Chapter 1 - I waited my whole life for you.
1962 / 1963
It was May 25th 1962, Beatlemania attacked the streets of London and rock 'n' roll was turning into hippies, and drugs were being used frequently by people and celebrities. 1962 was the year for the new 1st years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Elizabeth Cawson was turning 11 today and this day was eventful.
"Guess what mum?" she said waving her arms about.
"Yes?" Eileen asked looking away from her sewing machine.
"I got my acceptance letter from Hogwarts!" a gleeful expression pulled across her face. Eileen took hold of the letter and opened it up reading from one paragraph to another.
"It's too early to get these things" she peered at the little girl from her glasses, Elizabeth looked down and sighed. "But we'll get them later in the year, I promise you!" Eileen added, she looked away from her youngest daughter and back to her sewing machine. Colin Cawson is Elizabeth's father, he is currently working for The Ministry of Magic to get a magic school in Australia, so they didn't see him much only on the holidays. It was getting colder and colder and they had to turn the heater up higher and higher. Tho bills back then wasn't expensive as they are today.
"When are Ron, Lyn and Dianne coming home?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh bugger!" Eileen exclaimed at she stitched something wrong. "What? Oh they're coming home in about a month's time. Now go watch some TV or something will you?" electronics didn't affect with magic at the Cawson home, they rarely used magic at the house, but if they were to use magic then all of the appliances would be off. Elizabeth went into the living room and watched some TV.
Eileen Cawson is a 43 year old stay at home mother, but once Elizabeth goes to Hogwarts she's thinking of working at the wizard hospital named St. Margo's. Buy a home in a muggle community. She'd have to ask Collin but she thinks that'd be alright. Eileen has six children, seven if you count Terry, sadly he died when he was only a month old. But his twin brother Ron is still alive. Her children's names are Eva and she is 25 and works at The Daily Prophet, born next was Valarie who is 20 and works as a Quidditch player, next was Dianne she's 18 and this was her last year at Hogwarts she wants to work at the Ministry of Magic under Law Enforcement, next was Lyn whose 15 and in her fifth year at Hogwarts, second last was Ron who is 13 and in his third year at Hogwarts and last was Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the youngest out of everyone in the family and she always felt left out with a lot of things, especially Hogwarts. But once she's in her third year her older brother would have left Hogwarts and worked at St. Margo as a nurse like his mother.
Elizabeth wanted to have kids but she wanted them to live a muggle life and not this fancy wizarding life like she had now. She wants to marry someone and work as a muggle. It'll be a lot of hard work but she knows she can do this. It was a Friday evening 6:00 PM, there wasn't much kid's shows on and a lot of it was news that Elizabeth didn't understand or didn't want to listen to. So she turned it off and walked into her bedroom and decided to read about the three brothers.
Months past, May turned into June and June turned into July. It was getting colder and colder as the days dragged on. August came and it was time to shop for Ron and Elizabeth's things for Hogwarts. Eileen apperated with Ron and Elizabeth to Diagon Alley. They went to the book store to get new books, to get Elizabeth a new wand – 14 inches, Dragon blood, and Oak wood. They got Ron a new broom, as he needed one because he was one of the beaters on the Ravenclaw team. Eileen gave them both a treat at the ice-cream shop.
"Hello Eileen" an elderly voice came from behind Eileen, Ron and Elizabeth as they were all licking their ice-creams. Elizabeth noticed a woman who looked older than her own mother. She then saw a boy wearing a Slytherin scarf and books in his cauldron.
"Hello Ron! Who's this with you?" he had brown hair and blue eyes, a tanned complexion, but with an Australian accent. She hadn't seen this boy around her neighbourhood before.
"What are you doing here Vera?" Eileen asked, Vera was the woman's name. Her hair greying at the sides and she had pink lipstick on. Eileen had red lipstick and her hair wasn't greying as much.
"The same as you" Vera said with a smirk, she patted the younger boy's hair and smiled at him.
"I'm Elizabeth Cawson! Who are -" Elizabeth was tared back before she could introduce herself to the younger boy. Her naive senses were in her, she didn't know who this was.
