Chapter 35: Lies
"Oh, I can't believe I'm finally done!" Narcissa gushed. "It seems like just yesterday I was a first year, and now…I'm a graduate on my very last train ride to Kings Cross. It all just seems so sudden. I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself now that I'm no longer a student."
"Then it's very lucky that you have your inheritance to support you, or whatever would you do?" Regulus drawled from beside her. "Adding in your engagement to Malfoy to the fact that you're now out of Hogwarts, I'm sure you'll have nothing to do with yourself."
Narcissa turned and glared at her cousin. "There's no need to be sarcastic. You're lucky to be my cousin, or you wouldn't be invited to the event of the year, my wedding."
Regulus gave her a bored expression. "Narcissa, you invited almost all of the pureblood community. You can't stand anyone not giving you their entire attention on your special day. Even if I wasn't related to you, I'd probably still be invited."
Narcissa's nose scrunched as if she had something rotten under it and she turned away with an insulted 'hmph!'
Emily rolled her eyes and shared a look with Regulus. He made a face at Narcissa's back and Emily laughed quietly. Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her challengingly and Emily bit her lip and forced a frown, returning her attention to the book in her lap.
"Well Emily, I know you'll be looking forward to my wedding, you're going to be one of my bridesmaids after all."
Emily's eyes widened and she looked up sharply. "What?"
Regulus raised an eyebrow. "She is? Since when?"
Narcissa studied her nails. "Fiona has caught some illness that has bloated her face and is very contagious. She won't be able to make dress fittings and I can't make any exceptions for anyone. Everything must go on schedule and I need a new third bridesmaid. So Emily, I'd like it to be you."
Emily was a loss for words and looked to Regulus for help.
"Ah, Narcissa, Emily and I are going to France." Emily shot him a curious look, but he ignored it. "So she wouldn't be able to make the dress fitting. Can't you find some other girl, or-"
"No," Narcissa interrupted firmly. "Everyone else are complete and utter idiots and will try to show me up. Emily is practically family, she'll be joining it one day after all," Emily blushed and refused to look at Regulus while he shifted awkwardly. Narcissa rolled her eyes at their behavior and continued. "And I want her as one of my bridesmaids. And it's not like you two will be joined at the hip. Emily will be able to spare a few days to floo back for the fittings and rehearsals. So what do you say Emily? Be my bridesmaid?"
Emily looked to Regulus for help again, but he just shrugged. She turned back to Narcissa and tried not to grimace. "I… I… um. I'm flattered, Narcissa-"
"Cissy."
Emily nodded. "Cissy… But, I…I actually didn't think you liked me that much. After what happened my second year with that hair growth potion and everything…"
Narcissa laughed. "Oh, Emily, don't be silly. That's all behind us now. Besides, I think that you fully redeemed yourself by helping with the little mishap with Pearl. Besides, do you really think I'd let you be around me or any other of my family members if I didn't like you?"
Emily didn't say anything and remained unsure.
Narcissa sighed and reached forward to pat Emily's knee. "Don't be so hesitant. It's a simple question and should have a simple answer. If you don't want to I completely understand."
"No," Emily said quickly. "No, I do. I was just wondering why is all. It just seems so sudden." She smiled, a little forcibly. "I'd be," she struggled for the right word. "Honored to be on of your bridesmaids."
Regulus smirked in amusement, but didn't comment. When Emily looked at him he nodded in approval and she felt a little relief before turning her attention back to Narcissa, who sat back and smiled.
"Wonderful. Arrangements will be made once I get home. I'll owl you the details and the dates. Oh, this is going to be so fun! I had such an enjoyable time planning Bella's wedding, and now I get to plan my own! And I'm sure it will be great fun getting to know each other better."
"Yeah," Emily said with fake enthusiasm. "It'll be great." She looked around the compartment awkwardly. Taking a moment to watch the scenery pass through the window. Somehow, Emily wished the train would go a little faster and she would be free of school ties. That included Narcissa's eagerness for them to bond. Emily glanced at her watch and smiled.
"Oh, darn. I have to go. I have my prefects' rounds. Gotta make sure the train is safe and all that." She tried not to make her happiness obvious. She stood and smiled at Narcissa and Regulus. "Have fun without me."
She left the compartment, smirking as she heard Regulus's fleeting voice complaining.
"Why can't you go sit with someone else Narcissa?"
"And leave my favorite cousin all by himself? Never."
Emily laughed quietly and closed the door behind her before making her way down the corridor, checking in the compartments. End of the year train rounds were always boring, and on the off chance of actually coming across someone breaking rules you couldn't do anything about it but tell them off. And then once you leave every just goes back to doing whatever they want. It was the end of the year, and no one wanted to listen to the student authority figures. The Head Boy himself was being especially rowdy now that he was finished with school.
