starlight

emma isabella pickering-bishop. twenty-eight. halfblood. slytherin alumna. world famous singer. ❝ what can you do when your good isn't good enough and all that you touch tumbles down? 'cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things – i just wanna fix it somehow . ❞

[emmapickering]

ezra-bishop‌:

“I know you wanted to help me out, I do,” he assured her. “When you’re passionate about something, you are forceful and opinionated, but I love this about you. Not many people can say they’re 150% invested in something.” Ezra used to be equally passionate about music but he lost that sometime over the years. If anyone was going to help him regain it, it would be Emma. “I have failed at keeping you with me once before and I was afraid that… That if I fail, you’ll realise there’s someone better out there for you,” he said quietly. “I don’t know if I have what it takes… I’ve been… I’ve been using magic to win some cases, but with music… I can’t cheat, it’s too important,” he added, looking at her when he revealed his secret.

“Yeah... I haven’t half-assed a day in my life,” Emma let out a watery laugh, still rather emotional. She didn’t want to lose Ezra over a stupid piano. “You don’t have to be afraid to fail with me. There is literally nobody on this entire planet who can deal with me quite like you do– and you know that. I don’t love anybody else, it’ll always be you,” she said simply, not an ounce of hesitation behind her words. Emma was stating facts and that was that. When he confessed his secret to her, her gaze softened even more. “Oh Ez– cheating? But you are so talented. You’re incredible at your job. Why would you doubt yourself like that?” She wasn’t disappointed or angry– she was just sad. Sad that Ezra didn’t believe in himself or his talents enough to think he could do his job right. “You are so special, Ez. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my favorite person. I wish you could see your potential like I do.”

[emmapickering]

everettxpickcring‌:

“I don’t know if you’ve realized, but I’m actually a very mature and logical thinking person.” Everett told his sister, he was headstrong like Emma, but he liked to think he wasn’t as impulsive with his emotions like she was. Sometimes he wondered if his sister realized that her life wasn’t a stage and everything that happened to her wasn’t some plot point moving her story along. “It might be hard, but it’s just the way it’s going to be. He has to be as accept that music is who you are and you have to accept that music was who he was and it’s not who he is now.” Everett beamed when the other mentioned that it would be going to a good home, “It would be, I know I’m going to miss getting to play whenever I want when I finally graduate.”

“You are, Ev. You are. And I don’t acknowledge that enough,” she admitted with a nod. Emma wasn’t exactly sister of the year but she was just going to have to do better. No time like the present after all. “Yeah I think a long and not necessarily pleasant conversation awaits us but... it has to be done,” Emma sighed with another little nod. “You are never allowed to stop playing, okay? I’m gonna leave Ezra alone when it comes to music but you I will always push. I know it’s not your life’s dream, but don’t you dare spend a day without playing a song or humming a tune, you promise?” she added, looking to her brother supportively.

[emmapickering]

tobyxanderscn‌:

“Emma, being just good is plenty for me. I promise.” He told the other because he didn’t have many days where he felt fantastic, but settling for good was enough for him to be happy and move through day by day. “No, it can have a very positive impact and I’m happy to shed some light on those who claim otherwise.” He told the other, smiling at the other as she reached out to squeeze his hand. “I’m sure it won’t, I’ve never met a couple quite like you. You’re both very headstrong and stubborn which means that when you clash, it will have a tendency to be big and scary. But if you love one another, you’ll find your way’s home.”

While Emma didn’t seem all too convinced, she decided to bite her tongue. Stop overstepping. Stop inviting yourself where you’re not wanted. She had to remind herself not everyone laid everything out on the table like she did. “Yeah... we don’t have the easiest relationship but we’ve fought too long and too hard to just let it crumble. Like you said, we keep finding our way back home to one another because of our love and I guess that’s just something I have to hold onto,” Emma shrugged slightly. “Thanks for always bearing with me and my diva drama,” she added with a dry laugh. “You know... I know I haven’t always been the best listener but I’m always here if you ever do want to talk. Everyone deserves to be listened to.”

