Emery sat in the owlery for so long that she lost track of time.

When she saw the moon in the sky, that's when she realized that she'd skipped through dinner. She sighed, her head flying to the conversation she accidentally overheard.

She knew it was a petty reason to sulk, but she couldn't help but feel upset.

But if there was one thing Emery was good at, it was her ability to cheer up and move on with life. 

So that's what she made up her mind to do.

If Sirius wanted to fancy Marlene, then so be it. It was Emery's duty as a friend to support him. After all, you can't choose whom you fall in love with.

If that were the case, then Emery would have preferred not to fall in love.

She stood up and sighed, smoothening her messy blonde locks as her stomach grumbled. Feeling excessively hungry, she decided to stop by the kitchens first.

She tiptoed down the stairs of the owlery, knowing very well that it was way past curfew time. Any one small mistake, and she'd be caught by Filch, especially seeing as he was out to get her ever since she played a prank on him and Mrs. Norris.

Once she reached the bottom step, she carefully made her way to the entrance of the Great Hall, where the start of the kitchen corridor was, moving like a cat as she hid in the shadows of the stone walls.

When she finally made it to the portrait of the fruit bowl, she tickled the pair and entered inside, the house elves rushing to serve her.

Emery was halfway through eating a treacle tart when the door of the kitchens opened again. Her heart fluttered as she saw Sirius walk through. Smiling at him warmly, she buried all thoughts of being in love with him, and pushed them to the back of her mind.

"Sirius?" she questioned, her heart beating madly, as if it sensed his presence.

Sirius walked up to her, only just now seeing her. "Emery?" he questioned, surprise plastered all over his features. 

Seeing her totally alright, he quickly pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair gently his fingers caressing her blonde stands as his hand cupped the back of her head. His other hand rested at her waist, and he was holding her with such force, that one would think they were saying goodbye. 

Emery felt the breath knocked out of her as Sirius pulled her in with such vigor. After several seconds, they broke apart.

"What was that for?" Emery breathed.

Sirius took her face in his large palms. "I don't need a reason to hug you," he whispered, as his finger travelled down her jawline. "When I didn't see you at dinner, I thought something happened to you."

She shivered, thinking of nothing but his finger on her face. She was pretty sure she was blushing. 

"But-" she began. "I'm fine."

He pulled her closer, using her shoulder to maneuver her in place. "I know. You were missing for hours, I got worried."

She smiled. "You don't need to worry about me Sirius. I was just in the owlery writing a letter to Papa and I lost track of time," she reassured.

Sirius nodded, patting her cheek. "As long as you're safe that's what matters," he hummed, kissing her forehead.

Emery felt color rush to her face. Quickly, she stepped back, knowing that if Sirius continued blessing her with his presence, she'd end up doing something she'd regret.

A flash of disappointment was seen on Sirius' face. Then, almost as if it never happened, his face resumed to its usual cheery self.

Emery's heart was still beating madly, and she stood apart from him, still frozen in her own little reverie.

 Regaining herself, she peeped up at him. "Why are you here?"

Sirius smiled. "I was hungry. I didn't eat much dinner," he sighed.

"Why?" inquired Emery. "Is something wrong?"

Sirius took a seat on the table she sat on, burying his face in his hands. "Nothing much," he muttered. "Just the usual."

"Usual?" Emery questioned. "Meaning?"

"It's my brother," he stated. "I fought with him again."

She closed her eyes softly. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I know I can't be much of a help, but I'd like to try and do my best."

She dragged a chair near him and sat on it, crossing her arms. "Sometimes I wish I had a brother," she said out loud. "Or a sibling, for that matter. I mean, Cecy's always been there, but it's not the same, you know what I mean?" she looked at him.

Sirius smiled at her warmly. "I do." He bit into an apple. "I care for Regulus a lot," he began. "But sometimes it just gets on my nerves when he doesn't listen to me. He's planning on becoming a death eater," he told her. 

Emery's eyes widened. "At this age?"

Sirius nodded. "What's more, he wants to learn the unforgivable curses."

Emery closed her eyes and shook her head. "Soon he'll come to realize you were right," she told him sternly. "Don't give up on him. He's still got a pure heart."

Sirius smiled at her softly. "I won't, giving up on him will be the last thing I'd ever do," he said. 

He rubbed his hands together. "Let's eat, shall we?" he changed the subject.

Emery nodded, smiling. She turned back to her treacle tart savoring each bite. "You know," she began. "If I had a choice, I'd be eating dessert for every meal," she told him.

Sirius chuckled. "I know. I see how you literally skip through dinner then attack the dessert."

She hummed, then turned to ask one of the house elves for cake.

A huge slice of chocolate cake appeared before her, and she dug into in. "Mmmm," she moaned. "It's so good."

Sirius leaned forwards, then took a small bite from her cake with his fork. Slipping it into his mouth, he winked, and smirked.

Emery nearly swooned. 

She admired him, watching the way his muscles flexed when he moved, the way his tight shirt defined his toned figure. She watched how his stormy grey eyes sparkled when she looked his way, how his hair looked messy, but good at the same time.

Yes, there was no denying it. 

Emery was in love with Sirius Black.

After Emery was done eating, she stood up, telling Sirius she was going back to her common room. It was somewhere late at night, and Sirius, who was worried for Emery's wellbeing, offered to walk her there.

About twenty minutes later, they were moving silently in the corridors, not caring about hiding, or moving slowly, in the defense that it was too late for any teacher to catch them.

They both forgot about the extra precautions Dumbledore had made.

They only remembered it when a stern voice sounded behind them.

"Black. Fowl. What may I ask are you doing out here at this time of the night?"

a/n: GUESS WHO CAUGHT THEM??