The party in the Gryffindor Common Room went on so late into the night that Professor Longbottom turned up in his dressing gown at just after two in the morning yelling that the party was over and everyone needed to go to sleep immediately. For a few moments, everyone ignored him until he threatened that he would get Professor McGonagall to turn up and that was when everyone started rushing up to their dormitories. Even after all these years as Headmistress, the former Head of Gryffindor wrath was still something feared amongst years and was to be avoided at all costs. However, Emma and her friends were already in the dormitory well before that had happened.
After her conversation with Regina, Emma had run towards the castle to catch up with her friends. At Victoire's insistence, Minnie was told to walk ahead with Lily so that she couldn't listen in. Normally, Emma wouldn't mind sharing with Minnie, but because the younger blonde had a tendency to make fun of Emma whenever Regina's name was mentioned, she had allowed the older Weasley to send her sister away.
Emma then told her friends exactly what had just happened and both were just as confused as she had been.
"I really don't understand that girl," Victoire murmured as they started walking up the staircase towards Gryffindor Tower. "Why is she helping you?"
"It wasn't much help," Ruby added. "Myrtle told you most of it."
"Yeah, but she doesn't know that," Victoire said. "She was giving Emma a genuine leg up. What does she get out of it? Surely, she'd want you to fail so Slytherin can win." She froze. "Maybe both she and Myrtle are lying to you and setting you up!"
"I agree," Ruby said. "It does sound like something Mills would do."
Emma shook her head. "No, you know I can tell when someone is lying to me. She wasn't. I just wish I could tell why she was trying to help. I mean she did say it was because she wanted to win fair and square, but that's not exactly the Slytherin way."
"I think that's going to be a mystery for a long time," Victoire sighed, saying what both Emma and Ruby had been thinking.
They only stopped their conversation while they were in the Common Room. Everyone wanted to congratulate the Captain and the Chaser. Gryffindors complimented Ruby on her goals and Emma for her masterful catching of the Snitch. They asked if she kept the Snitch, but Emma shook her head. The only Snitch she had ever kept was the one from her first ever match. She'd asked McGonagall if she could, as technically, it was school property. The Headmistress had beamed and agreed as Snitches had flesh memory after all and that had been a brand-new Snitch that year. It was now in a small box in Emma's bedside table where she would look at it when she needed strength, or sometimes just when she needed something to fidget with.
No one left the Common Room for the rest of the day as there was a vast array of food and drink that had been brought up from the kitchen and Emma also had an inkling that someone had snuck out to Hogsmeade, as lots of bottles of Butterbeer mysteriously arrived and they couldn't be found in the kitchens. Ruby also only had a small amount left after the drinks they shared following the announcement of Emma as the Gryffindor Champion.
By ten o'clock, Emma and her friends were done with celebrating and disappeared up to the dormitory where they continued their conversation about Regina.
"I still don't understand what she gets out of it," Ruby said. "I would keep an eye on her. I reckon Emma should keep an eye on her boyfriend too."
Emma turned after putting on her pyjamas. "What do you mean?"
"Oh please, he's been trying to get into Maiden's pants since last Christmas, subtle that boy is not," Ruby said. "He just doesn't want to admit it when he's with Regina, but that's a family thing. I do genuinely think that she likes him, but I don't think he actually likes her all that much."
"What?" Emma's mouth dropped. "Arranged marriages are a thing of the past. I mean look at Draco Malfoy! He was promised to Astoria Greengrass, but she ran off with Oliver Wood. I mean, I would know because she's my auntie's sister, and he married Romilda Vane instead, before passing a law that meant no more arranged marriages could be carried out."
Ruby shrugged as she sat on her bed. "Well they've either got around it somehow, probably with Blanchard's money, or they appear to be dating to make it look as if it were not arranged. The Locksleys used to be filthy rich but not anymore. They did some deal a few years ago that was meant to make them a fortune, but it didn't work out and they were left penniless. Blanchard's probably giving Regina away for some precious deal."
"That's horrible," Emma murmured. She was part of a Pureblood family, but they had never promised anyone and always allowed people to marry for love. Her great aunt fell in love with a Muggle and she was allowed to marry him without any hesitation because she loved him. Still she knew that Leo Blanchard was no Midas Swan Senior, the former was well known for his cruelty.
"It's how it was in those days," Ruby said and she pulled out a chocolate frog from her bedside drawer and bit off its head. "But I bet that's what's going on."
"I agree," Emma said. "How do you know all of this anyway?"
