Lessons One Can Never Be Prepared For
When he left Emma's office Ron tailed Ginny around for the rest of the day and noticed that he hadn't paid much attention to her before. He was wrapped up in his relationship with Hermione to notice Ginny's relationships. She was dating a bloke named Leon Havoc. He wasn't necessarily the most attractive man, but he had handsome qualities about him. He was usually around Ginny if not; he found him in class, or Herbology with Neville. Ginny would remain mostly silent; it was clear her best friend was Luna Lovegood. Ron started to notice odd quirks that would insinuate he extra training. She ran fast, her reflexes were uncanny, and although being seeker helped there had to be more behind it. Although she was silent, her posture spoke volumes of her confidence. Luna Lovegood was still loony, but her eyes held a secret power that remained dormant till needed.
That evening while sitting in the common room with Hermione Ron decided to ask Ginny.
"Where are you going Gin?"
"Oh," she turned around with Luna. "Professor Blackwood holds extra classes at this hour. She had a sign up sheet I don't know if she still has it since only Luna and I showed to her first one. Want to come?"
"Ron I thought you weren't going to go to Professor Blackwood's class." Hermione said, upset that Ron might change his mind about her.
"Hermione love this might be the only way for me to be an aurora. When I went to go see her this morning she reminded me that I had signed up."
"Come on Ron if you're going to come, she can get real prissy about punctuality." Ron got up to go and Hermione unwilling to let him go alone went with.
Emma was wrapping up her training with Harry when she heard the knock on the door. Checking her watch she flung the door open. "Ginny, Luna right on time and you brought friends." Ginny dragged Ron in and Hermione stubbornly followed suit. "Hullo Professor Blackwood." Ginny and Luna walked past and quickly transfigured their clothing. Harry appeared behind Ron and Hermione.
"Emma I'm going to stay for this one."
"If you stay you will help me with today's practice, since you broke my leg."
"That sounds even better."
Harry dragged Hermione and Ron aside, "you better change into comfortable clothing."
"Ron I see you dragged Hermione. Since the both of you are physically behind Ginny and Luna. I think we will be working on physical."
Ginny and Luna smirked they loved physical workouts. Emma demanded a lot, but the progress was substantial. They loved knowing they could protect themselves and their loved ones. "How fast can you two run?" Harry outright laughed.
"Emma, Hermione hasn't done one physical activity in her six years here." Ginny and Luna both laughed.
"It's okay Hermione I was the same way. We'll help you." Luna offered comfort.
Hermione only slowly backed away, "No, this isn't for me thank you, and I am very capable in defending students and myself. As Gryffindor perfect I should know a few things."
Emma sneered and said, "Then get out."
Hermione looked shocked and Ron couldn't help, but get defensive of Hermione, making Harry defensive of Emma.
"Look everyone needs to calm down. Emma why don't you let Hermione stay and see how up to par she is with Ginny and Luna? Perhaps she'll choose to participate next time, while Ron starts running." With a flick of his wrist as Emma had done previously, the ground began to move imitating the earth outside. Ginny and Luna began to run. Harry and Emma stood on the side with Hermione who sat at one of the desks. Emma smiled at Harry in a way Hermione thought not possible. Emma whispered something in Harry's ear and he offered and small smile and together they moved to the main desk, where Harry stood behind Emma as she stands behind Knox. Emma has changed Harry completely. Hermione crossed her arms and noted how easily Ginny and Luna ran through the debris and tree branches. Ten minutes into running Ron was panting heavily. After about an hour he looked about ready to faint. Slowly the track disappeared. Ron shakily went over to Hermione and passed out next to her. Emma quickly revived him and checked his vitals.
"Ron you have physically overexerted yourself. Stop for today and observe." Ron could only slowly nod while Hermione offered comforting touches and words. Emma looked as disgusted as one could get. "She'll never let him advance without pushing him further."
"I don't know about that Emma, I think I disagree."
Emma shrugged, "I really don't care. Your strength is still not under full control so I think we'll just let Ginny and Luna spar, Ginny, Luna mock duel today!"
Ginny and Luna both pulled out their wands. Bowing to one another they began. Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing. In some situations they were the simplest of spells from an 'open' spell on an existing wound, or a tripping spell on shattered glass. They took creativity to a new level, but what made Hermione feel the most insignificant in were the punches and kicks they were delivering. When the blood that covered Luna and Ginny grew, Emma decided to call it quits. "You two have vastly improved, excellent, simply excellent." After healing the two Emma dismissed everyone. She had something important to attend to.
