Chapter 25 A Lion of a Snake
(Juke Box Hero)
Emmeline felt as though some form of a full circle came as Beckett stopped her near a pillar. His finger brushed a lock of her hair back and she looked up to meet his eyes with a tight smile.
" Application results come out next week right?"
" Yeah… I'll be hearing from the Prophet then," Emmeline answered. There was something different to how she moved around him. Before she was relaxed and now she was tense and jumpy. Beckett seemed to notice the change.
" Look I know that you've got a lot going on right now," Beckett started. Emmeline's mind filled with dread; he was going to ask for a relationship or a date.
" So I think we should take a pause."
Surprise rippled into Emmeline's mind and she struggle not to let it show.
" You don't want to be with me?"
Emmeline's brow crumpled in confusion and Beckett jumped in quickly to clarify.
" It's not me Emmeline. Merlin knows I want to be with you so badly," Beckett sighed. He leaned towards her and shadows decked the surface of his nose and cheeks. " But you're incredible and have a choice to make about your future. I don't care if you want to take my offer up or not but I want you to know that I'm another choice. You could choose me but first you have to choose yourself."
Emmeline laughed. She laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes and the Yaxley family glared at her and Beckett.
" Vance?" Beckett asked in an almost hurt voice. Emmeline stood straightly and entwined her hand with his.
" I'm a writer who couldn't find the words to describe what I needed ever since this entire year began. But you found those words for me," Emmeline explained as she reached for Beckett face.
Her finger pulled it down and she kissed him softly before letting go.
" I'm going to miss you hellishly," she sighed against his forehead. " But you're right. I have to choose me."
" Don't think I won't write every week," Beckett answered with a toothy grin.
" I won't open those letters without some of your mum's scones- they're as great as the ones the house elves make," Emmeline countered.
" So that's why you tolerate me," Beckett teased.
" Of course, I'll need a new source for scones once I'm out of Hogwarts."
" My mum loves you more than me probably- she'll murder me if I don't win you over."
" Well good luck Scamander- I'm a tough girl to win over," Emmeline bantered.
" I know that Acromantula Slayer, believe me I know that," Beckett said with a laugh.
He pulled Emmeline in for a tight embrace before pressing a smacking kiss to her forehead.
" Keep your hair down for me?" Beckett asked before letting go of her. Emmeline reached for her luggage cart and pushed it forward.
" I'll try," she stated as she walked away. Emmeline paused before turning and seeing that Beckett was watching her. His lips pulled into a wide arch as she met his eyes and there were butterflies in her gut ready to come out like a volcano.
But she turned away and walked forward because Beckett understood that right now Emmeline had to choose herself. He didn't make the choice for her but he helped her realize what she needed through this mess of a year. For that, Emmeline knew that the matters of her heart could be at rest at least until she graduated.
April 8, 1977
I'm going to miss Beckett like hell.
Rain pelted down the side of the Hogwarts Express as it tore through the English countryside. Sirius dragged his finger over the window of the Marauder's cabin before turning to James.
" Where's Moony?" he asked in a tired voice. After cracking his neck, James shrugged and continued playing with his snitch.
" Prefect stuff."
Sirius narrowed his eyes at James's frame. Although he'd taken up most of the seats across from Sirius, James looked almost small. He curled into the surface of the worn bench and barely had light in his eyes as he reached for the shining snitch.
" How was your break?"
" Fine."
James pocketed the snitch and tore his hand through his hair before taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He moved his legs from the length of the seat and hunched over to face Sirius.
" I heard you had an encounter with Adam McKinnon," James offered in a strained tone.
" Something of the sort- Lucius nearly convinced him to come to the next meeting but aurors showed up and we had to scatter. I'm not upset; that pub was disgusting especially with Wilkes practicing jinxes on muggles," Sirius replied.
" So McKinnon is on the rails," James continued.
Sirius shrugged noncommittally. He didn't have much against his future brother in law if anything he pitied Adam. Yet Sirius felt oddly uncomfortable around Adam even if he was going to spend most of his future meeting him for holidays and parties. There was something off to how he smiled…
" Speaking of McKinnon," James started as he sat up. He tilted his head back and met Sirius's eyes tiredly. " Vance and Jason paid a trip to my house last Friday."
