A/N Hello dear readers! Two updates in a week! This one is the longest yet too! Wow! Anyway, thank-you very much for reading and enjoy this chapter!
Last Time:
Emma's mum had appeared and grabbed Emma's shoulder. Emma turned around, shock written on her face…
"Ahhhh… Emma and Albert. How… delightful, but you see Albert, my dear boy, I shall be taking Emma these holidays for a little… induction ceremony shall we say." Emma spun around, her wand drawn.
"No." Emma spat defiantly.
"No? But, my dear, darling daughter, you misunderstood me, you don't have a choice."
"Oh? Really? So what happens when I do this? Confringo!" She bellowed, the stone wall above her mother's head, making her mother disapparate in a hurry for fear of being injured and causing a scene. Her last words were:
"This isn't over." She disappeared.
Emma sat down alarmingly fast, her head in her hands, her breath coming out in short, shallow gasps.
"formerlinssake, ." Albert nodded farewell to Emma's friends and James' parents. Then he scooped up Emma and disapparated. That was the last they saw of her for the holidays. It wasn't the last they heard of her though.
Dear James, Sirius (and Remus and Peter if you are there)
Hello again, sorry for what happened at the Platform, I freaked out so bad. Kinda shameful really. Oh well, how is your holiday going? Enough of you, back to me (haha). The festering pus boil who gave birth to me (she is no longer my mother) is a Death Eater (we have it confirmed) she was going to make me one to (HA! Can you imagine me being a Death Eater?) Anyway, she killed the stepfather and all five step- kids. Not that I will miss them, but it seems a little overkill (haha get it – re-reading that, it seems really awful of me to joke about that sort of thing). Einstein and I are in hiding, so send a different owl each time we write and at different times of the day.
Missing you all so very much,
Emma.
P.S Don't tell Bryce where I am because… well, yeah.
This next letter was scrunched up in Lily's bin…
Dearest Lily,
I apologise for what happened last semester at school, even though I maintain my innocence. I think you did see what happened at the Hogwarts Express Station, and I'm sorry that someone so awful came near you and potentially endangered your life. Again, I'm sorry. If you don't know what I mean, I will be extremely blunt. Mum is a Death Eater and hates Muggle-Borns. I think, deep down you know I'm not like that, but while you are so mad, I will let you think what you want. Please owl me back.
Your loving friend who is very sorry,
Emma.
P.S I'm sorry.
Black,
I don't want to talk to you but in this situation it is necessary to ask you. Where is Emma? I need to owl her and she hasn't owled me yet. As I said, I wouldn't normally talk/owl you, but you seem… almost unnaturally close to Emma.
Bryce.
P.S Stay away from my girl.
P.S.S Or else.
Kid,
Your dumbass boyfriend owled me wanting to know where the hell you are. Don't worry, I just burnt it and pretended I didn't get it. Siriusly (haha I know) though, why don't you just owl him? Hope you are safe and ok.
Your Bestie,
Sirius
Siri,
Thanks for pretending you didn't know. It's complicated between us right now because he keeps trying to rule over me and change me. I am not going to change for him, for anyone. Thanks for understanding (because I know, being you, that you will). Anyway, I think I might break up with him, the relationship is going nowhere and I'm not exactly happy with him.
Much love,
Emma
P.S I miss you and the boys.
Lils,
Do you want to go out with me? What's that? A Yes! Thanks Lils!
James Potter.
James pain-in-the-ass Potter,
NO. NO. NO. NO. I don't like you and I never want to go out with you! So go away! Or else.
Lily Evans.
Lily,
Ooooooooo. Getting a bit feisty there are we? Doesn't matter that's one of the things I like love about you!
James
Dear Mr Evans,
Firstly Sir, I am sorry for the loss of your wife just over a year ago. (Lily's friend Emma told me). I'm sure Lily talks about me and how wonderful I am all the time but I was wondering if I could marry your daughter? Please, I will treat her well.
Mr James Potter.
JAMES FRINGING POTTER!
