Emericks Amazing Adventures

[Emerick Sullivan]

lol Okay, so when I was bored, I wrote up Emerick's summer experience with Miss Estrella Armande. While I typed it up, I edited and improved it as best I could. It may be a little bit tedious, I don't know, but it's full of thoughts with very little dialog. It takes up about 5 pages on microsoft word. 3,792 words long. I hope you have a little time and you don't get bored. I know, it's long for a story that takes place in a frame of about 10 minutes.

Despite his horrid behavior, please try and feel a little bit of sympathy for Emerick. Though you might be more inclined to feel sorry for Estrella by the end of this XD It's kind of pathetic. But I wont say any more ^^ If you guys take the time to read this, I'd appreciate comment and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. I've already posted a little bit of it on harrypotterfanfiction.com. Eventually the whole thing will go up, but I'm still refining it.

So here we go!:

‘She couldn’t have picked a better night. But is her timing opportune?’
Emerick Sullivan wondered to himself. It was the night before school begun once more. The night before he returned to Hogwarts and his second year as Charms Professor and Head of Slytherin. Emerick inhaled deeply. The cool breeze carried scents from the festivities below him, mixed with the murmuring of a string quartet. The balcony he stood on was draped with deep blue curtains that glimmered in the starlight. Were he to turn and go back inside, the complete splendor of the hall would once again awe him. Yes, she really had pulled out all the stops on this one.
But he wouldn’t go back inside. It was deserted now that everyone was out in the garden, enjoying the entertainment their host had set up. He liked his dark solitude out on the balcony. He was cast in shadow by a system of bushes off the left side of the protrusion. It was one of those wide balcony’s, the ones taken out of medieval fairy tales where knights sung sonnets to woo princesses. Yes, Estrella would like that sort of thing. No wonder she adored this mansion.
Emerick didn’t understand it. How could anyone live like this? The constant attention, there was always some function to attend, always some finery to display. Estrella was like that, so were her parents, and so, for a matter of fact, were his parents. The very same parents he’d alienated two years prior.
What was so wrong about lending your money to your sister? Aleria was family, and when that horrid muggle she’d had a kid with ran off on her, she hadn’t had anywhere to go. He figured the muggle played a big role in it. Before only Aleria had been stricken from the Sullivan family will. Now both children were disowned. It was funny how they could be doted on as children and despised as adults. Emerick took an indulgent sip from the wine glass he held.
Yes, he remembered only to well his parents brand of care. Every day it seemed there were functions, much like this one, held for the Sullivan family to display their wealth. Emerick’s father came from a pureblood family with 11 children. Being the eldest, he received the biggest chunk of the Sullivan Fortune. And Emerick and Aleria had been in line for it. Emerick quickly learned to despise his numerous cousins and their attempts to befriend him, hoping their family’s wouldn’t be left in poverty when the grandparents finally passed on.
Needless to say, Emerick was rather pleased with severing all ties with his parents. Now there was no pressure to marry a pureblood, and marry her soon. There were no more invitations to tea at some wizarding manor. Yes, Emerick was content in his little two story just outside of a small muggle town. He lived in fair enough peace. And he was lonely.
Before he met Estrella, any ways. How could it happen that he had been so sucked in by the kind of woman who lived as he had always hated? He remembered clearly the first time he’d asked her to dinner. He knew right off the bat that she was high-maintenance. But it appeased him for awhile to know he had someone to go back to after a long trip to Easter Island or the Sumerian ruins. She’d been faithful to him, and he was grateful at least for that.
But the relationship was strained on Emerick’s part. He didn’t love her, he never had. She’d just been there for him to take out to dinner, sit there, and look pretty. He honestly thought he drove her mad sometimes. He had strict rules for dating relationships, just as he had strict rules for everything else. They had kissed on occasion. Mostly they’d gone to social places together where people could see that they were an item. But he was beginning to realize that she expected more from him, she wanted commitment. Emerick didn’t want to give her that. Or did he?
Her money was attractive. So was she, visibly any ways. Emerick couldn’t stand to hold a conversation with her. Estrella was superficial, and she acted like a child. He despised the disorder in her life, because everything he stood for was quick and efficient. She threw her money around like there was no tomorrow. He supposed her could exercise more control over this if he was her husband.
But more than anything he just wanted to be left alone. Marrying her would certainly put a stop to suitors and invites, but it may also result in more. It also would result in more galleons to add to his vault. He knew that for a fact, so why did his hesitate? Surely it was not the ridiculous notion of love? All his prior experience had shown him that love was fake. If you wanted something, you had to take it. Everything was negotiable, and anything could be made to reflect your own interests.
Besides, with Estrella at his side, he could probably work his way back into his parents favor. After all, Estrella’s parents were good friends of Emerick’s. He’d probably be written back into the will. Wonderful, more money to lounge in.
As much as Estrella irritated him, she could bring him a lot. But at the same time, she confused him. Why would a woman like herself be interested in him? He wasn’t paid very much, nor did he currently hold an inheritance. Perhaps she too guessed the possibilities of wowing his parents. Or maybe she thought she was rich enough for the both of them.

