Disclaimer: The usual. Although if I was a genius author I would seriously write fanfiction about my own work. But I am not JK Rowling, just borrowing her characters and 'world'.
Chapter 4
Friday 2nd Nov 2001, Emmaline & Tobias Apartment, London, Emmaline Winters POV
As Emmaline lay curled up on top of her bed, absently twisting a wavy blond stand of hair,her mind wandered to the upcoming evening. Marcus was home from Canada so the whole group would converge at Flint Tower for a few drinks before going out to dinner. Emmaline was always apprehensive about going to the Tower although she tried to keep her worry secret. No matter what Tobias said, she could not believe that Accolade really approved of their relationship; remembering the horrific verbal onslaught Emmaline received the first time she met the women.
Despite these reservations, the lady herself was now very cordial to Emmaline. She also had to admit Accolade had willingly helped to hide Emmaline's Muggleborn father and herself during the war. For that, Emmaline knew she probably owed Accolade and also Mr and Mrs Pucey a life debt. However she was not deluded by the reason for the offer of sanctuary. Tobias was a target during the war for his relationship with her, leaving Accolade no choice but to ask the Winter family to join them.
Emmaline and Tobias met officially during their fifth year. They had both been made prefects and not long after school started the female fifth year Slytherin prefect Felicity Mairns became seriously ill. For three months the Ravenclaw prefects were asked to replace her during patrols since Ravenclaw's were more civil with Slytherin students then both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. During patrols she and Tobias quickly become somewhat friends even if the unspoken rule was that their tentative friendship remain secret. She had been impressed with his quick wit, sense of humour and attractive physique. She kept her attraction secret, in the early days she tried to be pleasant to Tobias, but no more. Later Emmaline learned that this was very frustrating for him. Once Mairns returned they ceased contact other then occasional catches of the eye in the halls.
Emmaline and Tobias didn't speak again until two months into sixth year when they were made partners for a project in Herbology. She developed a crush on him and he kissed her close to the end of the project. They began a secret relationship, sneaking out at night using their knowledge of prefect duties to remain undiscovered. This was the year the Chamber of Secrets was reopened at Hogwarts and as time went on it became harder to organise meetings due to the panic hanging over the school. She had not told any of her friends as she knew they would try and dissuade her from what they would see as the inevitable heartbreak. It had certainly crossed her mind often enough that he was just playing her and she would be left with a broken heart. However, it was Tobias who got sick of the secrecy first, claiming he didn't care what anyone said. She was reluctant, but told him if they were still together at the start of seventh year they would go public.
They became an official couple in the new school year, shocking most of Hogwarts' student and teacher populations. She lost friends but gained Tobias and the boys so she wouldn't allow herself to regret it. A year after they graduated, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned, the boys realising it quickly due to their Death Eater contacts.
Emmaline broke out of her memories when she glanced over at the clock to see she it was time to Floo to Flint Tower. Rising unenthusiastically from the bed she slowly made her way to the living room, feeling herself hesitate only slightly as she tossed Floo powder into the fireplace. Upon reaching the grandiose main parlour which was her destination, she found herself engulfed by the familiar and comforting arms of her boyfriend. Raising her face, he smiled down at her, devotion in his beautiful blue eyes. Her lips were briefly captured by his and he whispered how much he had missed her into her ear, even though he had seen her that morning. They were interrupted by a loud cough and she turned to see a smirking Marcus.
"Even if watching you all sickly sweet was one of my favourite past times, how about a hug for the man you really came to see?" He held his arms open to her.
Tobias growled at his cousin but Emmaline laughed as she untangled herself.
"Well done on your win, Marcus." She gave him a hug and he squeezed tight lifting her up and spinning her around. She could just imagine the cheeky eye he was sending Tobias and swatted him.
"Is anyone else here yet?" Her question was answered not by either boy but Accolade Flint who Emmaline had not noticed standing beside a round table in the centre of the room displaying a large extravagant flower arrangement.