NEVER, EVER ASK MY FATHER FOR PERMISSION TO MARRY ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HATE YOUR GUTS! LUCKY HE THOUGHT IT WAS A HILARIOUS AND DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE BEING SERIOUS (WIPE THAT GRIN OFF YOU INSUFFERABLE FACE!). OH, HE WANTS TO WRITE TO YOU NOW! HA! YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN SOOOO MUCH TROUBLE.
Mr Potter,
Hi, I am Charlus Evans, Lily's father. It was very funny to ask me that, you must be a funny (and brave) bloke to do that and be prepared to face my 'wrath.' Anyway, I have heard of you from Lily. She hates you with a passion, but do not let that get you down. There is a fine line between love and hate. Maybe Lily will pass over hatred and into love. That's what happened to me and Rose anyway. Hard to believe isn't it? She hated me and now look, we have two beautiful kids.
Good Luck, I look forward to meeting you in person,
Charlus Evans.
WELL? DID HE YELL AT YOU LIKE I TOLD HIM TO? HE SHOULD OF AND I HOPE YOU GO CRYING TO MUMMY, YOUR EGO PROPERLY DEFLATED AND WOUNDED.
I HOPE I NEVER HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN! ARGH! YOU ARE SO ANNOYING,
LILY EVANS.
This one was scrunched up in the floor of Lily's room:
Hey Lily,
So I am writing again, two things could have happened to my last letter: a) The stupid owl lost it. B) you got it, read it, screamed, tore it up and tried to burn it. I hope it was a) but I know you and it was probably b). Oh well, again I apologise for myself and my mother's actions. If it makes you feel any better, we ran into her last week and ended up in St Mungo's. We are out and live though now. Al says hi. Anyway, I want to be friends with you again – not only do I miss you but sleeping with 4 four boys was bad for one night, its gross and it stinks like hell in there.
Missing you heaps,
Emma.
Lil,
I'm begging now, on my knees. Please, I'm sorry! Please, write back!
Emma.
Lily,
Look, I really miss you. Nothing happened between James and I, we grew up together and we are best friends. Lily, he loves you. Please.
Emma.
Lily Maree Evans,
I am risking everything, both mine and Al's lives to send you these letters. I'm sorry. What more do you want? The Queen to apologise on my behalf, because lovely, if that's what you want, you won't be getting it.
Your slightly pissed friend,
Emma.
Sirius, James, Peter and Remus,
Don't write after you get this. We are at St Mungo's. Death Eater (ex-mother) found us and attacked. We fought hard but we don't know what happened to her (not that we care). Told St. Mungo's that we ran into an Acromantacula and a Manticore. They believed us (how thick are they – manticores are in a completely different country *facepalm*, good one Al) Anyway. Don't write and don't freak, we'll be out tomorrow sometime, be careful and I'll owl when/if it's safe too.
Much, Much Love,
Emma
P.S Missing you guys like crazy.
P.P.S Have owled Lily about a gazillion times and no reply! Has James been messaging her again and asking her out? Ha! Would have loved to seen her face! Xo
The start of the 4th year, Platform 9 ¾
Emma and Al apparated at Platform 9 ¾, but Al had to leave immediately for fear of someone following them. Emma kissed his cheek and then disappeared into the crowd to find the boys. She ran into James, Remus and Peter, hugging them each tightly, reflecting the stressful three months they spent apart. As she pulled away James appraised her carefully, she was a lot thinner then when they had last seen each other, she had bags under her eyes from sleepless nights and her eyes and a small flicker of fear in the back of her eye. She grinned and any negative effects of her holidays disappeared, she was genuinely happy to see them.
"Hi guys… Where's Sirius?" They gulped and shifted their eyes away awkwardly and gulped nervously.
Right now, they knew where he was, Bryce had asked to see him. He had walked up and demanded (rather rudely they felt) that Sirius come with him for a 'talk.' Sirius had complied, a look shot at the boys telling them not to follow or worry.
"He went that way…" Remus trailed off, unsure whether or not to tell her what and with whom he was. Emma glanced at him and nodded,
"Let me guess – Bryce took him." She said and laughed when their faces turned incredulous.
"How did you know that?! We didn't say anything!" Peter shrieked. Emma slung an arm around his shoulders and smiled,
"You didn't have to Petey, my dear chum. I have sixth sense for predicting these things," She said in a ridiculously posh British accent that had them all clutching their sides with laughter.