Emily rolled her eyes to herself. Quite the role model her brother was.
Emily had made it to the end of the train and was about to turn back when a hand shot out of a compartment and grabbed her. Emily shrieked and fell onto the seat, her hair obscuring her vision. As she tried to right herself she heard the door click close and lock. Emily began to protest loudly, but her mouth was covered and her attacker's face was an inch from her own.
She narrowed her eyes and tried to yell, but it came out as muffled because of the offending hand over her mouth.
Sirius smirked. "Surprised?"
Emily glared and tried to move his hand, but he was faster and soon Emily found herself underneath him and her arms trapped to her sides. Her muffled protests increases tenfold and Sirius watched, amused. He stared down at her, an eyebrow raised, and waited until she stopped. When she did, her glare still in place, he smiled.
"Are you done?" He asked.
She nodded.
"And if I move my hand, you promise not to scream?"
She nodded again.
Sirius slowly moved his hand.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing!? Get off-!"
Sirius covered her mouth again. "You little liar." He chuckled. "Now how am I supposed to talk to you about us if you're just going to scream? This is not a good way to start a relationship."
Emily had about enough of his babble and struggled harder. He wasn't pushed off, seeing as his bigger build could over power Emily easily, but he slipped slightly. Emily then took the opportunity to bit him, hard.
"Ow!" Sirius exclaimed, pulling back.
Emily freed her arms and pushed him further away, her back hitting the wall as she scooted away. "What is wrong with you?"
"Me? What's wrong with you?" He examined his hand. "Geez, if I knew you liked it rough…" He looked up and smirked. "But I guess that could make it more fun."
Emily just wanted to wipe that smug smirk off his face so bad that she felt like punching something. So she did, she hit him right in the face. And felt a little better as she watched him fall to the floor, cradling his cheek with one hand.
Sirius rubbed his cheek. "Okay, I may have deserved that. I will make a note that you hate surprises."
Emily sneered at him and tried to get passed him to the door. She reached for the lock, but Sirius grabbed her arm from his position on the floor.
"Wait Emily, I just need-"
Emily kicked him in the stomach and reached for the door again.
"Ugh!" Sirius exclaimed, holding his stomach.
Emily smiled triumphantly as she got the lock undone and grabbed the door handle.
"Emily, wait!" Sirius called. Emily through him a look and opened the door.
"Incarcerous!"
Ropes wrapped themselves around her and she struggled, opening her mouth to scream…
"Hey! Sirius, you-"
"Silencio!"
Emily screamed at him, but no sound came out of her mouth. Frustration covered her face and she turned to hop away, the ropes around her legs not allowing her to run.
"No!"
Sirius launched forward and grabbed her ankles.
If she could have screamed in pain when she landed hard on the ground with no way to support herself, she would have. Emily, momentarily stunned by pain, didn't struggle as Sirius dragged her back into the compartment and closed and locked the door again. He sighed and leaned against the door, glancing down at Emily's struggling form.
"You really are very difficult. I just wanted to talk."
Emily shifted back and forth until she could push herself to sit up and face Sirius. She glared and mouthed something to him.
Sirius placed a hand at his ear and grinned. "Sorry, what was that? You're gonna need to speak up deary."
Emily tried to scream at him, but still nothing came out. Sirius laughed, but gasped when she kicked his shin with the heels of her tied feet. He slid down the door and massaged it, a tiny glare directed at her.
"Now that wasn't very nice. Use your words, Emily."
She kicked him again.
"Okay! Okay!" Sirius exclaimed, massaging his other shin. He pulled out his wand at pointed it at her, but paused, thinking better of it. "You'll probably scream at me when I reverse the charm." He pointed his wand behind him at the door and muttered the silencing charm again, then pointed it at her again.
Emily's voice returned and she proved so by trying it out on Sirius. "Are you completely crazy?! What is wrong with you?! If you wanted to talk to me you could have just…talked! You didn't have to kidnap me!"
"I thought that this would be more fun. I'm starting to rethink that now." He rubbed his cheek. "When I pictured this meeting I pictured you causing me…" He glanced at Emily and she glared with hatred. "…not pain."
She sneered. "You're disgusting. Now untie me!"
"Will you hit me after I do?"
"No." She said immediately.
"Don't lie."
She pouted. "…Maybe."
Sirius smiled and stood, pulling her up easily by the rope and sitting her down on the bench and taking a seat across from her on the other seat. "So then it wouldn't be very smart of me to let you go then."
"Well you're not known to be smart." She said smartly. "You're what people call a beauty with no brains."
Sirius smirked and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "So you find me attractive."
"No, I find you annoying."
"You can be very mean when you want to be."
Emily smiled sweetly. "You only think that because I harbor up all pent up emotions and set them off on you."
"Does that include your passion?" He asked slyly.
She made a face. "What?"
