If you insist.

Boarding the train, Emily dragged her feet. They were really early; Remus had wanted to get a compartment that was empty and get some sleep. He was carrying her trunk, as well as his, while she took hold of Bluejeans. Remus found a compartment and put their trunks away. They sat there for a little while, Emily’s eyes growing droopy. The compartments were starting to fill up and there was a slight hum in the air. When the train started to take off, Emily declared she was going to go put Bluejeans with the other owls. Remus rested his head on the window and fell asleep.

Making her way down the train, Emily waved at a few of her friends. She passed a compartment with Slytherins inside and smiled to herself. She finally made it to the compartment full of animals. Going inside, she set Bluejeans near the window and then sat down on some of the luggage. She heard the door slide open behind her and turned to see who had entered. It was Draco and he looked hesitant. He pulled the blinds down on the window so onlookers couldn’t see.

“Hey, I saw you come in here. Thought I’d say hello.” Draco looked...nervous. Emily wasn’t sure how she should be feeling.

“Er...hi. So how was the rest of your summer?” Emily asked.

“It was...okay, I guess. Could’ve been better. What about yours?”

“It was all right. Could’ve been better.” Emily smiled and Draco smiled back, releasing some of the tension in the tiny space. Emily wasn’t sure what made her do it, but one moment she was standing there sheepishly and in the next moment she was in Draco’s arms, hugging him closely. Draco squeezed her back, unsure if he should be. They stayed like that for a while, not speaking. All of a sudden, the train started to slow.

“We can’t be there already. Can we?” Emily breathed into Draco’s chest.

“I don’t think so, not yet. Maybe we’re picking someone up,” Draco thought aloud. The train shook a little and then everything was deadly quiet. They could see their breath in the air from the sudden chilliness. They heard each other breathing deeply into the other. Neither wanted to admit that they were a little scared of the turn of events.

"Draco, what are we doing exactly?” Emily asked him hesitantly.

“I don’t know, Ems. I just know that the day at the beach was one of the happiest days I’ve ever had. And...I like you.” Draco was looking at his feet, not making eye contact with anything except the dirt on the ground.

“You...you do?” Emily asked back. She, too, was staring at the floor.

“Yeah, I do.”

“I...like you too, Draco.” Emily was blushing furiously, looking anywhere besides him. “So, where does this leave us exactly?”

“I want to be with you, but if our friends found out and my parents, I don’t know...” He couldn’t finish the sentence and she was all right with that. She understood completely.

“What if we kept our relationship under wraps, you know, on the down low?” Emily suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” he smiled. Draco pulled Emily into a hug, she wrapped her arms around him. She felt like she was...home. Yeah that was the word. She felt home, safe, happy. Emily and Draco decided to go back to their compartments so no one got too suspicious, but before they parted ways, Emily kissed Draco on the cheek. Draco returned the favor and kissed her full on the mouth. When he touched her, she felt all tingly inside. She just couldn’t resist the feelings she had when he kissed her. She smiled as he pulled back, bidding her goodbye.

“Until we meet again,” Emily replied, smiling. Draco kissed her hands and then walked out of the compartment, sliding the door closed behind him. It was deadly quiet in the corridor and very cold. He saw some hooded figures at the other end of the train. Panicking, he ran into the nearest compartment. Emily stayed with Bluejeans a while longer, waiting for the train to pick back up again. It was nearly ten minutes before the lights came back on and the engine started to roar again. Draco made his way back to his friends, not making eye contact with any of the people who were in the compartment he ran into. He sat down beside Goyle, talking about the Dementors. He laughed along with his friends while Pansy basically threw herself at him. He wished to himself that the girl in his lap were not this pug-faced girl, but rather a certain Gryffindor. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw red hair zoom by.

Emily made her way back down the corridor. She was blushing violently and secretly pleased; though, the sight she had seen when she’d passed the Slytherins made her want to puke. She found what she thought was her compartment, but now it was full of people. Emily saw Hermione with her arm around Ginny and Ron looking intently at Harry. Remus was nowhere in sight. “Hey, guys,” Emily greeted them. They all looked up at her and smiled slightly.

She heard mumbles of “Hey, Emily” from around the compartment. Emily took a seat beside Harry. He looked like he was in shock, sweat beads forming around his hairline. “Harry, are you all right?” she asked him. He nodded silently as the compartment door slid open again to reveal Remus.

“Emily! Where on earth have you been? I’ve been worried sick.” Remus crossed over the threshold and grabbed Emily in a bone-crushing hug.

“I’m fine, Rems, honest. Owe, can’t...breathe,” Emily protested through gasps. He chuckled quietly and let her go. “I was just putting Bluejeans away,” she explained. Remus nodded, though he could tell she was hiding something. There was a slight glow surrounding her.

“I haven’t poisoned that chocolate, you know,” Remus said with a small smile to the room at large. Harry took a bite of his. “We’ll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes,” he stated. That was all Emily had wanted to hear.

