Chapter 27: Miss Fix It
"Okay Emmy, point her out."
"No, Emily, don't."
"What's the matter James? Don't you want your mother to meet her?" Emily asked, inwardly cackling manically.
James bumped his cart into Emily's, giving her a nasty look. "Of course I don't want mum to meet her!" He whispered in an undertone. "You know what she'll do."
Emily eyes glinted as they scanned the platform as they entered platform nine and three-quarters. "Oh, do I ever. All the more reason to introduce mum to her."
"Who?"
Emily stiffened and turned her head to stare at her father, who had just entered the platform after her and James, Joan at his side.
"No one father."
Edward Potter's dark gaze settled on his daughter and he frowned. "I wasn't asking you." He looked at James and smiled. "Who does your mother want to meet James?"
James glanced at Emily, who now had her head bowed and facing the other direction. He looked back up at his father and gave a half smile back. "No one dad. Mum just wants to meet the Head Girl."
Edward's eyes took on an amused look. "No doubt going to try and set you two up. That's just something your mother would do." He placed a hand on James shoulder and leaned closer, shooting a glance at his wife. "Don't worry, I'll keep her distracted until you're safely on the train. Can't have her messing up any chance you have."
James smiled. "Thanks dad."
Edward patted his shoulder and stood up straight, taking on a cold look as he looked at Emily, catching her eye.
"Emily, you shouldn't be behaving such towards your brother. A Potter knows to be proud of others accomplishments. Don't try and spite James just because you're jealous of his position of Head Boy. He's actually earned the position Dumbledore gave him."
Emily bristled. "Oh? As compared to me, who didn't earn the position as prefect or the ten O.W.L.s I got? Which are two more than James received, and a position he never got."
Edward shot her a look and walked past her. "Well, we can't all be as cunning and ambitious as you."
Emily held her cart handle so hard her knuckles turned white and glared at the ground. A hand was placed on her shoulder and she looked up and into James's hazel eyes.
Emily sighed. "Sorry."
"Me too." James said quietly.
They continued walking towards the train.
"He just makes me so…ugh!" Emily shoulders slumped. "He's such a…"
"Bastard?" James prompted, glancing at the back of his father's head.
Emily shook her head. "No, he can't help his prejudice. Comes with being such an old Gryffindor. He'll never be rid of it, can't blame him for it. But I still wish he wasn't so…"
"Narrow-minded? I know."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk. You hate Slytherins just as much as him."
"I don't hate you though." James said, smiling sincerely.
Emily smirked and batted her eyelashes. "Oh James, I don't hate you too."
James rolled his eyes. "You're such a girl."
"Thank you!" Emily chirped brightly. "I take that as a compliment."
"Wasn't though."
"Doesn't matter."
They gave each other fake toothy smiles.
"Prongs!"
"Emily!"
The Potter siblings looked in opposite directions.
Sirius stood by Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Remus and Peter beside him, waving James over.
Narcissa stood by the train; beside her were Lucius and Regulus. She smiled and lifted a hand to motion for Emily to come over.
Emily and James turned toward one another again.
"Well…" James started.
Emily nodded. "Yeah…"
"Gonna say goodbye to mum?"
"I already did, besides…" She looked behind James. "Your friends and father won't really appreciate my company."
James glared behind Emily at the two Blacks and Malfoy. "Yes, and your friends would appreciate mine."
They silenced and looked at each other again.
Emily took a deep breath and turned her cart in the direction of those waiting for her. "See you, James."
James turned his own cart in the opposite direction, to those who were waiting for him. "Right."
"What was that?" Narcissa asked sharply when Emily reached them.
"Nothing." Emily said coolly. "He just felt the need to give me another warning before we got to Hogwarts."
Lucius chuckled. "A little too late for that, isn't it?"
Emily nodded. "Of course. I know where I belong."
Lucius surveyed her appraisingly before nodded, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. "Of course."
He took out his wand and pointed it at her trunk. It levitated a moment before zooming onto the train.
