RIDDLES PROPERTY

chapter 44

Tom paced the Malfoy manor, waiting for the clock to strike 3 so he could apparate there. He knew he'd be safe in Knockturn Alley, he was well respected there. It was only 2 and Draco was muttering things about him under his breath. Tom understood he was close to Emelia, but the amount of times he'd nearly killed him were insane.

"My lord!" said a scratchy voice.

Tom looked up.

"And you are?" he asked while looking at the messy brown haired woman.

"Bellatrix Lestrange. Everyone calls me Bella, m'lord. You're even better than what Lucius has told me about you. May I get you anything?"

Bellatrix seemed desperate to Tom. He didn't like her teachers pet attitude. She appeared to be the parallel of Hermione Granger.

"No. Leave."

Her face darkened instantly.

"But lor-"

She was cut off.

"I said leave! Next time I'll hex you! Now don't make me tell you twice, GET OUT!" he yelled.

She curtsied with her ragged dresses and left the room. He needed to see Emelia instantly, but his guards didn't get off until 12 PM. He'd need to keep himself occupied.

Emelia, on the other hand, was at the Weasley's with Ophelia.

"My dear, Ophelia's growing quickly!" Molly exclaimed.

Emelia nodded. Quite frankly, she enjoyed Molly's presence. It reminded her of her mothers. Ophelia lay in Molly's hands and Ginny came down from her
room.

"Emelia! I haven't seen you in nearly a month or so, how've you been?" she asked.

"Busy, you know how it is. Ophelia and Fred keep me quite occupied!" she said.

"She's got your eyes and hair, you know. Just hope she's not a trouble maker like Fred." Molly said.

Emelia nearly choked on the juice Molly gave her. If only Molly knew it wasn't Fred's child. He insisted on keeping it a surprise. He never took the paternity test and excused it by saying, "I'll love our child no matter what."

"Yeah, I suppose."

Ginny had a subtle smile on her face. She knew.

"Harry'll be here soon. He had Auror training." Ginny interrupted. Emelia shot her a quick nod and smile.

"How's it going with you two?" Emelia asked.

Ginny's smile grew and she held her hand out. On her finger was a ruby ring with a gold and green border.

"That's great, Ginny! When'd he give you this? Are you two engaged or?"

"Well, you know how my birthday was a few weeks ago? He gave me a promise ring, by the way, not marriage! It was wonderful. I believe that's an amazing way to turn 16."

Emelia was so happy for her Ginny. She knew she was a bit young, but they were truly meant for each other. She admired the ring for a moment or two before the door opened up. Harry came in smiling.

"Hello, Emelia!" he walked over to Ginny and hugged her, "I see you've been having fun showing everyone the erm promise ring."

Harry was quite awkward when she was around, but Emelia didn't mind. She knew she'd be awkward too if she were talking to the person who got her ex-boyfriend caught and sent to Azkaban. She would try not to bring it up, but it'd likely come into the conversation.

"Mrs. Weasley, d'you know if Sirius will be back from his vacation any time soon? He's been gone for a few weeks, I'm getting worried." he asked.

Molly laughed.

"My boy, Sirius was in Azkaban for years. Let him live and explore a bit. Remus and him have been exploring everywhere lately."

Harry nodded.

They sat down for lunch and Bill came down with Fleur. The couple was engaged to be married and there seemed to be tension between Fleur and the girls.

"Emelia! Eet iz so good to see you!" Fleur said.

"Do I know you?" she asked and remained seated. Her tone may have been rude, but she saw how Ginny and Miss Weasley were acting around her.

"Freddie has told us so much about you! Eet iz a pleasure! I'm sorry I could not make eet to your wedding, I had to be with my grandmother before she passed away."

"No worries. Nice to meet you."

Ginny glared at her when Fleur wasn't looking.

"Phlegm thinks she's all that." Ginny whispered.

Emelia bit back a laugh and felt bad for a second, but Fleur started critiquing Miss Weasley on how she made her food and Emelia understood.

"Good to see you, Emelia." Bill said quietly.

Emelia smiled at him and the dug into the food. Ophelia was throwing her food a bit, but Ginny fed her.

"Isn't she so cute, Harry." she cooed.

"Yes, she is."

They continued to eat until someone came inside the house. It was a girl with purple hair. Emelia thought the hair was quite badass, but made too much of a statement.

"Tonks! You made it, dear!"

The so called woman, Tonks, walked in and greeted everyone. When she made eye contact with Fleur, Fleur stood up. Ginny's mouth dropped and she looked at Emelia. 

"Lesbians!" she mouthed.

Emelia choked on her food and coughed a few times.

"Are you alright?" Bill asked.

She bit back a laugh and nodded.

"Yeah, sorry, food went down the wrong windpipe."

He nodded, shyly, and continued eating his food. They finished up eating and Emelia checked the time. It was nearing 2:30.

"Thank you so much, Molly."

She gave her a hug and Emelia went to get Ophelia. She still had 20 minutes so she decided to converse with Bill about dragons. It was rather boring, but she needed to pass time. Her heart was racing as she was going to be seeing an Azkaban escapee in the next hour.

"Emelia." Harry said.

She turned around.

"Yes?"

"I need to talk to you...in private."

She raised an eyebrow, but followed him to Ron's bedroom.

"I need to know if you've seen or heard from Tom any time soon."

"You're not afraid to say his name. Fred said it was dangerous." she noted.

"Yes, but can you tell me. Honestly?"

"No. I haven't. Now, excuse me. I have to leave and see Ophelia."

She left the room and he stood there scratching his head.