a/n: the chapter i've been waiting for. nice and long. buckle up, coz it's gonna be a loooong ride. Here's what you'll need:
□Popcorn (to eat, of course, unless you wanna throw it on someone..)
□tissues (in case you're emotional-like me)
□a pillow (to muffle your yells/cries)
□a knife (to kill the author)
□chocolate (because chocolate is life)
□a gift for your author if you liked the chapter (preferably a vote, a comment, and SHARE THE STORY TO ONE OTHER PERSON)
Alright! Enough stalling.. on with the chapter.
"S-Sirius?" asked Emery, "Wh-what are you doing here?"
He said nothing.
Emery turned back, moving forward to occupy the carriage that had just come.
Before she climbed onto the carriage, she felt a hand grasp her arm.
Emery turned to face Sirius, her eyes asking him unvoiced questions.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked, his eyes slightly wide.
Emery smiled. "I got a letter from the Greek Ministry of Magic. They've agreed to let Papa go. I'm going to the Embassy to get these documents signed," Emery explained. "I'll be back before evening."
Sirius' eyes gleamed. "Wait.. really? He's free?"
Emery nodded.
"That's fantastic!" Sirius exclaimed. "Wait.. you're going alone?"
Emery hummed. "Mhmm, now I'm getting late, my portkey leaves in an hour. Don't worry about me," she smiled, leaning forwards and kissing his cheek. "I'll be fine."
Sirius went pink as he touched his cheek.
"Yeah.." he voiced silently. "Uh- take care, Emery."
Emery smiled, and motioned to the driver to start moving, waving to Sirius, whose figure became smaller and smaller in the distance.
As Sirius waved back, he felt a funny jolt of electricity course through him, something inexplicable.
Perhaps it was the notion that something might happen to her.
Emery reached the Hogsmeade station in half an hour. She thanked the carriage driver, and as she adjusted her cloak, she turned around, heading towards the village.
She was about to enter through the gates, but the moment her eyes landed upon the Hogsmeade entrance, she gasped.
There, leaning against the wall, standing before her, was none other than Sirius Black, his hands in his pockets, a cigarette held between his lips, his grey eyes sparkling at her.
"S-Sirius?" she whispered unbelievably. "H-How?" Her mouth opened and closed. "But you were there-" she gestured, then looked back and forth. "And now here.."
"Aren't you glad to see me, love?" he chuckled, taking her bag from her hand.
"NO!" she gasped, "I- I mean, yes, well, of course I'm glad to see you, it's just that you scared me. How did you get here? Did you take permission? Why did you come?" She rambled, asking him all sorts of different questions as she looped his arm in his, walking with him to the village.
Sirius chuckled. "Calm down, love, calm down," he said. "One question at a time."
He looked at his watch. "What time does the portkey leave?"
"Noon," Emery answered.
"I see," he said quietly. "We have exactly half an hour before that. What would you say to some butterbeer?" he asked.
Emery blushed. "Uhm, sure," she chirped shyly.
"Very well then, let's go," Sirius professed, escorting her to the Three Broomsticks.
He held the door open for her, then pulled out a seat for her, then took a seat opposite her.
Madam Rosmerta came to their table. "What can I get- oh, it's you," she said, looking at Sirius. "And, Emery Fowl?"
Emery nodded, waving slightly.
"Where are you going all dolled up, dear?" asked Madam Rosmerta.
"I have some business to attend to outside of school," she answered swiftly. "Dumbledore gave me permission to leave."
"And I'm guessing you snuck out?" she asked Sirius, smiling to herself.
Sirius nodded, indicating that that was indeed the case.
"Rosie, love, we're on a bit of a tight schedule here, can we have two butterbeers?" he asked, up to his usual antics of flirting with the older barmaid.
Emery suddenly felt a pang of hurt. She felt sick all over at the way Sirius called her love.
"Oh, I don't think I want butterbeer any more," she said weakly smiling. "I'll go now."
She stood up.
"Emery, darling, you okay?" Sirius asked, suddenly getting up. He put an arm around her shoulders.