Lily was watching from a distance. Emma's last letter and nearly ripped out her heart. I am risking everything, both mine and Al's lives to send these letters. She seemed ok, maybe favouring her left arm a little. But, even though it hurt and Lily missed Emma terribly, Emma had betrayed her and that was the bottom line. Even though she had maintained her innocence, Lily couldn't believe her, especially after she had hugged them all.
Lily was bitter and now she only saw James' faults: his arrogance, pigheadness and the annoying hair-ruffling. She only saw Emma's faults: Her rushing-into-things-without-thinking habits, her-cranky-when-waking, her swearing, ruthless in revenge, her pranks and her b*tch of a mother.
In reality, each of their faults that Lily picked probably made them better people and they were so small, but when you picked at them like that, it made them seem like awful people, especially Emma. When she says Emma swears, she doesn't swear willy-nilly (she did swear when necessary) but she wasn't a girl who would shriek when you said 'crap.'
It wasn't healthy for all that hatred and anger to be left inside Lily bubbling away, she needed to let it out, she needed to just yell at Emma, instead of letting it fester like it was.
Meanwhile, on the train…
Sirius was walking beside Bryce wondering what in Merlin's saggy Y-fronts he wanted. Then Bryce spoke,
"I owled you on the holidays." Sirius gave a non –committal grunt.
"You lied. You knew where she was and you didn't tell me." Again, Sirius didn't reply.
"Why? Was it because she was with you? Were you together, cheating on me? Black, I'm warning you." Sirius looked at Bryce in disbelief.
"Cheating?! Why would she do that? With me?! What are you on mate?" Even as he said it, he felt a ridiculous bubble of hope rising inside of him.
"Because I've seen the way she looks at you." Bryce replied, half to himself.
"So, this year, you are going to stay away from her." Bryce continued, jabbing his wand in Sirius' throat. That, in its self was reason enough to make him mad, but telling him to stay away from Emma was enough to make him snap.
"WHAT!" He bellowed. Another jab with the wand. Ouch.
"Stay away, don't talk to her, think about her or look at her. Understood?" Bryce growled.
"No! I don't you are robbing her of her friend, you are stealing her freedom – which she loves. So, no, I don't understand."
"Let me put it simply for you," he began but was cut off by a commotion down the corridor.
"If you ever speak to my girlfriend again, I will kill you." He hissed.
"Sirius!" Emma screeched, running into view, even though her boyfriend was standing right there, she hugged Sirius first, throwing him against the compartment. Bryce shot him a filthy look and stalked off without a word. Sirius steadied himself, and a broad grin stretched across both their faces.
"Hey kid, how was the holidays?" He teased, knowing hers would have been horrible.
"Just fantastic, yours?" She asked, knowing his, being in a family of Death Eaters and potential Death Eaters, would have also been terrible.
Unconsciously, they hadn't moved from their hugging position, her arms were still around his neck and his were still around her waist. There was a silence and they stopped looking into each other's eyes and looked away in silence.
10 minutes later Sirius jogged over to his friends, Emma catcalling and yahooing from his back. They both had huge smiles and when Sirius stopped, they said at the same time,
"We've got a compartment, let's go." They all grinned in spite of themselves, Emma and Sirius sounded hilarious when they spoke at the same time. James raised an eyebrow,
"How long did it take you to practice that?" He asked, they both grinned simultaneously,
"We didn't." They said at exactly the same time. They laughed and led the way to the compartment. As the train left the station, Emma stood up and said,
"I have to find my pain-in-the-ass boyfriend and have a little heart-to-heart. Bye!" She fluttered her fingers and left, the boys except for Peter noting that she took her wand.
Not 5 minutes later while the guys discussed their Animagus transformations but Emma came back,
"So, to recap, I'm a stag, you're a rat Peter and Sirius is a dog." Emma walked in to hear the last 4 words and she laughed,
"What have you done this time Siri?" She laughed.
"What? Oh… erm…" Sirius trailed off, trying to think of a reasonable excuse for being called a dog. Luckliy Remus diverted Emma's attention.
