Chapter Text
Evan grew up surrounded by gardens. His family home in Windsor was always encompassed with a beautiful variety of perennials. Lavender, peonies, daylilies and, like their namesake, roses were the stars. His mother’s rose bushes were always one of his favourites to photograph when he started out. Now, being back here in the manor after her passing, Evan couldn’t bear to look at the roses. The gardeners maintained them, sure, but Evan could tell the roses missed her nearly as much as he did.
“Ev?”
Evan turns from the window looking out at the garden to come face to face with Pandora. She’s wearing a light pink babydoll style dress with lilies creeping up the bottom.
“Bit on the nose don’t you think?” She asks, giving a twirl.
Evan smiles at his sister, “She’s gonna love it, Pandy.”
Pandora blushes. She puts her hand out beckoning. “Come, it's time for the rehearsal.”
Evan takes it and the two walk hand in hand down the grand staircase to the dining hall. One of the perks of high society, they needn’t search far for a venue.
The dining hall was decorated rustically yet still grand. Lilies and roses filled the centerpieces. A symbol of the impending union. Pandora slips into her seat giving Lily, who’s fiery hair is done up in a braided crown with some pinned roses, a quick kiss on her cheek. Lily beams at her fiancée. Evan slides in beside Regulus who shoots him a smile as he leans into James. They got married nearly two years ago. Evan, having been tied up at work, had missed it. Beside James sits Sirius with Remus’ arm around him. Peter and Barty fill out the rest of the table save for the empty seat beside Evan. Figures , he thinks to himself, You’re the only one still alone.
It’s not that Evan hadn’t tried to find someone. After he and Barty had broken up he just needed space. Barty and him had been a mistake, Barty still not quite over Regulus and Evan too wrapped up with work. He held no animosity towards him however, especially since Barty had met Peter through James and Sirius.
Barty and Peter’s wedding had started a string of them. Evan had made it to Dorcas and Marlene’s ceremony. When he got James and Regulus’ he had RSVPed yes. In the end work had taken him over. By the time Narcissa and Alice announced their nuptials Evan didn’t even bother saying he was coming back. He’d been in Thailand documenting its rainforest. He had felt pained dodging his friends, but not as much as having to sit alone without a plus one in a table of couples.
He looks over a table. Dorcas and Marlene are chatting with Narcissa and Alice, Andromeda and Ted, and Mary. See, Mary is alone too, you’re not pathetic. But Evan knows it's a futile statement, Mary has a boyfriend who just couldn’t make it. At the same table is Lucius, which Evan thinks might be awkward, but he’s too deeply enthralled in Xenophilius to pay any heed to Narcissa. Bellatrix and her husband Rodolphus are there too. Draco is sitting on his aunt’s lap as he yaps to Rabastan wildly throwing his arms about. Felix sits with them beaming at his nephew.
“Mama!!” Luna comes waddling up to Pandora in a green frock with lots of ruffles and a golden tiara on her head.
“Ah my little princess. Did daddy get you that crown for you?’ Pandora asks, picking up her daughter into her lap.
“Nope,” Luna says, wiggling into her, “Mum did.”
Pandora looks at Lily eyes narrowing her mouth smiling, “Love, you shouldn’t have.”
Lily rolls her eyes, “Oh so it’s fine if daddy Lucius gets her presents but mummy Lily can’t?” She smiles at Luna, “You look beautiful sweetie.”
Luna beams, “Thank you mummy.” She shifts to look at Evan. Her face lights up in delight as she squeals, “Uncle Evvieee!”
Evan smiles at his niece and goddaughter. “Hello my moon.” Luna sticks out her hands and makes a grabby motion. Evan reaches over and picks her up off Pandora’s lap. He sits her so she’s eye to eye with him and goes in to kiss her forehead. “You’ve gotten so big. How old are you now?” Evan asks feigningly. Luna holds up 6 fingers with a wide grin. Evan covers his mouth with his hand faking a gasp, “6 years old?? That’s so big darling. Did you get the present I sent you?”
Luna nods excitedly, “YES!! Papa says that the nargles would eat it so I couldn’t bring it here to show you.” She says with a serious expression on her face. .
Evan nods solemnly in agreement, knowing Xenophilius’ antics, “Oh of course. We wouldn’t want that now would we.”
“Ciao mia bella angela!” Barty interrupts loudly, coming up from the other side of the table sitting in the empty seat next to Evan.
“Uncle Batty!” Luna leaps from Evan’s lap towards Barty who catches her, smirking at Evan. Stupid Barty, everyone’s favourite. Evan should know, Barty had been his favourite too.
Evan had known Barty since Pandora had brought him home in second form. Evan might be her blood brother but it was Barty who saw her for her soul. Even Felix, Evan’s own little brother seemed to take to Barty proclaiming “Barty is that coolest!” When Evan had introduced Barty to Regulus, his best mate, he too had taken to the boy immediately. Evan couldn’t blame them, he loved Barty too, but he couldn’t help but feel jealous as the cycle continued.
Now Evan had made his peace with Barty. He knew how much Barty cared for Peter, and he respected Peter too much to hold onto the past and roads untaken. Still, Evan couldn’t help but hate Barty for making everyone fall in love with him.
