Take him under your wing -- 1993

I called Dean to stay after class one period to talk to him about Evan.  I wanted to make sure the kid would be okay.  He seemed iffy -- and to be a Potter in Slytherin?  Something was not right... and maybe Dean would be able to help Evan open up about things.  I smiled at my nephew.  "Dean, I want to talk to you about Evan Potter... he just was sorted this year," I said to him.

I walked up to my uncle and nodded when he spoke.  "Yeah, I remember being completely shocked," I said to him.  I could not believe that there was another Potter out there... I wrote to Mum straight away about it, but I have not heard anything back from her yet.  I was just wondering if this would be proof that would help Dad a bit or at least give hope that my family might still be alive.

I chuckled slightly.  "I think it was a shock to everybody," I assured Dean.  I gathered some of my things to get around for the next class.  "I wanted to ask you a favor... I know it'd be difficult since it's not like you two know each other and being in rivalry Houses..." I trailed off, knowing that Dean would catch on to what I was saying.

I raised my eyebrows at him.  "What do you want me to do?" I asked, knowing that he wanted me to do something with Evan Potter.  I would not mind, but... well, he seemed very off putting.

I sighed, looking at Dean.  "I want you to hehlp him," I said to him simply.  "I feel like he's... lost.  He needs guidance by more than just me."

I could not believe what Remus was asking of me.  "Well... just have Nate do it," I suggested.  "He's in the same year and Hufflepuff.  It'd be a lot easier to see a Hufflepuff with a Slytherin than a Gryffindor with one."  I hoped that I would not have to deal with Potter.  Yeah, okay, he was my cousin and I really ought to try to get to know him and such... but still.

I merely chuckled at Dean's reaction.  I was not surprised in the least.  "Ah, well, Nate might be a bit much for Evan.  You haven't had the easiest life, Dean, and I think that would make you a bit more understanding of his situation," I explained.  I had a defense for every single argument that Dean could present to me.

Why did Uncle Remus have to throw logic into my face.  I sighed and rolled my eyes.  "I hate socializing with new people," I countered, knowing that I would end up losing this argument but trying ot win it nonetheless.

I looked at Dean and shook my head.  "Ah, but that's where you're wrong.  You are naturally outgoing like your dad," i pointed out ot him.  "You just hide and it and try to fight it because you don't want that comparison made."

I groaned and hated that Uncle Remus compared me to my dad.  I was naturally outgoing, though, there was no denying it.  I just acted anti-social and whatnot because I had issues with people in general.  "You really had to say that, didn't you?  How do you think bringing up Dad is going to make me want to watch over Evan?" I asked, crossing my arms.

I shrugged.  "Well, just so you're aware... that is something you and Evan have in common," I said to Dean.  "For some reason, Evan loathes James... and since you despise Sirius, I think you two could actually bond."  Even though I disagreed with both of their disliking of their fathers, I understood it.  I would always listen to their frustrations.  I would never make them think that their opinion meant nothing.

I sighed and shook my head.  "Oh, don't even try to force a friendship just because our dads make us irritable," I said, not wanting to say anything worse in front of Remus -- though I had plenty of times before.

I smirked at Dean; I was winning thus far.  "I'm not forcing a friendship; all I am asking is for you to help keep an eye on him.  Perhaps even get him to confide in you.  He is your cousin, after all," I added in as an extra punch.