It was to no surprise that Emma was in a sour mood all night long after Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The statement that Professor Lockhart said about her mother, made the young girl wonder if everything he said before was also true? Although she was somewhat paying attention during some of her lessons, especially during Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Yet, she knew that after an hour, she would have practice with the Gryffindors.
It didn't take long before there was a short break during the Great Hall that would ease Emma's mind off for a bit. While everyone else was working on some assignments that Professor Snape instructed about the different properties of the Sleeping Potion along with an essay about Animagus from Professor McGonagall. Emma charmed her quill to write down the important information she learned, it wasn't technically cheating… just not exactly doing the work.
Emma took the time to research Professor Lockhart, and all she found was his many 'achievements' and some celebrities he's met throughout the years. Some were Albus Dumbledore, Horace Slughorn, a few people from the Ministry of Magic, and a new picture of Harry. Emma couldn't help but let out a small giggle, but it never mentioned Moore's or Slytherin's for that matter. Now, this made Emma think long and hard, something was differently not right. Her necklace wasn't blaring with dark magic, so that didn't worry her.
"Emma… Emma… Emma!" Harry called out to her repeatedly until she finally glanced over towards him. Her friends surrounded her by the Gryffindor table. "Hey, we have Quidditch practice in fifteen minutes."
"...Right. I'll get ready," Emma answered slowly, while Ron rolled his eyes at her. She wasn't being discreet about her obsession with reading their new Professor.
"Are you still thinking about what Lockhart said?" Ron questioned the blonde witch. Emma immediately nodded her head with a worried smile. "Whatever it was… he's an idiot."
Emma began to giggle at his attempt to cheer her up, and it did. Hermione decided for once to bite her tongue since Emma did smile for a bit. The young witch hugged him before following Harry to change into their Quidditch attire. She yelled out to Ron and Hermione, "Meet us at the courtyard in ten minutes!"
The two Quidditch players swiftly went down to their respective rooms, changing into their Quidditch outfit and with their Nimbus Two Thousand. Emma finished first as she flew through the corridors, passing by some students and Professors. Many students were grunting angrily, others continued with their conversations and some simply stared as she zoomed by. Emma laughed while flying through the air, while her Professors smiled at the girl's spontaneous behavior… much like her father.
She sat on her broomstick in the air, waiting patiently for Harry to come by. The young witch was near the Gryffindor tower while some students didn't notice her. Emma couldn't help but try to take her mind off a few things that were bothering her. Another vision invading her sleep last night, this time it showed herself surrounded in a dark area that seemed to stop time. She couldn't see anybody but heard whispers around her. It was strangely reminded her of the Christmas vacation in 1985.
Harry finished as he raced down to where Emma promised she would be. Once out of the Gryffindor tower, he glanced around for his best friend but all he saw was some students on the corridors. He heard a soft 'psst' above him, curious he turned up and saw Emma waving at him.
"Come on!" Emma shouted, jumping off her broom to tug Harry away to the courtyard. They scurried through the corridors running until they spotted the familiar ginger twins in their uniforms.
"Wait up!" The blonde witch yelled at her teammates, all greeting them simultaneously. They eventually strolled around the corridors to the Quidditch field, all while their Captain Oliver Wood held a proud grin. There was Harry, Emma, Fred, George, Katie Bell, and Angelina Johnson trailing behind their captain.
"I spent the summer devising a whole new Quidditch program. We're going to train earlier, harder, and longer!" Oliver declared at his team behind him, turning to his right towards the courtyard when he glanced at the opposite of the school ground.
"What the... I don't believe it!" Wood hollered upon spotting six boys in emerald robes carrying their broomsticks. At their lead is Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Captain with a smug smirk. Emma tried to look over the taller students in front yet to no prevail. However, she spotted her brother beside his captain, the young witch gave a bright grin.
