Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. If only. Then I could write Draco like this for reals!

A/N (A brief Recap): This is the second part of my Harry Potter story. Year one was titled The Year My Life Began and revolves around Emma O'Neill. Emma is the unknown relative (more specifically, second cousin) to Harry who has empathic capabilities (and more) . She has befriended Draco and Cedric but still is very much alone at Hogwarts.(See year one link in my profile).

Chapter 1: A tour of Home

Emma got off the train and was making her way towards her father. On the way Oliver, Percy, and Katie, as well as some others she had counseled during the year, shouted 'goodbye Emma!' And 'See you in September!' Cedric gave her a warm smile and a wave before he joined his mom and dad.

"I can see you've made a lot of friends Emma! I'm so happy and proud. Did you have a good term?" He asked. She didn't feel the need to correct him that they were only acquaintances and not friends;he was too happy thinking she was part of a crowd.

"Yes, da. It was wonderful. I got top grades right behind Hermione, a girl in my dorm, but she wanted it in a way I didn't, and I thought she deserved it." Emma said.

"That is thoughtful of you. Let me guess, a muggleborn," He said. That is what Emma loved about her father. He might not know anything about his own daughter, but he did know and understand other people, which is what made him good at his job. He was a nice man, she just wished he knew her.

When they arrived home, they had dinner and Emma learned she would have a chauffeur again. "This way when I am at work you will be able to get out of the house. Being cooped up isn't good for you, When you are out with John you do not lose sight of him. He is quite capable of protecting you if something should arise" he decreed. "and we don't want anyone at the ministry to find out you can apparate. Besides, apparating is for emergency reasons, only." If you only knew how much being isolated from the world was good for me Emma thought.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning Emma met her Chauffeur, John. He was nice, young, and new to the ministry.

He arrived when Emma was having breakfast. "Morning Miss O'Neil! Your father said you would be sleeping in today, not surprising, seems like it is a requirement for when you get back from Hogwarts" he said with a grin.

"Indeed. The joys of being a teenager-well, an almost teenager" She said, seeing as how she was only twelve. "Would you like something to eat? The house elves always make too much." She said and gestured towards a place opposite her.

"Thank you" John said, deciding not to upset his new boss.

"Tell me about yourself, John" Emma asked as she filled him a plate.

"Well, I started work in the ministry last year. I've been out of Hogwarts for two years now."

"And you don't like your job." Emma said, knowing it was what he felt

"Well, it wasn't what I dreamed of doing." He said honestly. He couldn't tell why, but he did feel like he could be completely honest with this girl. Plus, she had managed to fill his plate with extra sausage and bacon with no eggs-everything he liked and nothing he hated. He stared at his plate dumbfounded for a moment.

"Let me guess, you wanted to do the dangerous stuff-you know, fighting the bad guys, and all that." She said with a grin gaining his attention again.

"Something like that" He said, wondering how she guessed after only a first impression.

"Well, I will try not to be so dull. No promises though!" She said. "You never know. If my father's worst fears are realized and we are attacked you will get the chance to prove yourself." She said.

When they had finished breakfast, he brought the car around and asked where she wanted to go today.

"Honestly? I don't know. How about we just see the sights of London for today? And then tomorrow we can branch out to see more of the English countryside." She said. This made him turn to look at her from the front seat.

"You've never been to London? You don't know your own back yard?" He asked surprised.

"I've only been in England for a year, and I spent most of it in Hogwarts."

"Well, then you couldn't have asked for a better tourguide" He said.

"I don't know" she teased "I've had my fair share of them."

"So I'm not your first chauffeur then?"

"Nope, you are about my eighth, and they have all gone on to bigger and better things than driving me around, so don't give up on yourself yet, John. You will soon move on from me. You'll see" She said and winked at him.

They spent the day going over all the sights in London, muggle and magical alike. John was indeed a good tour guide and provided witty commentary for her. They arrived back right before her father did for dinner.

"Did you have a good day sweetie?" He asked.