"Not yet, you are the first beside these boys, who have been pestering me all day. Emmaline, darling, how are you? You look wonderful as always." Accolade walked up and daintily placed her pale thin hands on Emmaline's shoulders before kissing both her cheeks.
Emmaline didn't believe her plain v-neck, pale pink dress robes could really be considered lovely against Accolade's exquisite robes. Still it was respectful to reply.
"Thank you, Mrs Flint. You look beautiful, your dress is amazing."
Thankfully Emmaline was saved further awkward discussion as the Floo once again activated and Blake Carrow entered followed soon after by Clarabelle Flint and Adrian Pucey. Clarabelle noticing Emmaline squealed and ran to her, obviously very excited. The girls had become friends while hiding, since they were the only young females in the Manor.
"I have found your bridesmaid robes! Oh wait till you see them, they will look divine with your beautiful blond hair."
Wedding talk is good, keeps focus away from me. "Ohhhh, what colour?"
"Peach!"
They were interrupted by a haughty Marcus who had finished greeting the other boys.
"No, no, no! If you want to talk about that crap, go to lunch. I'm not talking flowers and shit all night."
"Language, Marcus!" Emmaline stifled a laugh as the massive boy looked suitably chastised by his mother.
Clarabelle was pouting at her brother but didn't say anymore, realising there was no use arguing. She moved on to hug her mother and Tobias, while Emmaline greeted both Blake and Adrian before having her boyfriend's arms possessively attached themselves around her waist pulling her close. Marcus got both girls a glass of wonderful elf made red wine and they proceeded to talk about Quidditch and England's chances until it was time to leave so as to make their dinner reservations.
The evening had been very pleasant. Nimue's was the newest and trendiest Wizarding Restaurant in England. Unlike other more traditional Wizarding restaurants, Nimue's was a brilliant mix of modern Muggle and Magic and the result was groundbreaking and stunning. Marcus had got reservations by giving the owner specialised tickets to the next Falcons game, much to Emmaline's delight. although having photos taken by press as they were walking in was awkward and embarrassing.
Having had a couple glasses of wine, Emmaline was not sure she heard correctly when out of nowhere Tobias brought up the gossip about Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger's breakup. At the time she had been talking to Marcus and couldn't fail to notice the cautious look of suspicion he sent Tobias way. She was a little confused herself, since Tobias was not one to take interest in idle gossip having been on the receiving end of unwanted attention himself.
"I feel sorry for Granger, imagine being made to look foolish by a Weasley," was Clarabelle's reply.
"Why? Now she knows he's a lying piece of shit. She will get over the bad publicity. Probably as even more of a golden girl then she already is." This was Blake's view.
"Marcus, remember when Malfoy first got on the team? And Granger stormed onto the ground telling him he bought his way on-"
"Which I bet he did," Emmaline interrupted Adrian who gave her a big smile.
"Now, Miss Winters, none of that Ravenclaw wit from you, even if it's is true."
Emmaline giggled into her hand.
"Anyway, she barges out onto the Quidditch ground, when she wasn't even on the Gryffindor team and Malfoy called her a-you-know-what." Marcus, Emmaline noticed was looking very uncomfortable with the conversation. She assumed that you-know-what referred to Mudblood, which made all her friends edgy to say nowadays. She glanced at Tobias and noticed he was watching Marcus intently.
"Surely you remember that, Marcus?" Adrian tried again.
"Yes, I remember," was the snapped reply, "I don't understand why it is important to the conversation?"
"Just that Weasley was the first to jump to her defence, remember. You jumped in front of Malfoy and Weasley ended up hexing himself! Bloody funniest thing I ever saw! Weasley coughing up slugs!" Instead of the humour Adrian was obviously expecting to see, he furrowed his brows at Marcus pronounced scowl.
Blake, who had probably drunk the most that night, was completely oblivious to Marcus' strange behaviour.