Emily raised an eyebrow, but Lucius just smirked, putting his wand back into his pocket.
"He's just put it in our compartment." Narcissa interjected. "Much easier than doing it the muggle way." She added, scowling at the numerous people lugging their trunks onto the train.
"Quite right. It's as if they've forgotten they can do magic." Lucius said, but then scowled. "Or they can't."
Emily frowned. "Magic can't always be used to fix problems."
Lucius laughed. "What are you talking about? Of course it will. As long as we have our wands and status magic can always fix things."
Emily looked away. "Whatever."
Narcissa bit her lip and glanced up at Lucius. "Lucius? May we please speak before I leave, privately?"
"Of course." Lucius replied with a smirk and began to lead Narcissa towards the secluded alcove near the edge of the platform.
"What's that about?" Emily asked to herself.
"She just wants to give him a good snog before she has to leave."
Emily turned, having forgotten Regulus was even there, and forced a smile. "Regulus…Good to see you."
He surprised Emily with a returning smile that looked close to…real. "It's nice to see you Emily, even after our last parting being so…eye opening."
Emily looked down, thinking he was referring to when she had to him about the kiss with Sirius. "Yes, I'll still sorry that you had to find out like that."
Regulus laughed and Emily's eyes widened in surprise.
"No, not that. I'm talking about when Sirius stole you away from me for a second time, coincidentally from another party we were hosting."
"Y-You knew…knew that it was him? How?" Emily asked, shocked that Regulus knew that Sirius, who had disguised himself as Avery as Emily later found out, was the one who took her from the party.
Regulus smirked. "Sirius is know for is unplanned and careless schemes. Once Avery's body was found it was easy to assume that the Avery that I saw take you to the gardens was an imposter. So naturally I followed to see what was going on."
Naturally…?
Emily furrowed her eyebrows. "Why? Why would you follow me as if you cared for my well-being? After I betrayed you."
Regulus smiled and took a step closer to Emily. "My brother is not only known for his carelessness, but also his stupidity. In his own way, he told me what happened and I know that you didn't betray me."
Regulus paused and frowned, placing a hand on her cheek. "Why did you lie to me? If you had told me the truth I wouldn't have blamed you."
"You say that now Regulus, but… you might have." Emily said meekly.
The train whistle blew, cutting off any further discussion and Emily hastily entered the train, but Regulus was right on her heels.
"Why, Emily?"
"Where's our compartment?" She asked absentmindedly, looking around.
"Emily…" Regulus said lowly, looking agitated.
"Oh, of course, same place as always." Emily muttered quickening her pace. She just entered the empty compartment, trying to close the door behind her, but Regulus stopped it with his hand and entered behind her, closing and locking the door after him. The next second Emily found herself pinned to the door, Regulus's hands on either side of her head.
"Emily, tell me the truth."
"How do you know that anything I say will be the truth? I could just lie to you again."
"I'll know, because I already know what's the truth."
"Well if you know, then-"
"Because I want to hear it from you!"
Emily stared into his desperate eyes and finally gave in with a sigh. "I lied…because I wanted you to break up with me."
Regulus backed away. "You didn't want to be with me anymore?"
His tone hurt Emily so much it caused her to leap forward and grab his shoulder, shaking her head quickly. "No Regulus, I didn't not want to be with you, I wanted to be with you. But I knew that…I was just…I wasn't good enough for you. You cared so much for me and I didn't deserve it."
"Why wouldn't you deserve that? Didn't you want me to care for you?"
To love you?
Emily bit her lip. "I did, I did want you to care for me, since I care for you too, but I just didn't…"
He cut her off by pressing his lips against hers, wrapping his arms around her waist. Emily closed her eyes instantly and clung to him, pulling him closer. His tongue traced her bottom lip and she automatically opened her mouth for him. The kiss turned from spontaneous, to passionate, to desperate in a second and Emily found her back against the door again.
Regulus was the first to pull back. He remained close and smiled. "Emily, I've missed you. It was complete torture without you."
