A/N: Updated as of 1/21/2014. This chapter has been entirely re-done. I will probably come back and revise it another day but let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based off the fictional characters of JK Rowling. The title is a stolen line from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Y6: A Madness Most Discreet

It was Potions class once again. The rumors around school after what had gone on at Hogsmeade swarmed throughout the school. A good percentage of the school had a theory that it involved the sixth year Gryffindors as they all noticed the marauders had been missing. However, that theory also said that the boys had pulled a prank that sent Dumbledore to St. Mungo's and the girls were in on it because Dumbledore had threatened not to let them move on to seventh year if they didn't strut around his room in lingerie. ….The theory RUMOR was NOT true! …

But Lily, Marlene, and Emmy had all felt the stares on their backs as they sat in Slughorn's class. However soon the class was engrossed in their potions projects. Lily sat doing all the work as Malfoy sat with his Slytherin friends. And, well, Sirius was already done because he bought his. But of course that didn't stop his creepy potions partner on badly flirting with him. James mostly let Severus do the work because it would "prevent any altercations" if they just didn't speak at all. Marlene had fallen asleep… of course. And Emmeline sat huddled over a pot with Tobias Fiddler.

"This is our last class together," he muttered to her.

She stirred the potion three times until it turned from bright orange to light brown, she sighed, "Yes, I know."

"We turn in the project next class," he reminded her.

"I-I know, Toby," she whispered his name softly.

"Are you okay, Emmeline?" he asked seriously.

She looked up at him and gave him a soft smile, "Of course, I am."

"It's just," he tapped his fingers on the desk top, "there are a lot of rumors going around."

"And I told you, those are all lies."

"Yes, but, Emmeline, you never told me what did happen. Why did you guys leave Hogwarts? Where did you go? What—"

"Stop it," she cut him off annoyed but did it quietly so no one would hear, "I told you that I am not allowed to tell you. I wish I could, but I cannot."

He nodded, his jaw clenched.

She looked at him quickly feeling hurt that she was shutting him out like this.

"Can we meet again tonight?" he asked her.

Emmeline smiled slightly as she added roots of a flower, "Of course."

"In Hannibal's classroom after curfew," he whispered seductively and then Slughorn spoke up.

"Alright, alright," Slughorn said to the classroom, "finish what you are doing and put your potions in the very back! Class is dismissed."

Most of the class was happy to get out, Marlene had woken up in a good mood. But Emmeline took her time as Tobias helped her clean up. And every few seconds, his hand would brush hers and she felt her face go hot.

…..

She crept around the corridors quietly. No one could hear her, no one could see her. Lily had rounds tonight. Remus usually covered this part of the building but he was sick so if Lily did decide to do his part then she wouldn't get to here until very late. So Emmeline walked quickly and carefully.

She opened the door to Hannibal's room and quickly peaked in and then turned to look back out where she had come. No one was coming. Just as she closed the door soundlessly, hands came up to cover her eyes.

Emmeline giggled, "Stop it, you arse."

"That's not a nice thing to call your boyfriend," he whispered into her ear.

"Boyfriend?" Emmeline perked up, "Is that what we are?"

He took his hands away and kissed her gently, "Does secret lover spies work for you?"

She smiled but it wasn't exactly a true smile, she had preferred the term boyfriend more. But that's what this had been, hasn't it? Two people who meet a few nights a week and then make out and then that's it… No one could know. He wanted it that way, and maybe she did too. … But maybe she didn't.

"So will you tell me now?" he took her hand and brought her to sit on a desk with him.

She frowned and shook her head.

"What about now?" he kissed her neck playfully.

She giggled, "Stop it, Tobias that tickles."

He kissed her again and again and muttered into her neck, "Tell me, tell me, tell me."

Then she twitched away from him and brought his face to meet hers. She kissed him and then pulled away, "Tobias… I'm not allowed."

"Is it embarrassing or—"

"No, no," Emmeline shook her head, "it's just… it's secretive. And it's not my secret to tell."

"Yes, but your name is being thrown into these rumors. I think you should be allowed to tell then."

She shrugged, "The secret matters more to me than the rumors. Besides, you'll know soon enough."

He sighed.

She put her hand on his lap and leaned in to kiss him. The kiss lingered for a few minutes and remained this soft sort of yearning for one another, but neither was willing to let it get rough and messy.

"Emmeline Vance," he whispered to her, "I think—I think I love you."

She pulled away and looked at him. Emmeline couldn't help but blush. And so he kissed her neck, and her stomach filled with butterflies. She liked this. The secrecy. And the thrill. And the danger of someone walking in on you any minute! … But she didn't love it.

Emmeline had away with getting guys to stop by bringing their face to hers. But she did not kiss him. She looked into his eyes. They were a gold brown. And she liked them quite a lot. She liked the way they stared at her like that. And she never wanted them to stop looking at her like that. But she needed to say what she truly wanted.

"I want a real relationship," Emmeline smiled to him.

He laughed a bit confused, "What like sex? I didn't think you were ready for—"

"No," Emmeline shook her head cutting him off, "Not like sex."

He leaned away from her, "Emmeline, what do you mean then?"

She gulped saddened that he hadn't understood her, but she went on, "I want us to date—and not in secrecy! Like proper dates! The next Hogsmeade trip I want to be with you, I want you to take my hand and kiss me publicly and let me borrow your coat if I get to cold! And I want you to share a butterbeer with me as we sit in The Three Broomsticks and I… I just want to be with you," she sighed, "Not all the time. I want you to be with your friends still… I don't know, I just want to know that you love me."

"But I just said I did."

Emmeline turned away from him frustrated, "I know you did! But how do I know you mean it? How do I know you aren't embarrassed by me? That—"

"Embarrassed? How could I ever be embarrassed by you?"

She shrugged, "I'm a Gryffindor. I'm a muggle- lover. I'm the enemy of Slytherin!"

"I don't care," he said softly to her, "that doesn't mean anything to me."

She gave him a shy smile.

He took her hand and brought her back to him, "Emmeline Vance, you are mine. And I love you, always remember that."

As she looked at their fingers intertwined on his lap, she whispered back, "I love you too, Tobias."

And then he guided her chin up and pressed his lips to hers. The longer it went, the more daring he became. He kissed her roughly. And then he moved his hands up and down her body as she pressed herself to him and lost her fingers in his hair.

Perhaps he became a bit too playful, but she didn't stop him. Because he loved her and she loved him. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.