Merlin, the letters were sure taking longer than anticipated. It was only a few days since returning home, and Emily was pacing in the living room because her brother had said the results from the OWLs would be within the beginning days of August. Not to mention since returning, Emily had to keep a closer eye on him because everywhere she wanted to be with Sirius, there he was too. It was so obvious that he was taking Sirius's time, maybe for once caring not enough about Lily Evans.
Evans had tutored her a bit right near the end of the school year before the OWLs but now wasn't the time to be thanking her yet.
"Emily, sit down! It won't make it come sooner!" said Potter brushing his hair back and eyeing her closely.
"Mind your own business!" snapped Emily, not bothering to hide her frustration. She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "You're always so sure of yourself, aren't you? Well, newsflash: I don't need your permission to pace around our own living room. And besides, it's not like you're the one who's been waiting anxiously for these results."
Sirius, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward, trying to intervene.
"Emmy, maybe we should—" he began but it fell on deaf ears. She cut him off, her voice rising.
"No, Sirius, let me handle this. He doesn't understand what it's like to be waiting for something as important as OWL results. He's always so busy being the golden boy, he doesn't have to worry about anything."
Potter's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "How dare you, Emily! I've done nothing but try to support you when you were studying and preparing for your exams. You're just mad because you're impatient."
Emily snorted, feeling the anger rise again. Sirius pulled her arm as she turned to face her brother watching him flinch.
"Ha! You think I'm mad because I'm not getting my way? You're just mad because I'm not coddling you like you want Lily Evans to do."
Sirius stepped forward again, trying to calm the situation. "Emily, James, please... let's not fight about this. We're all just anxious for the results."
But Emily was too far gone. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving the two boys to stare after her in discomfort. The rest of the day was tense and awkward. Emily avoided her brother, Sirius tried to mediate, but it was clear that the tension between the Potters was still simmering just below the surface. She spent most of the day pacing around the house, trying to distract herself from the anxiety building inside her.
As the sun began to set, Emily finally collapsed onto the couch, exhausted from her restless wandering. Sirius sat down beside her, trying to make small talk to ease the tension.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked softly, his eyes filled with concern.
Emily nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I'm just... so anxious, Sirius. I don't know what's going on with my results. I worked really hard!"
Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I know. Just try to relax and focus on the good things."
Emily leaned into his touch, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. She closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind and calm down. Sirius's arm remained wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close as he whispered words of reassurance in her ear.
"You studied hard, Emmy. You've got nothing to worry about. These results will show that you're just as talented and capable as you know you are."
Emily took a deep breath, trying to let his words sink in. She knew he was right, she had studied hard, pouring over her notes and practicing her spells until she was sure she had gotten them all down pat. But still, doubts lingered.
"I'm just so nervous," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I didn't do as well as I thought I did?"
Sirius's grip on her shoulders tightened. "You're going to be fine. I'm here for you, no matter what happens. And even if you didn't do as well as you hoped, it's not the end of the world. You'll just have to work a little harder next year."
Emily opened her eyes, looking up at him with a mix of emotions. She knew he was right, but it was hard to shake the feeling of uncertainty that had been plaguing her for days after returning from America.
"But what if... what if I don't get into my NEWT level courses?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "I want to do something with education and if Mum and Dad… What am I going to do?"
Sirius's expression turned serious, his eyes filled with a deep understanding and compassion. He knew that Emily was worried and anxious, and he was determined to calm her down, to comfort her without scolding.
"Emmy, I know you're worried, but you have to try to relax," he said softly, his voice gentle and soothing. "You've studied hard, and you're going to have an amazing year following. I'll bet you got an O in Potions. You would have beat… your brother… if you did so. He'll be so mad to a degree."
But Emily wasn't listening. She was too caught up in her own worries, her own fears and doubts. She shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I don't know, Sirius. I just feel so uncertain. What if I didn't do as well as I thought I did? What if I'm not good enough?"
Sirius's expression didn't change. He knew that Emily was struggling to cope with the uncertainty, and he was determined to help her through it. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he whispered words of reassurance in her ear.
Emily sniffled, feeling a small sense of comfort wash over her. She knew that Sirius believed in her, and that meant more than anything. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as she felt a sense of peace settle over her.
As they sat there together, the tension slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and anticipation. They were about to find out what the future held, and Emily knew that no matter what happened, she would face it with Sirius by her side.
The next morning, Emily woke up early, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She got dressed quickly, her heart racing with anticipation. Sirius was already up and about, making breakfast in the kitchen. As they sat down to eat, Emily's eyes kept drifting back to the clock on the wall. It was already 10:30 am - when would the results arrive? Just as they were finishing up their breakfast, there was a knock at the window. Emily's heart skipped a beat as she jumped up from her seat.
"I'll get it!" Sirius exclaimed, beating Emily to it. It was a large brown owl carrying two letters she saw as Sirius unwrapped the items from its leg.
"It's here," he said softly. "One for you and one for James."
