Emery and her mother appeared before the gates of Malfoy Manor not a second later. 

They walked through the entrance and made their way to the ball, greeting the other purebloods along the way. Emery was looking for the Potters, eager to see James and Sirius again.

Since Cecilia hadn't arrived, the party hadn't begun yet, and the guests were all making small talk within themselves and greeting the newly arrived. 

As Emery made her way to the drinks table, she was met by a tall, beautiful blonde, who smiled at Emery.

"I'm Elanor," she said. "You must be Emery. Welcome."

"Good evening," she greeted politely. "How do you do, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"I'm well, thank you," she replied. "You look wonderful, dear."

"You too, Mrs. Malfoy," she said, playing with her fingers nervously.

"I want to thank you for looking after my daughter all these years." Mrs. Malfoy smiled, "Cecilia has told me so much about you. It's wonderful to meet you at last."

"It's my pleasure," she replied nonchalantly. "Cecy is like my sister. I'd do anything for her."

"I'm glad," she said. "In fact, Cecilia was calling for you. Come along."

Emery was curious as to why Cecilia was calling her when she was supposed to be getting ready. Still, she followed Mrs. Malfoy through the halls of Malfoy Manor until a set of double doors, which Emery assumed to be Cecilia's living quarters.

When Emery entered, she saw Cecilia sitting on a chair, while a couple of women did her makeup and hair. She was smiling, and her face was filled with radiance.

On seeing Emery, she stood up, ignoring the women beside her.

"Emery," she greeted cheerfully. "You came!"

"Of course I did," Emery replied. "What's up?"

Cecilia saw Emery's dress. "Em, you look amazing," she whispered. 

"Thank you," said Emery. "Hang on, why aren't you ready yet?" she asked.

Cecilia whispered something in Emery's ear.

"Ohhhhh," said Emery, nodding her head, suddenly understanding. "Well, why didn't you say so?"

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Alright girls, you can leave now. Emery will be helping me get dressed," she chirped.

Mrs. Malfoy smiled and kissed Cecilia's hair before leaving, the women following her.

Emery helped Cecilia into her gown.

The dress was made of navy blue velvet, with a halter neck and a slit on the side, reaching up to her mid thigh. It was slim and extremely elegant, and fit Cecilia perfectly.

She wore a pair of tall silver heels, and a few pieces of jewelry on her neck and hands. 

She looked amazing.

They stood in the bathroom, Emery with a pair of scissors in her hand.

"You sure about this?" she asked.

Cecilia nodded. "I'm sure. Do it."

All it took were a few snips for Cecilia to get rid of her hair.

 Short platinum blonde locks framed her face, and she looked younger, and healthier. 

"How do you like it?" asked Emery, once she was done.

"I love it," squealed Cecilia, hugging Emery. "It looks so pretty. Thanks."

Emery smiled, and hugged Cecy once more.

A knock sounded.

"Come in," said Cecilia. 

Her brother walked in. 

"Cecy," he greeted. "You look lovely," he said. "Both of you," he added, looking at Emery, who smiled politely.

"Your hair," he commented. "You cut it."

Cecilia smiled a very mischievous smile. "It looks great, doesn't it?"

Lucius nodded. "The guests are waiting," he said. "Come down."

Cecilia nodded. "I'm coming with Emery. Give me five minutes."

Once Lucius left the room, Cecilia turned to Emery. 

"I have something for you," she said. "Consider it something like a bond. A sisterly bond. Please accept it."

Emery nodded. "You didn't have to get me anything, but if it makes you happy, I'll accept it."

Cecilia beamed, and went to one of her drawers on the vanity, taking out a small box.

"I got this for you when I went shopping with my mother," she said, opening it.

A dazzling sight met Emery's eyes.

Two bracelets, entwined together rested on a small, velvet cushion. They both were identical in every way, except for the charm.

One of them had a "C", the other had an "E". Both were made of pure silver, woven with tiny blue crystals.

"Oh," breathed Emery. "It's beautiful."

Cecilia took one out, and fastened it around Emery's wrist. Emery looked at the shimmering "E".

"You're the best sister I never had," Cecilia said. "I love you."

Tears floated in Emery's eyes. "I love you too, Cecy."

She then put the other bracelet on Cecilia's wrist.

Then, the two, hand in hand, descended the steps, and entered the ball room together, as friends, as sisters.

Heads turned when the two girls walked in. Elanor and Abraxas were all over Cecilia, and escorted her to take her place near Lucius.

Emery was looking for her mother, and spotted her talking to Mrs. Potter.

"Mama," she said fondly. "Did you see Cecy's hair?"

