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It wasn't like the Potter family to have more than one child. It was odd to say but for Mr. and Mrs. Potter, they saw the chance of having a daughter as a new way to spoil James, their elder child. James and Emily grew up much like the other wizarding families. Being aware of their name and how much it held in comparison, which wasn't a terribly amount but enough to know their place in the world. They were mischievous in their youth, and it didn't change once they started to realize just how to control their own magic. Though separated by fourteen months, they were quite inseparable considering James accidentally jinked Emily's toy broom with their father's wand. It took nearly half the day to get her down and it earned him a month-long grounding. He grumbled about it all summer until getting his Hogwarts letter.

James had pulled his untidy black hair back several times as Emily sat braiding her own black hair, hearing the cheers coming from the dining room. The playful sense of duty came as they journeyed to Diagon Alley to get his supplies and Emily was afforded a certain amount of freedom without him there to pester her. It was rather nice to not have to hear James making so much noise.

For Christmas, his first year, he brought back a friend. This boy was tall, almost too tall Emily thought. He had curly black hair and grey eyes that stared at her. Though the boys were loud together, she took special care to learn this new friend's name and found he often did everything for show. In moments with her alone, he was a bit more reserved but still very kind.

"Why are you over there?" offered Sirius waving a hand with a smile on his face. "Come and sit by the fire. It's warmer here."

Sitting down on the cushion beside him, she stayed relatively immobile, unsure what to do but genuinely appreciated his company. He reached over and pulled out her father's wizard chess set offering to play with her.

"I don't know how to play," she said shaking her head. His gray eyes were shining a bit in excitement.

"Well, I'll teach you then," smiled Sirius, opening the box at once.

Blushing a bit, they played for several hours as the sun disappeared fully from the sky. After a big yawn, they agreed to stop but spent many more hours simply talking about her excitement for Hogwarts. They were found near the fireplace by her father sometime later, both well asleep. She was nestled on him, her black hair covering most of his chest, and using him as a pillow. Sirius had an arm curled around her side for protection that held her surprising in place without falling out. Her father lightly separated them and gently nudged both awake. Sirius rubbed his eyes and smiled before going to find James, who was likely well snoring loudly in his room.

After a few days, Sirius had to return home, and the house became quiet again without James or Emily really talking. But the memory of him holding her tightly remained. Looking around her room, she saw the small gifts from her family and relatives but the long scarf that Sirius got her sat on top of a short bookshelf near her bed. It was mauve in color and was shined with its gold sparkles. When they returned to Hogwarts, she waved high up at Sirius who came over and hugged her greatly. Brushing her hair aside as it had caught itself in his mouth, he fluffed the scarf up a bit earning him a blush from Emily.

"Enjoy your term," she said quietly returning the hug.

"See you at Easter," he said as James called his name to board.

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It was not too long before people were staring at her too. All around the house Emily realized just how different things would be now that she had received her own letter to Hogwarts. James was happily exclaiming how fun it was and how he and Sirius had so much to show her. He kept talking about his friend so much it was making her head hurt. That evening, there was a small envelope sitting on her desk with a single carnation lying on top of it.

Emily, I heard you received your letter! I hope your first year at Hogwarts is as exciting as mine was. I can't wait to see you and James before school starts in Diagon Alley, unless Mother choses to be a right foul woman breathing fire from her mouth about why I shouldn't be friends with you lot. My brother Regulus is also heading to Hogwarts. Most likely he will be in Slytherin like all the rest of my disgusting family.

Well, I can't wait for the train to leave on September 1st regardless. Let's meet up at the station if possible. If not, I'll find you on the train. Hard to miss you when James is super loud about you finally coming too.

- Sirius

It was a late August day that James and Emily stood outside the shops in Diagon Alley. Staring up from the list in her hand, she asked where to go first. James bellowed that getting your wand was most important. He had said it was the most important thing all summer. Practically running toward Ollivander's, Emily recalled last year when James got a wand picked out within minutes. However, for her it seemed the pile was getting larger and larger by the minute. After nearly an hour and the stacks nearly toppling over, she let out a loud sigh seeming to agree a wand would never understand her. The hype that James gave her was dying in comparison to his ease.

The boy was even frowning and asking to leave with their father. Mr. Ollivander rubbed his chin a moment before walking to the back and grabbing a thin black box covered with green ribbon. Opening it carefully, she noticed the dark ebony, eleven-inch wand sitting peacefully on its cushion. There was a light amber webbed design over the handle that brightly shined in comparison to the hidden ebony.