" Jason?" Sirius asked in a suspicious air.
" Gastor… Same thing really," James clarified dismissively.
" What did they want?"
" Apparently the pair was in contact with Lily and forgot that she's unreliable," James explained in a sour manner. " Thought I had some reason to do with her disappearing act."
" Did you?" Sirius asked as the door opened. James's cat sauntered in with Remus on his tail.
" I used to think so. But I've got reason to believe that Selena Kingsmill has something to do with this," James mused.
" Something do to with what?" Remus asked as he sat on Sirius's bench and stretched his legs onto James's. Snitch jumped up to James's lap and rubbed against his button down shirt.
" A mess that Lily created." James idly scratched Snitch behind the ear and the cat purred loudly. " It seems that as usual she keeps me out of the loop of her plans."
Remus looked conflicted and Sirius shot him an inquisitive gaze.
" It's nothing… I think it's nothing," Remus muttered.
" Do share Moony- your ideas are usually right. And when they aren't, they're pretty damn close," James said as he stopped Snitch from jumping up to where their luggage was.
" I just saw Selena Kingsmill with Zabini and Parkinson. Longbottom, my patrol partner, well he gave her a detention for hexing Cressida."
" What type of hex?" Sirius questioned.
" Bat Bogey."
" Nice," Sirius said with a whistle.
" Where'd you see them?" James asked as he sat up. He brushed his shirt down and Snitch curled up where he sat.
" Near the front of the Slytherin cars- around the girls loo," Remus stated as James moved to their trunks and pulled something from his. Sirius could see the translucent fabric of James's invisibility cloak gripped between James's palms.
" I'm going to go and do some marauding," James stated as he swept the cloak over his shoulders and disappeared from view. The door opened and seemed to shut on its own.
" So James has only gone more mad," Remus concluded.
" No… I think it's the complete opposite. He's not angry anymore, just tired," Sirius corrected. " Whatever comes after tired, well I'm sure it's got to be better than him acting as though the universe just hates him."
" Could be worse," Remus muttered. Sirius turned to him with a sad smile.
" How was your visit to the Tonks family household?"
Remus did not have James's powerful looks or Jason's ageless beauty. He did not have Sirius's classic handsome build but something wild and harsh. His forehead seemed to ripple into setlines as he snorted.
" I babysat my future wife Padfoot- how do you think it went?" Remus asked bitterly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out some pain relief potion.
" The full moon isn't until the end of the month," Sirius observed.
" I know."
April 9, 1977
Something's off with Jason… I know Lily's MIA and Michael's in France for whatever reason but something is wrong. He met with Alastor Moody to do Order work. I think they want him to be a spy. Godric, I hope he's careful.
Emmeline managed to reach the Hufflepuff table only seconds before Jason sat next to her. He gave her a soft smile and she frowned at him.
" You didn't tell me Michael was staying in France," she hissed lowly as Alphard Black approached the podium. Jason's smile fell and he chewed on his bottom lip.
She'd found out from Alice at the Prefect meeting of all places. Apparently Michael had decided to spend even more time on his Spring Break and that ruined the April Prefect route according to the Head Girl. After declining Alice's offer to sit with her old friends, Emmeline hunted through the train for Jason only to find him sleeping in a cabin. The heavyset bags under his eyes made her unable to wake him until the train reached Hogsmeade.
" Between you moaning over Scamander and the missing Lily issue I didn't have much mind to bring up that Michael had some personal matters to take care of in France," Jason answered sharply.
Emmeline nearly winced at his biting tone and glared at him. Jason's face softened and the hard lines disappeared and he looked sheepishly at his hands. Alphard Black started his speech and Jason leaned into Emmeline.
" I'm sorry but Michael made me promise not to tell anyone. Merlin, Ems it's killing me not to tell you," Jason apologized.
" You're just making me more curious," Emmeline huffed.