"I'm fine, just nervous," she breathed, wriggling away from his grasp rather stiffly.
Sirius made her sit back in her chair and took her fingers in his. Her hand was cold, and she was shaking slightly.
"Have butterbeer, it'll help," Sirius suggested.
Emery had no choice but to listen as Madam Rosmerta had just brought the butterbeer.
Emery took a sip. All at once, the fizzy drink warmed her insides, calming her down. Within seconds, she downed the drink, feeling much more energetic.
Sirius chuckled as he looked at her.
"What?" she asked.
Sirius placed a hand on the nape of her neck, pulling her closer.
Emery felt tingles as his skin touched hers. Sirius traced his thumb down her cheek, then very gently, he used a napkin to wipe her lips.
"You had foam around your mouth, darling," he murmured, his eyes not leaving hers.
"Oh," Emery breathed. "Uh, thanks," she said breathlessly, still gazing into his stormy grey orbs.
"You look really pretty today," Sirius whispered, as his thumb brushed over her lips.
"Uhh," Emery hummed awkwardly, her voice in a low, soothing whisper. "Thank you."
Her heart was beating erratically, and her cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red, having nothing to do with the cold.
Sirius brushed her bangs away from her eye. "Emery, I..." Sirius began, leaning closer.
At that moment, the door flew open as a customer entered, Emery and Sirius suddenly springing apart, their, faces both red.
A gust of wind blew their way, causing all warmth to disappear between them.
Emery stood up, moving to pay, but Sirius escorted her out. "I've already paid for it, no need to worry," he told her, smiling.
"Oh," she said. "You shouldn't have."
"No problem, love," Sirius brushed it off. "Let's go now."
Emery reached the office, where she had booked the portkey, Sirius escorting her.
They still had ten minutes left.
"Emery?"
"Hmm?" she questioned, not looking at him.
Sirius held her shoulder, turning her to face him. "I'm coming with you," he said firmly. "I'm not letting you go alone," he murmured. "It's not safe."
Emery rubbed her arm, smiling weakly. "Sirius, I really appreciate the thought, but I'll be fine," she reassured. "You don't have to."
"But I want to," Sirius interjected. "I want to," he repeated. "Please," he begged.
Emery nodded hesitantly. "Okay," she voiced lowly.
They touched the portkey (a flower vase) together, spinning round and landing in front of an unfamiliar building, with tall white architecture.
It loomed over them, Emery suddenly feeling very small.
"Wow," Emery breathed, her stomach suddenly doing backflips. "This is it."
"Yeah," Sirius murmured beside her. "You ready?" he questioned.
She inclined a yes, then he took her hand, and together, they walked up the marble steps of the massive building.
Emery reached the reception, walking briskly, Sirius striding to keep up with her.
She headed straight towards the receptionist, where an old woman sat an a table that seemed several sizes to big for her.
She placed the documents on the wooden table. "Good afternoon," she greeted. "I'm Emery Fowl. I presume you got notified that I would be coming?" she asked.
The woman at the counter looked up.
She was wearing a pair of thin, rectangular glasses, and she had a huge mass of messy, greyish-white hair. In Emery's opinion, she looked like an old goat.
Sirius thought she looked like lion gone wrong.
The old woman looked up. "Ah," she said, in her shaky, feeble voice. "Y-yes," she stuttered slowly. "Mr. Lucas Nikolaides did mention that. He came all the way from Greece just to meet you," she croaked, her lips falling into a delicate smile.
Emery noticed that she had only four teeth.
Sirius seemed to notice that as well, and snickered beside her. Emery stepped on his foot, preventing him from making another sound. He muffled his groan of pain.
Emery smirked to herself, glancing at Sirius with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
Sirius shook his head bitterly.
"Come this way, dear," said the old woman, gesturing to a door.
Emery and Sirius stepped through the double doors, and entered into what looked like a courtyard made of marble entirely. A massive fountain stood in the middle, giving life to the structure.
A young man walked up to Emery.
