A knock rang throughout my room –a cruel echo of the nothingness that surrounded me. I picked my head off the pillow and groaned. The sun was shining through the windows, creating a ray of light and making me squint my eyes.
"What?" I asked groggily, turning onto my stomach.
"I'm just letting you know I need to run to London for a day. Dumbledore asked me to do a favor for him. I'll be back tomorrow morning." I moaned in reply. "Honestly, Emi, please leave the room. It's been three days. You must be hungry."
By this point in his short speech, I had already got to my feet and shut the curtains that someone, who I might mention was not I, left them open. The sunlight was hurting my eyes now and it was rather annoying.
"You'd be surprised. I could go over a week without food," I commented, standing on the other side of the bedroom door.
Listening to the creak of the hardwood floors beneath Remus' feet, I rummaged in my dresser seeking some clean jeans and a shirt. The distinct sound of the exit of Lupin let me know it was finally safe to leave the safety of my quarters.
The door let out a loud squeak as I opened it, and the black shaggy dog on the couch looked up.
"Don't bother," I said, turning into the bathroom quickly before he could even bark.
Showering felt good. My hair, still brown for the moment, was the nastiest I've ever seen it and my legs screamed from the lack of use they endured. Still, the warm water and steam made my escape from my safe haven worthwhile.
My father was in his human form when I came out of the bathroom. He appeared pleased with himself and was pouring orange juice. The blinds were shut and there wasn't a peep coming from anything in the apartment that would give away the two people here. I raised an eyebrow and got myself a glass. He poured the juice into my glass and walked back into the living area.
"I'm not surprised you waited until Remus left," he said, plopping down in the recliner.
"And why is that?" I questioned, taking a sip from my cup.
"You're too stubborn. I won't tell him you came out."
I flashed him a smile and began to look for something to eat. The only thing I could find that seemed reasonable to eat for breakfast was some raspberry Pop-Tarts. I crinkled my nose as I unwrapped them and stuck them in the toaster.
"What with that face? I was told you like Pop-Tarts…"
"I do, it's just… I don't know. After going days without eating, something like a Pop-Tart doesn't seem appetizing. Nevertheless, I shall consume it."
I placed my hand on my heart and sighed dramatically. Sirius' just laughed.
"You probably should have something like steak or pork chops."
"Ew."
"Or not."
The toaster made a loud clang when the Pop-Tarts were done. I burned my fingertips transferring them from the appliance to my paper towel, and hissed. Sitting down at the table, I looked about. Nothing about this apartment had changed since I first got here. There was no evidence that I even existed. Framed pictures of my parents and some random wizards lined the walls; they watched me questionably and whispered among each other. I envied them. They got to sit on a perch for eternity and see how the World changes. I wish I could be up there as well.
"Why hasn't Remus added the picture of me and him up there? He comments all the time how the one from the beginning of the summer came out very well," I said.
"I think he likes how things are now…" my dad replied, not looking up from the newspaper we received.
I let my eyes fall. For some reason I found this hurtful. It's like he doesn't want me to exist…
"Ah shit Em, don't take it in a bad way," he told me.
I stared at my breakfast, and began to feel nauseated. My stomach turned in circles, and there was a choking feeling in my throat. Pushing up from the chair, I ran to the bathroom, and rid myself of the orange juice and few bites I managed to eat.
I stayed on the bathroom floor, watching the toilet flush, feeling as if I was going to cry. My sick feeling disappeared and I wasn't hungry anymore.
"Are you all right?" Sirius asked, leaning on the doorway, frowning.
"Obviously not…" I answered quietly. "I'm going for a walk."
"You're grounded…"
"It's just a walk, I'll come back, I promise."
I exited the bathroom; slipping on my sandals at the door and I left.
The hallway smelled like fried chicken and stale air. I pulled my shirt up above my nose as I descended the stairs. Graffiti poisoned the wall of our building. We lived in New Town, a section of Prague that's more modern than the rest of the city. Not a lot of tourists come here, so I figured it was one of the hoodlums that live on the floor above us.
The outside was much more refreshing than my journey so far. In my living room window, I could see a black dog panting. He let out a couple of barks and then disappeared behind the curtains. We lived right down from the Franciscan Gardens and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows. Both were excellent sights to see.
In Welceslas Square, a monument to a Czech hero sat in the center. St Welceslas sat upon his horse, looking up mystically. Surrounding him was four Czech patron saints. They were done very well, and every time I came to the square I had to see them.