Emily's eyes scanned the letter, her heart racing with anticipation. She had worked so hard to get this result, and she was determined to be perfect. But as she broke the seal and read through the contents, a mixture of emotions washed over her. Relief, excitement, and a dash of disappointment all swirled together in her chest.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades
Fail Grades
OUTSTANDING (O)
POOR (P)
EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS (E)
DREADFUL (D)
ACCEPTABLE (A)
TROLL (T)
Emily Seraphina Potter has achieved:
Ancient Runes
E
Arithmancy
O
Astronomy
A
Care of Magical Creatures
A
Charms
O
Defense Against the Dark Arts
E
Herbology
O
History of Magic
O
Potions
O
Transfiguration
E
As she read through the list of subjects, her face broke into a wide smile. She had done it! She had achieved five Outstandings, more than she had hoped. Seeing Potions and Herbology as Os was fantastic to see, and an E in Defense Against the Dark Arts was beyond thought. Acceptable in Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures wasn't terrible either, but at least she passed everything….
"Sirius! I passed everything!" she said happily jumping in place waving the letter around. Potter and Sirius were reading over the second letter as they looked up surprised as something fell out of his letter.
Emily's gaze snapped to the fallen item, and her heart sank. No… He didn't…. He didn't get it….
Potter looked up, a smug, but still surprised, smile spreading across his face.
"I'm... Head Boy," he said, his voice dipped with arrogance.
Emily's face fell, her emotions boiling over. She felt a pang of resentment towards Potter, who had never been the best student in his year. He had always coasted on his charm and popularity, while barely lifting a finger. And now, because of his charm and popularity, he was being given the most prestigious title in their year. How her brother managed to achieve this, is beyond sophisticated thought. Remus Lupin should have been Head Boy!
Sirius noticed Emily's reaction and shot a warning look in his friend's direction.
"Congratulations, to both of you!" he said gruffly, trying to lighten the mood.
But Emily was too upset to be congratulatory. She felt like she had been robbed of her moment, and it was all because of James Potter and his usual entitled self.
"I passed everything," she said tightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hey, Emily, congratulations!" said Potter, walking over to her with that fake smile on his face.
Emily's gaze was fixed on the badge in his hands. Its shiny gold lettering and obvious implication.
"You got Head Boy," she said, her voice cold and detached.
Potter looked taken aback. "Yeah, I did. And I'm really shocked," he said, still trying to sound enthusiastic.
Emily's eyes narrowed. "You're proud of yourself? You didn't even make Prefect, but get the Head Boy badge ..."
"Hey, it worked out for me, didn't it?" he shrugged.
"Congratulations, James," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and anger. "You're definitely going to make a great Head Boy."
Potter looked at her, confused, then back at Sirius. "Thanks, Emily? I guess?"
Sirius looked at her with concern as her ears turned a slight red. "Emmy, what's wrong?"
Emily shook her head. "Just... just leave it, Sirius," she said, trying to hold back tears as she turned away to her room.
"I wonder who the Head girl will be?" she heard Potter ask outloud, holding up his badge again like he had won some lottery. Mum and Dad will be awfully proud of him that was certain.
"You know exactly who it will be! Everyone knows," said Sirius, through a laugh. He glanced over at Emily at the stairs, her expression dejected and sour.
Emily felt the same way internally too. She knew that she was meant to be Prefect, not him. But for now, it seemed like fate had other plans. She turned away, trying to compose herself, blinking away the achievements of her OWLs, and now it seemed like it was all for nothing, like no one cared. She felt like her brother was being rewarded for his lack of effort, while she was being overlooked despite her hard work.
A few hours later after crying and falling asleep on her bed, she was rustled awake by a firm hand. Blinking a few times, she saw Sirius sitting beside her, his hands wrapped around her hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Shaking her head, she sat up and pushed back her hair.
"He doesn't deserve the Head Boy badge."
"I'm actually concerned too. He's paying more attention to the badge than me for once." Sirius nudged her slightly as though to lighten the mood but failed at doing so. His eyes softened when he saw her tear streaked face.
"Hey, Emmy, maybe we can go celebrate your grades elsewhere? You and me?"
Emily nodded gratefully, feeling a small sense of relief wash over her. She didn't want to be around her brother right now, and having Sirius's company was making her feel better.
"Let's get out of here," Sirius said, standing up and pulling her up with him. "I know just the place to go."
He led her out of the house and into the quiet streets of Godric's Hollow. The village was calm and peaceful, with only a few people out and about. After getting some ice cream, Sirius and Emily walked in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the fresh air and the sound of birds singing. After a while, he turned down a small path that led to a small park. The park was surrounded by tall trees, and in the center was a beautiful lake. Sirius and Emily walked down to the lake's edge and sat down on a bench.
"I'm so proud of you, Emmy," Sirius said, turning to her with a smile. His thumb brushed against hers softly. "Five Outstandings is amazing. You should be celebrating, not crying about James."
Emily frowned slightly, feeling a small sense of comfort. "I know, I know. It's just...I feel like I've been working so hard for so long, and it feels like no one cares."