Justin returned the gesture as he glanced around to see his two favorite Weasley twins hovering over the Gryffindor team. Nearby the courtyard was Ron sitting at a table with Hermione, waiting for their friends. Still, once they heard some commotion, without hesitation they looked up. Ron responded once he saw the Slytherins, "Uh-oh. I smell trouble."
The two Quidditch teams were now facing each other, the Captains in front before Oliver announced rather annoyed, "Clear out, Flint! I booked the pitch for Gryffindor today."
"Easy, Wood. I've got a note." The Slytherin Captain Flint spoke in defense, yet held a proud grin. As Wood snatches the parchment paper from Flint's hand, Ron and Hermione come up to join the others. Emma and Harry walked forward to try to understand the situation between the two teams. Justin motioned her to be beside him, a bit concerned for her. Wood read the letter inside to everyone in his team;
I, Professor Severus Snape, do hereby give the Slytherin team permission to practice today, owing to the need to train their new Seeker.
Signed By Professor Severus Snape
The Gryffindor Captain immediately looked up as he remarked, "You've got a new Seeker? Who?" Everyone in Gryffindor glanced over, while the new Slytherin Seeker walked through his teammates. And out came… Draco Malfoy.
"Draco?!" Emma exclaimed at the sudden realization. Justin smirked at her reaction, certainly, that must have gotten her conflicted at the news.
"Malfoy?" Harry questioned the Slytherin Captain simultaneously.
"That's right. And that's not all that's new this year…" Draco smirked at Harry before he snapped his fingers at one of his goons. Goyle seized the package before handing it to Draco, who smiled at the Hogwarts Princess, "Oh, and Emma here's your gift."
Emma's lips contoured into a tight smile, yet the six Slytherins hold out their brand-new gleaming broomsticks. Justin held a grim expression since he felt bad that he along with Emma was receiving a gift. The other Gryffindors were stunned, as Ron groaned softly, "Those are Nimbus Two Thousand Ones. How did you get those?"
The young witch unraveled her gift and she too received a new broomstick with an engraved handle that said 'Emma Moore'. But when she slightly tilted it to the side now it was written 'Emma Malfoy'.
Wait a moment… what?
The girl immediately walked over to the boy as she stared up at Draco. Lifting her broomstick towards him, her eyes yet curious. "Is this some kind of joke?"
Draco couldn't help be stare into her cerulean eyes, almost forgetting the question. Draco smirked softly as he replied, "Not at all. My father liked you after New Year's party." The white-blonde boy then reached down to whisper in her ear, "He said you would make the perfect match…."
"For who? You," Emma retorted in a humorless tone, but once she saw his face into a grin that meant that he wasn't joking at all. "Seriously?"
Immediately, Emma's hair transformed into a vivid Magenta that matches with her pink-stained cheeks. Everyone around them was confused with the interaction, especially with Hermione glaring at the Slytherin boy. She seemed to understand what was causing her friend to act in a certain manner. Justin couldn't help but snicker at Emma's embarrassed face, the young witch snuggled into his chest.
"Anyway, it's a generous gift from Draco's father." Flint declared to everyone.
That's right, Weasley. You see, unlike some, my father can afford to buy the best." Draco remarked at the Gryffindor team.
"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent." Hermione sassed at the Slytherin boy with Harry and Ron smiling at the brunette girl. Draco walked forward towards the Gryffindor 'know-it-all' as he spat at Hermione, "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood!"
Hermione's face contoured into one of disgust yet shock. Everyone reacted as if Malfoy has said something horrific, while Emma was flabbergasted at the insult. Ron pushes forward as he declared, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!"
Ron whipped out his wand pointing it at the new Slytherin Seeker, shouting the spell, "Eat slugs!" Unfortunately, the broken wand backfired the spell, thus with a flash of a light green light came out the other end. Hitting Ron himself in the stomach, causing him to soar through the air until he drops on the grass. Hermione along with the Gryffindor team ran after him as the fizzy brunette called out, "Ron! Say something!"
