AN-chapter 2 already:) I'm actually really far on this, so it shouldnt be too long before the whole things up...and my obsessed brain can move on to Sirius and his new lady-love. Drop me a review and tell me what you think of it so far. Emma's a little 'maryjane' but oh well, it's fun.

Standard disclaimer. If Harry Potter was mine I wouldnt be writing this. Isnt imagination fun?

and...just incase, anything in italics--thats more than a word or two--is internal monologue.


Remus couldn't believe how much better he felt, when he made his way down the stairs, and surprised Emma walking out of the kitchen. She ran into him full tilt, and he had to grab her arms to keep her from bouncing off his chest.
"Remus." She blushed. "I'm sorry, are you alright?"
His eyes softened appealingly. "Wonderful. Thank you again."
Emma ordered her heart to behave, and gave him a cool smile, or as close as she could get. "Anytime."
"Kingsley didn't have bad news…"
She shook her head. "No. Just an appointment for tomorrow." Her lips twitched. "Are you going to be the audience for my attempt at redecoration?"
He nodded, smiling. "I think you'll get a full house no matter what. She's going to scream bloody murder."
Em chuckled. Molly probably thought she'd deserve it, after what she'd said that morning. Her cheeks started heating again. In front of the twins no less.
"Em!" Hermione called. "I can't find it."
"It's in the bottom of the black trunk, left hand side." Her lips twitched. "Under the orange socks."
Remus raised a brow at her, and Emma started to wonder if he was ever going to let go of her arms. "You have orange socks?"
"I'm full of surprises." She wasn't trying to flirt with him…but it had sort of come out that way.
He laughed, and stepped back, releasing her. "Usually. I keep waiting for them to slow down at least."
"I'm sure I get boring after a while."
Remus watched her, his amber eyes doing funny things to her stomach. "I doubt it."
"Here they are!" Hermione called, thumping down the stairs.
God that girl has the best timing in the world. I was about to make a complete ass of myself. "Perfect." Her lips twitched. "Let's get this show on the road."
Remus watched in surprised as she turned, pulling her wand from her back pocket, and moved to the portrait. The first thing she did was banish the curtain and rod hanging over the picture. Sirius watched with unholy glee as his mother started screeching insults at Emma. She was coming up with some unusual ones.
Emma didn't seem to be paying her any attention at all. In fact, judging by her face you wouldn't have even known anyone was talking at all. She presented her wand before her and started mumbling softly. After fifteen minutes she stopped, her eyes hardening. Her nose wrinkled. "Enough. I'm tired of her." Mrs. Black had moved on to Hermione by then, and that appeared to be Emma's breaking point.
"Sirius," She crooked her finger at him. He didn't hesitate, just stepped up to her. Emma tapped him with her wand and he turned an eerie pearlescent white. "Grab the frame, I'm going to fry her off your wall."
Sirius did as he was asked, clearly not sure how this was going to work. Emma took two steps back, then stopped. With an exasperated sigh she grabbed Hermione and shoved her behind Remus. She stood in her place again, closing her eyes. Remus could feel it again. The power bleeding off of her was enormious, and it just kept building. When she opened her eyes they glowed white, as did the palms of her hands. And it was like a sudden blast of light she threw off at the portrait, and suddenly Sirius was holding it, down on the floor. His mother was still screaming, but she was off of the wall at least.
"Take her outside and put her in the ground, so it can't restick itself." Emma instructed over the noise.
The hallway emptied suddenly, but Remus stayed with her. And he was glad for it, when she wavered on her feet. He caught her carefully. "Are you alright."
She blinked up at him, obviously a little fatigued, and nodded. "Ya. I don't think I'll do that again for a while though."
Remus didn't even ask, just slipped his arms under her and lifted her against his chest. He carried her through to the study, and sat her gingerly on the couch. "Do you need anything?"
She shook her head, sighing. "Just a minute. That was…harder than I expected it to be." She frowned. "Harder to control." Her nose wrinkled in thought.
