The five Slytherins and the five Gryffindors proceeded towards the Black Lake. The chilling night wind greeted them as they wondered what Emma would want to talk about. As they settled under a big tree that was far from the entrance of the castle, so they cannot be overheard, Emma faced them with her eyebrows furrowed.
"Uhm . . . Can you cast a heating charm or something?" she asked, Ginny Weasley took her wand and casted a heating spell above them as Tom spoke, "Okay Em, what's up? What's the matter? Is this about what happened at the Great Hall earlier?" he asked. Emma slightly flinched upon hearing his question, a gesture that was noticed by Phoebe, the others' didn't seem to notice, and Tom was the most clueless.
"No." She said immediately, "This is different. And please guys, forget about what happened, I don't know what had gotten into me. I think I was just so stressed out or PMSing." She lied. Tom was unconvinced and so is Ginny and Phoebe, but the rest just nodded as Alex cut in, "See! I told you she was having women problems."
Phoebe and Pansy both smacked both side of his arms, Alex groaned in pain and glared at the two Slytherin girls, "Seriously?" He hissed as Blaise smacked him behind his head, "Shush!"
Alex rolled his eyes and whimpered quietly. Ron Neville and Harry stiffled a laugh as Emma raise a brow. Ginny took the moment to clear her throat, catching everyone's attention as she asked, "What's this about Emma? What's wrong?" the redhead asked.
Emma sighed and took a letter from her pocket. "Sorry it was for Hermione, I didn't mean to pry, swear. But I was just so curious." she said. Phoebe, Pansy and Ginny took the letter from her hand and read it out loud for everyone to hear.
After reading the letter, there was an awkward silence then Phoebe spoke up, "I heard from Professor Snape earlier that the Halloween break's been move." She began, "Today's saturday. We'll be leaving for the break tomorrow." she continued.
Harry furrowed his brows, "Why the sudden change of plans? I thought it was till Monday?" He asked, "Yeah, and why didn't the Headmaster announced it earlier at the feast?" followed Ron. The Lestrange heiress just shrugged, "I literally do not know." she answered.
"Maybe It was a surprise for the students?" suggested Blaise, "Yeah that could be. Or maybe Dumbledore's announcing it this very moment." said Neville.
"Well if that's the case," Tom began, "What will we do? As much as I am curious to see Malfoy Manor and all, meeting his family is really not part of my list before I die. And as much as I knew, Malfoy's got a big family." he said. Phoebe rolled her eyes and smirked, "If you two won't go back to your world by then, you'll still be fine Felton. I'm living in Malfoy Manor remember? And Alex is our cousin, he'll be able to help also." she said, making Tom sigh in relief.
"Yeah and the letter says my Mum insisted Hermione," Harry said as she faced Emma, "to stay at Godric's Hallow, so Emma will be alright there with me, plus Ginny and Ron are welcome to visit anytime to make her more comfortable. I'm just worried if Dad, Sirius, Peter or Remus would find out about you being a muggle and all, they can sense something's off really quick." he said, concern look painted on his face. He knew well that the Marauder's are very clever and can spot even in a tiny detail if something's off, and even Harry doesn't know how they do it.
"That's why we have to make a plan. You Slytherins will teach Tom what to do and you guys," said Emma as she faced the Gryffindors, "could teach me." Everyone nodded at her suggestion. "As far as I know, Narcissa's ball will be on Monday evening, supposedly the night of our arrival from school, but because of Dumbeldore's sudden change of plans, we've got one night and a day to make you and Tom cover up for Hermione and Draco in both places." said Phoebe.
"And Mother owled me yesterday saying about gowns." said Pansy excitedly, "Apparently she and Narcissa promised Hermione that they'll be the one to provide her gown, your gown." said the raven haired Slytherin as she faced the muggle actress.
"Yeah I seem to recall that agreement," began Alex, "It was this summer when Granger visited Malfoy Manor for tea, Rowena Parkinson, Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy were there with her."
"And why were you there?" asked Neville, curiously, "Well I was looking for Draco. We planned on going out to Diagon Alley that day and came to pass by the women by the balcony." he answered casually.
"Oh don't worry Emma, Mother along with Narcissa picks the finest gowns." she said, a smile creeping upon the Slytherin's face. "I second to that." smirked Phoebe. The boys groaned as Ginny laughed, "Boys." she muttered.
