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Emmeline and Mary had known of each other for a while now. They had shared glances at parties and seen each other dancing with other people before but this was different, there was an unspoken something going on between them.
Mary had dated plenty of people before but none been the same as when she noticed Emmeline looking in her direction. Mary had also looked in Emmeline a handful of times too. She tried just stealing glances while eating in the Great Hall but once she saw Emmeline laughing at something her friend said Mary knew she was done for so when Lily, who'd been spending more and more time in the library in preparation for OWLs, had mentioned that she and Emmeline had a friendship of sorts.
"Acquaintances! We're just acquaintances, Mary." Lily corrected
"Yeah, yeah, well anyway I was just wondering if maybe you could, introduce me to her?" Mary asked
"Mary you both know each other why do you need me? You know how to talk to people."
"Yes, Lily I know but this is different, this isn't staring at each other from across the room. I just want to make a good impression that's all."
"Well if it would make you happy then I will."
"You are a Saint, thank you Lils!" Mary said kissing Lily's forehead.
Now the day had come, Lily said she had a free period between Care of Magical Creatures and dinner so she would be in the Library then and Emmeline is usually there at that time so just meet her at the table and Emmeline should be there. Easy enough right? Well Mary couldn't help the feeling that this would go horribly. She was starting to doubt even asking Lily for help in the first place.
And now that she was infront of the Library she couldn't help but feel jittery with a mix of excitement and nervousness but before she could think too hard about it she walked in. She'd been to Lily's table quite a few times to bring Lily studying snacks or help her study or to finish a project the were working on so it want her first time getting to the perfectly lit, quiet corner table Lily preferred. So she weaved through the shelves and before she knew it she'd ran into someone.
"I am so sorry, I really didn't mean t-" she automatically started before realizing who'd she ran into.
"Its alright! I should be more careful in here anyway. Once I go on the hunt for a specific book I sorta get tunnel vision y'know?" Emmeline said
"Yeah" Mary said trying not to panic! She had so much time still, she thought, I haven't even planned what I'm going to say yet she thought.
"So what are you looking for?" Mary asked trying not to panic
"Oh just a Muggle book for my Muggle Studies project."
And before Mary could stop herself, "But aren't you a Halfblood on your father's side?" Oh my gods I sound like such a creepy! she thought
"Well, yes but seeing as I never got to meet the man I thought maybe this would make me feel closer to him." Emmeline said looking a little uncomfortable talking about her private life, "Why do you care about that blood purity crap?"
"Oh no not at all! I'm a Muggleborn so I don't even understand it, honestly." Well this was starting to go a little better she thought "So what are you here for?" Emmeline asked
"Oh just, uh, Lily is going to help me with my Muggle Studies." Mary said
"But I thought you were a Muggleborn?" Emmeline said looking a little confused.
"Oh I am I just, well it's an easy O right? With classes getting harder I thought it would be nice to have one y'know?"
"Well, I personally like an academic challenge but to each their own." Emmeline said looking a little bored.
And as if her guardian angels were finally on her side, "Mary!" Lily appeared to save her from this terribly awkward interaction "Oh I see you found Emmeline! How's it going?"
And before Mary could try to save herself.
"How's what going?" Emmeline asked
"Funny you should ask, Mary wanted me to introduce you two even though you already know each other."
"Oh really?" Emmeline said looking at Mary
Why can the the floor swallow me whole right now? Is there a spell for that? she thought "Well, yeah" Mary admitted
"Y'know Mary I'm not blind, I notice you looking at me during History Magic, or when I pass you in the hallway or at breakfast or dinner."
I really am going to just die of embarrassment she thought.
"It's kinda sweet actually, I enjoy looking at you from time to time too. Would you like to have dinner together tonight?"
I've been that obvious, how am I ever going to recover? she thought Wait did she just say she likes looking at me too? Did she just ask me to have dinner with her?
"Mare" Lily said nudging her back to reality
"Oh yes I would love to!" Too enthusiastic?
"Meet you at the Ravenclaw tables?"
"Yeah that sounds great!"
"See you then." Emmeline said while walking away and as always Mary couldn't help but watch until she was out of view walking towards 'Muggle Studies A-K'
"See that wasn't that hard!" Lily said
"Oh you have no idea!" Mary groaned