As the Hogwarts Express rumbled steadily on its journey, Sirius fidgeted with the edge of his robes. His restless energy palpable while Daphne observed him with a raised eyebrow, her calm demeanor contrasting his visible tension. James was out looking for the Trolley Lady to buy some sweets.
"You seem oddly preoccupied, Sirius," she remarked, her tone casual but selective.
Sirius, avoiding Daphne's perceptive gaze, admitted vaguely, "Just thinking."
She leaned back in her seat, a playful glint in her eyes as she teased, "Could it be the Green-eyed Monster paying you a visit?"
Sirius chuckled despite himself, grateful for Daphne's ability to lighten the mood even in the midst of his swirling thoughts.
"You quite literally stole her from me for what? To make me mad? You are dangerously annoying at times you know," he smiled with a teasing laugh filling the compartment.
"Perhaps a bit of jealousy, but can you really blame me?" she laughed throwing her hair back. "I really wanted the badge, but I'm completely happy she got it all the same. I also wanted to tease Eric about his. He absolutely hates being one but enjoyed overstepping me on it. Emmy deserves it most. She's sorta Lily and Remus, but less book smart."
"I heard you say that Luke was a prefect too," said Sirius with concern laced in his voice. "What… what exactly are the duties of a prefect? Will they spend a lot of time together?"
"I don't know Sirius, as I'm not a prefect. Remus might be better suited to answer that."
"I just don't want Luke spending time with Emily any more than he has to," he said quietly holding his hands firmly together. His knuckles were nearly white.
"Don't want David lurking around like a particularly smug tomcat?" she quipped, a hint of exasperation threading through her words. Daphne's laughter rang out melodically, a soothing sound amidst the train's rhythmic clatter.
"Don't worry! You're a rare breed yourself, and I'm quite certain Emily sees that too," she reassured him, her words a gentle reminder of his worth in Emily's eyes.
As the scenery blurred past the compartment window, Sirius felt a fleeting sense of ease settle over him, bolstered by Daphne's friendship and unwavering support. Laughter erupted in the compartment as James returned in a fluster, realizing he had forgotten his money. Both teasing him good-naturedly about his forgetfulness, Sirius eyes Daphne closely observing the woman she was growing to be. Her fluffy blonde hair was often untamed, similarly to James's, and was bright in color. Her dimple were hidden by the mass but Sirius smiled seeing her beauty thought not reacting towards her in a romantic way. He knew her abrasiveness and the shrewdness clouding her judgement at times. But she as loyal a friend as any of them.
James finally returned with a few treats and after nearly an hour, Remus returned from the prefect meeting wiping his brow.
"That was interesting to say the least," he commented sitting down next to Daphne. "He was definitely staring at her."
"Was he? Merlin, he couldn't have made it less obvious," said Daphne with a smirk.
"Who?" asked James and Sirius at the same time.
"David Luke. He boarded with her and kept his hands under the table for much of the meeting, practically pressed against her the whole time."
"And what did she do to this?"
"Who is the she in this?"
"Emily," replied Remus looking around the group. "He kept talking about bonding as houses, but his eyes never left Emily while he spoke. I told Lily we would need to watch him, because he left many of his duties to spend time with her last year. That's somewhat why he found out about the whole lake incident. He was quite literally beating it out of his housemates when they were gossiping about it. That's why she was gone for so long."
"I don't like this one bloody bit," snapped Sirius standing up and pulling open the door harshly. "I'm going to find her!"
"Sirius, sit down! She's somewhere on the train who knows where," said Daphne. "Probably with my brother!"
Daphne's knowing smile hinted at her understanding of his inner turmoil, especially regarding Emily's closeness with David. Her prior words, offering reassurance and wisdom, provided a soothing balm to Sirius's insecurities.
"Remus did she leave before you or after?" he asked, his hands gripped the door frame too much. It sent shivers down his spine as momentarily he remembered the kiss from yesterday. Fuck, his mind said feeling his body act up, here of all places body!
"She left with the other 5th years. They were told to be ready in the prefect carriage before getting to Hogsmeade to direct first years to the boats, then they would join everyone in the Great Hall."
"And you and the other prefects?"
"We were told to direct other students to the carriages and get there ourselves. Emily and Eric are doing what Lily and I did last year. It's all according to plan from the Head Boy and Girl. We must follow it. It's part of our duties, Sirius."