"How was Bryce?"
"Hmph. Don't even get me started on him." Without any further prompting, she launched into an explanation of how he ignored her for FOREVER and then when she finally got to talk to him he kissed her, and then lectured her about hanging around with Remus, Peter, James and Sirius. She sighed and lay down with her head in Sirius' lap and her feet in Peter's. At this precise moment, Lily walked past and Emma started to rise to go and talk to her but she was stopped with an absolutely murderous glare from Lily, Emma shrunk back to where she had been lying down and she fell asleep…;
After Dinner that night, Shared Common Room approx. 10 o'clock…
They weren't doing much, just playing Exploding Snap but Lily had managed to yell at him and now she was curled up in an armchair on the other side of the Common Room, reading and shooting glares at him, Remus and Peter. James sighed and rubbed a tired hand through his hair. Emma and Sirius had left for the start-of-term prank – they had planned the entire thing and he couldn't wait to see it, but he was also looking forward to bed.
As if on cue, the portrait opened, bringing everyone's attention to the door. Sirius emerged, Emma sitting in his back, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder, lips slightly parted – asleep. People moved to see her and Bryce – Merlin hurry up and kill the idiot – said really loudly and inconsiderately,
"What in Merlin's name is wrong with her?" Sirius swung his hips procovatively – making girls swoon (he only did it because he knew Emma was about to slide of backwards) – and replied,
"She fell asleep while we were in the kitchens so I brought her back."
"What – weren't you man enough to wake her." Truthfully, no, Sirius wasn't, he had faced her wrath for doing so before without reason and also she looked so peaceful asleep. When Sirius said nothing, Bryce stepped forward,
"I'll do it then. EMMA! WAKE UP!" He yelled, right in her ear – and she woke with a shriek, gripping Sirius' neck for dear life she tumbled backwards – taking him with her – at the sudden shift in gravity. They tumbled to the ground, rolling expertly to avoid hurting themselves. Emma staggered to her feet and swore loudly, rounding on her waker,
"What the bloody freaking hell was that about?" He started to reply but she cut him off,
"No, you know what, stay the freaking hell away from me. Piss off." She growled staggering to her feet and storming from the room, to the boys dorm. Bryce now knew why Black hadn't woken her. She was downright scary. Sirius smirked at how her hair seemed to fan out around her whenever she got really mad.
Lily walked over, preparing to give them a massive telling off from disrupting the peace of the Common Room when Emma reappeared, muttering furiously under her breath.
"Sirius where in Merlin's left balls did you put my alarm clock?" She was still furious about being awoken and she was going to take it out on everyone.
"On the table beside my bed." He replied, making placating gestures with his hands.
"Well the stupid effing thing isn't there, is it? So Merlin help me go effing find it!" She yelled, storming back into the boy's dorm.
"EMMA WINESMITH! There is no need for that kind of language!" Lily yelled after her. The reply came, slightly muffled by the wall.
"There is every effing reason to effing swear! My effing clock has been effing stolen and it's the most effing important thing to me! I need to effing find it!"
"Can't you just go get another one?" Lily replied calmly. Emma appeared at the door, her hair looking like she had tried to rip it out and her eyes unfocused and blood shoot.
"No. I can't, Daddy charmed it and since I don't have him, I need that CLOCK. So don't effing tell me to effing calm down, I need it! Which dick took it?" She looked like she was having a break down.
Sirius got up and led her back to the dorm before she could pull her wand out and hex every breathing object. As he entered his dorm, it looked like freshly caught Cornish Pixies had been released in there. The mattresses had been ripped off the bed and feathers from pillows floated down onto them. The drawers of the cabinet had been ripped out of their sockets and their trunks were open, their contents strewn around the room. Sirius gently set Emma down on the bed, and she just sat there, shaking looking around frantically.
It took Sirius the majority of 2 hours to convince Emma that they would find it in the morning and that it ok to sleep.
The next morning, they sat down for breakfast and Emma seemed to perk up from her previously downtrodden state. She plucked a piece of fruit off the bench and sat down, leaning on Sirius' shoulder smirking to herself. Sirius smirked at her and plucked another piece of fruit off the bench. James appeared on Sirius' other side.
