Three.
Amelia returned to the Tower to find Emmeline, Rita and Elliot going on about their business. Rita was hunched over a black and white composition book, her green feather pen clutched in her cramped hand. Elliot sat at one of the many desks folding paper back and forth in an attempt to make a Japanese Origami bird. Emmeline sat in one of the large chairs, her legs draped over the arm, Pride and Prejudice in her hands. Amelia grinned inwardly. Emmeline had wasted no time going through her friend's things in pursuit of one of her most beloved possessions. Amelia sighed. It was good to be home.
The Ravenclaw Common Room reminded Amelia very much of her own room in some respects; Draperies hung beside the windows. The walls were covered from the floor to the ceiling with literature from all of the greats; Dickens, Hugo, Shakespeare, Miller, Thoreau, Dickenson, Cummings, Steinbeck, Plath, Austen (thanks to Emmeline), Nabokov, Harper, Whitman, Capote, Wolf, Poe (whom Edgar's middle name reflected), Elliot (whom Elliot's first name reflected) and various others. Oversized chairs, chaise lounges and couches were scattered throughout the room beneath the dome ceiling painted with stars in the Common Room. The arched windows offered an amazing view of mountains surrounding the castle and Amelia frequently positioned her desk so that she might take in the landscape.
Taking a seat at one of the far desks, Amelia took out a scroll of parchment and began outlining her Charms homework. Even though class had yet to begin, Amelia wanted to get a head start on her assignments. That, and Professor Flitwick prided himself on giving a leg up to students in his own house. He regularly sent assignments out to Ravenclaws in advance – mainly because he knew other heads of house did the same favoritism, even Minerva McGonnagal but also because he liked to know the members of his house on a more personal level.
Having taught both Adelina and Ethan and Ethan's mother and father, Professor Flitwick liked to think that he knew the Bones' well. He had known Amelia and her brothers since they were born and had been expecting their arrival into his house for years. It was not unusual for the tiny teacher to have lengthy conversations with the Bones' children regarding their studies, families, futures, ect. It was fairly common.
Finally, looking up from the novel she had read so many times before, Emmeline noticed Amelia, whose scratching against the parchment finally caught her attention. Stretching her arms above her head, Emmeline blinked her eyes and tossed her book onto the coffee table.
"Where've you been?" she mumbled, swinging her legs to the front of the chair. "Benjy came in long before you did."
Amelia looked up, surprised. Benjy had obviously neglected to inform the rest of the Ravenclaws of Amelia's whereabouts. She should not have been too shocked – Benjy was usually too wrapped up in his own matters. But Edgar, the overprotective soul that he was, would have pressed for a location, a return time and whom, if anyone, she were with. Elliot, on the other hand, didn't keep tabs on his sister, which she preferred and it was exemplified by his vacant acknowledgement of her arrival. Amelia smiled quietly. She would have to remember to thank Benjy for keeping her under the radar.
"I was touring first years with Benjy when Kingsley caught up with me." She shrugged, setting her quill down.
"Kingsley?" Emmeline said with a devilish smirk. "Kingsley as in Edgar and Amos' best mate and the Gryffindor? Kingsley as in 'Emmeline-he's-staring-at-me-again-please-make-him-stop?' Kingsley as in Kingsley-"
"Say Kingsley one more time and I might not even tell you what happened." Amelia said tossing Emmeline a playful look.
"Okay, okay." Emmeline said with a nod. "So, what happened?"
"Well," Amelia said, running her chestnuts locks between her fingers, "We were just talking about different things and then…" she paused, unsure of how to casually drop into the conversation that she was now most probably his steady date.
"Then what?" Emmeline asked, her eyes wide and searching Amelia's face for any kind of answer.
"I told him that maybe Edgar had a method to his madness and that maybe he wasn't entirely wrong." Amelia said slowly.
"And?" Emmeline pressed.
"He kissed me, alright." Amelia said reluctantly, though her cheeks had lit up like a Christmas tree.