"I know who you are, you're a Cawson"
"Now Ross, we don't want any fighting now do we?" Vera said. "Come along, we'll leave these three to their bidding" Vera and Ross scattered off. Eileen sighed as did Ron. The Tibbs weren't bad people, it's just their family were Gryffindors. Sadly two went sour, that was with the marriage of Vera Tibbs who met George Tibbs whilst in Diagon Alley shopping for George Tibbs Jr. George Tibbs Sr.'s wife had passed away earlier in 1930 due to a heart attack. They had gotten married in 1942 before Kayla Tibbs was born. Ron had heard about the Tibbs always thought they were a bad bunch, Eileen didn't have any bad experiences with the Tibbs, Elizabeth was curious. She liked the idea of a bad boy, she found Ross interesting and this is a boy she'll watch out for.
August came and gone, September was the month of Hogwarts. Going to school was a much harder thing; the whole Cawson family came and wished Ron and Elizabeth, especially Elizabeth a goodbye.
"Do not look at Ross, Dolores or Kayla Tibbs. They are not nice people!" Eileen said to Elizabeth quietly. Ron looked over at Eileen.
"Mum, Kayla is a Hufflepuff. I doubt she could ever hurt anyone!"
"Stay away from the Tibbs Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth looked in the windows of the train, sighing to herself. No one else was in the compartment, it was only first years in this area. No one sat with Elizabeth, but it was good in some ways because she could talk to herself. Thinking about what her mother told her – to stay away from the Tibbs. Elizabeth didn't know what to do, it was difficult for her because Ross looked different, and Elizabeth liked different – hell she was a witch! Elizabeth tried to stay true to her mother's words but it was difficult.
"Is this seat taken?" Elizabeth looked up from her hands to see a girl with long brown hair standing in the door frame. Elizabeth lightly chuckled and smiled, somebody was taking her mind off of the whole Tibbs thing.
"Oh yeah sure!" the girl sat down next to Elizabeth. "I'm Elizabeth Cawson!" she said holding her hand out. The girl put down her things on the other seats.
"I'm Tracy Goodwin, it's a pleasure to meet you!" they both shook hands and smiled with delight meeting a god person on this train. "Are you a muggle born?" Elizabeth shook her head. She had never met a muggle born witch before, so she was a little bit excited. She hadn't met a muggle before, sure she's met a couple at the grocery shop and when elderly woman thought she was cute. But never actually spoken to one.
"Oh no, I'm a pure-blood witch. Have you heard about the Cawsons?" Elizabeth asked, she didn't boast about her family, Eva said it was rude. But she just had to.
"Oh yes, aren't the Cawsons a popular pure-blood family?" Tracy asked Elizabeth, Elizabeth nodded still with a smile on her head. She was going to like this one.
Hours passed and it was the sorting ceremony, names were called, and houses were called. Some went into Slytherins, others Gryffindor. Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws too. It was Elizabeth's shot and it was odd because there were a lot of people starting with A and C. Lyn was in Hufflepuff so she was hoping for Elizabeth to be with her, so was Gryffindor, Ron was hoping Elizabeth would be in Ravenclaw with him. Slytherin house just wanted someone to turn bad.
"Ah another Cawson! You're a popular folk, no one has been in Slytherin in your family. So what if you're the rotten egg. Decisions, decisions. But it seems that you're in RAVENCLAW!" the sorting hat yelled. All the other houses groaned and Ravenclaw cheered.
"Go Elizabeth!" Ron yelled out and Elizabeth blushed. An hour later, all the first years were sorted. Tracy got into Ravenclaw as well. Elizabeth was talking to Tracy and Ron. Ross noticed Elizabeth smiling and laughing, Ross smirked and watched Elizabeth.
"Who's that?" Rod asked Ross, Ross gave a small laugh and did a double take at his friend.
"Elizabeth Cawson." He admitted, Rod nodded and started eating and talking to some other people. Ross was still staring at Elizabeth until she noticed. Ross raised his glass and cheered it to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth did the same. She knew not to talk to him, but she could still look at him and think about him. Elizabeth smiled and stared at Ross with him doing the same until Dumbledore spoke up to do his annuals speeches.
The weeks went on; Elizabeth's classes felt like they were dragging on. Professor McGonagall was being extra friendly just because Eileen and Minerva were friends. Ross kept on stealing glances at Elizabeth between classes, while Elizabeth did the same.
"So Ross Tibbs, nice catch. You do realise he's a Slytherin?" Tracy said as she put some food in her mouth. Elizabeth chuckled and nodded grabbing some chocolate frogs.
"Yes, I know he's a Slytherin. I mean, the Tibbs are off limits to us Cawson's." Elizabeth said as she sat down in front of Tracy. She sighed and shifted her weight to her right, then to the left.
"Well aren't you a rebel!" Tracy started "Miss Elizabeth Cawson, breaking her mummy's rules!"