"Harry you understand what will happen after today. Knox will introduce you as the new teacher's assistant. I really feel you are more then capable now." Harry hugged Emma and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"Thank you once more for all you have done for me."
Emma only shrugged and said. "On the contrary thank you for being my friend."
Emma walked into her room and showered. Dressing in the sexiest piece of lingerie she owned she crossed rooms to Knox's. When no one answered she walked into the room. It was all dark and seemed vacant. Looking around she grew a little concerned. Her black silk robe flew around her as she looked in the bathroom and back to her room. "Knox?" she whispered. Her black short hair covered her face as she sank against a wall. Determined not to cry she set out to find him. Dressing in flats and a pair of skinny jeans and the electric blue t-shirt she wore on the first day she marched out to find Knox. She wandered over to the Gryffindor common room to collect Harry. She walked straight to the boy's room and saw Harry up with his wand pointing straight at her. "I can't find Knox."
Harry was up and dressed in a matter of seconds waking out dressed similarly to Emma, he threw on some jeans and a white t-shirt. Emma and Harry ran through the entire floor. All through the Slytherin dungeons and back, they ended at Dumbledore's office. "I'm worried Emma, everything is eerily quiet. Muttering the password Harry and Emma marched up. There was no one in his office. Emma was about to turn around when, due to her excelled vision, spotted a list of the remaining Horcruxs'. There was Nagini who was actually located at her feeding grounds in the cemetery. She would have ignored this, but Knox's name was written on the side with Dumbledore's. It was dated for today.
"Harry, wait. Look at this."
"Maybe they're still on their mission?"
"No Harry, Knox was very specific about the transformation time. He would never be late unless something went wrong."
"Emma, what are you trying to say?"
Emma was about to answer when she heard a phoenix screech. She turned around and pulled Harry behind the desk. Casting an invisibility spell around them Emma and Harry saw a haggard Dumbledore come through he fireplace. Harry heard Emma whisper "where's Knox?" Emma waited patiently until Dumbledore started to cry silently as he sent his patronus to get Madam Pomfrey. Harry started to grow concern as Emma sat perfectly still looking at the fireplace. He observed her ridged form compared to Dumbledore's slouched bleeding one. Harry saw a small tear escape down Emma's face. Her stoic pose crumpled in a defeated state. She clutched her heart as she felt what was left of it break. She launched from the desk breaking the spell and grabbed Dumbledore by his blood soaked robes.
"Where's Knox?"
Harry couldn't move from where he sat as he had never seen Emma, the strongest person he knew, look so desperate. Dumbledore looked surprised, but when she shouted Knox Dumbledore could only look away.
"Where is Knox?" At Dumbledore's quiet sob, Emma could only shout. "ANSWER ME!" She shook Dumbledore violently. She let him go and clutched her hair and as the tears streamed down her face.
"It was a trap Emma. It was nothing, but a trap."
Emma looked up with tear stained cheeks and eyes that looked crazed and wild. "Please, sir, please tell me he's coming soon."
Dumbledore could only shake his head and look away. Emma completely froze. Harry knew he should get her to her room before she killed Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey entered with Professor Snape. They entered to see Harry behind Dumbledore's desk, a completely broken and frozen Emma on her knees in front of Dumbledore. Dumbledore sat next to the fireplace in a bloody heap. Harry in the blink on an eye had Emma and himself out of the room, and back in DADA. Emma was still frozen when Harry set her down on a chair.
What Dumbledore just said was starting to sink in and Harry started to cry. Seeing Harry cry Emma could only scream out in terrible pain, as she felt her every happiness die off. Emma punched the desk and it split completely. Tearing a bolted desk from the ground Emma threw it across the room. Crashing against the wall she felt her magic boil. Lightening streaks rolled off her body. "Harry I have no reason to live."
"Emma please you have me. I need you to live or I will have no one." Harry looked at Emma and saw the sadness that consumed her and the love she has lost. "Their going to pay Emma, I promise you. They will all pay."
Emma smiled a wicked smile and laughed. "They will pay with more then just their lives Harry; I will make sure of that. I lived for Knox and now I live for my revenge, and you Harry."
Harry felt warmth at the sentiment, but wrath was consuming her heart and he knew that. Emma stormed to her room and came back with two syringes. Harry it's now or never. Together they injected the venom that would effectively kill them.
******
Two days later Harry woke to Emma poking him silently. "Harry your awake."
