Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter. It meant a lot to me, I didn't really like it all that much. I am quite happy with how this next one came out, and at long last we will see a bit of our not so favorite Frenchman Jean-Luc! Also I'll be posting this chapter as two parts rather then just the one I originally planned due to the length. Both chapters are set on the same day.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; which would be okay if I could just own a copy of that elusive seventh book!

Ch 11: Visits Part One

Sirius was starting to wonder what was keeping his cousin so long. He had been waiting in her office for awhile now and he was starting to think either Andy had forgotten him, or someone was making off with a valuable piece of art and his cousin was in the middle of a fast pursuit of the culprit. He toyed with the idea of going to look at the gallery's merchandise, but he knew he would be just as bored if he went out to look at art that he had no particular interest in.

Luckily his cousin took the opportunity to open the door to her office with two familiar Gryffindor girls in tow.

"I ran into some friends of yours who were looking at the Escher's,cousin," Andromeda said as she strode gracefully into the office.

"Hello ladies," Sirius said with a grin.

"Hello Black," Lily said good naturedly.

"Hi," Embre said with a small smile.

"Please have a seat anywhere," Andromeda said gesturing to the furniture in the office.

Embre took in the sight of the small cozy space and loved the decorating style of an elegant antique collection. The desk that took up most of the space was oak that was so polished you could probably be able to see your reflection on the surface. Then there was an exquisite old looking upholstered chair with a mint green fabric on the seat, and a red velvet settee that Sirius was occupying space on.

Embre took a seat beside Sirius leaving Lily to sit on the chair.

"How was your Christmas?" Embre said as her leg accidentally brushed against Sirius'.

"Brilliant," Sirius replied. "I went over to Andy's and she fed me til she was satisfied that I couldn't take any more. Then she gave me an owl as a gift and nagged me for not thinking of getting one sooner."

"You'll need one if you're living on your own," Andromeda said with a long suffering sigh.

"Anyway," Sirius said rolling his eyes. "A merry time was had by all. Especially when Nymphie opened her presents."

"Nymphie?" Lily said.

"My five year old daughter Nymphadora," Andromeda murmured with a smile as she conjured water to boil inside a white bone china tea pot. "Lemon? Sugar? Tea?"

"A little milk please," Lily said.

"Sugar please," Embre said.

Sirius opened his mouth to speak, but Andromeda cut him off , "I already know how you take your tea for Merlin's sake!"

"I was just going to tell them how cute Nymphie was when she let all of her chocolate frogs out of their cases when nobody was looking," Sirius said with an adorable pout.

"Oh yes," Andromeda said dryly. "It was quite fun trying to locate twenty enchanted hopping frogs around my house before they stained the carpet." Even though her tone was wry, there was a brief smile on her mouth.

Andromeda levitated a tray over to her quests and floated cups to the person they belonged to.

"And how was your Christmas girls?" Andromeda inquired.

"It was nice. Embre's family was nice enough to have me stay with them for the holidays," Lily said.

"And you got to see James," Embre added with a mischievious smile.

"Yeah, he won't shut up about it," Sirius muttered, causing Lily to smile in a pleased way.

"James Potter? I havent's seen him since he was a first year," Andromeda said with a laugh sitting on the edge of her desk with her legs crossed at the ankle. "I remember him and Sirius were inseparable by end of first term that year.Much to the family's dismay."

"Yeah," Sirius said smiling fondly. "They weren't too happy that I was the very first Gryffindor in the family either."

"Then were you in Slytherin?" Embre asked Andromeda.

"Yes I was," Andromeda replied. "That is one of the few things I have in common with my family. No one else in the family has been married to a Gryffindor and a Muggleborn wizard before."

"You turned out so differently from coming from a family such as yours, if I'm not being too bold," Lily said.

"No your not," Andromeda assured her with a sad smile.

Sirius cleared his throat for acknowledgment.

"Your not that bad either Black," Lily said patiently. "Just like Em was saying to Malfoy."

Sirius' brows furrowed and he turned to look at Embre.

"When did that happen?"