He was tall, and slim, having a wave of swoon-worthy brown hair. His handsome face was filled with youth, and he flashed her a dazzling smile.
"Good Afternoon," he greeted, bowing down and kissing her gloved hand. "You must be Miss Fowl," he added. "I'm Lucas Nikolaides, but you can call me Lucas."
Near her, Sirius tensed.
Emery smiled politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nikolaides, please, call me Emery," she responded.
He gestured her to one of the benches, then caught sight of Sirius, who's jaw was slacked tight. "You must be.." he smiled.
Emery introduced them. "This is my best friend Sirius Black. He's the one who helped me discover the truth," she said.
"A pleasure," said Lucas jovially. "You are very lucky to have a friend like her," he told Sirius. "Very intelligent young woman."
Emery chuckled politely. Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders, then gazed at Emery. "Yeah," he answered vaguely. "I know. She means so much to me," he voiced, still staring at Emery.
Emery shrugged. "I've brought the documents, as you requested," she said. "I signed them. They're with the receptionist."
"I see," said Lucas. "Your father was brought here this morning. He is waiting in one of the rooms upstairs. I will have him brought down."
Emery beamed at the mention of her father. "Does he know he's free?" she questioned. "I wanted it to be a surprise for him, as I told you in my letter earlier."
Lucas nodded. "No, he doesn't know," he smiled. "He will be very proud of you, there's no doubt."
Emery smiled again, color rushing to her cheeks.
"I must say, Miss Fowl," Lucas remarked, "I was astounded with the way you wrote to me initially, I had no idea someone so young could have such a strategic mind. And this is partially the reason why I decided to meet you in person."
Emery cocked her head, her eyes fixated on Lucas, while Sirius placed his arm on her knee.
Lucas continued, "how old are you, if you don't mind the question?"
"I'm sixteen," said Emery. "But I'll be seventeen in mid April."
"Yes," said Lucas. "So you graduate next year, if I'm not wrong?"
She nodded. "I do."
"Well, I have a proposition. I graduated from Durmstrang six years ago, and became Minister this year. I have been looking for an assistant, and I have no doubt that you will be perfect for the job. It's just an option, you don't need to accept, of course, just keep in mind, that my offer will always be open," he told her with a smile.
Emery nodded. "I will think about it, Mr. Nikolaides, thank you for the offer."
"Have you decided your career yet?" he asked.
Emery shook her head. "Not directly. I mean, I know for sure that I would like to work in an environment where there are always surprises, in an environment where I can impact the world, make it a better place. I want to fight for a better future, and win the hearts of the young," she said fiercely. "I'm willing to do all it takes, to ensure that justice prevails, and the misfortunate are given comfort."
All along as she spoke, Lucas was listening, while Sirius felt a flutter of pride.
This was his Emery, who had big dreams.
The same Emery who fed the ants, the same Emery who spat out duck facts whenever she was nervous, the same Emery who teased him and called him penguin.
He observed her as he spoke, his eyes glazed with adoration.
He noticed how she furrowed her brow when she was talking seriously, and how her voice was unfaltering. He saw how she was determined to pursue her dreams, and how her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
He watched the little witch, how the furry white cloak enveloped her like an angel, how she wore her hat tipped slightly to the side, how she waved her dainty gloved fingers...
He took in every detail of her, the way her she rubbed her nose, and how her short golden hair blew in the wind. He noted every mark on her face, all her flaws, all her perfections.
Her smile gave him warmth, her eyes were his solace, her heart was his home.
That was when Sirius Black realized he had fallen for Emery Fowl.
Hard.
Half an hour later, Emery and Lucas parted ways, shaking hands as they walked to the reception.
Before they parted, Lucas gestured to Sirius, beckoning him to follow.
Sirius stood up, then cautiously followed Lucas, to a separate corner of the reception, while Emery waited on a chair near the receptionist.
Lucas cleared his throat.
"Mr. Black," began Lucas. "Do not let Emery go, whatever you do. Keep her by your side and protect her. She is like a diamond, rare, and valuable, very difficult to find."
