The Reckoning of Emmie MacKenzie

The New & Improved Emmie

Emmie strode purposefully through the corridors of the castle, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do. When they arrived back at Hogwarts yesterday, she had planned to ask out Cedric in the comfort of the common room, but then changed her mind, deciding that if she really wanted to make a point - to herself and her brother's spy and well, everyone - that she needed to do it in the great hall.

Kara had been thrown, to say the least. Shocked that not only was Emmie about to ask out a bloke - that wasn't Oliver Wood - she was going to do it in front of the whole school.

But Emmie's mind was made up. She was going to do this. She needed to do this. To prove to herself and her brother and whoever else that she was in charge of her life. And she didn't want him or anyone telling her what to do or babysitting her anymore. Sure, this wasn't much - it was only asking someone on a date - but in her mind, it was a massive step forward in proving her independence.

Emmie paused in the entrance of the great hall, seeing the tables mostly full. For once, Kara, Melanie, and Toni were there before her, already seated near Cedric and his friends, likely to have a good view of what was about to happen. She swallowed and looked over, meeting Oliver's eyes for a moment where he sat at the Gryffindor table. She then looked away, setting her sights back on the Hufflepuff table and Cedric.

She hadn't spoken to Oliver since the night she walked out of the party, too upset by the news that he had spent the last two years spying on her for her brother. Stepping in and taking care of things because he thought her incapable of looking out for herself. Even if he had come to fancy her, she was certain that she was no longer interested in him now that she knew the truth.

Lifting her chin, she started walking again, her gaze fixed on Cedric. A thrill ran through her. This was it. She was finally taking charge of her own life and about to go on her first date. Well... hopefully, anyway. He still had to say yes.

Cedric looked over, catching her approach. He turned and smiled.

"Have a good break, Mac?" he asked. Emmie stopped in front of him, trying not to play with the strap of her bag.

"Aye, it was grand," she said, starting to feel jittery. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out, praying that she didn't start stuttering. "Actually... I wanted to ask ye somethin'..."

"Sure, anything," Cedric said.

"Would ye go to Hogsmeade with me?" she asked quickly, hoping it would keep her from stuttering.

Cedric's eyes widened as the conversations going on around them stopped and everyone looked towards them. Emmie was sure that she was blushing, and she could feel every eye that was on her. For a moment, she panicked, afraid that he would say no. She had been so confident that he wouldn't, but standing there now, she couldn't help but worry.

This had been a bad idea.

"Ah, yea," he said finally, starting to grin. "Of course... do you mean... as a date?" Emmie nodded.

"Aye, as a date," she replied. He continued to grin and nodded.

"Definitely," he said. He was then on his feet, motioning to the space next to him. "Do you want to sit?"

"Okay," Emmie said as relief flooded through her.

She pulled her bag off her shoulder sat down as folks began talking again. Glancing over, she saw her three friends grinning at her and she felt a surge of pride go through her. She had done it.

She, Emmie MacKenzie, had asked out a bloke that she fancied. And he had said yes.

"What did you do over the break?" Cedric asked. Emmie shrugged.