Far away in her reverie, Emily heard Remus ask Harry if he was okay and Harry muttered a response. The rest of the train ride was quiet; barely anyone spoke, which was fine with Emily as her mind kept drifting back to a certain boy and the day they spent at the beach. She played it over and over and couldn’t help but smile. The train finally slowed until it reached a stop. The five teenagers with the new professor headed toward the platform. It was chilly out; rain was drizzling down, cool to the touch. Emily heard Hagrid in the distance talking to Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Emily followed Ginny to the carriages, glad to not be a first year in this weather. They got in with Neville and Remus and the stagecoach set off by itself. Smelling of mold and straw, Emily’s nose scrunched up. She stuck her head out of the window, trying to get fresh air, but the sight she saw set her back inside the carriage. Two Dementors were standing guard on either side of the gate. They passed through the still air and cold breeze that engulfed them.

The carriage finally came to a halt a few minutes later. The four of them got out and started to head toward the castle. In front of them, they heard Malfoy sneering at Harry. Emily caught her breath, hoping they did nothing rash. Emily saw Remus’ face harden a bit as he approached the boys. She faintly heard Ron tell Malfoy to shove off with his jaw clenched. She followed Remus slowly.

“Did you faint as well, Weasley?” said Draco. “Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?”

“Is there a problem?” said Remus mildly.

Draco gave him an intense stare and Emily blushed in the rain. She had almost forgotten how much of a jerk he was. Draco took in Remus and then stated sarcastically, “Oh, no—er—Professor.” He then looked at his gooneys and led them up the castle stairs. Emily fought the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She didn’t like this Draco at all. Maybe if I just talked to him, he’d stop messing with my friends. Maybe while he was at it, he could also make Pansy stop hanging all over him, she thought hopefully. Emily joined the crowd and headed for the Great Hall. She took a seat beside George, Fred occupying his other side.

“Hey, guys,” Emily said half-heartedly. She was looking down at her hands, playing with the ring on her finger.

“Hey, Emily! Are you okay?” he added when he saw her expression.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine.” Emily tried to put on a happier expression, but managed a slight scowl. George shrugged his shoulders and joined in Fred and Lee’s discussion.

Professor Dumbledore stood up and the hall fell silent. He sat back down as the first years headed in, led by Professor McGonagall. They listened to the hat’s song and watched the sorting. Emily played with her ring, stole glances at Draco, and clapped when a new Gryffindor came their way. It was finally time for the feast. Professor Dumbledore went back over rules and regulations and then introduced two new teachers: Remus and Hagrid. She clapped along with everyone else, then filled her plate with chicken and mashed potatoes as the food arrived. She was glad the day was almost over. She could definitely use a good night’s sleep. Emily played with her food rather than eating it.

“So, what exactly were you playing at when you ran away over the summer?” George asked her. Emily turned to see his curious face, glancing around she saw that Ginny, Fred, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were staring at her, also waiting for her answer.

“I...just got into a fight with my godfather is all. Needed some fresh air. I went to the beach for a swim. So how were your summers?” Emily asked, trying to change the subject from her to them.

“Not so fast, Ems, we’re not done with you yet,” Fred stated mischievously. “Why did you get into a fight?”

“It was nothing, Fred, honest. Just a silly fight about absolutely nothing,” Emily lied.

“So, this fight, did it make you extremely upset?” George asked.

“What exactly are you two playing at? Just spit it out. What do you really want to ask me?” She looked around at the group.

“Emily, we ran into Professor Lupin on the train. He introduced himself, assuming we were the famous twins,” Fred laughed.

“He told us what you had initially planned, Emily,” George continued. “He’s worried about you. Don’t get upset. How could you even think of doing something like that?” George asked seriously.

“I...was just upset. Look, I’m fine now. And I obviously didn’t go along with my plans. That should count for something.” She looked helplessly around the table, trying to make them understand. She glanced at Remus furiously. She couldn’t believe he told them.

“Yeah, it counts for you coming to your senses,” Fred said sarcastically. “Don’t you ever scare us like that again. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Emily responded, just as sarcastic.

“We’re being serious here, Ems,” stated George offensively.

“And I appreciate that you care, but it’s none of your business.” Students were starting to get up from the table to go off to their dormitories, oblivious to their conversation. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I could use some sleep.” Emily stood up and swiftly left the hall. She bounded the stairs and took a shortcut to the left to avoid the crowd. She beat everyone up there, and, having asked Percy earlier, stated “Fortuna Major!” to the Fat Lady. She walked upstairs to the third year girls’ dormitory. Finding her trunk in front of the bed by the window, Emily found her pajamas and quickly undressed. Sighing, she closed the curtains around her bed, to not be disturbed. She punched her pillow in a more comfortable position, lying down.

Why would he have told them? she asked herself. She fell asleep that night, thinking of her friends, family, and new boyfriend.



*If any quotes look familiar, that would be because they are in the book... They all belong to JK Rowling. I hope you guys enjoy and please comment