Sirius nodded vaguely, staring at Emery in her furry white cloak, as she sat in the distance.
"I noticed you were jealous when I spoke of her," Lucas said out loudly, chuckling, causing Sirius to snap his head on Lucas' direction. "You have nothing to fear, Mister Black, I'm engaged to my fiancé of three years."
"Oh," said Sirius. "I'm sorry, it's just that-"
"I see how you look at her. You love her."
Sirius nodded, sighing. "Yes," he said softly. "I do."
Lucas smiled. "Then tell her you love her, show her you care. She may only see you as a friend now, but it can change. She loves you, but she hasn't come to terms with it yet. Be patient, and always be by her side, never leave her. You will never know her value until you lose her."
"I will, Sir, thank you," Sirius said determined. "And thank you for doing this. Your efforts will always be remembered."
Lucas and Sirius shook hands, then walked back to Emery, Sirius taking a seat beside her.
Lucas smiled at them, and with a tip of his hat, he saluted and walked away.
Another man came to Emery, about five minutes later, and Emery stood up, waiting for news. She knew him to be a security guard, seeing the way he was dressed.
"Miss Fowl," he greeted. "Your father was taken outside and is now waiting. He is a free man."
Emery beamed, nearly crying with happiness at those words. "Thank you," she whispered, "thank you so much."
"It's a pleasure, Miss," he saluted.
The man walked away, and Emery threw herself on Sirius, hugging him tight. "Thank you, Sirius. Thank you so much, for all you've done."
Sirius could hear the emotion in her tone. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close, inhaling her sweet scent of cookies and chocolate. He could smell her jasmine fragrance as it mingled with her intoxicating perfume.
Very, very faintly, almost as if she didn't hear it, she thought she heard Sirius whisper something under his breath. It could be perhaps her brain making it up in her state of happiness, or it could have just been a figment of her imagination, probably from the moment's sensational timing.
"I love you."
They broke apart, Emery smiled, looking at Sirius' indifferent expression. She scolded her brain for making things up, and took a deep breath.
Then, she walked down the marble steps, leaving behind the monumental building, her eyes resting on the figure in the distance..
She saw a man, quite far away from where she was standing, his back towards her. He had a mass of messy dark hair, and a strong build. He was tall, and looked extremely familiar.
Papa.
Emery shook with excitement, thousands of emotions running through her.
"Papa?" she asked softly almost like a whisper.
The man didn't hear her; he was too far away.
But he chose that moment to turn around.
Emery held her breath.
She was staring into eyes identical to hers. Crystal blue, almost sea green, filled with emotion and happiness. He was crying as his eyes met hers.
Tears poured down Emery's eyes, and her heart was beating a thousand miles per minute. She was running high on Emotions, and she suddenly found herself running, running to her father.
"Emery?"
"Papa!"
His arms were stretched out wide, and he was running too.
Emery ran faster, and all that mattered was him.
It felt like miles, but in reality, it was nothing but a few meters.
At long last, she reached him, and at that moment, she was sobbing, letting all her emotion take over her, letting six years of pent-up intensity loose.
His arms enveloped around her, and he hugged her tight, lifting her up, and spinning her round. They sobbed into each others shoulders, not breaking away from the hug.
She smelled his perfumed figure, not having enough of his familiar scent. She felt his muscular arms around her, and his comforting voice, which was just as excited with emotion as hers was.
After so much longing, so much want, she was finally reunited with him, and absolutely nothing could ruin the moment. She kissed every inch of his face, muttering 'I love you' over and over again, not letting go, in fear of losing him once more.
She wanted never to part with him, and to always be by his side. He was her foundation, the bane of her existence.
She knew only one thing, and one thing only.
She was home.
a/n: that's all for today, folks.. this chapter took me so long to write. i hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, then please share this story.
it's the longest chapter i've written so far, about 3000 words.. i like keeping em short.
this is the fiftieth PART the book, according to wattpad, and i thought I'd celebrate it by giving a longer chapter.
this book is almost coming to an end... about 15-20 chapters left. maybe in about 4 days or so..
anyway, stay safe.