As the minutes ticked by, Emily sat rigidly on the couch, her eyes fixed on the wall as Potter's angry gaze bore into her. Between his pacing and constant comments under his breath, she could feel the weight of his disapproval, like a physical force pressing against her. The air in the room seemed to vibrate with tension, making it hard to breathe. The mix of emotions – guilt for being caught, frustration for being interrupted, and a dash of resentment for Potter's heavy-handedness – it almost made her scowl had it not been for him stopping that terrible conversation she was having with David.
Potter sat down beside her, his gaze still blazing with fury as he tried to grasp her hands, but she pushed them away. His hazel eyes stared at her firmly, his mind probably trying to find the words to speak.
"You're going to tell me the truth, Emily," he demanded. "What were you doing with him?"
Emily swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in her throat. She didn't want to lie, but she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth about David either.
"I... I was just meeting a friend," she stammered. His expression darkened as his hands closed over a knee.
"A friend?" His voice dripped with skepticism.
Emily nodded, trying to appear as innocent as possible. "Yes, that's right. Just a friend."
"What were you thinking, Em?" he interrogated, his voice low and menacing suddenly. "Why were you meeting Luke behind my back? In a public Muggle place?"
Emily sighed, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She knew he was upset, and didn't blame him. "Potter, please listen -" she started
"Don't tell me to 'Potter please listen'!" he snapped, his face reddening. "I've been trying to protect you from this guy for years, and you go and meet him behind my back? What did he promise you; what did he want!?"
Emily felt a sting from the words, but she tried to push past it.
"It's not like that," she said softly, looking at her hands, and feeling tears coming on. "David's been there for me over the years and I had to know something; something you interrupted!".
James's expression turned skeptical. "David Luke? You mean that arrogant, evil, piece of shit, who always has women kneeling before him! The one who is clearly going down a very dark path; do you understand what kind of man he is and will be as an adult?"
Emily's anger flared up, and she felt her face burning with heat as her voice rose. "How dare you! You have no right to question me about who I see or don't see! I'm not your property, Potter!"
Potter's expression turned scowling, his eyes narrowing. "I'm just looking out for your best interests, Em. You know that."
"Oh, really?" Emily's sarcasm dripped with venom. "Is that why you're always trying to control me? Is that why you're so possessive and jealous whenever I talk to someone else? I'm not a bloody possession! I'm a person with my own thoughts and feelings! He's not like that. He's kind and smart and talented...and he cares about me…."
Potter snorted, followed with a scowl.
"Please. You're not even listening to yourself, are you? Well let me tell you something, Em - Luke is not good enough for you. He never will be!" Emily felt her anger spike at Potter's words, but before she could respond, he continued. "You need someone who can take care of you, who can protect you. Someone like me. You're just caught up in the romance of it all–"
"James, stop," she said firmly, trying to interrupt him. But Potter kept talking over her, louder and louder.
"–You think Luke is some kind of hero because he's got a few good qualities? He's a fool, and he'll only bring you down. "
Emily felt her anger boiling over, but she tried to keep her cool. She knew he was upset, but his words were starting to feel like a never-ending tirade. Slamming her fist on the couch armrest and looking unwaveringly into his eyes, she twisted around watching Potter flinch back a second in his spot.
"That's it, James!" she screamed, standing up and pushing him harshly into the couch's deep cushion, knocking his glasses off a bit. "You know nothing about David, and you know nothing about me! You're just a selfish, possessive jerk who can't handle the fact that I'm growing up!"
Potter's eyes blazed with fury, but Emily didn't care. She was beyond rational thought at this point. She was consumed by her anger and desire to defend David against Potter's cruel words.
"You're just mad because you know I'm right," she sneered, wiping tears with the back of her hands. "David is a good person, and he loves me for who I am. He doesn't try to control me or dictate what I can and can't do. And you know what? I deserve someone like that! Someone who respects me and treats me like an equal!"
But Potter wouldn't let up. "Emily, don't even get me started on the fact that he's got connections to the Dark Arts. You know how I feel about that! You're a good witch, Emily. You deserve better than some Pureblood crazed wizard who's going to drag you down into the depths of hell!"
Emily's anger was now a full-blown rage. She felt her face burning with heat as she stepped away from Potter's relentless verbal assault.
"Shut up James," she snapped, her voice loud enough to make him pause. Her wand was drawn in her hand, the threat of a spell or curse on the tip of her tongue. "I've had enough of your condescending attitude. I'm not some fragile little sister who needs protecting all the time. I'm a bloody grown woman, and I can make my own damn decisions, James Potter!"
Potter's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening further. "You're still so naive, Emily. You have no idea what kind of world we live in."
Emily felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as Potter's words cut deep. She knew he was trying to make her understand, but it felt like he was making her doubt David and everything she knew about him.
"Well, maybe I am naive," she said quietly, her voice shaking with emotion. "Maybe I am stupid for believing that someone can change, that someone can be good despite their past mistakes. But at least I'm not a bully who tries to control everyone around me."
Potter's face turned red with confusion as Emily sharply turned, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. The room was silent for a moment before Potter finally spoke up.
"I'll never let him near you again," he spat, his eyes blazing with malice.
Emily felt a guilty twitch in her cheek, but she refused to look up at him. She knew she was guilty of hiding things from her brother, but she didn't know how to explain, nor did she want to explain those secrets to him. Like how she and Sirius had something going on too, but that was something he would probably never accept or ever understand either.
*dot*
Sirius was just about to turn the corner into the living room when he heard the sound of raised voices coming from the other side of the door. He froze, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand as he strained to make out what was being said. It sounded like James and Emily were arguing, their voices growing louder by the second.
