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A/N: I don't know what happened, but I uploaded this two days ago but it never appeared. Hopefully it works this time!
Chapter 10: Green Eyed Monster
Harry waited for the others to leave the dormitory the next morning so it was just him and Ron. "Ron, how much do you know about my family?"
"Huh?" Ron asked confused, looking for his potions book.
"The Potters were pure blood, so surely as another pureblood family, you would know something about them," Harry prompted.
"Well, there was your dad who married Lily, . . . he was an only child– happens a lot in pureblood families lately, but I seem to remember mum and dad talking about him having a cousin... I don't remember much, something about how they were all killed."
"Surely you can remember something?" Harry prodded. "My dad did have a cousin?"
"Yeah . . . I remember mum talking about how it was a shame you didn't get to know any of your family, this was the summer right after they found out who you were and started coming over."
"Family? Like, who else?"
"Why?" Ron asked suspiciously. "I mean, I can understand you wanting to know about your family and all, but why ask this morning? And why not ask Hermione? She has probably read every genealogy record in the library."
"I don't . . . I get the feeling Hermione doesn't like Emma," Harry said.
"True . . . what does Emma have to do with this?" Ron asked confused, sitting on the bed deciding to look for his book in a minute; he needed all his brain cells at the moment on this.
"Tell me what you know and I'll tell you what I found out," Harry decided.
Ron sat and had to think for a moment. "It was a few summers ago, and it was between my mum and dad so I wasn't really paying attention . . . something about how it was a shame you had to go live with your muggle relatives because your wizarding relatives were all dead. I overheard them say something about James' cousin . . . it was a she, but I don't remember her name, and her daughter was killed . . . must have been the first war. Anyways, they just kept saying it was a shame that you didn't get to know your wizarding blood relatives, I guess you had two of them a cousin of your dad's and her daughter. Why?" he asked.
"Know how I said I had to talk to Emma after that weird conversation they had?" Ron nodded. "It only got even weirder. I finally found Emma, in the Room of Requirement . . ."
"Why was she there?"
"She says she knew about it before we had our DA meetings there. She calls it her sanctuary . . . bloody hell, she is an empath," Harry said. It wasn't the part he planned on telling him first. Ron's dropped jaw almost made him laugh.
"A real empath?" Ron asked. "But . . . they are really rare!" he exclaimed. "I mean, I honestly don't think even my parents have ever met one, supposedly only a few appear each generation around the world."
"Yeah, Emma said something like that," Harry said. "Pay attention, that's not even half of the conversation," Harry said eagerly. "She told me the same thing you did just now, about James having a cousin. Her name was Emily Potter, who married Riley O'Neill," Harry said and waited for recognition to appear in Ron's eyes. "Yeah, I had the same reaction."
"So wait, she says she is your cousin? That's impossible, she was killed 16 years ago by Voldemort," Ron said.
"So everyone thought, but Emma is alive," Harry said. "I'm not sure how, but . . ."
"How is this legit? If she is an empath, especially a powerful empath, she could make you believe that even if it wasn't true."
"I don't think Emma is like that," Harry said quickly.
"I didn't either, but that was before I knew she was an empath. Well, anything's possible . . . I suppose Dumbledore would know the truth," Ron pointed out. "Well, unless she manipulated him, but I'd ask him. Harry," Ron said finding his potions book right as they heard Lavender running up the steps making Ron roll his eyes, "I hope what she says is true, I know how much you want to meet your family. It would be awesome if it was true."
"Won-won!" Lavender said running in. She looked at Harry. "I was wondering why you weren't coming to breakfast, I guess you had better things to do than to sit with me," she pouted. She linked her arm through his anyways. "Come on." He managed to get a wave as Lavender shuffled him out the door.
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To Emma's delight, Harry sat next to her during breakfast. "Morning," he said with a grin. Emma smiled back. They chatted about quidditch till Emma had to go to class.
"Emma?" A third year asked walking up to her as Emma was leaving the Great Hall. "I was told to give you this." Emma took the note and saw it was from Dumbledore asking to talk to her that night. 'I was expecting this' Emma said.
'Me too. Snape has really been trying to pester me,' Draco said. 'Why didn't you tell Harry about us?'