Sirius stood and leaned over her, cupping her cheek. "I haven't stopped thinking about the kiss we shared."
Emily pulled away, or at least tried. "Sirius that was months ago."
"But it might as well have been yesterday, because everything about it is still fresh in my mind." His hand trailed over her face and ran through her hair.
Emily hoped his hand got closer to her face again so she could bite him again. "Sirius, it was just a kiss. I've kissed you before, they didn't mean anything."
"Don't say that." He said softly. "Don't lie anymore."
"I'm not lying. It didn't mean anything to me." She said calmly.
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Sirius screamed at her, his grip on her tightening. Emily flinched and turned away from him. Sirius softened and loosened his hold, turning her face gently. "Why are you lying?"
"Sirius," She stared up into his sad eyes, her own serious. "I'm not lying."
He smirked, although Emily could see it was forced. "I thought I told you that you should start choosing for yourself instead of what is best for someone else."
"If I was doing that," she said. "Then I would tell you that I love you and pretend that when I kiss you I feel something. I have chosen for myself and I've chosen Regulus."
"No!" Sirius grabbed her shoulders and shook her sharply once. "Why would you choose him?! He is a spoiled, selfish brat who thinks he should get whatever he wants. He'll choose a life serving Voldemort and will never love you as much as I do!"
"Is that why I should choose you Sirius? Because your life is so much harder than Regulus's? You think that because he has his inheritance, still has a home, and parents that love him that he doesn't deserve to have someone that loves him. You think that you deserve more love than him because you've been so deprived?" Emily glared. "The only spoiled brat I see is you. I don't love you Sirius, I love Regulus, and he deserves to be loved just as anyone else does."
"But he doesn't deserve your love!" Sirius exclaimed. He cupped her face again and stood her up, bringing her closer, his face inches from hers. "I do." He whispered.
Emily stared up at him, feeling a little less then compassionate towards Sirius and his sadness because she still had ropes wrapped around her and he was keeping her captive against her will. "Sirius…" She said softly.
"Yes?" He asked, leaning even closer, his breath brushing against her lips.
"Stop whining, let me go, and face that life won't always go your way." She snapped.
Sirius's leaned back in surprise, his eyes wide. "Emily-"
"No, don't say anything else." She said, hopping out of his grasp and leaning on the door. "You're officially an adult now that you've graduated and it's time you start acting like one! Stop thinking that you can have whatever you want just because you think you deserve it; face the hardships and be a man!"
Sirius's face darkened and he stepped closer to her again, placing a hand on the wall on either side of her head. "You want me to be a man? Fine." Before Emily could even blink her bounds were cut and Sirius was holding her hands above her head, one of his hands covering both of her wrists while the other pocketed his wand. "Fine," he repeated lowly, leaning closer, his free hand cupping the back of her head. "Then I'll show you what a man who really loves you can do."
Emily's eyes widened and she gasped in response as Sirius attacked her mouth. Emily took a brief moment to wonder why she was always being pressed against a door or a wall and being taken advantage of, and then another second to realize that besides the fact that Sirius was a really good kisser, even though it was one-sided on his part, she didn't have any emotion besides annoyance, anger, and frustration towards him.
She twitched…and only the slightest bit of guilt crossed her mind as she kicked him in a very painful spot.
Emily rubbed her wrists and stared down at Sirius as he withered on the floor, cupping himself. "Sirius," She took a deep breath and composed herself. "No matter what, and no matter who with, you will always get…something, some kind of response, from a girl when you kiss her. Especially with your kiss, but that doesn't mean…" She struggled, her hands balling up into fists. "You say you love me Sirius, but why are you always trying to hurt and confuse me?"
Sirius groaned, his face turning a bit red and a vein n his forehead sticking out slightly. Emily wondered if she kicked him too hard, but over looked her sympathy and answered her own question. "It's because you're selfish. You say you want to talk to me and get me to understand your feelings, but why does it seem every meeting ends with you trying to get physical? It's because that's all you want Sirius and once you get what you want everything else will seem dull. You think on the spot, I think about everything. If what you wanted to happen ever happened, we'd kill each other. We would never work out."
Sirius looked up at her, a brush of pain still lining his face. "Emily… Don't."
Emily turned away and unlocked the door. Her back stayed facing him, her hand on the door handle. "You told me not to lie to myself and to choose for myself. Well if I stayed with you I'd be doing just that. I…I choose Regulus."
"Please…Emily." He whispered pleadingly.
"I'm sorry, Sirius." She whispered. Before any further protests could be voiced she opened to door and left Sirius in the compartment alone, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door.
"I'm sorry." She whispered again.
She stood for a moment longer before sighing and heading back to her compartment; to Regulus.