"Try this one," offered Ollivander. The wand let out a shower of sparks in red and green brightly. For a few moments, there was a darkening of light before returning to its bright glow.

"Curious…"

"What's curious about this one?" she said worried it meant something wrong.

"Miss Potter never has a member of your family ever possessed a Phoenix feather, and that alone is a great curiosity. A wand like this sometimes acts of its own accord and the creature it comes from often detaches from the world, making it quite alone and peaceful. Miss Potter, its curious that you as the only daughter born in several hundred years would possess such a wand."

Nervously she accepted the box and the soft nod from Mr. Ollivander made her worry it may be the wrong wand. In her pocket, it sat without much of any noise as the afternoon slipped away into a healthy amount of laughter and joy. After leaving and stowing her books away in her trunk, she wiped her brow recounting if she had everything for school. Hearing her father call for dinner, she turned, leaving the wand on its cushion. That evening, as it lay still, there was that soft glow again. Watching it from her bed, she thought how odd it all was.

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She stared at the ruby red engine, standing firmly beside her father, small hands grasping tightly in her father's.

"James!" called Mr. Potter, a finger pointed down at Emily. The boy had run off joining his friends, the mop of black hair disappearing several times along the station. Their parents leant down to hug their daughter before giving her a big kiss, wishing her luck on the long ride.

Emily stood on the edge peering over her shoulder, a nervous smile appeared faintly as she took small steps inward. Her trunk trailed beside her a moment before she began down the walkway. Nodding quietly at a group of girls who eyed her closely, Emily heard the train horn blow loudly. Opening a nearby compartment, she spotted a tall boy with brown hair pushing his trunk onto the top rack. When he turned, she saw piercing blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean. His hands remained on the trunk, unwilling to move. But his eyes seemed to travel down her a moment before settling. Blinking several times, he reached out to steady them both as several students pushed her inward.

"Mind your step. Are you alright?" he asked tenderly, securing a hold on the large trunk beside them. "You seem really lost."

"I'm not sure where my brother went. He disappeared somewhere without helping me onboard. Mum and Dad even told him," said Emily quietly pulling her trunk in and attempting to raise it up. The boy took it swiftly and placed it beside his before taking a seat near the large window. Taking the seat opposite the boy, Emily felt the train jerk forward once more and begin to move after nearly twenty minutes of silence. No one tried to enter through the compartment door, nor did James or Sirius appear.

"Now we wait for the long ride to Hogwarts," he muttered staring out the window as King's Cross Station slowly opened revealing London. "My name's David Luke. You?"

"My name's Emily," she answered quietly. "I've never been to Hogwarts before."

"I'm a second year," he said watching her as the train picked up speed through the countryside. "I don't recognize anyone outside my house. Wait, are you a first year?"

Nodding, Emily took notice of the interest in his ocean blue eyes as he leaned forward onto his knees. Whoever this boy was, he was quite handsome.

"I'm going to Hogwarts for the first time, but I can't say I'm particularly happy about it. I get to deal with my brother full time again. Probably will be in Gryffindor house like everyone else in my family. Mum and Dad made him promise to keep an eye on me, but that's doubtful."

"You speak ill of him after losing one another at King's Cross. It's logical to doubt your siblings, at least that's what my friends say about theirs." He smiled behind his hand, letting out a heartfelt laugh. "I don't have any myself, so I'm spared from such difficulties. Who is your brother? Maybe I know him. What's his house?"

"He's a second year—" she began a wide grin crossing her face. Pushing back a stray hair behind her ear, she found his blue eyes staring back at her. He was smirking a bit as though trying to figure out who James was.

"I might know him then!" he laughed, though his eyes darted sideways as the door rattled. "What's his name?"

Emily sat up straight and smirked, knowing that James was popular based on his letters.

"His name is James Potter."

Suddenly David's whole body stilted, and she could see there was a change in his posture. His eyes had widened and suddenly he leaned back in the seat, his foot crossing over the other knee. Without looking away, his hands clenched together refusing to unlock. Outside the window the passing fields of green escaped by as they stared unsure where to begin.

"Potter?" he repeated testing the limits of the name. His eyes narrowed cautiously before closing in thought. "James Potter is your brother?"