"What's going on?" Sirius muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. Suddenly, a loud "Ah, Padfoot!" echoed through the hall, followed by James' voice, dripping with relief as the door swung open.
"Maybe she'll finally understand when you say it!"
Sirius's heart skipped a beat as he crept closer to the door, his senses on high alert. He peeked around the corner, his eyes widening in alarm as he took in the scene before him.
James stood tall, his wand drawn and pointed accusingly at Emily, who stood with her arms crossed and a look of defiance on her face. Sirius's eyes darted between them, his instincts telling him that this was not a normal argument. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel the magic in the room crackling with energy.
"What's going on here?" he asked, his tone cautious. James took several steps forward, his eyes blazing with accusation as Emily rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"What's it look like?" she snapped, her voice laced with annoyance.
Sirius's eyes narrowed as he took in the situation. This was not good. Not good at all. He needed to think fast and figure out what was going on before things escalated further...
"You were supposed to be taking care of Emily, Padfoot! You're supposed to be watching out for her, not letting her go off gallivanting around with… with… David Luke!"
Sirius's expression darkened as he eyed the two Potter closely. "Luke? Emily told me she was meeting Daphne. You're the one who ripped Emily away from someone she wanted to be with today."
James's eyes flashed with anger. "Someone she wanted to be with? You mean Luke? That's not what I saw! I saw her with Luke in a public Muggle place! He hates Muggle places and yet there he was yelling at her about something!"
"You were with Daphne, right?" questioned Sirius, his eyes filling with hurt. Emily's eyes flashed up to meet his, her face burning with guilt and shame. She knew she had been caught, and she couldn't deny it. Looking at her feet, her voice barely above a whisper, she shook it with confirmation.
"I...I went to see David," she admitted, her voice trembling. Sirius's face fell, his eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and hurt.
"You lied to me, Emmy," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "You told me you were going to meet Daphne in London…."
Emily's eyes dropped again, her shame and regret washing over her. She knew she had betrayed Sirius's trust, but James rounded on her, pointing a finger in her face, his voice cutting through the tense silence.
"What were you doing with Luke, Emily? What's going on?"
Emily took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "I … I was trying to understand something about him," she said, her voice still shaking. "I've been having some problems and I wanted him to clarify them."
"Why understand him?! He's a Slytherin; he's arrogant, evil, and a piece of shit. You seem to keep a lot of things from us! From me!" shouted James holding back whatever emotions he could.
The next moment, he turned slowly at Sirius. "Same with you!"
Sirius's face reddened, his eyes flashing with anger and defensiveness. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and his voice became tight with restraint.
"I'm not hiding anything from you, Prongs," he said, each word dripping with a mixture of frustration and indignation. "What would I have to hide from you? We're best mates, for crying out loud! You know me better than anyone!"
James raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why did you withhold information about going to London? Why didn't you tell me Emily was going to meet Daphne when she was actually going to see that bloody Slytherin?"
Sirius's jaw clenched, his eyes darting between James and Emily.
"I didn't lie," he said, his voice rising in protest. His eyes flashed with defiance. "I was told Emily was going to meet Daphne, and that's what I believed at the time. I didn't know she was going to see Luke instead."
"You were sneaking off with my sister! AGAIN!?" he said, his voice dripping with skepticism
James's gaze bored into Sirius's face which twisted in frustration.
"What do you want from me? You're always questioning my honesty, always assuming the worst of me when it concerns Emily. I'm not a liar, Prongs! I'm your best mate! Can't you just trust me for once?" He slammed his fist on the nearest table, making Emily jump.
James's expression remained stern, his eyes still flashing with anger. Emily's eyes darted from each of them, clearly expressing desire to keep the truth about them from him, but Sirius couldn't tell why she was frozen in place otherwise.
"I'm not questioning your honesty, Padfoot," he said, his voice firm. "You've always had a soft spot for Emily, and you're consistently putting her before your own well-being. I'm not saying it's wrong to care for her, but when does it stop being innocent and start being reckless?"
Sirius's face twisted in a mixture of guilt and defensiveness, his eyes darting between James and Emily again. He was cornered… How the hell do I get out of this… thought Sirius, and he was desperate to escape but there was nowhere to go.
"It's not like that, Prongs," he protested loudly. "I care about Emily as a friend, nothing more. You know that."
Emily, who had been standing quietly until now, took a step back, her eyes wide with shock and hurt. She looked from one man to the other, her expression trembling as she gripped the front of her shirt.
James raised an eyebrow not seeing Emily's actions. "Really? Because it looks to me like you're getting in over your head. You're sneaking around behind my back, keeping secrets from me... it's not the behavior of a friend. It's the behavior of someone who's trying to keep something from me!"
Sirius's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger once more.
"You're not going to lecture me about being a friend, Prongs," he spat. "You're one to talk! You're always so busy being the hero that you forget about Emily all the time! … You've never been there to care for her when she would cry, … or … or be there when she wanted the one thing she craves most in the world; love James! I gave her THAT and more!"
The air was thick with tension as James's eyes widened with realization, his eyes burning with intensity too.
"You're not even trying to deny it, are you Sirius?" he said, his voice cold.
"Both of you, stop this," said Emily, trying to intervene a moment before snapping her hand away from Sirius's chest, as though something shocked her in place. "This isn't going to help anything."
But James ignored her, his focus fixed on his best friend. Sirius looked at Emily and saw the hurt in her face witnessing them fight like this. It had never really happened before, and here he knew that something had to happen or his love for Emily would spill over. He had to stop this….
"You know what?" James said, his voice low as he looked at Sirius and Emily equally. "I think it's time we had a talk about secrets."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "What secrets?"
