Emily fidgeted uncomfortably as they made their way down the path to the gate to Hogsmeade. Draco kept rubbing soothing circles into her hand, but it wasn’t really working. She wasn’t sure what Remus would tell her and she had no idea how she was going to explain herself.

And it didn’t help that Alicia was still lying to them and faking happiness. She glanced at Alicia again, whose hand was held in Jamie’s. Her bracelet was still light blue, but there was no way she could tell him to look at it without Alicia already knowing she was going to. As they rounded the corner, Emily could see the others getting off of the Knight Bus. Remus and Tonks were already unlocking the gate and coming through.

Emily slowed her walk, pulling Draco back slightly to let Alicia and Jamie pass them. Remus was already watching them carefully, his eyes always lingering on Emily longer than the others.

Remus started talking to Harry before they met them. George, Fred, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Harry started walking up the path, passing them along the way. They knew that Remus would want to talk to them alone.

“So,” Remus started, looking at Emily.

“So?” Emily repeated.

“What were you thinking, disappearing like that?” he started shouting. “Haven’t you realized that Voldemort is out there right now?” Alicia flinched slightly and Jamie glanced at her.

“Look, it’s not like tha—” Emily began.

“It’s not like what, Emily? It’s not like you’re in danger? It’s not like Lucius is already out for you? One Death Eater means all Death Eaters, Emily! When are you going to get that through your head?”

“It’s my fault, Remus… I left and they were just coming after me,” Alicia said quietly. His glare turned to her.

“I know!” he growled. “What were you thinking, leaving like that, Alicia? You of all people should know what’s been going on,” he said as he gave her a look.

“Hey! We got here fine, didn’t we? No harm done! It’s fine! We get it; we won’t run away again,” Emily yelled at him. He narrowed his eyes at her, his mouth a thin line.

“Fine,” he said shortly. “Emily, I’d like to speak to in private,” he said quietly. Emily gulped before nodding. The others stayed and talked to Tonks while Emily was dragged by the arm to a spot off to the side.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, his eyes softening tremendously. A tear leaked out of her eye and he wiped it away.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said shortly as she looked away.

“No, you’re not… Sirius told me what happened,” he said quietly.

“Look, it’s over now. End of story.”

“Ems, Sirius loves you very much. He was just upset and wasn’t talking like himself. He didn’t mean any of it,” he said softly.

“Stop it! Just stop! Stop making things up for him! Stop trying to cover his back! He meant everything he said and so did I!” Emily crossed her against her chest as angry tears flowed from her eyes.

“You know you don’t mean that,” Remus said softly as he put his hands on her shoulders. She shook them off.

“Don’t I?” she countered.

“No, you don’t.”

“I think I do,” she said curtly. “Have a good time with your wolf pack. I’ll see you when term ends,” Emily said as she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. She stomped over to Alicia, Jamie, Draco, and Tonks, Remus following shortly after.

“We should really get back—lots of studying to do,” Emily said quickly as she hugged Tonks once and then started up the slippery hill. Draco jogged over to her, quickening his pace to keep up with her.

“What happened?” he asked as he reached for her hand, which was balled up into a fist.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said shortly, anger evident in her tone. She heard Jamie and Alicia behind her and knew that Alicia was probably reading her thoughts right now. She turned around quickly, stopping immediately. Alicia and Jamie did a double take as Draco almost tripped from the fastness.

“If you’re not going to share your thoughts, then don’t you dare read into mine, Alicia Daniels!” Emily yelled at her. Jamie looked stricken, but Alicia seemed to know that it was coming. She looked down at her hands, before meeting her eyes.

“Fine…” Alicia whispered, sighing.

What do you think?