Sirius, shoulders slumping imperceptibly, confessed to feeling a loss of connection amidst Remus's explanation.
"She'll be fine and most likely with Eric. Those two are inseparable."
Despite Daphne's attempts to calm him, Sirius's unease grew until he caught sight of Luke and Emily walking through the train's long winding walkway, sharing a lollipop together. His heart sank as he watched Luke offering the lollipop to Emily with a smile, her own eyes sparkling in amusement. She shook her head, but her lips curved upwards as she refused the sweet treat, a playful expression on her face. He felt a rush of mixed emotions – a twinge of jealousy, a pang of longing, and a wave of uncertainty washed over him. A surge of protectiveness towards Emily rushed through him, mixed with a hint of displeasure for the easy camaraderie between her and Luke.
Despite the turmoil in his heart, he found a strange sense of annoyance in witnessing their interaction. With a heavy sigh and a lingering gaze at the pair, Sirius turned back to Daphne and Remus, his expression a mix of resignation and withdrawal. Lost in his thoughts and emotions, James slid into the seat across from him, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What are you staring at, mate?" James asked, nudging Sirius with a playful grin.
Sirius tore his gaze away from the corridor and met James' questioning gaze. "Oh, nothing. Just...just watching the scenery go by," he replied evasively, a faint blush tinging his cheeks.
Across the compartment, Remus caught wind of the conversation and noticed Sirius's discomfort. Sensing the need to intervene and protect whatever was happening outside the door, he politely excused himself from the conversation with Daphne and stood up, casually making his way over to where Sirius was standing.
"Hey, James. What's going on?" Remus asked, casting a quick glance at Sirius before turning his attention to James, who shrugged, shooting a curious glance in Sirius's direction.
"Sirius was being all mysterious, staring off into space. Thought I'd see what had him so captivated," he explained with a grin.
Sensing the tension in the air, he decided to excuse himself once more and made his way to the compartment door, pretending to gaze out at the passing scenery. But his eyes were honed in on a different scene unfolding in the corridor - David and Emily sharing a quiet, intimate moment as they stood by one of the train windows, the same as what Sirius saw. His friend was standing just outside the door, his own eyes staring at the display for them.
"I don't like that at all," he muttered quietly under his breath, low enough for James to not hear.
"I can guess why," offered Remus turning to face the window.
David was talking animatedly, his eyes fixed on Emily as she listened with rapt attention, a soft smile playing on her lips. The way they looked at each other spoke volumes, a connection that seemed to surpass words. He was leaning over her, one arm up against the wall of the train, and the other lightly caressing her side, a clear and definite flirty grin crossing his face.
Other students who would pass by looked up blushing at their closeness. One of the girls who looked at Luke, also smiled running her fingers across Sirius's chest as she walked by. For a moment, his eyes followed her before turning back and looking at Remus.
"Why do the girls seem all the more interesting than usual?"
"We are 6th years and girls are interesting to you and seemingly every other male above 5th year."
Remus couldn't help but feel a stab of sorrow for Sirius as he watched the exchange, knowing the turmoil brewing within his friend's heart but only guessing the honesty below it. But he also couldn't deny the genuine warmth and happiness that seemed to radiate from Emily's face in David's presence. As he turned back to continue his conversation with Sirius, Remus caught Sirius's eye, offering him a subtle nod of reassurance. Silent gratitude swelled within him as he returned Remus's nod, thankful for his friend's quick thinking and protective instincts.
And as the train rumbled on towards Hogwarts, Sirius found himself once again lost in his thoughts, his heart heavy with unspoken wishes and uncharted emotions as they reentered the compartment.
"What took you both?" teased James, throwing down the card in his hand at Daphne who laughed as she was winning.
Remus chuckled lightly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Don't worry about it, James. It's just...nothing exciting. Just Sirius being Sirius," he said cryptically, subtly signaling to James not to pry any further.
James raised an eyebrow, but ultimately decided to drop the subject, trusting Remus's judgment. With a heavy heart, Sirius settled back into his seat, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering in the air around them, silently hoping that his fears and doubts would soon dissipate, just like the fleeting sweetness of a shared lollipop.
