8. Pancakes, prefects and eavesdropping

Eva's house

Emilia's POV:

"I still can't believe you kept an entire person from me," Eva said. We were sitting in her kitchen, eating breakfast. Her mum made the best pancakes in the world.

I groaned. "Did you have to bring up Sirius? Right in front of my pancakes?"

She grinned, "I'm just saying."

I sighed.

"You didn't know about him, because I don't know him. He's of a particular type- the type I've just avoided since the whole thing."

She scrunched up her eyebrows, "Emilia, that was five years ago. And he's just one person, and he's living in your house."

"He's not just one person. I mean, he is, but he brings so much else to the table. You're halfway in love with him and you met him yesterday."

"Don't think I didn't catch you being jealous last night."

"I wasn't jealous, just disturbed. Your flirting is disturbing."

She rolled her eyes. "Look you're a different, stronger person now. And all of that was a long time ago."

"I'm different person only because I set all these boundaries for myself and built myself up. I don't want to jeopardise that."

She didn't say anything, just continued eating her pancakes.

I sighed, "I've talked to him more this summer than I had in my entire life. He's nice, he really is, and I catch myself thinking about him a lot. And I think, maybe I misjudged him, but I couldn't have because I saw him doing all this crap, just last year."

"Maybe he's changed now. He allegedly went through a traumatic event and that tends to change a person. You should give him a chance."

I stared at her.

"Just think about it. I would love for you to leave this stuff in the past. Plus, your family loves him, how bad could he be?"

Eva's words were still ringing in my mind as I walked out of her house and into mine. Maybe I was unfairly holding on to something that happened years ago.

James was lacing up his boots as I walked in.

"Where are you going?"

"Shopping with Sirius."

I narrowed my eyes at him, puzzled. James, going shopping? Willingly? With Sirius?

"Mum's taking us."

I grinned, "Yeah, that makes more sense."

"Where have you been? You missed breakfast."

I smiled. "You mean there was all that food in front of you and you still noticed I was gone?"

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

"We all know you have the observation powers of a snail."

He shook his head. "I always notice when you're gone. Especially if you're off eating Mrs. Colson's pancakes without me."

I laughed. So, he already knew. "When did you eat her pancakes?"

"You were sick once, and Eva brought over a whole box full because you liked them. I snuck one," he smiled fondly at the memory. That sounded like something the old James would do, I thought happily.

Mum came in then. I quickly made my escape, before she could get a hold of me. "Do you want to come?" she asked my retreating back.

"No, thanks," I yelled back, halfway up the stairs.

Sirius passed me in the corridor. He didn't even seem to notice I was there. Ouch. That's what I get.

The rest of the day was slow. I finished Sirius' door, wrote a couple of letters to my friends from school. When it became obvious that Mum won't be home by lunch, I cooked, and then Dad and I sat down to eat it.

"I feel like I barely see you nowadays," Dad said.

"Yeah, because I'm at school."

"I mean when you're at home, smarty pants."

I giggled, "We could do something later if you want."

He nodded.

"I'm glad you're warming up to Sirius." Oh Merlin.

"Why is everyone on me about this? I'm not warming up to him."

"You called him pretty," Dad said slyly.

"I didn't. I said he was prettier than James, which isn't much of an achievement."

"Well, I heard you both talk last night and he was reading one of your books."

"You snoop around quite a bit, don't you Dad?"

"Got to keep an eye on you kids. You should be glad I'm not telling your mum about you drinking," he said.

"That's why you're my favourite," I winked.

He looked chuffed.

James, for some reason, had invited Aaron to dinner that night. Apparently, they'd run into him while shopping.

"Why is he here?" I whispered to Mum in the kitchen.

"Oh, I thought you'd be happy about it. Sirius mentioned he asked you out?"

I rolled my eyes. "Sirius doesn't know anything. You should've asked me Mum," I said, walking out to set the table.

"I'm sorry," she said, coming up to my side.