Sirius's expression turned serious as he slightly turned to face her fully.
"Of course we care, Emmy. Your parents care, I care...and James may not show it like he should, but deep down, he probably cares too."
Emily shrugged, feeling a little better but still upset. "I don't know...sometimes it feels like he is just coasting through life, getting everything handed to him on a silver platter. And I'm just trying to do my best, but it feels like no one is even paying attention."
Sirius nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean. Sometimes it feels like James thinks he's above all this stuff. But he's not. He's just as human as you and me."
Emily looked at him, feeling a small sense of gratitude. "Thanks, Sirius. You're always there for me when I need you."
Sirius smiled back at her. "That's what I'm here for."
As they sat there, the peaceful atmosphere of the park seemed to envelop them, and Emily felt her tension begin to ease. Sirius's words were like a gentle balm to her soul, soothing her worries and doubts. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. His smile faltered for a moment, and he leaned in, his face inches from hers. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt the warmth of his breath on her skin. Then, his lips brushed against hers in a soft, gentle kiss.
It was a light, comforting kiss, meant to cheer her up and lift her spirits. But as Emily felt the touch of his lips on hers, she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement ignite within her. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment, and let herself get lost in the feel of his lips on hers. When they pulled back, Emily's cheeks flushed with a soft pink color. Sirius's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at her, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
"I'm glad I could do that," he said, his voice low and husky. "You deserve a little bit of happiness, Emmy."
Emily smiled back at him, feeling contentment in his words. She knew that she could always count on Sirius to be there for her, to offer her a listening ear and a comforting word. And as she looked into his eyes, there was a sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was always something more between them than just friendship all these years.
"How is it you manage between me and my brother?" she asked, scratching his beard. "You are always on call. You know one day you'll have to pick between us."
Sirius chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, Emmy, you're always so dramatic," he said, his voice laced with a hint of teasing. "I'm not going to have to choose between you and James. I'm just being loyal to my friends, that's all."
Emily raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Loyal? Really? You're being more than just loyal, Sirius. You're...you're …"
Sirius's smile faltered for a moment, and he looked away, his eyes clouding over with a hint of sadness.
"You know, I never thought I'd be in this position," he said quietly, looking out into the lake. "But I've grown to love both of you like family. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe and happy."
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. She knew that Sirius was telling the truth, that he was genuinely devoted to them both. And as she looked at him, she felt a sense of longing wash over her. But before she could say anything else, Sirius stood up, breaking the spell.
"Let's take a walk around the lake," he suggested, holding out his hand to her. "The fresh air will do us good."
Emily hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity run through her as their palms touched. Together, they walked hand in hand around the lake, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the surrounding trees. Emily wondered what the future held for them all - and what secrets Sirius might be hiding beneath his charming smile. A sense of peace washed over her, her worries and doubts slowly fading away.
She felt grateful for his presence as they talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily from one topic to the next. Rarely had it felt like this with anyone else, maybe Daphne, but even then, it was different. He was easy to talk to, and he always seemed to understand her. She could see a future where they were happy, in love, without cares of anyone or anything else.
Making their way back to the village, the streets were quiet and dark now. But as they walked up the path to Godric's Hollow, Emily's heart skipped a beat. She could see the Potter home in the distance, the lights shining brightly through the windows. There was her brother at the front door pacing about, staring at the two of them.
Sirius noticed her gaze and followed it to Potter.
"I should've gotten you home sooner," he said quietly. "James may kill me one day."
Emily nodded, feeling a sense of resignation. She knew that Sirius was right, but she didn't want the evening to end. Potter could go elsewhere but this time, his concerned face washed her emotions for a moment.
"Hey, sis, Padfoot," he said, walking down to meet them. "I was starting to get worried. I thought you might be out here all alone."
Emily shook her head, feeling an annoyance creeping up as he implied the statement.
"I was with Sirius," she said quietly, letting go of his hand behind his leg. "We were just taking a walk."
James nodded, his eyes flicking to Sirius for a moment before returning to Emily.
"Good," he said quietly. "I'm glad you're safe."
Sirius smiled and nodded.
"Get some rest, Emmy," he said quietly. Emily nodded, as she crossed the threshold, ignoring her brother as she did so. She knew that Sirius was always there for her, no matter what.
"Goodnight Emily," she barely heard her brother say before she turned up the stairs.
*dot*
James watched with careful eyes as Sirius and Emily walked up the path to the house. He couldn't help shaking the feeling that something was always going on between them. Like something was off. Sirius was always a bit too close to her, and James didn't necessarily like it. Even when they walked up, he caught sight of their pinkies wrapped around the others before disconnecting when they reached the door.
"Hey, sis, Padfoot," he said, walking down to meet them. "I was starting to get worried. I thought you might be out here all alone."
Emily said some reason about being with Sirius, which was the reason; was always the reason. Trying to avoid conflict, he nodded, his eyes flickering to Sirius a moment before returning to his sister.