"They always were an odd couple. She is supposed to be really smart. They say she got nine O's when she took her NEWTS. Weasley always seemed a bit dense- what would they have talked about? She's pretty hot too."
Marcus was looking thunderous, Tobias amused and Emmaline was confused. She would be questioning her boyfriend about this strange turn of events latter.
"She doesn't seem your type, Blake," piped Clarabelle.
"I wouldn't chuck her out of my bed, Clarabelle."
Marcus who had been taking a drink choked, sending Blake yet another dirty look and Tobias burst out laughing.
"And we all know how picky Blake is."
Emmaline couldn't help the giggle that left her lips before she even spoke her joke, "picky in looks perhaps, brains not so much..."
There was general laughter and agreement at her words while Blake sent a look of mock hurt. Blake loved good looking women- but most of his girls were utterly stupid. They unfortunately were also only after his money or intrigued by his bad boy persona and family reputation. Every single one Emmaline had met was a complete loon, thank goodness they never lasted more than a week.
Clarabelle, who like Blake had not yet noticed Marcus' anger, continued the conversation.
"Like she would go for you, Blake, she always seemed like a mega prude. Probably why Weasley got bored."
Marcus by now looked like he wanted to commit murder, slammed his fist down on the table causing Clarabelle to yelp while the rest of the table jumped,
"Shut the fuck up." The table was very still for a few moments,
"What is your problem man?" Blake was looking at Marcus like he had grown another head.
Marcus seemingly struggled to put back on his trademark brooding facial expression replied, "Nothing, I just have to work with her, and you are being disrespectful."
"Umm, sorry? Shit, no need to go mental."
Tobias seemed to take pity on his best friend and finally told everyone to pick a different subject. Clarabelle however refused to listen as she looked over Emmaline's shoulder toward the front doors.
"Will you look at that! Granger, Weasley, Potter and his wife just walked in together like a big happy family."
Emmaline resisted the urge to turn and look opting to observe Marcus reaction instead. He really was acting very odd. She wasn't disappointed as his head whipped up from the tablecloth he had been examining so fast he must have cracked it. She made eye connect with Tobias and raised an eyebrow in question. He winked at her and she knew he was aware of whatever was happening with Marcus and he would tell her later.
"What the fuck is she doing here with him?" Marcus was watching the group be seated with a look of disbelief and now Emmaline choose to turn and observe the restaurants newest cliental. As if hearing his exclamation, Hermione Granger looked up, her eyes gazed past Emmaline, toward Marcus and her whole face went instantly pink. What was going on?
Emmaline turned her head to again look at her boyfriend who was watching the encounter with intense interest, a small smile on his face. Marcus seemed to break away from an eye-locked stupor with the war heroine and grabbed his drink and downing it very fast.
"Where is that menu, I need another drink."
The group uneasily turned their attention back to each other while Marcus magically ordered a Firewhisky. He then turned toward Emmaline and resumed their previous conversation, however it was obvious he was using much more enthusiasm then was required and his eye often strayed behind her toward the table full of war heroes.
Close to the end of the evening Emmaline excused herself to go to the bathroom. On her way back down the thin hall leading to the dining room she heard voices from behind a door. She didn't mean to listen only she recognised Marcus deep rumble and really couldn't help herself since the other voice clearly belonged to a female.
"So, what, Granger, you are just going to take him back?"
"No. Not that it is your business." Marcus and Hermione Granger were talking about Weasley? Emmaline wasn't aware they were that friendly.
"I think you made it my business last night. I don't like being played like a fool." There was an angry squeak of ignition.
"Excuse me? How have I made you look foolish?"
"You shag me," Emmaline nearly gave herself away with a sharp intake of breath, "then you leave, in the morning before I wake up. Barely talk to me at the Portkey Department and now what? Get back with your cheating boyfriend? Is that what the two of you do? Because it's sick!" There was the sound of a slap against skin that Emmaline could only assume was Hermione's hand hitting Marcus cheek.