"We had a runin with Malfoy and your cousin Narcissa in the gallery before Andromeda came to our rescue," Embre said uneasily.

"Are you alright?" Sirius inquired in a voice laced with anger and concern.

"I'm okay," Embre nodded. She took Sirius' hand in hers when he continued to look skeptical. "It reminded me of those times you came to my rescue in my first year."

This made Andromeda suddenly come to a realization that caused her to have a knowing look in her eyes.

Sirius squeezed on Embre's hand once and he calmed down a bit. He then asked her with a small smile, "So, what exactly did you say to that wank anyway?"

"I um, told him that it was a pleasant surprise that you turned out to be such a good person for being born into a family like yours."

Sirius threw his head back as he let out a bark of laughter. "You are amazing," he told her as he chuckled.

Andromeda took in the little exchange quietly. She was entirely positive that her cousin had feelings for Embre and very much hoped they were more than a passing fancy. Goodness knew it was time Sirius had a proper girlfriend and stopped fooling around.

"Why don't you girls stop by our home on New Years Eve?" Andromeda suggested. "In fact why not invite your other friends as well Sirius?"

"What if my mates and I already have other plans?" Sirius inquired.

"Like what cousin? Going to a dingy pub and consuming Ogden's until you cannot see straight?" Andromeda inquired with a challenging smile.

"Course not," Sirius mumbled.

"I would be happy to accept your invitation," Lily said rolling her eyes as Sirius.

"If you like. You needn't spend the whole night at my home," Andromeda said looking pointedly at Sirius. "And what about you Embre, do you think you could stop over?"

"I'm sorry, but I'll be spending the day with my boyfriend," Embre replied keeping her eyes off Sirius who was watching her with a solomn expression.

"Oh," Andromeda said in surprise. "Well the offer still stands if you would just like to drop by."

"You never know, maybe he won't be able to see you. Again," Sirius said indignantly.

Lily glared at Sirius, but Embre kept her gaze off him and spoke to Andromeda.

"Jean-Luc teaches at Durmstrung Academy. It's been difficult to keep in touch," Embre explained.

"He teaches, and at Durmstrung? He must me quite intelligent to have been accepted at a school as prestigious as that," Andromeda remarked trying to sooth the tension in the room.

"Intelligent my arse," Sirius thought moodily.

Just then there was a timid knocking at the door and a pale young man poked his head in the doorway.

"Excuse me Andromeda, but there's we have a letter from someone who is interested in possibly purchasing an Escher painting."

"Thank you Silas," I shall be right out," Andromeda said rising from her desk. The younger man disappeared and Andromeda looked at her three guests.

"Unfortunately I have to get back to work. Feel free to look around if you'd like."

"I think maybe I should be getting home," Embre said standing up abruptly and following Andromeda to the door.

"You're probably right," Lily said following suit.

"It was nice meeting both of you," Andromeda told them as they filed out the door ahead of her.

"You too," Embre replied genuinely.

"Thank you Andromeda," Lily called with a wave as she walked out of the gallery.

Andromeda watched the two girls leave and looked back at her cousin.

"That wasn't tasteful," she told Sirius.

"I couldn't help it Andy," Sirius sighed.

"Yes, you could've," Andromeda chastised him. She went to walk out the door, but paused and turned back to her cousin. "She seems like a very nice girl Sirius."

"She's a good person. Both of them are," Sirius agreed nonchalantly.

--

Embre restlessly flipped through her book of memoirs from Furthcross University as she sat quietly in the livingroom. Today was the day. She would finally see Jean-Luc again.

Lily was with James now, but had been sure to make her friend up beautifully, before she leaving. Which left Embre to sit in wait with her brother and her father acting fine. It was in turn making her squeamish. She looked down at her wristwatch and saw she had at least another hour before she needed to leave for her date, but she needed to leave now.

"I'm going now," she announced as she got up from her seat and went in search of her coat and scarf.

"Are you sure love?" her father called as he followed her in from the livingroom. "I thought you didn't have to meet that fo-your boyfriend until later?"

"I know. But it won't hurt if I show up a littled early," Embre remarked as she bundled herself up and turned to her father. "Please dad?"