'He is getting used to the idea of who I am, and he never brought you up oddly enough.' Emma said. 'I didn't want to put him into sensory overload.'
Emma could tell most of the people were buying Draco's story and pitied her. They were, however, still ignoring her. I think I preferred being invisible, Emma thought. Harry talked with Emma during Potions and then later at lunch.
"Have you told your friends yet?" Emma asked.
"Well, I've told Ron about you being my cousin and an empath. Didn't get the whole story because Lavender came around ready to snog," he said sickly. "Could you at least make her less enthusiastic?" Emma laughed. Emma knew Harry would tell Hermione the story during their free period that afternoon (Emma would be taking a nap; she didn't particularly want to be there when Hermione found out).
Emma was walking to Herbology when Seamus joined her. "Hey," she said surprised he was talking with her. She was most saddened by the Irish society, who felt confused over the whole ordeal and she knew it would come up at the next meeting in a few days. She dreaded it since she didn't know what to tell them.
"Can you believe that defense homework Snape gave us?" Seamus asked.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "You aren't going to ask?" She could feel him thinking hard over the whole thing and was confused like everyone else, but he was the only person besides Harry willing to talk with her in public.
There was a pause as they kept walking. "Cedric knew, didn't he?"
Emma nodded. "He figured out we were friends."
"Okay then."
"Okay," she said. They kept walking out to the grounds for Herbology.
"It's not like you would break up with him just because I don't like the idea of it," headded.
"That is highly unlikely," Emma nodded. She knew it went unsaid that he wouldn't tell anyone else the truth. She grabbed his hand as they walked. "Thank you."
He nodded. "I have things in the society under control too," he said. She kissed his cheek.
"You are the best," Emma said happily. "Why don't you believe the story of Draco using me because I was a gryffindor?" she asked.
Seamus shrugged. "It just doesn't sound like you. I can't imagine anyone using you, not like that. I like to think I know you better than that!" he chided making her laugh as they walked into the greenhouse. She, Neville, and Seamus worked at the same table during Herbology.
Emma was walking down the hall towards Dumbledore's office that evening. "Emma," Harry said. "We were heading towards dinner. Coming?"
Emma shook her head. "I have a meeting."
"Is this how you are able to do it?" Hermione asked. Harry looked perplexed, but Emma just held Hermione's stare.
"Let's talk about it later when you have thought about it more, Hermione," Emma said coldly.
"I have had time to think about it, Emma, and I understand now how it is you can do all of these classes without doing any work," Hermione declared. Ron, who was sneaking down without Lavender, ran into Harry. "What's going on?" he whispered.
"Hermione, for your own sake, don't talk to me right now. You are just talking out of jealousy."
"I am NOT jealous!" Hermione shouted.
"You REEK of jealousy!" Emma said calmly yet it was more powerful and scary. "You always have! I can't help it if I don't read every book ever written! It runs in the family!"
"You don't have to read the entire library! You can just read the professor's for answers! No studying involved there is there?" Hermione accused.
"Enough," A voice said behind them and Hermione blushed when she saw Dumbledore. "I would like to talk to the three of you in my office," He said indicating the trio.
"But. . . yes sir," Hermione said.
"I believe someone is waiting for you," Dumbledore said, and Emma walked away from them down a different corridor where Draco had appeared, leaning against the wall, watching from the shadows.
"So they are still dating?" Ron asked. Dumbledore motioned that they shouldn't talk until they reached his office.
"Now, I heard your accusations Miss Granger," Dumbledore said.
"I am sorry sir. I just . . ."
"Was speaking out of jealousy like Miss O'Neill discerned." he chuckled. "I have only been lucky enough to meet one other empath in my life before Miss O'Neill. Remarkable how they can differentiate the complicated bits of others."
"Now, Miss Granger, I can assure you Emma has had nothing but an exemplary record.
Do you think she hoodwinked me?" Dumbledore asked politely.
"No . . . no sir." Hermione said.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, I certainly hope she hasn't, although if she had I wouldn't know, now would I? I can say this. Emma has set for herself a strict moral code that she adheres to. She has only used her talents when I have asked her for assistance."
"I must say I hope you understand why I didn't tell you about your cousin sooner, Harry. I daresay Emma explained my reasons to you?"
Harry nodded. "Yes sir."