"Get some rest, Emmy," said Sirius quietly, placing his hand on the curve of her back. Emily nodded with a smile, as she crossed the threshold, ignoring James when she walked through.
"Goodnight Emily," said James hoping she heard him before watching her disappear up the stairs. It didn't appear she heard him at all and it made him sigh heavily.
James and Sirius walked back into the darkness in front of the Potter home, the silence between them growing thicker with each step. Emily had been avoiding him, and he knew exactly why or at least thought he did. He had been a crap brother to her most of the last year, always putting his own needs and desires above hers.
"Have a good walk?" he started, watching Sirius remain cool and collected.
"Everything's fine Prongs."
James's eyes lingered on the house, his mind replaying the short reply and how Sirius was standing too still. He felt a pang of guilt for accusing Sirius of something he knew wasn't true. But a part of him still knew that something was off. Sirius seemed to be avoiding his gaze as well. It was a small thing, but it made him feel uneasy.
"Hey, Padfoot," James said, trying to sound casual. "What's going on? You seem...off."
Sirius hesitated, his eyes darting back and forth before settling on James.
"Just tired, I guess," he said, his voice even but lacking its usual warmth.
James raised an eyebrow. "Tired? At this time of night? You're always up for an adventure, Padfoot. What's going on?"
Sirius's expression turned bland, but James could sense a hint of wariness behind it. "Nothing's going on, Prongs. Really."
James's instincts kicked in, and he felt a surge of suspicion. "Don't lie to me, Sirius," he said, his voice low and serious.
"I'm not lying, James. Why would I?" Sirius's eyes flashed with annoyance, but he kept his tone calm.
And then James's anger boiled over. "Because you're hiding something from me, that's why!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in accusation.
"What's going on?" James asked, his voice low and suspicious. "You're always with Emily, and I don't like it. You're my best mate, but she's my sister, and I won't stand for this."
Sirius's eyes widened in surprise, and he held up his hands defensively.
"Prongs, what are you talking about? Emily's just a friend, mate. I'd never do anything to hurt her or betray your trust."
James's grip on his pant leg tightened. He was seriously shaking at hearing his best mate deny what he feared was accurate.
"Don't lie to me! I've seen the way you look at her. You're always around her, always helping her, always…. I don't know, being there for her in ways that no one else is. And now she's walking up to the house with you, alone in the dark. It looks suspicious every single time. Even at Hogwarts, wherever she is, you are closely behind."
Sirius's expression turned stern, his gray eyes clouding over.
"Prongs, you're being ridiculous. I'm your best mate, and I'd never do anything to hurt you or your family. Emily's just a friend, and I care about her like everyone else. We've been friends since we were kids."
James scowled, feeling his ears turn up. "You're always around her, always making sure she's okay. It's like you're trying to replace me as her brother or something. Or something else!"
Sirius's face flushed with anger. "Stop this bloody nonsense. I'm not trying to replace you or take your place in Emily's life. We're just friends, okay? Can't you see that?"
James's eyes flashed with anger. "No, I don't see it. Because it looks like you're trying to steal her away from me. From our family. You want her for your own!"
Sirius's voice rose in frustration. "Prongs, listen to me! We're just friends! We've been friends for years, and we've never crossed any boundaries or done anything to hurt anyone in this family. Can't you just trust me on this? How about how you never cared enough to notice she's been hurting for years from the one person who is supposed to always be there! Instead I'm there balancing between you both!"
As they stood there, Sirius, his chest heaving out of breath from shouting, and James, who was pacing in a small circle, fists clenched. A mixture of concern and annoyance in both was evident. James was being unreasonable, but Sirius also knew that he had to tread carefully if he didn't want to push the fact he was in fact trying to hide the relationship, the real one, he shared with Emily. He had to protect her until James could understand; he truly wanted the best for their family. Besides what James didn't know at the moment was a saving bliss.
But James Potter was being a stubborn idiot again.
"Padfoot," James said, breaking the silence. "I never asked for a balance between us. The issue has been between her and I–"
Sirius turned to him, his eyes flashing with irritation. "You think you know why? You think you know what it's like to hurt her? Prongs, you have no idea what you've put her through over the years. She's not a child anymore. She's a woman–"
"A woman! She's my sister!"
"– a woman who is caring, loving, and only wants the respect and kindness she's always paid you. Inside, you hurt her repeatedly over stupid shit!"
James felt a pang of guilt. He knew he had been neglecting Emily, ignoring her feelings and needs. But he had always thought he was doing the right thing.
"Sirius, I didn't mean to hurt her," James said, his voice defensive.
"You didn't mean to?" Sirius's voice rose in incredulity. "You didn't mean to make her feel like she's not good enough, like she's just a burden? You didn't mean to ignore her when she needed you most?"
James felt a lump form in his throat. He knew Sirius was right. He had been a terrible brother to Emily.
"Sirius, I...I don't know what to do," James said, feeling tears prick at the corners of his eyes.
Sirius's expression softened slightly. "You need to start listening to her. You need to start being there for her when she needs you. And you need to stop making excuses and just be a good brother."
James nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was willing to start trying.
"Thank you, Sirius," James said, his voice sincere. "I'll do better."
Sirius nodded, his eyes serious. "You'd better."
*dot*
His letter was a surprise but Emily savored the thought of David being thoughtful enough to want to take time out of his summer to spend it with her. Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, she replied back to meet up in two days time. David seemed alright with that in his reply and she felt hopeful for her day out knowing it would be difficult to talk to him. In his second letter, he revealed he found out when Arlo mentioned Daphne's results, and assumed she had gotten hers too.
The morning of, she got out of bed, noticing the sun was unusually bright through her curtains, creating a warm flow around her small bedroom. Looking around she saw sixteen years of love and kindness, with the occasional updates as she grew older. Her same childhood dresser held the red scarf Sirius got her, as well as David's small snowflake-shaped charm near Daphne's set of books she forgot to return in fourth year.
Smiling to herself and thinking about the beautiful day ahead, she dressed quickly in a casual outfit; a comfortable flowy pale yellow skirt and a plain white blouse. Brushing her hair back into a simple ponytail, not wanting to spend too much time primping. After all, it was just a casual day out with an old friend.
As she walked down the stairs for breakfast, she was greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the sound of lively chatter from Potter and Sirius. They were sitting there eating loudly, the sounds of chatter and clinking plates filling the air as usual. It was a reminder that life was still normal, despite the worries she felt inside.
"Ah, Emily! Come join us!" Sirius exclaimed, waving her over, pointing at the food in front of him. There was toast, jam, with bowls of fruit and a half empty bowl of eggs.
"Thanks, I'm starving," she said, digging into the plate of toast and grabbing a glass for milk. But here her eyes darted from the boys and remained steadfast on her own plate as she ate quietly listening to their conversation about their seventh year.
But as the conversation turned to more serious topics, Emily's mind began to wander back to her relationship with David more as Sirius kept a close eye on her, without drawing attention. She felt a pang of anxiety in her stomach, wondering what David would think when she explained her true feelings about their relationship. Would he be disappointed? Would he still be her friend?
Come on, Emily, just be honest with yourself, she thought to herself. You're not still in love with David, are you? You're in love with Sirius, and that's the truth. You've been fooling yourself into thinking that David was the one, but deep down, you know it's not true.
She felt a pang of guilt wash over her as she thought about her past feelings for David, even thinking back to the June night when they committed to each other in the prefect's bath. She had been so caught up in the romance of it all, and had convinced herself that she was meant to be with him. But now, looking back, she realized that it was all just a fantasy.
I was so blind, she thought to herself. "I was so caught up in the idea of being with someone, I didn't even stop to think about whether he was really right for me. And now, I'm stuck with these feelings, unsure of how to tell David the truth."
What if he doesn't understand? she thought to herself more. What if he's still holding out hope for something more? What if he's angry or hurt?
The thought of having this conversation with David was daunting to Emily. She had always been afraid of hurting his feelings, and the thought of being honest with him about her true feelings was terrifying. But she knew that she couldn't keep hiding behind her feelings anymore. A wave of anxiety washed over her as she thought about all the possible outcomes. She knew that she had to be honest, but the thought of it was making her stomach turn.
I just need to be brave, she thought to herself. I need to be honest with David and tell him the truth. It's not going to be easy, but it's what I need to do.
Emily had to confess the truth.
Emily's eyes darted around the table, her mind still racing with thoughts of her future conversation with David. She forced a smile onto her face, trying to shake off the anxiety that had been building inside her.
Just as she was starting to feel a sense of calm wash over her, Potter's voice broke the silence. "Hey, Emily? You're heading out early today? Where are you off to?"
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she turned away, trying to appear nonchalant. "I have plans," she said shortly. "None of your business."
Potter raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. But Sirius just chuckled and warned him off, "Ah, leave her alone, Prongs."
Emily felt a sense of reassurance wash over her as Sirius came to her defense. She smiled wryly, feeling solidarity with him. "Are you taking me to London, Sirius?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation away from her plans.
Potter's expression darkened as he rose from his chair. "London? Why the bloody hell are you going to London?" he demanded.
"Yes, Emmy, why there?" came a voice behind her. It was her father, standing in the doorway with a cup of tea in his hands. His worried hazel eyes looked at her closely.
Emily's heart sank as she turned to face him. She had been hoping to avoid this conversation, but it seemed that her father had already guessed what was going on.
"You aren't thinking about going alone are you?" he asked, his tone stern.
Emily felt her eyes widen as she hadn't thought to explain why. She knew that she shouldn't be going to London without an escort, which was why Sirius agreed silently to take her but promised to pick her up at the Leaky Cauldron at three. She didn't want to tell her father about that, though - she wasn't sure how he would react.
"No, Dad," she said finally, trying to sound convincing. "I'm just going to meet some friends and do some shopping."
Mr. Potter's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, clearly not convinced by her vague explanation. "Who is taking you?" he asked again, his tone firm.
