Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other element of the story. Emily Black and her mother and brother are my creations so don't use without permission :) Sarah (sweets), Rilee, and Nephiro own themselves.

A/N: With the wonderful help of Rilee Riddle (monsoon) I/We wrote this lovely chapter.

Chapter 9: Help?

I was walking around the school aimlessly. Everyone else was at dinner, but I wasn't in the mood for food or to listening to Harry. I'm so sick of being a Gryffindor. I'm so sick of being here. Nobody wanted to talk me. I'm guessing they think I have something to do with my dad's escape. Yeah right. Snape was sitting at the teacher's table when I left so I saw this as a perfect opportunity to get what I need. I took the folded piece of paper out of my pocket and went down the list of items. "All of these should be in his office if I'm correct."

I traveled through the dungeon hallways slowly; I wasn't in a rush to get anywhere. Suddenly sounds like "thwang" and "pluck" echoed in the dungeon. I followed the noises to a large wooden door. I tried to open it but it was locked. Taking out my wand I whispered "Alohomora." The lock clinked and I pulled on the handle slowly. There stood Rilee Riddle with a cherry-wood bow, arrow nocked, and aiming it straight at my body. She turned the opposite direction, shot the arrow and then faced me again. She looked behind and saw the open door; crossing the room quickly she slammed it shut.

"What do you think you're doing?" she yelled.

"I was- was- just- ummm . . ." I was lost for words. Rilee just rolled her eyes.

"Look, just sit down in the corner and don't bother me. I have only three arrows left," she ordered.

"Yes, Master Rilee." Riddle glared at me as I took a seat against the wall. She returned to her original position and shot off her last arrows in a quick volley. I pushed myself off the ground and walked over to her. "Bloody hell."

"Bloody hell? That's it? God, even Draco had a better reaction."

"Bloody Hell," I said again. She laughed and shook her head.

"Dork."

"What the hell, Riddle?" The sight of it came to my mind. What was she doing down here with a bow and arrow?

"Did I give you permission to use my last name?"

"Did I give you permission to use mine?" We stared each other in the eyes, waiting for the other to make a move. Rilee broke eye contact and glanced down at my hand.

"Are they . . ." She shrugged.

"Yeah, my fingers are fine. Thanks for caring."

"Don't tell anyone." I laughed.

"Oh no! Voldy's daughter has feeling?" I sneered.

"Are you implying something, Black?"

"Never, Princess Rilee."

"WHAT did you call me!?!" she bellowed. "You never call me princess!"

"Sorry, princess."

"Grrr."

"That's all you have to say, Riddles?" I provoked her.

"Riddles?" She ran at me, knocking me to the floor with a low kick to me kneecaps. I gritted my teeth in pain but didn't scream out. I swung my good leg around and tripped her. She fell to her knees. "Time to end this Emily Black," she said softly but forcefully. She lunged at me and placed her hands around my neck. "Whatcha gonna do now Emi? You know I'd hate having to tell Draco that I killed his girlfriend."

"I dare you. It'll be fun for both of us." I looked up at her. "I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be Black. I could kill you right now if I wanted to."

"Then prove it, Riddle. Saves me the trouble."

Rilee backed off. "What do you mean?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Well, I was down here to get ingredients from Professor Snape to make a special brew. But if you're are willing to end it a different way, go ahead." I smiled at her like I was a crazed maniac.

"Why do you want to end your life?" She looked down at me. Something flickered in her eyes, moving too fast for me to comprehend. "You need help."

"That wouldn't be the first time someone has told me that, I commented. I brushed off my robes and gazed at her. "I hate it here."

"You're not alone on that. But seriously you need physical help. Mental help, yeah probably, but you need to learn how to defend yourself." She helped me to my feet.

"And you're going to teach me?" I raised my eyebrows and let out a stifled laugh.

"I can if you want." Swiftly she swung her leg up into a high sidekick, aimed right at my head. "Do you need any proof that I'm good?"

