Emmeline
Emmeline
When I woke up, the other side of my bed was cold. I rolled over and stretched out my arm, seeking Amary’s warmth, but finding only the silky sheets that are draped over my mattress. She had had a nightmare last night, and came to sleep with me.
I propped myself up on my elbows. There was just enough light in my bedroom to see her, sleeping peacefully. My little sister, Amaryllis, curled up on the windowsill.
Amary’s face is as fresh as a raindrop, she’s as lovely as the flower she was named after. All of our family says Am looks just like our mother, but I simply do not see it. Amary is innocent and soft, and her eyes are warm and hazel. Nothing like Florence at all.
Sitting at Amary’s feet, guarding her, is the world’s most hideous cat. Her face mashed-in, only one ear, and eyes the color of mold.
Amary had named her Jade, insisting that her eyes match the color of the gemstone. She hates me. Or distrusts me, at the very least. Even though it was years ago, I think she still remembers the time I set her tail on fire.
She was a scrawny kitten, covered in fleas, and in desperate need of a bath. But Amary begged so hard, cried even, so my mother let her keep it. It turned out okay.
Occasionally, I’ll “accidentally” leave out a glass of milk on my bedside table, and he drinks it every night around midnight. He’s stopped hissing at me. That’s the closest we’ll ever come to love.
I turn around and swing my legs off the bed. Standing up, I stretch my arms above my head and yawn, before walking over to kiss my sister’s forehead softly.
I pull on trousers, a black long sleeve tee, and tie up my boots. My silky, dark hair is plaited up into a braid. In the living room, a note lays on the table, it says:
Dear Emmeline,
Your father and I have business elsewhere, you and your sisters are responsible for getting yourselves to Hogwarts on time. Don’t mess it up.
Regards, F. Vance
Yep, that sounds like mum. I walk down the hall, and knock on Clarice’s door.
“Reese! Mum says we’re to take ourselves to the platform!” I wait a few minutes, and knock again. “Clariceeeee! Wake up!”
I hear a thud against the door, Reese has thrown her pillow at it. A few seconds later I hear her grumble,
“Yeah, yeah. I’m up.”
“Be down in thirty minutes, breakfast’ll be waiting.” I reply, then move on to Genevieve’s door.
“Genny, love, wake up! It’s time for your first day at Hogwarts!”
She opens the door, grinning ear to ear.
“Morning, Emmy.”
“Morning Gen.” I smile at her, happy to see her so excited. “Get dressed and meet us downstairs for breakfast, yeah?”
She nodded, and turned around to find clothes. I head back to my room to find Amary awake, looking out the window.
“Good moorning, Ammm.” I turn to my desk as she replies, somberly,
“Morning, Emmy.”
“What’s wrong, love?” I begin writing a note to our nounou, telling her to be here to watch Amaryllis, Eva, and Carina, and in time to take the rest of us to leave for Hogwarts.
“I just wish I was going with you guys.” She returned, forehead pressed against the glass.
“Only three more years, sweetie. Then you get to go.” I smile, and walk over to sit next to her. “Cheer up. Genny promised to write to you and tell you everything. That’s something to look forward to, right?”
She nodded. “I guess.”
“Wanna cook breakfast with me?” She nodded again, smiling this time, and jumped up.
I follow her downstairs to the kitchen, and tied the note I wrote to our owl, Damicus’ leg. He took off, and me and Amary started breakfast.
About a half an hour later, Clare, Genny, Carina, and Eva all came down. We tucked in, none of us talking.
Clarice is thirteen years old, she has dark black hair and deep brown eyes, she’s clumsy and nervous but she’s amazing, really. Genevieve is eleven, but she’ll be twelve soon. She has gorgeous hazel eyes and medium brown hair, she’s outgoing and can make anybody laugh. Eva is ten, she’s probably the sweetest person I know. She has brown hair with blondish highlights, and her eyes are so brown they look black. Carina is nine, she’s as kind as she is honest, and she’s very mischievous. It’s a wonder our parents haven’t caught her, with how much she pranks our house elves. She’s got dark gold eyes, that shine in the sun, and jet black hair. Amaryllis is the youngest, at eight years old. She’s very smart, and regal, but if she’s anything like her sisters, she’ll grow out of it.
I, on the other hand, am fifteen. This year will be my fifth at Hogwarts. I suppose I’m smart, and my grades would agree, an outstanding in every class (except potions). I’m a Ravenclaw, I’m best friends with Amelia Walsh and Hestia Jones, and I am hopelessly in love with Mary MacDonald, I have been since first year. I’ve only known since last school year, but it’s always been girls. Actually, it’s always been Mary.
* * *
I wave goodbye to Eva, Cari and Amary, blowing them kisses. I grab Genny’s hand and lead her onto the train, inviting her to sit in my compartment.
When we arrive, Amelia is there, chatting animatedly with Edgar. She’s had a crush on him for as long as I have Mary, but they’re actually together.
“Meels! This is Genny. Gen this is Amelia, she’s my best friend.” I introduce the two, and they shake hands.
Me and Genny sit next to each other, across from the other two.
“So, Em? Did you get prefect too?” Edgar asked me, making conversation.
“Yep, sure did.” I flash him my badge, and he does the same.
“You two finally together then?” I ask him, already knowing the answer. Amelia had told me as soon as it happened.
His face turned red, from his collar bone to his ears, and he nodded.
“Well done then, lad.” We continue talking for a bit, and Hestia comes in and joins halfway through.
Eventually, Mary and Marlene join us, letting us know that Lily is now a prefect for their house. Mary sits down on the floor of the compartment, in-between my knees.
“Play with my hair, Em? I’ve got a massive hangover.”
“Did you really go out the night before the first day?” I tutted, but started playing with her hair anyway.
She laughed, that Mary MacDonald laugh. It was a chortle, a breathy, amazing laugh. It’s probably my favorite sound in the world. “Yep. Me and Marls went to this muggle club last night.“
“Sounds like fun.” I grinned, and Mary laid her cheek against my knee.
This is it. This is how it’s supposed to be. I could have stayed in that moment forever, but like all good things, it came to an end.
* * *
Genny was sorted into Gryffindor, along with Marlene’s little brother Liam.
I made my way back to Ravenclaw Tower, and into my dorm with Marianne Watts, Pandora Rosier, and Alice Fortescue, three of my good friends.
Halfway past one, I woke up and crept into the common room. I was met by Pandora, who was in an arm chair, scribbling away.
“Alright, Dora?” I asked, flopping down in the chair opposite her.
“I’m okay.” She replied, looking up to smile at me.
We chatted, enjoying ourselves, until about 2:20. Then, Pandora asked me a question. And, for the first time, I immediately knew the answer.
“You still in love with MacDonald, then?” She asked, since we were already on the topic of sexuality.
“Yeah, I am.” I paused, “Still fancy Evans?”
A dreamy look came across her face. “Yeah, yeah I do.”
I smiled broadly at her, happy to have someone know. No, not just know, but understand. Pandora Rosier understands being hopelessly in love, because she is too.