Conversation

Emily tried to keep her panic in check. "Are you sure you're okay?" Sirius asked her. "I need Professor Dumbledore. Now," she choked. "C'mon. I'll take you to him," said Sirius. Emily got up, and Sirius offered her his arm. Instantly, Emily felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. "If you're trying to be the charming gentleman, it's working," she said and slipped her arm into his.

"Acid Pop," said Sirius. The gargoyle leaped out of the way, and Sirius and Emily went up the steps to Dumbledore's office. "Ah, this must be our new...arrival. Yes I heard the story of you falling from the sky," said the kindly headmaster. "Mr. Black, would give us a moment, please?" Sirius grinned. "Sure. I'll be outside," he said. "Professor, when I was nine, my dad gave me a Time-turner as a birthday gift. He thought it didn't work, but as I discovered today, it does. That's how I got here," said Emily. "I believe you, Miss..." Dumbledore said, trying to get her name.

"Hackett," she supplied. "What house were you in before?" asked Dumbledore. "I was a Gryffindor," said Emily. "The house of courage. I daresay you'll need it," said the headmaster. "You may go."

"What was that all about?" asked Sirius. "I just needed to get some stuff in order, that's all," said Emily. "I heard Dumbledore tell you you were a Gryffindor," said Sirius. "Yeah, I am," said Emily.

"Are your parents astronomers?" she asked. "I read somewhere that Sirius is the Dog Star." Sirius nodded. "Yeah. But then Voldemort got in the way. I hated their pureblood mania, so I sort of became the black sheep of the family. Now my parents think I'm the biggest fuckup in the family," he said, trying to sound nonchalant, but Emily could see the hurt in his eyes. She reached out and touched his arm, making both their hearts pound. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "Family should treat each other well regardless of shortcomings."

"Enough about me. Tell me about yourself," Sirius said. "What do you want to know?" asked Emily as they approached the Gryffindor common room. "Everything. Favorite books, favorite music...everything," said Sirius. "Password?" asked the Fat Lady. "Chocolate fritters," said Sirius, and the portrait swung open to reveal the familiar hole in the wall, through which the two climbed through.

"Well, I always loved old...well, everything. Antiques, books, music...anything old to me has a sort of elegant charm to it," said Emily. "If it's newer than 1945, I most likely won't bother with it." Sirius laughed.

"So you're that girl, then," he said. "What girl?" Emily asked. "The girl whose head is constantly in the clouds," Sirius said with a smirk. Emily laughed. "Yep, sounds 'bout right," she admitted. Sirius just watched Emily talk with fascination. She's awesome. This is mad! I've only just met Emily and already I can't take my eyes off her, he thought. What the hell is wrong with me?