Emma,

I won't be going to Diagon Alley the same time you are. You know it was hard enough to convince me mum to let me to go back to school this year. She doesn't want there to be any chance of running into Potter. I've explained all of this to you before.

Also, I still don't understand why I can't send any letters directly to you. This whole secretive sending letters to the Ministry for your father to deliver them to you is getting bloody ridiculous.

This is all about Potter isn't it? And keeping him "safe". There's nothing out there. He's not in any "danger".

But whatever, I'll see you at school.

Seamus

Emma MacKenzie sat on the bed cross-legged on Ron's bed re-reading the letter for the third time trying to figure out how to respond to her boyfriend. He is in danger. And I can't tell you about headquarters, no matter how much I wish that I could, she thought putting the letter down next to her. She brought her knees to her chest and rested her forehead on them, letting her long, auburn hair fall around her, creating a shield between her and the outside world.

Emma has been dating Seamus Finnegan since the Yule Ball last school year, although some would say they had been dating since way before that. Emma and Seamus were Gryffindor's biggest "will they, won't they" couple since the end of their 3rd year. Seamus was convinced he couldn't compete against "the boy who lived", nevermind the fact that Emma was closer to him and confided in him things that she had never told Harry, Ron or Hermione. It wasn't until she plucked up the courage to ask him to the Yule Ball herself that he finally got the hint.

His jealousy of Harry never quite faded, despite Emma's constant reassurances. His excuse was always that "guys and girls can't be that close and only be just friends". Except he wasn't jealous of her friendship with Ron, only hers with Harry. But he was always good at hiding it, at least until what happened at the Tournament a few months ago. Seamus' mother is one of the many people that are believing the stories the Daily Prophet is telling, like the rest of the rest of the Wizarding world. With Emma defending Harry and Seamus mother nearly removing him from school, their relationship has become strained with constant fighting.

"Harry!" shouted Hermione.

Emma was brought back to the world with a start. She looked up and saw Harry standing in the doorway, nearly being tackled by Hermione. Emma bounded off the bed and made a run for him as well, joining in on the hug. Harry gave a look to Ron, who was standing off in a the corner well away from the excitement occurring in front of him.

"All right, let the man breathe. He just flew all the way from Little Whinging," Ron said as he walked towards the doorway where Harry was standing. Emma and Hermione let Harry go. "Come on mate, have a seat."

"Oh Harry, are you alright? We heard about the Dementors." Emma said worried.

Harry sat on the spare bed and Emma sat cross-legged next to him. Hermione and Ron sat across from them on Ron's bed.

"They simply can't expel you, Harry. You were only protecting yourself. I mean, they have to see that. Who just casts a Patronus charm for fun with no Dementors around?" Hermione said quickly.

What is this place?" asked Harry slowly.

"Headquarters. For the Order of the Phoenix." answered Ron.

"How come all of this wasn't in anyone's letters? I've gone the entire summer without any news."

"We weren't allowed to mate."

"Dumbledore swore us to secrecy." Hermione said, wringing her hands in her lap nervously.

"We really wanted to tell you Harry, promise." Emma turned to face Harry and placed her hand on his arm. "He said you would be safer if you didn't know until closer to the start of term.

"Safer? Wouldn't I have been safer here all summer with you all? You know with my friends and under magical protections?" Harry said through clenched teeth.

Emma and Hermione looked at Harry with concern as Ron started to open his mouth to speak. Suddenly, Fred and George apparated behind Harry.

"Hey Potter. So they're starting to fill you in eh?" George walks around the bed and sits next to Emma. She flinches. "Sorry MacKenzie did I startle you?"

"Stop doing that!" Emma shouted as she hit him in the arm.

George rubbed his arm, feigning injury. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Fred and George have been apparating everywhere since they turned of age. It was cool at first, but now it's just annoying." Ron said while rolling his eyes.

"Ah Harry, don't listen to him. Ron is just jealous. Now, who wants to hear something a little more interesting? If we hurry we can catch the end of the meeting," Fred smiled mischievously.

"How?" said Harry curiously.

"Extendable ears. They just invented them," Ginny entered the room and smiled at Harry. "Hi Harry. Welcome back."

"Yea we've been using them all summer. Let's go." said George as he stood up.

Everyone stood and made their way toward the door except for Emma. She sat further on the bed, closed her eyes, and went to lean against the headboard.

George lingered in the doorway for a moment then turned around. "Hey Emma are you ok?"

Emma sat up with a start. "What?" she paused for a moment, "Oh yea, I'm totally fine." she said with unconvincing enthusiasm. No I'm not, but I don't want to let anyone else know that right now, especially with all that's going on, she thought as she fidgeted uncomfortably. She looked down at her hands resting in her lap.

George hesitated then closed the door. Emma looked up slightly as he walked over to the bed she was sitting on and sat down next to her. "It's Seamus again isn't it?" he said cautiously.

Emma looked at him, opened her mouth, then closed it again. How on Earth did he know that?

"I overheard you talking to Ginny the other night. Sorry, I don't mean to pry," George smiled sheepishly and rubbed his hand on his neck. Emma looked down again to avoid eye contact. "It's ok," he said reassuringly, "you don't have to say anything. I just thought that I would check up on you."

Emma looked up at George for a moment and they locked eyes. George smiled reassuringly.

"It's just…" Emma paused, unsure of she wanted to say, "ever since the end of term he's been... different. All we do is fight and he keeps accusing me of… Well, he doesn't like that I'm defending Harry," she took a shaky breath. "It's like he trust me anymore, which is ridiculous. And he's making this all about him. He doesn't seem to care that I'm having a hard time–" she stopped short and averted her eyes for a moment, embarrassed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to just unload like that."

"Don't apologize, it's alright," George reached out his hand to touch hers and hesitated, thinking better of it. He pulled his hand back again and continued, "It sounds like Seamus is being a downright git. You don't deserve that. You deserve someone who cares. Someone who can make you laugh. Someone who understands…"

Emma looked back up at him. He looked her in the eyes and smiled. She felt her face return a small, sheepish smile.

"If you want I can sneak him some fever fudge or nosebleed nougats when we get back, teach him a lesson," he said mischievously.

Emma laughed. "No I think that might be a little overkill, but thanks for the offer," she laughed again then smiled.

George returned a huge grin. "Hey, why don't we go join the others. What do you say?"

"I think I'm gonna stay behind. I need to return some letters before dinner." she glanced at the letter sitting behind her, then looked back at George.

"Ok, if you're sure. I'll fill you in later." George got up and walked to the door. Before opening the door he turned to glance at Emma. After a few seconds he opened the door and disappeared into the hallway.

Emma brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. You know, he's right, she thought to herself, I don't deserve Seamus treating me this way. She felt a smile creep onto her face as she thought about George, then shook her head as if to get rid of the thought. I must be going crazy… She grabbed Seamus' letter and stared at it for a moment before crumpling it up and throwing it into the empty fireplace.