"Oh shut up you!" the two began laughing as they chucked food at each other.
It had been four months since the sorting, since Elizabeth had become a Ravenclaw. Elizabeth would get picked on by Bellatrix Black and her pack of friends. Bellatrix Black was a part of the Black family, another family Ron and Eileen warned Elizabeth about.
"There is a lot of evil wizarding families out there Elizabeth" Eileen said back at the Hogwarts express. "You've just got to find the ones who'll sacrifice their all for you, and then you'll know who's bad and who's good." The Black family had all Slytherins, there was no one good. Elizabeth kept to what her mother said, but Ross Tibbs would persuade her, finding him looking at her.
"Why do you like him?" Rita's perky voice asked Elizabeth, she waved a hand in front of Elizabeth. Nothing. Flicking her head, Elizabeth bolted up.
"64!" Rita shook her head, her eleven year old friend was quiet the curious one. Rita sighed and peered at Elizabeth. The two were in the library studying for Slughorn's test the next day. Ross Tibbs was with his second year friends laughing and checking out books. Rita was one of Elizabeth's friends, Elizabeth still has Tracy but she liked to study alone, so does Elizabeth but Rita found her, she didn't claim Rita as a friend, just that annoying one. But Elizabeth was Rita's only friend as well, because Rita wasn't – let's say a great of a person. But she stuck to Elizabeth like peanut butter on the roof of your mouth.
"Why do you like Ross Tibbs? I can't believe you do. It's only been four months!" Rita gasped at the sight of Ross. Ross wasn't skinny, but he wasn't over weight. He was the beater for the Slytherin Quidditch team, brown hair and blue eyes. He wasn't what every girl dreamed of at night, but he was the bad boy that everyone needed.
"I don't like Tibbs Rita. He's a Slytherin and my family forbids it!" Elizabeth said slamming a book shut that she was 'trying' to concentrate on. She'll just rent that book out and study tonight. But she didn't know why she studied, it wasn't that she was going to ace it. But out of fear she wouldn't she studied. But first years don't need much; you just need to know the basics.
"You're basically undressing him-" Rita couldn't finish her sentence, for Elizabeth stood up and took the books she needed for the test.
"Excuse me, but for I am going to study elsewhere and for you not to disturb me. I bid you good day" she didn't know why they were friends, but she couldn't get rid of her. They were just there for each other. Elizabeth didn't know what to do right now, but walking up to the desk at the same time as Mr. Ross Tibbs.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry, you first" Ross offered as they bumped into each other, still and reluctantly holding onto their books.
"No, no you go first" Elizabeth returned the offer. For a Slytherin he sure was quite kind and respectful.
"Please ladies first!" He replied. Elizabeth decided to go for it, it's a rare occurrence you'll find Slytherins kind. Elizabeth proceeded to rent the book out; once the librarian was done it was Ross' turn to rent his book out. Elizabeth brushed a part of her auburn hair out of the way.
"Uhm... thank you Tibbs" Elizabeth finally came out and said words. Ross chuckled and gave Elizabeth a smirk.
"No problem, have fun studying Cawson" Ross said, he gave a wink to Elizabeth and turned around to rent out his own books for his own personal service. Elizabeth walked away, flustered. Holding the book to her chest, she walked alone, red faced to her dorm.
January turned into February and February turned into March. It was slowly warming up the school and it was only a month till Easter holidays, she would be returning with Ron to find her whole family eating chocolate, finding eggs in the garden and can't eat anything for days. Classes were tiring and Elizabeth was still getting picked on by Bellatrix.
"Leave me alone Bellatrix!" Elizabeth cried out to Bellatrix in one of their classes together.
"Aww, poor baby Lizabeth. Maybe you should go crying to your mummy!" Bellatrix imitated Elizabeth crying. Elizabeth had enough but she didn't know what else to say, she decided to leave it and go talk to Tracy.
Weeks passed and no more talk to Ross was done, no "Hello" or even "Goodbye" it was a simple nod, smirk, glance, wave, or a raised eyebrow. It didn't make Elizabeth sad, or disappointed it just made her hopeful.
"Don't get your hopes up kid" Tracy said. Tracy knew about her crush, Elizabeth would deny it. But Elizabeth slowly and secretly knew it was bound to happen. Forbidden love, a cliché in a lot of books that Elizabeth would find woman reading when she used to get her hair cut at the local hairdressing shop. But it wasn't like Elizabeth would, she just waved and smiled at Ross while he smiled back and nodded.
