A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 1: Chapter 7

Part 1:

Chapter 7 –

May 12th, 1996

Weeks flew by as the last of the chilly weather turned into the spring warmth. Emilia had spent the time studying for her OWL's with Hermione by her side, the two of them opting to spend the day outside, appreciating the sun glistening against their skin.

Emilia flipped to her Arithmancy notes, scribbling down different equations, before a shadow blocked her view.

Looking up, she made eye contact with the person she had been avoiding successfully until now.

Harry Potter leaned down to take a seat beside her on the grass, in between her and Hermione, whilst shooting her a nervous smile.

Emilia had to admit to herself, that although she had been ignoring him, her anger had subsided as fast as it came that day. Harry's words had struck her at the core, but only because they were true. She found comfort and friendship with the golden trio, something she had no memory of feeling before. But Harry was right, she wasn't a part of their adventures before. She wasn't there to comfort Harry after his battle in the maze during the Triwizard tournament. She wasn't there for Hermione, after she was petrified from the basilisk. And she wasn't there, standing with them as they stood against Voldemort, time and time again.

She wished she was, but she wasn't.

So, she understood Harry's anger and where he came from. Emilia had just hoped that they saw her as family, the way that she saw them.

Shaking from her thoughts, she looked up to Harry who was watching her closely.

"I'm sorry, I miss what you said," Emilia whispered, lowering her glance to the ground, softly picking at the grass.

Harry signed before he copied Emilia's actions.

"I came over here to say that I'm sorry Emilia. I was frustrated and angry, but that still gave me no right to say what I did to you," Harry stated, regret laced in his tone.

Emilia glanced at him, watching him play with the grass.

"You have no reason to be sorry, Harry. Everything you said was true."

She heard a low growl to the left of Harry.

"Shut up Emilia, none of what Harry said was true," Hermione hissed through her teeth, annoyed that the girl thought so little of their friendship.

Harry, copying Hermione's words said, "Hermione's right. You may not have been there with us before, but you're here with us now, and that's all that matters."

Emilia felt tears well in her eyes at his words, wishing more than anything that she could tell him why their friendship meant so much to her. She had lost the memories of her life before, a life where she had a family. Forgetting them and the rest of her life had left Emilia in a dark pit before she met the trio. Despite all their faults, they had become family to her in their time together, storing away memories that Emilia vowed to never forget.

Emilia knew that she needed them, more than they needed her.

Bringing her arm to her face and wiping underneath her eyes Emilia softly cried out, "I know that the three of you had formed a friendship before I came her, but during my time here, you guys have come to feel like family to me, something I don't remember ever really having."

Harry and Hermione softened, thinking that her words meant something different than they actually did. Emilia felt a part of her feel free at being able to tell a partial truth of herself.