"Yes, he's a—"

"Yes, I know Potter. Everyone knows Potter," he admitted loudly, opening his eyes in clear annoyance. "He's loud and obnoxious. Along with Black too, those two just — well it's not good…. It's not really my place to tell you about all that."

David cleared his throat as he sat still staring at his shoes, which were quite polished. Emily felt the difference and didn't like it. Thankfully the compartment door slammed open, and an exasperated figure stood there panting loudly as though they had been running. Sirius standing here, his arms opened across the entire opening.

"There you are! James and I have been looking for you!" said Sirius pushing his hair from his face. Blushing slightly, she stood up pointing a finger at him.

"You and James left me on the platform! Alone! YOU only now find me after we've already left an hour ago!"

"Come on! I tried to find you on the platform, but James ran off to claim our compartment first. Stupid git went back to get you, but you'd already boarded. Let's get your truck and move it down. James and I aren't too far."

Emily stood frozen because she was enjoying David's company before revealing James but after looking back at him, Sirius appeared to take notice of him too. Pulling her forward, he gripped her forearm too tightly as he snarled at David.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm going to Hogwarts like everyone else," he snapped not bothering to look away. "You forget who you're talking to Black!"

"What did you do to Emily?"

"He didn't do anything!" snapped Emily pushing Sirius away and trying to return to the compartment but his large body blocked the path.

"Of course, he did! He's a Slytherin!" he sneered, eyeing David with disdain.

In response, the other crossed his arm objectively and sat back down. Muttering under his breath, he called Sirius several rude names before trying to get Emily back. Pursuing her lips and trying to push her way in, Sirius grabbed her around the middle, threw her over his shoulder and turned away. Screaming and hitting his back, they walked quite a distance before he placed her down in front of James. The two of them argued a bit as Emily pulled her legs up against her chest feeling extremely angry. Refusing to speak to either of them for the entire rest of the ride, she exited the train and followed James and Sirius onto the platform.

"Emily!" called someone for her. Looking around, she saw David pointing behind them toward a group of younger students.

"You can't go in the carriages yet. Follow the first years to the lake. It's a breathtaking view."

Lightly pushing her in the direction, he waved goodbye before leaving with his bag over his shoulder as another student clapped him hard on the back. Smiling, she noticed he had stopped making sure she went toward the first years before being dragged away by his peers. Motioning her, he was distracted for a moment by a peer who pulled his arm hard. The distance chatter made Emily frown because she wanted to thank him. Arriving at group, she stood beside a pair of blondes who were bickering loudly about which house they would be sorted into.

"I'm hoping for Ravenclaw!" said the female to right. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back as the male beside her scoffed. "Blue really goes with my eyes!"

"Dad was a Ravenclaw! Of course, you want to go there! Can't think logically though to save your life Daphne!"

"Eric!" she shouted, punching his arm.

"OWW!" he said back, his slicked back hair falling out of place. Daphne and Eric paused, noticing that Emily was looking at them oddly before a giggle escaped the three. The short walk to the boats allowed the three of them to converse better before they were wrapped in complete darkness.

"What house are you hoping for?" asked Eric extending a hand to help his sister and Emily into the boat.

"I'll be in Gryffindor most likely," replied Emily taking Eric's hands to steady herself. "My brother's in Gryffindor."

"Our eldest sister is in Ravenclaw, and I doubt I will end up there. We'll see!"

A moment later as the first years rode across the lake, Emily let out a sigh of relief. David had been right; it was a beautiful view! The sight of the castle was magical, even more so than James had said. Ascending the staircase, she followed the twins up before reaching a stern looking women, her green hat primmed against light brown hair.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!"

Professor McGonagall explained the basics of Hogwarts before leading them into the Great Hall for sorting. One by one, each person sat down, and the hat screamed out a house with cheers of each new student. Finally, she called on Emily.

"Go on!" whispered Daphne. "We shall still be friends no matter!"

Smiling, she took easy steps and sat down gently on the stool. As her legs were so short, she waited and listened for anything. The hat seemed to be taking its time with some students. It would seem like her wand; it was taking even longer.

"Umm…. right mind for learning… A darkness looms inside… but where to put you? There's shrewd ambition underneath that, a thirst to prove yourself against expectations. Yet you're so sweet, if misguided in trust. A bright mind for knowledge but that cunning version of you shows through with uncertainly…"

Her eyes scanned across the Great Hall finding James and Sirius standing in the walkway, their faces eagerly waiting for the hat to scream Gryffindor. Her eyes found David sitting near the front, his attention also on her. His friend with long black hair was whispering in his ear about something, but David kept shushing him.