[emmapickering]

everettxpickcring‌:

“I didn’t know the reasons or details behind the break up because I didn’t want to induce more sobbing from you after it had happened.” Everett commented honestly, listening to his sister talk before placing a hand on her shoulder. “Hey- it’s not your fault, if he is making you feel like it’s your fault then he’s not worth it, Em.” He reassured his sister, hating this guy more then he already did and he wasn’t sure that was possible. “You need to let him take some time, you take it too and then you need to talk. Tell him all of this, that it’s your life but so is he, that the two need to coexist. But-… I really hate to be sticking up for him like this, but if he no longer wants music to be a major part of his life, you need to let him have that. Don’t push it onto him because you might only push him away.” He told his sister, “And hey if you’re looking to move a piano, I’ll happily take it for whatever place I end up living after I graduate.” 

“Well in a nutshell that’s more or less what happened,” Emma shrugged, wondering just how many things Everett didn’t know the details about because he hadn’t wanted to upset her further by asking. “That’s... a really mature solution,” she admitted, sighing lightly. Telling someone they were right was hard, but this was about as close as she got to that sort of confession. “Yeah I guess... I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that he might’ve said goodbye to music for good. But it’s going to be hard with it being my job,” Emma hummed lightly to herself. When things didn’t go her way it was hard for her to come to terms with it, but she would just have to get over herself. Emma chuckled softly at Everett’s next words, “I might have to take you up on that. I’m glad to know it will have a good home.”

[emmapickering]

tobyxanderscn‌:

“It’s fine, Emma. We’re all allowed to be a mess sometimes, we don’t have to be put together all of the time.” He told her with a small smile, though he wasn’t sure if she would agree with him, after all he knew the girls habits, just like he knew his own. Toby let out a sigh and looked at Emma, giving her a pointed look, “I’m fine, Emma. Really. I’m doing good. Work is good. Home is good. Everything is… good.” It wasn’t a lie, everything was good mentally. Things physically were stable and he guessed that was also good, but he knew it would reach a point where he would have to start telling people. Especially those close to him. “Hey, it’s your tendency to overstep that has gotten me out of many situations that I should have not been in in the first place, so -… I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing. But I’m sorry to hear that you were in a fight.”

“I appreciate you saying that– but you and I both know I have a hard time coming to terms with it,” Emma said quietly. Being anything less than perfect was hard for her to accept. She was hard on herself but she admired those who could relish in their flaws. Emma had never been capable of doing that. “Good. Just good?” she wondered, not wanting to push too much but definitely worried about Toby. “I’m glad to know it doesn’t only have a negative impact on those close to me,” Emma admitted, reaching out to give his hand a brief squeeze of support. “Thanks yeah... we’ll be fine. I mean we found our way to one another after ten years. This hasn’t been our first bump in the road and I’m sure it won’t be our last.”

[sdhqmemories]

Emma and Ezra renewing their vows during their tropical getaway. Taken by the minister, January 2024.

[emmapickering]

ezra-bishop‌:

Ezra almost choked on words when she sat down next to him. He continued, but his voice was full of raw emotions that he barely was able to control. He told himself he needed to finish, that he could stop and just kiss her. He would have the time for it later, or he hoped he would. When the song finished, he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. He took her hands into his, then kissed both of them. “You’re my everything, Em,” he said quietly “I’m sorry too… I was… I am scared… I don’t know what the future will bring, but as long as I have you by my side, who cares if I succeed or if I fail.”

She let out a gentle sigh as he kissed her hands, unable to believe how fortunate she was to have Ezra in her life. So fortunate that they had survived so much together. “It’s okay– it’s okay. It’s wrong of me to force this on you,” she replied. “I thought I was helping but I was just smothering you. This is a decision you deserve to make on your own,” Emma added, although it was hard to say she knew she had to. But couldn’t he see what she saw? Didn’t he feel something when he sang and played again? Feel like this was what he was made for? “Wait– do you really mean that?” she beamed. “You know I’ll always be here cheering you on no matter what you choose to do. There’s so much you’re capable of, Ezra. I wish you could see it too.”