Emily hesitated, trying to think of a way to deflect the question. But before she could come up with a response, Sirius spoke up.
"I am," he said calmly, though his fist was clenched as he said it. "I need to check on something at Grimmauld Place. Should be a few hours at most. Back by three Sir."
Emily felt a surge of relief as she looked at Sirius, grateful for the unexpected intervention. She knew that her father would never approve of her going to London alone, but with Sirius as her escort, she knew he would approve. Her father's expression softened slightly as he looked at Sirius, seeming to accept that the situation was under control.
"Very well," he said, finally setting his cup down. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over. "Please stop by and pick up this from Flourish and Blotts while you're there. And don't take any unnecessary risks at your home Sirius."
They nodded and her brother's eyes narrowed. She knew that she couldn't have planned this better if she had tried. With Sirius by her side, she felt like she could face anything that came their way.
As they left the kitchen, Emily turned to Sirius and whispered, "Thanks for getting us out of there. I owe you one."
Sirius grinned at her mischievously. "Anytime, Emmy– Prongs… What are you doing?"
Just as they were about to leave fully, Potter burst into the room, his face red with anger. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his eyes flashing with jealousy.
Sirius's eyes widened in surprise as the behavior became more and more agitated as Potter crossed his arms.
"Prongs, what's wrong?" he asked, trying to placate him.
"You're taking Emily to London alone?" Potter snarled, his voice low and menacing. "Again? You know how I feel about that."
Emily felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she realized that Sirius was only vaguely aware about her plans. She had told him that she was going to meet Daphne, and had promised to let her roam alone for a few hours like he had said to her father. Sirius's expression turned alarming as he stood up.
"Calm down," he said. "I'm not going to take Emily anywhere she doesn't want to go. Besides, I'm only going to Grimmauld Place to check on something."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at Sirius. "You're not going to take her anywhere without me," he said, his voice cold and hard.
Sirius's eyes flashed with anger. "You're not going to dictate what I do or where I go," he said, his voice rising at Potter. For once he was actually pissed and was showing it. Taking a stand in front of Emily, she watched as they sized one another up. Sensing panic rising inside her, she realized that the situation was escalating out of control. She knew that she had to get out of there before things got any worse.
"Guys, stop," she said, trying to intervene. "Let's just calm down and talk about this."
But they were too far gone to listen; too caught up in their own emotions and arguments to even hear her words. Emily felt a flutter in her chest as she looked at Sirius, as he turned around suddenly grabbing her arm and pulling her through the door. Feeling the side-apparition effects, she stepped forward, her grip right on Sirius. They landed with a quick motion in a side alley near Grimmauld Place.
"Bloody prick," muttered Sirius quickly as he pulled out his wand and pulled her close against his chest. He cast a concealment charm around them as a moment later Potter appeared near where they had landed. He was spinning in place, calling their names, but could not apparently see them. He continued onward into the street, practically running. Several minutes later, he pulled the charm down and they let out a sigh.
"Please get your shopping done earlier than you want. I can't risk being seen alone without you, even in my Animagus form. James knows it too well."
Emily's eyes widened in understanding as she realized that Sirius was trying to protect her from her brother's jealousy. She felt a pang of guilt for not being honest with him about her plans, but she knew that she couldn't reveal the truth now.
"I understand," she said softly, looking up at Sirius. "I'll make sure to get it done quickly."
Sirius nodded, his eyes still intense with emotion.
"Good," he said, his voice low and husky. "Now let's get moving. We don't have much time."
Emily nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation as she followed Sirius out of the dark alley. She knew that she was taking a risk by keeping secrets from Sirius, but she hoped that it would be worth it in the end.
With a quick goodbye, she gathered her wits and headed out to the meeting place, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was excited to see David and discuss everything with him, but she was also nervous about how he would react. There was a sense of determination over her as she continued to whatever lay ahead with courage and honesty, just like she always did.
The Muggle London streets were bustling as Emily made her way to the café where she was supposed to meet David. He was sitting in one of the outdoor seating areas, a cup of coffee in front of him, his eyes scanning over everyone around him. He was clearly uncomfortable but had promised to meet in Muggle London.
She took a deep breath, trying to shake off any lingering nerves as she walked up to the table by the window. Her nerves began to kick in as she looked into his blue eyes. She had been dreading this meeting for days, ever since she received his letter.
David, a Slytherin and Emily's closest friend, had always been supportive, but she knew he would be disappointed if he knew she didn't see their friendship as anything more than that. It felt like a breakup.
"Hey, Emily!" David said with a warm smile, rising from his seat to greet her. "Great to see you! How's it going?"
Emily forced a smile onto her face. "Hi, David. I'm good, thanks. Just...a bit nervous about meeting up today."
David's eyes narrowed slightly as he sat back down. "What's wrong? You're not doing well, are you?"
Emily hesitated, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I...I just got stopped by my brother, heading out today."