Sirius strode through the door then, a wide smile on his face, but it faltered when he saw Emma, he rushed forward. "Are you alright?"
She squeezed his hand lightly. "Fine, I just need a minute."
Sirius frowned. "Why do I think that was much harder than you made it look?"
Emma smiled. "Because you're smart." She sighed, her eyes closing. "The picture wasn't the problem." Her eyes opened suddenly. "My shield didn't miss you anywhere, did it?"
He winced. "The edge of my coat…I wasn't going to mention it." Sirius pulled the material around for Remus to see the burnt black end. "I tried to fix it before I came back in, but whatever you did…"
"Shield, sort of. Cancels out magic." She winced, looking suddenly bashful. "But it doesn't always behave…if I pour more power in than it needs it has a few nasty tendencies."
Sirius shrugged. He'd never been overly concerned with safety. "Well, as long as the bitch is off the wall."
Em chuckled. "I figured you'd say that. And I thought I was stubborn."
They both laughed then, but Remus was still watching her closely. Em hated worrying him. Which was just stupid, because they didn't know each other well enough to worry about those sort of things…


Emma stepped into the dark kitchen, her eyes bleary. She should have taken her damn canary potion. She shivered. That was probably one of the worst dreams she'd ever had. She'd taken three steps into the dark room, headed for the tea cupboard, when a sudden howl rent the night. Two seconds later Sirius appeared in the dark corner of the kitchen.
"Em…" He frowned. "Mooney didn't wake you, did he?"
She shook her head. "No. Is he alright?"
Sirius rubbed his brow. "The potion worked fine, he's just…unwilling to settle." Sirius thought he knew what the problem was. Padfoot wasn't who he wanted there. He had a guess, Mooney was just as attached to Em as Remus had gotten in the last three days…
"Do you want a cup of tea?"
Sirius sighed. "Remus is going to hate me for this…" He looked her in the eye. "Will you go out and talk to him?" He didn't tell her Mooney wouldn't hurt her. He honestly doubted he could if he wanted to.
"Sure." She flicked the water on. "Relax, I'll sit with him for a while."
She summoned her coat to her, and wrapped it tightly about her small form, shooting him a small smile before she disappeared out the back door.
"I hope you realize how lucky you are Remus." Sirius said softly to the dark kitchen. He set about making the tea, figuring maybe he'd take some out for Emma when it was done.
Emma stepped up to the dark shed, opening the door slightly. A dark grey form huddled in the corner. "Mooney?"
His head came up, whining softly at her. He seemed to melt back into the corner more when he realized who it was, like he knew he wasn't safe to be near.
Emma smiled softly, and shut the door behind her. She sank onto the cold floor. "I'll stay here, don't worry. You couldn't get to me even if you wanted to."
He cocked his head at her.
"Would you like me to prove it?"
He nodded.
Emma threw a shield between them. "Run at it."
He did, her cushioning charm catching him before he hit too hard, or hit the floor. She took it down as soon as he was done.
"See, were both safe." She smiled at him. "I would ask if you're warm enough, but that's probably silly."
Mooney came forward a bit, slowly, carefully. Emma didn't move, just smiled at him easily. "It is rather dark in here, isn't it?"
He moved all the way forward, until he was less than a foot from her. He was still cautious though.
"You're fine Mooney. You aren't going to hurt me." She smiled. "I suppose now is a good time to tell you I seem to be immune to werewolf bites?"
He cocked his head at her again.
"Did you understand that?"
He nodded, and shuffled forward, placing his head in her lap and settling in. Emma laughed softly. "Silly wolf." She smoothed his head. "Relax, I'll stay as long as you want me to."
He seemed to hum in his throat.
"So." She sighed. "How do you feel about music?" When he didn't object, Em started singing softly to him.

The water is wide, and I cant cross 'ore,
Neither have, I wings to fly.
Give me a boat, that can carry two,'
And both shall row, my love and I.

For love is gentle, and love is kind,
Love is sweet, when first its new.
