Chapter 13 –Cards on the table
When we collide we come together
If we don't we'll always be apart
When we collide – Biffy Clyro
It was almost Christmas and most of the students, where preparing to head home for the holidays, excited to see their families once again. The school was lavishly decorated with Christmas Decorations, and most of the Ghosts and Portraits could often be heard, humming Christmas carols.
Emily was one of these students and she couldn't wait. Christmas was her other favourite time of year, the atmosphere never failed to get her happy and upbeat. There was a constant smile on her face during the week leading up to the day.
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the...oh hey." Emily stopped her singing and smiled Sirius, James and Remus who were all lounging in the common room. Peter must be last minute packing she thought. "You guys all packed then?" she asked, James and Remus nodded whilst Sirius leaned forward,
"Yep, I'm actually spending this year with James...my parents are out of town." He told her, surprised he could lie so well. The truth was, his Mother had specifically warned him to stay away this Christmas, she had guests and she didn't want him to embarrass the family name. Emily nodded,
"Well I should go make sure I have everything, don't want to miss the train!" she said, before turning around and bouncing up the steps. Remus watched her go, listening for the sound of the dorm room door closing, before him and James focused on Sirius.
"Look there is less than an hour left before she leaves to get on that train." He said, shoving Sirius's shoulder to get his friends attention, "It's time to tell her,"
"Mooney's right, now is the time." James said, "I'd make my move on Lily if I wasn't so sure she'd hex me into next year..."
"The point is Padfoot, your friends, and you both obviously want more than that. Do it, make this Christmas one you'll both remember." Remus finished, smiling slightly at Sirius.
Slowly Sirius pushed himself up off the sofa and headed upstairs. His friends were right, the time felt right, Sirius knew he had to let her know now. James and he were using the floo network in Dumbledore's office, via a request from James's parents. With a fierce look of determination, Sirius looked at his reflection and nodded his head. If Emily turned him down, said she didn't feel the same way then so be it, but at least she'd know how he felt.
Emily stared into her open trunk, running down a mental list of things she had. Sure it may only be a 2 week holiday back home but she didn't want to forget anything. There was also some new stuff she'd need to bring back with her, "Hey, take this with you."
Lily had approached her friend holding out, a parcel and a card. Emily smiled lightly and took the present, reaching beside her trunk she pulled up her own, carefully wrapped present for Lily, the card settled neatly on top. "A lot safer than sending them by owls." Emily commented as they both made room in their respective trunks for the presents.
"Okay I'm all done." Lily commented, closing her trunk with a thud. Emily followed suit and smiled, using her wand to levitate her trunk. "Shall we head down then?" Lily asked, shrugging on her jacket. Emily nodded, sliding her own jacket over her jeans and floral shirt.
"Sure why not, almost time to leave anyhow."
The girls left their dorm, closing the door tightly behind them as they each levitated their trunks down the steps, before wheeling them out the common room. "Not many staying behind this year is there." Lily commented as the pair of them walked towards the entrance hall.
Emily took a moment to look around, and was surprised to see almost every student, piling out the main doors. "That's a first." She replied, although she wasn't surprised. Of course families would be wanting to be with each other, not just because of the time of year, but with the attacks.
As Emily and Lily moved to follow the crowd out, Emily stopped, "Emily...wait up!" she turned to see Sirius jogging to catch up with them. Lily made a move to stay but Emily urged her to keep going,
"I'll catch you up." She said, before turning to Sirius who was looking slightly flustered. "What did you do, run all the way from the common room?" she asked, chuckling lightly. Sirius shook his head, brushing his locks from his face as he blew out a breath,
"No, Dumbledore's office, James and I are flooing to his parents." He told her, digging a hand into the pockets of his coat. After a couple seconds rummaging he pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box. "Couldn't let you leave without your present." He smiled.
"Sirius, you didn't have to..." Emily sighed softly, and smiled, "Thank you...but I didn't get you anything..." she muttered, as he tucked the present into her pocket, before fastening it up. Sirius shook his head,
"Don't worry about it, there's only one thing I want from you anyway." He told her, his eyes boring into her own. Emily felt her heart race wildly in her chest, upon realising just how close he was standing to her now,
"And what is that?" she asked, her voice low. Sirius smiled and his only reply was to cup her face between his hands, tilting her head upwards as he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
The kiss was tentative, but when Emily didn't push him away, Sirius grew more confident and let his hand fall from her face and wrap around her waist. Drawing her closer to him, he deepened the kiss, pleased when she grasped at his shoulder as though to hold herself up.
