Here's a very very long chapter for you guys to keep you busy. I start school on Monday and I won't be able to update as often. I can't give a definite day of the next chapter but I'll get it out in the next two weeks for sure. Unless it's just as long as this chapter. Thanks to those who reviewed, followed and added this story to their favorites it always makes me happy and keeps me encouraged to write more. Let me know what you think of Emrys in a review. Now, you may continue on with the story and I'll update when I can. Enjoy! ^_^
Once she became friends with Harry she knew her relationship with Draco would be affected. Just the entire week of school he had made mocked her for being in Gryffindor and being a disappointment to her mother because she had been a Slytherin. It had made her mood a little low, even more so when her mother had yet to reply back to her letter. The following Tuesday there was an announcement in the common room bulletin which announced flying lessons on Thursday; but with the Slytherins. Both her and Harry groaned, they had been looking forward to flying; Harry more so as he's never been on a broom.
"Just great. I wanted to learn how to fly and now I have to worry about not making a fool of myself in front of Malfoy." Harry mumbled.
"You won't make a fool of yourself," Ron tried encouraging Harry. "Besides I bet he's all just talk."
Both of them looked at Emrys then and she gave them a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, but he does know how to fly. I've spent time at his place and we have ridden brooms around his mansion."
Malfoy, along with every other wizard child was making up stories about flying and being chased by Helicopters or almost hitting a hand glider. Their spirits were slightly lifted when they realized this was one particular subject Hermione couldn't be good at because it had nothing to do with books. Neville on the other hand, hung to every word of advice Hermione had after reading a Quidditch book called Quidditch Through the Ages. To make matters worse, Malfoy had picked up on the fact Harry had not gotten any letter since Hagrid's note and made sure to look over at them gloatingly when his eagle brought sweets from home.
"Don't worry about him Harry." she said they ate their breakfast. "He likes being a bully, just ignore him."
"How were you even friends with him in the first place." Ron mumbled.
"He's actually pretty decent when he's not being a total git."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Harry grumbled.
When flying lessons arrived they were out on the opposite side of the castle which was away from the forbidden forest. They were going to practice on flat grass, the Slytherins were already there and there were twenty brooms lined up. Their flying instructor, Madam Hooch walked towards all of them. She had short grey hair and yellow hawk looking eyes.
"Well, what are you waiting for. Go next to your brooms, c'mon hurry up!" she commanded and everyone quickly shuffled towards their brooms.
"Now, I want you all to raise your wand arm over the broom. Then with a clear, strong command, say up."
"Up!" Harry, Malfoy, and Emrys brooms rose up to their hands instantly. Ron's broom wiped up and hitting him straight in the face. Harry and Emrys sniggered, trying to hold in their laughter. Harry's lesson got better once Madam Hooch walked around, correcting students on how to hold the broom and go on it. When she got to Malfoy she told him he'd been riding his broom wrong all along making Ron and Harry grin with glee.
"Told you." Emrys murmured. She remembered having told Draco hundredths of times he was ridding wrong by he never listened. Draco heard her and sent her a glare and a roll of his eyes.
"Now, when I blow my whistle I want you to kick off the ground, hard. Hover for a moment, and then lean slightly forward to land back on the ground. Three, two-"
Neville had been frightened and nervous from the beginning kicked off the ground early and harder than intended. The broom launched in the air and took off while Neville shouted in fright. The broom raced around uncontrollably until it crashed straight into a wall, bucking Neville off the broom. It was very high up and Emrys watched in horror as Neville fell and hit the ground with a sickening crack. Madam Hooch went to Neville, gently helping him to his feet and Neville whimpered.
"Oooh a broken wrist, don't worry we'll get that settled. I don't want anyone in the air are we clear?! If I catch anyone off the ground, you'll be out of Hogwarts before they can say Quidditch."
As she walked away Malfoy walked to the center of the crowd with Neville's remembrall.
"How pathetic, maybe if he'd given this thing a squeeze, he'd remembered to fall on his fat ass."
The Slytherins howled with laughter and the Gryffindors weren't amused.