But love grows old, and waxes cold,
And fades away, like morning dew.

There is a ship, and it sails the sea,
She's loaded deep, as deep can be,
But not as deep, as the love I'm in,
I know not how I sink or swim…

But The water is wide, and I cant cross 'ore,
Neither have, I wings to fly.
Give me a boat, that can carry two,
And both shall row, my love and I.
And both shall row, my love and I.

Sirius almost hated to intrude on the moment, he'd heard most of the song. It was so beautiful… But he heard Remus bristle and guessed he'd realized he was there.
"Shh. It's only Sirius." Em's voice was soft and still musical. She scooted over slightly to make room for him on the floor when he came in, and smiled easily at him.
He didn't give her an odd look, didn't comment of the fact that she was probably the most amazing witch he'd ever known. She was sitting in a tiny shack, with a werewolf's head in her lap, and as calm as a summer day.
Sirius sat on the floor. "He wouldn't settle for me tonight."
Em accepted her teacup with a grateful smile. "We all have our nights."
After a moment of silence, he ventured. "So…if it wasn't my hairy friend here that woke you…"
She blushed softly. "I forgot to take my canary potion."
Moony whimpered slightly, pushing his snout against her shoulder.
"I'm fine. I just didn't feel like wasting one for a few hours, and I wasn't going to get to sleep any time soon." He settled back in her lap, his large head rested against her leg.
Sirius frowned. "It's not just the potion now." He glanced at her. "I think it's you. He's never like this when he's Mooney. Even with the potion…"
She smiled. "I've been told I have a calming presence." Her lips twitched. "And I didn't mention before…I'm immune."
Sirius felt his eyes grow large. "Really?"
She nodded. "Because everything else I am isn't enough of a freak." Her lips twitched. "Immune to Vampire bites too, actually."
"You aren't a freak." Sirius said seriously. She wasn't. She was an angel. A woman Remus couldn't have any excuses about at all. Rich as Creousus--and didn't care, extremely magical so she could take a werewolf without even being an anamangus (thought he'd caught her reading a book about that the other night, so that was probably only a matter of time) and immune on the off chance he did bite her, and she knew how to make the potion. She was perfect.
Sirius sighed then, his mind accidentally drifting to Halloween.
"Harry told me about Halloween." She gave him that soft, angelic caring smile.
"It's hard every year…" He shrugged slightly. "You would think, now that I've got Remus and Harry…" He didn't finish, but the self-accusation was clear in his tone.
"I always have trouble with Christmas."
Sirius raised a brow.
"Alice…" She stopped, taking a deep breath. "She always made such a big deal out of Christmas." She smiled wryly. "It was her favorite." Her tone died, and she stared into her cup, her brows pulling together. "Gref showed up on the twenty-sixth."
Mooney seemed to have picked up on her change, because he nuzzled against her softly, whining again. She started moving her fingers through his fur again easily.
"What happened?" Sirius asked softly.
"He killed her." Her voice wasn't dead, curiously, just distant. "I wasn't there, I found her body that morning when I got done making breakfast." There were tears in her eyes now, but she didn't stop talking. "Gref showed up after I screamed." Her smile turned self-deprecatory. "He said he was…You know, I forget the exact words he used. I was sort of in a haze. The basic idea was that he was with the authorities and he was there to take me away for my protection, so they couldn't kill me too."
Sirius didn't know what to say. Suddenly he realized how lucky they'd been that Voldemort hadn't been capable of acting kindly. At least not like that. How did she get over that at all? The betrayal, and the pain…
"I had a nice long year and a half in a dark place to think about it." She answered the look on his face quietly. "And then I made him pay." Her lips quirked. "He made a monster, he deserved to see it in action."
Sirius frowned. "I don't think you're a monster."
She nodded at him. "I try not to be. It takes more effort some days than others."
He was suddenly reminded of something Dumbledore had said, it seemed fitting. "Your Da was a huge fan of saying 'with great power comes great responsibility.'" He smiled. "I think he'd be proud of what you've done."
