Surprise Visit

Emily jumped as a pounding on the door startled her. Draco for his part grumbled and tried to pull his friend back down but the sound didn't cease. Rolling her eyes at her best friend Emily shook him until he reluctantly sat up.

"Merlin, I'm trying to sleep!"

"Someone's at the door."

The sound came again and this time it was accompanied by a voice, "Little snake, you need to get up or I'm going to have to take the door down."

Recognizing Marcus' voice, the witch climbed out of bed and was quickly followed by Draco as she opened the door.

"Good you're up," Marcus smiled at the pair but Emily could tell the boy was slightly worried. He was dressed in silk pajamas that had his family crest on the chest and his hair was disheveled from obviously having just gotten out of bed himself. "I wasn't sure if I could take this door down, with my luck you've warded it."

"We haven't but perhaps that would be a good idea," Draco grumbled trying to run his hands through his hair to tame it.

"Did you need something?" Emily asked struggling not to yawn in the older boy's face.

"You are to go to Professor Snape's quarters and remain there until further notice. Draco, you will be joining me in keeping guard over the Slytherin common room while the teachers search the castle. Sirius Black was sighted in the Gryffindor common room a short while ago."

"Is everyone okay?" Emily's thoughts moved to her brother and wondered if the man from their past was truly trying to find them.

"No one was hurt, I don't have many details other than that I'm afraid."

"Shouldn't I be going with Em?" Draco was already moving to his dresser and pulling out a black pair of silk pajamas that looked a lot like Marcus' to change into.

"No, Professor Snape didn't want me worrying too many people. They'll all know in the morning but he said it would be wiser to let everyone sleep and to have you stay up with me to ensure no one tries to leave or enter the House."

"And who is going to make sure Em gets to his quarters safely?"

"I think I'm more than capable to help." A new figure stepped into view from the darkness of the hallway and Emily couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face at the new addition.

"Bill."

"You snakes are a rather fancy bunch, single rooms and green chandeliers all over the place."

"What are you doing here?" Emily asked ignoring the man's previous statement.

"I was staying at the manor since I had been working on your broom, which is fine by the way its in Severus' quarters waiting for you, when Lucius received the news. He asked me to come over and check the wards while he smooths things over with the goblins. Shall we?" He held out his hand and Emily took it instantly. With a nod to the other boys present she followed Bill quietly from the Slytherin dorms.

Once in the hallway Emily found herself looking up at her companion in disbelief, "I can't believe you're here."

The smile that crossed Bill's face had warmth growing in the witch's stomach, "Of course I came. Lucius has filled me in, to some extent, about what they suspect but it doesn't hurt to make sure you have a little extra protection."

"How long will you be here?"

"A day or two, just long enough to ensure the wards on the castle have not been weakened. It's been a headache with the goblins lately, they really are excited about this tomb but as far as I can see its just like most of the other ones we've already found, though I will admit a touch larger and with some deadlier curses than I've seen in a while."

"Perhaps the deadly aspect is what draws them, goblins love battles and a gruesome end." Bill laughed as the pair walked up to the portrait protecting Severus' quarters. Having gotten bored with learning Severus' ever-changing password Emily hissed "Open…"

Instantly the portrait swung open allowing the pair entry. Bill didn't even react to the use of Parseltongue having heard the witch converse with her snake when he had visited the manor over the summer.

"Who truly knows, I'll be happy when the job is over."

Emily looked curiously at the man as the pair settled in by the fire. Isis barely noticed the pair, hissing a hello to her mistress before contenting herself back on her cushion by the fire. "How can you be looking forward to it being over, won't there just be another tomb to explore?"

"Things are going to be changing for me come the summer."

"How so?"

"I've been selected to be on the team working on the protections at the World Cup stadium this summer and there has been talk of perhaps something closer to home becoming available."

"But wouldn't you miss Egypt? I thought you liked where you were at?" Emily couldn't imagine wanting to return to a normal life after hearing some of Bill's stories. To her, exploring the world and seeing all the different ways magic could be put to use was a fascinating idea. She hoped one day she would get to go to the many places she read about in her books.

"I love my job, but I think a change of pace would be nice. It won't be forever, I don't think I could stay put for too long, having known what it's like working, as I have, on the tombs but its something I need right now. I can barely get a day off at the moment and it will be good to have more down time to do things I like."