Ruby chuckled. "You know Granny is a gossip. I just listen when she's talking." She bit her lip. "Although, between us three, there's probably another reason Robin doesn't like Emma. His grandfather lost all his money to your grandfather."
Emma's eyebrows raised dramatically. "But my grandfather isn't shady!"
"Oh no, everything your grandfather did was above board," Ruby said quickly so that her friend didn't panic that her grandfather was a criminal. That would have been ironic as her mother was an Auror. "It was a shares thing, I think. I don't know the details. They put shares in something and they went down dramatically. Your grandfather was and remains a shrewd businessman and was by far the cleverer of the two, he got out before the going got bad and made a pretty penny. He even offered to help out those who lost money in the investment, the Locksleys were the only ones who thumbed their noses at the deal. There's a reason everyone loves Midas Swan."
Finally, Emma relaxed. "Yeah, he's pretty great." She sighed. "I just can't believe all of that with Robin and Regina. If it is fake and all that. I mean, there's no way Robin would cheat on a girl like Regina if he wasn't forced to be with her and was acting out."
Victoire raised her eyebrow at her friend. "Meaning?" She was fully aware of what Emma was implying and she wasn't trying to force anything out of her, she was just curious if the blonde would finally share what was on her mind about the Slytherin, but it was to no avail. Emma was stubborn, no one could make her divulge anything she didn't want to.
Emma flushed. "Nothing. I'm tired. Night." She then jumped into bed and pulled the curtains around her, ignoring the looks she knew her friends would be sharing and the noises coming from the celebration party which were still echoing from the Common Room below.
oOoOo
Another week passed and along with it, came more nights in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, constantly making potions. Now the first Quidditch match was over, Gryffindor weren't due to play again until January so they went back to practising once a week which helped free up Emma's evenings for potions practice.
On the Monday, Emma's parents had sent her an old copy of Advanced Potion Making. Emma thought they were insane to give her an old book instead of buying her a new one. However, it proved to be immensely useful as it was covered in scribbles. Emma half thought it was the (now) infamous potion book that Severus Snape had written in but Harry had said that that book had been destroyed in the fire in the Room or Requirement. The Room had since repaired itself but most of the items had been lost to the flames and not recovered, Fiendfyre was known to be part of the Dark Arts for a reason after all.
No, as Emma flicked through the pages, she recognised the handwriting, even without checking the first page that showed the name, 'Mallory Fire', in pleasantly familiar loopy script. Just like Snape had, Mal had embellished the instructions with tips. She, too, had said to crush the Sopophorus bean instead of slicing, plus a few other suggestions which would make potion brewing a lot easier.
As Myrtle had told them (Victoire and Ruby happily ignored Regina's tips, whilst Emma could think of little else), they looked for opposite potions and made a note of three sets. There were the Dreamless Sleep along with the Elixir to Induce Nightmares; the Elixir to Induce Euphoria and the Draught of Despair; and finally there was the Draught of Living Death and the Wiggenweld Potion. The latter didn't appear to be an opposite, but it was the only known antidote to the Draught of Living Death which they thought could be included in the batch of opposite potions, it would be thinking outside the box, but that was expected of the Champions.
However, these were the most difficult potions Emma had ever attempted as they were meant for Sixth and Seventh Years and she was struggling, even when using Mal's additional notes. For every attempt she did right, she did seven wrong and she was getting through her potion supplies rapidly and had to write home twice for more.
By the time the weekend came, she was relieved as it was finally time to go to Hogsmeade for the first time in the year. She couldn't wait to go to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, their second branch to open up after the war. This wasn't actually run by a Weasley as both Ron and George were based in London, but it was run by a family friend, Lee Jordan.
Professor Longbottom checked their names off on the list before Emma and her friends linked arms and started walking towards the famous village. As they walked, they saw a couple walking arm in arm and Victoire's grip on Emma's arm tightened as Teddy and Mary Margaret started making their way past them.
"Ugh, they make me sick," Ruby murmured. "You can tell he doesn't like her all that much so I don't know why he bothers."
Emma shrugged. "Teddy's a smart enough guy, he's just blinded at the moment. He'll realise she's not the one for him soon enough."
Whilst she didn't direct her comment towards Victoire, the Weasley smiled softly and her grip thankfully loosened on Emma's arm. By the time they reached the outskirts of the village, the moment was forgotten as they headed towards Honeydukes to stock up on their favourites. Emma was tempted to buy another box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but she thought her friends may jinx her if she did so she put the box down.