"I hope you can forgive me for it. Now, are there any other questions?" he asked but no one said anything.
They heard a knock on the door. "Enter."
"Ah, Emma, we were just speaking about you," Dumbledore said happily as she and Draco walked inside.
Emma looked around the desk where the four of them were sitting but didn't really look at the trio or Dumbledore (she was looking at the memory of their conversation). "I know, sir. I thank you for my defense; and no, I have not hoodwinked you," She said with a grin. "I have something to share with you."
"Yes, yes. I believe we are all finished?" Dumbledore said as he looked at the trio. They stood and left, Harry said goodbye to Emma and glared at Draco.
"I believe I am correct in saying that this relationship of yours has taken us all by surprise," Dumbledore said after the trio had left. "I have my suspicions of how far this goes, regardless of what may be circulating around the school," he said, "which I believe complicates matters. That is why I wished to see you."
Emma and Draco sat before the headmaster. He looked both of them in the eye. "Very faint, but I do think I detect the bonding between the two of you. I must say, this is quite impressive for two people so young."
"Is this about us, sir, or another matter?" Draco asked.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "I am afraid this complicates another matter. Professor Snape and I have been forming a plan, and that is what I must ask of Miss O'Neill. Emma, I ask you not to go looking into what our plan is. As much as you want to save Draco, I ask you to not search the memories of Snape or myself."
Emma nodded. "I promise sir."
"Good. Good. What did you have to share with me?" Dumbledore asked.
"You asked me to see if Slughorn's memory was still intact. It is, I could sense his regret and shame over whatever the incident was, but it is highly suppressed. I doubt you could procure it simply with leglimency. I could dig around and try to find it myself, if you wanted."
Dumbledore nodded. "That is what I feared. Whatever that memory is, it is vital. But no, I want Harry to do this." Emma nodded. Dumbledore dismissed them.
'What do you think their plan is?'
'I have no idea, but as long as Dumbledore has a plan, it has to work, right?' Emma asked. For the first time in ten months, a spark of optimism was allowed to grow.
author's notes:
Potter Fan Bo– You caught it! I puroposfully left out the bonding! He-he Childofthekng– I think he will become increasingly more impressed as he gets to know Emma more (and as he sees her do more things in person). But yeah, it is nice to finally have him acknowledge her! BornBlue– I'm glad it lived up to expectations! After waiting so long, I was afraid everyone would be disappointed. Glad it was approved! McGonagall was really just surprised (like everyone else). It really came out of left field for her (like everyone). I think the only people not surprised (or at least not as surprised) were Snape and Dumbledore. Iceball– I think you are psychic! (That's all I'll say on that for now : ) I always found movie-Hermione more annoying than book-version Hermione, so when I write Hermione's interactions with Emma, I think I channel the movie version. Glad to know she annoys someone else : ) Anime crazy– Thank you! I think Ron was more . . . laidback and accepting overall of the situation than Hermione (but her and Emma's reactions/circumstances are far from over!) year1989– Thanks!! It took me long enough to get here, I know, I'm just glad everyone liked it : ) Snuffles sweetie– I know, took me forever! I think I saw a collective happy dance when I finally got it posted. Thanks! Amarthiel– I think once Hermione has time to think about it, she will have the reaction you wrote about. Right now, she is acting out. Did you catch the reaction they had to Draco entering with Emma? He-he. There will definitely be some tension . . . through the next year. KRP– Glad to see you back: ) As for year 7, I have my own version already written (I need to revise a few things, but for all intents and purposes it is written). When book 7 comes out, I'll write a version that is complacent with that, but I'm going to wait (I read the books in a day; I would hate to give out spoilers to people who haven't read it yet). Plus, I have a surprise still up my sleeve regarding the series, so . . . SONGxOFxGLORY– Finally! He knows, well, he knows a lot! But not quite everything. . . yet Deanne Stevenson– Thank you! I'm glad I can keep the whole chapter interesting! (Huge inflation of my author-ego : ) ?????????– whoever you are, thank you! That was such a nice review! (On a side note, I hope you did good on your math paper!) Thanks!!!!! As for Harry referring to Draco as Draco, that is just a horrible author slip! Hopefully I'll keep it under control from now on! Thanks for pointing it out!