"Give it here Malfoy!" Harry demanded and Malfoy smirked.
"No I think I'll let Longbottom find it, how about the roof?"
"Give it back Draco!" Emrys snapped and she saw his eyes glance away from her.
"Don't talk to Draco like that you're not his equal."
"Are you really gonna have that pug face girl talk for you Draco?" Emrys scoffed and he glared at her. "Now hand over the remembrall."
"Nah I think I'll stick to my plan." he said as he mounted on his broom and took off, circling around them with a smug grin. Harry mounted his broom and Hermione walked to him.
"Harry you can't! You heard what Madam Hooch said, besides, you don't even know how to fly!"
Harry kicked off the ground and Emrys was impressed to say that despite learning to fly for the first time, he wasn't half bad. She watched as they traded words and watch in horror as Draco flung the remembrall through the air. Harry raced to the ground, going after the remembrall, and pulled up just inches from the floor. He tumbled to a stop with the remembrall in his hands while the Gryffindors rushed towards him, Ron and Emrys in the front.
"Harry Potter!" They turned around and Emrys felt dread as she watched Professor McGonagall stalking towards him. "How could you-what were you thinking-could have broken your neck."
"Professor it wasn't his fault." said Emrys but McGonagall wouldn't hear it.
"Follow me . And you , your detention with Professor Snape is tonight at nine o'clock." she added making Emrys pout. She had completely forgotten, or hoped that Snape would have forgotten her detention...apparently not. She watched McGonagall walk away with Harry and she honestly wished wouldn't get expelled.
"Bet you five galleons Potter get expelled." smirked Draco and the Slytherins laughed. She scowled and turned to him in anger.
"You're the one who should be in trouble Malfoy." she hissed and Draco paled at her angered expression. "You're the one who broke the rules and took off on the broom and took something that wasn't yours."
"As if that matters, Potter's the one who got caught." he scoffed. "I can't wait to see his face when he starts packing."
"Well he won't be expelled." Emrys snapped. "I'll take that bet and raise you ten galleons he won't get expelled. In fact, he won't get punished at all."
"Pfft, how naive are you really Lupin."
"Actually, it's how stupid are you." she hissed just as Madam Hooch walked back and only then did she turn her back on Malfoy with a scoff. The lesson only took another hour before they were dismissed. Ron and Emrys were worried about Harry who didn't show up well until dinner time.
"Harry what happened?" Emrys asked.
"Did they expel you?" Ron asked with worry. Once the list of questions were over Harry told them McGonagall had taken him to meet Oliver Wood, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Harry was, in fact, going to be playing seeker.
"You're joking." Ron said in disbelief. He had a steak and pie halfway towards his mouth but he had forgotten all about that. "But first years never make it, you must be the first in-"
"Over a century. According to McGonagall." Harry said as he put some food in his food. "But don't tell anyone, it's supposed to be a secret."
Just then the twins walked into the great hall, once they spotted Harry they rushed to him to congratulate him in a low voice.
"Congratulations Harry, Wood told us."
"We're on the team, beaters. You must be good because Wood was practically skipping when he told us."
Then they left and were instead replaced by Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
"Having a last meal there Potter? When are they kicking you back to the muggles?"
"Feeling brave now that you're back on the ground and you have your little friends with you." Harry called back. With the great hall filled with people and the teachers at the high table the couldn't dare and do anything.
"Then I challenge you to a wizard's duel. What's the matter Potter? You've probably never even heard of a real Wizards duel have you."
"Of course he has I'm his second. Who's yours?" Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up before he turned back to them.
"Crabbe. Meet up at midnight, that trophy room that's always unlocked." with that they walked away.
"What is a wizard's duel anyway, and what's a second?"
"Second is when a wizard dies during a duel so the second finishes it." upon seeing Harry's panicked look Emrys smacked Ron upside the head.
"Don't scare him like that. You'll be fine, we all haven't learned enough spells to do real harm anyway."
"And what if my wand doesn't work?" Harry asked.