Half an hour later, they left the sweet shop with their pockets much heavier than they had been before they nipped into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop as both Emma and Victoire wanted to replenish their ink supply and Ruby wanted to purchase a new quill as her only remaining one was becoming blunt. Ruby was known to lose quills more often than anyone else in Gryffindor House, often having to pilfer supplies from her friends halfway through the term.
Before long, they were starting to get peckish so they headed to the Three Broomsticks which had in the recent years started catering as well as offering an array of beverages. As soon as they entered, Emma wanted to leave as her eyes landed on the couple who were sitting in the back table. Regina and Robin were locked in an embrace, their drinks left unattended on the table in front of them as they kissed.
"I think you were wrong about what you said last week," Emma murmured to Ruby as she nodded towards the two. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach at the sight. She wanted nothing more than to storm over and pull them away from each other, but she couldn't do that. Instead, she sat beside Victoire at the far side of the pub with her back to the couple, her hands discretely clenching and unclenching in her lap.
"Oh, maybe they are together for real and Robin is just a dick," Ruby replied as she sat opposite the others. "Well he is a dick, but clearly more of a dick than I thought."
Victoire chuckled as the picked up a small menu to see what she wanted. There was an array of different things that suited all the inhabitants of Hogsmeade, that page was mostly ignored but was there should it be needed. Instead the three just ordered sandwiches along with a Butterbeer and a side of crisps. There was no need to get too much when they would be snacking on sweets all afternoon, they could save money by just getting a light meal.
"So, how are you feeling about the task?" Victoire asked Emma after a sip. "We've spent so much time preparing for it that I've not asked before now."
Emma shrugged. "It's still three weeks away. I don't want to think about the actual task, I just want to ace the potions but it's not going how I want it to." She picked up her sandwich and took a bite, savouring the pickle that she insisted went on every sandwich.
"There's plenty of sandwich, you don't have to fit it all in your mouth in just one bite!" Said a cheery, familiar voice from beside her.
Chewing quickly and swallowing, Emma beamed as she saw her godfather. "Killi!" She jumped out of her seat and hugged him tightly. "What are you doing here?"
"I have some business with Rosmerta," Killian replied. He was the owner of the Leaky Cauldron, the sister pub to the one in Hogsmeade so he had business with the owner quite often. "I just made sure it would be during the weekend you would be here so I could try to see you."
"Do you have time to join us?" She asked, hopefully.
"Of course," Killian replied. "I always have time to join my favourite Goddaughter."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm your only Goddaughter."
Killian winked at her. "Exactly. Let me get a drink and I'll be right back." He walked over to the bar and Victoire and Ruby watched him go.
"You don't mind that he's joining us, do you?" Emma asked.
"Not at all," Victoire replied dreamily. "He can stay forever."
The blonde rolled her eyes. She saw the barman as an uncle so she didn't see the attraction that everyone else did.
Killian returned with a Butterbeer of his own. "Now, what were you girls talking about?"
"The First Task," Emma said, her voice low so that no one could hear them. "The practices aren't going very well."
"I see," Killian murmured. "You do realise that the entire Tournament has four challenges, don't you? If you don't do too well at the first, you can make up for it with the other three. As long as you have the most points at the end, it doesn't matter that you don't win the first one."
Emma thought about what her godfather said. He had a point. She had been focusing on the fact she needed to win the First Task which was adding to the level of pressure upon her. Perhaps if she didn't put so much pressure on herself, it would get easier.
"That's true," she replied with a nod as she took another bite of her sandwich. "I never thought of that. You know I like winning."
"I do," Killian said with a chuckle. "How are you feeling with having to compete against Elsa?"
"Another bit of additional pressure to do well in the First Task," Emma replied honestly. "She's brilliant at potions."
"Then we have to hope the other tasks are more suited to you," he said. Whilst he was best friends with Emma's father, Killian and her Uncle James weren't the best of friends, only being able to cope with each other at family events for the sake of David. Therefore, Killian felt it was more than okay to show his favouritism towards Emma. "You're gonna kill it." He looked at his watch. "I need to be meeting Rosmerta." He stood up before kissing Emma on her forehead. "Let us know any help you need and we'll give it. Love ya, Kid!"
Emma smiled softly. "Love you too, Killian."
Flashing a charming smile at Victoire and Ruby (skilfully ignoring the former's sudden blush), he turned and walked towards the backroom for his meeting.
"Merlin, he's good looking," Ruby sighed as she stared after him before taking a deep breath and looking back at Emma. "He's got a good point though. The First Task is just one of four. If you flop it, you've got another three to make up for it."
"I still say we keep up the work we've been doing on it though," Victoire said. "You still want to do your best."