"Well better be…. GRYFFINDOR!"

There was a gasp heard from Gryffindor table as James and Sirius started cheering with others as Emily felt the hat lift from covering her eyes. There was loud clapping as Gryffindor called out, we got Potter. Professor McGonagall sighed before lightly guiding her to the table. Her eyes lingered on James and Sirius before turning back to the other students.

"Here you are Miss Potter." She sounded sad by the sounds of it, but Emily's eyes stopped on David who was smirking but frowning. There was something unusual about the way he watched her but she took the place beside Sirius without question. Looking over her shoulder, he was still watching after several more first years were sorted.

"I knew you would be with us," James said loudly as another cheer came someone was sorted in Ravenclaw then Slytherin. Daphne was being sorted next and this made Emily sit up straight crossing her fingers. Sirius held her in place as she nearly fell out. The hat screamed out Gryffindor for her too and this made her scream out happily, patting on Sirius's sweater.

"My mum is going to kill me! BUT WE GET TOGETHER!" cried Daphne loudly wrapping her arms around Emily's neck as she approached. They watched as Eric was sorted into Ravenclaw and this made him frown harshly. As the girls laughed and ate, James made certain to be the loudest and most pronounced in welcoming Emily and Daphne to the Marauders, the group he and his friends called themselves. Daphne seemed to enjoy talking with Remus, a shy boy sitting beside James. While those around them ate, Sirius kept a close eye on her. Reaching for some pudding, their hands touched, and she patted it down lightly.

"I can get my own food," she smiled seeing him blush.

"I wanted some of that too!"

"Be serious for once! You hate pudding!"

"Maybe I like it now!"

Laughing loudly the Great Hall concluded their opening dinner without much more excitement. Finally that night as the girls ran up the stairs, they found their trunk already there. Taking out a few items, they began to decorate singing songs by their favorite wizarding bands. It must have been nearly midnight before they settled into their blankets. Observing her housemates over the first few weeks, she found herself ready to study at Hogwarts, if only she could remember where everything was.

AND THE STAIRCASE MOVED?! Her mind begged as she and Daphne got lost after mixing up the Charms and Transfiguration classrooms.

For the few years Emily had an easy time entertaining how to be at Hogwarts. Without James tracking her every move, it allowed her some freedom. It was nice that the common room had become a second home. She often spent time in the library though reading through her textbooks trying to stay ahead. It was her third year when she discovered extreme skills at Potions while Charms was a close second. David was friends with a boy in his year named Severus Snape, and he was close friends with a girl in Gryffindor named Lily Evans. She saw them a lot and thought they looked peculiar together but left her opinion silent as she learned more about Potions from Severus. They spent several hours in the Potions lab trying out different ideas, often with Professor Slughorn in close contact with them.

She spent a good deal at the beginning of third year, trying to prevent the boys from gazing at her. Finding solace in Daphne's calm disposition, meant that often she was left alone as her friend was very abrasive about their girl time. Each time was met with kind rejection, but it wasn't just the boys in her year that came up to her. Some of those in the years above them did, and others in different houses too. The first poor soul had been a Slytherin who faced James and Sirius head on before even getting near the girls in the Great Hall one October morning. Emily assumed it was because of Daphne's beauty. The news that boys were watching her set James on fire, and it caused a giant scene during Halloween's feast.

It was the first time Emily really hated James for causing such a scene. It was one that even Professor McGonagall had separated them as other students were surrounding the siblings. They had nearly begun dueling.

"YOU'RE SO SMART AND POPULAR! AND THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT YOU!" shouted James, throwing down his bag on the table beside them.

"NOT MY FAULT! WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF JAMES!" she retorted back pushing him away.

This made him even angrier as he jumped up trying to get in her face. Sirius stood between the pair his arms extended to hold them each as far as his arms could hold. Daphne was pulling on his robes trying to reach Emily. Neither Potter noticed but Sirius and Daphne tried again after a hushed whisper swept over their Head of House were coming their way. James nearly had a grasp of Emily's hair when finally, a loud boom came pushing the four of them apart.

"Prongs! We got to go!" he shouted but James jumped back up rounding on his sister once more.