"Then go the human way and punch him the face." Emrys shrugged, then she looked down at her watch and groaned. "I have detention with Snape in an two hours, I'm going to go to the common room and get some homework done. I want to enjoy my weekend." she was about to go before she turned back to them. "Actually, don't go to the duel. I know Malfoy better than you two and he's going to try and get you expelled again. It's a trap, don't go to the duel."
"Excuse me." Emrys turned to Hermione who had hands on her hip. The three Gryffindor friends groaned at her appearance.
"I couldn't help but to overhear-"
"Bet you couldn't." Ron mumbled.
"But you two should listen to Emrys, you two could get in trouble-"
"Hey, finger in the pie, mind your own business." Emrys growled. "If you boss them around they won't listen to me. Go away. I'll see you guys after my detention."
With that Emrys walked away but instead of heading over to the common room she went for the library instead. Now that Hermione knew about the plans she was sure to give a lecture to Emrys about not stopping her friends from getting into trouble. Emrys was able to find a small place to do her homework on a window seat next to the werewolves section. She was mostly done with all of her assignments until she realized how late it was and she only had fifteen minutes to get to Snape's office. Gathering her materials quickly and stuffing them in her bag; she ran down the halls ways, taking a hidden corridor Fred and George had told her about before ending down in the dungeons. When she finally made it to Snape's office she knocked on the door right on the dot.
"Enter."
His voice low and cold, making her take a deep breath before letting it out as she opened the door. Snape looked up from the papers he had been grading and his eyes turned cold and disdainful as he looked at her.
"Ms. Lupin, you at least had the manners to get here on time."
"Good evening to you too sir." Emrys replied, despite being right in him having something against Harry and her she decided it was best to not make things worse for them as even the twins had warned her that Snape could turn very nasty.
"What am I going to be doing."
"You will be cleaning the cauldrons in the potions classroom without magic and then you will be cleaning an unused classroom. If you are not done with the classroom by tonight you will be cleaning it again tomorrow as well."
"Yes, sir." Emrys replied as she given the adequate supplies and began to clean the cauldrons as Snape continued to grade papers at his desk. It hasn't even been a month yet and already some of them were either greasy, had unknown substances, or had an incredibly rusty inside. She made a face as she got to one particular cauldron whose smell was so foul she almost gagged. When Emrys finished cleaning them, Snape inspected them and didn't comment them though she was able to discern his approval. He then took her to the unused classroom on the third floor. Emrys knew for sure she was not going to finish that night. The floor, walls, and windows had years of layers of dust and she could even see the dust floating about by the moonlight that shined through.
"Maybe cleaning this room will teach you to give respect to your teachers and to keep silent ." Snape drawled but Emrys returned his cold look by tilting her chin up in a defiant manner.
"Respect has to be earned Professor, and bullying children will only give fear. Fear won't give you any respect whatsoever. And I did think you were a teacher worth respecting like Professor McGonagall until you started bullying my friends for no reason." she finished with a nod to herself before taking placing the supplies in a corner and beginning to sweep. Snape looked at her in what could only be seen as rage and surprise though he quickly stamped the expression away and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Emrys smirked at the floor before continuing to clean.
She didn't know how long she had been cleaning, dust was all over her hair which was now in a messy bun on top of her head. Her tie was loose around her neck, her shoes were a light grey from the dust, and her entire body was itching from the dirt. She looked down at her watch as noticed it was almost midnight. Harry and Ron would no doubt be heading to their supposed duel with Draco. There was no doubt in her mind that he had no plans to actually duel with her Gryffindor friends and had probably hinted to someone about Harry and Ron sneaking out; she just hoped to whatever god was out there it wasn't Snape. As if summoning him by thought alone, the door of the classroom opened and Snape walked inside. By now Emrys had rid the floor and most of the windows of the dust completely, all that was left was the desk, chalk board and the walls. If Snape didn't make her clean anything else tomorrow she had the probability to clean the classroom completely. After a quick inspection Snape gave Emrys a slip in case Filch found her and dismissed her for the night, telling her she'd finish the classroom for tomorrow's detention. Emrys walked out the corridor, she decided to take a short cut again and went behind a secret corridor hidden by a tapestry. Soon she found herself by the staircase of the third corridor that would lead her up to the fifth floor if it didn't move now. Just as she got to the fifth floor heard a cat meow, she turned around and saw Filch's cat looking up at her with accusing eyes. Rolling her eyes she just wait, knowing Filch was only a few seconds behind. Sure enough he rushed up to her, his eyes almost crazed as if he had just busted the worst criminal in history.