Emily shrugged, "As long as you visit me I'm okay with it."

"Thank you for your stamp of approval."

"You're welcome." Emily pulled the blanket off the back of the chair she was in and wrapped it around herself. She could see where Bill was coming from and if he needed some down time who was she to really question it. Yawning Emily turned her head to look at the flames and for a moment she thought she saw a face but it was gone so quickly she was certain her mind was playing tricks on her.

"If you need to sleep you can use the guest room, I'm fine on the couch."

Shaking her head the witch stifled another yawn, though she was tired she didn't get to spend much time with the Curse Breaker. "I'm fine."

"You're scrunched up on the chair."

"So?"

"At least take the couch if you don't want to use the guest room."

"But then you'd be on the chair and we can't have you all bent out of shape if you have to work on the wards tomorrow."

"Who says I'd take the chair, if you don't want the bed there's nothing that says I can't take it."

Emily laughed, "You would never."

"Why not?"

"You're a Gryffindor, you're far too chivalrous for that."

"Technically I'm not a Gryffindor anymore."

Emily shrugged, "Perhaps not, but do you really want to deal with Severus when he comes back to find you've left me unattended in a room where I could easily slip out to search the dungeons."

"You wouldn't."

"Are you sure?"

"I could set wards."

"This room responds to me, whose to say I can't break them using Parseltongue?"

Bill hesitated, clearly unsure how the limited wards he would be allowed to erect within the walls of Hogwarts would manage against Emily's ability to speak to snakes. It was well rumored throughout the school that Salazar Slytherin had used the dungeon as his domain and that his ancestors had been able to have some limited control over the existing wards. Emily did have unlimited access to Severus' quarters due to her ability but was that enough proof that she was telling the truth.

Deciding not to test his luck and be met by a displeased Severus, Bill conceded, "Fine, if you want to stay curled in the chair who am I to argue with you."

As the wizard moved to get more comfortable Emily smiled, "So what do you plan to do with your free time once you're back home, are you going to live with your family?"

"Perhaps, but I would rather not. I was speaking to Lucius about it earlier and he said there is a townhouse the Malfoy's own inside of London that I could use for the summer which is a very generous offer. I just don't know how my family would react if they were to find out."

"Shouldn't they be pleased for you, well besides the fact that a Malfoy is helping you? You are accomplishing a lot, especially as their heir."

"They don't see it that way, my family would be far happier if I was already settled down and raising a family in a house close to them, working for the ministry in some fashion."

"But they never set up a betrothal?"

Will shook his head as he reached for the cup of tea that was being poured for him by a house elf that had just popped into the room.

"Are yous comfortables?"

"Very much so," Emily answered the elf with a smile. "You didn't have to bring us anything."

"Master Snapey says I need to bring yous some tea to make sure yous is comfy and goes to bed."

"Did he ask you to spike this?" Emily questioned, pausing with her tea cup a few centimeters from her mouth. Bill started to inspect his cup with a slightly worried look having already taken a sip himself.

The elf quickly shook his head, "No mistress, hes no asking mes to use a potion."

Knowing the elf couldn't lie to her she nodded her head and took a sip and sighed as the warm liquid flowed down into her stomach. She preferred coffee but she would accept the tea. "Thank you Norbey." As the elf bowed and popped out of the room, her attention turned back to Bill and she raised an eyebrow, "So why, if they would like you to be married did they never set up a betrothal?"

"Betrothal contracts are one of the traditional things my family seems to despise. They feel we need to integrate more with muggleborns and being new to the wizarding world, muggleborns don't commonly practice arranged marriage."

"But aren't your family purebloods, shouldn't they want you to rise up in society? Marrying a muggleborn won't help your standing."

"I think my family gave up caring about their standing in society decades ago. Its also not likely for me to marry upwards at this point. I'll likely have to settle if I marry at all."

"You wouldn't want to marry?" For some reason this thought bothered Emily and her stomach did odd twists.

"I don't know really, but even if I did find someone would their family want a poor pureblood as a spouse for their daughter?"

Emily shook her head, "You're intelligent, a Curse Breaker and you make decent money, I would think you would be a good husband, if nothing else life would be exciting."