-~|~-

‘Where is he? I’ve gone through all this trouble to host the perfect party and he still insists on moping in some corner?’
Estrella flitted lightly through the various guests. It wasn’t easy to get a good look around because she kept being stopped by well-meaning wizards and witches who wanted to chat. She had a difficult time brushing them off. Needless to say, she was very pleased when she found herself breaking free of the crowd. She hurried up a set of marble stairs and into the entry hall.
The place was empty. She looked around for any sign of Emerick. She didn’t care if he hated these parties with every last ounce of his soul, he should be outside, parading around with her. It was their last day together and still he insisted on being a moody, antisocial outcast. Estrella hadn’t bought this gown for nothing. The pale yellow brought out the star accents she’d put into decorating the mansion for this do. If he was hiding, who was going to show her off? No one, that’s who.
Countless blue silk draperies and ice sculptures gleamed at her from around the room, but there was no sign of Emerick. She had rather hoped he’d see this evening as the perfect opportunity to propose. But how was she going to get a ring if she couldn’t find him?
Oh how she loved him. Emerick was so proper, he was definitely a no nonsense kind of person. Honestly, it did make her a little angry with him at times. He had a very definite idea about what was proper and what was not. She hardly ever got him to hold her hand, much less kiss him. She respected him for his morals, but they got in the way a lot.
And he was so passionate! Estrella hardly even cared that his determination was directed at his job rather than her. She admired him, and his ability to stay on top, always on the ball only increased her adoration.
It pained her to know he would be returning to Hogwarts the very next day. She wanted her promise now. Estrella didn’t want to wait for next summer, or even Christmas holidays, to be assured that she could spend the rest of her life with him.
A dark figure caught her eye just as she was about to give up. She recognized the silhouette immediately. The stance was bold and perfectly postured. She smiled; it figured he’d be lurking out on the shadowy balcony.
Estrella swept across the width of the hall, gracefully mounting the stairs that would take her to his level. “Emerick?” She said softly; No response. She repeated it again, a little louder this time. He turned around, looking slightly startled.
“Estrella?”
She smiled and nodded. Estrella floated over to him, placing one hand on his arm. She leaned upwards to kiss him on the cheek, which was slightly difficult, as he was at least a head taller than her. She stepped back and studied him with a smile. But her contentedness faded when she saw that the expression looking down at her was not happy, but grim. There was not even the tiny twitch at the corners of his lips that had served him as a smile.
“What’s wrong?”
She asked, a little more than a hint of concern in her voice. He looked like her was thinking hard about something. Why didn’t he ever loosen up?

-~|~-

Emerick, as always, was stunned by her appearance. She was more beautiful than ever. Her elegant curls were piled elaborately on top of her head. Diamonds sparkled around her throat and bangles glinted from her slender wrists.
Emerick was hardly aware of her touch or her kiss. His mind was still running over and over the furious debate in his mind.
So she’d found him. They were alone too. He figured that any female on the planet would have considered this exceedingly romantic. Emerick just felt like throwing up. No doubt she was expecting his to pop the question. The chance wouldn’t come again for awhile. If he was going to ask her to marry him, he should do it now.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked. He wanted to tell her how many things were wrong with this. But there were a lot of things right with this too. Besides, when had Emerick ever been the romantic? There was no choice here. It was propose now and swim in money. Or he could say nothing, go back to Hogwarts, hide for another year, and propose to her later. All things considered, it looked like it was in his best interest to do it now. Everyone would be happy. His parents, Estrella. Everyone except him. But since when had his happiness ever mattered?
Emerick shook the frown from his face and brushed her hand from his arm.
“Nothing. I was-my mind was elsewhere.”
Estrella looked doubtful and none too pleased about the distance he’d just put between them.
“Well bring it back. If you’re not enjoying yourself, neither am I. You wouldn’t force me to be sad in the midst of my own celebration, would you?”
She had put on the cutest pout she could muster and used the most annoying of all whiney voices. Emerick wanted to shake her, hard, for acting so childish.
In that moment, he wondered if it would be fair to her, to marry her for her money. But that thought was drowned by thousands of others that represented is self-interest. He was a Slytherin, it was part of his character. Besides, he could easily justify his selfishness. He’d known Estrella to be ten times worse.
Emerick thought that maybe, if they were married, he wouldn’t even have to see much of her. Emerick would be living at Hogwarts. He’d already tolerated a steady stream of owls from her over the coarse of last year, surely it could not become any more irksome. Emerick sighed heavily and put on a dazzling smile. He knew what his decision was.