"I have no doubts that you are good. But, someone who just said she has no problem killing me wants to teach me how to fight? What do you get out of this?"

She looked away. "I get nothing," Rilee murmured. "But watching someone that has potential get the shit kicked out of her is sickening. All I want in return is for you to keep Draco of my back for a while. He's getting too nosey." I held my hand out to her.

"Deal."

She spat in her hand and reached for mine. "Deal." I chuckled and spat in my hand as well. Ew. Spit shaking felt so gross. I made a face as our hands met.

Riddle laughed. "Not used to this?"

"Not one bit. So . . ." I trailed off.

"We start tomorrow," she said, taking over the conversation. "Don't wear your robes and no matter what anyone says, don't tell them where you're going."

"OK . . . but tomorrow is Halloween."

"So? That'll be the best time. Everyone will be busy."

"Alright." Rilee picked up her bow, brushed past me, and opened the door.

"Close the door when you leave. Oh, and I'll be telling Snape why you weren't at dinner."

"Riddle!" I yelled running out the room (closing the door behind me). "You do, you die!"

"Oh my, Black. Powerful words." We laughed and walked back to dinner.

o.O

I got up early the next day. Halloween. Exciting. Rilee and I agreed to meet after lunch in the archery room today. I was apprehensive if I should trust her. The Great Hall was already full of students, all chatting like there was no tomorrow. I wasn't hungry, like always, so I went over to see Draco.

"Hey Emi," Draco said, he scooted over on the bench and I sat down. Some of the Slytherins sneered at me, especially Pansy. Though Nephiro, Rilee and Zandyr were sitting across from us, smiling. Draco put his arm around me.

"You two make me sick ya know that?" Rilee said. She finished eating her eggs.

"Why thank you Rilee. We try," I told her, sticking out my tongue. Nephiro laughed, and Zandyr rolled his eyes.

"So Emi are you ready for today?" She looked at my to see if I would fall for her trick. I'm not that dense.

"What's today, Rilee?"

"I don't know. I thought you were doing something important." She smirked, giving the smallest of nods in my direction.

"Well, since everyone was going to be gone . . . I figured it'd give me a chance to dance around the common room in my underwear," I joked. The others gaped at me in surprise. Rilee laughed aloud, surprising Draco.

"What?" she asked him.

"You laughed," he replied in awe.

"Yeah, people laugh Draco," I said, taking a bite out of his biscuit.

"Not Rilee. The last time she laughed was . . . before we left for school. Plus she never really laughed at home either." I looked at Rilee with a questioning expression.

"Well it's true," she said shrugging her shoulders. "What's the big deal? I don't like being happy."

"Neither do I," I mumbled. "Being happy doesn't come to naturally for me. It feels weird," I told them, looking straight at Riddle.

She grinned. "See I'm not the only normal one in this freak show." I laughed at her comment. I'm beginning to like Rilee now, she is funny, and for some reason she understands me.

"So, who is going to Hogsmeade today?" I asked.

"I am. I'll get ya something pretty," Draco told me. I felt my cheeks go hot as the table snickered.

"Draco . . ." I started.

"I know, I know. Stop," he finished.

"Dork," Rilee said under her breath.

"I heard that!" I stated to Rilee.

"Really? So what's your point?" Students got out their feet and walked out of the Great Hall.

"I guess that's our cue," Draco said. He kissed my cheeks and Rilee pretended to gag herself. "See ya later."

A/N: Yes. Emi was going to kill herself, but come on; do you honestly think she would have gone through will it? Bleh. I wonder how Emi and Rilee's first fighting lesson will go? And now useless humor that Emi brewed up:

Emi: I have no clue what to do... lol.
Rilee: Haha dork.
Emi: Bite me Riddle.
Rilee: Ew. No, sorry that job has been given to Draco.
Emi: Haha.
Emi: I can do that at 13?
Rilee: Hey if you want to go right ahead. I wont tell the Malfoys.
Emi: Sweet! Bites Draco
Rilee: You didn't have to do that in my presence!
Emi: hehe :P