"Emma? I can still feel my heart beating and your eyes are still blue, but I'm not breathing."
"As yours are green, it seems that in our rage our magic was boiling over increasing our already low heart rates. I believe this means that our ability is to pretend to be human."
"What?"
"Harry every vampire has a special gift, I believe that since you and I had ours injected in a similar setting and by the same vampire we share a common gift and more importantly Harry a common goal." Harry dragged himself off of the floor as Emma tossed him a bag filled with a rich merlot colored liquid. "I know you're thirsty."
Harry looked at the pouch and downed it quickly indifferent on where it came from, "Emma when did you wake up?"
"Yesterday, I think it's because I was actually prepared." Emma turned away and quickly walked to the window.
She seems even colder now, and I don't think it's her becoming a vampire that's at fault.
"Emma?" Harry said in a quiet voice that insinuated everything.
"I know Harry. I went to the cemetery yesterday and today we will be giving him a funeral back in Chicago. That is why I woke you."
Harry quickly got up and hugged Emma. It was only then he really felt the difference of what becoming a vampire did to him.
His skin was pale white, but that wasn't unusual. He felt stronger almost invincible. His normal movement seemed slow to him. If his heart weren't already technically died it would have stopped as he raised his wand he managed to conjure a glass of water. "Emma!"
Emma came running with wand blazing. "Yes?"
"Relax Emma, I still have my magic."
"Ah yes I figured as much. I too still have my magic. It is almost as if we are alive, without actually being alive. Our cores are producing what I will officially call a fake heart beat, but nothing pumps through. That does mean Harry that we will have to limit our magic significantly since our magic is working round the clock. I have in fact had coffee this morning, since by now it is ritualistic, and I felt no need to throw it up. I tasted it and felt it go down my throat and yet when it settled I felt it vanish. I believe by now more magic then actual blood is pumping through our veins. It is beneficial since we can actually be in the sun."
"How do you know this?"
Emma looked away, "Knox, and guesses." Harry and Emma's mood dampened significantly. "Harry I wanted to ask you if you'll stay in Chicago with me. I need to properly train and that is the only place I have ever really trained in. I of course will be continuing your training there if you will join me."
"Emma wherever you are expect me to be close," Harry said in a sincerity Emma had really only heard in Knox.
"Thank you Harry," Emma quietly began to cry. "Class has been cancelled for these past two days and will remain cancelled till Dumbledore can find a replacement. I will meet you here at two o'clock. When we arrive in Chicago it should be eight in the morning ample time to get ready for the funeral in the evening."
"Emma will you come help me pack everything, please." Harry didn't want to be alone, but in all honesty didn't want Emma to be alone.
"Very well," Emma was decked in all black. Her short hair laid in wisps framing her sharp face. Her cold eyes seemed dead yet murderous. She had tailored black pants with leather black booties. She hugged her black cardigan around her fit body, covering her simple black long-sleeved shirt. Harry wearing what he had on before, grabbed Emma's hand and gave her a long hug before letting her go. "Harry with this heightened sense of smell you need to shower." Harry laughed, but when Emma didn't join him he made way to his dorm with Emma tagging along.
"I will step into the shower do you mind packing my things in the mean time as to not waste time."
"Sure." Harry and Emma stepped into the common room and by this time the whole schools had heard of Knox's death and were in mourning. Hermione and Ron rushed to Harry's side as Emma slipped into the shadows. Making her way up to Harry's room Ginny and Luna stopped her.
"Professor Blackwood, please, say you will not actually be leaving."
"I am truly sorry Ginny, and Luna. The two of you will make excellent duelers, and I will not be leaving for long. Only till I feel prepared enough to seek my revenge."
Luna looked concerned for a moment. "Don't let it consume you Professor. It is unbecoming." Emma smirked and gave them both a coin.
"If the school is under attack or you feel trouble looming ahead squeeze this medallion and we will both be here in a moment." Ginny looked at the medallion in curiosity. "Please write to this address to keep us informed, but tell no one you know of it. Keep safe." With that she turned around and marched upstairs. Emma hid under a simple illusion charm. Moving around she saw Harry enter moments later and flash a smirk. Throwing a pair of his boxers at him she said, "Hurry up." Emma grabbed his trunk and began throwing all his clothes in the chest. She noted how his wardrobe had vastly improved due to all the clothes she and Knox had bought him. Harry was like the brother she had never had. No matter how much she trained there were some lessons no one can ever be prepared for, such as the lost of her greatest love, Knox.