Emmeline let out a gasp and jumped off the chair, nearly sprinting the short distance to where Amelia sat. Gripping Amelia's sides she grinned like The Joker.
"Lia! He kissed you!" Emmeline nearly yelled which caused Elliot to look up from his paper birds. Getting to his feet, he walked to where the two girls, stood, hands in pockets. He looked more and more like Edgar every day, Amelia thought fondly.
"Who kissed her?" he asked, a grin tugging at his cheek.
"You know who, Elliot." Amelia said giving him a pointed look.
"I do not." The youngest Bones child said with a slight shake of his head.
"Kingsley did!" Emmeline said, almost all of her teeth visible.
Amelia felt a deep blush creep into her cheeks and it was for one of two reasons. One, because she really did like Kingsley and was embarrassed to have it known aloud. Or two, because she was embarrassed to be giving into what was expected. Somehow, she was leaning toward the latter. Either way, it was bound to get back to Edgar quickly. She was almost positive that Kingsley had rushed to tell the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain the good news. Elliot, at the breaking news, grinned sheepishly and offered his older sister a nod. Pulling her into a soft and gentle hug, he said,
"Good for you, Lia. He's one of the good ones."
"Thanks, Elliot." Amelia said into the coat of her brother's jacket.
"Just remember," Elliot said jokingly as Amelia pulled back, "If he makes the wrong move, he'll have two Bones men to deal with."
Amelia grinned affectionately at her younger brother's sentiments when he kissed her on the cheek and bid the two girls goodnight. He had just closed the door that led to the boy's dormitory when Emmeline pulled Amelia to sit beside her on the couch.
"So," Emmeline began, "When do you plan on telling Edgar that you and Kingsley are … for lack of better term, hitting the sheets?"
"Emmeline Vance!" Amelia said with a grin. "You have a filthy mind. Do you say things like that about famous Amos?"
"Would you stop calling him that? I only wish that Kingsley rhymed with something clever." Emmeline said tapping her chin in thought as if going through a list of possible names.
"Don't even think on it." Amelia said shaking her head as Emmeline laughed.
"So." Emmeline said, cocking her head to the side. "You really like him, then?"
If there was one person in the world that Amelia refused to lie to, it was Emmeline. They knew everything about each other, the good and the bad. Emmeline chastised Amelia whenever she was being snobbish, which was fairly often. Amelia pointed out when Emmeline harped on a subject too long without hesitation. It was that honest friendship that kept them together.
Did Amelia really like Kingsley?
"I like him. But I'm not in love with him." Amelia explained tentatively. "I know a lot about him, I like his company, he makes me laugh but … it's not …"
"Passionate." Emmeline said with an understanding nod. "I know, I know." Emmeline bit her lip before asking her next question. She didn't want to offend Amelia, though it was hardly possible given their history together. "Do you feel like your using him, at all? I mean, do you feel bad … about it?"
Amelia knew this inquiry was coming. She had thought about the prospect of it a dozen times herself. Was she using him? Did she feel bad? She wasn't going to lose sleep over it, but she wasn't expecting to be awarded for something.
"Um … I'm not particularly pleased. I … Kingsley is my friend and I care about him. I think," Amelia hesitated, holding a pillow to her chest, "I think that given time, we'll grow closer."
"But you have to get to that point." Emmeline nodded.
"Yeah. I mean," Amelia considered, "He's the only person that I can think of that I'd ever feel anything for. He's known me as long as you have. There's no one else I can picture myself with. It just fits, I suppose." Amelia said with a shrug.
"Good." Emmeline said with a nod.
Before Amelia had a chance to change the topic, Edgar threw the door open and walked across the threshold at a slower than usual pace. Amelia and Emmeline exchanged curious looks when Edgar straightened his tie. He folded his arms across his chest and gave Amelia a pointed look. She resisted the urge to groan.
"Emmeline," Edgar said, his eyes still trained on his sister, "Tell me that you're proud of me."
"I'm proud of you, Edgar." Emmeline said enthusiastically.