David's expression softened, and he reached out to take one of her hands. "Emily, I'm here for you, no matter what. You're an amazing witch, and I'll bet Potter was not only insufferable but annoying as well.
"He's being stupid as usual," she laughed remembering her brother's face as she left with Sirius.
They talked a bit, enjoying a light lunch as they talked about their summers, where he revealed his internship at the Ministry in the courts. Without revealing much, he explained how he spent a lot of his time translating some ancient runes for an active case involving the use of dark artifacts involving a promident wizarding family.
"You dabbled in that!" she exclaimed.
"I saw it but the Dark Arts aren't exactly terrible. It's how one understands them and uses them, but – must be aware of what they are doing… That's what I meant…"
David looked away a moment, trying to compose himself seeing her concerned expression. As they finished their lunch, Emily was smiling as his face lit up as she asked questions about his internship. She still was worried about how David would react to her news.
"So, how are your OWL results?" David asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, he said putting his napkin down.
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she pulled out the parchment from her bag. She had been nervous about sharing her results with David, but she knew he would be honest with her. David's eyes scanned the parchment, his expression growing more detailed with each passing moment.
"Emily, these are... impressive," he said finally, looking up at her. "You've got some top grades there. You're really talented."
"I was very nervous about this one." She pointed to Defense Against the Dark Arts. "I'm not very good at them."
"I got the same for that," agreed David rubbing his chin as he read through the list several more times. "I got an O in Transfigurations though; that's honestly the hardest one I think. Followed by Charms, which you got … an O! Emmy! These are amazing!"
Emily smiled brightly seeing the delight in his face. This was the reaction she wanted from her friends and family.
"I got an A in Herbology. I didn't quite make the threshold there, and I was told by Professor Slughorn, I barely made the E in Potions that I did. He said I would have to focus even more to pass the NEWT level exams this year. Outstandings in Potions and Herbology make complete sense for you; they do go hand in hand."
"What were your Os?" she asked, taking a small bite of her ice cream.
"Me?" he asked, handing the paper back. Emily nodded earnestly. "I had three Os; Transfiguration, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes."
"And your Es?"
"In Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic," he said softly, leaning back in his chair counting them on his hand. "I remember being mad because I didn't have more Outstandings."
Emily felt a surge of pride and relief at his words. He was still smiling but deep down she knew she had to start the other conversation.
"Thanks, David," she said, feeling a little more at ease. "I was really worried about my Ancient Runes and Transfiguration papers, but it seems like I did okay."
David nodded, his eyes still scanning her face for any other nerves.
"Guess I won't need to tutor you on Ancient Runes any time soon! You did more than okay," he laughed, reaching out to hold her hands. Looking into his blue eyes, she felt a warmth pass over her suddenly as she stared into his eyes. It always happened with him, she felt so happy being there….
"You're going to do great things, Emily. I'm proud of you," he said leaning forward, she was getting lost in his eyes again… Emily felt a lump form in her throat as she fought back the attraction, but as she looked at David though, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. It was so strange.
David was trying to be supportive, but she also knew that he was going to be disappointed that she wasn't considering him as a romantic partner, after all these years but she didn't know how to start that conversation.
"So, have you thought about what you're going to take for NEWTs? You've got some amazing options."
Emily nodded eagerly, grateful for the distraction from her earlier worries. "I've been thinking about it a lot. But I'm not sure what's the best route for me."
"You'll go over that with Professor McGonagall like I did with Professor Slughorn. All sixth years go over their time table before the first classes," he said matter of fact. The warmth didn't leave either in his voice. They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them palpable. Finally, Emily spoke up.
"Hey, David? Can I ask you something?"
David looked up concerned, her heart racing with anticipation in the response.
"What is it?" he asked, carefully holding her hands still.
"I was wondering... what's going on between me… and you?" asked Emily, her eyes staring at their held hands. She watched as his hands tightened over hers, and she could feel the tension in them. His eyes narrowing slightly she saw once she looked up.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked
Emily's heart skipped a beat. She had been expecting him to smile, to reassure her that everything was fine, but instead, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice took on a tone of curiosity.
"What do you mean by that?" he repeated, his grip on her hands tightening, with force. Emily felt a flutter in her chest as she tried to explain.
"I mean, I've been wondering if...if there's something more between us. If we're just friends or...or something more."
David's expression didn't change, but his tone took on a hint of defensiveness. "What do you mean by 'something more'?" he asked, his voice rising slightly.
Emily felt a pang of anxiety as she realized that David was not taking this as casually as she had hoped. She had been expecting him to be understanding, maybe even a little relieved that they could just stay friends. But instead, he seemed...angry, angrier than she realized he would be.
"I mean, we've been friends for a long time, and I've always thought of you as just that," Emily said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But lately, I've been feeling like...like maybe there's not something more between us."
David's face twisted into a mixture of frustration and hurt. "And what makes you think that?" he demanded, his voice low and dripping with hurt and betrayal. "After everything I've done for you, everything I've sacrificed for you...you're telling me that I'm not worthy of your love?"
