Author's Note: I'm sorry! *falls to the ground* Please forgive me, I beg of you. I've been missing in action for ages and that seriously was not my intention. I'll give you a quick excuse and then onto the chapter, okay? XD You see I had planned to finish this over Christmas after I wrote a short story and submitted it for publishing into an anthology. I figured it would be rejected because I'm competing against other people who are probably much better than me. Also a lot of other entrants are older than me and I've only just started my English degree. xD But turns out my short story was accepted and is being published, TODAY! 8D So I've sort of been dealing with that and also working on a novel to submit for publishing... I'M SORRY. But now that the short story is out, I can work on this story alongside my novel. ^^ Split my time between the two.

PLUS! I have finished all my university homework for the next six weeks, so I'm free to write. Also EmodinosaurX3 started writing a new Harry Potter fanfiction and as soon as I saw the update, I really wanted to write MGS. ^^ You should check it out, The Wicked Saint, it has only just started but it's a spin-off of another fanfiction of hers, The Dark Secret. :3

A Harry Potter Fanfiction

MY GOLDEN SEEKER

OC: Darcy Simmons/OC: Emmett Boot

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the day was stiff as we slipped into a few stores to pick up last minute presents, an awkward tension settling between the four of us after Emmett's outburst. Manny hid behind her dark curtains of hair, retreating into silence at the side of her friend she must have never witnessed. Being so bubbly and charming, he must have never acted that way towards her. Jude, on the other hand, roared with laughter at the incident, congratulating Emmett at any given moment, earning himself pouts from Manny until we now mount the path towards Hogwarts.

Darkness stretches towards the horizon as the sun dips below it, the black of winter's night rapidly approaching. Several other students were dotted about the path, struggling against the cold to make it back to the school before dark. Manny and I walk a few paces ahead of the boys, who are chatting enthusiastically amongst themselves, perhaps recounting the day's events for the umpteenth time. As if tuning into their conversation, Manny sighs beside me moments later, breaking the silence she created.

"I'm sorry about today," her whisper is so light that I arch myself towards her as it nearly vanishes on the wind. "That must have been really uncomfortable for you."

"Not really," I shrug, unsure of why she is apologising for what happened between James and Emmett. "I respect him for defending himself, if he hadn't done it, I would've. Potter can really push your buttons."

"But Emmett isn't like that."

"What about with Quidditch?" I suggest, but she shakes her head quickly.

"Not even then," she corrects, almost frowning at the insinuation that Emmett would behave like that to his teammates. "I know he acts really stern towards us, but he has never blown his top. It was kind of scary."

She practically shakes as she speaks; looking over her shoulder at the duo behind us to make sure they can't hear what she is saying. I arch my eyebrows at her, fairly confused by her paranoid actions.

"Was it really that much of a shock to you?" I gawk, watching as she turns back to me, hugging her waist tightly as if to comfort herself.

"I guess so. Jude has always been defensive and easily provoked, especially when guys are rude to me," she sighs through her distressed words. "But Emmett, he is different, he isn't like that. He's calm, collected and mature. Or he was."

"I'm sure he's still the same," I speak in an almost unsure tone as I struggle to put her at ease. "Hey, maybe it's my fault. I sure as Hell bring out the worst in Potter; that could just be how I rub off on people."

I grin as a little laugh escapes her lips before they speak into a soft smile, brightening her whole expression. Whether her smile is genuine or an attempt to make me feel better, I still appreciate it and return it with a smile of my own as we enter the Hogwarts castle. A warm air greets us immediately, emitting from the crackling fireplaces to envelope every dip of our bodies and sweep away our chills. I push back my hood and Manny peels off her mittens and scarf as the boys catch up with us, their scantily clad forms easily adjusting to the sudden temperature change.

"Bet you two regret wearing so many layers now," Jude smirks, ruffling his hands through our hair as he passes by. "Not only would it be a great sight for us, but you wouldn't be so hot whenever we go inside."

"Are you saying we aren't a great sight now?" Manny asks as I smooth my hair back down with a glare.

"Don't answer that," Emmett intercepts as he slips indoors, rolling up his sleeves to his elbows. "There's no right answer."

