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A Chance Meeting

Emma Warrington stood on the street between Number 11 and 13 Grimmauld Place with a certain Minerva McGonagall looking around.

How did she get here?

One minute she was taking the garbage out for the shop she occasionally helped at in Diagon Alley and next thing she knew, she had witnessed some Death Eaters making a shady deal in Knockturn Alley. And what's worse, they had seen her. Before they could react, she had disapparated on the spot to the first place she could think of. She wasn't a smart on-the-spot thinker though.

The first thing she could think of was her friend's shop in Diagon Alley.

As she appeared, she remembered that Diagon Alley was no safer than Knockturn Alley anymore and was literally right next door. And then she ran towards the one shop with bright lights- Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

She kept looking back to make sure they weren't following her, but without looking where or who she was running into.

"Now Severus I do insist you try one of these Nosebleed Nougats. They are terribly delighf-" just outside the store, she almost knocked down a group of three.

"Death Eaters! Th-they saw me watch them doing shady-" she stopped wide-eyed and looked at the group she had bumped into.

What if they were also unfriendlies?

The tall one had a long white beard with half-moon spectacles and looked curious. The other man was paler with what looked like a little greasier hair. However, he looked like he welcomed her interruption at the thought of otherwise having a Nosebleed Nougat shoved at him. And the older witch pursed her lips and gave her stern look as if it was Emma's fault for walking in on those Death Eaters.

And that was how she ended up here at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. She read the name on the piece of paper but as she looked up ahead, she didn't really see anything there.

Were they punking her?

"Just give it a few seconds will you," the older lady, Minerva said. As the house materialised, Minerva knocked softly and waited.

"At least someone in the Order remembers not to ring the bloody doorbell. Took you long enough. Where were you?"

"We got a little erm- distracted you see," Minerva said glancing at Emma. The door opened a little wider to reveal two men standing in the doorway. One of them had long black hair, and although in his thirties you could still see the glint of mischief in his eyes.

And the taller one, well he just looked really tired. But really fit if she'd be damned.

She stood out on the stairs, hair in the wind, mouth gaping open in an "O", probably at seeing the house pop-out of nowhere guessed Remus Lupin. It was adorable, he thought.

Although that mouth would look better on mine, the thought came out of nowhere. Hold on to yourself Moony, Remus scolded himself and turned back his attention.

As he inspected her, she found herself blushing but refused to look away. Returning his gaze, she noticed his brown hair dusted with some specks of grey.

"Who is she?" the one with the longer hair asked.

"She might as well have become the Death Eaters' latest target Sirius," Minerva nudged her to walk in as she nodded to the two men and did so nervously.

"She will be staying here for a bit. Dumbledore's orders- he personally insisted upon it. I hope you don't mind," Minerva said pushing Emma further into the house.

"I'm Emma. Emma Warrington. Pleased to meet you," she gave them a small smile.

"Emma," the tall one repeated as if testing out her name. She liked how her name sounded on his lips. "My parents like muggle literature- Jane Austen enthusiasts," she added suddenly getting nervous.

"I see. I am somewhat familiar with her works myself"

"I didn't know that Moony!" Sirius exclaimed looking impressed. Although he hadn't introduced himself yet, Remus felt a little sheepish. He didn't know why he had just revealed that. For all he knew, she didn't even like Jane Austen.

She looked at him again. I mean he's alright to look at.

If by alright you mean downright spiffing, came her second thought.

"And err you are?" she asked.

"Remus. Remus Lupin" he said. He reached out his hand to shake hers, and as she looked up and put hers out they shook. She blushed as he gripped her hand firmly.

I wonder what else he grips that firmly, she thought. You idiot! See, this is what happens when you keep refusing to go on the blind dates your friends set you up on, she too scolded herself.

"Emma?" He raised an eyebrow at her. Breaking out of her trance she realised that she was still holding on to his hand. She dropped it immediately.

"Oh- sorry. I didn't mean to Mister Lu-" She averted her gaze.

"Don't worry about it. And Remus is fine," he said with a smile.

"Well come on then. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of a hidden magical house if we stand in broad daylight," Remus saw Sirius lead her in with his hand on her back.

Not understanding why, he felt his stomach drop a little at the sight of Sirius already being so animated with her. She glanced back to smile at him as she went into the house. Taking it as a positive sign he followed them back in.

Maybe it will be fine, he thought as he joined the rest inside the house to hear about the events of Diagon Alley.