“You ready to go, Ev?” Regulus’ voice brought him out of his thoughts.
“Hmm?” Evan asks, looking around slightly panicked.
“It’s time for the mock toast.” James adds with a smile, knowing that Evan (like Regulus) gets lost in his head from time to time.
Evan scrambles to his feet. “Right. Yeah I’m ready.” He makes his way to the front and grabs the mic. “Hullo! I’m Evan as most of you lot already know.” He grins as the front table laughs. “I’m here because my brilliant sister is finally getting married. Only took you having a kid huh? Let’s be honest, we all know Luna’s the real holder of Lily’s heart.” He laughs out.
“Ain’t that right!” Lily cheers, a giggling Luna held tightly in her arms.
Pandora laughs lightly smacking Lily’s shoulder. “Hey!”
Evan goes on, “I jest, I jest. Today I'd like to share with you all the story of how my ticking time bomb big sister found love in someone who I can only describe as a bomb squad.” More laughs, encourage Evan. “I remember 3 years ago when Luna was to attend her first day of preschool. Pandy called me she was an absolute utter mess. And I’m there reassuring her like ‘it’s okay, she’ll be home in the afternoon,’ and she yells at me, ‘Ev you massive twat. I’ve just embarrassed myself with Luna's teacher. She's GORGEOUS.’ And I teased her about it so hard. But the next time I called, she had already asked Lily on a date. That’s Pandy for you, as scatterbrained as she is, she’s got the guts of a lion.” Evan tears up slightly with pride. “I love you Pandy. And Lily darling, keep her safe.” Everyone claps as Evan sits back down.
The dinner wraps up and the dining hall is left empty, whoever is left gathered in the parlour. Lily sits on a chaise with Pandora resting her head in her lap. A parallel sofa hosts Narcissa and Alice who are cozied under a blanket. Evan sits on the third settee with Felix and Rabastan. The Lupins and The Potter-Blacks had gone home because Teddy and Harry have school tomorrow, as did Xenophilius and Lucius who had Draco and Luna for the night. Barty and Peter too turned in as Peter had an early morning shift.
Pandora takes a sip of her drink and turns to Alice. “Alice dear, Frank couldn’t make it?”
Alice gives her a smile. “Between the wedding and the show, he’s fighting to keep his head on. Plus he’s got Neville for the night. You know how Nev doesn’t like loud noises and large crowds. They’ll be at the wedding.”
Pandora hums, sufficed by this answer.
“Who’s Frank?” Evan whispers to his brother.
Felix raises an eyebrow, “Neville’s dad. Alice and him were together for a couple years before they both realized they were leaning the other way.”
Evan nods remembering. He’d only met Neville once when at Narcissa’s. “Right and he’s doing the flowers for the wedding?”
“Mhm, he’s got a shop out in Kensington.” Rabastan supplies.
“Yes he does,” Narcissa confirms with a hum. “His hydrangeas are a marvel honestly. He best win that show this year. They wholly robbed him the last three times,” She huffs leaning into Alice who laughs.
“It’s true that old ‘Mrs. Sprout’ shop beat him out and he was a mess.” Alice informs. “What’s worse is he really looked up to her. Until her and his mum…” She adds sadly.
“What’s this show we’re talking about?” Evan asks, still slightly lost.
Lily drops her mouth open, “And you call yourself a reporter? Honestly Ev? The Chelsea Flower show. It’s run by the RHS. They work with schools and communities to help with gardening. It’s quite a big deal.”
“I’m familiar with the RHS Lils, but this is the first I’m hearing of this show..” Evan trails off looking at Pandora for help.
“Mum used to do it,” Pandora admits, “Years ago before we were born.”
Evan’s interest was piqued. “Well I’d quite like to meet this Frank lad then.” At this Lily, Alice and Narcissa roar with laughter. Rabastan too hides a smile in his hand. “What? What’ve I said?”
Felix looks at him with a glinting look in his eyes. “Nothing Ev, nothing.”
Once everyone leaves, Evan slips into his bed. He checks his phone to see 4 missed calls from Avery, his work friend. He rings him back.
Avery answers on the third ring, “Ro-si-er! How’s the wedding going brother?”
Evan rolls his eyes, Americans , he thinks to himself. “It’s going well, bro .”
Avery chuckles at Evan’s bad accent. “Well anyways I called you to let you know Riddle’s getting antsy dude.”
Evan groans, “I just did that huge story on that K2 sherpa. He promised me a month off.”
“I know man,” Avery’s voice crackles through the mobile, “but what can I say, boss man is highly demanding. BBC is centered in England, maybe you can find something local?”
Evan stares at the ceiling in thought. “With all this wedding prep going on, my head is so deep up-” He stops himself as he comes to an idea. “Wait. What do you know about the Chelsea flower show?”
Avery blows out some air, “It’s pretty popular, not exactly the kind of stuff you’re known for covering...”
Evan nods, “Right, but what if I do a feature on the show and one of the contestants? An insider scoop on a three year runner up. A single dad who’s been dreaming of a first place win since forever?”
“Now that’s a story alright,” Avery affirms. “I’ll talk Riddle into it. Rosier?”
“Hmm?”
“Just make sure it’s fucking fantastic.”
“You got it.”