can't you hear the horses

“That’s an understatement,” James muttered, He had tried not to think about it much, really, especially everything that happened on Valentine’s Day and the aftermath. He didn’t expect the next words that came from her mouth though, and looked up. What were you supposed to say to something like that? “Do you want to talk about it?” It was probably a stupid question but that was all he could think of. 

Emmeline opened her mouth, then shut it, shrugging at James. She hadn’t really expected to open up to him - or anyone, for that matter - but the words had come out before she could even think about it. She looked straight ahead, avoiding looking directly at James. “No,” Emmeline said, making a face. “I mean, yes, but – d’you think all of this is going to be worth it? In the end?”

A sharp SMACK hit the back of Emmeline’s head, making her whip her long, dark hair around. She let it down for the day, and it flew right over her shoulder, brushing against Gideon’s face. Emmeline rubbed the back of her head, making an incredulous face at Gideon. With her other hand, she shoved his shoulder, pushing him backwards. “What the hell was that for?” 

Gideon stopped fake sobbing, but the expression of horror remained on his face. “Okay — you’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just, so damn embarrassed! And he keeps fucking telling everyone.” He admitted, his face contorting back into Kim Kardashian Crying. “Well,” He began, looking up apologetically. “More like he screwed me.” 

Merlin, Gideon looked different when he cried. Emmeline cursed herself for ever being attracted to the redhead, especially now that he had been with Amycus. And he hadn’t even been dominating him, on top! “Was it your first time?” Emmeline asked suddenly, worried. “I hope he used proper lubricant, for your sake.” She shook her head, staring at the ground, her eyes brimming with tears. “I just can’t believe this. I’m going to have to get revenge for you now.”

“Emmeline!” Gideon called out, managing to look indignant in between fake sobs. At this point, he must be looking damn hysterical, but he couldn’t stop, because that would mean telling her what he did — even under the influence of Amortentia — and that was bad. Why did he have to be such an idiot? “I can’t believe you’d ask me something like that! And while I’m crying over my dead grandmother!”

Emmeline gawked at him. Clearly he had done something with Amycus Carrow, or he wouldn’t be acting like – well, Emmeline decided he was acting pretty much like himself. She shrugged as she said “Sorry!” - and watched as Gideon sobbed. Crossing her arms, she leaned back in her chair. “I just can’t believe you screwed my mortal enemy in life.”

Emmeline’s touch was electric, sending tingles from Glenda’s cheek through her entire body. They had shared a house for years - how had Glenda never seen her in this light before? “You flatter me.” She cooed. But when Emmeline’s hand dropped, so did her heart - that wasn’t what she wanted! Glenda reached back for it, lacing their fingers together. “It seems a bit stifling in here, doesn’t it?”

The girl was older than her, Emmeline thought - that excited her even more. She loved it when she was with those who had more experience than her. Emmeline held her hand, enticed by how warm it was and pulled her close. She leaned in, her lips brushing against Glenda’s ear. “We can go somewhere private, if you’d like.”

“She died two years ago —” Gideon told Emmeline, which was true. Then, he dramatically let his face fall into his hands, loud sobs shaking through his body, as he was trying to force himself to produce actual tears. “I-I mwiss h-wer so mu-much!” He cried out, thankful there was no one else present in the room. Gideon wasn’t very intelligent, which clearly showed in his attempt to get out of telling Emmeline the truth. 

Emmeline was taken aback by the sudden show of emotion. They were alone in the room, she noticed, as she awkwardly patted him on the back, hoping to comfort him. “There, there...” She said. Emmeline was always terrible at the emotional side of things - but wait a minute, he had just been talking about Amycus Carrow being in his knickers! “Gideon, I have to ask. Did you shag Amycus Carrow?”

James looked up with a forced smile as Emmeline joined him. He would really prefer to be left alone but he couldn’t just say that flat out. It would be rude, and he had been brought up better than that. So he tucked the letter into a pocket and nodded. “As well as can be expected, I suppose. Bit tired though. I’m ready for the year to be over. The last few weeks have felt like they lasted for months.”

Emmeline hoped she hadn’t intruded on a private moment as James put the letter away. Truthfully, she had been in search of likeminded company - James seemed to be someone who was adamant about his feelings regarding the current turmoil. She agreed with him. “Yeah, the last few weeks have been gobsmacking.” She was quiet for a moment. “I killed someone. Using the Killing Curse.”

“Y’know, knitting needles can be quite the weapon. Rumor has it, my nan, she once fended off a Wampus cat with nothing but two needles.” Gideon was entirely serious about his defense techniques — before realizing his mistake in adding ‘not lately’ to his previous sentence. “I, uh… Crap. I forgot I never told you. Thought the whole school knew at this point.” His face fell into an awkward expression. “So, remember last Halloween?”