"Girls." Harry retorted making the ginger roll her eyes at her boyfriend.
When the talk ended after an hour or so, the group bid their goodnights and separated. Slytherins to the dungeons, and the Gryffindors to the tower. The group agreed that tomorrow after breakfast, they would meet up to talk.
After Tom changed his clothes to sleepwear, he climbed into Draco's bed and spotted Blaise already slipping on his bed found in the corner of the room, Theodore Nott had just came out from the bathroom and slowly climbed up to his bed.
"Hey Nott," he began, as the Slytherin faced towards his direction, "What is it Malfoy?" he asked wearily. "You coming to the ball?" he asked. Theodore was taken a back and stared at him, it felt odd, Malfoy asking him if he will come to his Manor or not. "This day was weird, it was weird enough that he talked to me since the other day, and now he's asking me if I'll go to their ball or not."
"Don't keep me hanging Nott, I'm bloody tired." said Tom and fixed his pillows, ready to lay down to sleep. "Then stop talking to me." he answered, Tom just sighed, "Boy, for someone who was Phoebe's past beloved, they sure are quite the same." He thought to himself. "Just answer the damn question Nott." he said lazilly. Theodore just rolled his eyes and shrugged, "I don't know, maybe, maybe not." he said as he lay down. Theodore Nott heard about the ball in Malfoy Manor that upcoming break, he and his family were invited.
"Okay." The blond simply said making Nott furrow his brows. "You know, you and Phoebe really are perfect together. You seem to share the same stubborness." He chuckled as he said those words softly. He imagined Phoebe stranggling him for saying such things.
Theodore Nott on the other hand, raise a brow at him. Wondering why he was saying those things like he didn't hated him for that one mistske he did towards his cousin, he recalled perfectly that Malfoy swore that he will never to talk to him again, but why is it now that Draco's attempting to converse with him? Let alone being all civil towards him, and Granger too. "Something's really off." He thought.
"Why are you talking to me Malfoy?" he asked. But noticed he didn't get a reply, Nott sat up and looked at Draco's bed where he found the blond already sleeping. With a roll of his eyes, he went back to bed. "Weird."
"Are you sure you're quite alright Emma?" whispered Ginny as the two girls made their way towards their bed. Emma peeked at the other bed across of her, seeing Lavender Brown sleeping peacefully. As the lot made their way to the common room earlier, it was confirmed that Neville's guess a while ago about Dumbeldore's announcement was true. He did declared that the break was moved earlier, making the students more excited.
Ginny helped Emma pack Hermione's things at her trunk a while ago. "Yes Gin, I'm alright, don't worry about me." she answered giving the youngest Weasley a warm smile. Ginny was still unconvinced but she nodded anyways.
"Are you nervous for tomorrow though?" she asked, "Very, to be honest." answered the muggle actress, "It's okay Em, don't worry, Harry's going to take care of you." She smiled, making Emma look at her way, "And you that doesn't bother you? Me staying at his house?" She asked.
"Why would I be bothered?" chuckled Ginny, "I'm not a jelous person Emma, especially if it's with my friends too."
The brunette smile, "Wow, how?" she asked, "How?" laughed the ginger and shrugged, "I don't know. I just think first before I feel something you know." she continued. Emma nodded and released a sigh, maybe she should too think about it first. "Tell me Gin," she said trying to change to subject, "What do you and your friends usually do on Saturdays?" she asked, curiously. The brunette really was curious about them, about the students here, about the things they normally do.
"Oh just like Hermione you, always the curious one." laughed Ginny, causing Emma to giggle. "Well, the seventh years have this routine that every saturday night, - well except tonight, we decided last week to skip this night since we're all busy because of the upcoming break - we get to sneak out and go outside at the Quidditch pitch." The redhead laughed, Emma was impressed but then asked, "We? So you're a seventh year?" as far as Emma know, Ginny was a yeat younger that Ron.
"Yes, even though I'm a year younger than Ron. We both got our letters together, we don't why though, we didn't question about it either." she said, Emma nodded, "Okay, so continue." she said, Ginny giggled and said, "Well, there was one time when . . ."
Ginny told stories about them as Emma fell into her slumber, dreaming about the Wizarding World, with her and Tom in it.