Emily trudged through the corridor towards her room, feeling weary and annoyed. She was currently in Paris with Regulus, staying in a hotel in the French wizarding community. She had been having a lovely time in France with Regulus in the beginning, until she received an owl from Narcissa about the first dress fitting.
She had just been through hours of a dress fitter poking her with her wand and pins, hormonal women gushing over Narcissa's upcoming wedding, and Bellatrix, Narcissa's maid of honor, telling Emily all about how she was proudly serving the Dark Lord. And how he was looking forward to Emily joining his ranks.
Emily very much doubted that the Dark Lord cared about one reluctant witch when he had many others who were more willing to join his ranks.
Sighing, Emily opened the door to her room that she was sharing with Regulus and entered, closing the door behind her.
"Regulus?"
Regulus looked up. "Emily, you're back, finally."
Emily raised an eyebrow and realized that Regulus was in the same place and position as he was when she left him that morning: in his bed, his blankets still covering him, and his arms spread out.
"Are you still in bed you lazy git?" Striding over to the violet curtains covering the window, she threw them open. She smiled and gazed at the beauty that was Paris, the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Her tiny moment was broken by Regulus's groan of protest and she turned, hands on hips, watching as he threw an arm over his unadjusted eyes. "Regulus, can you tell me why you are in the exact same position as you were when I left? You are in Paris, I'm sure there could have been something exciting and cultural for you to do."
Regulus sat up and squinted at her, his blankets pooling around his waist and his naked chest becoming visible to Emily. She raised an eyebrow, hardly fazed, and tilted her head. Regulus scratched his head, tousling his hair, and yawned. "Well, I thought it would be boring without you. So I stayed here and waited for you."
She rolled her eyes and went to the other window, opening the curtains and letting more light into the room. "Yeah right, you were being lazy. Using my day away as an excuse to sleep in till four o'clock in the afternoon." She opened a window and let the fresh air into the room. She sighed and leaned against the windowsill, drinking in the sights in front of her.
She felt arms wrapping around her from behind and leaned back to lay her head against Regulus's chest, him resting his chin at the crook of her neck to see what she saw, but looking less than impressed. "Well if someone didn't drag me around France, not resting for one moment, then maybe I wouldn't have had to sleep so long while you were gone."
Emily sniffed indignantly. "Not my fault you don't find the cultural history behind this city as interesting as I do."
He rolled his eyes. "Sorry for not finding muggle art and their history less then remarkable."
"I thought the art in the Louvre were beautiful."
"They didn't even move." He said deadpanned. "I can't understand why you've had us interacting with all those muggles when we could have just stayed in the wizarding areas with our own kind."
"I want to experience France, all of France, and that includes interacting with muggles."
"Fine. We'll go see whatever you want, as long as you don't start preaching about muggle equality and how they're no different than us. Then I'll know you've gone completely insane."
Emily glanced at him and narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to insult me?"
"No, no, of course not." He said quickly. "So, um, did you have fun at the dress fitting thing?"
Emily rolled her eyes at the obvious change of subject, but answered anyway. "Boring. The lady poked me a million times when measuring and stuff, and when it wasn't my turn all Narcissa and the rest wanted to talk about was clothes and the wedding." She groaned. "And I have to go to three more and then the rehearsal. And I had so hoped for this summer to be relaxing."
"It can still be relaxing." Regulus said, kissing her neck. "We'll do whatever you want during our vacation until it's time to go back for the wedding."
Emily turned in his grip and smiled up at him slyly, her hands on his bare chest. "Really?"
He nodded, leaning closer. "Whatever you think might help you relax."
She bit her lip in anticipation. "Then I know exactly what we can do." She moved away from Regulus and headed for the bed.
Regulus inwardly cheered and congratulated himself on his manipulation skills. Suddenly bundles of clothes hit him in the face. He stumbled staring down at the shirt and pants in his arms then at Emily, who was rifling through her things at a quick pace.
"Emily, wha…?"
"Get dressed, we can't have you waking around in your pajamas." She said happily, pulling off her robes and revealing the blue shirt and gray skirt she was wearing underneath.
He blinked at her quick change. "We're going out?"
She gave him an amused look. "What, did you really think we'd be staying in? Especially after you just spent the whole day sleeping?"
"Sleeping wasn't what I had in mind by staying in." He mumbled.
Emily paused, her back to him, and stared down at her purse, a thoughtful look and sad look in her eyes. She bit her lip and her hands balled into fists. "I can't."
"What?" Regulus asked absentmindedly as he pulled on his shirt and zipped his pants.
"Nothing." Emily turned to him and smiled. "Come on, we're going to go do something very fun and relaxing."
"What?"
Emily opened the door to the corridor and held it open for Regulus, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Shopping."
Regulus groaned and Emily laughed, closing the door after them. She was fully intending on making every moment she spent in France fun and not let anything that had happened or may happen hang over her head.
There would be no more lies in her life.