"Thanks for the warning," Jude grins, now walking down the corridor ahead of us with Emmett beside him. "I'd hate to get on Manny's bad side."

"Good because you're already on mine." I pipe up.

"Because I touched your hair?" He teases over his shoulder.

"No because you're annoying when you drink."

"I haven't drunk much."

"Maybe you're just annoying all the time then." I retort.

"Maybe you're just–" He begins his comeback until Manny's voice suddenly cuts him off.

"Please don't start another fight," she says with her voice soft yet her tone deadly serious. "We really don't need to be at everyone's throats all the time."

"Chill out Manny," Jude reassures her as if she is a child witnessing her parents disagreeing for the first time. He slows his pace to walk beside her and sling an arm over her shoulders as he speaks. "We're just having a bit of fun, we're not fighting."

"Where's the fun in winding each other up all the time?" She pouts, her disappointment over Emmett's behaviour clearly still affecting her.

"Where's all this coming from? It's never bothered you before–" It's now my time to cut Jude off mid-sentence and jump to Manny's defence.

"No, she's right," I state as Jude frowns at being cut off for the second time. "We can take things a bit far sometimes."

"Okay, if you guys say so." He surrenders, but not before glancing at the pair of us suspiciously, clearly understanding that there is something else bothering Manny than our bickering.

With that, he retreats from Manny and returns to Emmett, resuming their conversation filled with boisterous chuckles and private jokes. I smile as the two best friends interact, remembering behaving in such ways with my Gryffindor friends. That is before they abandoned me to flock after Potter.

"Thanks," Manny interrupts my now sour thoughts, her dark eyes glancing at me apologetically. "I don't know what's wrong with me right now, sorry."

"Don't apologise, I don't mind," I assure her. "Friends are supposed to support each other, aren't they?"

"Yeah, you're right." She smiles.

"And besides, there's nothing wrong with you, you're just a bit shocked."

"I'm more disappointed than anything else," she admits before shaking her head. "But you and Jude aren't bothered by what happened at all."

"I guess it's what we would've done in the situation. Plus I'm not exactly Emmett's friends so what he does isn't going to affect me much."

"I wouldn't have been disappointed in you guys though if you had done it. And I know James had it coming."

"Well Emmett isn't just a friend to you." I lower my voice, making sure the male in question cannot hear my words.

"Maybe that's it, I do really care about him," she groans, frustrated by her own feelings before quickly covering up her pain with a smile and a swift topic change. "Anyway, do you want to post any of the presents you bought tonight? I'm thinking of heading up to the Owlery."

"Sure," I reply after a moment of silence to register the change. Although I want to press her to work out the problem, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that she isn't keen on talking about it. "I'd better get things posted sooner rather than later with Christmas just round the corner."

"Great, we'll head up after dinner." She beams in a forced tone before scurrying to Jude and Emmett, slotting herself into their conversation.

I trail behind as the trio make their way to the Great Hall for dinner, watching Manny grins and giggles as if she doesn't have a care in the world. But unlike the two boys, I know she's still hung up over everything, over Emmett. I'll just have to wait until she is willing to talk about it again.

The next week passes by in what feels like the blink of an eye as all our classes come to a close for the term and most students pack up their belongings, preparing to return home for the holidays. Manny remains her usual perky self, keeping her lips tightly sealed about what happened at Hogsmeade whilst Jude and Emmett seem to be none the wiser as to her inner feelings. I almost find myself wishing I could be as dense as they are instead of worrying over what she is refusing to tell. Luckily Potter and his friends have kept their distance from us for the last week of term, seemingly putting Manny's mind at ease to some degree. The less Emmett runs into him, the better for her.

"Here you go mate." Emmett's voice coupled with the squealing of the Hogwarts Express interrupts my mulling over the last week.

We all stand before the roaring scarlet train at the Hogsmeade station, Emmett handing Jude his last bag as he lingers on the platform a few minutes longer. Other students file onto the train, eagerly searching for compartments to share with their friends before having to separate to their respective homes. Jude, on the other hand, is travelling alone, heading back to his mother's quaint urban home first before jetting over to his father's extensive mansion.