She smiled, her eyes light and flattered. "I wish I could have known him like you all did. I met him once, when I was young."
"Really?"
Em nodded. "I didn't know he was my father until much later. He just said he was a friend of my biological mothers. I was about ten, and he spent a few days with us. I'm glad for that time with him, but I wish it'd been more."
He smiled. "What did you think of him?"
"He was funny." Her lips twitched. "He kept pursing his lips and asking me how old I was." She looked up at him. "And when I answered he'd shake his head and go back to whatever we were talking about."
"What were you talking about?"
"I remember one very long conversation about which was better, lemon drops or licorice snaps. He seemed to think it was important, because my mother had always preferred licorice snaps." She laughed. "When I said I actually liked Lemon Drops more unless it was Christmas or really cold he got this odd look on his face and said 'me as well'." Her eyes hazed for a second. "He wasn't very happy with Alice though. We lived in the country then, and it was pretty…solitary. He didn't like that there were no other children around and we didn't have any pets." She focused on Sirius again. "I can see why though, when he watched all those school children at Hogwarts. Seeing me alone in the country over his summer break had to be strange."
Sirius suddenly looked outside. "What time do you think it is?"
She leaned over and peeked at the stars. "Probably two or three hours till sun up." She glanced down. "I'll leave when it's time for him to change back. I don't think he'd want me to be here for that."
Sirius smiled. "Mooney probably wouldn't mind." His lips twitched in mirth. "Remus most assuredly would."
Em laughed with him. "I don't blame him."
"I never did ask." He glanced up at her face again. "How did the thing at the ministry go?"
Her gaze dimmed, and he almost told her he wasn't trying to pry when she wrinkled her nose in thought. "Its…complicated. I hope you don't get sick of me soon."
"Absolutely not." Sirius frowned.
"Good. I don't think I'd do very well at living on my own."
"That makes two of us," He gave her a slightly stern look. "So don't leave me with the Weasleys, because one of these days Harry and Ginny are going to move out…"
She smiled. "I'm going to be busy for a while…" She glanced down at Remus, then back up at him. "If I'm too preoccupied and I start to miss something…"
"I'll keep you informed."
"Thanks." She sighed softly. "I'm not being secretive because I want to be. I think you honestly would rather not know what I'm doing."
He swallowed. "Department of Mysteries?"
She nodded once.
"Then you're right." He frowned. "Just be careful…I know I shouldn't have to tell you that but…"
When he stopped Em raised a brow. "But?"
"I couldn't handle you being back in there, and I wouldn't know how to pull you out again."
She smiled, nodding. "I'll be careful."
They talked softly, until the sky started to lighten, and when Emma slipped off. Sirius told her to go to bed, but when he helped a tired and disheveled Remus into the kitchen, she was making tea and toast and quietly humming to herself.
Remus stopped when he saw her in the kitchen and pushed away from Sirius. He crossed the floor silently, and pulled Em into a tight hug.
"Thank you." His voice was tired, hoarse.
"No injuries?" Em asked softly, squeezing him gently.
"No." He sighed, too tired to move.
"Are you hungry?"
He just shook his head.
Sirius came over and tried to move him, but he wasn't sure Remus was awake enough to let go of Em. "Mooney, let the lady go…"
Em laughed. "Here, watch the tea and I'll pop him upstairs."
She apparated them both upstairs into Remus' room before magically twitching his covers back and helping him lie down. She tucked him in easily, smoothing the covers over him. "Are you in any pain?"
His head shook a bit. "Just really tired."
"Okay. I have to go into the Ministry later, but Sirius knows where I am if you need anything."
"I'll be okay." He lived without her for forty years…surely he could make it through one blasted day.
Em smoothed his hair back. "Sleep, I'll make sure they're quiet for a while, and I'll rub your back tonight."
Remus grabbed her hand, squeezing it. "I don't deserve you Em."
She laughed softly. "Of course you do."