"AHA! I found you! Thought you'd make an escape and not be punished did you?!"
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Don't lie to me, where are the others I saw them all run!"
She tried not to let her eyes narrow in worry for Harry and Ron, no doubt Filch had caught them but they had managed to run away. Instead she glared at the care taker and pointed to her own face with a scowl.
"I haven't done anything wrong. In fact, I was doing your job! I had detention with Professor Snape and he made me clean an abandoned classroom!" she snapped and only then did Filch noticed how she was dirty and covered in dust. Emrys took out the slip of paper Snape had given her and almost shoved it up Filch's face. Filch snatched it from her and peering at it to make sure the signature wasn't forged before shoving it back to her.
"Fine, you're safe this time. But don't think I won't keep an eye on you or your friends." he threatened while Emrys waved her hand dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." she huffed as she went up the stairs again. When she finally got to the common room she saw Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione all huffing and gasping for breath.
"What in merlin's beard happened to you guys?!"
They whipped their heads towards her but only Hermione's eyes any hostility.
"Why didn't you stop them. We could have almost been killed!"
"It's your fault for following us!" Ron snapped at her. "She almost ratted us out to Percy, Em! And she kept following us like a crazy goose!"
Emrys sighed and then noticed Neville had this terrified look on his face as if he had seen a monster.
"Neville, you alright? You look awfully pale."
"Big dog with giant heads!" he replied in fright before running up the staircase to the boys dormitory. Emrys stared at the staircase with a confused frown before looking at the other three who looked almost as scared as Neville.
"So how was Snape's detention?" Ron asked, trying to change the conversation.
"Oh no, you're not changing this conversation Ronald Weasley. But, just for tonight I'll let it slide I need to shower." she grumbled as she scratched the back of her hair and they could see dust fall of it. "You guys will tell me everything tomorrow. Got it?" both boys nodded quickly before they rushed up the steps and Emrys went towards the girls dormitory followed by Hermione who had a disappointed look in her face.
"We could have been caught. I told them not to go, they were going to lose the points I got from McGonagall-"
"Listen Granger," Emrys interrupted her and turned to face Hermione before they went inside their door labeled first years. "I really, don't care. I'm tired, and I feel dirty. You almost made my friends get caught because you can't seem to keep your nose out of people's business. I get that you're trying to prove muggleborns can be just as good wizards as the purebloods and that's why you act like a know-it-all and raise your hand for everything and stick your nose in other people's affairs. But that's not going to get you any friends. If you want friends, try being nice to people, don't lecture them like you're their mother. If you're trying to help don't act like a prat, otherwise you're only going to not be able to find your true friends."
With that being said she slowly opened the door to the dormitory and headed to the showers, not bothering to look it Hermione went inside or not. When she had gotten out of the shower, dressed in her pajamas and had magically dried her hair she found the hangings around Hermione's bed closed. With a sigh she climbed into her bed, Merlin instantly curling around her head once more.
"You think that three headed dog is guarding whatever it is that Hagrid took out of Gringotts?" Emrys asked Harry and Ron over breakfast. Once they had met up at the great hall for breakfast, Harry had told Emrys everything that happened when they left the common room for the duel with Draco. Hermione had followed them and so had Neville because the poor boy had forgotten the password. They had gotten to the trophy room but after a while they heard Filch and had to make a run for it until they had run into Peeves. Ron had done the mistake of taking a swing at him which had caused the mischievous poltergeist to scream at the top of his lungs. They had made it to a corridor with the door locked and Hermione had opened the door magically so they could hide. Their relief of not getting caught was short lived when they had turned around and found a giant black dog with three heads looking at them. They had then escaped before the giant beast had decided to have a midnight snack and all four Gryffindors made it back to the common room.