*dot*
As the Hogwarts Express continued its journey north, Emily and David found themselves by the window in the corridor, engaging in a conversation that seemed to captivate them both. David's animated gestures and bright smile were infectious, drawing Emily's attention as she listened intently to his words.
"You know, Emily, I've always admired your dedication to your studies. It's truly inspiring," David remarked, his eyes shining with genuine admiration. Emily blushed at the compliment, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
"Thank you, David. You're always so passionate about everything you do, it's contagious."
When David leaned in closer, his arm casually resting against the train wall and his eyes locked onto hers, Emily's heart fluttered with a mix of emotions - admiration, curiosity, and a hint of something more.
"There's something about you, Emily," David said softly, his gaze intense, his hand rising a bit against her shirt. "You have this light that shines so brightly. It's hard not to be drawn to it."
Emily felt her cheeks flush at his words, a rush of warmth spreading through her.
"You're too kind. We just...click," she said bringing her hand up to hold his still. As other students passed by, casting curious glances at the pair, Emily couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth and contentment at the easy rapport she shared with him. A smile tugged at the corners of Emily's lips as she shook her head at David's lighthearted banter, her eyes crinkling with genuine amusement.
"You're impossible," she teased, playfully nudging his side.
"You know, being a prefect has its perks. We could certainly find ways to... collaborate outside of school duties."
His suggestive tone made her rise to her toes a moment as his face dipped into the curve of her neck and cleverly leaving a mark. It felt both natural and exhilarating. Closing her eyes, she felt his hands wrapped around her waist, settling on the small of her back, as he held them in place. He continued only to be interrupted as someone tapped him on the shoulder. The person wore a smug expression on his face before addressing them.
"Well, well, if it isn't Luke, cozying up to his little Gryffindor," the person sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. David's jaw clenched at the jab, his pride stinging. The person standing there was Arlo Stone, a fellow 6th year in Ravenclaw.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything too scandalous?" he smirked, addressing Emily closely. "I seem to recall trying to get to know you in Hogsmeade before Black stopped me—"
"Shouldn't you be busy shining your badge instead of sticking your nose where it doesn't belong? Why don't you do patrol somewhere else on this damn train?" shot back David, his blue eyes narrowing in a challenging glare. "Make sure some real trouble doesn't happen!"
Arlo's smile faltered slightly at the retort. "Just making sure my duties as Prefect are upheld," he replied, his gaze flickering towards Emily. "Don't you think you should be setting an example?"
David felt anger boiling in his chest at the insinuation, but he forced himself to remain composed.
"I can handle my duties just fine without your unsolicited advice," he stated firmly.
"Maybe Potter, should decide for herself—" started Arlo walking forward and was stopped instantly by David's outstretched arm suddenly blocking the way. His hand was planted against the wall, firm, and giving a clear warning in his eyes as he gripped with the opposite the front of his Ravenclaw robe.
"Keep your hands to yourself, Arlo," David growled, his voice low and dangerous. Emily's heart pounded in her chest, unsure of what would happen next, as she watched the tense exchange.
Arlo's smirk faltered, replaced by a hint of annoyance as he tried to pull his hand away from David's grip. "Let go, Luke. I was just trying to be friendly," he said, attempting to downplay his actions.
David's nostrils flared as he tightened his grip, his jaw clenching. "No means no, Arlo. Leave Emily alone," he warned, his voice steely.
Emily felt a surge of gratitude and admiration for David as she watched him stand up for her, his protective stance sending a wave of reassurance through her. She placed a hand on his arm, silently thanking him for his intervention.
Arlo huffed in frustration, shooting a glare at both of them before finally wrenching his hand free from David's grasp. With a last scowl, he turned and walked away, leaving the corridor with a sense of lingering tension in his wake. Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, David's gaze turning back to Emily with a mixture of concern and relief.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of distress.
Emily nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, David. I appreciate you stepping in like that. But we probably shouldn't do this here," she agreed, folding her arms. "Besides there will be more opportunities at Hogwarts, don't you think?"
Sensing the pause in her step, she pressed her hands against his chest, feeling it out. His stomach constricted as it lay there a moment longer. Taking a quick second to peck another kiss on the forehead, they turned away from each other as he waved goodbye.