"Yes father. John here is a very good ministry worker." She said which made John blush since she had only spent a day with him. And the fact that her father was a minister in the government.

"High praises for only a day, Mr. O'Neill." He told her father.

"I can see why my daughter seemed to take a liking to you. And I think you will find she has a knack for judging character." Riley said.

"Thank you sir, I'll be back tomorrow at 10 am again, Miss O'Neill." John said and quickly left before he was embarrassed anymore.

"Let me guess, dear, another ministry worker who you think deserves to be promoted?" he asked.

"He is a good man. Funny but also humble. He still insists on calling me Miss O'Neill even though I told him countless times to call me Emma."

"You are a good people person Emma, you know I trust your judgement" Her father said and they went to dinner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The rest of the week Emma spent the days with John touring England and her evenings with her father. John, after the second day, found he couldn't call Emma "Miss O'Neill" any more. He couldn't believe and would often forget that she was only 12; she acted very world-weary for a 12 year old.

John decided to test Mr. O'Neill's word on his daughter. "That woman over there," He said pointing next to the crosswalk. Emma saw she was carrying a bag of groceries. "What is she like?" John asked.

Emma laughed. She knew that John thought she was making it all up and had started a game of it. He would never know that she was telling the truth.

"A mother of two, expecting her third child and not sure if she should paint the bathroom yellow or blue," Emma said. "Although, I would have to vote blue. Something about a yellow bathroom is disturbing," Emma added.

"And that man over there?" He asked. She saw an old man sitting on a park bench as they drove by.

Emma sighed. "He just lost his grandchild to a car accident a month ago and is having difficulty accepting it and he is unsure of how to help his daughter with the loss," Emma said saddly. She quickly turned not wanting to see the person who was emanating such pain.

John looked at her in the rearview mirror. He couldn't decide why someone would make up something so sad. Maybe, just maybe . . .But he didn't finish the thought. "I tire of this game," Emma called from the backseat.

Emma knew he was starting doubt if it was a game or not, but she was just happy that he didn't hate his job anymore. She didn't want him to hate his job and feel like he was carting a child around. John was helping Emma from being completely bored during the summer. She had no letters from anyone, mainly because the only friend she had was Draco, and they had an odd friendship. One no one could know about, so writing and visiting was out of the question.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The second half of the summer was incredibly dull because John had moved up in the Ministry towards the end of July. He still remained her chauffeur, but only two days a week. The rest of the week he was working in the ministry in the foreign affairs department for her father. She was happy for him, and knew that she had helped another deserving person get in the ministry.

Heaven knows we need as many good and competent people in the Ministry with Fudge running it. Emma thought. She knew her father and Dumbledore, and all other sensible people, didn't care for Fudge. He was an imbecile.

One day towards the end of July, she had John drive her to Diagon Alley, because she wanted to get something for Harry. She knew that he was staying with Muggles, and that he was probably hating it. She knew what Lily always said about her sister and Vernon. She got him some more Quidditch stuff and chocolate frogs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

One night Emma's father came home a little late. "I have some news that might interest you," He said.

She could tell he was interested in telling her to see her reaction, so she decided to learn about it the old fashion way-listening.

"Harry received a warning from the ministry for underage magic use. Apparently he had enchanted a cake to float and then dumped it on some poor muggle."

"Is he going to be in trouble?" She asked worriedly

"No, he just received a warning is all. I understand that not even the muggles saw him use any magic so no one was needed to modify their memories."

"That is absurd. Harry wouldn't do something like that." Emma said.

"If he is anything like his father he is inclined to a little rule breaking" Riley said.

"Bending school rules is something different than breaking the law. Harry might break school rules, but he wouldn't break the law, da" Emma said.

"I am inclined to agree with you, but as you know, Harry is the only wizarding person within miles of Privet Drive, there would be no other person there to do the magic." Riley explained.

"I know that, but something must of happened." Emma said.

"I think it is time for dinner" Riley said.