"Do you know why you're proud of me?" Edgar posed, gesturing into the air. When Emmeline didn't answer and merely giggled, Edgar continued, his poker straight teeth peeking out from beneath his lips. "Because I have changed lives! I have singlehandedly set into motion a love that will change lives. Just picture it," he said, looking off into space, "a young, charismatic wizard meets a young, brilliant witch. They're shy with each other, but affectionate. They know everything about the other, down to the very detail. The wizard is taken, but unsure. The witch is aware, but too nervous. With, and only with, the help of her too-kind brother does the young witch make her reciprocated feelings known. And then, with a kiss," Edgar said casting a sideways look at his sister, "it erupts, sending passion and romance into the air for the years to come. That, Emmeline Vance," Edgar said, his hands on his hips, "Is why you are proud of me."
Emmeline doubled over in laughter at Edgar's display and Amelia had to let a grin peak from beneath her lips. A little exaggerated but true for the most part. Amelia got to her feet, and rolled her eyes.
"If all the world is a stage, I guess that makes you the director." Amelia said teasingly.
"I'll take that as a thank you." He said with a nod. "I knew you'd end up together."
"Please, Edgar." Amelia said with a playful shake of her head. "We're dating, not getting marri-" Amelia began when Edgar clapped his hand over her mouth.
"Don't jinx it!" He protested quickly before releasing her. "I expect to be the godfather of your firstborn."
"I'm not the mother type." Amelia said with a shrug.
"Oh, please." Edgar said dismissively. "You and Kingsley will end up together in the end and you know it."
Edgar patted his little sister on the shoulder lightly. Edgar was always so sure of himself, so planned. It was admirable, Amelia gave him that, but it was so structured. She herself like consistency but his ideas were a bit much. When he turned toward the boys dormitories Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"Where're you going?"
"To sleep. Quidditch tryouts are tomorrow; gotta get some rest y'know? And Emmeline," he added, "Tell, what do you call him, Lia? Famous Amos?"
"Thanks, Lia." Emmeline muttered as Amelia grinned.
"Tell him that he'd better not expend his energy with his own tryouts. Those puffies won't know what hit them this year." Amelia cast her brother a 'we've all heard that before' look. "Don't give me that look, Lia. Jeremy Gilbert* had a keen eye and Rebecca Jamison broke up with that Gryffindor chaser, Wilson Locke. Something tells me she wants revenge." He said wiggling his eyebrows, continuing on his way.
"Using someone's spiteful tendencies to fulfill your own wishes is immoral, Edgar!" Amelia called after him.
"As a Quidditch player, I live by no such rule!" Edgar said as he closed the door.
Amelia turned to Emmeline and shrugged her shoulders. Emmeline laughed and ran a tired hand through her chestnut colored locks. Though she was shy, Emmeline was gorgeous. She had a classic natural beauty that radiated and she was far too modest. Stretching, the girl let out a yawn.
"Tired?" Amelia offered, collecting her books and quills.
"Just a bit. I'm really not looking forward to double Potions tomorrow. The first day of classes and we get stuck in the dungeons." Emmeline said it as though it left a bad taste in her mouth.
"I know, I know. Better get a good night's sleep then." Amelia said leading the way to their own dormitory.
"I actually think it'd be a better idea to stay up all night and catch a few zzz's in class tomorrow." Emmeline teased.
Amelia grinned at her best friend's humor. She had missed the easiness that came with their friendship. All of the most important events that had occurred in Amelia's short sixteen years, Emmeline had been present for and vice versa. When Amelia looked at Emmeline, she didn't see her friend from school, she saw a soul mate, someone who would be in her life forever. There was hardly a dream that Amelia had about her future that did not include Emmeline. They were both on the career path to becoming Aurors, they would probably live within close vicinity, and they would raise their children together if they had any. It was hard for Amelia to picture anything remotely important without Emmeline. She hoped that she would never have to.
*I swear I had this name before I even saw the Vampire Diaries. Kevin Williamson and I must share a brain.