"You have a foul sense of pride!" screamed Emily as Daphne grabbed her arm, practically dragging them from the Great Hall, her hurried voice yelling they would be late for Care of Magical Creatures if they didn't leave immediately. It was the talk of the school for about a month. James was heckled by Slytherin house the entire time how he couldn't contain her growing popularity. David seemed to enjoy teasing James about her before getting into a fight with him too. Emily was accused as being too pretty because she was his sister. Daphne accidentally burned someone's robe after sparking a heated conversation over her connection to Emily. Somehow Sirius managed to calm it down after talking to people about it all. It wasn't too long before girls were lining up to befriend her to speak to James or Sirius. Remus helped her chase these people, but it was exhausting and something she hated.

During spring of third year, a Hufflepuff boy approached her about going on a date to Hogsmeade on their allowed visit to the nearby village. Saying yes, she became extremely bored as it was walking around not speaking at all. Near the midafternoon, she saw David standing with a girl while holding a mug of butterbeer. They appeared quite close as the girl kept rubbing her hands on his chest. Blushing, she watched too long as David looked up to see her.

"Emily!" he called but her eyes widened as he came closer. Nearly being run over by a passing wagon, he rounded the corner seeing her holding her chest. "Hey are you okay?"

"Aren't you with your date?" she asked looking around for his companion.

"We were just talking," he said pushing back his hair. "We aren't together."

"I didn't ask that," she said feeling an unusual amount of jealousy in her heart.

"Don't be like that," he asked taking a few steps beside her as she walked away. "Becca isn't my girlfriend."

Seeing James, she huffed away calling for the Marauders. Trailing behind them a bit, she saw Sirius turn toward her unusually but nodded curtly. They spent a good amount of time in one of the pubs where girls were flocking to James and Sirius in steady lines. Rolling her eyes, she smirked as a Ravenclaw boy in their year casually began talking to James. His eyes lingered on Emily a few times before he sat quite close to her who was near the end of the bench. As she and Sirius were somewhat hidden from total view, he looped a quick arm around her waist pulling her closer to him not allowing their classmate to touch her.

Knowing this, her left hand wrapped around his for reassurance as it was the first time someone had been so direct in capturing her attention. Twirling her thumb across his palm, she tried her hardest to avoid being seen as rude, but the boy wasn't really taking no. Blinking rapidly and trying to get out of the situation, she felt Sirius push his body forward toward the Ravenclaw boy.

"Hey, didn't you say you wanted to meet Daphne in the Great Hall around four?" he asked suddenly, his voice still and direct with intent. The group went silent waiting for her answer.

"What? What are you talking about?" she answered nervously shaking her head. The Ravenclaw looked around the group for support. James leaned forward trying to reach his friend, but Sirius pushed his hands away.

"I remember you mentioned the other day, you were excited for some girl time with Daphne today. I remember you said it was of the upmost importance you have time away everyone…"

"Yes, I remember you said that too," popped up Remus seeming to catch on to whatever Sirius was doing.

"She never said anything to me," muttered James, sliding back in his own chair crossing his arms defiantly.

"Well, I can take you back. I have some things to finish up in the library myself," said the Ravenclaw boy before them going to stand and extend a hand toward Emily.

"Sirius, I— I don't—" But he lightly pushed her out of the booth. Holding his own hand out, he took hers to stand, pushing the other boy out of the way.

"I got it. Daphne made me promise earlier in case you forgot."

Bidding everyone goodbye, Sirius and Emily took quickened steps toward the door and looked back over their shoulders several times until reaching the crossing bridge. They had held hands the entire time too. Silence crept around them before they let out a loud laugh and Emily cried a moment in joy at escaping that terrible conversation. Sirius was shuffling his feet around the dirt as he too smiled.

"Daphne didn't say a bloody thing, did she?" laughed Emily, beginning to walk again, pulling her up into a high ponytail and pulling off her jacket. Holding it over her arm, she motioned for him to follow. They walked in step as Hogwarts came into the distant view.

"She didn't," he confirmed sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "But I could tell you were uncomfortable with that twat, and I was growing bored of James."

Laughing again, she wrapped her arms around his middle, thanked him again. He too wrapped an arm around her shoulders, even offering a soft quick kiss on top her head. Knowing he meant only kind affection she looked up smiling as they walked the rest of the way back to Hogwarts. It felt like old times when they were younger before either came here.

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