The rest of the night was spent comfortably between the two. Neither brought up Harry again. Emma knew talking to much about Harry would bring back bad memories for both of them. The more they talked about Harry, they would think about James and Lily, and then that would lead them to think about her mother. Emma didn't want her father to think about her more than he already did. I know better than anyone what it is like not to be able to get someone out of your head. She thought bitterly

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Emma and her father were in Diagon Alley to buy her school supplies. Emma's father had taken the day off work to take her shopping. Emma was happy over this because she and her father didn't' spend much one-on-one time together when she was growing up, and even since coming back to England he never had a lot of time. Emma always had a sense of him trying to avoid her now that she was the same age her mother was when they met.

After getting new robes and a new broom, she and her father went to the Flourish and Blotts to get her new books. She realized when she got her list of school supplies that Lockheart would be teaching the class and sighed. Emma never liked Lockhart even though she had read most of his books. Something didn't seem right about him. Too cocky-even in his pictures he seems too in love with himself Emma thought. It is sad when you can tell someone is a narcissus through their photos. I think I am the only female in the entire wizard population that doesn't fancy him.

They arrived at the bookstore and Emma could the excitement of everyone waiting to get his autograph crushed upon Emma, almost suffocating her. While looking around, she noticed all the Weasley's were there, and that Harry was there with them. Ginny comes to Hogwarts this year. All the Weasley children will be going to school now Emma thought and noticed that Molly was buried under 5 whole sets of books for all her children.

Oh dear, how does she carry all of those? and they areexpensive. Not to mention Arthur didn't get that raise at the ministry because Fudge doesn't trust muggle lovers and Dumbledore sympathizers. Emma thought. She decided to do something to help the Weasleys. She found the manager which wasn't to hard-he was close to the front of the line of autograph fanatics.

"Excuse me, sir," Emma said.

"Not now, miss, if you want an autograph you will have to wait in line like everyone else." he said.

Knowing she had to get his attention, she decided to say something shocking. "Who wants that blustering idiots autograph?" THAT got his attention. "No, I have to speak to you about books." Emma said mentally rolling her eyes. Who'd of thought someone would want totalk about books in a bookstore she thought sarcastically.

"What can I help yo with, miss? Do you have your list of needed books?" He asked. Working autograph lines certainly made him cranky.

"Yes, sir. See that woman in line? The red head with the exceptionally large stack of books?" Emma pointed and the man nodded. "I was hoping when she came to pay for them, you could tell her she has received a discount because of the enormous quantity of Lockhart books or something. . . ."

"I can't just go and give every person in the store discounts on a whim, miss." He said.

"I am not asking you to. I am asking you to tell her she has a discount, make her believe it. You can send the difference to Gringotts under the account of Emma O'Neill."

"O'Neill, O'Neill, that name sounds familiar."

"My father works for the ministry"

That seemed to appease him. "Well then, since I trust you for it, I shall do that. Besides, it shall be my one good deed for the day." He said with a smile, happy at the thought.

Emma refrained from rolling her eyes. ONE good deed for the day? IF he wanted to do a good deed, he should give her the discount! Emma thought. Instead, she smiled, expressed her thanks, and gave a few galleons for his trouble.

As Emma turned to leave, he shot past her because of a fight that had broken out at the front of the store. Emma also noticed her father heading there so Emma looked to see who it was. She was shocked to see Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley in a fight, of all people!

Her father broke the fight up right before Hagrid arrived.

"O'Neill, you always were on the peacekeeping side, weren't you? But I suppose that is not as bad as blood traitors like Weasley here." Lucius said.

"You seem to have forgotten much in the last few years, Malfoy. And blood use to be so important to you, but never mind that. Since when does a Malfoy fight in public? Seems to much like brutish muggle behavior to me." Riley said. Their banter seemed unnaturally calm to everyone.

Emma and Draco just exchanged looks at each other while they watched the exchange between their fathers. Even the Weasley children were surprised by the whole ordeal. First the fight, and now the fact that Emma's father was exchanging words with Malfoy.

Lucius and Arthur exchange a few more snide remarks before Lucius called for Draco to leave with him. As he was leaving he turned to Riley and said "I don't forget, O'Neill, even what others may be trying to hide."