-~|~-

Estrella took his sigh to mean no. She smiled once again. He seemed much happier as well. Estrella congratulated herself on a man well cheered. But she continued to watch him, almost willing him to has the question she’d been waiting for all summer. They’d been dating for 3 years, surely he would not wait much longer. She even dared to take his hand in hers, despite his previous irritation with it.
Estrella was surprised to see a smile creep across his ever-serious face. She still half expected him to drop her hand and scold her for not being proper. But he did not. Instead he gently squeezed it, a definite sign of affection. He raised his other hand and stroked her face softly. Estrella was ready to swoon.
“I love you.”
He whispered. Estrella was so entranced by the rare smile that was playing over his lips that she did not notice the troubled look in his eyes. If she had, she would not have cared. Estrella was certain now that this was the moment she’d been anticipating. She had hardly any time to say the same. He bent his head and kissed her. When he pulled away, she could read his next words on his lips before then even reached her ears.

-~|~-

Emerick could hardly believe those words had just passed his lips. They were a lie, a filthy, dirty, rotten lie. He didn’t love her. He never would. But he needed her to believe that he did. IF she was convinced that he didn’t, she may not consent to marry him. Emerick forcefully held the smile of his face. No matter how good of a liar he was, he felt as if she must surely notice his lack of true feelings for her. The kiss was even more difficult. He felt himself ripped up inside with a sensation that he couldn’t identify. It was cruel and he knew it. But he defiantly oozed his next words with as much sincerity as he could muster.
“Estrella Armande, will you marry me?”
He imagined he could see her heart jump and her stomach flip just by looking through her eyes. Was it possible that she held him in so high a regard? Emerick licked his lips nervously, still feeling the place were they’d touched hers. The same unidentified feeling swept over him in waves. But now he knew what it was: guilt. Strange, how he could feel so horrible for speaking a simple sentence, for just one kiss.
She stared at him silently for a moment, then a strange expression spread over her face. It was one of such triumph and joy that he had never witnessed before. A pang went off somewhere in his chest.
Emerick was totally unprepared for the embrace. She flung her arms around his neck and proceeded to cry all over his shoulder. Emerick wrapped his arms around her, trying to keep the stiff discomfort from them.
Well he’d done it. There was no taking it back now. He was going to marry Estrella Armande. Emerick repeated the sentence over and over in his head with different inflections each time. None of them sounded right.
Emerick pressed his lips through her curls and kissed her head in an attempt to calm her. After many moments of happy tears, she looked up at him. He found it strange that even with eyes red and puffy from crying, she looked as beautiful as ever.
“I’ll take that as a yes?”
Emerick asked gently. She laughed and nodded. Her laugh was like the tinkle of a bell. Emerick felt woozy. At first he thought it was because of the close proximity to Estrella, but then he realized the overpowered aroma of her perfume.
He thought now how quarrelsome the wedding would be. He hoped she’d pick a holiday for it, or better yet, next summer. It would be rather embarrassing for him to have to take time off to get married. Emerick restrained himself from a heavy sigh, lest it ruin the moment and give him away. Instead he smiled, trying to mirror the happiness that shone from her face like a beacon. Then it hit him..
“Wait! I’ve forgotten something!”
Emerick removed one hand from the small of her back and drew a small box out of his pocket. He flicked a speck of dust off it and opened it. The ring that lay inside was almost foreign to him. It was a gold band with a large quantity of gem stones set into it. He had no taste for these things, so he’d taken Aleria catalogue shopping with him. It had arrived by owl two days before. The ring made him sick, and he hadn’t seen it since Aleria had picked out it’s picture. But he had charmed the box. When it opened, a variety of blue and white lights sprung from inside and proceeded to hover about in a dazzling performance. You picked up oddities like this when teaching.
He could tell Estrella was pleased by it. Emerick took the ring from its white cushion and stowed the box back in his pocket.

