Footnotes

Entry #7: September 5th

Ten days can be a lifetime: a lot can happen in ten days. A whole lot of nothing can also happen in ten days. I, personally, wish that at least something had happened. James stayed in school, mostly because his grades weren't perfect like Emma's and he couldn't afford to fail his N.E.W.T.s seeing as his grades were already bad enough. But he wasn't really himself. He seemed liked only half of him was there, and Remus's twin theory came into full light. The three of us were concerned. You see, James was spending a lot of time in the library: James Potter never set foot in the library before, until now. The day Emma was due back he was in the library again, reading. I had almost forgotten that he knew how to read. We were all surprised that there wasn't anything going around the school about Emma's cancer. I was very glad it hadn't come up.

"So, I heard that our little cancer patient is due home. That is of course unless she died on the table. I'm sure they'd tell you about that though."

"Shut up Malfoy, you have no idea what the Potter family is going through right now."

"What and you do?"

"Yeah….actually….I do."

"What, probably because you were doing your best friend's sister until she got sick? What would you do Black, if you lost your playmate?" Lucius taunted. I jumped to my feet, upturning goblets and plates, spilling the pumpkin juice. I got right in his face and glared at him.

"Sirius…" Lily scolded me. I walked past Lucius and headed for the door. Then I spun on my heel, and pulled his wand from his hand and punched him square in the nose. Then I stuck his wand in a first year's oatmeal before I stormed out. The only thing I felt bad about was ruining that first year's breakfast. Lily and Remus quickly followed behind me as I made my way outside. I angrily plopped down in a pile of leaved near the edge of the lake.

"It's okay Sirius, we won't tell James."

"There's nothing to tell him, except that I punched Lucius and ruined someone's breakfast. And I can guess what he's gonna say! 'Too bad I missed it'," I replied holding back the anger flowing through me. Students passed by me whispering. I glared at the clump of dry crumbling leaves and soil clenched in between my fingers. I wanted to scream but I told myself to stay calm.

"Stop it; you know what we're talking about."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do, and I know it. Now we promise we won't tell as long as you tell us how long you've liked her for." Lily said calmly. I realized how good Lily was at getting things out of people, maybe this is why Emma didn't keep secrets from her. I didn't say anything; instead I relinquished my grip on the dirt and wiped off my hands. Then I held up four fingers. Lily giggled and Remus didn't really react. I think he just knew so he didn't have to react. I stood up and lobbed a large rock out in the lake. It made me fell better.

"Come on Padfoot, lighten up. We have a party to throw," Remus said urging me to let it go and get ready for Emma to come home. Of course he was right, so the three of us went to the common room and began to decorate for Emma's big party. We spent the rest of the day preparing, throwing streamers about and stealing; well it's not stealing because they willing give it to you with a smile, but getting food and Butterbeer all ready and set out. Pretty soon Emma would be here, and it had to be perfect. Once we had finished we leaned back to admire our hard work.

"We did good," I said nodding and overlooking the gold and red streams everywhere. There was a huge banner that read 'Welcome Home Emma' and a net full of confetti.

"Yeah, for a Welcome party, it's not half bad," That all too familiar voice said from behind us. We turned around in unison as everyone in the Gryffindor tower burst into applause. Lily nearly knocked Emma to the floor, when she tackled her. Both girls were crying and laughing. Remus gave her a huge hug and a kiss on the top of the head. James, of course, got the biggest hug. He was crying harder than Lily was which made us laugh, and James cry a little more. Finally it was my turn. Emma went to embrace me and then thought better of it and extended her hand. I shook it with a smile on my face. She blushed a little.

"Welcome back. I've got to say, you're family sure missed you."

"I can't even begin to tell you how much I missed them! I'd even be happy to see Professor Binns right now!" Emma said as the party kicked up. She told us all about what happened, and how dull it was. We listened to a few students sing random made up on the spot songs and a few students even started dancing. The party was a complete hit, and a couple of times Professor McGonagall had to tell us to shut up and go to bed. The games were getting boring and several people had gone to bed, but most of us wore on. This was Emma's big party, and we were really gonna rock it. As it got later and things began to finally die down I watched Emma slip out into the corridor. Quietly I followed her, to curious for my own good. She walked down the Gryffindor corridor to a floor to ceiling window near the Fat Lady's painting. She stopped in front of the window and gazed out of it at the lake.

"I missed this place, every little detail about it. I found I missed Peeves, and in a small way, I even missed Lucius. A brush with death makes you love some of the simple things in life."

"Like punching Lucius in your defense?" I joked. Emma turned and looked at me a smile on her face. I came and stood right next to her.

"It was very hushed around here with out you. And I learned how lacking Peter really is when I comes to brains," I said. Emma let out a small laugh. She turned and looked at me that smile wide on her face. I could tell just by looking at her she really was having fun since her 'brush with death'. I moved closer to her, and she did the same, and I wrapped my arm around her waist to close the gap between us. Our faces getting closer and closer together….till our lips touched…for a second. Then I heard someone behind us and I quickly pulled away. I saw Remus out of the corner of my eye. I noticed that Emma was a little bit red. I bid her goodnight and walked past Remus, also saying goodnight to him. I left as fast as I could. Tomorrow was going to be really interesting.