A/N: Hey guys! I'm back to finishing this story after a few months away. This chapter has been sitting a long time waiting to be edited. Finally got around to it and got some more chapters going. Please excuse anything out of the ordinary, I'm trying to get back into the swing of the story. Next chapter will be out sometime soon, promise! Hope you all enjoy this chap. I also want to thank all of you who have stuck around and always sent me pm's and comments. It has truly motivated me to keep going and finish this for you all.
After about two hours, they had finally arrived. The Lupin's home was two story high with a small garden of flowers on each step to the front door. The neighborhood looked quiet, with no one in sight but them. Remus helped his father carry their bags inside, meanwhile Emma looked around, smiling to herself at all the small details the house had. Mrs. Lupin walked up to her, a small grin on her face. "It's not much, but its home."
"It's very nice Mrs. Lupin. Looks lively," she complimented, heading inside. Inside the living room was furnished with quaint couches and chairs, a small, dark table in the center, with a television in front of the window. Emma inspected the television, remembering the one at Lily's home.
"That's a-"
"I know what it is Moony," she laughed. "Lily's parents used one."
"You two must be hungry; I'll prepare something quick to eat. Remus show Emma to her room," Mrs. Lupin said, hurrying off to the kitchen, Mr. Lupin following. Remus picked up his suitcases, trying to pick Emma's.
"No I got it."
"It's a small house-"
"It's nice." They climbed the stairs turning a left at the top. There were only five doors, three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small office.
"This is the guest room," he flicked something on the side of the wall. "There's a small closet you can put your stuff in."
"Why are you acting shy?"
"I've never brought a friend home, let alone a girl!" he laughed.
"They don't think we're-"
"No! I told them you were just my best friend."
"Kids! I prepared some sandwiches."
Remus put the bags to a side, nodding over at her. "Come on, mum's sandwiches are delicious!"
The kitchen was painted yellow, throwing Emma eyes for a blur but she regained her vision back and proceeded to sit down at the table for four. "I never realized how yellow brightens up a room." Mr. Lupin grunted, as his wife gently smacked his arm.
"Lyall doesn't like it, he wanted to paint an awful brown, that reminds you of know what," she smiled, setting down plates.
"It did not look like that at all Hope."
Remus chuckled, "It was pretty bad, dad."
"No one in this house is ever on my side, Emma. Remus always sides with his mother."
"My boy," Mrs. Lupin kissed her son, who tried to pull away, turning a bright red.
Emma felt a pang of envy, deep inside her. She quietly watched, slowly eating her sandwich.
"What are you thinking about," Remus asked, finally free from his mother's tight hug.
"Nothing! These sandwiches look delicious," she lied.
Aryall observed them with amusement, while Hope Lupin ate peacefully enjoying her culinary work.
"I was one day walking through a forest-"
"Why were you walking in a forest again?" Remus interjected.
"Because I was just enjoying the nice breeze, and oh well you know-"
"Ok mum, so you were enjoying your walk and?"
She smiled, "Well there I was walking, when I stumbled across this large, vicious and hideous looking man. Gave me such a fright I started screaming for dear mercy!" And then out of nowhere, this young man comes, with some stick in his hand, gives it a little wave and the man turns into a field mushroom."
"Was it a boggart?" Emma asked, the story captivating her attention.
Mr. Lupin cleared his throat, resting his hands on the table. "I was sent down there due to some report of a vicious boggart scaring people. Came right on time as Hope stumbled across it."
"He walked me home that day and that's how it all started."
Remus gave a small chuckle, "And after I was born."
"You know our wedding cake topper was a boggart!"
Emma started laughing, as did everyone else. Mrs. Lupin continued on, "It was beautiful. Let me show you the photos!" Quickly running over to a drawer, she pulled out an album. Remus sighed, folding his arms, as his mother quickly came back to the table.
"Mum, we've seen these photos a million times."
"I'd like to see them," Emma said, giving him a side eyed look. Mrs. Lupin beamed, beginning to flip through the pages, finally reaching the one displaying the wedding. The cake was traditionally white and small with a huge man on top, a empty expression on his face. "Was that the boggart?"
"Yes. Frightful thing wasn't it."
Pulling the album closer, she began looking at the rest of pictures. The event looked small but beautiful, everyone with a content glow to them. "Where did it take place?"
"Cardiff. Born and raised there and lived there until I married Lyall."