Emma was quite surprised that Ron managed to successfully do a nonverbal spell. Ron opened his mouth to respond yet instead he retracted towards the grass. He began to belches with a large slug dribbling out of his mouth, with the Gryffindors were engrossed by the action. The Slytherins howled with laughter, causing Ron to try to rise again but only for him to belch once more. Out of nowhere, Colin Creevey runs up with his camera as he took a snap, quickly asking Harry, "Wow! Can you hold him still, Harry?!"
"Get out of the way, Colin!" Harry shouted furiously, facing Hermione with a hint of urgency, "Let's take him to Hagrid. He'll know what to do."
Emma was about to help her friends yet a hand lightly touched her shoulder, "Where do you think you're going? We have practice today, so go change." The Slytherin Captain Flint ordered Emma, only for her to give a small tight smile. Justin gently guided Emma through the crowd so she could see her friends.
"Sorry guys, but can you do something for me?" Emma asked sadly, while Harry and Hermione nodded their heads.
"Just tell Hagrid that I said hello," She answered before she left with her old broomstick to go inside to change into another uniform once more. Her friends walked away, carrying Ron towards Hagrid's hut to hopefully get some type of cure for Ron. Once the witch returned, everyone has paired up for practice right away.
Emma was doing some work with shooting, yet her mind was somewhere else once again. Justin wasn't too far, but near enough, so he could see and hear her. The young witch ended up missing almost half her shots, until she someone beside her. "How are you doing?" Draco asked her, his tone was a bit worried.
The girl shrugged on her broomstick in the air, "Fine… I guess."
"You're not fine, Emma. I know you—," Draco started but the girl looked at him like he was a git.
"Do you? I mean really? If you did know me you wouldn't have to offend my friends." Emma glared at the boy. "Let me ask you something, have I been doing that to you? Being rude to your friends…."
"Well no, but that's why I don't tease you or anything. Alright, what I said was— insensitive and perhaps stupid. Well, what do you want?" Draco remarked.
"Just to be a little nicer towards them, and if you do that perhaps they would do the same. Please, can you do that?" Emma pleads while her hands clasped together towards Draco. He thought about it for a moment, but heard her say, "For me?"
Draco couldn't deny that having the Hogwarts Princess herself plea for him, sounds something nearly impossible for anyone. Justin scoff at her ignorance when it came towards boys who liked her. The white-blonde boy sighed before he answered, "Alright, but just for you. You know you're my best friend and I wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt you. Please forgive me."
The witch embraced him in the air as a way to thank him, causing Draco to freeze at the action. Yet, slowly he wrapped his arms around her, he swore that he could smell the faintest scent of strawberries. Her favorite fruit. Draco felt the need to do something, so he coughed purposely before stating, "Anyway, do you need help?"
"I don't think so… but I'm curious about how well you play Quidditch." Emma smirked softly, thus Draco reciprocating the action.
"Is that a challenge, Moore?" Draco questioned the Hogwarts Princess, not once letting his eyes falter away from her face.
"What do you think, Malfoy?" She answered mischievously to match with her wicked grin.
"Now that's no way to talk to your future boyfriend." Draco playfully responded, seeing Emma immediately began to stutter at the confession. The witch felt the tips of her blonde hair turn magenta for the second time today.
"Sure you will, Draco." Emma patted his shoulder in a mocking tone. "Only if my brother likes you."
"Oh, I'll make sure he will, Angel Face," Draco answered honestly, knowing well that her brother wouldn't be toodifficult to get his approval along with her father. He was willing to do anything in his power to have Emma by his side, with whatever she wants them to be.
"Angel face?" Emma asked confused at the nickname she was given. The young witch smirked at an oncoming idea, "Well then, if I get a nickname… I have the perfect one for you."
"Which is?" Draco insisted her to continue, not liking how she was grinning mischievously.
"Bleach boy," Emma blurted out along with a laugh at the Slytherin boy's reactions.