James smiled coolly. "The ones you're hiding from me. The ones about you and my sister…."
"What are you talking about, James?" said Sirius, his voice cracking like thunder, dark and foreboding.
He felt his heart racing as he gazed at James, his mind racing with a mix of anger and fear. How did James know? Who had told him? The questions swirled in his head as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. The words echoed in his ears…. Sneaking around behind my back…. The accusation cut deep, like a razor slicing through his gut. Narrowing his gaze with a fierce intensity, he felt a surge of protectiveness towards Emily. He didn't care what James thought or felt; he wasn't going to let him hurt her.
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Sirius's anger boiled over, his body taut with restrained fury. He knew he was on the edge of losing control.
"What are you talking about?" muttered Emily, trying to keep her voice steady as she finally took a slow step forward. She was clearly trying to control her hand nearest Sirius that twitched harshly against her side.
"Oh, come on, Emily," said James, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't play dumb. You and Padfoot's timing was suspicious enough earlier, like every other time I needed to find him last year. Nowhere to be found, either of you, but then you both are together… all the time…."
Emily took a deep breath and looked up at her brother, meeting his angry gaze aimed at Sirius.
"I wasn't thinking, okay? We just needed some space, away… from you…." she spat out letting her eyes hang a moment.
"You know how it is when you're stuck in a rut and you can't see a way out?" said Sirius quickly fisting his hands together. James's expression didn't change, but his grip on his wand tightened slightly.
"You're telling me that's why you were sneaking around with my sister behind my back?"
"Sirius and I are friends! We aren't sneaking behind anyone's back!" shouted Emily.
"Prongs, it's not like that. We were just...talking. Okay? We're friends!"
As Emily turned away from James, trying to escape the intensity of the situation, she didn't notice that Sirius had moved silently behind her. His eyes were fixed on her back as he watched her in desperation to defend their friendship, their relationship at its very core. He could feel her turmoil, her panic, and her hurt. Suddenly, she spun around, her eyes wide with shock as she took in Sirius's face inches from hers...
Colliding with him, he instinctively reached out to catch her, wrapping his arms around her waist to steady her. Emily's initial reaction was to struggle against his hold, her body tensing up as if trying to free herself. But it was as if her movements were slightly... off. Her limbs seemed heavy, uncoordinated. Sirius's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening as he pulled her closer. She was fighting against him, which was odd.
"Emmy, what's going on? What's wrong?"
Emily's face contorted in a mixture of anger and frustration, her eyes flashing with a fierce light. But it was a fleeting expression, quickly replaced by a glazed, vacant look.
"Let me go," she muttered closing her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words were slurred, as if she was struggling to form coherent thoughts. Sirius's grip on her tightened further, his eyes scanning her face with concern.
"Emmy, snap out of it! What's happening?"
Sirius's eyes looked up at James, this too confusing him as well. But she just continued to struggle against him, her movements becoming more erratic and cumbersome. It was as if she was trapped in some kind of trance-like state, unable to break free from the influence of some unseen force. His gaze fell back onto her face, his expression darkening with suspicion.
"I can't… be… near… you…." she struggled incoherently to say in rapid breaths. She was breathing heavily too.
"What did you do to her?" Sirius demanded, his voice pitched in concern. She kept closing her eyes and clawing at his arms, but he barely kept the grip on her shaking form even though he was physically stronger.
"I didn't do anything," James said, reaching out a hand to try and help hold Emily in place.
Emily's head lolled against Sirius's chest briefly, her eyes fluttering in rapid beats. Her eyes were glazed over, her movements becoming more unpredictable and impulsive as she fought Sirius's grip and leaned into James. Their eyes narrowed as they watched concern spreading across both. She would never do this, he realized suddenly. Emily would never fight Sirius, she would always fall into his embrace.
And with that, the argument ended, leaving Emily gasping for breath sandwiched between James and Sirius. James's expression changed from annoyance to alarm as he took a step closer to his sister, his eyes locked on her vacant face.
"Em, stop fighting us," he said softly, trying to reason with her. "What's going on, Em?"
"I can't… be… near… you…." she said again before her struggles grew weaker, and her body sagging against Sirius. The grip on her wrist remained firm but they each were thinking the same - something was very wrong.
"Emily, snap out of it!" James demanded, his voice firm but gentle. He gently tried to turn her towards him, hoping to break the trance-like state she was in. As he did, he caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror on the wall. His eyes widened in shock - Emily's eyes were glassy and unfocused, her movements stiff and maladroit. She looked like she was under some kind of spell.
"Sirius, what's going on?" James said urgently.
"I can't… be… near… you…."
Sirius's grip on Emily tightened, and he shook his head.
"I don't know, mate," he said grimly between breaths. Merlin, she was strong, but he knew he was stronger. "But we need to get her out of this trance… or whatever it is. She's just… fighting me…"
"She'd never fight you," said James. "Not unless...not unless something was forcing her to."
Sirius nodded, his heart racing with worry. He knew that Emily wouldn't have done anything to herself - she was far too strong-willed for that. Something else was at play here. Together, they struggled to break Emily free from the strange influence that had taken hold of her. Finally she lost consciousness as her body went limp from his grasp, and she slumped against his chest some thirty minutes later. Her eyes were fluttering under her eyelids, he noted. James's eyes widened in shock as he stared at his sister's near-lifeless form. Sirius's face was pale as he cradled Emily's unconscious form in his arms.
"Oh no... Emmy, no!" he whispered, his voice shaking with concern. James brushed her hair that had fallen over her eyes. "What... what's happening to her?"
Sirius shook his head, his mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know, but I'm really worried," he said, his voice firm.