Emily smiled and leaned closer, running a hand through his hair. "I've missed you too." She breathed.
Regulus smirked. "How much?"
Emily grinned and flipped their positions, so now Regulus was the one pinned. "A lot." She grabbed him by the front of his robes and kissed him again, but this time it was slow and gentle. She then continued to trail kisses over his jaw as her hands remained in his hair.
Regulus groaned and let his head fall back, shivering as she began to place kisses on his now exposed neck.
"Careful Miss Potter, or I'd start to think that you only liked me for my body."
Emily looked up playfully. "What else is there?"
Regulus growled and lightly placed his hands on her hips, pulling her against him, their faces very close. "A lot."
Emily smiled. "I have missed you Regulus."
Regulus smiled back, but it faded into and thoughtful frown. "Emily, promise me you won't lie to me anymore."
Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest, breathing in his scent. "I promise."
"And that you'll always be with me."
Emily opened her eyes and stared up at him, answering slowly. "…I promise."
Regulus smiled and caught her lips in a brief kiss. "Good…because I need you."
Emily smiled back and shook her head, placing her head back on his chest. "No you don't."
Regulus grabbed her shoulders and held her at arms length, a serious look in his eyes. "Yes, I do Emily. I want you with me through everything. Knowing you're with me is enough for me to be happy."
Emily stared into his dark eyes and frowned, Bellatrix's words coming back to her.
"No one else can know about this though. The only reason you can know is because the trial period of being a Death Eater is hard and will take a toil upon him and he will need someone to support him.
"He'll need you Emily."
"I promise I'll always be with you." Emily stated determinedly. "I'll do whatever I can for you."
Regulus's eyes trailed over her features, trying to find any lies, but seemed to find none because he smiled and pulled her close again.
"And I'll be with you. I'll never leave you alone."
Emily unconsciously held him tighter.
They stayed like that, until they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Regulus pulled away from her, grinningat Emily, and reached over to unlock the door. It slid open and Narcissa stepped in, her eyes sweeping over the compartment before finally landing on Emily and Regulus, who now had his arms around Emily's waist from behind her.
Narcissa smirked and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, I see you two have made up."
She sat down and gave Regulus a look. "I was starting to worry for you Regulus. I was expecting Emily to not take you back."
Regulus sat down, pulling Emily with him, and shot Narcissa a look in return. "And why is that Cissy?"
Narcissa studied her nails, looking bored. "Because a girl like Emily could do so much better."
Regulus knew that his cousin was teasing, but his grip still tightened on Emily's waist and he pulled her closer.
Emily placed her head on his shoulder and smiled at Narcissa. "But I don't want anybody besides Regulus. I happen to think that he's all I need."
Narcissa turned her smirk to Emily. "Then I guess you're stuck with him."
Emily nodded. "Guess so." She glanced out the window and noticed that the train had started moving without her notice. She quickly looked at her watch and sighed, pulling her self from Regulus's grip as she stood. "Well, I have to go."
"Go?" Regulus asked surprised. "Go where?"
"Prefect meeting." Emily said simply, making her way out of the compartment. "I'll be back soon."
"I'll walk you!" Regulus said quickly, making to follow.
"I think I can make it on my own." Emily said with a smile. "Don't worry so much Regulus." She closed the door and Regulus was left standing in the middle of the compartment staring at the door.
"Don't start ganging up on her Regulus." Narcissa said seriously. "Girls like their space, and if you start acting like she can't do things for herself she'll get annoyed and end up leaving you."
"But…I just don't want her getting hurt."
"Emily is a strong witch, she won't get hurt."
Regulus sighed and sat down. "Anyone can get hurt, doesn't matter how strong you are."
Emily stifled a laugh as she watched her brotherstare so openly at his co-Head, his mouth slightly open and eyes glazed over.
Lily was so busy talking, one of her specialties in Emily's opinion, that she didn't notice the dazed stare of the body next to her.