"Alright sweetie," Mr. Lupin conceded with a sigh. "You'll be bringing him back to meet your brother and me?"

"I will dad," Embre assured him with a kiss on the cheek.

"How late will you be out before you're back?"

"We should be done with lunch around three," Embre replied.

"Perhaps I should take you," Mr. Lupin suggested.

"I'll be fine walking dad. I want to so I can clear my head," Embre replied softly.

"I wish your brother had taught you the Partronus charm," Mr. Lupin said with a furrowed brow.

"I still can," Remus said coming to join them. "It should only take a few hours if you're really good at it. If not, well we have all break."

"Funny," Embre replied. "But I doubt I'll need to use the Patronus charm on my date. I can simply flag down one of those Muggle cars and see if anyone will give me a ride."

"See that you do," Mr. Lupin said briskly before kissing his daughter on the forhead. "Be careful."

"I will dad," Embre told him pariently.

"Have fun Em," Remus told her seriously.

"Thank you," Embre said giving him hug before walking out the front door.

Embre walked away from her home and headed into downtown London all the while being greeted by Muggles who wished her a Happy New Year. She read the instructions in a letter from Jean-Luc again and knew she was going the right way as she navigated her route. She finally came to the front of an old abandoned store in the middle of an active street. The address was right so she stood against the wall beside it and waited.

She checked her watch once more and saw she had at least fifteen minutes left. She looked at the letter once more. It said he would be taking a portkey that would take him to a location that was safe away from Muggle eyes. Then they would go to a little restaurant that had been recommended to him for it's charming interior and they would go from there.

Embre was trying to muster some excitement at the prospect of being able to see her boyfriend, but all she felt was anxiety and apprehension. Surely that wasn't what you were supposed to feel when you were reunited with your boyfriend?

She closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the wall to invite the cool air around her to refresh her. She thought about Sirius and what he had said to her at the gallery. It bothered her, even though she knew she should have expected he would act protective. She wished she could feel half as much excitement now as she could at the prospect of going to see her him and the Marauders.

"Embre! Mon amour!"

Embre opened her eyes and turned to see Jean-Luc coming towards her from down the street. He was walking towards her in his usual easy, non-rushed manner. His sandy blond hair was cut in a more adult style than the last time she had seen him and he still vaguely reminded her of the Muggle actor Robert Redford as she looked at his boyishly attractive face. She also noticed that he was wearing robes and an expensive wizard tialored suit, which made him appear much older. But there was no denying it was him with his soft features and, hazel eyes.

She finally found her feet and walked to meet him so they could embrace.

"Mon cherie, I missed you terribly," Jean-Luc murmured into her hair.

"I missed you too," Embre told him with a smile. It was true. She had missed her aqcuaintances from her stay in France and it was very nice to be reunited with one of them. She was relieved that she had started to feel something good as she looked on at her boyfriend.

"Vraiment?" Jean-Luc smiled happily as leaned down and captured her mouth.

Embre squirmed as Jean-Luc tried to pull her closer, which he mistook for passion. It didn't feel right for him to touch her that way. In fact it was making her feel sick as she struggled to push him off. At last he relented, looking at her with a curious expression on his face.

"Is anything the matter?" he inquired.

"No," Embre lied. "It's just I wanted to go inside first.'

"Oohlala how inconsiderate of moi! Come along ma puce," he remarked offering his arm.

Embre took his arm and allowed him to lead her inside the abandoned shop that turned out to be a nice restaurant beyond the glamour placed on the glass windows on the outside. They were then met by a polite server who seated them at a table by the window. Embre studied her menu to avoid starting conversation, and when their orders had been taken, she studied her surroundings.

Despite the small intimate space inside the restaurant the furnishings were quite lavish with expensive rugs decorating the stone floor. The tables were made of fine shining wood that had intricate carvings on the surface. Embre supposed that the décor was supposed to make one feel like you could still have the finest despite the location and the small spacing, but it was having an off putting affect on her, like it was all too much, but why shouldn't she want to eat somewhere nice on her date?