"How dare you imply that I am some type of slut! You know nothing about me! Or Ron! Have you ever been in a position that you could count the people you would trust your life with on your fingers? You would do anything for those people, especially after they proved they would die for you. Ron and I will not be getting back together romantically but I will be dammed if I lose his friendship. If that means not making a big deal of his cheating then so be it. Don't you judge me! I am sorry if I have made you uncomfortable but I have NEVER done anything like last night before and I panicked!"
There was rustling from behind the door, and Emmaline realised that Granger was preparing to leave the room so she rushed away into the main dining room. She reached her seat and gulped down a glass of water her thoughts a complete jumble. Tobias was looking at her curiously and she tried to smile at him, failing dismally. There silent conversation was interrupted by Marcus slamming himself into his seat with a furious expression. This focused Tobias attentions onto his friend and she could see curiosity and confusion in his eyes.
Soon after Marcus claimed he was tired, the group split up to go their separate ways, Blake bemoaning his 'boring friends'. Tobias and Emmaline Apperated straight to their apartment, once they had their bearings she looked at him, her eyebrow raised in question. However before he could answer her unspoken question she decided to start,
"Let me guess, Marcus shagged the warrior princess last night and tonight got incredibly jealous when he saw her out with Weasley?"
Her handsome boyfriend pulled her close, their foreheads touching, his face full of suspicion, "What do you know my love?"
"Only what I heard mentioned from the outside of what appeared to be a broom closet," Tobias smirked in amusement.
"Marcus chatting up girls in broom closets, still as classy as he was back in Hogwarts," she snickered as he continued, "What did you hear?"
"What do you know?" She countered him.
"Basically what you just said, and it's obvious he is smitten."
"He has a funny way of showing it... I think she slapped him when he implied she was a slag."
Tobias raised eyebrows were raised so high multiple lines were visible on his forehead.
"Serious?"
"Yep, if he likes her he has a strange way of showing it." Tobias was shaking his head with a frown before sighing and changing the conversation.
"Well now, beautiful girlfriend of mine, no more talk about Marcus and war heroines- bed time." As he said this he through her over his shoulder causing Emmaline to shriek, as he quickened his pace down the hall. Marcus Flint and Hermione Granger were no longer in ether of their minds that night.
Wednesday 19th December, 2001, Diagon Alley, Marcus POV
Not for the first time Marcus was enjoying the benefits of having a job involving odd hours. Sure, most matches were played on a weekend but it was 1.30 in the afternoon six days out from Christmas and Diagon Alley wasn't very crowded. He was almost done with his Christmas list as well, only Clarabelle and Emmaline to go. Clarabelle was easy, one expensive bracelet and she would be happier than a Niffler in a Gringotts vault. Emmaline was much more difficult and Marcus had decided to try Flourish and Blotts for a book.
Unfortunately the sight of the store caused his thoughts to wander again toward the curly haired brunette witch, Marcus couldn't get out of his mind. It had been over a month since the terrible accusations he levelled at her, and he still hadn't seen her to apologise. He had tried to send her an owl but the letter came back unopened. He had suspicions she was purposely avoiding him and the whole thing was very frustrating. Even worse, it seemed he had developed a crush on her. In any other circumstance this would be annoying enough, Marcus wasn't the type of develop crushes, and he certainly wasn't the type to think for prolonged periods of time about any one girl. Perhaps he needed to go out and get laid- that could solve his problem and take his mind off Hermione. He could get Blake and Tobias together for a boy's night out on the town and take home some silly little Quidditch groupie. Hell he would even shag Daphne Greengrass again if it would fix this insanity.
"Thank sweet Salazar, Marcus! I finally found you!" Marcus stiffened. He knew that nauseatingly sweet voice, Vivienne Yaxley his ex-girlfriend.
