Chapter 26:

Harry completed the first task with flying colors, though he did end up with a few cuts and bruises. Emily healed those up no problem thanks to a potion book she got from Snape, how to heal wizardry wounds. Speaking of Snape, it's been a couple weeks since she's started her private DADA classes with him. It was hard getting started, but Snape could tell she was really trying her best to learn the spells. She'd sneak out of the castle late at night and find a quiet place to practice the spells. There was one night she was wandering the seventh floor corridor when the Room of Requirement appeared to her for practicing.

It was the first snowfall of the year, and McGonagall had the entire house in the music room.

"I wonder why we're here." Angelina asked as they all got seated. Emily saw Filch carrying in a rather large music player into the room and sit it onto the table.

"Dance class, for the Yule ball." She said, looking at Filch.

"How do you know?" She asked.

"Dumbledore told me about it." She laughed. Filch began to fiddle with the music player as McGonagall began to speak.

"The Yule ball has been a tradition during the Triwizard tournament, since its inception. On Christmas eve we, and our guests, gather in the great hall for some well mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean that literally because the Yule ball is indeed; a dance." The entire room broke out in whispers, gasps and groans. "Silence! I will not have you all behaving like a babbling, bumbling, band of baboons. Inside every girl, a swan is longing to burst out and come forth." She said.

Ron made an inappropriate remark and had to dance with McGonagall for the rest of class. They were all told to partner up, so Emily partnered up with Fred. The two of them were trying keep up with McGonagall's instructions. "1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3- Miss Ryan, keep your chin up." She instructed, raising her chin so she was standing straight. Fred laughed at her. "Mr. Weasley, you must be leading." She said. Emily laughed at him.

"Yeah, c'mon Fred. Don't make me do all the work." Emily teased.

"Mr. Weasley, again from the top." She said walking off and finding Ron. Fred held her closer as they danced.

"The ball's in two weeks." Fred mentioned.

"Is it?" Emily asked.

"It is." He said. "Em, would you care to accompany me to the ball?" He asked. Emily smiled, she thought it was cute how Fred was asking, he reminded her of a school boy, asking a girl to prom.

"Of course Fred, I'd love to." She kissed him.

"Miss Ryan and mister Weasley, distance if you please!" McGonagall called, making the two jump back.

The day of the ball had finally arrived and Emily, Angelina, Katie and Alicia were all in the younger girls dormitories, helping them get ready for the night. Emily was currently doing Hermione's hair.

"Emily?" She asked.

"Hm?"

"Are you happy?" She asked. Emily paused and looked at Hermione through the mirror.

"What are you talking about?" Emily asked.

"It's just... I see you when you think no one is looking at you. You seem distant, like something is bothering you." Emily looked down at Hermione's hair.

"I don't know what you're going on about, but I'm perfectly fine 'mione." She assured her, smiling. Hermione didn't smile back, instead she turned around and looked up at Emily.

"No; you're not. I know when you're upset, what's bothering you?" Emily just stared at Hermione. "You have to say something Emily, I'm not going to leave you alone. Is it Fred?"

"No, of course not. Fred's amazing." Emily said quickly. "He makes me really happy."

"Then what?"

"Emily hesitated. "It's Dumbledore."

"What's wrong with him? Isn't he like a father to you?"

"Yes but, it's really complicated. There's more to it than that. I'm always worried for him. Part of me is worried because he's all I have left that's even remotely close to a family." she said.

"Have you told him about Fred?" She asked.

Emily shook her head. "I can't he wouldn't understand it, he wouldn't approve of him."

"Why not? He's perfect for you." Hermione said. "If it matters in the slightest Emily, when you're with Fred, you seem happy. Both of you do. Honestly I think you two were made for each other." Hermione said turning around and looking back into the mirror.

"I honestly wish that were true." She said, looking at herself in the mirror.

"It's the way I wish I could look with someone." She said.

"Hermione, Viktor is a wonderful man... but he's not your prince charming." Emily said.

"I've been thinking the same thing actually." She said.

Emily cleared her throat. "Well, why don't we finish up here so we can enjoy a memorable night." Emily smiled, trying to be the optimistic one here. Hermione smiled as Emily went back to doing her hair.

"Emily, hurry up and get dressed!" Angelina shouted from down in the common room.

"I'll be down when I'm done. Just go on without me! Tell Fred I'm running just a little late!" She shouted back from her room. She was so caught up with helping Hermione that she lost track of time and hurried to get her dress on. She finally finished and looked into the mirror. She was wearing a Caribbean blue, long, flowing gown with shimmering pearls trailing along the hem. Her hair was done up in an elegant, wavy, subdued chignon. Emily rushed down the stairs and out the portrait hole, where she bumped into Snape.

"Oh, Severus. Do we have a lesson scheduled for tonight? I swear I don't think we did." She asked.

"Miss Ryan, it seems Dumbledore would like to see you in his office before you make your way to the ball." He told her.

"Could this not wait until the morning?"

"He said it was urgent." He explained.

Emily sighed. "Alright. Hopefully it won't take that long." She made her way towards Dumbledore's office and knocked on the door

"Come in. Ah yes Miss Ryan." He said, turning to see her coming into his office.

"Albus, I was told this is urgent. Can it not wait until after the party?" She asked.

"I'm afraid not." He said. Emily came further into the room.

"What's wrong, what's happened?" She asked curiously.

"I've heard from professor McGonagall that she found you and Mr. Weasley snogging during dance class." He said.

Emily swallowed the lump that had just built in her throat. "She may have..." Emily completely forgot about that incident. In her defence, it happend a couple weeks ago. She was surprised Albus had just found out about it. "Is this what this is about?" She asked.

"I don't have to be the one to remind you about the rules." He said, walking around Emily and standing by the door.

"I know I know." She rubbed her forehead, distressed "Albus, I'm happy. For once in a long time I feel normal. Why can't the universe just let me have this one." She asked with teary eyes.

"Tell me, in these stories... Does Fred have a love interest?" Dumbledore asked.

Emily shook her head.

"And in the end... Does he... Live?" He asked.

Emily shook her head.

"But... He might be able to?" She asked.

"But then who will take his place?" He asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"Someone has to die." Dumbledore emphasized. "If not him, then who? One of his brothers? His sister? You?" Emily closed her eyes as he talked. "The last thing in the world I want to do is tear you away from what makes you happy. Your happiness is so profoundly important to me. I want nothing but you to feel at home. To feel like you have a place here, in this world." Albus shook his head, and sniffled. "Surely you understand... This can't continue."

"Albus?" She asked, not sure what he was talking about.

"Dear, I want you to know that I am only doing this to protect, not just you... but the fate of the world as we know it." He said as he left the office. "I'm sorry." The door closed behind him.

"Sorry... For what?" She asked as she went to follow him. She went to open the door, but it didn't budge. She pulled on the handle a few more times but it didn't even shake the door. "Albus!" She shouted and pounded on the door. Sighing in frustration, she pulled her wand out from under her dress and tried to use a spell to open the door, but everything she tried wouldn't budge. "Albus!" She cried and pounded on the door. She went for the window, but even that wouldn't open. He had every opening locked. What was he trying to accomplish? Emily knew that even if she didn't show up at the ball, Fred wouldn't be angry at her. She had no idea how she would explain it, but he wouldn't be mad, would he? She took a seat at Dumbledore's desk with her feet at her chest. "Merry Christmas Emily." She said as she laid her chin on her knees.

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