"Yeah, Hermione mentioned that the dog had been standing on top of a trap door. I also remember Hagrid telling me the safest place to hide something besides Gringotts was Hogwarts." Harry said
"Well, well, aren't you a smart one Potter." she smirked making Harry's cheeks flush. Then all three of them were delighted to watch Malfoy's face of disbelief to see them both in the great hall having breakfast. That morning Hedwig finally arrived with Ethena's letter from her mother. She swooped down and landed in between Harry and Emrys, letter in her beak.
"Your mom finally wrote back?" Ron asked. Emrys looked at the letter a bit wearily, not really sure she wanted to read it. "Emrys just read it."
"Thanks Hedwig." she stroked the white owl's head with a finger. Hedwig affectionately nipped her finger, did the same to Harry and then took some toast from Ron's plate before leaving. She opened her mother's letter and began to read.
Dear Emrys,
I'm happy you got sorted into Gryffindor, though Remus is more proud because he was also a Gryffindor. I'm glad you are enjoying your classes as well. However, I am disappointed you got detention. Disrespecting a teacher darling really? I taught you better than that...oh...hold on I got a letter from Professor McGonagall. Well, I see you were defending Harry Potter. Speaking of which I am also glad you made friends with him. If he's sitting by you make sure you tell him this since I know his muggle family would have not told them about his parents. I knew his parents; his mother and I were best friends. She was a very sweet, caring, and understanding person; she was the most caring person I have ever known, besides Molly of course. Harry's father, James...well, he was quite a troublemaker. He was always in detention for one reason or another, one could say he was worse than the twins when it came to making pranks if you could believe that.
Now back to your detention, I understand you have good intentions, Snape is a very complicated man...he went to school with us as well. He wasn't always that way; I can't tell you about that since it's not my story to tell. I'll send a letter to him separately regarding this manner. From now on try not to fight with Professor Snape, I know he won't be fair to any student especially Harry. Though please tell him it's not his fault. I also know it's not fair to say this but he will have to bear it as much as he can...if he does go overboard then yes you can step in. I have to stop writing now, your uncle Remus is sick again and I have to take care of him. He's fine though, no need to worry. Please don't get into too much trouble and study hard my love.
Be Good,
Mum
"And you thought it was going to be worse." Ron scoffed. "Had it been my mum I would have gotten a Howler."
"She knew my parents?" Harry said in a small voice making Emrys looked at him. She could see the sadness and longing in his eyes. Emry's gave him a gentle smile and placed a hand on his wrist.
"I didn't know until now. But I'm happy that you know now. How about when I send a letter to my mum I ask her if she has a picture of your family. How about it."
At this he gave her a smile that made his face light up so much her and Ron couldn't help but grin back.
"Thank you so much Emrys." he said.
Emrys couldn't believe how fast time had past once she had finished her detention with Snape. A week after Harry had received a Nimbus Two Thousand and they were surprised when they realized it was from McGonagall. Their day got even better when left the great hall and Malfoy tried to get them in trouble with Professor Flitwick for having a broom since first years weren't allowed a broom. It came to a surprise for Malfoy when Flitwick congratulated Harry instead of giving him detention. After that the days had progressed very quickly. It was quickly figured out Emrys and Hermione were the tops students of Gryffindor and possible the smartest in their year. They answered most of the questions when possible though Emrys did it with much less drive than Hermione who's hand almost always shot up with the speed of a nimbus two thousand. Ever since Emrys talked to Hermione the night of the three headed dog there seemed to be a lot of tension and possibly competition between the two. Emrys of course kept the game up only to annoy Hermione. When Harry was busy with Quidditch practice and she managed to convince Ron to actually study, she would go hang out with Fred and George and be an accomplice to their pranks. She did most of the prepping while they kept look out by looking at a curious old, thick piece of parchment. When she asked what it was they only answered.
"That is a secret Lady Emrys. Once you have earned your keep we will let you in on our legacy."
