𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒-ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪 ℙ𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣❥

𝐇𝐁𝐏 𝟏𝟑

When the four got off the Hogwarts train at King's cross, they all gave Hermione a hug goodbye except for Ron who hurried over to Lavender.

"I'll see you soon, okay?" Hermione said, her voice gentle but firm as neither she nor Emily wanted to let go. "Stay safe and do not take that ring off. And Harry, stay safe. I love you both."

She pressed a soft kiss to each of their cheeks, lingering just a moment longer than necessary, before turning away. Emily watched her walk toward the crowd of parents and students, ensuring that Hermione and her family were safely on their way before allowing herself to breathe.

"Emily!"

The shout tore through the noise of the station, sharp and familiar. Emily spun around and her heart leapt. Ethan and Eric were barreling through the crowd, dodging luggage and tripping over other travelers, their eyes locked on her. Nothing—no obstacle—was going to slow them down.

Harry chuckled softly beside her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before stepping back toward the Weasleys, letting Emily have this reunion. He knew she had been waiting for it.

Emily laughed, tears threatening to spill, as Eric reached her first, scooping her up into a tight hug. She buried her face in his shoulder, letting the warmth and safety of his embrace wash over her. A few moments later, he set her down, and Ethan fell to his knees, clutching her in his arms with a grip that left no doubt of how much he had missed her.

"You've gotten taller," Eric said teasingly, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's lovely to see you, Em."

"Debatable," Ethan replied, though his arms remained locked around her shoulders as he leaned against her back, a silent contradiction to his words.

Emily pulled back slightly and glanced around the station, scanning the crowds. "Where's dad?" she asked softly, hope and worry mingling in her voice.

Ethan and Eric exchanged a brief, somber look.

"He's not here," Eric said quietly, a shadow of sadness in his voice. Emily felt a pang in her chest, realizing something must have kept him away. But he added gently, "You'll see him soon though. Come on, let's get to the Weasleys."

Emily nodded, a small smile breaking through her worry. With her brothers at her side, she felt the familiar anchor of family—strong, protective, and unwavering—guiding her forward through the bustling station.

"So Snape was offering to help him? He was definitely offering to help him?"

"If you ask that once more," said Harry, "I'm going to stick this sprout —"

"I'm only checking!" said Ron. They were standing alone with Emily at the Burrow's kitchen sink, peeling a mountain of sprouts for Mrs. Weasley. Snow was drifting past the window in front of them.

"Yes, Snape was offering to help him!" said Harry. "He said he'd promised Malfoy's mother to protect him, that he'd made an Unbreakable Oath or something —"

"An Unbreakable Vow?" said Ron, looking stunned. "Nah, he can't have. . . . Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," said Harry. "Why, what does it mean?"

"Well, you can't break an Unbreakable Vow. . . ."

"I'd worked that much out for myself, funnily enough. What happens if you break it, then?"

"You die," said Emily simply.

"Fred and George tried to get me to make one when I was about five. I nearly did too, I was holding hands with Fred and everything when Dad found us. He went mental," said Ron, with a reminiscent gleam in his eyes. "Only time I've ever seen Dad as angry as Mum. Fred reckons his left buttock has never been the same since."