What was she doing here? He thought she was in Italy, where she had run in self exile after being cleared of Death Eater charges. Although, knowing the bitch as he did, she most likely relished in her father's placement as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement during the war. Hell, he was surprised she didn't bear the Dark Mark herself. It had, however, been proven that she was never an official Death Eater.
Marcus and Vivienne's relationship had never been healthy. They had really only been together from fifth year since it had been expected by their fathers. Even if during that time they had been 'together' in every sense of the word, they had argued as much as they had shagged.
Begrudgingly, he realised that since she had called out to him common decency made him acknowledge her. So he slowly and with great internal misgivings turned around to face the girl walking gracefully toward him.
She hadn't changed in the five or so years since he had last seen her. Dirty blond hair assembled high on the very top of her head, expensive robes a deep plum coloured shimmery fabric. The tight waist and even tighter full length skirt gave a modern edge that Marcus couldn't help but admire, as it highlighted her perfect figure. Vivienne had always been an incredibly attractive girl even if she was poison. When they had first got together Marcus had been bloody pleased, especially since back at school he was not very popular with the female population. But her unexpected arrival begged the question, why was she here and what did she want?
"Marcus! It is wonderful to see you." Finally the girl had reached him and made to kiss both his cheeks. But he resisted her advance by leaning away.
"What do you want, Vivienne?" He thought it would be best to be curt with the nauseating creature.
"To talk to you. It has been very hard to get in touch with you Marcus, Pansy wasn't even sure how to."
Pansy Parkinson was his cousin on his father side. He had very little to do with her or her family so it was no wonder they wouldn't know how to get in touch with him. "Well now you have seen me I must go..."
His attention drifted as he noticed Hermione Granger walking with Potter's wife down the cobbled street. Having not seen her for over a month, Marcus eye greedily took her in from his prime vantage point over Vivienne's shoulder.
He was wondering how he could get away and go talk to her when Vivienne suddenly clicked her long manicured fingers in his face,
"Marcus! Have you been listening to me?"
"Sorry, what?" He quickly graced Vivienne with a scowl before once again observing Hermione. He watched as she entered Weasley Wizard Wheezers and Marcus barely restrained an impatient sigh since he knew he couldn't follow her, he would not be welcome inside that shop.
"I was asking if you were going to the New Year Ball?" Losing eye sight with Hermione meant that Marcus could now at least pretend to be involved with the conversation,
"Yes, but I didn't think it was the type of event that would interest you, Vivienne."
Vivienne smirked with distaste rolling her eyes, "You are right, it sounds disgusting- not like the old New Year's balls where only the best were invited to. But apparently everyone goes to look good with this new travesty of a Ministry."
The bint exhaled a long suffering sigh of disgust. Before changing her tone and expression becoming flirtatious, "I'm sure if you are there though, it will make the night so much more entertaining."
Marcus wanted to scoff but settled on a sneer of distaste. This conversation was freaking him out and he had to get away. He didn't know what she was playing at and he really didn't want to.
"Well I may see you there, but unfortunately I really must be going. I have finished my Christmas shopping I am going around to Tobias and Emmaline's for dinner." As expected Vivienne's face distorted into fury at the mention of Tobias and Emmaline.
"Bye Vivienne, have a good Christmas", Marcus didn't wait for a reply before rudely Disappariting on the spot to his own apartment. Appearing with a crack in his lounge room, he couldn't help but think about the conversation he had just left. It was weird and disturbing that she would suddenly wish to speak to him. What about Hermione? All he had wanted to do was run after her to talk, but he couldn't. This whole thing was bloody frustrating!
A/N Hello again everyone! I am very curious for opinions of this chapter, possibly more so then the others. Even though I wrote it, I spent a lot of time thinking 'stupid, idiot boy!' A jealous Marcus is a silly Marcus. So if you have a little bit of time please leave me your thoughts. Even if it's, 'how could you do that!?'
Much thanks blue artemis who beta'd.