She had responded with a roll of her eyes but she knew they would tell her eventually. She did land herself in detention a few times, though thankfully it wasn't because of Snape but for actually getting caught with the twins in their pranks. She even saw Cedric again while running away from Filch so she wouldn't get caught after throwing a Stink Bomb at one of the Slytherins who had been picking on Neville. She had hid behind a tapestry and Cedric had helped her by pointing Filch in the opposite direction.
"Thanks." she had smiled
"No problem, those Slytherins deserved it anyway." he winked, making her blush before running again in case Filch realized he'd been fooled.
Now it was November and Emrys was looking forwards to the Halloween Feast. They were in charms class and they were finally going to be doing some actual magic. Their task for the day was to make an object fly.
"Now don't forget the 'swish and flick' we've been practicing and remember the correct pronunciation of the incantation. Wingardium Leviosa. Saying the magic words properly is important, too-never forget Wizard Baruffio who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest. Off you go."
He placed them into pairs and Harry ended with Seamus, and because there was an odd number of students Emrys and Ron ended up with Hermione to their displeasure. Seamus had set his on fire by getting impatient and just poking his feather -which they had been given to practice- with his wand. Harry had to stamp it out with his hat and Emrys had to muffle her laughter with her hand while Hermione gave her a disapproving look. Ron had gotten impatient of trying so he started swinging his arms like a windmill, almost hitting Emrys in the process. Hermione then took his arm to make him stop.
"You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it wrong." Hermione snapped. "It's Wigardium Leviosa. Make the gar nice and long."
"I hate to say it but she's right." said Emrys and Ron shot her a look of betrayal and scoffed. "What? She's not wrong, and besides, don't be so impatient as you can see not a single person has gotten it right. Just take your time Ron, think about the word before you say it."
Ron seemed to have gotten her point and he was just about to try it when Hermione interrupted again.
"You might also want to remember the swish and flick. Don't throw your arms around like crazy."
At this, Emrys sighed in irritation while Ron just about had enough of Hermione.
"Well you do it if you think you're so clever. Go on, go on, oh and you too Emrys."
"What? Why?!" Emrys scoffed.
"You're just as smart, and honestly I'll feel better if you make your feather go higher than hers." Ron growled. Hermione gave him a look as if she didn't believe him and Emrys huffed.
"Fine."
Both of them swished and flicked, making their feathers starts to rise up which caught everyone's attention and lose concentration on their feathers. Realizing his students have gotten distracted Flitwick turned around and saw two feathers floating upwards.
"Well well, look here everyone, Miss. Granger and have done it!" he squeaked in approval. "That deserves some good ten points each. Not everyone always gets it on their first try not to mention to move them so high up!"
Emrys smirked as the feathers floated up high to the ceiling and hers touched the ceiling first. She looked over at Hermione who just sent her a glare making her lose a bit of concentration and her feather lost some height quickly while Emrys gently got her feather back on the desk.
"Ooh, good control on the way down as well." said Professor Flitwick. "Take another five points ."
"Thanks Professor." she smiled before looking over at Ron. "See, easy, no you try it."
By the end of class only a handful of students had gotten the spell and they got assigned homework to practice it while those who had succeeded did not. As they exited the class Ron began imitating Hermione's voice while Harry, Seamus and Dean chuckled.
"Honestly she's a nightmare." he said while Emrys rolled her eyes.
"Don't be so mean Ron, I would have told you the same thing if she hadn't beat me to it. You almost took out my eye with how crazy you were swinging your wand." She said.
"Well at least you were being nice about it. She's so bossy, it's a wonder no one can stand her."
Someone pushed their way past Harry and he caught the sight of bushy curls and tear stained cheeks of Hermione Granger.
"I think she heard you."
"So," Ron replied but he still looked uncomfortable. "She's got to realize she doesn't have any friends-ow!" Ron almost toppled over as Emrys smacked him hard upside the head with her book. "The bloody hell was that for!"
"Ronald Weasley that was not nice!" She snapped. "You almost sounded like Draco Malfoy."