A woman, wearing jeans and a white tank top stood next to me. Her hair glowed in the sun, making it look exactly like gold. She had a pretty face, and was much taller than I. She turned her head and her eyes met mine. Another familiar face… The woman just smiled, and seemed to recognized my face as well.
"Zee, hun, I told you this vould be nice," she said to someone else, still looking at me.
"Whatever. Let's get goin' mother."
I didn't feel like watching them walk away would be very polite, so I kept my eyes on the face of St. Welceslas. I was tapped on the shoulder a few minutes later and almost jumped out of my skin.
"Dostat se domů," a male voice said harshly. He accented his words a little different from the natives and I turned to see Remus looking angry.
"Umm… What?" I asked nervously, not understanding what he said.
"I said, Get home! You're are grounded Emi, what are you doing?"
"Getting fresh air…" I said, glancing at the ground.
"You can get that by opening your window. Now, go!"
He pointed down the street where the apartment building could be seen.
"I was just going to see the Faust –"
"I don't care. Look happy, we have guests."
Deciding asking who wouldn't help my situation, I walked away, feeling slightly upset. I just wanted to go visit the Faust House…
Remus managed to beat me home, which made me wish I could Apparate, and was sitting on the couch with two females and the "dog".
"Emi, so nice that you could join us," he said, standing up. The woman followed his lead. One was the golden haired woman from earlier –seemingly prettier than I thought, and the other was my favorite Durmstrang student, Marissa Rushvish. I had to repress a growl.
"Hello…" I said keeping my eyes fixed on Remus.
"This is Cara Rushvish she was good friends with your mother and an old one of mine, and her daughter, Marissa."
He hesitated stating the last part and he cheeks blushed crimson. Cara extended her hand, and I just stared at it.
"Hello Emily, It's nice to meet you. Remus was just telling me about you," she commented, still holding out her hand.
I felt bad for being so rude, so I took a hold of it. They say you could tell a lot about someone from their handshake… Cara's was weak but powerful at the same time… When our skin touched, the hairs on the back of my neck rose and I was hit by a dizzy spell. I tighten my grip. I closed my eyes, and opened them to witness a bloody hand shaking mine. The illusion left almost as quickly as it came, but the panic that rose in me still remained.
"Umm… It's nice to meet you too…" I said quietly, wondering why such a feeling had washed over me.
The woman smiled, and something pulsed from her, as if I could feel her heartbeat with mine. Marissa's aura soared, and seemed to move with the rhythm, and new sights sparked up. Glancing around, Remus was surrounded in a dark brown glow and my father a blue that complimented his eyes. It was all so sudden, and unlike the blood on Cara's hand, it wasn't leaving. I just swallowed.
"Well," Cara said, breaking the pulsating connection we were holding. "Remus, we need to discuss something."
"Of course, please, sit again," he replied.
His eyes narrowed at me, and I sighed with discomfort while sitting down on the loveseat with Marissa. She was transferring her gaze back and forth from her mother to Remus, seeming eager and ready to burst. I leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
"You've probably wondered why I left for so long without any contact…" Cara began.
"Well, it's crossed my mind a few times," he said sarcastically.
"Ummm… You see…"
Cara started to rub her hands together and wringing them in a nervous manner; I fixed my eyes on her and smirked. She seemed to be lost to for words.
"Mom, you suck at this," Marissa commented, rolling her eyes.
"You do it then if you think it's so easy!" Remus looked extremely confused.
"Alright, Remus Lupin, I'm your daughter Marissa," she said, calm, as someone saying 'hi' would be. Remus was now stunned and shaking his head in disbelief. I felt a piece of me die…
"Are you sure?" he questioned, staring at Marissa with amazement.
"Yes I am," Cara responded. "I would have told you sooner but you weren't in one place long enough. Then Marissa here saw Emi at the match and asked someone if they knew of your whereabouts."
"Hey! How'd you know that I was living with him?" I asked, breaking my angry silence.
"Honey, he's your godfather. I figured you were with him all these years…"
Remus shook his head some more. "Just moved in this summer. She used to live with her aunt Mildred." Cara got to her feet and swooped me into a crushing hug.
"I'm so sorry! That woman is evil!"
I tried struggling to get free. I could hear the beat in my head, intertwining with mine and was growing steadily stronger. When she finally pulled away, she bent down a little and placed her hands on her cheeks.
"If she hurt you in anyway, I'll make sure she'll pay."
Her tone changed so quickly, it went from sympathetic to serious in no time flat and wasn't sure if she was kidding. So, I just emitted a small laugh. Something in the back of my head, told me that this woman was bad news…