" Fine then I'll just tell you a secret," Jason settled. His eyes lit up slightly and he glanced towards the table where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall's lips were pursed as she watched Emmeline and Jason completely ignore Alphard Black's speech.
" I'm nearly positive that I saw Minnie on a date when I was in Diagon Alley," Jason whispered. Emmeline shot him an incredulous look and snorted.
" The Virgin Cat?" she asked in a disbelieving tone.
" Maybe the not so virgin cat," Jason teased. Emmeline could see a hint of scruff on his chin and hit his shoulder as he leaned in closer.
" You didn't shave did you?" she asked with a glare. Jason shuffled awkwardly and Emmeline touched his cheek before pulling away.
" What are you my mum?" he asked sourly.
" Well no girl will want to snog you if you don't shave," Emmeline answered as food appeared in the center of the table.
" I could grow a bloody brilliant beard if I wanted to," Jason proudly declared as he filled his plate. Emmeline laughed and shook her head.
" You'd look horrid with a beard."
Jason dropped his fork and tugged on one of Emmeline's curls.
" Care to make a wager?" he asked when she turned.
" Fine. If you can get shagged without shaving for an entire month then I'll get you two blocks of the best chocolate Honeydukes has to offer," Emmeline declared.
" And hypothetically if I can't, for let's say all the birds in the world disappeared, then I'll read that muggle book you're always going on about," Jason settled.
" Which one?" Emmeline asked.
" The one where the muggle girl ends up in a Wizard's land and is kidnapped by monkeys," Jason answered.
" The Wizard of Oz?" Emmeline asked. Jason grinned at the name.
" Bingo. You'd think the Ministry would have confiscated those shoes from the muggle girl and obliviated her. "
Emmeline rolled her eyes and didn't bother explaining it to him, he'd understand once he read the entire book.
" You've got a deal Mr. Gastor," Emmeline stated confidently as she shook Jason's hand and returned to her meal. Jason didn't let go of her hand.
April 11, 1977
Found my old copy of The Wizard of Oz- Jason's going down!
Two days later, Emmeline stumbled into her dorm exhausted from reviewing for NEWTs with the Gobstone club. Amelia had quizzed her on theoretical Charms until Emmeline saw words behind her eyelids.
She froze when she saw Marlene's figure sitting on her bed dressed in a short nightdress- one that Emmeline would never be able to pull off.
" Are you and Jason shagging?"
Emmeline nearly tripped over Lily's bedpost as she whirled around to gape at Marlene. Those electric blue eyes seemed almost icy as they met Emmeline's.
" Am I doing what?" Emmeline asked in an airy voice.
" Shagging Jason Gastor!" Marlene exclaimed.
" No- he's like my brother Marlene! Why in Agrippa's name would you even think that?"
Marlene stiffly crossed her long perfect legs and huffed indignantly. " You were holding hands at dinner when we got back."
" Jason's a very randy bloke Marlene- he likes having contact with people. Believe me it took Michael a long time to get used to Jason practically cuddling with him when we studied together," Emmeline scoffed.
Marlene looked conflicted but merely continued on. " Well that's good. Adam was worried about you and some bloke name Beckett, I didn't want to tell him you were sleeping with another bloke."
Emmeline wanted to slap Marlene or leave the room. But from Marlene's gaze and the quiver to her lips Emmeline knew the truth. She sat next to Marlene and placed a hand on her shoulder.
" How long have you liked Jason?"
" Why would I like him? He's pretty mean and arrogant."
Emmeline felt her lips pull into a smile. " Well he's awfully caring. I had a cold back in March and he stopped by every day in the Hospital wing to make sure I was okay, he even snuck me some scones. And he's a family man- I mean you should hear him go on and on about Lily and his family. He's also really passionate about Charms and Herbalogy. Did you know he sometimes tutors second years in Charms for Professor Flitwick? His eyes light up and all."
" Sounds like you like him," Marlene sniffed.
" Trust me if you met Beckett then you'd understand why I don't like Jason. Besides he's not into monogamy… I don't like heart breakers," Emmeline finished.