James nodded, his eyes never leaving Emily's pale face. In her struggles, they were forced to the floor in a crumpled mess in the main hall. Together, they carefully stood up, and carried her upstairs, trying not to disturb her any further. Sirius laid her down, his hands gentle as he pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. As they stood at the door watching her, James let out a low sigh and faced his best friend again.
"Sirius, please tell me the truth?" he asked sincerely, praying it wasn't what he feared.
Sirius's eyes drifted away, his mind racing with the weight of his secrets. He could feel James's gaze on him, waiting for an answer, but he hesitated. A part of him wanted to confess everything, to unburden himself of the guilt and uncertainty that had been eating away at him for months. How his mind replayed all the times of Emily and him sneaking around Hogwarts away from James to enjoy one another. Another part of him was screaming to keep quiet, to protect Emily from the fallout, from James's anger and hurt.
He thought back to the first time they'd kissed last summer, the thrill and excitement that had coursed through his veins. He thought about the way her eyes had sparkled in the moonlight, the way her lips had felt soft and inviting. He thought about the way it had felt to be with her; it felt like he was finally home. But then he thought about James, his best friend, his confidant. The one person who knew him better than anyone else. The one person he couldn't bear to disappoint. He took a deep breath, his thoughts tangling in a mess of emotions. How could he put this into words? How could he make James understand? The words felt like lead in his mouth, heavy and cumbersome. Glancing up at James, his heart pounding in his chest. Should he tell him? Should he risk losing their friendship? Should he risk losing Emily?
The silence stretched out between them, like a precipice waiting to be crossed. And then, finally, Sirius spoke….
"You know exactly what I'm hiding from you," he said calmly, the words heavy with emotion. He couldn't look away from James, his eyes burning with a deep sadness.
James's eyes went wide, his face pale, as he whispered, "What...what are you talking about?" His voice was laced with a mix of shock, denial, and fear.
"James, I... I've been in love with your sister for years. I didn't quite realize it until we kissed the first time last year. She quite literally cornered me asking how to kiss and things… just… well… it's more than kisses and such now… But I promise you, I love her. I want the very best for her, for me as well."
James's face winced in shock as he took a step back, as if physically recoiling from the admission. Sirius felt a pang of pain in his chest, knowing he was hurting his best and longest friend, but he had to be honest. The air was thick with tension as his voice held barely above a whisper.
"I know it's wrong. I know I should have told you sooner, but I was scared. Scared of losing our friendship, scared of losing Emily... scared of being rejected."
Sirius's eyes dropped, his gaze falling to the floor as he struggled to find the courage to continue. When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with a deep sorrow. "But the truth is ... I've been in love with Emily for so long that every moment I've spent with her has been like a knife twisting in my heart, knowing I shouldn't have her."
James's face contorted in anger and pain. "You're telling me that you're... that you two are...?" His voice trailed off, the words sticking in his throat like a bitter pill.
Sirius's gaze never wavered. "We're in love, James. We've been for a while now."
James felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock and betrayal. "How could you?" he whispered, the words barely audible.
Sirius's expression softened, his voice laced with regret. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. We didn't mean to keep it from you... but we were scared of losing each other..."
As James stumbled backward, away from him and Emily's unconscious form, Sirius could see the hurt and betrayal written all over him. He felt like he'd cut his best friend open and was watching him bleed.
"James," Sirius whispered again, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm sorry, but I love her so much. I know you're upset at me for everything, but I can't deny what I know in my heart is right."
James nodded as he turned to walk back to his own room, his shoulder slumped over while he did so. Sirius watched him go, fearful that his love for Emily was going to break his first ever friendship. It was hard, but he knew in his heart he could never let Emily go….
Emily had been right, he was being forced to pick her over James, and he hoped that James would understand why.
*dot*
David was fuming after Potter interrupted his lunch with Emily. He had never meant to get so emotional, but seeing her hesitate and push him away had awakened a deep-seated desire to claim her as his own. The memory of her hazel eyes and her trembling lips still lingered in his mind. He did what he had to do and issuing the warning about Sirius Black, would yet to be seen. All this and more were on his mind as he approached Luke Manor, slamming the door behind him.
As he entered the foyer, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his house elf, Elwes, taking exact notes on the belongings stacked before him. David's heart swelled with gratitude for the small, unassuming creature who had been a constant presence in his life since childhood. There were about fifteen or so trunks labeled with his parent's name.
"Elwes, what's all this?" David asked, his voice still rough from the argument with Emily.
He pointed at the neatly stacked trunks with uneasiness. Elwes looked up, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of sadness and concern.
"Master, sir, your parents are leaving for Greece tomorrow. They've decided to return to their homeland and leave this estate to you as a gift for completing your education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
David's heart skipped a beat. His parents were leaving? But why? He had always thought they would be around to guide him, to offer their counsel and support this last year and especially after having done so well on the internship. Wasn't his father staying to support him there? A moment later another pop echoed through the foyer as a smaller elf bowed to him.
"Master, how can Pippy assist you?"
"I'm fine for now. But I'll need some food in a bit. I didn't eat well on my lunch with Emily… Elwes, can you see to it that my items are moved when the time comes?"
Elwes and Pippy nodded as he continued through the dining room catching sight of his mother briefly sipping on tea before hearing his name called. His father, Octavius emerged from the study, his expression stern and unyielding.
"Ah, David, my boy," Octavius said, his voice firm but calm. "I see you're back. Have you looked at the list I placed in your room?"
Octavius Luke was a man who always got what he wanted, and he had made it clear that he wanted David to marry well. The thought of it made his stomach twist with discomfort. He was just seventeen and still in school, enjoying his freedom and independence. The idea of being tied down to a wife was suffocating.
