Walking into the common room, Emma and Remus stood back in complete shock. A full party was taking place, and it was only four in the afternoon. A seventh year boy walked by with a tray of firewhiskey shots.

"What the fuc-"

"Hey!" Peter yelled with giddy, waving his hand in Emma's face as she rolled her eyes.

"Wormtail what's going on?" Remus looked around. The couches and tables had been moved to a corner, leaving the open floor for dancing.

"A party!"

"We know that! But whyyyy?" groaned Emma.

"We won! It was terrific, you two should have seen what Pron-"she walked away not caring what had happened at the game. She carefully made her way through; everyone was already tipsy, dancing in a suggestive matter.

"Hey give me that!" she pulled a glass away from a first year. "Go to your room!"

"Don't be such a kill joy, he's only having fun," a voice slurred behind her as the boy ran away.

"An eleven year old boy shouldn't be drinking. I don't want him ending up like you."

Sirius feigned hurt, "You think I'm a drunk? Newsflash my dear Emma, I'm enjoying my youth."

"Of course, that's how it all starts." She started making her way towards the exit when her arm got caught.

"How's my little brother? You would know, now that you're so well acquainted," he sneered in her ear.

Pulling her arm out of his tight grip, she coldly looked at him. "There's nothing to compare, he's everything I want. To be honest, you don't stack up Siri." She turned her heel and walked away but Sirius followed.

"You know what I think?"

"I don't know nor do I care. Go back and continue drinking, maybe you'll lucky and a girl will let you snog her."

"I'm not in a snogging mood," he replied, taking another glass from a passing tray. "So how's the relationship going?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't but that doesn't stop me from being curious."

"You're contradicting yourself. When you're curious enough to start asking questions, you care," she retorted, looking for a possible escape in the crowded room.

"You're going to regret being with him."

"Doubt it." She had found her chance. Grabbing Sirius, she shoved him into a girl, who latched on like a leech.

Once outside, away from the ruckus, she took steady breaths. Not knowing where to go, she started making her way to the library, not expecting to find anyone there. Entering she realized it was full, causing her to double take and head back out when something caught her ear. Following the laughter she found herself standing behind a bookshelf; Regulus was with a group of Slytherins, but what kept her still, was the girl. A blonde girl had her arm wrapped his, her head resting on his shoulder. Emma stood motionless, her eyes burning from not blinking.

"What are you doing?"

She turned around and found a small boy staring at her in bewilderment. "Nothing, just-"but she quickly left before saying another word. She didn't want to jump to quick conclusions, so she started wandering around, clearing her head.

Maybe I'm overreacting, she kept saying to herself, not knowing what else to think to calm herself. Soon enough six came around, and Emma finally made her way to the hall which started filling up, though the Gryffindor table remained empty. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Regulus had entered with the same group he was with in the library, the girl included.

Lily sat next to her, looking flustered. Emma could only imagine what she saw at the tower.

"Did you see the-"

"I know. It's crazy up there."

"I can't believe they would throw such a party. Everyone was piss drunk! They're lucky McGonagall isn't here, I would gladly have told her," Lily whispered.

"I'm guessing they're all passed out by now?"

"No, they're still celebrating," she took a sip of pumpkin juice.

Emma groaned, knowing she had to go back after dinner.

"When is the food going to-"she stopped as it appeared before her.

Lily giggled, "Hungry much?"

"I'm always hungry."

"Why are you panting?" Lily furrowed her eyebrows at Remus, who was all sweaty.

"I-managed-to-leave."

"Did they hold you hostage?" Emma asked as she served herself some carrots.

"No, but it's completely crowded. I suspect some students from other houses are there."

"Great, just what we needed," Lily sighed, tossing her red hair into a quick bun.

Eating her carrots, Emma looked over at Regulus. He was eating a steak, listening closely to Severus, who looked as if he were planning to murder someone.

"I'm not even hungry," Remus frowned, looking down at his plate.

"You hardly ate anything."

"He ate three large pumpkin pasties," Emma answered for him.

"Quite the adventure you two had."

"Yeah, we saw the world."