Marlene seemed to believe her and stood up. Emmeline bit her lip as Marlene walked to her own bed.
" Hey Marls," she said. Marlene looked up and tilted her head in question. " Is Adam doing okay?"
Her eyes flickered but she shrugged. " You know he came home from first year and wouldn't shut up about you. And I didn't want to believe him about how you were like a fairytale but then I came to Hogwarts. Emmeline you're his happily ever after. He's doing fine but he can't have a happily ever after anymore. I think he's stuck with an ever after or a the end."
Emmeline nodded and felt her eyes water slightly. She wasn't close with Marlene but something in the room seemed to shift slightly.
" I care about him… I'll always have a place in my heart for Adam. Agrippa knows he was my first everything," Emmeline mused. " But I can't love your brother and I'm sorry for hurting him."
" I wanted to hate you for that," Marlene said in a soft voice. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned forward on her toes before falling back down.
" I tried to hate you but I can't. I'm green with bloody envy that you got out of a betrothal and I'm trapped in one."
" I thought you and Sirius got along," Emmeline uttered confusedly. Marlene's face flickered coldly and she tossed a lock of her raven hair back.
" I tried to love Sirius and I think I do just a bit… He takes care of me. But there's someone else and I don't want to love him. He's a worse drug than Sirius ever was."
Both of them knew exactly whom Marlene was talking about, even if Marlene denied it to her death she was in love with Jason. Emmeline had no idea how she was supposed to feel about that. She did however know that she wasn't going to tell Jason; there were some things that girls had to stick together through- the matters of the heart were nearly on the top of that list.
April 14, 1977
Potter and Selena Kingsmill were in a classroom together last night! Amos said they were snogging- I think I'm going to have a word with Potter. They're such snakes- if either of them really loved Lily they wouldn't be doing this.
It was Career Day. The day seventh years found out whether their application to departments and teams were accepted, deferred, or utterly rejected. It was the one day that seventh years came to the Great Hall early in the morning and banded together.
There were few days that the colors and grudges fell apart- today was one of them. All 28 seventh years were feeling the same emotions go through them and they'd probably explode without some support from their fellow students.
" We should sit with the other Gryffindors," Gideon said as he walked over to Emmeline's end of the Hufflepuff table.
" Come on Em, we've been friends with them for so long," Gideon pleaded.
" I know that Gid," Emmeline sighed. She bit her bottom lip and debated her options. She could wait for Jason or sit with her fellow seventh years. Jason usually came late to breakfast as he moved back into his dorm with the other seventh years.
" Just for the letter opening," she settled before following him to the Gryffindor table. Alice was the first to see them and her lips pulled into a confused frame.
" We should finish this together," Emmeline explained as she took the seat next to Marlene and across from Adam. Adam met her eyes and smiled tightly before looking up to the sky.
" So do they plan this?" he asked. " Sending the letters out at practically the same time?"
" Adults are evil," Emmeline retorted. Adam's lips twitched and he shot her a grin before looking up to the enchanted ceiling.
" If I rejected then mum's going to kill me," a Hufflepuff muttered as owls flew into the Great Hall. The teachers' table was filled to the brim with faculty eagerly waiting to see if their favored students had gotten into the career of their choosing.
" I got in," Amos Diggory exclaimed. " All I have to do is pass my NEWTs!" His Hufflepuff friends pounded his back in congratulations and Emmeline shot a strained smile in his direction before looking back to the ceiling.
The first letter to reach the Gryffindor table landed on Fabian's plate. He reached for it and tore it open.
" Bloody hell... Puddlemere wants me beating," he declared in a shocked tone. Gideon enveloped him in a tight embrace and Ravenclaws shouted their congratulations to him. Even the Slytherins shot Gideon looks of admiration before looking to the sky for their own letters.
The first reject was Mulciber. Emmeline watched as he ripped the letter up and stormed out of the hall. But she didn't have time to dwell on it as a set of letters landed on Alice and Frank's plates.
Alice was meticulous in ripping her letter open but Frank shredded it. Emmeline waited as Alice's expression collapsed and Frank's filled with elation.