David nodded though, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. He had seen the list, all right. It was a long list of eligible young women from good families, each with their own set of qualities and qualifications that made them suitable matches for his son. David had tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away, but he knew his father would not give up easily.
"Yes, Father," David replied, trying to keep his tone neutral. "I've seen it."
Octavius's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he studied his son. "And what do you think of it?" he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.
David hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to get into an argument with his father, but he couldn't agree with the list either. It was like being presented with a menu of options, each one more unpalatable than the last.
"It's...interesting," David said finally, trying to sound as non-committal as possible.
Octavius raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? That's all you have to say?"
David shrugged, feeling a sense of discontent growing inside him. "I just don't know what to say yet, Father," he admitted.
"I thought you'd be more enthusiastic about this," Octavius sighed heavily. "Marriage is a serious business, David. It's not something to be taken lightly."
David felt a surge of frustration at his father's words. Why couldn't he understand that marriage was a lifetime commitment that should be based on love and mutual respect, not arranged by some arbitrary list of qualifications?
"I understand that, Father," David said tightly. "But I'm still in school. Can't I just focus on my education for now?"
Octavius's expression turned cold and hard.
"You're old enough to know what you want and don't want," he said harshly. "And what you want is a good wife and a secure future. I'll not have you throwing away your life on some foolish romantic notions. You're a Luke. You have a duty to our family and our legacy. You can't just throw that away on some… some… Gryffindor girl who doesn't understand the value of bloodlines."
David felt a surge of anger at his father's words, but he bit back his retort, knowing that arguing would only lead to more hurt feelings and resentment. Instead, he forced himself to remain calm and rational. Standing tall, he squared his shoulders and faced his father once more.
"I understand your concerns, Father," he said quietly. "But I think you're being unfair to Emily. She's a kind and smart person— I need some time to think about this."
Octavius snorted in disgust. "Kind and smart? Those are not qualities that will serve you well in the long run, David. You need someone who can help you maintain our family's reputation, someone who shares our values and our way of life. Emily Potter is not that person. You've had years to think about it already. Now it's time to make a decision."
David felt his anger boil over again, but he kept his temper in check. He knew that he had to tread carefully on the frustrations of his father's close-mindedness. He knew that Emily was more than just her bloodline or her house; she was a person with her own thoughts and feelings, and he loved her for who she was. But he couldn't openly disagree with his father; not yet, at least.
"Father, I know what you're saying. But Emily is a pureblood, just like us. She's not some… some… outsider who's going to taint our family's reputation. And she's not just any pureblood, either. She's smart, kind, and brave. She's everything that a Luke should be proud to marry."
Octavius scoffed, throwing his hand back. "A Luke should be proud to marry a pureblood with a good family name and a solid magical background. Not some… some… Gryffindor who's only association with our family would be a social climber. Her father Fleamont is only a moderate Potioneer."
David felt his anger rising, but he tried to keep his cool. "Father, please listen to me. Emily is not just her father's daughter. She's a person in her own right, with her own thoughts and feelings and values. And I care about her deeply."
"You care about her?" Octavius sneered as David's face turned a slight pink. "No, you care about the thrill of rebellion; the excitement of being with someone who's 'different'. But you don't really care about what's best for our family, do you?"
David felt his heart sink at his father's words. He knew that Octavius was trying to provoke him, to get him to admit that he was just using Emily for some thrill or other. But it wasn't true. David loved Emily for who she was, not for what she could give him or what she could do for their family. That's why he did what he did to protect their future. He would make her understand his love and would make her fit the mold against their odds….
"Father, please," he said confidently. "I'm not using Emily for anything. I genuinely care about her. And I think she would be a wonderful wife for me."
"Enough," Octavius interrupted curtly. "You'll do as you're told and find a suitable pure-blood bride. I won't have you sullying our family name with that Potter girl's influence. She's a Gryffindor, David, and we all know what kind of people they are - reckless, impulsive, and lacking in refinement. You deserve better than to be tainted by her. You're blinded by your emotions, David. You can't see what's best for our family. I'll find you a suitable bride, someone who will help us maintain our reputation and our way of life by the time you finish school."
David felt a surge of anger at his father's words, but he bit back his retort, knowing that arguing would only lead to more hurt feelings and resentment. Instead, he forced himself to remain calm and rational.
"But Father, Emily is the one I —"
"Emily Potter is not that person," snapped his father, turning a sharp heel. David felt a stab of frustration at his father's close-mindedness. He knew that Emily was more than just her bloodline or her house; she was a person with her own thoughts and feelings, and he loved her for who she was. But he couldn't openly disagree with his father; not yet, at least. So he nodded slowly, trying to placate him.
"I understand your concerns, Father. But I'll think about it."
Octavius's posture stalled as his head turned slightly. "You'd better think about it. Because if you continue down this path, you'll be disappointing yourself and our family. We have a legacy to uphold. A legacy I've worked on for years, one you're threatening to destroy over some school-age crush."
David felt a cold dread creeping up his spine as he realized that his father would stop at nothing to see him married off to some pure-blood woman who would conform to their family's expectations. He knew that he couldn't live with himself if he did that; he had to find a way to break free from his father's expectations and follow his own heart.
Octavius nodded curtly and turned away, leaving David feeling trapped and helpless under the weight of his father's expectations. But for now, he would have to keep his feelings hidden and pretend to agree with his father's demands. It was a difficult choice, but David knew it was the only way to protect Emily and their relationship from being torn apart by the forces of tradition and expectation. As he watched his father retreat back into the study, David couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about the future ahead of him. He knew that he would have to navigate treacherous waters to forge his own path, all while keeping in mind the weight of his family's legacy.