Emma gulped at the mention of Cardiff. "My grandparents are from there."
"Beautiful city," Mrs. Lupin smiled. "We visited last summer to see my mum who's still living there. Have you visited?"
"It's been quite some time since I've been there, actually." Shifting, she turned her head away ignoring Remus's curious eyes. "But it was beautiful the last I remember of it."
"Are your parents there? I mean, for this holiday?" Mr. Lupin asked, his serious eyes staring straight into hers.
"No, they-had to attend a private event," she waved her hand. "Glad to avoid them at all costs." She looked back up to see he was still observing her.
"What is it that they do dear?" Mrs. Lupin warmly asked, delicately placing another sandwich on her plate.
"My mum doesn't work, and my dad-well he ventures in some private businesses here and there. He traveled a lot. Still does, only difference now is he brings along my mum."
The three sat looking at her, smiling politely, but Emma imagined they must be thinking what a disjointed family she comes from. She stood up, grabbing her plate, she placed in the sink. "If you'd all excuse me, I shall go unpack."
"Wait for me," Remus huffed, scrapping his chair to get up.
"Remus, I've told you not to do that! You are damaging the floor tiles," his mother frowned.
"Sorry."
Emma stood on the stairs waiting for Remus to come out. "My dad can be a bit overbearing," he sighed. "He didn't mean anything with his questions though."
"No, I know," she smiled. "Come on, I really need to unpack."
"You didn't bring much thankfully."
"Shut up," she grinned. "Where do I put-"
"Here. These are secret drawers." He tapped on a wooden box, drawers sliding out.
"Why the secrecy?"
"I don't know. My dad just likes making them like this."
She nodded, continuing to unpack as Remus placed everything away. They shuffled quietly, their comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts.
"What we're thinking about downstairs?"
"What do you mean?"
Remus sat down on the edge of the bed, a shirt scrunched between his pale hands. "I mean when my mum hug me, you had a weird look on your face."
She rolled her eyes, throwing a pair of socks at him. "That was nothing. I just thought what a lovely family you have is all." She quietly hoped he would drop the case, and to her astonishment he didn't question her any further, though his furrowed eyebrows gave him away; he didn't believe her.
Christmas morning, Emma was the first one up. She made her way downstairs and made coffee for the Lupin's. The area around the tree was full of presents, making her feel giddy.
"Happy Christmas Emma!" Remus ran down the stairs, his parents behind him.
"I made some coffee."
"Thank you dear," Hope hugged her. She got herself a cup of coffee, handing one over to her husband.
"Well open your presents!" Lyall happily yelled.
"Here, I bet you can't wait any longer." Emma tossed Remus hir present. They were a pair of flashing socks along with a matching scarf. She scrunched her nose waiting for his response.
Remus roared in laughter, as he pulled of the wrapping paper. "How did you know?"
"I saw you eyeing them, the day we went to Hogsmeade."
"Thank you! Now I feel my present is a bit boring," he said, handing over his present. She opened it, a separate part falling out.
"It's two," he explained.
One was a sneakoscope, the other a book. "I figured you'd need the first one against Padfoot, and the book-well it's quite a good book."
Emma smiled, hugging them to her chest. "Thank you Moony!"
They continued opening their presents; Lily had given them both fancy quills, James gave them some quidditch nonsense, Peter sent them chocolate frogs, and Sirius had sent them nothing. When everything was unwrapped, they sat back laughing about what they had gotten.
"I think you're missing one," Remus pointed at the small package Emma forgot. It was Regulus's gift. She took it in her hands, and unwrapping it slowly, she came across a small wooden box. Her hands shook, frozen still.
"Would you like me to open it?"
She rolled her eyes, her hands finally moving. Inside, the box was lined with an emerald velvet. Slytherin pride, she quietly laughed in her head, but her eyes lit up at the silver ring with black linings and two encrusted onyxes. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. She exhaled loudly, not realizing she had been holding in her breath.
"Wow, that sure is beautiful," Hope said, looking over the ring from behind her shoulder. Emma took the ring out of the box, sliding it on her right ring finger. Holding her hand away, she observed it resonating against her skin.
"Who gave you that present?" Lyall curiously asked, placing his coffee mug down.
"Her boyfriend," Remus smirked.
"Well I'll tell you this, no boy gives such a gift if he doesn't truly fancy a girl."
Looking back at the ring, Emma slowly smiled, her eyes fixed on the beauty around her finger.