" I'm in… the Auror Academy is letting me start early," he stated in relief. Frank's shoulders slumped and the Gryffindors were given a moment of privacy as Darcy Stevies, Melissa's older brother, got into Gringotts.
" I'm deferred. They want to see my NEWT scores," Alice muttered. Frank's expression switched from joy to confusion and Alice slipped the letter into her bag before smiling slightly.
" Congrats," she said before pulling Frank into an embrace. Emmeline shot Alice a sympathetic expression but a letter landed again. Gideon reached for the letter on his plate and Emmeline was pleased to see that he stopped wearing that horrible cast.
" I'm pleased to inform you that St. Mungos has accepted you into the 1979 class of Healers, attached are the requirements in regards to your NEWT scores. Congrats Mr. Prewitt," Gideon read aloud.
Confusion settled over the group; none of them knew that Gideon had a change of heart for his career. Yet they were friends, the best type of friends. They were the type of friends that could build bridges over anything, even death. Emmeline worked so desperately to burn those bridges... Finally, Fabian pulled Gideon in for a wide embrace.
" Always knew you were the nerd of the family- wait till Molls hears," he announced as he let go of Gideon. Emmeline grinned and Marlene drilled Gideon with questions about the program he got into while Emmeline met Adam's gaze.
" Looks like we're last Emma."
" No I'm last," Emmeline answered while a letter descended from a brown owl and hit Adam's plate. He swallowed hard and his fingers shook.
" You'll be fine- the Department of International Magic Cooperation would be stupid not to accept you," Emmeline countered softly. Adam's eyes flickered and he nodded before opening the letter. He looked as though he wanted to tell her something but Emmeline's letter landed on her plate.
She reached for the creamy envelope and felt her body shake slightly. For her entire life Emmeline wanted to be a writer. She wanted to tell the truth and give people something to hope for. She wanted to be a word tamer and she pulled her castle down from the sky only for it to look all wrong.
Before she could even open the sealed message from the Daily Prophet, Emmeline knew what she wanted. She knew what castle she wanted and she knew exactly how to pull it down from the sky.
So before anyone could ask, Emmeline ripped the letter in half and then again.
" Emmeline what are you doing?" Frank demanded. Her old friends, and maybe the ones she'd treasure the most, looked over at her and the ripped pieces that were falling down from her fingers to the surface of the table.
Emmeline looked up and met Adam's gaze. His eyes knew why she'd done this before anyone else could.
" I have to go," Emmeline breathed as she stood and left the hall to write a letter to Beckett Scamander and to pick up a book on the Dragons of the World.
April 15, 1977
Just got fifteen books on Dragons from Beckett. Ughhhhhh…
" Miss Vance I was very pleased to hear from Beckett Scamander that you've agreed to join his expedition," Professor Grubbly-Plank said in a hushed tone while the class was emptying out. Her fellow classmates covered their heads from the rain as they laughed and sprinted up to the covered passage to the castle.
" I'm looking forward to it. Beckett just sent me all of the reading the members of group have to do, I'd really appreciate it if you could help me with some of it," Emmeline offered.
After getting Professor Grubbly-Plank's assurance to help her, Emmeline stepped out into the rain and didn't bother covered her hair as she walked through the storm.
" Em we've got Transfiguration!" Louis shouted from the covered pathway.
" Congrats on the job Weasley, the Gobstone Committee has a fantastic future with you in it," Emmeline offered as she shook her wet curls out and walked with Louis up the path.
Two weeks after Spring Break, and Michael still hadn't returned from France. Jason remained radio silent on why Emmeline's cousin was missing but she did enjoy watching the progression of his poor attempt at growing his beard. It wasn't going so well.
" Thanks Em, Cheers for the job you've got. I can see you riding dragons already," Louis answered with a slight stutter to his letters and a flush.
" Well I don't know about riding them, but researching dragons sounds grand. The leader of the expedition already sent me the reading I've got to do- I'm going to be up a lot of nights reading," Emmeline chuckled.
