Disclaimer: I don't own it or profit from it. Just get enjoyment out of tweaking it. :)

Chapter 8: Conversations

Emma slept through breakfast. She didn't feel like getting up and having to deal with people who didn't seem concerned over her. When she did get up, she decided to just sneak food from the kitchens.

Emma tickled the pear. When she walked in, she was surprised to see Draco already there.

"Thought you would come down here eventually since you didn't go to breakfast," Draco drawled with a smirk.

"And I thought I was the mind reader," Emma said making both of them laugh. The house elves were swarming around her and offering her every type of food possible. She joined Draco at the table they had provided.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Emma smiled. "Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking."

"I saw you practically collapse, and the Weasley taking you away from the game. I wanted to help you but, well, I figured Weasley would hex me on the spot," Draco said.

"Probably. I do appreciate you wanted to help. Sometimes . . . being invisible is a burden," Emma said.

They ate some more breakfast. "Did you hear how the game ended?" Draco asked. Emma shook her head no. "Well, Potter fell off his broom– didn't die from what I hear, terrible pity– and Diggory caught the snitch. Hufflepuff won by 100 points"

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you're just distraught that Harry is alive."

Draco's eyes darkened. "What can I say. He is a lucky git. Everyone just worships the ground Potter walks on. He falls, and all of a sudden every teacher jumps up trying to do whatever they can to save Potter. Potter can't save himself, so everyone tries to protect him," He said bitterly. "No one watches out for any other student half as much as they do for Harry."

Emma could sense his jealousy, but didn't want to anger him. "I don't think he asked for it. He doesn't like the glory and attention that comes with that ruddy scar. And well, I can't really blame him for falling off his broom; I don't do much better than he does against the dementors. In fact, I wish I would black out," Emma said sadly.

Draco was shocked. "Why? What is so horrible that would make you want to black out?" He asked and (much to his shock) sounded concerned.

"The same thing that happens to Harry, sort of. You know what Dementors do, right?" She asked.

"Yeah, they make people see the worse moments of their lives again, until they suck out their soul," He said.

"Yeah, well, when they get too close, the memory of my mother's death comes to surface, but it is so much more than just remembering it. Her memory starts to take over . . . on the train I was completely submerged in it. I wasn't myself anymore. I work so hard to keep my mother suppressed and then they come around and it is like she takes control. I'm afraid that . . . I'm afraid that if I get lost in my mother's memory, that I will die in it," Emma finished, and looked at her food.

Draco didn't know what to do or say. He wanted to help Emma, or at least make her feel better, but Malfoys weren't the type of people to offer comfort, so he didn't know how.

"Its okay, Draco. You don't have to do anything. I know you mean well. Thanks for listening." Emma got up to leave.

"Don't go yet. You haven't had dessert." he said. He mentally slapped himself-dessert? That is the best excuse you can come up with to keep her here? Good one, Malfoy.

Emma laughed. "I happen to love dessert, thank you very much. I just didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable after what I said."

"Emma, you don't have to always worry about making me uncomfortable. Sheesh. Don't overly concern yourself with my feelings– I don't have very many, in case you hadn't noticed." he said with a frown.

Emma raised an eyebrow at him. "Believe me, I can tell you all the emotions you have. We just have to introduce you to some new ones is all. Besides, you are better at controlling your emotions than most people which is probably why I'm drawn to you as a friend," Emma admitted.

"Well, that is a Malfoy trait. Don't feel and don't show other people what you're feeling."

"Hmm, you don't follow that philosophy well around Harry, do you?" She asked.

Draco's smirk turned into a frown. "You always bring him up."

"You are always feeling . . . jealousy, hurt, and pride around him. Why?"

"I told you. He is . . . everything I have already told you."

"Well, I can tell you the feeling is mutual. He doesn't like you very much either," Emma said with a grin.

"Ha -ha. Fine with me. We will never be anything but enemies. It's not like we will ever be related,"

"What would being related have anything to do with it? Your family isn't exactly the best example of how to treat relatives," Emma pointed out.

"No, but I think they do show how not to treat people," Draco said slowly.

Emma could have kissed him. Finally-maybe there is hope for him yet! "You know Draco, there may be hope for you yet!" She said out loud. "But, it is late, and someone is coming, so we had better go."

Draco nodded. They both walked out and no sooner had Draco taken to the shadows, than the twins came to sneak food out too. She said "hi", and stalled long enough for Draco to get away unnoticed.

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After the DADA class, Harry stayed after to talk to Lupin. She had a good feeling what that was about.

True to her gut, Lupin called her into her office the next day.

"Emma, I have been thinking," He said.

"Believe me, I know," She said with a grin.

Lupin smiled back. "True enough. Harry has the same problems with the dementors that you do."

"Yes, but he is the fortunate one." Emma said.

"Why is that?" Lupin asked, confused.

"He blacks out after it. I wish I could. And I have already told you, I am afraid that I might . . .well, you know, kick the bucket, so to speak."

"Yes, and that has been worrying me since you confided that to me." Emma didn't feel the need to point out that she knew he had been worried about it.

"I have been thinking about what Harry has asked me as well. I have offered to help teach him defenses against Dementors, and I would like to teach them to you as well since you are in more desperate need of them than anyone else."

"Really? You could teach me?" Emma asked. Lupin couldn't help but notice that whenever she talked her voice was void of emotion. By the tone of her voice he couldn't tell if she was scared of the demeners, nor of death for that matter.

"Yes, I would teach you. I feel it is my duty to teach you what I can, I want to make up for the time we have lost, Emma. You know, I was appointed your Godfather?" He asked.

Emma nodded. "Yes, I have seen it, remember? I have to admit, that I am glad at that. I mean, when me da suggested Peter so he wouldn't feel left out or forgotten, it makes me sick," Emma said.

"Why is that?" Lupin asked, highly curious.

"No reason" Emma said with a shrug, mentally slapping herself, that she almost told Lupin. Well, why not? He deserves to know Peter betrayed my mum. But, he might then try to help Sirius, and I don't want him to get in trouble with aiding a felon, or go to Azkaban either.

"You were my favorite marauder. I have always preferred you to Peter," Emma said. Well, it isn't a complete lie, I do prefer him to Peter! But then again, I prefer the flobberworms in Hagrid's class to him too.

"Well, I am flattered," Lupin said. Emma was glad she didn't have to fix the mess she created by messing with his mind. She didn't like to use her abilities for personal gain.

"I think we shall start the lessons after the holidays. I have a lot of work to do to finish the term, and of course, we have another full moon on Christmas too," Lupin said sadly.

"Of course Moony, I completely understand," Emma said with a grin, that made Lupin grin too.

"Don't let anyone else here you say that name. Especially Snape."

"Marauder's secret," Emma said with a laugh. "I'll see you in class, then, Professor Moony."

Lupin was laughing as she left the room.

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author's note: Another update! I"ll try to update again by friday or saturday. My beta really wants me to get to year 4. (She thinks it is the best out of all of my ideas, so we will see).

animecrazy-- I'm not going to say anything about Sirius . . . it would ruin the surprise!

krp-- glad to see your computer did work. Thanks for the review. yeah, she was a little to preoccupied to notice Sirius at the quidditch match.

elenwyn--Thanks Ellie! I'm so glad your back! I think my writing is getting better every year because each year is a better story line.