"You know you guys can stay at my dad's if you want instead of here for the holidays, there's an arse load of room," Jude suggests almost pleadingly before adding a perverse comment in to cover up his desire to see us over the holiday. "Manny and Darce can stay in my room if worse comes to worst."

"I'd rather sleep under a bus stop," I snarl. "Besides, my mum would kill me if she found out I was staying somewhere without discussing it with her."

"Oh wow, I'd never expect you to do what your mother tells you." He taunts me.

"It's either I do what she says or face the death penalty."

"What about you two?" Jude turns his attention to Manny and Emmett, admitting defeat in regards to me.

Before they can make up their own excuses though, the train roars one last time with the conductor calling for all to board. Jude rolls his ashen eyes, clearly irked that his farewells have been rushed.

"Well, I'll catch you guys later," he says with a shrug, running a hand through his dark curls as he climbs onto the train. "Try not to have fun without me."

"Try not to forget to keep up your Quidditch practice without me." Emmett challenges before bidding Jude farewell awkwardly, the two uncomfortable with showing their affectionate friendship in front of Manny and I.

With a quick goodbye to Manny and I, featuring Jude struggling to get a hug out of me–and in the end only receiving an awkward one without my consent–and receiving a tight embrace from Manny, Jude disappears onto the train, no doubt locking himself in a compartment to sleep for the rest of the journey. We stay on the platform a few minutes longer, watching the train slowly pull out of the station and disappear into the snowfall soon to blow up into a blizzard.

"We should get some practice in this afternoon before the blizzard comes," Emmett speaks up, breaking the awkward silence of Jude's departure. "The weather probably won't be suitable for practice for a week or longer once it starts."

"Sure," I reply, more so because I'm anxious to get back on the field before I start suffering from Quidditch withdrawal than because I feel I should follow my captain's suggestion. "I'm up for it."

"Sorry, I've got to get some things from town. I can't practice today," Manny says quickly, glancing towards the shops of Hogsmeade before back at us. "And I should get going if I want to get everything before dark."

"But what if the snow gets worse?" Emmett asks, just as confused by her frantic nature as I am.

"Well that's a risk I'm willing to take, this stuff has to get done." She says stubbornly as he shrugs and rolls his eyes.

"Fine, but what stuff has to be done right this second?"

"Just stuff," she mutters, keeping up her vague nature and glancing at the shops once again.

"I'll come with you," I intercept, hoping I can prod whatever is going on out of her if we're alone. "It'll get done faster with two people."

"No, it's fine. I can do it myself. I'll see you guys at dinner." She speaks so fast all her words nearly come out as one.

As soon as the last syllable leaves her lips, she turns and scrambles towards the shops. Whatever she has to do is clearly urgent–and suspicious–and I struggle to keep myself from chasing after her just to see what is going on. I stand alongside Emmett, staring at where Manny was standing for a few minutes before turning back to the path up to Hogwarts. There's no use in following her, she'll be lost in the crowds of people doing last minute shopping by now.

"You're leaving?" Emmett booms.

"How observant of you," I reply as I begin my ascent to the castle.

Soon the sound of heavy footsteps crunching through snow follows after me, their pace quickening until Emmett reaches my side. His brawny figure towers over me, his bright blue eyes narrowed suspiciously at me as I roll my dark ones at him. His decision to follow me is a confusing and unwelcomed one as although we have spent more time together thanks to our mutual friends; we are still not on the best of terms.

"Why are you walking with me?" I hiss defensively.

"Because I want to know what's going on with Manny." He states in a matter-of-fact tone.

"And that involves following me because?"

"Because you must know what's bothering her, she's been acting strangely all week," he snaps in irritation. "Or have you been too dense to notice?"

"Hey, you and Jude are the dense ones," I growly defensively. "You acted as if you guys acted like nothing was wrong at all."

"I know her well enough to realise when something is bothering her and she doesn't want to talk about it." He says not hiding his implication that he knows her better than I do.

"But you don't really know her all that well if you can't figure out what's clearly wrong with her." I challenge.

"So you do know what's going on, why do you have to act like a stubborn child about everything?" He scolds now rolling his eyes at me.

"Why do you have to act like an arrogant imbecile about everything? And if you're going to keep bothering me, don't speak to me like I'm a child."

