She put him out like the burnin' end of a midnight cigarette
She broke his heart
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They were getting married in a two weeks and Albus had been on a three-day mission somewhere in Brazil. Emma was staying at the Potter house to finish the last minute planning. The girls had decided this was the time to have a party. "Don't have too much fun," Mrs. Ginny Potter called as Rose, Lily, Emma's friend Marie, and Emma all stepped out of the house wearing their best club clothes.
They got wasted and it wasn't even Emma's bachelorette party. Emma couldn't remember anything that had happened. So she wasn't surprised when she wasn't sure where she woke up. She figured they must have checked into a hotel. She rolled over. She didn't realize that someone was lying next to her. She fell right back asleep.
Meanwhile…
Albus walked through the Potter's front door exhausted. "Hey, dad, mom." The Potters were sitting at the table reading the Prophet. "Have you seen Emma?"
Ginny smiled, "Not today, her and the girls went out for a night on the town. I bet they'll be back soon. Lily called on the telephone and said she's coming right now, but Emma and the other girls had quite a bit of fun last night." Albus chuckled and headed up the stairs to his room. "Oh, honey, while you're up their will you get your brother up he said he wanted a wake up call this morning." Ginny called.
Albus threw his bag in his room and headed up the winding stairs outside that led to his brother's room. Albus threw open the door, "James! Wake up you big lu…" He stopped abruptly when he saw who was lying next to his brother. Her waving blonde locks fell over the side of the bed. His brother's arm was protectively hanging over her. She opened her blue eyes. "Albus," she murmured, "why are you here?"
He didn't answer. He slammed the door and angrily stormed down the stairs that ran along the outside of the Potter house, the stairs that allowed anyone to sneak out or into James room without getting seen by Harry or Ginny. She sat up surprised. Why was he acting like that? She looked around. Her eyes widened in shock. Next to her rubbing his eyes was James. He put his glasses on, and then his mouth came open. "Albus," he muttered. Emma ran after Albus with James close behind. She had on a slip but she wasn't ready for the whole world to see, so she wrapped the sheet around her.
"Albus!" she yelled after him, tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. She ran down through the kitchen passing past a haggard looking Lily.
"What's going on?" She asked then saw James following me only in his boxers. "Oh my," she whispered.
Harry tried to stop Albus, but Albus pushed him aside. "Stop Albus, please," Emma called, tears flowing freely now. Al pushed open the door out into the yard. "Please listen to me, please!" she yelled hysterically.
James had followed her out, "Albus, please just listen!" he yelled.
Emma sank to the ground sobbing as Al apparated away. James attempted to get her to come inside. "Don't touch me!" She screamed at James. "What have you done!?" Harry, Ginny, and Lily stood in the doorway.
"What have I done?" James asked. "You were there too!"
"I was drunk," Emma hissed. "You had no right." Emma stood up and decked James, hitting him hard across the jaw.
"I deserved that," James said rubbing his face.
"Damn right you did," Harry said grabbing his son's shoulder.
"Come inside, honey," Ginny said, gently directing Emma back to the kitchen. Emma sobbed quietly into her hands. Lily rubbed her shoulder and glanced daggers at her brother. Emma sat at the table with her head in her hands. Harry had pulled James into the living room and sat him down.
"Honey, don't be cry, Albus will come back," Ginny said rubbing Emma's back.
"No…he's... not," she muttered through sobs.
Rose and Marie decided to come to the Potter's right then. They threw open the front door and swept into the room, "How do you feel this morning, Emma baby?" Rose asked. Emma looked up at her with tear covered, bloodshot eyes.
"That good huh?" Marie asked. "Is Albus home yet?" This sent Emma into another round of sobs. Lily pulled the two girls to the side and explained the situation. The both looked confused but went to console their friend.
"Its fine, honey," Marie cooed, "Al will come back and it'll be as if nothing happened."
"Yeah, Emma, Al was just temperamental. He'll be back soon," Rose added.
Emma shook her head. "No, you didn't see him. He won't be coming back, at least not when I'm here." With that Emma got up from the table wiped the tears off her face and went upstairs to gather her stuff.
She quietly packed her bags and got dressed. The tears had stopped and she calmly went into Al's room. On his pillow she laid a note explaining and apologizing. She finished her letter with I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you, but if you ever find it in your heart to come back to me, I'll be waiting. Love, Emma Jane. On the letter she placed her engagement ring.
She walked downstairs with all the dignity she had left. She smiled faintly at her friends and her almost mother-in-law and she apparated as she stepped out the door.