"Bleach boy? Why do I get a ridiculous nickname?! I have you know that I'm a natural blonde, myself. Besides, I was thinking more like 'good looking' or something more charming or idyllic." Draco confessed a slight scowl was placed at his lips. Emma had to stifle her laughter, knowing well her hair was a vivid green that matched her uniform.
"Alright, geesh I was just kidding, Draco. How about Blondie for starters? And then we'll see later what you would look like in the future," The young witch suggested towards the Slytherin boy. Draco pretended to think about it, before nodding his head in agreement.
"Deal, but just so you know… girls would like what they see in a few years," Draco teased her, seeing if that would make her jealous. Emma just rolled her eyes, not believing what she was hearing. After teasing each other with whatever they can think of before, they challenged each other to a small race.
"About about we make a little deal?" Draco suggested outstretching his hand towards her, "If I win, you're coming to the next New Year's party as my… date." Emma's eyes almost bulged out of her sockets from the request, stuttering lightly, "D-Date?"
"Why yes, my mother would be pleased to see you," Draco carefully made up a lie, but Emma wasn't believing it for one second.
"Alright, and if I win, I want you to say, 'Emma Rosemary Moore is the most beautiful, gracious, spectacular, and extraordinary person you ever meet and that I'm smarter than you.'" Emma smirked at her odd request, thinking that Draco wouldn't accept. However, the Slytherin boy knew that he had this opportunity to prove him, without a moment's hesitation he said, "Deal."
"Really?— I mean, we have to go through the hoops and around the Quidditch field to return towards the entrance. Easy enough, right?" The young witch steadied herself on her Nimbus Two Thousand One, with Draco on her right.
"I hope you already know what you're going to wear. I hear it's a Masquerade this year, Angel Face." The white-blond teased her. Emma rolled her eyes at the comment, nonetheless, she glanced around the small group that was forming. Probably to watch their little challenge, Justin came up with a small smirk as he stared between the two youngest members.
"Don't count on it just yet, Blondie," Emma remarked playfully. Justin was the official announcer as everyone watched with anticipation. This would determine who would be the best at Quidditch, while everyone made bets towards each other.
Meanwhile, at Hagrid's Hut, Ron was continuing to belch out slugs into a bucket. Hagrid was rummaging around his home, looking for something that will help Ron. The half-giant replied, "Better out than in. Who was he trying to curse anyway?"
"Malfoy," Harry confirmed looking away from his best mate, "He called Hermione… well, I don't know exactly what it means…."
The brilliant Gryffindor girl quietly answered, still in shock at the insult, "He called me a Mudblood."
"He didn't!" Hagrid gasped loudly, looking at the young girl. Harry looked confused at the word, looking around for some reason. Hermione glances at him for a second before she dared to turn away, obviously pained by this.
"It means dirty blood. Mudblood is a really foul name for someone who was Muggle-born. Someone with non-magic parents. Someone… like me. It's not a term one usually hears in civilized conversation." Hermione explained, her voice suddenly felt uneven in the end.
"Yeh see, Harry. There are some wizards — like Malfoy's family — who think they're better than everyone else 'cause they're what people call Pureblood." The half-giant told the Boy-Who-Lived with a saddened expression in his eyes.
"That's horrible," Harry exclaimed at the statement. Ron continued to belches another slug onto the bucket. The ginger boy cough for a moment before he answered, "It's disgusting!"
"An' it's codswallop ter boot. Dirty blood. There's hardly a wizard today that's not half-blood or less. If we hadn't married Muggles we would've died out long ago." Hagrid grumbled through his beard.
"Wait, but what about Emma? What is she?" Harry asked curiously towards the half-giant.
"She's the same as Malfoy, a Pureblood," Hermione responded. "But at least she doesn't seem to care about blood status. I mean… or else she wouldn't have been our friend."
This made Harry think about what Hermione just said, and she was right. If she wasn't sorted into all the houses, she'll most probably be a Slytherin like her brother. Would they still become friends? Or enemies? Harry couldn't imagine how life would be life without Emma, she seemed to always be there for them when they needed to.