"Just tell me what's going on and I'll gladly leave you alone."

"Why should I tell you anything? In fact why do you even care so much?"

"Because she's my friend," he shouts, fed up with my refusing to cooperate. "And if she is upset because of something I have done, I need to fix it. But you wouldn't understand that, would you?"

"She's my friend too so don't you dare tell me what I do and do not understand!" I shout back.

"Then tell me what's going on and let me help fix this if you really do care about how she's feeling!"

I frown at his challenge. The bastard has got me there. After all he is the person who can fix what's going on because he is the one who caused it. I sigh, feeling nauseous at the fact that I have to surrender this argument and comply with his demand. I halt in my tracks and compose myself as Emmett looks down at me expectantly.

"Fine," I reply calmly, my aggression evaporating as I speak. "Manny is upset because of what happened at Hogsmeade last weekend, what happened between you and James Potter."

"I thought so," He muses before shaking his head. "That prat just pushes all my buttons."

"I know it's a skill of his," I gather myself up again as I continue. "Look I respect what you did and I'm pretty sure I would have done the same myself if you hadn't. But Manny, she just found it disappointing. She said you were always calm and mature about everything but then you acted like that and yeah."

"Thanks." He says after a few moments of silence to contemplate over my words.

"For?"

"Saying you respect it and would do the same; it's nice to know Potter doesn't just get under my skin. Most people seem to worship the ground he walks on."

"Thanks for doing what you did; it's nice to know that someone else can actually stand up to him. It means I don't have to chase him away all the time." I reply nonchalantly.

"I'll never understand what possessed you to date him." He shakes his head at me with a small laugh at my stupidity.

"Well some people are really different on the outside, it was only when I dug away at his exterior that I found the real him and what I found was a sexist pig," I say. "I guess you just have to spend a lot more time around someone to find the real them, you know?"

"You mean like how with you I have to get passed all the stubbornness, immaturity, curse words and general violence to find someone somewhat likable and make sense of why Manny and Jude spend so much time with you?" He teases, lightening the mood as we continue our walk up to the castle.

"I'd say the same about you, but so far I haven't found anything likable about you," I retort. "But when I find something other than disdain, you'll be the first to know."

"I see you're as charming as ever. But like me or not, you have to admit I'm a good Quidditch captain."

"You refused me the Seeker spot even though I was the best person for the position," I exclaim. "You even admitted my excellence to Potter."

"That was mostly just to get under his skin. Besides by rejecting you for the position, you trained harder and improved your abilities so technically what I did made you the best person for the position." He states with a smirk that almost matches the one Jude often wears.

"That would only make sense if you planned all of it, which I know you didn't."

"True, I rejected you because I didn't like you," he chuckles. "But in the end it worked out for the best, right?"

"Okay, yes, it did and you are a good captain. But that's your only redeeming quality."

"Don't I get a few extra points for my looks?" He jokes, tilting his handsome face towards me with a smug smile.

"If anything you lose points." I laugh as we finally reach Hogwarts, the corridors now free of any students, most of the ones staying in the castle lingering about the common rooms with any company they can find.

We pause in the hallway before the Grand Staircase, an awkward silence settling between us as I become aware of our friendly behaviour and prepare to part ways. I wonder if perhaps I am talking to Emmett so comfortably because Jude and Manny are absent or because there actually is a likable person somewhere within him. I shudder to think the reason may be the latter after all the contempt between us.

"With the weather like this and Manny hanging around in Hogsmeade, maybe we should give Quidditch practice a miss today," I speak up, slicing through the tension. "I mean the Ravenclaws still here probably don't want to spend their first day off of school practising anyway."

"You're right," he agrees surprisingly, perhaps wanting to get away from this weird sense of friendship as much as I do. "And I should probably get my work done before Manny gets back and has my head for not studying."

"That's true," I say before giving him an uncomfortable smile. "Well, bye then."

"If you want, you can eat dinner with Manny and I tonight," he adds just as I start up one of the stairs. "Unless you'd rather sit with the likes of Potter and his lackeys."

"Yeah, the Gryffindor table isn't exactly welcoming these days," I reply to him over my shoulder with a slightly more natural smile. "I guess I'll see you at dinner then."