Elwes approached him quietly, concern etched on his face. "Master David, sir...be careful with your father's words. He can be… difficult to please."
David smiled wryly. "I know, Elwes. But I'll be okay. I just need some time to figure things out."
Elwes nodded sympathetically before returning to his task of packing away the belongings.
As David watched him go, he couldn't help but feel a sense of determination rising within him. He would prove himself as an individual, not just a product of his family's expectations. And maybe, just maybe, he would find a way to make his father understand that love wasn't about bloodlines or purity; it was about connection and understanding. For now, he would bide his time and wait for an opportunity to forge his own path. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: David Luke would not be swayed by the opinions of others; he would chart his own course and create his own destiny.
He remained in his room leading to September 1st. It was strange but he felt out of place. No one sent him letters about their summers, except the one from Emily weeks ago; not even Arlo or Cosette had sent anything. Merlin, he didn't even receive one from Hogwarts about the Head Boy spot…. He awoke feeling grumpy and annoyed because the long ride to Hogwarts would be pathetic. At least he had the Prefect meeting to see Emily. The platform was already packed with people as he walked through, gripping his trunk and briefcase.
There were smaller students, clearly first or second years, that were so excited to be getting on the train. But for him, his long legs stalked past them, his attention only to get to Emily. He didn't see her anywhere and thought it odd. He did catch sight of Evans boarding the train some time ago, and finally chose to board himself as the ten minute warning blared out.
Walking past more people, his foot connected with the rail as someone called his name. Ignoring it though, he stumbled up, nearly pushing over some student wearing a prefect's badge neatly on their robes. The student looked up and pointed at his badge.
"Where's the prefect's carriage? I'm really eager to meet our Head Boy and Girl!"
Sighing loudly, he motioned for the student and the others who were lined up unsure where to go for the meeting. Reaching the compartment, he held open the door for himself before walking in as they followed behind. One even seemed to recognize him as a Slytherin Prefect. Walking toward Arlo, who was seated quietly near Winters and he overheard their discussion on the use of magical herbs. Still no Emily though he thought looking around.
"She's here, don't worry," muttered Arlo, seeing him looking around. "I saw her a bit ago, though she's been gone awhile.
Finally about ten minutes after departure, Emily walked through, her voice carrying as she told Potter something. She took a seat nearest Evans and itched her arm repeatedly as she looked around nervously seeing everyone staring at her. Potter, however, stood tall next to Evans as she hushed everyone to start. The group of students assembled were nervous and eager to begin their meeting.
"James? James Potter is Head Boy?" were the whispers all around him.
As the Hogwarts Express lurched out of King's Cross Station and into the countryside, Potter took deep liberties in carrying the meeting. His eyes scanned the area before falling onto David's face a moment.
"Alright, everyone," he said, holding up his hands for silence. "I know we're all excited to get to Hogwarts, but we need to take care of some important business before we arrive."
Emily nodded mutely, her eyes fixed on the stack of cue cards in front of him. In a separate stack, she walked around handing everyone a card to write their information on for the Heads knowledge. It was something that Lily discussed how they would assign tasks and duties on their cards. David cleared his throat loudly as his piercing blue eyes scanned the group with an air of superiority, before his gaze settled on Potter and Evans.
"I must say, Potter, I'm surprised you're leading this meeting. I thought you'd be more focused on your Quidditch games than running the school."
Potter's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Ah, Luke, I'm happy to lead this meeting. And I think we can accomplish a lot more by working together than by bickering."
David snorted loudly as he was handed his card from Emily and his fingers brushed across her thumb. "I'm not bickering, Potter. I'm stating facts. You're not supposed to be Head Boy because you're not actually qualified for the position."
David's condescending tone earned him a few disapproving glances from the other prefects, but Potter remained calm and composed, despite the frown on Emily's face.
"I understand your concerns," he said, his voice even. "But being Head Boy isn't just about qualifications. It's about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. And I'm confident that I can do just that."
"You're just saying that because you're trying to impress Evans," sneered David folding his arms. "She's the real leader here, not you."
The carriage fell silent, with all eyes on David as he spoke out of turn. Lily's face went bright red with anger, while Emily looked down at her hands, her fingers clenched into fists. Potter's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw clenched in annoyance.
"That's enough, Luke," he said loudly.
"We're all here to work together, not tear each other down David," commented Emily, turning in her seat a moment facing everyone. "James and Lily are Head Boy and Girl."
The tension in the carriage was unmistakable, and for a moment it seemed like David was going to say something else. But then he looked around at the rest of the group and seemed to realize that he was outnumbered. He muttered under his breath and sank into his seat, leaving the main conversation to continue without him.
"Now, let's move on to the task assignments. We need to make sure everyone knows their responsibilities and can work together effectively…." began Lily a moment standing up and addressing the group.
As the meeting progressed, the atmosphere remained tense, but Potter kept his focus on the task at hand. The Hogwarts Express rumbled along the tracks, David slumped back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the window as he watched the English countryside roll by. He was still fuming about being passed over for Head Boy. He had always thought it was a certainty, given his family's reputation and his own academic achievements. But James Potter, the Golden Gryffindor, had somehow managed to snag the title instead. David's gaze flicked to Potter, who was chatting as Emily and the other prefects listened. He felt a surge of resentment towards him, who seemed to be taking his new role so seriously. David had always known that Potter was a bit of a jokester, but he had never expected him to be this... responsible.
David's attention had wandered, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of how he could steal Emily away more rather than commit to a year's worth of listening to James Potter and Lily Evans. He didn't bother paying attention to the speeches, instead scribbling notes on his own card with a scowl. Even Arlo beside him was heeding him more attention and tapped his leg a few times to refocus him.
