Chapter Two

Emmeline set down her pack and collapsed into the worn, leather chair. Dorcas sat across from her, her face concentrated into a frown. "So what exactly happened?" asked Dorcas. "I'm afraid I'm still a bit lost on the matter..."

"Believe me, so am I," Emmeline replied, absentmindedly rummaging through her bag. She retrieved a large scrap of parchment and began to scribble notes on it. "He wants to me to tutor him in Charms and Potions, in exchange for his help in Defence and Transfiguration."

Dorcas' jaw dropped as she took in her friend. "You mean to say that he... Sirius implied that you need help in--"

"But I do," she interupted, leaping to her feet. "I'm not failing, or anything near that severe... but I could be better. There is definitely room to improve," Emmeline sighed, furiously rubbing her temples.

Dorcas squeezed her hand as she passed, offering a comforting smile. "Don't for a minute think that you're the only one, everyone is feeling a bit bogged down with this courseload. Especially in relation to what we were given last year, it's a joke."

She nodded, sitting back down. "I could help you, if you wanted," said Dorcas, inching closer to her in her seat. "I don't want to see you having to rely on Black for your studies, who knows how that could turn out. And Radagast knows he's probably more interested in charming you out of your robes then he is on learning the fundamentals of the Protean Charm."

Emmeline frowned, continuing to go over her notes. "I doubt that he's even thought of me in that way. And besides, Caradoc more than satisfies me in that department."

Dorcas' interests peaked, she slid closer to her friend on the couch. "Gods Em; that's the most I've ever heard you give out willingly on the subject."

"And I hope that's all you'll want," she chuckled. "I wouldn't really know where to start even..." Emmeline stopped herself short when Benjy plopped down next to her, slinging an arm over her shoulders.

"Wouldn't know where to start for what, love?"

She shook her head, as Dorcas piped up, "We were in the middle of discussing Doc and Em's--"

Emmeline clamped a hand down on her friend's mouth, muffling her voice. "Actually, Dor was giving me some sound advice on a venture I recently took on," she explained.

Benjy looked between the two witches, as if deciding which story he wanted to hear more. In the end, he sided with the brunette. "What's this about a venture? And why am I only hearing about it now?"

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, preparing to launch into her story. "I was coming back from Hogsmeade this afternoon and... making a long story short, I've agreed to tutor Sirius Black."

Benjy grinned, running a hand through his fiery hair. "I don't... I don't know how to respond to that," he admitted. "So what are your duties as Sirius Black's tutor?"

Dorcas giggled as Emmeline slapped his arm. "Hold your tongue, I haven't even told you the worst part."

Benjy scrunched up his face, "What? Don't tell me he wants you to wear his tie or something? Throw the next Quidditch match?"

Emmeline's face flushed as she thought of the very idea of the next match, something she had been slacking a bit on. "He wishes I'd throw it, only chance Gryffindor'll have to win the Cup this year. No, I'm afraid not. He's offered to help me in Transfiguration and Defence and I've, well... I've accepted."

"If you're doing that badly Em, I'd be glad to give you a lesson or two," replied Benjy, failing to conceal his look of shock. "Don't want you to have to resort to depending on Black."

Emmeline laughed dryly motioning towards her friend, "Dor suggested the same and while I appreciate your concern, I can't back out now. And when I think of it, Sirius and that lot have always taken rather well to Transfiguration, aside from annoying McGonagall to no end."

She fell back onto the couch, finally abandoning her notes. "I just need to get through these next few months and I'll be fine. As long as I keep graduation in my sights, all of this work won't faze me."

Benjy tossed a pepper imp into his mouth, shaking his head. "The Eternal Optimist strikes again."

A strange silence fell over the common room causing Dorcas to turn away in her seat, craning her neck around towards the window. She shook her head finally, her concentration returning. "Alright, enough of this. When does your adventure begin?"

Emmeline summoned a glass of water, taking a quick sip. "Sometime Tuesday, thats all we agreed upon. But enough about this; what do you say we go down for dinner, yeah?"

They soon left the Tower and headed down to the already bustling Great Hall. Several students were still returning from Hogsmeade and immeadiately heading into the castle for supper. A renegade Snitch zoomed overhead, swerving between students and then speeding off out of reach. Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands together loudly, casting a silence over all who heard it. In a moments time, the Snitch was called into the Headmaster's hands. His eyes sparkling, he rose to his feet. "Would Mr Potter please come see me at his earliest convience?" he called, as James lazily made his way up to the staff table, a lopsided smirk plastered across his face.

Emmeline rolled her eyes, avoiding the looks she expected to be receiving from Benjy and Dorcas. A loud chorus of cheers erupted from the entrance as Gideon and Fabian made their way to the table, sitting across from Dorcas and Emmeline.