He was asleep before the door closed, but he dreamt of her special scent, and the sound of her singing to him in his dark prison.


Remus watched as Kingsley escorted Em into the Study, Molly clucking behind them. "No, she's fine Molly, just tired." Kingsley insisted. "I just wasn't going to let her come home by herself."
Em looked wrung. Completely. Even the twins didn't bug her. She practically collapsed on the couch next to him, her head back against the cushions. She sighed, just sitting in the position she'd fallen in.
"Em?" Remus couldn't keep the affection and concern out of his voice. "Are you okay?"
Her lips twitched a bit. "Not really."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He placed his book aside, and blinked in shock when she moved on the couch and laid her head in his lap.
"Just don't move for a little bit." Her eyes fluttered closed. "How are you feeling?"
Sirius nearly scoffed. That was Em. So freaking tired she couldn't aparate home, but still worried about everyone else.
"I'm fine." Remus said, his tone a little stern. "I'm worried about you right now."
"It was harder than I'd thought it would be." She sighed. "But I'll worry about it tomorrow."
"Emma darling." Molly hovered. "Would you like something to eat?"
"No thank you Molly." She sighed. "Maybe later."
Slowly the room went back to normal, except for Kingsley, who was watching Emma with a concerned frown. Eventually he said goodbye and flooed home. Remus caught Molly dithering about Emma at least six more times. Hermione started to ask her a question at least that many about the book she was reading, but she stopped each time. Finally Remus sighed. "Hermione, what was your question?"
"I just had a question about something she suggested, but I don't want to bother her."
"I'm awake." Em said softly. "I can talk; just don't ask me to move."
Remus frowned down at her. He hadn't felt her as much as shift in nearly an hour.
Hermione chewed her lip for a second, unsure, before moving over to sit on the floor before her. "If you're sure."
"There's nothing wrong with my brain Herm." She sighed and shifted slightly. "Whatever you're going to ask is less of a problem than what's already chasing around in there."
By the time they were done Remus was just trying to keep his mouth closed. Even half asleep on his lap, after she'd stayed up with him all night and made Sirius feel better about the approaching date and then done god knows what all day at the ministry, she actually had a fullmagical theory conversation with Hermione.
Hermione looked confused about something they'd been discussing, before glancing back up at Emma. "I think I need to let it stew for a while."
"Probably good. It'll pop up eventually. If you still haven't gotten it in a week let me know and we'll figure something out." Em said, her head still pillowed in his lap.
Hermione when back to her notes, and Remus watched Sirius trying to save Harry at Wizards Chess against Ginny and Ron. He'd watched half the game when Em sighed suddenly.
"Okay." She sat up gingerly. "I'm going to bed." She tried to stand and overbalanced and nearly wound up in Remus' lap. She blushed slightly and smiled. "Sorry."
Remus almost didn't realize she was going to aparate up to her room. He grabbed her wrist. "Don't."
Her brow furrowed. "I don't think I have the energy to walk."
He stood. "I'll take you up. You can't even stand; I don't want to think what you'd do to yourself." He closed his arms about her lightly and turned in place. The disappeared from the study with a slight pop and ended up in her bedroom.
Just like she'd done for him that morning, he twitched her covers back.
"I need to change and brush my teeth."
Remus frowned. "I'll stay until you're done." He had an eerie feeling if he left her right now she'd slide down on the floor and fall asleep.
Em didn't even grumble, just grabbed her pj's and moved to the bathroom. The door closed, and he was a little surprised when it opened back up a couple of minutes later. Aparently she'd washed her face too. She made it two steps in to the room, and just stopped. Remus nearly laughed. Her brain had officially decided it was done.
Gingerly he helped her into the bed, tucking her in and brushing her hair back from her face. "Did you take a potion?"
She sighed. "No."
"Do you need one?"
She nodded sleepily. "Probably." She sighed. "It's the canary yellow bottle on the dresser."
He fetched one for her, and helped her sit up enough to drink it.