"Sit up! Stop being an ass," he whispered under his breath. "Emily's watching you too!"
On several occasions, David noted that Emily kept itching her right arm. The fabric was bunched up a bit and he could see a faint purple mark there. Standing a moment to turn in his card to Evans, he looked over, noticing a large, dark purple bruise, with faint green undertones blooming on her skin. It looked like someone had held her wrist in a tight grip for a while. He raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the better of him. She brought her other hand up to gently touch the bruise, her fingers tracing the edges of the discoloration. The skin around it was slightly swollen, and he could tell it was slightly tender when she pressed on it.
Had she fallen and bruised herself? Had someone hurt her? David tried not to think of the terrible things but his mind raced about Black and Potter. His heart began to race as he felt a sense of unease growing inside. What had happened to her? But Evans lightly pushed him onward back to his seat when the meeting finally came to a close.
"Thanks for your input, everyone. Let's make sure to work together this year and make Hogwarts an amazing place."
The other prefects nodded in agreement, still looking a bit uneasy after David's earlier outburst. But Potter and Lily just smiled reassuringly. As David watched the others file out of the train car, he remained seated, his eyes never leaving the spot where Emily was sitting. He felt a sense of unease wash over him, his instincts screaming at him to get up and follow her in case she left. But he hesitated, his gaze fixed on the spot where she was seeing her be handed a tube of something from Potter.
"What's wrong, David?" Arlo's voice broke into his thoughts, and he turned to see his friend standing beside him, a look of concern etched on his face.
"Nothing," David replied curtly, his mind still fixed on Emily. She was wincing because of whatever the injury on her arm was. Arlo's expression turned puzzled as his shoulder was shakened.
"Why are you still sitting here?"
David shrugged. "I'm waiting for Emily. If you're so interested."
The words were out before he could think better of it, and he felt regret drip out as Arlo's face darkened. Winters looked equally unimpressed, and together they turned to leave. David watched them go, feeling a sense of unease settle in his stomach. He knew he'd just made things worse with his friends, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this whole situation. And besides, he wasn't sure if he was ready to let go of whatever connection he felt with Emily just yet.
"We'll talk about it later, okay? Here's the cream Mum sent too. Should help with the itch," offered Potter, handing her a jar of something as Evans got up and walked away too.
Emily nodded and applied the cream against her arm and it was here that he saw the true size of the bruise she had been nursing. Potter had left for a moment, claiming that he would return after seeing to his little gang of friends. Trying to shake off an uneasy feeling in his stomach, he stood up and quickened his pace to Emily. Sitting down, it took her by surprise that he went to grab the cream and applied it directly himself. He could see the purple bruise on her arm was even more prominent in the dim lighting of the train car.
"Hey, Emily," he said, trying to sound casual, as he fell into sway with her.
Emily turned to him, a hint of wariness in her eyes. "David?"
David's eyes dropped to her arm, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What happened to your arm?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Emily's gaze followed his, and for a moment, they just sat there, the only sound the clinking of the cups beside her from the meeting as the train rounded a corner.
"I don't know," Emily replied finally, her voice tight. David's eyes narrowed, unable to discern the meaning.
"Don't remember?" he pressed, his tone gentle but probing.
David's gut told him otherwise, was this because of his outburst in London? He didn't remember grabbing her. The bruise looked like a handprint, and he could sense that whatever had happened to Emily was far from an accident. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Emily, it looks like someone grabbed your wrist with their hand," he asked in heavy concern. Who had done this? And who's handprint was that.
"I told you, I don't remember," she repeated, her voice firm but laced with a hint of fear.
David's instincts were screaming at him to keep pushing, to confirm if what he told her had actually worked. But he knew that would only push her further into awareness. Instead, he decided to take a different tack. He mumbled under his breath something before looking into her eyes.
"Look, Emily," he said softly, his words dripping with empathy. "If you don't want to talk about it now, that's okay. But promise me one thing – promise me you'll tell me if anything else happens."
Emily hesitated, her eyes locking onto his for a long moment before she blinked slowly.
"Okay... I promise…."
As Emily nodded, her eyes still locked onto his, David's heart skipped a beat. He felt like he was drowning in the depths of her gaze, and he couldn't help but lean in closer, his face inches from hers. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his skin, and he was acutely aware of the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. For a moment, they just sat there, suspended in time, the only sound of soft hums of the train and the distant chatter of their fellow students. His mind was a jumble of emotions - concern for Emily's safety, desire for her proximity, and a deep longing to protect her from whatever darkness lurked in the shadows, a darkness he knew he helped encourage. Slowly, he raised his hand, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he leaned in closer. Emily's eyes never left his, her gaze burning with surprise and anticipation. David's heart pounded in his chest as he hesitated, his lips inches from hers. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this moment of possibility. His breath whispered against Emily's skin, unsure if he could, or even should kiss her so openly.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the moment was broken. The train car door slid open and Potter and Black bursted in, their faces alight with cheer.
"Hey, Emily, we're back!" exclaimed Potter, plopping open a bag of sugary treats. But his tone was immediately replaced with a scowl when he took in the scene before him. His eyes narrowed at David, who was still sitting in his seat, looking like he'd been caught red-handed. Black's eyes, however, went straight to Emily's face, and his expression turned cold.
"What's going on here?" he growled, his voice low and menacing as he took several steps forward.
Emily's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she quickly stood gathering her things. "N-nothing," she stuttered, avoiding their gaze. She tried frantically to get as far away from Black as possible.
"Don't lie to us, Emmy," snapped Black, his eyes flashing with a mixture of jealousy and hatred. "We saw the way he was looking at you."