[emmapickering]

ezra-bishop‌:

He heard her approaching and his heart was now beating like crazy. How was she going to react to him crawling back to her after days of separation? His eyes stayed closed just in case, not that anything could protect him from her words or a hex thrown his way. When Emma joined in, he visibly relaxed. Ezra opened his eyes and looked right at her when he sang ‘I love you’. The song was his apology and he hoped she would accept it. He moved slightly, making space for Emma in case she wanted to sit down next to him. He sang that song when he wanted to tell her how he felt back at school. It was his profession of love, from one artist to another. 

It was like they moved on her own, her feet, as they guided her to Ezra’s side. Sitting beside him and singing, it felt like old times. Emma was taken back to being that young teenager so madly in love, feeling as thought she was flying when Ezra had first sang it to her. It was their song. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as he sang and played, played like he had never stepped away from a piano in the first place. After they reached the final ‘I love you’ in the song, she sighed and spoke the words this time, “I love you, Ezra. I’m sorry.”

[emmapickering]

ezra-bishop‌:

Ezra needed a few days to calm down and rethink what he wanted to do next. The talk with Elena helped him look at the situation from a different perspective. He knew he didn’t want to lose Emma over their argument and he needed to… Maybe he needed to start going to therapy again. He opened the door to the apartment as quietly as he was able to. A quick spell let him know Emma was in their bedroom. While it was very late and usually he would not be surprised she was there, he had been worried she decided to stay somewhere else. The piano was still where he saw it last and he approached it carefully. His hand was shaking when he reached out and touched the keys. When he started feeling more comfortable, he sat down, staring at what was in front of him. Did he remember how to play their song? He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting his hands do what they were destined to do. The first notes relaxed him further and he started singling quietly.

@emmapickering​

It had been hard the past few days, Emma had unleashed her emotions on Everett and Toby respectively. While she felt guilty for dumping them with her dramatic sobs and her stress-cooked latkes, it had been nice to talk to someone about it. She wondered if Ezra had had that same luxury. She hoped he did. But while she hoped he was healing somehow, she also hoped he’d be back soon. It had been hard to be in their apartment, to be anywhere– without him.

Emma was preparing herself for bed when she decided she was most definitely going insane. Those unmistakable chords floated from the other room as if a ghost was playing their song. Their song. There was no way that it was him– was it? She draped a robe around her and moved towards the door, almost afraid to go to the piano and see for herself. Ezra had sworn off music and had definitely made it clear he wanted her to let the topic go. But, as she quietly crept her way through the apartment she made it to the room where the piano stood. Lingering by the doorframe, it felt as thought she was watching this happen in a dream. Ezra sat at the piano and played like nobody else could. It was where he was meant to be. And hearing their song after so many years caused tears to spring into her eyes. When the part came that normally she sang at, Emma couldn’t help herself but to join in.

[emmapickering]

emma isabella pickering-bishop

the drama queen

[emmapickering]

tobyxanderscn‌:

“You do realize me and Reid don’t have the same eating habits right? I’m less likely to eat until I’m on the verge of throwing up.” That and he didn’t eat much compared to his brother and his frame showed that. “But I’ll have at least two and take the rest to distribute.” He promised her, because he was pretty sure saying no to Emma right now might cause her to breakdown in tears and he didn’t want that. “That was a lot of questions in one go and even that’s a lot for you- but I’ll answer them and then you can answer one from me.” He spoke. “I’m fine, nothing out of the ordinary is happening with me. Reid and Charlie are also fine and work is work. It keeps me busy. Now-… Are you okay?”

Emma seemed to snap out of some sort of trance for a brief moment, looking to the mountain of food before looking back to Toby, “Sorry– I’m clearly a mess,” she admitted. “That works perfectly fine, thank you Toby,” Emma sounded appreciative, moving to sit across from Toby and finding herself reach for one of the latkes herself. “I mean nothing out of the ordinary is better than bad news, I’ll take it. I’m glad you’re okay. Everything’s good. Work is good right?” she still sounded concerned for Toby and his wellbeing, despite clearly going through something herself. Emma could be selfish, but she still cared deeply for her friends and family. “Loaded question with a loaded answer,” she responded with an exhale. “Not really. Ez and I are... in a fight? It’ll be fine. Just something that comes with the Pickering too much gene and our incurable tendency to overstep.”