Harry was too caught up in the whole fight, and the arrival of Molly, to catch on that there was more meaning behind those last words. He did, however, catch a look that was shared between Draco and Emma, but didn't think anything of it.

Draco, however, had spent his whole life around people saying things with hidden meaning, caught the exchange between their fathers and knew there was something else being said. He was determined to find out what.

"Arthur Weasley! What on earth have you been doing? Common fighting? And in public too! And in front of your own children! What must the Grangers think about the Wizarding world now after watching how adults behave?" Molly yelled.

"Molly, I am sure that the Grangers have seen fighting before now, and it should not affect their ideas about this place. It is common in the Muggle world too, from my experience." Riley explained.

"O'Neill! My, it has been a long time. And this is . . . Emma?"She gasped and practically dropped all 15 Lockheart books. "You have . . .grown my dear." She said, stumbling through her words. "You both most come to supper some time at the Burrow. It has been entirely to long." Molly said.

"Perhaps some other time, Molly, when you are not already busy with company." Riley said. "Emma and I still have some shopping to do."

While the adults were talking, Percy came up to Emma. "I know what it is you did." he said slightly angrily.

"What are you talking about?" Emma said in faked innocence.

"We Weasley's do not like Charity, Emma."

She turned to look at him. "I'm sorry, Percy. I did not honestly intend to hurt your feelings. I was just trying to help your mother. I didn't want any of you to find out."

"I know. Why? I'm the only one who talks to you. You don't really talk with the rest of my family-you haven't even met half of them" Percy said.

"I know perfectly well that they don't talk to me unless they need a friendly ear to listen to. I am sorry for hurting your pride. I knew you would not accept my help, even as a gift. Please don't tell your mother" She asked.

"No, it would make her feel angry, and make my father feel awkarard around your father. Don't do anything like that again, though" He said.

"I'll see you around the ministry, then Riley." They heard Arthur Weasley say and knew their parents were done talking. "I'll see at school then, Emma" Percy said. "Goodbye Percy" She said.

"Sure Arthur. It was a pleasure, Molly. Come on, Emma." Riley and Emma left to finish their shopping.

After they had left, Harry asked if they knew Emma and her family. "Use to, my dear. A long time ago, before your parents were killed. Her father took a job in the ministry as ambassador and has moved about so much, he hasn't been in England for years." Molly said.

"I see him at work sometimes, but not to often. He works on a different floor so our paths would hardly cross as it is, but he still travels a lot so he is not at the ministry too often now." Arthur said.

"Why did he decide to move after my parents were killed?" Harry asked, puzzled since it was a time of happiness and peace in the wizarding community. But by this time Mr. And Mrs. Weasley had started talking with the Grangers and had not heard the question.

"They said Mr. O'Neill moved before your parents died, Harry," Hermione pointed out.

Emma and her father had spent the rest of the afternoon without any more excitement. After shopping, they had ice-cream and he had taken her to a shop in muggle london for some clothes. Then they went back home.

The day was important to Emma, not only because she had spent it with her dad, but also because it was a turning point for him as well. He had spent the past eleven years trying to hide

Emma from the Wizarding world, allowing them to believe she had died that night. Nobody knew or questioned who she was. Today was the first day she could remember where her father had even hinted to someone-and Lucius Malfoy of all people!- who she was and that she was alive.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Emma, all in all, had an incredibly boring summer. Diagon Alley was the most exciting thing that had happen to her during the summer. She would occasionally take day trips to Ireland, and sites around London but she had no friends to visit and no friends to visit her.

Emma was looking forward to Hogwarts and at the same time dreaded it. She didn't look forward to the emotional turmoil of teenagers, but since that was a fact of life, she knew she couldn't avoid it. She was looking forward to keeping her time busy and seeing Harry and Draco and Cedric again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Well, the summer chapter is over! Hope it wasn't lo long. Next chapter is a return to hogwarts (but not as long, I think).

Lady Aphadriel