Bill smiled but the witch could tell he didn't believe her, "I think you have a very different definition of exciting than most." Shrugging Emily set down her cup and moved to stand. "Where are you going?"

"I've decided I'm tired and want some sleep."

"Oh, so now you'll take the bed?"

"You could join me."

Bill seemed to pause a bit stunned at the idea before shaking his head and moving himself to stretch out on the couch. "I think I better sleep here, like you said, we don't want to upset Severus."

"Are you certain? I would sleep better if you were close."

"I'll be right here."

Nodding Emily accepted his refusal and though there was an odd feeling of disappointment running through her she made her way into the guest room and climbed into bed. Before closing the door, she called for Isis to join her, the snake grumbled a bit at being awoken once again before curling up on the mattress with the witch. Waving her hand absentmindedly Emily closed her eyes, it took her awhile to get comfortable but eventually she drifted off to sleep.

0o0oo0oo0o0

In the lounge Bill found it hard to sleep and had taken the spot Emily had vacated. From the chair he could watch the entrance and most importantly the guest room. Something inside of him wanted to kick himself for not agreeing to follow the young witch but he had to remind himself once again that Emily was just that, a young witch. He often forgot when they spoke that she was just in her third year of Hogwarts. Looking at Emily it wasn't hard to see why Lucius was worried about her future. At the manor the Malfoy Lord explained that families were already coming forward interested in courting the young heiress. She was beautiful, wealthy and clearly powerful.

Bill doubted he would ever have such chances finding someone quite like the witch who slept in the other room. He was older and had no title to offer a future bride and despite his family's beliefs, he wanted someone who practiced more traditional values which meant his selection was narrowed if not already completely closed due to contracts and marriage.

The door to the quarters opened and Severus quickly moved towards the guest room and opened the door.

"She's sleeping."

"I can see that," the man responded before he disappeared into the room. He reappeared shortly and moved to stand next to the fire. Looking around he waved his wand and the once cold tea warmed and poured itself into the remaining unused cup. "Did she seem upset at all when you retrieved her?"

"She was fine, I think my being there distracted her."

Severus nodded before looking into the fire, "Good."

"Did you find him?"

"No, Black vanished long before any of us with an ounce of ability to track him could show up. The protections around Potter will be strengthened but it still doesn't sit right."

"You don't think Harry was his target, you think he's after something else."

Severus nodded, "If he wanted the boy dead, he would have been dead. The man is skilled, annoying but skilled. Dumbledore's thoughts are along the same line but there isn't much we can prove right now without capturing him and feeding him veritaserum."

"I could try and see if I could weave in a detection layer into the wards tomorrow if we had a little blood or something of his."

"No, the only person who likely has access to such things would be Emily and she won't be allowed to enter and claim them for just over another year." The man finished his tea and set his cup on the mantel, "Lucius has been able to secure you for another day to inspect the wards but the goblins are insisting you return after that to finish your dig."

Bill nodded in understanding as the man exited the room. Once again he was left in silence as he stared at the door which separated him from the witch. Sighing he stood up and moved back to the couch deciding he at least needed to try to get a little sleep since morning was not long off.

0o0oo0oo0o0

When Emily woke the next day it was to find Severus's quarters empty. Looking around she realized her robes had been laid out and breakfast was waiting for her at the small table in the corner of the lounge. Sitting down she enjoyed her coffee and picked at her fruit. She had slept rather poorly and she couldn't decide the cause, one thing she did know was that she was happy to see Bill last night and she hoped she could see him again before he left.

As Emily made her way through the halls to her first class she noticed the few people still in the hallways seemed to be anxious. They whispered and huddled together as they walked quickly in their desired directions. She swore she heard a Gryffindor mention that there were trolls guarding their House now but that seemed a bit extreme to the witch.

The witch's first lesson that morning went well but she could feel the other students staring at her. Annoyed because it hadn't even been her House that was broken into, the witch left the class irritated with her best friend trailing right after her.

"They are only staring because of who broke in, Em everyone has heard the tales."

"And they're all wondering if the reason he went after Harry and not me is because I'm dark."

"If you listen to Uncle Sev's theory he didn't go after your brother at all," Draco countered putting his hand on his friends back and escorting her into a passageway so they wouldn't be overheard.