At this, Ron made a face of disgust but decided not to retort; an angry Emrys was a dangerous thing, especially if her eyes turned red along with her hair. Her eyes and hair to his luck remained their natural colors but he still decided to play it safe. They did not see Hermione in the next class, nor the rest of the afternoon. During lunch Emrys asked Parvati and she told Emrys, her and Lavender had found her locked behind a stall crying and that she wanted to be left alone. Emrys had glared at Ron then but he refused to meet her eyes. Then it was time for the Halloween Feast, the Great Hall looked so amazing they couldn't help but stare in awe. There were carved pumpkins with candles inside floating up high, thousands of live bats fluttered around the high ceilings and some even swooped down in little clouds. Food appeared just like it had on the first day and there were an assortment of food and desserts. As they began to eat Emrys looked down at her food with a frown before she began to pile up her plate and another with dessert before placing utensils in her pocket.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked.
"I am going to go and make amends for someone too stubborn to apologize." she explained and finished her sentence by looking at Ron who pretended not to hear. "I'll see you guys after the feast okay Harry."
With a simple wave she then maneuvered the plates like a waitress and made her way out the great hall. She made her way through the corridors until she got to the bathroom, nudging the door open and miraculously managed to not drop the plates. She walked down the stalls and it wasn't until she was halfway that she heard the sniffles. She stopped and tapped her foot against the stall.
"Go away." Hermione sniffled. "I want to be alone."
"Are you sure?" Emrys asked. "Then what am I going to do with all the food I brought? I'm pretty sure I can't eat this all by myself."
There was silence before before she heard the slide of a lock and Hermione opened the door, her eyes red and puffy. She looked at Emrys in surprise as well as the two plates of food on her arms.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well..." Emrys bit her lip. "I...wanted to apologize...Ron...he can be a bit tactless."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and Emrys sighed. "Okay, very tactless and rude hey at least I'm trying here. Look, I get that you're upset, but you can't deny what he said was true though he could have said it in a less rude way."
"You're not helping." Hermione sniffled as her eyes began to fill with tears again, making Emrys groan.
"Don't cry please, I'm not good at these things I grew up with six guys and my mom is not exactly very feminine in some areas okay. I have the emotional range of a ten year old boy."
At this Hermione couldn't help but giggled a bit, making Ermys huff with some relief.
"I really am sorry, for mine and my friend's behavior, though I will make them apologize personally as well."
"...Thank you Emrys." Hermione smiled and Emrys looked away sheepishly.
"Yeah sure, are you hungry or not? My arms are killing me here."
"Oh, yes, hold on." Hermione said as she got out of the stall, took off her robes and placed it on the floor. Then she helped Emrys with the plates and she set them on top of the robe. Ermys then took hers off and placed it on the floor so they could both sit and began to eat once Emrys had take out the utensil from the pocket of her robes. They ate in silence for a moment before Hermione spoke.
"Is that how everyone really feels about me?" Hermione asked quietly. Emrys was silent for a moment before she looked up at Hermione.
"Yeah, it's not that we hate you, we really don't. Remember what I said after the whole three headed dog thing?" Hermione nodded.
"I just wanted to prove myself, I know muggle borns aren't really well liked much. Sure we get tolerated but still...sometimes people don't expect much from us."
"Hermione we're only first years," Emrys chuckled. "No one expects much from us. You can be smart and have fun at the same time. Just take a look at Fred and George, I know people don't take them seriously because they love to fool around. But if you really think about it, they need to be really smart to devise the kind of pranks they do."
There was a large roar of thunder making Emrys jump. Emrys has always been scared of lighting and tonight was no different. The chatter of the Great Hall had nearly muffled the thunder outside but now that she was in the bathroom the sound was much louder. Hermione looked at her with a raised eyebrows and she looked away in embarrassment.
"You're afraid of lightning?" she asked.
"Yeah, ever since I could remember it's always scared me. Every time there was a storm mum would put a silencing charm around my room to block out the sound."
"The chance of being stuck by lighting is practically nonexistent it's very rare, even in the muggle world."