Embre listened from the first course to the last while Jean-Luc spoke to her off life in the U.S.S.R and what teaching was like.

"C'est superb! J'adore le teaching. It is so rewarding. Certainment due to the young men there. So hard working and driven," Jean-Luc remarked with a passion as he spoke about his career.

"I'm really happy for you Jean-Luc," Embre told him sincerely as she took a bit of her peach sorbet. "I hope I'm as enthusiastic about my job some day."

"Ah, are you still pursuing a career avec les animals?" Jean'Luc said.

"Yes. I love animals still more then ever," Embre replied.

"C'est tu passion."

"Oui," Embre grinned. "J'adore les animals."

"Would you ever consider teaching?"

"Reaching wouldn't be the most horrible thing to do," Embre replied as their dishes were cleared away. "But I would prefer healing animals to teaching about them."

"Not even if you could teach at your Hogwarts?" Jean-Luc asked her.

"No I don't think so. Besides we've already got a good professor who teaches Care of Magical Animals. In fact he said that when we get back to school he'll show us a unicorn," Embre said.

Jean-Luc smiled at her and reached across the table to place his hand on hers.

"That is what I enjoy about you, so enthusiastic. So, special," Jean-Luc said softly as he kissed her hand lightly.

Embre smiled sadly at the man across from her and waited for the check to come.

--

After leaving the restaurant, the pair did some light sight seeing around London. Other than receiving strange looks because of Jean-Luc's attire, they had a nice time together. Embre really did enjoy being with him and speaking about France, but their dynamics had definitely changed. Everytime Jean-Luc would attempt to be affectionate like take kiss her, or whisper something intimate to her, she would feel queasy.

"I ave ad a wonderful time today," Jean-Luc said as they strolled down a sidestreet. "It was magnifique to see you."

"I liked seeing you too," Embre told him. It really had been good to see him and to speak about France and Beauxbatons with as a friend, but nothing more.

He stopped their walking and held her hands in his. "I ave a confession to make," he told her guardedly. "I will not be able to meet your family today. I must be catching the Portkey soon."

"You do? But you told me that you would have all day," Embre said in a perplexed tone of voice.

"I know, I know," Jean-Luc sighed. "I should ave told you, but I did not want to trouble you ma puce. You must tell your family I really am tres delolee."

She knew she should be angry by this, but she didn't feel that way for some odd reason. He just looked so sincerely remorseful.

"I know that I sent your present days ago," he murmured reaching into his pockets. "But, I brought you something else."

He then handed held her hand in his and placed a rectangular box into her hand.

"Jean-Luc, I can't accept this," Embre protested.

"Please ma cherie, it is the least I can do," he told her with a soft smile. "You are the first familiar face I have seen ever since I went to Durmstrung. This visit meant more to me then you can know."

Embre couldn't meet his eyes because of the tears burning in them. She let him lift her face and give her one lingering kiss on the mouth that she forced herself to respond to.

"Embre," Jean-Luc whispered. "I must go now to some place where I can travel without the Muggles seeing me. I will think of you often. For now, au revoir cherie."

With that he smiled sadly at her once more before turning and walking off down the street. Leaving Embre to stare after him sadly.

When he was gone from her sight she realized tears had fallen down her face. She leaned against the wall of a building behind her.

She stared at his present, and sighed. Her first relationship was over. She had felt nothing that a person should for romantically for another. She knew it was foolish of her to not end it for both of them when she had been given the chance, but how could she after what he had said to her?

As she stood by herself, she wondered how she was going to break up with Jean-Luc. She wouldn't do it by owl, that seemed too impersonal. It would be difficult to see him again soon if Durmstrung's strict policies towards new professors. But then, it would be difficult to see him knowing how his feelings hadn't changed, though hers were much altered.

--

The next installment is to come soon!

I just wanted to casually mention(ahem) that I am now posting a story in the category of POTC which is called 'Open Seas and Locked Hearts'(I suck at naming fics I know!). It will be centered around James Norrington and an OC character. If any of you are interested in that kind of story please take a look at it. I would really appreciate it(insert puppy dog eyes). Lol ;p