"I know," Emma agreed. Whilst she had been reminded that the First Task wasn't as important as she was making it out to be, she still knew that it was important.
The three then finished up their food and drinks before making their way out of the pub. Killian didn't reappear much to Emma's dismay but he was busy. As they left, they saw that Regina and Robin were still locked at the lips.
"I can curse her from here, if you want?" Ruby offered.
Emma laughed. "Not this time."
They then headed to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and it seemed like fate was on their side as George Weasley was standing just to the left of the front door as they entered.
"Uncle George!" Victoire cried as she ran over to her uncle.
"Vicki," he cried happily, hugging his oldest niece tightly.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Making sure the shop is up to scratch," he replied. "Lee's doing brilliantly, but I just like to check in every now and then. How are you three?"
"We're good," Victoire said.
George nodded and smiled before he grew serious and looked at Emma. "We've heard the news, congratulations. How are you feeling?"
Emma shrugged. "As good as I can."
"If there's anything I learnt from watching the Triwizard Tournament, it's to prepare for the unexpected," he said. "Maybe learn some water or fire repelling charms if they bring back the dragons. Although, Charlie hasn't mentioned them being brought in again so you could be lucky."
"Still a good idea though, Uncle G," Victoire said, making a mental note to add the charms to her list of what she thought Emma should know. If anyone saw Victoire's list, they'd have thought she was the one that was competing, not Emma. Although, writing out plans was not Emma's style, so without Vicki, there would be no formal plans at all.
George then motioned around the shop. "Take anything you like, girls. It's on the house today for the Gryffindor Champ, my oldest niece and their best friend."
Emma grinned. "Thanks, George, but you don't have to."
"The fact Fred and I could start Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was because of a Gryffindor Champion," George said. "We owe them, so take anything."
An hour later, the three left with handfuls of different things from Instant Peruvian Darkness Powder to the famous Skiving Snackboxes. You never knew when you'd need to escape a lesson. Victoire hugged her uncle and Emma and Ruby thanked him for allowing them to have so much stuff for free before they left.
They were barely a few yards away from the famous shop when they heard yelling voices from an alleyway to the side. Emma glanced at her friends before they creeped towards the final shop to see that the couple arguing were none other than Regina and Robin who, only an hour ago, were cuddle up and looking romantic in the Three Broomsticks. Now they were both red faced and breathing heavily as if they had been arguing for a while.
"I'm fed up with this fight!" Robin was screaming. "Nothing is going on between me and Marian. She's just an old friend of the family."
Regina scoffed. "I've been told so many times that there's something going on! You didn't aim for her in the Quidditch match either when she was an easy target!"
"She was too close!" Robin snapped as if he had been saying the same thing over and over. "I'd have hurt her."
Even Emma had to scoff then. Robin was nowhere near close enough to have hurt Marian, especially when his trick shot and perfect aim meant that he wouldn't have even touched her.
"This is ridiculous," Regina cried angrily. "I have too much to worry about this year from NEWTs to the Quidditch Cup and now I have the bloody Tournament. I can't keep fighting with you at the same time!"
"Are you ending this?" Robin asked, incredulously. "You know I love you, Gina."
Emma was almost sick with fury at the sudden turn of Robin's attitude, his smarminess showing.
"No but watch your step," Regina replied, her voice low with the underlying threat, "otherwise I'm done. I'm going back to the castle. Do not follow me!"
The three listening in to the argument quickly pulled back from where they had been hiding and walked as casually as they could as if they had just been passing by and not listening the entire time.
Regina came out of the alley and walked straight into Emma, knocking the items out of her hands. Not even looking to see who she had hit, Regina ducked down to pick up the belongings just as Emma did.
"Fuck, I'm so sorry," she murmured as she passed the boxes from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes back over. It was only then that she saw who it was. "Swan."
Emma bit her lip. "Hi. Are you alright?"
Suddenly, Regina stood up and jumped back. "I'm fine. I have to go."
She then raced off to the castle without another word. Emma flashed her friends a confused look but they both shrugged it off. Neither of them caring what happened to the Slytherin Captain as much as Emma did. They started back towards the castle without a word about what they had just overheard even though Emma wanted to say something about it. She at the very least wanted to discuss the comment about Marian, but as neither of her friends wanted to entertain the topic so she stayed quiet.