Hagrid walked over to the Gryffindor girl as he stated, "Besides, they haven't invented a spell our Hermione can't do…" The Half-giant motioned the girl to come closer, seeing her face show a tiny smile of gratitude, "Now, don't you think about it, Hermione. Don't you think about it for a minute."
Afterward, their classes ended for the day along with a delicious dinner served at the Great Hall. Harry was nowhere to be found until Ron told the girls he was serving detention with Professor Lockhart. The ginger boy was enjoying his meal very much, whilst Emma couldn't help but glance over at the Slytherin table every few seconds. She saw her brother happily conversing with some fellow Slytherins, however, her eyes diverted towards the youngest teammate on her team. Something about him was conflicting the young witch, she just didn't know what.
Eventually, Ron, Hermione, and Emma finished eating, thus deciding to walk around the castle through one of the corridors. It felt a bit strange without having Harry, but that didn't dismay them to not strike a conversation. Ron was feeling better, yet it seems he could never forget the horrific pain of slugs in his mouth.
"Ron! Hermione! Emma!" Harry hollered, rushing down towards his friends. The raven-haired boy was on edge since serving his detention with Professor Lockhart. "Did you hear it?" Harry asked them, looking rather pale as if he's seen a ghost.
"If afraid I don't follow," Emma answered sincerely, her nose slightly wrinkled on what Harry was trying to say.
"Hear what?" Ron questioned his best mate.
"That voice," Harry replied faintly, his eyes darting every few moments around the corridor. "I heard it first in Lockhart's office, and then again just…." Harry trailed off, stopping for a moment after the mysterious voice answered once more.
"It's time!" The voice hissed violently in his head, slowly moving away from them.
"It's moving!" Harry grasped his temple gently at the pain. "I think it's going to kill." Harry swiftly stated as he ran towards the direction of the voice.
"Kill?" Ron questioned still his question wasn't answered since Harry was already far from them. Emma was the first to sprint with the others behind her, following Harry.
"Harry, wait! Not so fast!" Hermione yelled, eventually they abruptly stopped at the end of the corridor. Emma felt her shoes slightly moist, thus she looked down to notice the floor was flooded. Harry continued forward but slowed down once he stared at the spiders crawling from the floor and up underneath the window.
"Strange. I've never seen spiders act like that." Harry answered curiously at the spiders. Ron shuddered at the proximity with the arachnids. Emma felt her necklace softly glow around her collarbone, warning her of the use of dark magic.
"I don't like spiders." Ron stuttered out of fear, but Emma focused closely around their surroundings. Something wasn't right… and the young Moore didn't like it. The four second-year students observed the flooded floor, something shimmery caught their eye.
"What is that?" Ron asked the same question everyone was thinking. The quartet glanced at it and saw that it was a reflection of the water fountain. Slowly turning their eyes onto the crimson handwriting along the wall.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened... enemies of the heir... beware." Hermione read aloud for everyone.
"It's written in blood," Emma stated under her breath walking up to the wall inspecting the scene. She faintly touched against the wall to feel the warm substance staining her fingers.
"Oh, no... It's Filch's cat. It's Mrs. Norris." Harry gasped once he saw Filch's cat hanging there on a lamp on the wall. Then all of a sudden they heard a bunch of footsteps coming towards them. Dinner must've ended, seeing everyone coming but stopped once they saw the writing on the wall.
Draco Malfoy just so happened to be in the front along with his goons and Pansy. The Slytherin boy had a shocked look before it was replaced with one of disgust. "Enemies of the heir beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" Draco spat at them, but all Emma did was rolled her eyes just as Filch came stalking up through the crowd forming.
"What's going on here? Go on, make way, make way." Filch demanded at the children, walking past the students and up to Harry. "Potter. What are you..?" The Professor trailed off since behind the boy was his car hanging. "Mrs. Norris? You've murdered my cat."
Harry quickly shook his head in disagreement. "No. No."