"You've talked to Sev."

"Yeah he came and spoke to Marcus and I before sending us back to bed. Not that I was able to sleep much." Looking at her friend Emily could tell he wasn't lying. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair, while combed was not in its usual slicked back style. "He thinks Black is after something that isn't you or your brother."

"Does he know what he's looking for?"

Shaking his head the blonde ran a hand through his hair. "No."

Sighing Emily twirled her wand in her hand as she listened to the people outside of the passageway noisily heading to their next class. "I don't want to finish lessons today, I think I'm going to try and find Bill."

"I'll come with you."

"No, go to class and make up some excuse for me." Draco looked as if he was hesitating but nodded his head clearly understanding the girl's need for a little space.

The pair parted and Emily quickly made her way onto the grounds. It didn't take her long until she found a tired yet fascinated Bill Weasley working on the wards down towards the edge of the forbidden forest. "I thought the forest was inside of the wards."

Shocked Bill turned around and smiled as Emily approached and took a seat not far from him on the grass, "It is, but we're trying to weave another layer at the edge to try and keep everything separated. There's already a notification ward for when someone crosses into the forest or back onto the school grounds."

"Can it identify who is going into the woods?" Emily asked thinking about her trips into the forest the past two years.

"Not that I can tell… why?"

The witch just smiled at her friend before lying back onto the grass. "So does this mean, even if a unicorn wanted to, it will be stuck in the forest?"

"Unfortunately, yes, but from what I remember most of the creatures tend to keep to themselves anyway. It will be just until the end of the year and Hagrid gave me some of his blood so I'm tying him into the ward that way he can pass the barrier."

"Ooo, blood wards. Look at you breaking Ministry rules," Emily teased, her laughter was met by Bill's.

"What they don't know doesn't hurt them, plus I'm pretty sure the founders used blood rituals to make the wards as strong as they are. I could spend years studying them and still not know enough about how they came to be."

"Have you found any weaknesses?"

"No which makes it all the more confusing how Black is getting inside the wards and then back out…" Bill turned and walked over to sit next to where Emily was lying on the grass.

"Perhaps he knows something you don't."

"Ha, ha, from what I know about him, he was a strong dueler and was one of the bravest fighters in the last war. He well may have some insight into wards but I doubt he would have enough to break through Hogwarts' wards with everything I have seen of them today."

"Hmm, how big of a blood ritual do you think they needed to perform to create the wards?" Emily asked changing the topic.

"I don't know, like I said I just don't have enough time to study them as I would like. Speaking of studying though, shouldn't you be in class?"

Emily shrugged and pulled the man down so he was lying next to her. "People wouldn't stop whispering and staring today. Usually I can just ignore them but lately everything has been seeming like its all a bit too much."

"It's third year and you're Emily Potter, your life is anything but quiet from what I've observed. I have never known anyone else to walk in so calmly to a professor's office, covered in blood, after fighting a Basilisk..."

"Do you know many people who have faced Basilisks?" Emily questioned smiling as she turned her head to look at her companion.

"No, which is kind of my point."

"I know, I just think its more than the extra classes. I've been working with Sev to learn the Patronus Charm…"

"That's quite the task."

"It's not like I'm getting very far with it. All I can create is this silver mist, but it never takes the shape of a protector. I feel like everywhere I turn this year people want me to deal with my emotions, if it's not facing your fears to clear a closet of a boggart, it's a dementor you are supposed to fight with memories of love. I'm not the best when it comes to emotions, my childhood wasn't the greatest or at least that's what Sev tries to remind me. He says its not my fault but I don't know, maybe I am as dead inside as they say."

"I wouldn't say that, I've seen you with the Malfoys and how you act when we get to see each other. You aren't as dead inside as you think, you're just selective in who you trust." Bill reached out and grabbed Emily's hand giving it a squeeze. "Emotions are never going to be an easy topic, especially while you're still in school. Most adults struggle with them, why else do you think so few people can actually perform a corporeal Patronus?"

Exhaling Emily rolled so that her head was laying on Bill's chest. The man seemed to freeze slightly before relaxing and wrapping his arm around her. The pair laid on the grass in peace until they heard the crunching of leaves disturbing their silence. Emily slowly sat up and turned to see Hagrid approaching the pair.