By the time they got back to the castle later on, they were exhausted but there was no rest for the wicked. Victoire had said weekends could be potion making free, but that didn't mean they were homework free. Therefore, they put away their new treats and sat around their favourite table in the Common Room by the fire and started on their three essays that were due. Emma made sure to do the Potions essay last. She was no in the mood to write about the pros and cons of the Calming Draught as right now, she wished she could down it by the bucket.
oOoOo
The best part of October always had to be the Halloween Feast and this year was no different. On that Friday evening, Emma and her friends walked into the Great Hall to see that it had been decorated to the high heavens. The floating candles had been replaced with floating jack o' lanterns. There were also Hagrid's famous pumpkins lying around the room with many more on the tables.
The tables were laden with dishes upon dishes of food and Emma's stomach was gurgling with anticipation, but they weren't allowed to dig in until Professor McGonagall had said her speech. The seconds ticking by were agonising.
However, finally, everyone was seating in the Hall and the Headmistress finally arose, calling everyone to order without saying a single word.
"Happy All Hallows Eve, everyone!" She called. "I have three announcements before the everyone can dig into this outstanding feast. The first is the Hogmanay Ball. This will take place on New Year's Eve and it is for Fifth Years and above. Those wishing to go home for Christmas may of course do so and the Hogwarts Express has been arranged to bring you back the day before New Year's Eve. However, younger years can also attend if invited by an older student. There will be a sit-down meal and a dance which will be opened by our Champions."
At that, Emma shrunk back in her seat. What were they thinking!? She couldn't dance or open the ball! They also had to have a date? What was this, the eighteenth century? That was preposterous.
Before Emma could even think any further, the Headmistress continued with her speech.
"Now the information you all truly care about," she continued. "The First Task will be taking place on Friday 14th September at two o'clock in the dungeons. Classes will be disbanded, and spectators can sit above the dungeons to watch. However, due to the task, which we will not reveal, there will be a sound barrier so that you don't disrupt the Champions as they work. Attendance is not mandatory, but you would be wise not to miss it.
"Finally, many of you have been asking how the tasks will be judged. Well, we have asked four former students who are now working in the Ministry to represent each house," McGonagall revealed. "They have all been advised that they cannot be biased towards their Houses and will have to judge fairly and I am confident that they will do so. There will be Justin Finch-Fletchley from the Muggle Liaison Department for Hufflepuff, Penelope Clearwater from International Magical Cooperation for Ravenclaw and from the Department of Law Enforcement, Draco Malfoy for Slytherin and Hermione Granger-Weasley for Gryffindor."
At the sound of the familiar name at the end of the list, Emma exhaled a deep breath that she hadn't realised she'd been holding. She expected no favouritism from her friend's auntie but at least she had someone fair to judge her.
There was a sudden buzz around the room after the announcement of the judges until McGonagall cleared her throat. "Now, with all that said, dig in!"
Students cheered, their previous discussions stopped abruptly before they started pulling dishes and plates towards them to start piling up their places.
"At lease there's one fair judge," Emma murmured as she started piling mash potato onto her plate. "I mean, I've met Malfoy a couple of times when he worked on a project with my mum, but I doubt I have that going for me."
"Don't be like that," Victoire said. "They wouldn't have been picked if they couldn't be impartial. It'll be fine. I think the more pressing matter is going to be the Ball."
Emma let out a groan. "Shoot me now! On top of being Captain and Champion, I now need to learn to dance too?"
Victoire laughed. "I'm sure you'll be fine. You've just got to think about a partner to open up with. Who are you hoping will ask you?"
A face flashed to the forefront of Emma's mind before she could stop it. A brunette with chocolate brown eyes and a small scar on her lip. Quickly, she shook her head to remove Regina's face from her thoughts. It was impossible that they could go together as competitors, not to mention that Regina had a boyfriend, no matter how rocky their relationship was showing to be.
"I've got no idea," Emma said. "We'll have to wait and see."
She then started eating the slice of pumpkin pie in front of her, firmly cutting off her participation from the conversation. It didn't stop Ruby and Victoire discussing who they wanted to go with, but she chose not to concentrate on that.
Before she could think of the Hogmanay Ball, she needed to get through the First Task. It was only two weeks away and the next day signified the beginning of November. Time was passing quickly but it only brought more fear and anxiety. It didn't matter what Killian had said that if she did badly, she had three other tasks to work at to bring her score up. She was convinced she would be known for bombing the First Task and her reputation would be flawed in seconds, she was a good student, but this was, like Elsa said, a time to show everyone what Emma Swan could do.
She had two weeks and it was definitely not enough time to do herself justice.
A/N: Thank you everyone for all the response so far. I love reading your reviews! Question for you all; who do you think Emma will go to the Hogmanay Ball with?