[emmapickering]

crlandclcckhart‌:

“Emma.” Orlando greeted, with a little smile on his face before motioning to the paper that was scattered across the desk. “Does this look like I have all the time in the world, really?” He pointed out, chuckling at her words.

“I mean that is a lot of papers,” Emma acknowledged with a nod, “But, I still think having a drink with me is more important. More fun even,” she added with a teasing smile.

[emmapickering]

everettxpickcring‌:

“Woah.. woah.” He commented, the second woah mostly being because it was very rare that he heard his sister curse so she was clearly extremely upset over the situation. “Yeah you might, I’m very confused right now-.. I’m guessing the he is Ezra, but I’m lost on everything else.”

“Okay so remember how we basically broke up because he didn’t want to come with me and pursue music and when I came back I realized that these past 10 years he hasn’t played or sang for real. Like he’s cut music out for the most part... all my fault. Everything’s my damn fault,” she babbled, all while leading him into the apartment. “So yeah I nudged him on it a few times and then he asked me to drop it... so I said I would,” Emma added, gesturing for Everett to sit. “But I bought him a piano for Valentine’s Day and it’s clear I overstepped,” she finally seemed to conclude. “I... I don’t know how to fix this, Ev. Like sure I can get rid of the piano but... music is my life. I know it still his deep down for him. I can’t stand to see him shut that part of himself away.”

[emmapickering]

“I need someone to eat these latkes,” Emma said as she brought in a large plate of the potato pancakes, setting them down at the table Toby was sat at. Whenever she was stressed she specifically made latkes. Normally she’d give them to Ezra and pack some to give to her brother, but she wasn’t exactly speaking to Ezra yet. “And it seems you’re going to be my victim today,” she added, giving the plate a little nudge in his direction. “What’s up with you? How’s Reid? And Charlie? How’s work?”

@tobyxanderscn​

[emmapickering]

crlandclcckhart‌:

“I’m sorry, I’m not doing signings today. You could try next Thursday though as I am due in Flourish and Blotts then so I may be able to do something a little… impromptu.” Orlando answered without looking up from his writing.

“No signings, hmm? Sounds like you have all the time to grab a drink with me. Or four,” Emma voiced from the other side of his desk. “It’d be rude not to.”

[emmapickering]

everettxpickcring‌:

Hearing her voice float through the door gave him some confirmation that even if things were bad, they were still okay enough for her to play along with his small reprieve of getting her to smile. “Woah-…” He commented, having only set the provisions down before his sisters arms were wrapped around him and he was reciprocating. “What’s happened? What’s going on?”

“I bought him a piano,” she near blurted, sounding perhaps a little vague. “I was so fucking stupid... I bought him a piano when he told me to let the whole music thing go,” Emma sighed. After a moment of moping she realized she should probably elaborate, “Come on in, sorry Ev. I feel like I might need to clear up the story for you.”

[emmapickering]

everettxpickcring‌:

It had been so long since he had received a message like this from his sister, but that didn’t mean he had forgotten the meaning behind it. One word. Sondheim. That’s all he needed to ask Bentley to cover for him before he began his mission to collect everything he needed and find himself at his sisters door. Knowing his sister was upset he figured he would try and cheer her up from the very start, knocking on her door in a melodic way before singing, “Emma- do you want to build a snowman?” 

@emmapickering​

Emma had debated whether or not to send through the codeword to Everett. He had his own problems to deal with, she felt bad bothering him especially since they were only just mending their relationship again. But at the end of the day there was nobody she confided in more than her brother– no matter how rocky things between them got. When she heard a melodic knock on the door, Emma let out an amused huff as she already knew what was coming. “It doesn’t have to be a snowman,” she sung back quietly as she opened the door to her brother, letting him in. “Thank you for coming, Ev. I... I don’t know what to do,” Emma admitted, moving to give him a hug after he set things down.