"Well well," said Fabian, looking back and forth from his friend's faces. "Looks like you lot had a right good time in Hogsmeade."

"Maybe if you hadn't ditched us--"

Benjy shot a look of indignation around the table at Gideon's remark. "You think you were ditched?" he exclaimed, cutting him off. "At least you had Fabian to keep you company. Dor and I were supposed to go check out the Shrieking Shack, but come two o'clock I found myself staring at one of the country's most haunted landmarks with not a witch in sight!"

Dorcas looked up sheepishly from the steaming plate in front of her. "I had second thoughts on the matter, alright? We shouldn't go around tempting Fate like that anyway, we get enough trouble as it is."

Emmeline chuckled at her friend, squeezing her arm comfortingly. "Really, I'm surprised with the both of you. You're clever enough to know its all just a load of rubbish."

"Listen to this one," said Gideon, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. "'Its all a load of rubbish', she says. Then why haven't I seen you poking around outside of it?"

Emmeline frowned, tossing a scrap of bread at his face. "Because I wouldn't waste my time with it. I'm barely filling up all twenty-seven hours a day as it is."

The group exchanged a puzzled glance before Benjy cracked a grin. "Was that Miss Vance's idea of a joke?" She nodded excitedly, before taking a long sip of juice. A loud gale of laughter erupted from across the hall. Sirius stood up, draping an arm around a rather mousy-looking fellow Emmeline knew to be called Peter Pettigrew, and began reenacting one of his earlier, more foolish looking stunts.

Dorcas -- as she, too, had been watching -- clicked her tongue in disapproval. "You should've at least talked to Lily before agreeing to anything," she said, nodding to where, a few seats away from the excitement, Lily sat with their friend Marlene McKinnon. Catching their gaze, Lily shot them back a weary look. Dorcas hastily called the Gryffindor witches over, a wave of relief washing over Lily's face. Only once Marlene had stuffed a few more dinner rolls into her bag did the girls make their way over to the other table.

"Thank you a hundred times over," said Lily, squeezing in between the twins.

Benjy looked over to her, making room for Marlene. "Wot? Couldn't handle the awe-inspiring tales and delights of Sirius Black?" he howled, his wide eyes catching Emmelines as he said this. "Was it just too... awesome for you?"

Lily made a face, giggling slightly. "Yeah, something like that."

Marlene gulped down a large mouthful of pumpkin juice. "I didn't see much of your lot 'round Hogsmeade this afternoon. Did you get up to anything interesting?"

Both Dorcas and Benjy opened their mouths to reply but were beaten by Gideon. "'Course we did," he replied.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" added Fabian.

Emmeline frowned, "Yeah, speaking of that; where were you two? I didn't see you at the Three Broomsticks..."

The two exchanged a furitive glance before turning back to the others. "Top secret business, I'm afraid," said Fab.

His brother grinned, "Strictly on a need-to-know basis... you understand, I'm sure."

Dorcas' jaw dropped at their lame explanation. "When have you ever let that stop you?" she cried.

Benjy shook his head, a silent chuckle playing at his lips. "They were babysitting for Molly while she and Arthur had lunch," he said, immeadiatly discrediting them.

"Well excuse us for wanting to add a wee bit of excitement to our dreary lives," huffed Gideon, his cheeks flaring.

"Oh Sirius could help you with that, I'm sure," said Benjy mischeviously.

Marlene smiled, almost to herself, "I think it was sweet."

Lily surveyed Emmeline over her glass of pumpkin juice. "Whats on your mind, Emmy?" she asked after a moment. "You don't seem yourself really..."

Dorcas exchanged a look with her Housemate. "Are you going to tell her or shall I?"

Lily glanced between the two of them. "What are you talking about?"

Emmeline took a deep breath before launching into the afternoon's events once again. When she had finished, Marlene and Lily wore equal looks of horror and disbelief.

"And you've said you'll do it?" cried Lily, "Have you gone absolutely mad?"

Emmeline played with the napkin in her lap, weaving it between her fingers. "I really think you're all making more of this than it really is," she began rather quietly. "Obviously he cares enough about correcting his marks are he wouldn't have approached me. Furthermore, you're all acting as though I'm known for poor judgement; do you really think I would've agreed to such a thing had I not thought it would be bearable at the least?"

After a moment's hesitation, Marlene jumped forward. "Of course we trust you to make the right choice, Em. Its just that--"

"He's a Black, isn't he?"

Emmeline's reproachful eyes shot up to Gideon, who until now had remained deathly silent. "You say that like it makes him a Death Eater or something."

"No, worse," he continued, meeting her strong gaze. "I'd be surprised if You-Know-Who didn't spend the summer months at their house in Holyhead; I'm sure he'd bring something delightful, like strawberry scones."

Fabian snorted as the rest of the table looked slightly scandalised. "He's so thoughtful like that, the Dark Lord is."