Emily felt her knees weaken as she clung to Sirius, the kiss was unexpected but she'd welcomed it. How could she not, this moment, in his arms, kissing him felt right. The sensations coursing through her body were new, and she craved more, but the need to breathe became too much and they parted.
Breathless she looked up into a pair of stormy grey eyes, and found herself smiling softly. Sirius let his thumb trace over her cheek, his hold on her never lessoning. "Sirius..." he placed a finger over her lips, shushing her from talking. With a small smile, he removed his finger and leaned in once more, gently kissing her lips before he broke away.
"We'll talk after Christmas." He told her quietly, making it sound like more of a promise than anything. Emily couldn't do anything but nod, as he relinquished his hold on her and took off, back towards Dumbledore's office, a hop in his step and unable to wipe the smile off his face.
This was indeed turning out to be his best Christmas yet, and it'd only just begun.
Emily was on cloud 9, the feel of Sirius's lips on hers still lingered, and she could still taste him. The smile on her face appeared unmovable, and it appeared unlikely it'd disappear anytime soon. Her heart was still thumping wildly against her chest too.
Lily hadn't needed Emily to tell her what had happened; the look on her friends face said it all. Sirius had finally made his move, and despite Emily's previous protests that she wasn't interested, she could tell she was elated by this turn of events.
"So, don't go into too much detail or anything but how was it?" Lily asked, as they neared Kings Cross Station, Emily turned from the window to look at her friend and shook her head,
"It was...better than they claim in those romance novels, Lily it was incredible." She gushed, not caring that her cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red. Lily laughed,
"It's about time you admitted it though. I'm really happy this finally happened for you Emi...I think you two will be perfect together." She said, squeezing her friend's hand. Emily grinned brightly at Lily,
"We'll see what happens but...I have a really, really good feeling about this Lil's."
All too soon the train was pulling up at the station and the students all began piling off. Shrugging their jackets back on, Lily and Emily followed. After collecting their trunks and bidding good bye to their other friends the pair headed through the barrier together.
Lily's parents both rushed to embrace their daughter, and she responded fiercely, wrapping her arms around them both and holding them tight. Emily watched them for a moment and smiled, before moving around them, her eyes instantly locking with those of her Dad.
Laughing she let go of her trunk and rushed forward into his arms. Frank chuckled and caught his daughter mid flight, twirling her around he hugged her tightly. From the reactions of both families, a passerby would assume they'd not seen each other for years, "Oh I missed you peanut!" he sighed as he lowered her back to the floor.
Leaning back enough so he could brush her hair from her face, Emily smiled brightly, her eyes glazed with tears as she nodded her head, "I missed you too Dad." She replied, wrapping her arms around his waist after he'd retrieved her trunk.
Lily stopped by them to quickly hug Emily, promising to write to her, before she followed her parents out the station. Emily looked up at her Dad and smiled, "Let's go home Dad."
Frank lifted her hand, and pressed a kiss to it as they walked, together out of the station, looking forward to the Christmas holiday laid out in front of them.
Right before we move onto review replies I have a huge apology to hand out. I know I'm seriously lacked in an update, but in my defence I have been unable to get onto for AGES. My service provider had deemed the site a 'Risk' and banned it...had no way of getting on, luckily I have now switched providers and to make it up to you guys my updates shall be daily, or every other day at the latest I promise...
This chapter...well it's the lead up to a stage in Emily's life that's going to change things forever!
Lightbabe – Hey hun! Sadly the boys are not going to tell Emily any time soon, where would the fun be in them just telling her huh? :D This story is set to become more darker and a little angst ridden over the next few chapters so I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them!
ShutUpAndSmile - Sirius's gifts were sweet weren't they? I think they suited who Emily is, and in a way Sirius too. That drawing won't be going away any time soon, you can guarantee it'll make another appearance down the line.
Saffy - All the best relationships are complicated I think, and Emily's and Sirius's is set to rival Lily and James I reckon I feel smug when I write this, because poor Emily is so in the dark about who her friends are, well one of them and he does want to tell her...just something's is about to happen that will make that next to impossible. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I can guarantee you'll love the next few.
MickyTheLittleVampire – Thanks for a great review hun. I love that you love this story, it's my baby and I really do care about the characters and what I'm writing, hope you like the next couple chapters.