When she finished she settled back in. "I'm sorry I missed your backrub…"
"Don't be silly." He tucked her in tighter. "I'm fine." Honestly, it was probably the best transformation he'd ever had. Except for the celtic love song that had been playing through his head all freaking day long.
"I need to talk to you tomorrow." Her voice was floating away.
"I'll be here." He brushed her hair back again, and leaned forward. He didn't think about it, just placed a soft kiss on her nearly sleeping brow. "Sleep my Angel."
He walked back down to the kitchen, catching a visibly upset Sirius over a pot of tea. "I'll have a cup."
"Is she alright?"
Remus nodded. His lips curved into a crooked smile. "So tired she forgot what she was doing after she brushed her teeth, but in bed and sleeping. And she took a potion, so she should sleep fine." He paused. "I hope."
"Kingsley left her a note for tomorrow morning." Sirius laughed. "He didn't seal it, I think he's looking for support." Sirius flipped the plain white card at him.

Emma
We are under no time constraint, per se. Please rest today.
This project cannot continue if you work yourself into an early
grave in the first week. We will try again the day following.
You devoted friend-and boss,
Kingsley

Remus laughed softly. That about covered it. "I think you're right."
"Kidnap her for the day." Sirius handed him his tea and sat. "Take her shopping or something."
Remus raised a brow. How, exactly was he supposed to take her shopping.
"You know what I meant." Sirius frowned. "You heard what we were talking about last night?"
He frowned. "Every word, scarily enough." He glanced up. "Why?"
"Do you know where she's going?
"I can guess."
Sirius frowned, absently twirling the spoon in his tea. "I don't like it."
He laughed softly. "I'm not sure it's for us to like."
Suddenly the door behind them opened. Hermione poked her head in. "Remus?"
"Hm?"
Hermione stepped in, concern marring her brow. "Is Em okay?"
"Ya, she's just tired." Remus smiled at Hermione. "She stayed up with me all night last night instead of sleeping for whatever she was doing today."
Hermione nodded. "Sirius said she was out with you two." She smiled wanly. "I'm glad. She likes you both, and she'll stay."
"She likes you to, Herm." Sirius teased.
Her eyes narrowed. "I put up with that from her because she lets me call her Em and I know she hates it."
Remus raised a brow at Sirius. "She never said…"
Hermione sat across from them. "Well, it's not that she hates it…" She frowned. "I shouldn't have said anything."
Sirius raised a brow. "Might as well finish it now then."
Hermione flushed. "She hates it unless she likes you." She shrugged. "She's okay with it, but if you shorten her name she's going to shorten yours too."
Remus suddenly blinked at her. "Hermione, how do you feel about an impromptu trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow?"
She looked confused, and then suddenly it dawned. "Oh…you mean with Em, so she doesn't go into the Ministry tomorrow."
He nodded. "You two can go to the bookstore." He frowned suddenly. "Just don't go to the bank."
Hermione drew herself up. "If we go to the bank I'll give those silly goblins a piece of my mind."
He smiled. "I'm sure you would, but it's probably best if you don't. I don't think they'd make the same mistake twice, but it's best not to poke a sleeping dragon."
She nodded, and stood. "I'll ask her first thing in the morning. Goodnight."
Sirius watched her leave, then raised a brow at Remus.
"I'll kidnap her after the next time." He answered quietly, finishing his tea.
"And then what?"
"Next time you ask for her help with the house." He glanced up. "After that it'll be almost Christmas and there'll be plenty to do around here."
Sirius smiled. "I wondered about that. Are we doing a big Christmas this year?"
"I don't know what to get her though."
"Maybe Hermione will spy for you." Sirius said, standing. "I'm going to bed too."


Emma made it down the stairs in time for breakfast the next morning, but she was still shaking the sleep from her brain when she sunk next to Remus at the table. He frowned at her.
"No, I don't need to go back to bed, No, I'm not going in to the ministry today, and I'll go shopping with Hermione day after tomorrow."