" You should see the work I've got assigned. You'd think that the Wizengamot wouldn't be a difficult career path considering most of them are purebloods that haven't worked a day in their life, but turns out that the newbies get loads of pre-work assignments," Amelia groaned as she joined them on their walk to Transfiguration.
" You're going to be legendary Amelia. There's only ten women in the Wizengamot and you're going to be the next," Emmeline answered proudly.
" If I make it pass the trials," Amelia groaned.
" If Yaxley is being considered then there's no way they wouldn't take you," Emmeline replied. Amelia shot her a thankful smile and they continued on.
They reached Transfiguration only moments before the bell rang and Professor McGonagall assigned partners. Emmeline shot Adam a soft smile as she sat next to him and they began working on giving each other a set of wings.
" How's Dueling Club going?" she asked while she focused on making a pair of glass wings for him. Adam twitched as her wand prodded his shoulder.
" Well enough. Turns out Sirius isn't that bad," Adam replied gruffly. " There's not a lot of people in our year going but the sixth years and fifth years seem really into it."
" That's good… They'll know how to protect themselves," Emmeline murmured as a wide wing sprung out of Adam's left shoulder blade. He craned his neck back and grinned at the blue glass-like structure.
" Nice," Adam offered. Emmeline nodded and worked on his other shoulder. She brushed a lock of her hair back and looked over his shoulder to see Gideon giving Katie Michelson a pair of gossamer wings.
" Michelson got into Mungos," Adam voiced. " Gives them tons of time to get over Dorcas's death and finally shag."
Emmeline stared at the back of his head incredulously; did he seriously want to talk about the girl who broke them up?
" Why would Dorcas's death matter to Katie?" Emmeline asked tightly as she traced the form of the next wing in the air. Adam gave her a skeptical expression before speaking.
" Dorcas's mum was Katie's mum's sister- they were cousins."
" Oh," Emmeline said with a crease in her forehead.
" Of course you'd know that," she sneered.
" Emma," Adam uttered in a strained voice.
" Don't call me that… Did you really think I want to hear what Michelson's doing next year? You snogged her," Emmeline hissed.
" I don't like Katie. Emmeline it just happened."
" So cheating on me was that easy."
" You were running around Hogwarts with Jason Gastor and bloody Beckett Scamander- you're working with Scamander for Merlin's sake," Adam spat.
" I messed up Adam. I did kiss Beckett- once. But you did it in front of everyone. That was fucking humiliating," Emmeline muttered.
" You cheated first."
" See this is why I can't be with you- we'd end up just like your parents," Emmeline spluttered. Adam's face fell and hardened while dread filled Emmeline to the core.
" Adam I'm so sor-"
" Just forget about it. It's not like they try and keep it a secret," Adam stated coldly. He turned before Emmeline could grovel for saying something so low. Emmeline glanced over to Katie and Gideon.
Katie and Dorcas had the same alabaster skin and pixie-like face. Their noses contained the exact same upward curve. They also had the same full-blown laugh. The kind of laugh that society did not control.
" I'm sure they'll work it out," Emmeline offered flippantly while she finished his wings. He gestured for her to turn without a word. Emmeline pushed her hair to the front of her shirt and Adam's wand prodded at her shoulder blades.
It was quiet. But not the type of comfortable quiet that once settled over her and Adam like a blanket. It was quiet that made childish faces and danced around them while their fellow classmates worked with laughter.
" I never congratulated you on getting into the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Where are you stationed?" Emmeline asked finally as Adam started the first wing.
He paused and turned her around so Emmeline was forced to meet his electric blue eyes and the small chip in the front tooth of his mouth.
" Emma I took back my application to that department."
" So who sent that letter?"
Adam swallowed and crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes gleamed slightly and Emmeline felt her chest shift uncomfortably.
" Department of Magical Law Enforcement- I'm going to be a Hit Wizard," said Adam.
There was a different type of quiet now. It was the kind of quiet that surroundings something foreboding. Sweat, sticky sweat, clung to Emmeline's hands and she wiped them down on her robes. Her throat felt itchy and she coughed before finally speaking.
" That's different."
Adam watched her, waiting for something else.