Emmeline twirled between her fingers, considering it for a moment. “Your nan’s a strong woman, Gideon. I’d like to meet her someday.” She was always fond of strong women with a fighting background. Emmeline’s eyes widened as she sat down next to Gideon, her voice lowering. “Yes, I remember last Halloween. Did you do something... Unsavory?”

A party would be good. Socializing would be good. Getting back to normal would be good. Glenda had talked herself into walking into the Room of Requirement, but once she had arrived and gotten a proper drink in her, she knew what she needed to do. She could see Emmeline in the distance, and making her way through the crowd she waited for the other girl to turn around, taking a good moment to take in all that was her. “I could never forget you, Emmeline. They do say that attractive people tend to be drawn towards other attractive people…” 

Emmeline blushed - she was not one to blush at all, and she was taken aback by the heat that rushed to her cheeks. She reached out to stroke the girl’s cheek, murmuring, “Nothing in comparison to you, of course.” Emmeline pulled her hand back before it made contact with Glenda’s skin, not wanting to scare her away. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Yes, yes.” Ludovic batted her order away, smiling as he pushed himself to his feet. There was a small roll through his stomach, but not so bad he couldn’t make the journey back to the castle. He held out his hand for her, then turning his gaze to the path ahead. “I wish I could just apparate up there.” The complaining tone of his voice was more than evident. “I don’t want to walk.”

Emmeline followed him, standing up and straightening herself out. She glanced down at her body - thank Merlin she wasn’t pregnant, she would have been absolutely beside herself if she found out she would have to sport a baby bump with her uniform. “Want me to carry you?”

He hummed happily, smiling again. He loved that about her, how funny she could be, daring too. “I wish I could have been there to see it. You should do it again, just for me sometime.” He sighed softly, moving his hands to sit in her lap. Again, he could fall asleep like this. Turning his neck downwards, he pressed a light kiss to her shoulder, before sitting up. “You wanna take a bath with me? I know I stink.”

They worked well together, Emmeline thought, even though their attempt at a real relationship had failed dramatically. Maybe it would be best for them to not try that again for a while, as Ludo was leaving Hogwarts and Emmeline still had a year to go. “You’ve seen me running around naked enough.” She joked. Emmeline pushed the thoughts of the future away, only wanting to focus on the present. Emmeline started to tie her hair up, preparing herself for the bath. “Obviously, but you need to brush your teeth first.” 

Emmeline pinched her cheeks, staring at her reflection in the mirror she had conjured up. A hint of pink came across her features and Emmeline smiled before gasping and whirling around. “Glenda!” She breathed, putting her arms on the girl’s shoulders. “Glenda Chittock! It’s Emmeline - blimey, you’re pretty.”

Ludovic stayed quiet for a moment, enjoying the comfort and dark that came with hiding his face in her neck. He didn’t want to move, and reckoned he could easily fall asleep like this. “Unggg.” He groaned, finally lifting his head up again, enough to rest it on her shoulder once more. “I took a stupid dare, if you want the truth.”

Emmeline laughed, her shoulders moving up and down as she chuckled. She turned, planting her lips on top of Ludovic’s head, giving it a kiss before facing forward once again. Emmeline could only imagine what kind of dare made Ludo sick - she often took stupid dares on herself. “I once streaked through the Quidditch pitch in November.” Emmeline murmured. “We’ve all been there.”

Ludovic laughed, enjoying knowing that she wanted him so badly. His ego hummed happily, and in response, he leaned against her even more, seeking whatever affection she was willing to give. “In worse conditions, yes, but not the vomit sort of conditions.” He turned his head in towards her, burying it in her neck. He inhaled deeply and spoke, voice muffled by her skin. “You smell too good to stink you up with my puke.”

Emmeline nodded, her nose wrinkling in disgust as she realized the pungent smell she’d noticed was coming from him. Her skin tingled as he buried his head in her neck - Emmeline thanked Merlin she had showered earlier in the day. “You do stink,” She agreed. She was quiet for a few seconds, then asked again. “But, really, what could have made you so sick?”

“With what? It’s knitting club.” He frowned, before turning slightly more agitated at Emmeline’s question. Gideon was taking his mood out on her. “Amycus Carrow. Though I assure you, he hasn’t been anywhere near my knickers. Not lately, anyway.”

“Knitting club used to be fun, but what if we’re under attack, once again, while I’ve got a knitting needle in my hand and I can’t get to my wand? I’ll have to learn hand-to-hand combat.” Emmeline’s frown matched Gideon’s. She raised her eyebrows at him. “Lately? What’s that supposed to mean?”