"Bill, Professor Dumbledore asked me ter get yeh. He says the goblins be wantin' yeh back soon."

"Thanks Hagrid, let him know I'll head up to his office shortly." The giant smiled and waived at the pair as he turned back towards his hut. "I guess that means it's time for me to head back. We can walk up to the castle together since it should be dinner time soon."

The two were rather quiet as they made their way up the lawn. Emily was rather sad she would have to say goodbye to Bill once again but she was hopeful with him being back in the country for the summer that she would get to see more of him. There was a comfort when she was around the Curse Breaker that was so hard for her to find around anyone who wasn't Draco.

When they were inside the Entrance Hall the pair both froze and seemed unwilling to want to start their goodbyes. Finally Bill pulled the witch tightly into his chest before kissing her forehead. "I'll see you over the summer holiday and I'll write you once I'm settled back in. If you keep feeling frustrated by everything just write me, I could tell something was off but I thought it was just the demand of adding on more classes."

"I will," though Emily doubted she would want to burden him with her continued frustrations, it was nice to know she could.

"Good, I'll see you soon." Emily raised an eyebrow at the man who smiled and shook his head, "Soonish…"

Laughing Emily gave him one last hug, "Sounds good. May the goddess watch over you."

"And may the God who has arisen from darkness bring you light."

Emily made her way back into the dungeons and with Severus' permission she remained there for the next day. She was feeling slightly drained and she couldn't bring herself to want to spend the day around the other students even if it would only make their whispering worse when she reemerged from the dungeons.

It was two days after the break-in, when Draco escorted Emily to the Great Hall for breakfast and reluctantly left her with her boyfriend.

"I've been worried about you, Professor Snape said you were feeling unwell."

Emily nodded taking a sip of her coffee, "Yeah, I just really needed some rest. I think I may have over done it lately with all my extra studies."

"I mentioned that to Professor Snape."

"You did?" Emily looked up at her boyfriend who seemed too preoccupied with adding some bacon to his plate to look at her.

"Yes, we discussed it but he said he would not cut down your lessons. He seems to think it's good for you but I barely get to see you and when I do, you seem to have a million other things on your mind."

"I see."

"I really think it would be for the best if you cut back a bit. With the dementors closer in to the school Black should be caught soon, I heard there was a Curse Breaker here checking on the wards even."

Anger started to rise inside of her and Emily was saved from making a scene by Longbottom who was struggling to climb over the bench at his table. The room started laughing as someone yelled "He's got a Howler!"

His housemates urged him to run but the poor boy was frozen in fear as the room watched him. A nudge from someone behind him seemed to be what the lion needed as he held the letter far in front of him and darted towards the doors. Just as he was about to reach them the letter exploded and a shrill voice filled the room "NEVILLE FRANK ARTHUR LONGBOTTOM, HOW DARE YOU BRING SHAME UPON OUR FAMILY! THE LONGBOTTOMS HAVE NEVER BEEN…"

Emily took the moment to stand and with a quick goodbye to her distracted boyfriend she slipped out the side teacher's entrance. It wasn't long before her best friend was by her side, "Can you imagine? Thank goodness father would never dream of sending a Howler to us."

"No he would just show up and summon us to Sev's quarters where we would have to sit through his angry tirade in person."

"At lease it would be in private and not in front of the whole school. I heard he lost his privileges to go to Hogsmeade for the rest of the year."

"Why?"

"I guess he couldn't keep remembering the changing passwords and asked the portrait what they were going to be. He lost the paper he had written them on, which is what Black used to get into Gryffindor Tower."

The witch shook her head, normally she wouldn't feel bad for the boy but she knew from Fred and George that getting into their dorm had been a hassle since the last time Black had broken into the castle. "He really has some bad luck."

"Outside of Herbology, the Gryff is a nightmare. I think his issues go beyond bad luck but don't tell Daphne I said that."

"Why not?"

"They're cousins and she seems to think its everyone else who is to blame."

"At some point he is going to have to grow a backbone or at least find some way to boost his confidence. I mean it's surprising the boy is in Gryffindor, the way he ran this morning from a letter... though he seemed competent enough at Yule. Either way, something has to change and I doubt it will be the people around him."

"Again, I wouldn't mention it to Daphne, but I agree."