-~|~-

How great was this evening? Everything was just as she’d planned! She smiled sweetly and put her hand up between them so he could place the ring on her finger. Everything was just so perfect! A wonderfully romantic night, just like she’d intended, and as a result, she’d finally managed to seal the deal with the man of her dreams! Estrella was going to be married! And not just to anyone, but to Emerick Sullivan! The most wonderful, smart, handsome man she’d ever met.
Estrella could still feel the remains of the tears on her cheeks. She thought how badly her makeup must be smeared by now, and she used her ring-less hand to try and wipe them away. Emerick was thoughtful enough to take out a handkerchief and do it for her. Once again she was set spinning about how marvelous he was.
Estrella could feel more tears ready to take the stage. She leaned her head back on his shoulder to hide them. Oh, how she wanted to hold him forever!
She found herself slowly rotating on the spot. The music from the garden had turned to a romantic tune to dance to.
He was hers, finally. When would the wedding be? Christmas? Yes, everyone would have the week off and be able to attend. It was as close to now as she could imagine possible. Still it seemed so far off. Already she envisioned a fine dusting of snow settling over her, correction, their, world as she strode down the aisle. Her dress would be the purest of white, to match of the snow and to stick to tradition. But what style? Would she go big, poofy, medieval elegance? Or slim, simple and stylish?
And after that, where would they live? Emerick would wish to steer clear of both of their parents, but she certainly wouldn’t live in his dinky little suburban house. And of coarse, where they lived would effect how often she could see him. They’d only managed weekends in Hogsmeade so far. She definitely wouldn’t settle for that. But he’d be working at Hogwarts. She supposed they could build in Hogsmeade, and then he wouldn’t even have to live in the castle!
But what about her parties? How she dearly loved her parties. Hogsmeade wasn’t exactly the social center of the universe, and she’d hate to have to make her friends travel all that way. And shopping! Hogsmeade had very few clothing stores, and none were designers. It would be annoy to have to take floo powder or apparate everywhere. Both were thoroughly uncomfortable. Estrella disliked being uncomfortable.

-~|~-

One of her hands was clasped in Emerick’s, her other was curled around his shoulder. He help her waist with his free arm and let his chin rest lightly on her head. The smell of her perfume continued to make him lightheaded. He winced, clenching his eyes tightly. He was glad she could not see his face. His lips began to move wordlessly, silently speaking thoughts of reassurance to himself.
At least he would not have to spend much time with her, even when they were married. He would be holed up at Hogwarts, and she slinking about some mansion somewhere, counting the days until she saw him again. He liked the idea of her waiting in distress for him. Him, Emerick Sullivan! He almost laughed at the thought.
There were holidays too. He’d have to start concocting excuses to stay at the castle once he was free from her. The scent of her was overpowering, he couldn’t think strait. Emerick began to formulate a plan of throwing a Christmas ball. If it came down to that level of desperation, he definitely would. That would be amusing, Professor Sullivan, cold-as-stone Head of Slytherin, volunteering to chaperone the ball? But he figured a winter was better spent with snotty children than with smothering wives, for he was sure that was what Estrella would be.
How long, then, would it take for her to realize that his love wasn’t for her, but for her money and himself? That he despised her and everything she did? That the sight of her made him feel sick? That touching her was far worse? Estrella was stupid, but was she that stupid?
Emerick find himself hoping very fervently that she didn’t want kids. He most definitely didn’t, especially if she was to be the mother. If the subject was ever brought up in coming years, he’d be sure to slip in the word “adoption” before she got her hopes up.
How he would love returning to the castle. Away from her and her parties, the ones love to waste her (soon to be their) money on. Emerick winced again. Emerick knew very well what he’d gotten himself into, he just hoped that he could keep up the act and execute his plans. He resigned to the fact that he’d have to continue visiting her on weekends, and now more often because they were engaged. He dreaded those conversations. Knowing her, they’d be full of flowers and gowns and other wedding-related things.
Emerick stifled another sigh. How would he ever get any work done with stuff like this on his mind? Emerick closed his eyes and told himself to enjoy the evening. He had a pretty girl by his side and a whole evening to waste. Could he at least not revel in showing off her beauty. Even if she was a substandard person in his opinion, everyone else saw smart, intelligent, pretty Miss Armande and her gorgeous boyfriend. Soon it would be the word fiancée that they would use. Emerick fully anticipated that she’d work herself up dragging him around to show off the ring. Emerick hugged her to himself briefly. Pride at least was a quality he could admire.