"I--- I'm sorry!" I stuttered. But in my embarrassment I forgot to actually get out of his lap and just sat there for a moment or two, both of us pointedly avoiding the other's eyes. The young man cleared his throat and glanced towards me. Me, not being the sharpest knife in the crayon box, didn't quite get the gist, and looked around confusedly. "Urgh-hmm!" he cleared his throat again, this time looking down at me and staring, all the while blushing crimson.
Horror. Yes, that's just about the only word fit enough to describe what I was feeling at that exact moment. Sheer and utter horror at what I was doing. So fully horrified I couldn't even dare breathe, let alone move. Yet somehow in the deep crevices of my inscrutable mind something, much like adrenaline, coursed through my veins in that very instant, inspiring me to do nothing short of leaping into the air.
I scrambled away so fast I must surely have been a blur to even the quickest eye, nothing but a mere flash. "I am so sorry! I can't believe I just did that! I was just—I just –I---" words failed me after that. And you know what the oddest thing that (I'd have to say) happened all evening, was that boy's reaction. He just stood up, brushing himself off, which of course isn't all that strange really. No, what I'm talking about is how he just burst into these peals of unrestrained laughter!
First reaction was not having the slightest clue as to respond. Then the realization hit me that he might be laughing at me. Which I can reasonably understand, I guess. But I do have some pride. I mean, come on! The guy was practically having a fit. So of course I was bound to get a bit huffy. "I did apologize. I'd think you'd have enough decency to spare me more embarrassment than has already occurred, but apparently I overestimated your character." Just as I was about to stalk off, he suddenly quit laughing.
"I wasn't laughing at you or your apology," he began rather sternly "I was merely finding the hilarity of the sheer awkwardness of this whole situation I found myself in." His voice softened a bit before he continued, "I most certainly didn't mean to offend you Miss Tromdlov."
Whatever I thought I expected, it definitely wasn't this. How am I supposed to respond? I've already made quite a fool out of myself. And I just know anything I might say will only prove my idiocy all the more! Oh well! I can't possibly make things any worse so here it goes!
"I'm sorry for assuming what I did. And you're completely right, this is very awkward and---....What I mean to say is, let's start from the beginning and forget all of this ever happened...for now at least.... Please?"
He smiled brightly, showing a mouth full of pearly white teeth and his blue eyes glittered mischievously. "Sure," he said in good humor "The name's Sirius, Sirius Black." He then gave a small bow
"Well, Sirius. It's a pleasure to meet one so chivalrous as yourself."
"Oh, but isn't it?" he replied with that same impish grin. I laughed unexpectedly. It's hard to remember the last time that happened...I think I was 6 or so...Sirius' voice brought me out of my reverie. "So, little one, may I inquire as to your name?
"Oops! I can't believe I forgot!" Yes, I can. "My name is Emerald. Emerald Tromdlov!"
"Ah, yes. Of course I already knew that though. No didn't I? But oh! I forgot we're previously unacquainted! For I've never seen you before in my 12 full years of life! Am I not correct?" he replied teasingly.
He's teasing me! Oh well. Two can play that game...
"Oh, but of course. I surely would've remembered such an angelic face as yours." Sirius smiled candidly, with just a hint of a flush to his cheeks.
"Lord heavens no! You'd never be able to forget someone as divinely handsome as myself! Whose face lights up with a thousand watts every moment a smile crosses my velvet-like lips!"
I snorted. "Well aren't you arrogant, but there is one beauty that opposes your own."
An eyebrow shot up as he said. "Aghast! This cannot be! Someone's beauty that can dare compare to my own! Who is this beauty! I must know!" He finished with a scandalized look.
"Oh, you haven't noticed? It is none other than myself. I guess you are as blind as you are beautiful." I retorted in mock condescension.
"Yes! Indeed! How could I have not noticed! You are the very incarnation of a goddess!"
" You stand corrected Sirius. For I am a goddess. You must bow before my almighty wrath!" That was about all I could possibly take, I was on the verge of bursting into tears of mirth. And the horror and fake shock on Sirius' face was certainly not helping! It was only a matter of seconds before my composure would be dissolved. Sirius gave me a wounded look and dropped onto his knees and bowed his head to the ground.
I nearly collapsed in my fit of laughter. It was just too funny! Everything! Just too much! Every single moment of the night replayed itself in my head. The horrid trains ride here, as everyone talked to friends and laughing on the while. Riding across the lake in the boat, alone. Being shoved onto the rocks across the shore as everyone one scrambled out of their boats, not noticing me. The sorting hat practically rejecting me, those few horrifying seconds I'd thought the whole Hogwarts letter had been a mistake. My embarrassment at the awkwardness around Black the black cloaked figures chasing me as I tried to run away but couldn't escape. Groping hands bruising me as I was stripped of my---
"EMERALD!" I was jerked from my memories by Sirius' voice and violent shaking. What's going on?! What's he doing? Why is he yelling my name and jerking my shoulders? Did something happen? Last thing I remember was---Oh, yes...I remember...unfortunately...
"What happened?" I asked, although I was fairly sure I already knew, but felt compelled to ask anyways. This is going to lead to a lot of questions. I must think something up, and fast by the look on Sirius' face...
A/N: So...did you guys like it? I'm rather proud of myself for writing this so soon. Usually you have to practically drag my lazy arse up! Hee-hee! I would like to thank my two reviewers. I was so happy to get reviewers! The first chapter, absolutely no on reviewed! Anyways! Muchas Gracias to Smiley Face3 and Thestraltamer! Thnks again! Next chapter coming soon! Toodles!