"Hark! I never thought I would see the day that Sirius Black eating fruit!" He teased before sitting down, grabbing a bowl of porridge to eat. Remus and Peter walked up and sat down, grabbing bacon and eggs to eat.
"So, guys, when is this big start-of-term prank going to happen?" Remus asked. Sirius and Emma glanced at each other and identical, maniacal grins spread across their faces.
"Oh, in a minute." They said at the exact same time again. They laughed. And then suddenly, Remus grew feather in his arms and Peter had a beak. About 50% of the school were shrieking because the same thing was happening to them. James, Emma and Sirius were nearly wetting themselves they were laughing that hard.
"Oh, don't laugh too hard Jamesie." Emma laughed, wiping a laughter tear from her eye.
"Why no-" James started, but never go to finish, suddenly his hair was electric blue, and it stood on end like he'd had a shock. He had, in a way, they'd put specially developed edible shockers in the porridge so they would walk around receiving shocks. The only food not pranked was the grapes, so Emma and Sirius had made sure to only put them in the middle of the Gryffindor table, where they would sit. The pair lapsed into uncontrollable giggles and sniggers. Only stopping when a voice over their shoulder said,
"I'm assuming that you know what happened here Emsie." Emma hated being called 'Emsie.' So she knew who it was immediately. Emma turned to see Bryce receive another shock and the feathers on his arms change colour.
"I have no idea what happened here. I don't know why you are asking me." She managed between giggles.
"Yea, we must have just got lucky and not eaten anything pranked." Sirius agreed, sniggering at James' face.
"Right. Pranking King and Queen not being behind a prank and yet getting off unscathed." Bryce snorted derisively.
Emma wasn't paying attention anymore. She caught sight of Bellatrix Black, a seventh year Slytherin waving a smashed in clock around, watching Emma as she did so. Sirius noticed it too and as Emma started to get up, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down. She was growling quietly and muttering curses under her breath.
Bryce, Merlin please strike him dead, hadn't noticed any of this and only saw Sirius holding Emma's waist.
"Get your hands off her." Sirius turned to glare at him before murmuring in Emma's ear.
"Not now, you can get revenge later, not now."
As it turns out that it is exactly what happened that night. Quidditch trials were the next day and Emma was trialling for Chaser. She was incredibly nervous and was walking the halls of Hogwarts to relax herself. Well, that was the idea until she heard Lily scream. It wasn't a there-is-a-spider-in-my-bed-get-it-out scream, it was a Holy-mother-of-Merlin-that-hurts. Emma, looking back later, never knew how she knew it was Lily, she just did. It was time to right the wrongs done and save Lily.
She jogged around the corner, Lily's scream getting louder. She nearly ran into the wall of Immovable Fire, stopping to think briefly she yelled,
"DINGLE!" There was a loud crack and a small elf appeared.
"Yes Mistress Emma?" The elf squeaked.
"Ok, Dingle. Listen carefully, I need you to go find James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin. Tell them that Emma is on floor 5 and to go get Dumbledore and as many teachers because there is an attack on a student. Go all that Dingle?" Emma said quickly.
"Yes Mistress Emma."
"Great, go now and tell them to hurry." The elf nodded and disappeared with a loud crack.
Emma sucked in a deep breath and launched herself through the fire. When she landed on the other side in a cat-like way, she extinguished the fire that had caught on her clothing. She turned, wand extended in front of her to see Lily backed up against the wall, bleeding and exhausted. The figure leaning over her turned in surprise to see Emma. Emma knew who is was immediately. Bellatrix Black.
"STUPEFY!" Bellatrix screeched.
"Confringo!" Emma bellowed, rage threatening to bubble over. The wall above Bella's head exploded, rubble flying around and it would have crushed Lily except Emma had cast a charm to protect Lily but letting it look like she was buried.
"Idiot, now you've almost killed the filthy mudblood." Rage overflowed, consuming Emma.
"Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Furnuclous!" Emma yelled, jets of light flying at Bellatirx.