"Good to know." Emrys chuckled. Just as they were about to start on dessert the door to the girls bathroom opened and a giant figure squeezed through the door. It's body was immense, skin tinged a green gray, a small head on its shoulders with large ears, and ugly face, a lion cloth around its waist and a giant club in its dirty, long nailed hand. Suddenly, they hear the door close followed by the click of a lock.
"Oh bollocks." Emrys hisses as the troll finally takes notice of them. It growls and Hermione lets out a shrilled scream. The troll roars and swings it club. Emrys barely manages to grab Hermione and both fall into a stall on the floor as the club smashes through the stalls and over their heads. The door burst open and when she looked up from the rubble she saw Ron and Harry run inside.
"Help!" She called.
"Emrys! Hermione move!" Harry yelled as they yelled and threw things to confuse it. It roared in frustration until it saw Hermione and Emrys crawling away. It swung its club down and narrowly missed Emrys's foot who screamed in fright. Just as it was about to swing again Harry did the unthinkable. He ran at the troll, grabbed the club, and he was swung up to the troll's shoulder; surprising everyone as well as grossing them out as Harry accidentally shoved his wand up the trolls nose. Startled, it jerked his body around until it got a hold of his leg and pulled him off. Harry dangled upside down and the troll swung. Harry pulled himself up and the club missed him.
"Do something!" Harry called to Ron.
"What?!" he shouted.
"Anything!"
He looked towards Emrys and Hermione who made the swish and flick motion.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted. To everyone's surprise the club slipped out of the troll's hands and hung in mid air. The troll, confused, looked up and a second later the club hit the top of its head with a sickening crack. The troll dropped Harry and fell to the ground with a loud boom as Harry quickly moved out of the way. The four children got close and looked at it wearily.
"Is it dead?" Hermione asked, shaken.
"Nah, just knocked out. Ew...troll bogies." Harry scrunched his nose in disgust as he pulled his wand out the troll's nose. There was the sound of rushed feet followed by a gasp of fright. They all spun around to see McGonagall along with Snape and Quirrell at the doorway, looking at the four of them in shock. Then McGonagall's look changed as anger overtook her, Harry had never seen her look so angry.
"What were you thinking! You could have been killed! Why weren't you in your dormitory?!"
"It was my fault professor McGonagall." Hermione said. "I went after the troll, I thought I could handle it...because I read all about them. Harry and Ron came to stop me."
"And what about ? I believe she had left before Professor Quirrell announced the arrival of the troll. Nor did we see at dinner." Snape drawled.
"We had an argument and I thought I'd apologize...we heard someone talk about the troll as everyone began to run out the hall. I tried to stop Hermione but she wouldn't listen."
Both Harry and Ron looked aghast at the two of them. Hermione telling a downright lie to a teacher and Emrys was backing her up as they explained what happened.
"Very well, I'm very disappointed in you. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your foolishness. Now, if you're not injured please head over to the Gryffindor common room where everyone is finishing the feast." Once Hermione was gone she turned to the other three Gryffindors.
"Well, I'd like to say you three were very lucky. Not many first years can say they fought a mountain troll and lived. You each get five points, for sheer dumb luck." With that the three of them walked back to the common room.
"We should have gotten more than fifteen points." Ron grumbled.
"You mean ten, once she takes off five points from Hermione." Harry explained.
"Good thing she got us out of trouble like that. Mind you we did save her."
"If you hadn't acted like a git she would of have not needed that." Emrys glared at him making Ron look away sheepishly.
"Also if we hadn't locked you two with the troll by accident." Harry supplied and Emrys stopped abruptly.
"You two did what?" she hissed making Ron and Harry gulped as her eyes turned a red orange.
"Uh...we didn't know you two were in there I swear!" Ron said. Emrys took a breath and her eyes settled back to their natural color.
"Not a word of this to Hermione...ever." she warned and they nodded.
When they got to the common room Hermione was waiting for them by a table with three plates of food. There was an awkward pause for all of them and without looking at each other they all mumbled "Thanks."
From that day on Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.