David felt a cold dread creeping up his spine as he realized that his fellow seventh years had caught him off guard. The air seemed to thicken around him, heavy with tension and hostility. He could feel the weight of their disdain, like a physical presence pressing down on him. His instincts screamed at him to stand up, to confront them, to defend himself against their venomous stares. But he remained seated, frozen in place, as if rooted to the spot. The cold calculation that had always served him so well in the past seemed to desert him now, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed. His eyes locked onto Potter and Black, their faces twisted with contempt, and he knew that he was in for a world of trouble. The silence between them was oppressive, a heavy blanket of animosity that threatened to suffocate him and Emily at any moment. He could feel the anger and resentment pooling from them like a distinct force, and he knew that he needed to tread carefully if he was going to get out of this situation unscathed. But for now, he was trapped, stuck in this moment of awkwardness and shame, unable to move or speak or even breathe without drawing attention to himself. The memory of Emily's lips inches from his own still lingered, a tantalizing promise of something more that now seemed lost forever. The weight of their disdain crushed him, a reminder that in this world of wizards and witches, alliances were everything and being caught out of line could be devastating.
"Guys, come on," Emily protested, trying to grab her bag and throwing it over her arm. "There's nothing going on."
But they were having none of it. They blocked her path, their arms crossed over their chests. "We're not leaving until you tell us what's going on," Potter said firmly.
David felt a surge of anger rise up inside him. He knew that he had to protect Emily from these two which was why he did what he did before. His eyes locked onto theirs as he stood up gripping her shoulder gently trying to steer her away behind him.
"You have no right to dictate what Emily does or doesn't do," he reminded them coldly.
The atmosphere in the carriage car was electric with tension as the three of them stood there, the only sound the hum of the train wheels on the tracks. A moment later, Black reached out to grab her arm to pull her toward him and Potter. Instantly Emily let out an ear piercing shriek as she cried out, "I can't be near you!"
There were tears in her eyes as she stared at Black and Potter, her feet unsteady from the rhythm of the train, her free hand grasping the edge of the seat for support. David's heart sank as he watched, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and helplessness. Black's grip on Emily's arm tightened, his face twisted in a cruel anger. Then he realized the size of the bruise on her arm…. It was Black that did that….
"You're just being dramatic, Emily," Potter said, his voice dripping with imperiousness. "We're your family, we just want to help you."
Emily's eyes flashed with defiance, her voice trembling with emotion. David's jaw clenched as Black's grip on her arm tightened further highlighted the size. He could feel the venom emanating from her, a mix of fear and anger and desperation. The air was thick with tension as the three of them stood there, the only sound the creaking of the train and Emily's ragged breathing.
"You're making this worse," David said, his voice low and even, trying to reason with them. But both Gryffindors ignored him, their attention fixed on Emily.
"Let her go," David demanded, his voice growing louder, his eyes flashing with anger.
Black turned to him, his expression cold and menacing. "Mind your own business, Luke," he sneered.
David's eyes narrowed, his heart racing with rage. "I am making it my business," he growled with a shout. "Leave her alone!"
The tension in the carriage was locked in a silent standoff. The train rumbled on, but no one noticed, lost in their own personal drama. David knew that if he didn't act fast, things could escalate out of control. He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on releasing Black's hand still grasping Emily's arm.
"Let her go," he repeated, his voice firm and commanding, his eyes flashing with a warning as he tried to pry Emily free from Black grasp. But the other boy held tight, a wicked glint in his eye as he spoke with rough words.
And then, without warning, Emily suddenly wrenched free from Sirius's grasp and flung herself into David's arms, her body trembling with sobs. His eyes widened in surprise as he caught her, his arms wrapping around her instinctively to hold her close. He could feel her tears soaking through his robes, and his heart went out to her. Her arms wrapped around his ribs as he brought his hands up to cradle her head against his chest, trying to shield her from the chaos around them. His fingers wrapped themselves in her long hair that waved at the end, tangling slightly as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. David's hand rose to gently push the strands away from her wet face, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw as he whispered soft words of comfort into her ear.
"Shh, Emmy, it's okay," he whispered, trying to soothe the tears away. "You're safe now."
As he held her close, David felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. He had always known that Emily was different from the others - her fearlessness, her quick wit, and her unwavering loyalty were just a few of the qualities that made him admire her. Things he told his father about her. This and more, he told himself firmly, was why she is worthy of becoming a Luke one day.
But Potter and Black were not about to let the situation pass without a fight. They exchanged a look of disgust and disdain, their faces twisted in anger.
"You're just making a mistake, snake," sneered Potter, his voice dripping with venom. "She's one of us, and you'll never be worthy of her."
David's grip on Emily tightened, his eyes flashing with anger.
"You're just jealous," he spat back his vision slightly blocked by a mass of black hair. "You're just mad because I'm the only one who cares about her!"
Black snorted in derision. "You think you care about her!? You don't even know what she needs."
Emily's sobs grew louder, and David held her closer, trying to shield her from the verbal attack. He could feel her body shaking with emotion, and his own anger and frustration mounted.
"Leave us alone," he growled at the two sensing for the moment he could not move until either they did or he would push his way through them. "We're done with this conversation."
But they were not so easily deterred. Black and Potter continued to taunt and jeer, their words like daggers aimed directly at David. Emily's tears grew more bitter, and David knew he had to get them out of there before things got worse.
"Come on," he whispered to Emily, gently disentangling himself from her grasp. "Let's get out of here."
He guided her towards the door of the train carriage, pushing Black's hands harshly away from Emily as he tried again. Each time she flinched at Black's touch as though being electrocuted. The silence was deafening as he slammed the door to the prefect's carriage, disappearing down the train car toward his housemates, with Emily in tow.