"You are going to have to do better then that Blood Traitor! Sectumsepra!" Blood started to seep through her shirt. Emma had heard the spell, felt the blood start to soak through but there was no pain. She was throwing jinxes and hexes at incredible speed and her adrenaline was pumping.
"Impedimenta!" Bellatirx bellowed, Emma blocked it, but during that time, Bellatrix had high-tailed away. Emma staggered, the after-effects of multiple deep cuts and 3rd degree burns were setting in. She lifted the rubble and removed the bubble that protected Lily. Lily was conscious, in quite a bit of pain but it was bearable. Emma bent over, helped Lily to stand, wrapped Lily's arm around her shoulders and helped her limp towards the wall of fire.
As they reached it, it was reduced to a spark and Dumbledore was standing there, his wand raised and smiling softly. James and Sirius sprinted to the girls, Emma insisting that Lily's condition was so serious that Emma could walk while they carried Lily. It may have worked because she was standing up straight and her eyes were focused but she collapsed half way through her incredibly convincing speech onto Sirius. Sirius accepted this philosophically and picked her up, James copying him and picked Lily up. They carried the girls to the Hospital Wing, Sirius' shirt becoming soaked in blood and Emma's face becoming more and more pale. The last thing she said before she passed out was:
"You were right Black. Revenge IS sweet." Sirius and James chuckled to themselves.
Two days later, Lily had been discharged and Emma had tried to sneak out a 20 times. Each time, she collapsed half way from her destination and someone had to carry her back, but today was important, it was vital that Emma got to the Quidditch trials. She sat on her bed, toying with her wand, bored. This was an act, she glanced at the clock, checking the time. It was 5:15pm. Time to start. She mimed yawning and falling asleep, Mistress Pomfrey, thinking she was asleep, closed the curtains. Then, Emma cast a Disillusionment Charm and she disappeared, sneaking down to the Quidditch Pitch.
She had to stop multiple times because she couldn't breathe and her legs weren't supporting her. She was still incredibly frail and weak. She got to the pitch after half an hour walking and she removed the charm. She did it in front of Sirius and he nearly shit himself.
"What in Circe's name are you doing here?" He said.
"Trying out for Chaser. I couldn't miss it." Emma puffed out, bent double, trying to recover her breath. Sirius grinned dryly,
"You had to do it the hard way didn't you?"
"Hard way? What do you mean?"
"You know the Captain would have postponed the trials for you if you wanted him to."
Emma shrugged as if to say 'I'm trying out today no matter what.'
As it turned out, she outflew everyone except possibly James and was awarded Chaser 3 and Sirius accompanied her back to the Hospital Room.
She was laughing until Bryce ran up,
"Emma! Where have you been! Mistress Pomfrey was looking for you!"
"I went to Quidditch Tryouts. I got Chaser." She beamed wearily at him.
"Oh? You had to go to Tryouts! Emma you would have been hurt! This is all your fault Black!" Bryce rounded onto Sirius. Thankfully, Emma stepped in,
"He didn't have anything to do with it! He had no idea I was coming, I snuck out by. My. Self." Emma's voice dropped dangerously, so low that Bryce thought that she was calm and collected, but she was far from it.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to the Hospital Wing." She nodded good-bye to Sirius, ignored Bryce and marched to the Hospital, this time taking a full hour because she was so tired and worn out from both the trials and the walk to and from the pitch. Needless to say, Poppy fussed over Emma for a good 20m minutes before she was allowed to sleep.
"Harry." Harry was jerked back into the present, he looked up and stared. Another woman was there, she stood chin up, smiling at him, Sirius' arm around her waist. He could she her but she wasn't as solid-looking as the others. Still, she was the most beautiful looking woman (apart from Ginny and Lily but he was biased).
"Sirius, how did you get someone so beautiful?" Harry asked, she was indeed, she had no flaws or imperfections. Emma smiled softly and glanced at Sirius' outraged expression.
"I guess I fell for his charm H." She called him H. He could vaguely remember someone calling him that but he wasn't sure who.;
"If you go to Grimmauld Place Number 12, and scratch Orion Black's beard you'll find something you'll love H." She said smiling, although she was visible her voice sounded like it was coming from light-years away. He nodded and disapparated to the door step of aforementioned house.