"I'll kill you," Filch shouted before grabbing onto Harry's collar. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Fortunately, Harry was saved by none other than Professor Dumbledore.
"Argus! Argus, I... Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately. Everyone except... you four." Dumbledore announced to everyone, the students already heading to their respective dormitories. Draco managed to see Emma, giving her a worried expression before running back with Blaise.
Once everyone left the corridor, leaving the Professors and four students, Dumbledore walked up towards Mrs. Norris and inspected her, "She's not dead, Argus. She has been Petrified."
'Petrified?' Emma wondered in her mind with a confused thought, 'But how?'
"Ah, thought so. So unlucky I wasn't there. I know exactly the counter curse that would have spared her." Lockhart spoke up, earning a flew glares from the Professors and the quartet. Emma scowled at his egoistic and vain that made her cringe at him.
"But how she's been Petrified I can't say…" Dumbledore told Filch.
"Ask him," Filch yelled was he point an accusing finger at Harry, "It's him that's done it. You saw what he wrote on the wall."
"It's not true, sir. I swear. I never touched Mrs. Norris." Harry said defensively at Dumbledore.
"Rubbish!" Filch yelled again throwing his hands in the air.
"If I might, Headmaster? Perhaps Potter and his friends were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. However… the circumstances are suspicious. I, for one, don't recall seeing Potter at dinner." Snape answered, what seemed to be standing up for Harry. This confused the quartet greatly, why would he do that?
"I'm afraid that's my doing, Severus. You see, Harry was helping me answer my fan mail." Lockhart explained sincerely to Professor Snape.
"That's why Ron, Hermione and I went looking for him, Professor. We were simply walking around the corridors just when we found him. But he was trying to say... " Emma trailed off nervously, glancing over to Harry.
"Yes, Miss Moore?" Snape asked the Hogwarts Princess.
"When I said I wasn't hungry. We were heading back to the common room when we found Mrs. Norris." Harry quickly intervened for Emma. Severus didn't seem satisfied with the response, therefore, he turned to look at Dumbledore for answers.
"Innocent until proven guilty, Severus," Dumbledore announced smiling at Harry. The quartet smiled at the sudden realization that they weren't going to be in trouble.
"My cat has been Petrified. I wanna see some punishment!" Filch shouted like a child who had a bad temper.
"We will be able to cure her, Argus. As I understand it, Madame Sprout has a very healthy growth of Mandrakes. When matured, a potion will be made which will revive Mrs. Norris. And in the meantime, I strongly recommend caution... to all." Dumbledore declared to everyone, thus the four friends all left to go back to our dormitories.
Just when Emma was about to go to her dormitory, Hermione spoke clearly, "It's a bit strange, isn't it?"
"Strange?" Harry questioned the brilliant Gryffindor girl.
"You hear this voice, a voice only you can hear, and then Mrs. Norris turns up Petrified. It's just... strange." Hermione explained her theory.
"Do you think I should have told them, Dumbledore and the others, I mean?" Harry asked the three of them.
"Are you mad?" Ron shouted at the proposition.
"What Ronald was trying to say that it's unusual for anyone to hear voices," Emma emphasized her point, the Weasley boy glaring at her. "Anyway, I have to go. Good night."
"Good night," Everyone bid goodbye to the Hogwarts Princess. The young witch almost forgot about her little wager she made with Draco. She wondered if it was a mistake making it? At last, she didn't want to sleep just yet… not when she had the vision from her dreams. Nonetheless, sleep tried to consume her as she slowly drifted into a dark void that seemed to never end.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I was wondering if anyone would like to make ship names for whoever you think Emma should be with. I made a couple of names myself if she goes with Harry then it would be: Emmy, Harma, or Hemma. But, if she's with Draco, then I would say: Dremma, Draca, or Drama. Honestly, I can't decide who she should be with, and if you want her to be with anyone let me know! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and I hope I can update more soon!
-EstrellaLuna