"It's fine," I conceded.

At dinner, conversation flowed smoothly. Aaron was his perfect, amiable self, and Mum and Dad ate it up. Towards the end, he told me, "You know, I heard you're in good chance to be Prefect," he said.

"Oh," I feigned surprise. I sort of already knew, but he seemed excited.

"Yeah, and I think I'm going to get it too, McGonagall's been dropping hints all year. That'd be great, no?"

Again, I faked enthusiasm. Honestly, Aaron was great. But all the recent events had got my priorities messed up. Also, if Eva was right and he was into me, I didn't really enjoy the idea of him sucking up to my parents in order to impress me. Plus, I'd never really cared for Prefects. I would love to be Head Girl, though.

After dinner, we helped clean up, and then Mum and Dad retired upstairs. I walked Aaron to the door, Sirius and James in tow.

"This was great," he said, hugging me, and then James.

He gave Sirius that awkward hug boys always give to other boys. When they pulled apart, he whispered, "Hey man, I heard about your parents. I'm sorry, man." I watched in horror as Sirius' face turned pale.

Before he could respond, James put a hand on Aaron's shoulder and asked threateningly, "Where did you hear that?"

He looked at me. "Emilia told me."

My moth fell agape, my eyes widened and found Sirius'. He looked betrayed. "No, I didn't. What the hell Aaron?" I said, hastily.

"You did, at the library, remember?"

I thought back. "No, you asked me about it, and I denied it. I-" I suddenly remembered. A pit of dread formed in my stomach. "Did you eavesdrop?" I accused. It came out louder than I meant for it to be.

He looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Get out," James said to him. He left.

I wheeled around. "Sirius-" I said, reaching out to him.

"No, shut up, Emilia," James interrupted. "Seriously. How could you?"

"I-"

"No, we'll talk later. C'mon Sirius," he said, starting to walk away with his arm around Sirius' shoulders, as though trying to shield him from me.

"No, wait, let me explain, please. I didn't-"

They didn't wait for me. I sure as hell wasn't going to wait for James to come down and yell at me.

I walked out of the house, only to find Aaron sitting on the stairs, head in his hands. He jumped up when he saw me.

"Emilia-"

"Shut the fuck up, Aaron," I said, wincing at my own harsh tone, but I pushed ahead.

"I'm sorry," he said.

I wheeled around. "I've known you for years, Aaron. Why'd you do that?"

He shook his head violently, coming closer. "I don't know, I don't know. I did eavesdrop, but not willingly. I was in the aisle right behind you. I didn't mean to hear, but I did, and I forgot that's how I found out. And I meant well, Emilia. I feel terrible for him. Can you imagine what it must be like to live through that?"

I looked at my feet, feeling myself tear up.

He pressed on, "I'm sorry, I really am. I didn't mean to cause any trouble for you. I really do mean well."

"Did you tell anyone?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I'm not that kind of a person, Emilia. When I asked you about it in the library, it was out of concern, not because I was trying to snoop."

I sighed, "I don't know what kind of person you are anymore."

He didn't say anything.

"What were you even doing here tonight?"

"James and Sirius- they invited me." He paused. "Honestly, I'll take every opportunity I can to spend time with you."

I looked at him. He didn't meet my eyes. "You aren't seriously saying this right now, after what you just pulled?"

He winced. "I've lost my shot with you, I know. That's why I'm telling you. Because I want you to know that I didn't mean for this to happen, and I haven't told anyone, and I won't tell anyone. If in the future, you feel like clearing the air, or yell at me a little more, I don't know, I'm always here," he said, eyes shining.

I nodded, "Good night, Aaron."

He left.

I took his place on the stairs. What was I thinking, talking about that stuff in public? I shouldn't have said it. How could I face Sirius? Or Mum and Dad or even James, knowing what I did? I buried my face in my hands, trying not to let my sobbing get too loud. I felt terrible.

The door opened.

Sirius.

Here we go.