Emily hesitated, feeling a sense of trepidation. She had been afraid of this reaction, but she had hoped that David would be understanding.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I just...I don't know what you're thinking, or how you feel."
David's eyes flashed with anger and his voice rose to a near-shout. "You're saying that I'm just not good enough for you?" he spat, his voice rising.
Emily's eyes widened in horror as she saw the pleading in David's eyes. She had been afraid of this reaction, but she had hoped that he would be understanding. She shook her head, feeling a sense of panic rise up in her.
"David, no, please," she begged, reaching out to him. "That's not what I meant at all. You're an amazing person, and I value our friendship so much. But..."
"But what?" David cut her off, his voice shaking with emotion as his face turned red. "You're just too scared to take a chance on me? You're too scared to admit that you have feelings for me. Too scared to fall for a Slytherin!"
Emily felt a lump form in her throat as she realized the desperation in his eyes and that he was not going to take this lying down. She had been hoping to have a gentle conversation, but now it seemed like she was facing a full-blown emotional storm.
"David, please," she begged again, trying to calm him down. "I'm just trying to figure out what's going on between us. I care about you deeply as a friend..."
But David was beyond reason. He stood up, his eyes blazing with anger and hurt. His eyes flashed with anger once again as he ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to recompose himself as onlookers turned in their direction.
"You care about me as a friend?" he spat, his voice cracking with emotion. He slammed his hands on the table, his eyes welling up with tears. Emily's heart went out to him as she saw the raw emotion on his face. "You're going to regret this, Emily. You're going to regret treating me like this."
"David, please," she begged, trying to calm him down. "Let's talk about this..."
But David was beyond reason. He took a step closer to her, his eyes blazing with passion and hurt.
"I love you, Emily," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I've loved you for so long, and I've been waiting for you to feel the same way. And I want you as mine! I want you to be my girlfriend, my girlfriend through all the ups and downs my last year at Hogwarts. I want you by my side as we face the challenges that damn school will throw our way."
He took a step closer to her, his eyes burning with intensity.
"I want you to be my wife one day," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We're teenagers!" she protested, feeling too afraid at this sudden proclamation.
"I want to build a life with you, to make a future together. I want to be there for you, to support you, to love you with all my heart."
Emily felt her heart skip a beat as she heard the words. She had been hoping to avoid this conversation, but now it seemed like she was being given a rare glimpse into David's soul.
She looked up at him, her hazels meeting his blues. She could see the longing, the desire for connection and love. And for a moment, she felt her own heart stirring, felt a flutter in her chest.
"David," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I care about you too. I've always admired your bravery and your loyalty."
David's eyes lit up with hope, and he took another step closer to her.
"Then don't reject me," he said, his voice full of pleading. "Don't push me away when I'm giving you everything I have. I know we're different; that we come from different worlds. But I know that we can make it work, if we just give it a chance. Gryffindor and Slytherin don't define us…."
Emily felt herself getting swept up in his words, felt herself wanting to believe in the possibility of a future together. But she knew that it wasn't that simple. She knew that there were still so many obstacles between them, so many challenges that they would have to face. And yet, as she looked into David's eyes, she couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.
He was muttering something else, but her ears didn't catch any of it….
She couldn't… she had to say…
Sirius…
David…
Black…
Sir-
No, her mind screamed, David Luke….
One more push from David's eyes told her everything, something clicked and nothing was the same when she blinked a moment later….
… Maybe, just maybe, they could make it work after all….
Emily cleared her throat and saw the desperation in his eyes. She had been hoping to have a gentle conversation, but it was anything but gentle. It was passionate and driven by David… He truly loved her and wanted the best for her….
"David, please," she started again, trying to calm her racing heart. "Let's talk about this..."
But David was already there, he took a step closer to her, his eyes burning with intensity.
"I don't care about being just friends anymore," he said, his voice firm and authoritative. "I want you to love me back. I want you to be mine. I want you and I don't want you near Sirius Black ever again…."
Emily felt a shiver run down her spine, as she nodded at his request, completely unaware why being away from Sirius mattered that much to him, but she would comply with it.
"EMILY!" came a voice from behind them.
Snapping in place, she turned to see Potter, standing there, his chest heaving as he stopped in place. He was staring at them both, his eyes wide in anger.
"What are you doing with my sister!?" he shouted, stepping between them.
David held up his hands, knowing he was cornered, but unsure why they were interrupted. For once, he didn't protest too much as Potter took Emily by the arm. Instead, Emily looked down, ashamed she had been caught. Without much of a fight, she left with Potter as they apparated home. He held her hand harshly as he pushed his way into the house and asked her to explain herself. But she couldn't, she couldn't explain why.
As they sat in the living room in silence, the sounds of only the passing breeze, Emily could feel the tension between them building up like a storm about to erupt. She knew that she had to get out of there before things escalated further, but right now, she knew she wanted David back. Potter took her away from him.
Emily wanted… Si- David back, her mind corrected. She blinked a few times and cleared her mind seeing Potter's angered face, that was softening with each passing minute.