Mrs. Fowl nodded. "I did. She looks lovely."

Mrs. Potter smiled at Emery. "So you're the famous Emery Fowl, aren't you?" she said, her eyes twinkling.

Emery nodded. "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Potter."

Mrs. Potter smiled. "I've heard so much about you from my boys," she continued. "Especially Sirius. He never shuts up about you."

Emery blushed, and her heartrate increased at the thought of Sirius constantly talking about her. She felt warm and fuzzy all of a sudden.

Mrs. Fowl laughed. "Emery never stops talking about Sirius and James as well," she said. 

"Ah, my boys will befriend anyone who thinks like them," she joked.

"The same goes with Emery," said her mother. "Speaking of which, where are the boys?"

Mrs. Potter looked around. 

"Last I heard they were going outside," she said. 

Emery looked up abruptly. 

"Oh, okay. Then I'll go too," she said.

 She saluted to Mrs. Potter and her mother and went off in search of the boys.

A huge wave of cool air hit Emery as she stepped out into the massive balcony. On her way out, she bumped into James Potter.

"Oh, sorry," he said, not looking her way.

"James, it's me, doofus," she giggled.

James looked up. "Emery?" he asked. "You look great. Sirius is over there," he said, pointing to a tall, black haired boy leaning over the edge of the balcony.

Emery's heart skipped a beat as she glanced at him.

"Great," she gushed. "Yeah, er, thanks."

James Potter smirked behind her back and headed inside.

Emery she made her way over to him, walking slowly so as not to startle him.

He hadn't noticed her presence yet. Emery came closer to him. She could smell his cologne as it radiated off his persona.

Taking a deep breath, she placed her touched his shoulder gently.

Sirius spun round.

A smile played on his lips as he faced her.

"Emery," he breathed, as he reached forward and grabbed her hands, pulling her closer.

"Sirius," she said breathlessly, her heart fluttering the moment his hands touched his.

"You look absolutely wonderful," he murmured, his voice filled with emotion. His eyes spoke a thousand words, and Emery's gaze was fixated on his.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You look nice too," she hummed.

Sirius chuckled. 

"I missed you," he said, his fingers playing with hers.

"You didn't write to me," she complained. 

Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry," he said. "I promise I'll write."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise, Tornado," Sirius said.

Emery let go of his hands and shot him a glare. "Penguin," she muttered.

"What?" Sirius teased. "I didn't quite hear that."

"I called you a penguin," she repeated. "You look like a penguin when you wear a suit."

"Oh, excuse me," he said arrogantly. 

"I look great in a suit." He leaned closer to her, trapping her between his arms and the balcony railing. "Some say attractive even," he smirked. 

Emery pushed his chest. 

"Whatever you say, Penguin," she said, her heart racing at their close proximities. "Personally I don't find you attractive but..."

"You don't?" Sirius interrupted. "Not even a little bit?"

He came a bit more closer. Emery could smell his intoxicating perfume.

"Uh- uh," she hummed. "Err, no."

"Are you sure?" 

His face was inches away from hers, and Emery was getting dizzy. One look at his eyes, and she'd blurt out the truth. She didn't want to answer his question, because she knew Sirius was attractive, she just didn't want to feed his ego.

So she did the first thing she thought of.

"Woahh," she exclaimed. Then she fell forward, purposely, and Sirius caught her, pulling her into his arms.

"You okay?" he murmured, concern written all over his face. His hands were on her shoulders, and his touch was electrifying.

She nodded. 

"Tripped," she said. She lifted her dress slightly and showed him her heels.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "That's not even two inches."

She shrugged. "I'm still not used to wearing heels."

"Ah."

When Sirius and Emery went back inside, the dance had already begun. Cecilia was dancing with Rabastan Lestrange, and James Potter was dancing with a pretty blonde.

Sirius pulled Emery to the dance floor.

"Dance with me?" Sirius asked.

Emery placed her hand in his. "Sure, Penguin."

And they waltzed across the dance floor, eyes following them, Emery in her angelic dress, Sirius in his suit.

Breathless, they stopped as the music stopped, and joined in the applause.

Emery caught James' eye, and walked over to him.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Yep," he said, placing his hands in his pockets.

"Three, two, one," he muttered.

The music suddenly changed to upbeat, the guests wondering what happened. Sirius caught Emery's eye and grinned, and Cecilia squealed and dragged Rabastan and Lucius to the dance floor, before doing some crazy moves.

The party was rigged, but nobody was complaining.

This was far more interesting.

a/n: double update coz i feel like it.

Cecy's outfit in the external link and right here:

please vote, comment and share.

elsie.