He walked in and found the portrait of Orion Black smiling imperiously to them. Harry rolled the stone in his hand three times and the figures appeared again. Emma nodded, and Harry scratched Orion's beard. A door appeared and as Harry opened it, he was confronted with hundreds of photos, covering the walls. Sirius grinned, and said,
"When I still lived with my family, I made this room and I cast a charm, so that anything important happened, it would have a photo taken of it and placed here."
Harry walked up to a wall and saw each photo was of them dressed up in beautiful dresses and the guys in suits, others in Quidditch Team uniform, mud splatters on their robes and beaming smiles, pranks going off and the so-to-be-known-as Marauders and Emma laughing merrily in the back ground. Emma and James standing in front of gobsmacked Sirius and Lily roaring with silent laughter – holding onto each other for support. There was 6 more, by themselves on the wall, Emma and Sirius standing together looking at the photos of themselves sadly.
"What are those ones of?" Harry asked, wandering closer. Emma drew back and gestured to them.
Emma and Sirius, they were kissing in front of the Gryffindor fire on the couch. Her arms were around his neck and in his hair. One of Sirius' hands was on the small of her back but the other was stroking her cheek so gently.
Harry gazed at it.
"Was that your first official couple kiss?" He asked. Emma laughed and Sirius chuckled merrily.
"You could call it that, but…" They trailed off, speaking at same time. Harry grinned as Sirius pecked Emma on the lips. Emma smiled at him.
This one was of Sirius and Emma, he was down on one knee, gazing at Emma – she was nodding – and he stood up, kissed her and then, there was a ring on each of their left hands. Harry noted with surprise how young they were – barely 18/
"You guys were engaged?" Harry asked incredulously – Sirius had always seemed like a player, not the type to settle down or plan to. Sirius nodded and pointed at the next one.
Sirius and Emma, walking down the aisle, arm in arm, loving and adoring looks shared before they got to the end and they kissed. She looked so stunning and so happy. Sirius looked like he was about to explode with happiness and pride. Again, Harry noted that the time between proposing and the wedding must have been months, not years.
"You were married?" Harry asked again and they nodded as one and Emma, had tears trickling down her face slowly pointed to the next one.
Lily and James, they were dancing at their own wedding and off to one side Harry could see Emma and Sirius watching, Emma's stomach ballooning in front of her. They looked so young – only 19 – and yet here Emma and Sirius were, expecting their first child and Lily and James were getting married. At this age, Harry was training to be an Auror, only dating Ginny and not really thinking of marriage.
"You were pregnant?" Harry said quizzically.
"Stop guessing, just look." Lily told him gently.
Emma was in Hospital Wing, a baby in her arms. She looked at the child in awe, a small smile playing on the edge of her lips. Sirius was looking over her shoulder, another child in his arms; an amazed grin on his face. Harry realised that, had they lived, the kids would be a year older than him. Slightly younger (but probably not naughtier or cheekier) than George and his late twin, Fred.
"You had twins?" Now, you could hear Emma sobbing.
"Yes. They were beautiful." That was when Harry noticed her right arm was slightly extended, holding something and Sirius kept glancing above his head.
It was Harry's christening. And standing where the godparents stood (Harry knew from his own three kids Christenings) was Emma and Sirius.
"You were my godmother?" Emma nodded and said,
"H, you were best friends with my pair of wild boys. And we had always been good friends with your parents and Sirius was godfather, so…" Harry noticed in every photo, she was smiling and laughing.
There was two more, on the floor. One was split one side Emma and the other Sirius, both with hollow, empty faces. They looked like they hadn't slept (blood-shot eyes and bags under their eyes the size of Hagrid) and looking like half of them had died.
The next was split as well. Emma on one side and Sirius on the other. They were dressed to the nines and had partners but Harry noticed Emma throw a longing look over to Sirius and he shot a hard glare back, Emma looked away, a pained expression on her face.
A/N So the last bit is a sneak peek about where this story ends up. No, I'm not finishing the story now (or any time soon) but I thought you would like to know what happens after Hogwarts and such. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much I enjoyed writing it! Tell me what you think!