Chapter Eleven

A day had passed since their conversation, and suddenly Emma was having second thoughts. She didn't want Tom to come home with her; she didn't want things to be weird between them. Sure, he was handsome and would make an excellent distraction, but she didn't want things to change.

She was lying on her bed in the dormitory when all of a sudden, an owl flew through the open window.

She reached up and grabbed the letter that was tied to it's feet.

Emma, it read, By the time you read this, daddy and I will have fled the country. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye. I don't know how long we're going to survive, but Em, you can't let anyone know that we've left. You have the entire manor. You have everything. You'll figure it out, eventually. I love you, sweetheart. I hope we'll be able to see you soon. Mum.

"No." Emma whispered as tears started to pour down her eyes. "No."

She grabbed a quill and a piece of homework—the closest thing to her—and wrote on the back.

Mum, no...please don't leave without me. I want to come with you! I love you so much. Please wait for me. I'll come home as soon as I can. Please! I love you.

She sent the owl back and burst into tears, lying down on her bed. She cried into the pillow, and she couldn't stop. It wasn't until the door opened that she stopped sobbing and lay still, her face against the pillow. She couldn't breathe. Everything in her chest hurt. Everything in her entire body hurt. She felt like she was going to be sick.

"Emma?" A female voice whispered. The blonde girl wasn't positive, but she assumed that it was Catherine or Gertrude. The voice was kind, so she assumed the latter. "Are you okay?"

She nodded her head, refusing to speak a word. She couldn't let Tom find out about this; he'd question it to no end. Knowing Tom, even though she was probably the only person who was really 'close' to him, he'd use her family to his advantage. Emma wasn't stupid enough to not realize that the Ashwood clan had some very dark secrets. I wish I had a brother to carry on the family name. She thought. Then she started tearing up again. Her parents were gone. She hoped that they'd gotten her owl. She waited until her roommate left again, and when the footsteps went down the hall, she sat up, wiping her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at her watch. Eleven twenty seven. She was due to meet Tom in three minutes, but she supposed being early wouldn't do much to hurt her. Although she wouldn't tell Tom about her parents, seeing him would be a bit comforting. She supposed that he would be calm and cool. She stood up and looked in the mirror, and went to take a step towards the vanity before she stumbled and fell back onto the bed, bursting into tears again.

She looked at her watch again. Eleven thirty. Wiping her eyes, she knew she had to get downstairs before Tom came up and found her looking like a mess. She grabbed the brush and ran it through her hair quickly, before wiping her eyes again and going downstairs. She was secretly happy that she didn't wear a whole lot of makeup, like some of the other girls. Her face would be black streaks by now.

She got down to the Common Room and saw him sitting on his favourite couch—the farthest away from the rest of society. She walked over and plopped down next to him, letting herself fall against the back of the comfy furniture. She closed her eyes, relaxing her body for the first time in about half an hour, and when she opened them, she saw Tom staring at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She replied quickly, "I'm just stressed out."

"What's up?"

"My mum owled me." Emma replied truthfully, "She told me that I can't come home for Christmas because she and dad are going somewhere on vacation. Not sure where though." Tom stared at her for a moment longer.

"That's too bad." He said, "I was looking forward to it, a bit. I know you wanted to go home badly though."

"I did." Emma admitted. Now she never wanted to go back, "But oh well!" She smiled, an idea brightening her up a bit, "We'll be able to spend Christmas together here!"

Tom bit his lip, smiling slightly at her attempted enthusiasm. He slid closer to her, putting his arm around her waist.

"Tom, what are you doing?"

"Why are you lying to me?" He asked softly, caressing her cheek softly, "I can tell when anyone is lying, Emma."

She pushed him away. "I'm not lying to you, you prick." She replied, annoyed, "And you should know that I won't fall for that stupid trick."

He was quiet for a few minutes, but decided that tonight was not the night to push her. She seemed on edge about something. "Sorry." He said dully. Emma barely heard him. She watched the entrance where Abraxas was walking in with Lestrange and Avery.

She got up and walked over to Abraxas, "Hey Brax." She said, kissing him fully on the lips. "I've missed you." She added as an undertone, smiling up at him. Avery looked nauseous while Lestrange looked amused. And Abraxas was surprised. For the past couple weeks, she'd seemed a bit distant. He was terrified that she would break up with him.

"I've missed you too." He said, "And hey, my parents were wondering if your family is coming over for Christmas Eve?"

"Emma's parents," a smooth voice said from right next to Emma's ear, "Will be otherwise occupied this break." Emma and Abraxas both turned to Tom. "So, she'll be staying here this year."

"You are welcome to come stay with me, Em." Abraxas offered. Tom looked furious, but he hid it quickly as he looked at Emma for her response.

"Maybe, I'll absolutely think about it." She said sweetly, kissing Abraxas on the cheek. Tom turned around and furiously stomped out of the Common Room. Emma raised an eyebrow. She wasn't used to that kind of anger or outburst on his part. Nevertheless, there was no way she was going to follow him out today and have to deal with all his angst or whatever.

"I'm going to go to bed, sweetheart." She looked up at Abraxas, who frowned.

"I was hoping I'd have you for a little longer, tonight." He said suggestively, pushing his arm up under her shirt a bit, pulling it up slightly. She responded by kissing him for a quick moment and then pulling away.

"Maybe later." She winked, and kissed him again, "Goodnight."

"Night." He mumbled, watching her walk away. Geez, Emma really did swagger...

A/N: Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry it's been so long! I feel awful. I've rewritten this part of the story about ten times, and this is the best way so far. It's not even done, but once I hit about three pages I wanted to post something because it's been almost three months. I've been so busy with school and life, but yet people are still reviewing and alerting which I appreciate. Thank you to all my reviewers! And everything with Emma's parents is happening for a reason, it's not just a little plot filler, I promise! Til next time! (Which will be soon maybe)