As they continued their journey on the Hogwarts Express, their bond strengthened by the shared moment of playful banter they had faced together. Unaware of her audience in Sirius and Remus earlier, she walked slowly to the compartment she thought Daphne said she'd be in. Peering in each before, she saw others staring at her oddly.
"Has anyone seen Daphne?" she asked one set of students.
"She's down about two doors," offered one pointing to Emily's right.
"Thank you. Be sure to get changed before we arrive," she reminded them as she continued. Her mind was still reeling from that kiss with David. It felt so nice, and it was so public, without her really noticing the others around them. Her focus had remained solely on David, their shared moment unfolding something deep inside her. It felt both comforting and thrilling in its possibilities.
Finally arriving at the right compartment, she opened it feeling very cheery and sheepishly walking in front of everyone in her path. Sitting down she sat beside Sirius as Daphne couldn't resist teasing her friend.
"Well, well, well, look who decided to finally grace us with her presence," Daphne jested, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she nudged Emily teasingly.
Blushing even brighter, she playfully swatted Daphne's arm before gathering her knees up to her chin. The playful banter was quickly overshadowed when James shot her a questioning look and reshuffled the cards that scattered when she walked through.
"Emily, what's that on your neck?" James asked, his tone a mix of concern and reproach.
Emily's eyes widened in panic as she instinctively reached up to cover the mark on her neck, her mind racing to come up with a plausible excuse. Surely, it's not that noticeable, she prayed.
"Oh, uh, it's nothing, just a...um...scratch," she stammered, unable to meet James' probing gaze.
James raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "A scratch? Really, Emily? It looks more like a... hickey," he stated bluntly, causing a hush to fall over the compartment as everyone turned their attention to the unfolding drama.
Sirius felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he watched the scene play out, the realization sinking in like a heavy weight on his chest. He exchanged a knowing glance with Remus, who offered him a sympathetic nod, understanding the storm of emotions that Sirius was grappling with in that moment.
Feeling the scrutiny of her brother's gaze, Emily's embarrassment turned to defensiveness as she quickly retorted, "James, just shut it, okay? It's none of your business."
With a flick of her hair, she hastily covered up the telltale mark, her demeanor now guarded and closed off. As the tension in the compartment continued to simmer, Sirius and Emily shared a fleeting glance, their eyes locking in a silent exchange. Memories of their shared kiss the day before flooded back to Sirius, the warmth of her lips against his lingering in his mind like a bittersweet echo.
In that moment of unspoken understanding between them, Sirius felt a surge of conflicting emotions rise to the surface. Confusion, desire, and uncertainty warred within him as he grappled with the implications of their fleeting moment of intimacy and the unspoken connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing minute. Despite the tumultuous undercurrents running beneath the surface of their interactions, they remained silent.
Feeling the weight of the tension in the compartment, James visibly bristled at Emily's sharp tone.
"Emily, you can't just brush this off. What happened? Did someone hurt you?" he questioned, his concern evident in his voice as he reached out to gently push her hair away, revealing the mark on her neck again.
Emily's eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and vulnerability. "James, I said it's nothing. Just drop it, okay?" she insisted, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation as she swiftly covered the mark once more.
Daphne let out a snicker with a wink, knowing where it came from.
"Was it better than anything else in the world?" she teased holding her chest.
"Shut up Daph!" giggled Emily back.
Sirius watched the exchange with a furrowed brow, his mind racing with hostile sentiments. He couldn't shake the memory of their shared kiss, the rush of emotions that had bloomed between them in that stolen moment. As he caught Emily's eye, he saw a flicker of uncertainty there, a silent plea for understanding amidst the chaos of their unspoken connection. Sensing the unspoken tension between everyone, Remus cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the compartment.
"Maybe we should just focus on getting to Hogwarts for now," he suggested, his voice gentle but firm as he tried to diffuse the mounting tension.
Emily nodded gratefully, her gaze flickering between James, Sirius, and Remus.
"Yeah, let's just get to Hogwarts," she echoed, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of sadness as she turned towards the window, watching the landscape blur past as the train continued its journey. In that moment, surrounded by her friends and the weight of their unspoken truths, Emily couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for their disorderly group as they hurtled towards an uncertain future.