" I'm going to the loo."
His face crumpled and Emmeline turned quickly and ducked out of the room. She leaned against the wall outside of the door and slid down it. There was something off to her heartbeat. It hurt.
She was worried. Before Adam would have left and gone far far away from battlefields and death. Now he was running at death and Emmeline didn't love him. She didn't want a fairytale with him but she still cared for him. He was her first love and she couldn't watch him play hide and seek with death. But she'd have to.
Wet tears came to her eyes and Emmeline furiously wiped them away. Tilting her head up, Emmeline observed the ceiling and managed to realize that she could not stop Adam from doing what was right.
But there was a sickening tug at her gut… they'd reversed positions in this story. Adam was running to the war and Emmeline was running from it. She changed and so did he. He changed for her it seemed.
Adam was still in love with her.
April 16, 1977
Went to the library today to study with Henry and Amelia for NEWTs. Remus Lupin was drinking while studying with Reginald Cattermole. Had no idea they were friends or that Lupin drank.
April 17, 1977
No scones at Hufflepuff table. Ate some porridge. Jason's beard is pathetic.
April 18, 1977
Rain and more and more rain. Stayed up all night reading a book Beckett sent on the Swedish Shortsnout. He also sent a picture of one his parents got, apparently they're hard to find in the wild and extremely volatile as the dragon burned Newt's hair clean off.
April 19, 1977
Charms test today… Might have failed it but only because Dolohov got a Howler in the middle of class. Really his parents didn't need to inform our entire class that he failed this year and would have to repeat, but it's a good bit of gossip for the Hufflepuffs according to Gid.
April 20, 1977
Michael's not back yet and Professor Tonks is teaching me some special defense spells to use against fire-breathing dragons. She's not like the other Blacks really.
Adam was acting strangely at the Prefect Meeting… I think it's because of his parents but I can't ask. Aside from that we got new partners for May. Looks like Amelia and me are going to be spending some time together- she said she'll bring flashcards for Potions. Joy…
April 21, 1977
Lily still hasn't written. Jason's worried.
April 22, 1977
Potter's cat found its way to Gryffindor Tower… Marlene found the bloody thing on Lily's bed and I took it back to Potter. It didn't seem willing to go. Made a horrible ruckus and scratched me! The stupid creature actually ripped my arm open. Needless to say a good stupefying spell was used on it. Potter was rather relieved to see it- didn't know Potter could care about anyone but himself. Reenervated the creature then scolded the damn cat right in front of me. I think I'll stick to owls.
April 23, 1977
Adam had to patrol with me last night. Amelia's got a cold and he volunteered. We found Potter and Kingsmill in the Astronomy Tower… I guess the rumors are true.
April 24, 1977
Party at Ravenclaw last night- Justin Davies broke the exploding whiskey record. They crushed Gryffindor, as Michael still is not back from France. According to Jason Ravenclaw will play Slytherin for title and Gryffindor and Hufflepuff with compete for the bottom two positions. I think Jason deserves a win this year.
April 25, 1977
Went to a meeting of dueling club with Pandora and Damien. I hope Andromeda Tonks sticks around to teach next year. She's brilliant.
The food at dinner was worse than Jason's attempt at a beard. Can barely see his jaw anymore and he got some food stuck in it. I wonder how Dumbledore did it.
April 26, 1977
Accidentally stumbled across Sirius Black and Caradoc Dearborn after an Order meeting going over some of the Death Eater plans. I'm sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone but I think it's a good thing. If we can win over Black then we can do anything.
Jason's giving reports directly to Moody. He said the Dark Lord isn't pleased with him for skipping so many meetings. He's supposed to start going to death eater meetings more often now. I'm worried about him.
April 27, 1977
No word from Lily. Alice asked me to be a bridesmaid.
April 28, 1977
I doubt I'll get full function back in my hands. Studying sucks but I've got to pass all five of my NEWTs. Dragon research is only for year, I'll need to have something to do afterwards… I suppose I could consider Magiczoology.