Emily conjured a piece of paper and quill with her wand and quickly wrote down a note before sending it to James.
James looked down in surprise when a folded piece of paper landed in his lap. Glancing at the girl beside him, who was too busy giving the prefects instructions to notice James's activities, he opened the note.
You know that Evans hates it when you stare at her.
I'm not staring at her! James wrote in defense, sending it back.
Emily rolled her eyes. Fine, you were just 'gazing longingly'. Either way, she still doesn't like to be stared at.
Well I'm bored. Is this all you ever do in a prefect meeting, listen to someone else talk?
You could talk. You are Head Boy.
But I have no idea what we're talking about.
You should try listening to Lily for a change James, instead of staring at her.
I'm listening!
Then what did she just say?
Uhhhhhhhh…something about rounds?
Right, so why don't you make some suggestions?
Like what?
Why should I tell you what to say? You're the Head Boy here.
Come on Emily, please?!
Emily sighed softly and wrote down another message before sending it back. James opened it and read quickly, taking out his quill to respond and send it back.
"Potter!"
"What?" James and Emily answered in unison, both turning to look at the red head whose attention was now on them, the rest of the prefects watching curiously.
Lily looked between them suspiciously. "Are you passing notes?"
James looked down at the note in his hands. "No."
"Then what's that?" She asked, pointing to the paper.
James hid it behind his back. "Nothing."
Lily glared and held out her hand. "Hand it over Potter."
"Why Evans, you make it seem like you don't trust me."
"I don't."
James placed a hand over his heart. "Oh, my love, why do you hurt me so?"
A couple of the prefect girls giggled and Lily's face turned red from anger and embarrassment.
"Potter," She growled. "Just give me the paper."
James looked conflicted, not wanting to give Lily a note that talked about him, but still ended up moving to give it to her.
Emily nearly hit her forehead in frustration. Idiot!
She hid her wand in her sleeve and pointed it at the paper, muttering a spell under her breath. It hit the paper just before he took it out from behind his back and handed it to Lily.
Lily glared at James again before looking down at the paper. She blinked and gaped slightly. "You…"
James winced. Lily speechless…not good.
Lily looked at him with shock, and, surprisingly, no anger. "You wrote up a route schedule?"
James blinked and glanced at Emily, who gave him a pointed look. "Oh, yeah…" His turned back to Lily and smiled charmingly. "I just took everyone's suggestions and what you've been saying and made it. Is…Is that okay?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes, it's fine." Lily said slowly, surveying the paper. "This looks exactly what I was thinking of doing." She looked up at him and smiled. "Glad to see you were paying attention."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to the rest of the room.
James looked at Emily and mouthed. "How?"
Emily smiled and revealed her wand. "Magic."
James smiled back before turning his attention back to Lily, actually listening this time.
The meeting ended quickly and Emily was the first to exit the prefect compartment. Once outside she ignored the figure leaning against the wall outside the compartment and went to return to the compartment she was sharing with Regulus and Narcissa.
"Emily."
Emily paused and looked over her shoulder, glaring dangerously. "Black."
"You can't possibly be mad, can you?" Sirius asked shocked.
Her eye flashed. "Oh, but I can." She continued walking. "Goodbye Black."
Sirius opened his mouth to protest, but was interrupted by James and Remus exiting the prefect compartment. His attention moved elsewhere as he and his friends made their way back to their compartment, where the last of their party waited for them, but he still glanced at the girl ahead of them until she disappeared inside her compartment, closing the door behind her.
As they passed he looked through the window and narrowed his eyes when he saw her sitting with Regulus, his arm around her waist.
What the…?
"Padfoot?" Remus asked. "Something wrong?"
He noticed Remus's curious and concerned look and James's intense gaze and smiled. "Nope."
I won't let him have her. He thought darkly.
Regulus saw his brother and his friends pass the compartment out of the corner of his eye, and he also noticed Sirius's gaze on Emily. Regulus pulled Emily closer so she rested her head on his shoulder and tightened his grip possessively.
Mine.