*dot*
Finally, after leading the first years to the Common Room, Emily gave out the last of the tours for the new students and slumped into one of the large armchairs. It was late and few students remained in the Common Room. Looking back, Sirius was sitting by the fire playing with the coals, his face casting shadows. His thoughts were consumed with the memory of the kiss they shared before they left for school. It had been a fleeting moment, a rush of emotions that left him feeling more conflicted than ever.
Why had she asked him to do that? Even now, he couldn't shake the feeling of her soft lips pressed against his, the way his hand had reached up to cup her cheek before whatever loud noise downstairs had stopped them, pulling her away.
Sirius knew that there was a connection between them, something more than just friendship, but he couldn't bring himself to face it head-on. He couldn't help the brooding sense of unease that settled over him. Slowly, he turned hearing soft steps coming closer and beamed when he saw it was Emily.
"Hey Sirius," Emily called out, her voice slightly nervous yet filled with a warmth that resonated with him. She settled down beside him, unaware of the storm of emotions raging within him. "What are you thinking about? You look lost in thought."
Sirius shook his head, trying to push aside his inner turmoil. "Oh, just thinking about the upcoming school year. It's going to be a tough one."
Emily nodded, a furrow forming between her brows as she studied him. "You seem off. Is everything okay?"
Sirius forced a smile, not wanting to burden her with his own internal struggles. "I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind, that's all. Like that letter you got from Luke, what was it about?"
"It was a letter telling me his OWL results. He shared his disappointment over not getting all Os and feeling behind in preparations for this year," she said softly.
"That all?" Sirius laughed quietly.
"I promise!" she giggled back lightly pushing his arm.
Their eyes met a moment and the air seemed to thicken with unspoken words. Sirius couldn't help but notice the faint blush that stained Emily's cheeks, mirroring his own internal turmoil.
As they sat next to each other the crackling fire making only noise and a palpable tension hung in the air. Unspoken words between them creating a bridge of uncertainty and longing. Sirius couldn't ignore the way his heart raced whenever he looked into her warm, inviting eyes. He wanted to ask her about the letter from David more, to understand the emotions that lay beneath the surface of their friendship, but the fear of rejection or ruining their bond held him back.
Taking a deep breath, Sirius turned to face the fire and mustered the courage to speak.
"Emily, about that letter from Luke...do you...feel anything for him?" His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with a hint of vulnerability he seldom showed.
Emily's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and confusion flickering across her features before she settled on a thoughtful gaze. "David? He's just a friend. Why do you ask?" Her tone was gentle, filled with genuine curiosity as she searched Sirius's eyes for a response.
Sirius hesitated, struggling to find the right words to convey the depth of his emotions without risking their friendship.
"I...I guess I was just wondering...if there was anything more between you two. You know, given the way he talks about you and all..." His words trailed off, a knot forming in his stomach.
Emily's eyes softened as she reached out to place a comforting hand on Sirius's arm. "Sirius, David and I are just friends. There's nothing more to it," she reassured him, her touch sending a rush of warmth through his veins.
"I saw you both on the train," he admitted quietly. "I didn't like seeing that mark he gave you."
Sirius's hair was blocking his eyes and it made Emily worry because she hadn't wanted him to see that. Subconsciously rubbing her neck, she stood up and paced a moment before turning back to his seated figure.
"I promise, he's just a friend," she said tugging on her hair to cover the mark once more. "I promise."
Relief washed over Sirius, mingled with a tinge of disappointment he couldn't quite name. Looking up and back, he gave her a small, grateful smile, grateful for her honesty. "I'm glad to hear that. I just didn't want things to get...complicated between us."
They stole tentative glances at each other, each lost in their own thoughts about the unexpected connection that had sparked between them. She nodded understandingly though, her gaze holding his as if searching for something deeper. "It won't, Sirius. You're important to me, you know that, right?" Her words were soft, sincere, and filled with a warmth that seeped into Sirius's heart, easing the burden of his unspoken emotions.
Sirius smiled, a genuine, grateful smile that reached his eyes. "I know, Emily. You're important to me too." And in that fleeting moment, as the fire crackled and the shadows danced around them, Sirius felt a flicker of hope igniting within him—a hope that maybe, just maybe, their friendship could evolve into something more meaningful and profound.
The memory of their kiss hung between them like an invisible thread, weaving its way into them both. She walked away after bidding him goodnight, he returning his glaze to the embers burning in front of him.