Abnormal ?James Potter?

Chapter 6: Loyalties Divided                                                               

The dense embrace of the Forbidden Forest finally gave way to a clearing, light pouring down like a beacon after their harrowing encounter with the Nandu, a Spider nest, and an unusually located swamp. Evan Rosier and Remus Lupin stood side by side, catching their breath, their clothes marked with the signs of their struggle—dust, mud, and scratches telling a story of teamwork and instinctive trust.

Evan cast Remus a quick, sidelong glance, his usually impenetrable Slytherin mask slipping just enough to reveal something real beneath. "You handled yourself well back there, Lupin. Not what I'd expect from a Gryffindor," he admitted, his tone softer than usual, as if the words cost him something.

Remus raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering across his face before settling into something curious. "Thanks, Rosier. You weren't half bad yourself. Maybe the Sorting Hat actually knew what it was doing when it paired us."

Evan hesitated, his gaze dropping momentarily before he spoke again, clearing his voice after an awkward pause. "You can call me Evan," he said quietly, as though testing the weight of the words himself.

Remus blinked, then smiled—a small, but lopsided grin that lit up his tired features. "And you can call me Remus."

For a moment, the forest seemed quieter, the night holding its breath as an unspoken truce passed between them. Whatever their history, whatever their houses, it didn't matter at that moment. They were just two boys, alive, battered, and unexpectedly finding common ground.

The moment didn't last.

"Remus!" Sirius Black's voice shattered the calm like a thunderclap, and he burst into the clearing, his dark hair wild, his expression torn between relief and fury. His grey eyes scanned the scene, landing first on Remus and then narrowing on Evan like a curse in waiting.
"I was beginning to get worried—What the hell are you doing with him?" Sirius demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut.

Evan's posture straightened immediately, his guarded mask snapping back into place. He didn't speak, but his jaw tightened as if bracing for the onslaught.

Remus sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in tired resignation. "Sirius, it's the task. We're partners. You knew this. Besides aren't you meant to be with Marls' right–"

Sirius's gaze flicked back to Remus, his brows knitting together, interrupting the brunette.

"He's Rosier, Remus. Cassiopeia's little shadow, remember? He's probably following a little scheme of hers right now as he's with you."

Evan's expression darkened, the hint of vulnerability he'd shown earlier gone. "I'm standing right here, Black," he said coolly, his voice edged with ice. "And if you're so desperate to play the hero, maybe try saving someone who needs it."

Sirius took a step forward, his wand hand twitching. "Say that again, Rosier."

Remus stepped between them, his amber eyes flashing with irritation. "Enough," he said firmly, his tone brokering no argument. "Sirius, I've got this. I don't need you to fight my battles."

"You shouldn't have to fight them with him," Sirius snapped, his frustration bleeding into something rawer. "He's not your friend, Moony. He never will be."

Remus's jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm, measured. "Maybe. But he was my partner tonight, and that's what mattered."

For a moment, Sirius just stood there, his eyes darting between Remus and Evan as though trying to solve a puzzle he didn't want to understand. Finally, he huffed out a breath, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Just... be careful, alright? You don't owe him anything."