"I'm sure. So what are we going to do?" Lily worriedly asked. "They're still going strong if they haven't come down to eat. Do you think I should tell Dumbledore?"

"And be known as a tattle? I don't think so," Emma answered. "Let's just head back and go to our room."

"What about me?" Remus pouted.

"Oh right, the stairs. How about we go to your room, no?"

Remus thought it over. "Sure, but it's messy."

"Do you honestly think we would care," laughed Emma, but glancing over at Lily, she backtracked. "Can't you organize it really quick before we go?"

"I'll try."

"Wow the boy's dormitory is so different."

"Not really," interjected Lily.

They had managed to bypass the party animals in the common room that were still going strong, except now they were fueled with more liquor.

"Do you have a wizard chess board or something?" Emma asked, already feeling bored.

Remus got up and searched under his bed, coughing up dust. "Ah here we go!" He had a deck of cards in his hand.

"Let's play poker!" grinned Lily, snatching the cards.

Emma frowned, her eyes darting between the two. "I don't know how to play."

"We'll teach you. It's fairly easy, all you have to do is-"

"Win," Remus chuckled. "No, we have to teach her all of the hands first before we start playing."

They started explaining all of the terms, Emma trying to remember all of them. After several minutes of explaining and arguing they finally started playing.

"I'll bet two more chocolate frogs," Remus stated. Emma threw down two, waiting for the reveal. "Alright, show of cards."

"Emma you didn't have anything!"

"I know, I just wanted to get rid of those bloody chocolates."

"Evans?"

James had appeared, his eyes blood shot red and his hair was messier than ever. Lily groaned, putting her cards down. "I'll be in my room."

"Wait no plea-hopeless isn't it?" James stumbled towards his bed and collapsed.

"Do you still want to play?" Remus asked, unfazed by his drunken friend.

"Yeah. So am I supposed to match cards?"

Remus nodded, "Remember the hands I showed you? Just try to make one of those. Ok look, see my hand? I have two queens-"

"Yeah, and three random numbers." The game was confusing Emma who furrowed her eyebrows trying to concentrate on all he was explaining.

"Well yeah, but I still have a pair over you're-nothingness."

"Hmm."

"Ok, lets' play another hand."

"Well look what we have here! My, you sure do move on quickly Emma!"

She sighed, knowing her game with Remus was over. "I'll see you later Moony. We'll continue playing another day."

Sirius stood by the door, swaying back and forth, blocking Emma's exit.

"Let me through."

"Why don't you make me?" he breathed down on her. Remus got up and pulled Sirius away from the door.

"You're no fun Moooony, I was just playing." He collapsed on his bed, laughing at nothing. Emma didn't bother to look back, continuing on to her room. Lily was sitting on her bed, doing some homework.

"You didn't stay?"

"Too many drunken people in that room. I feel awful for leaving Moony to deal with them."

"You don't say. The day McGonagall isn't here, this happens."

"Lily can I tell you something?"

"Is that a serious question?"

"No it's not about Sirius, it's about Regulus." Emma sat down on her bed, Lily quietly giggling. "What?"

"Nothing. What happened?"

"I went to the library today and saw Regulus. He was with his friends but the thing that stuck out to me was that there was a girl wrapped around him like a squid."

Lily sat still, pensive. "Perhaps you should ask him. Don't try to sugar coat it either, ask directly. If he reacts in some sort of annoyed or anger way, he's perhaps hiding something otherwise he wouldn't react."

She nodded, agreeing to what her friend was saying. "You're right. Wait what's that look for?"

"Nothing."

"You keep saying nothing but I know you're thinking in that head of yours!" She gently poked Lily's head. "Tell me."

"I can't speak on behalf of your relationship. That's up to you and I know you'll figure it out."

"Way to be cryptic," she muttered, sitting back on her bed. "Thanks Madam Evans, I'll be sure to come to you next time I have a problem."

"Will you shut up!"

Emma grinned to herself, starting on her Potions essay. "Is that a forewarning Madam?"

Lily just smiled to herself, reading her Transfiguration textbook. Emma laid back closing her eyes thinking her Potions essay could wait. She had some things to figure out.