum... what's up?"

I rolled my eyes at her but had a bit of a smile on my face.  "I know things have been changed between us for nearly a year," I said, knowing that did not do our relationship justice.  "But... well, I won't be here any more after June.  I just want to get some things straight..."  I ran my hand through my hair -- something people inform me James did all the time.

I felt my heart tighten, but tried to keep the smile on my face.  "I know... you're going to graduated.  That's really amazing, Evan.  You've done so well," I said, hoping he knew I meant more than just wiht his schoolwork.  "What's on your mind?" I asked, wanting to stay on track.  If he was breaking up with me -- well, if we were even technically dating -- I just wanted him to do it quickly.

I smiled at her, glad that she thought I did well.  "I was just thinkign about us," I said to her lightly.  "What are your thoughts?" I wanted to see if she would even be interested in keeping whatever we were going.

His tone was disarming.  And the fact that he was giving me an option to speak my mind first was even more disarming than his tone.  "Oh," I said, surprise in my voice not hidden at all.  "Well... erm... I really like you," I explained, wondering where he wanted me to go with this.  So I decided to be completely honest.  "A lot more than what I think you realize."

I smiled at her -- one of my few genuine smiles that I shared with others.  "I'm glad to hear that," I said to her, holding her hand.  I took a deep breath.  "I was thinking that I kind of wanted to... well, I want to keep this going..."  I hoped that I was not crossing the line or anything.

I could not believe that I just elicited a beautiful smile from Evan Potter.  I did not think that he knew what a charming man he was.  I bit my lip, trying to contain a huge smile -- I did not want to be overbearing.  "Really?" I asked, trying to keep myself skeptical with him.  it was best to be this way with Evan.

Even though she tried to hide it, I could see how happy she was.  "Really, really," I responded to her.  I placed a hand under her chin gently and leaned in, giving her a soft kiss.  Actually, it was our first kiss -- as something more at least.

I loved when we said that to each other.  And now we could say it for awhile... about a lot of things.  I kissed him again and grinned.  "You just keep surprising me, Evan Potter," I said to him, holding his hand.

I raised my eyebrows at Maisie, a smirk on my lips.  "I keep surprising you?  How?" I questioned.  I had no idea what she meant.  Alright, I knew exactly what she meant, but that did not mean I had to be obvious about it or anything.

I laughed at him and pushed him slightly.  "You know exactly how," I pointed out to him.  "You've just... changed so much.  But in very good ways, mind you."  I did not want him to think that I did not like the changes he was making.  "Just... don't change too much.  I might not be able to recognize you."  I grinned at him.

I laughed, openly... which was not entirely me.  "I have a feeling you woul dalways somehow be able to recognize me," I said to her.  "No matter what I ended up being or looking like..."

A smile spread across my lips; of course I would always recognize Evan.  I had feelings for him... even if I did not want to admit everything to him or myself.  "Yeah, somehow I think you're right about that one, Ev," I agreed.

I laughed at her.  "Of course I'm right," I said, getting some of my cockiness from dear Uncle Moony.  We both could have it hidden within us.