Remus chuckled and Sirius let out a bark of a laugh as Molly fluttered and placed food and Coffee in front of her.
"Yes Molly, thank you for asking, I'm fine." She preempted the next question, causing even Molly to laugh. She tucked into her breakfast easily, cleaning her plate and downing two cups of coffee before she covered the cup. "No more. I'll be blurry for the rest of the day."
She glanced at Remus. "Now that I feel human again, how are you today?"
He smiled genuinely, shaking his head. "I'm fine. You aren't going to ask me every morning, are you?"
"Isn't that the polite thing to do?" She snickered slightly. "No, I'm not. Just today."
Remus chuckled and handed her the paper.
She handed it right off to Sirius. "I don't read it, it aggravates me." She smiled at Sirius then. "How bout you Si? How are you this morning?"
"Fine, except I still can't get that damn song out of my head." Si twitched the paper open. "Was it a spell, or do I just like it that much?"
She blinked. "Which one did I sing?"
He looked at her, absolutely shocked. "What, you want me to sing it at the table?"
"Well, as it's in your head and not mine…"
Everyone else had looked up then, though they were trying to act like they hadn't.
Remus couldn't believe his ears. Si was actually going to do it. He started going, his voice wavering. "The water is wide, and I cant cross oer; and neither have I wings to fly. Give me a boat that can carry two; and both shall row, my love and I."
By the time he'd finished the first verse Em had lost her control and her lips twitched. Sirius stopped, glaring at her as the rest of them started laughing, and threw the paper at her. He leapt over the table at her, but Em had suddenly popped to his back. "Boo."
He turned and made a dive for her. "You're in for it now little sister."
Her eyes danced. "You have to catch me first."
Si froze, his eyes narrowing. "No, I don't think I will." He turned and sat back at the table, watching carefully as Em went back to her seat with Remus.
"You're in trouble." Remus joked easily, moving the paper. "Sirius is a master prankster." And they weren't always the nicest pranks. He'd need to have a word with Padfoot, to make sure things didn't get out of control.
"What is the name of that song, anyway?" Sirius asked, smiling benignly.
"The Water is Wide." She smiled. "It's an old celtic lullaby. It's one of my favorite songs. And no, it isn't a spell, as far as I know."
"I'd love to hear it." Molly in-put.
"I have a cd upstairs." At their blank looks she blushed. "Muggle recording. I can play it for you later."
"It wont work here." Molly said easily.
Em's smile turned slightly wry. "Yes it will. I'm a technophile."
Sirius and Remus looked at her shocked. "What?"
"Those are really rare." Harry said, frowning.
"I'm good at rare." Em muttered under her breath. But she shook it off and smiled at Molly. "I'll play it for you this evening if you like."
Remus watched her closely. He'd noticed that moment of melancholy. It had to be hard to be so different from the rest of them. Maybe that was why she gravitated to him. He wouldn't have called it pity. More that she understood him, and thought he'd understand her. And then with Sirius, they'd both been in whatever was behind the veil, and it'd created a bond between them. He didn't doubt they both would have accepted Em without those things, but with them…
It'd been less than a week and she felt like family.
Remus wasn't paying attention to the way she felt to him. The way she seemed to have formed the completing piece of his life so quickly. It scared him every time he did.
The kitchen was starting to empty when she glanced at him, a soft serious light in her eyes. "Can we talk for a minute?"
He smiled reassuringly. "We can talk for as long as you need."
Her brow furrowed. "Out in the garden." She nodded toward the twins. "So I'll notice any odd disembodied ears floating around us."
Remus summoned his cape, and watched it wing in along with her coat. He helped her shrug into the black wool before the stepped out in the garden. He started to wonder why Sirius wasn't coming with them, but decided he'd find out soon enough. He got the feeling he would have been welcome, he just wasn't coming. Em squeezed his shoulder as she passed him at the table.