April 29, 1977
Missing Beckett like hell. He writes but I doubt paper can get our banter. Got my invitation to the wedding of Alice Prewitt and Frank Longbottom. I never took them as the type to marry practically out of school. But as I'm a bridesmaid I can't really judge.
April 30, 1977
Jason got into a fight with Adam and Fabian in the Great Hall. Apparently he went on a mission with them and almost compromised it. Too many people know the truth.
April 30, 1977 (night)
Michael's back- there's something different to his eyes. He told me what happened. Oh Godric, I'm an aunt!
" Jessica Goyle," Jason drawled as he walked towards Emmeline. His beard was gone and there was a smirk resting on his face as he stopped in front of her.
" Excuse me where's your beard?" Emmeline demanded.
" I won our little wager."
Jason leaned against the wall of the corridor and looked out at the window with Emmeline.
" She found my beard very sexy. Said it gave me a rugged charm," explained Jason.
Emmeline rolled her eyes and continued her survey of the Black Lake. The rain had only cleared last night and she could make out flowers staining the ground around the lake.
Students sat around it… A flash of ginger hair came into view and Emmeline watched Gideon toss a quaffle to Christopher Chang. It seemed that houses broke down for this day as the boys were playing some form of catch.
" Well most girls would find it horribly itchy."
" Sure they would Ems."
Emmeline felt her lips twitched at the nickname on Jason's lips.
" I'll get you your chocolate by tomorrow," Emmeline replied. Jason pulled something out of his bag and wrapped his arm around Emmeline's shoulder.
Emmeline could see a worn copy of The Wizard of Oz in Jason's hands. His long nimble fingers rubbed against the spine and he grinned at her.
" Took me all month but I read it."
" Why?"
Jason gently reached for her hand and met her eyes carefully. There was something warm in those gold eyes, something warm that felt like home.
" Because we're family Ems."
Emmeline smiled and continued surveying the Black Lake.
" You remind me of the Tin Man."
Emmeline was silent and frowned at him. Jason shook his head and tugged on one of her curls
" Because you think that you don't have a heart- but it's there. Just took a little thawing to find," Jason explained.
" What are you then?" Emmeline asked.
Jason was quiet before smiling and laughing. " The Cowardly Lion."
Emmeline quirked her lip at this and Jason caught her expression.
" Before I met you and Michael and before Lily returned I did what my family told me was right. You guys made me realize that I could do what I thought was right- you make me brave Ems."
There was a feeling in Emmeline's heart that seemed to melt the last piece of ice from her heart.
" What's Michael?"
Jason chuckled and wrapped a curl of her hair between his fingers. Emmeline leaned into his shoulder and could see Michael walking towards them.
" The Scarecrow- he's a stupid git, but he's our git," Jason declared. Emmeline laughed and Michael looped his arm around her shoulder before looking out the window with them.
" You never told me your son's name," Emmeline commented. Michael grinned with pride.
" Oliver. Abby's dad was cousins with Oliver Waterford's and she remembered that I wanted to name my kid after him," Michael answered.
" Oliver Wood," Emmeline stated. It rolled off her tongue and she smiled.
She'd seen a picture of Michael's kid. The picture was worn even though it was relatively new. Michael must have opened and refolded it many times.
" I'm transferring to Beauxabatons next year to stay with Abby and Oliver."
They were silent for a moment as the sun set slowly. Emmeline knew that she had two months left with Jason and Michael. They'd part in the summer and she knew in her heart that they were going to stay in touch and write and visit but it wouldn't be the same.
" I've got to go and make up a test for Professor Sprout, I'll see you guys at dinner," called Michael as he squeezed Emmeline's shoulder and hit Jason's. As he walked away, Jason watched him with a smile.
" See being friends with us gave him some conscience- we made him see that deep down inside he really did have some form of thought," he justified.
" I think he's growing up."
" I think all of us are."
" I wish we could stay in Oz forever," Emmeline sighed. Jason dropped her hair lock and laughed.
" Well Kansas has its benefits."
" Like what?"
" It's home Ems, we're going home."
May 1, 1977
Jason Gastor is a lion.
R&R
-Rin