He followed her quietly, still smacking down the snarling beast inside that didn't like it when she touched Sirius. Didn't like it when she touched any man but him, actually. He'd tried to reason with it. She wasn't his to be protective of, and definitely not possessive of; they were just friends, even if they'd become close friends…
It didn't seem to be working.
They sat on the bench in the cold sunshine, and Em stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. "I really am sorry I missed your backrub last night." Her eyes sparkled the tiniest bit. "I was just too used up by the time I was done." Her nose wrinkled. "Mostly from trying not to fall apart in front of Kingsley."
"That's alright." Remus sat next to her, smiling. "After everything else you did I'm hardly likely to complain."
Em smiled softly, nodding, before she watched a bird circling above their heads. She sighed suddenly. "I need a favor from you." She glanced down at him, her lips pursing. "But I'm not sure…"
Remus waited, thinking she'd finish. When she didn't look at him, and didn't finish her sentence he gave in and asked. "What aren't your sure about?"
She sighed, rubbing her face tiredly. "Whether I want you to help or not." Her voice firmed. "I know I need you to help…but it's dangerous and honestly I think I'd rather you weren't there."
Remus tried to push down the silly voice in his head going she likes me she likes me she likes me! He wasn't doing a very good job of it, but he tried. "Department of Mysteries?"
She nodded. "The first thing I need to know is if you can handle it, being there."
He frowned. "Of course."
Em rubbed her face again. "Really think about it Remus. It creeps me out and I wasn't even there that night. If I…" she paused, taking a deep breath. "If I snap and you can't calm me down… more than you and I are going to buy it." She frowned. "Which is why I'd much rather you weren't there, because I'm pretty sure that's where this is going to go…"
Remus stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "Tell me what you're doing first."
Emma chewed her lip for a moment, nodding. "I'm not going into detail though. No one needs this crap in their head." She closed her eyes and missed the look he gave her.
That statement should have included her. They'd done so much to get rid of Voldemort, and the war was over. A pretty young woman like Emma shouldn't have been like this. She deserved a man to love her, and a family. Anything and everything she wanted from life. It made him more than a little angry that even after all the sacrifice, all the pain, things weren't fixed. They were better, but not fixed.
"There are others things there." She glanced up. "And if Sirius and I got out…"
"Then they could too." He finished, his voice serious.
"I have to close the veil. The mirror's gone. The ring's are only an entrance, and one of them was already destroyed."
He frowned suddenly, wondering why he'd never thought of it before. "What happened to Gref's ring?"
Em smiled at his train of thought. "I have it."
Remus thought for a while. "So if you destroy the veil, nothing else will be able to come back through."
She nodded. "That's the plan."
"Is that what you were trying to do yesterday?"
Em laughed. "No. I was just trying to get a feel for it, and get close enough to read the runes on the side. I did poke at it a couple of times, but I just didn't have it in me yesterday, I could tell." She sighed. "And then Kingsley…" She glanced up at him. "He's not one-hundred percent committed to this. He's willing to let me try, because he agrees that we really don't need anything else coming out of there unless someone else falls in it…"
Remus nodded in agreement. The definitely didn't need that.
"But I have an eerie feeling he'd change his mind if I put myself in the hospital on the first try."
"He'd say it was too dangerous and we'd just deal with whatever popped out." Remus said softly, he knew where that was going. He frowned. "So what do you need me to do?"
Her lips twitched. "Well, for a start you're smart enough I figure you can help with the information gathering bit. You know probably about as much about the dark arts as I do."
He nodded easily.
"And…" Emma took a deep breath and jumped out on the ledge. "You calm me down. I don't feel like I'm going to lose it as easily around you."
Remus blushed slightly. Ha ha. Told you. His inner voice taunted. Admit it. You like her too. All of you likes her, even the wolf.
Shut up.
"Alright. So tomorrow…" Remus glanced at her, smiling slightly.
"Tomorrow we'll go to the ministry and see if we can make this work."


PS. The song in this chapter is "The Water is Wide"--the recording on my playlist is done by Maura O'Connell. One of my all-time favorite celtic lullabye's.