Elizabeth wasn't getting her hopes up at all; every day was a better and quicker chance to get to Ross. It was near the end of the year and it was even three days till Elizabeth's birthday.
"Happy birthday Ross!" a Slytherin said patting Ross on the back, he chuckled nervously and nodded.
"Thanks mate!" it wasn't that he didn't appreciate it, it's just it wasn't his favourite thing to celebrate. His mother didn't care much for his birthday while his dad does. Dolores and Kayla Tibbs passed Ross and gave him a smile.
"Happy birthday Ross!" Kayla said excitedly giving Ross a hug, he grimaced and hugged his sister back. Dolores, gave Ross a smug smile and nodded.
"Happy birthday little bro" she just said, Ross nodded.
"Thank you, you two" Kayla was in her seventh and final year, she was a Hufflepuff. Dolores was in her third year at Hogwarts, she was a Slytherin like Ross. Everyone in his family were all over the place in houses. Ross was a Slytherin, Dolores was a Slytherin, Kayla was a Hufflepuff, their half-brother George Jr. was a Hufflepuff. Their mother (except for George Jr. of course) is a Slytherin but their father George Sr. is a Gryffindor. So the Tibbs were strange in their house placement, who could blame them? The two girls nodded and then walked away, Ross sighed and turned around walking the way he had just come from. He doesn't like to associate with people in his family.
Elizabeth was walking away from the library with another book for Charms this time. She smiled to herself looking at her book, bumping into someone. She didn't drop to the ground this time.
"Oh I'm sorry!" she initially said, looking up Ross Tibbs was holding onto her. She had bumped into him again.
"We mustn't meet like this Cawson" Ross said with a smirk. Elizabeth looked at him, "I hope I haven't shocked you. We'd have to get you to the nurse!"
"Oh no, no, I'm fine!" Elizabeth said dusting off invisible dust. She looked at the ground and instantly looked back at Ross. "Oh happy birthday! You know mine's in two days – May the 25th" Elizabeth said somewhat proud.
"Thank you Miss. Cawson, and happy birthday if I don't get to see you on your special day" Elizabeth knew this was wrong, but she couldn't just tare herself from talking to him. Because well this is the first time since January they had spoken, and Ross was somewhat happy that they had a reason to talk. "Where were you going? Maybe I could walk with you" that woke Elizabeth up.
"Oh, uhm... I was going to the common room – for Ravenclaw. You know upstairs, way, way upstairs. I must leave now, big things to study!" she said walking backwards, sometimes bumping into people and saying sorry.
"Oh, okay then. Well I'll see you later!" Ross gave a wave and a smile lighting up his teeth. Elizabeth nodded running up the stairs. 'Too close Elizabeth, you need to stop doing this!' 'You scared the girl Ross. My god, get your head in the game'
The end of the year had come and everyone was packing and getting ready to leave for another three months, which instead of being in summer. Elizabeth Cawson would be spending it in winter. The thought of it gave her shivers. Elizabeth finished packing and sat on her suitcase sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest and puffed out another breath of air.
"Are you ready?" Tracy asked with her hands on her hips. Elizabeth looked away from the dust on the ground in front of her to her best friend. She hadn't gotten rid of Rita yet, but she couldn't find her which was a good thing. Elizabeth stood up and nodded.
"Yes, yes of course I am. I'm ready to leave! But I've got three months of winter to endure!" Elizabeth said with a groan. She was now 12 and she already felt like a raging hormonal teenager. That was only for another year.
"Have you seen Mr. Ross Tibbs lately?" Tracy said raising an eyebrow. Elizabeth blushed lightly shaking her head. "Liza, you need to find other boys. Look what about Steven Fawn. He's a cute as Gryffindor!" Tracy said with a smile. Elizabeth shook her head with a sigh. "Okay, okay what about... she said glancing around to room. Paul White. He's a Ravenclaw third year"
"No Tracy. I'm fine. Let's just go!" Elizabeth said with a yell, Tracy took it as an end of discussion, she picked up her bag and left with Elizabeth. Walking onto the platform to the Hogwarts Express, Elizabeth looked back and smiled. "Come on Trace, let's go find a seat!" Elizabeth said grabbing onto Tracy's hand as they ran to carriages. She found Ross and gave him a wave, he nodded but decided to wave this time. He stepped onto the Slytherin carriages and smiled to himself. A first year has made him realise that not all Ravenclaws are smarty pants. A second year has made her realise that not all Slytherins are heartless know it all's (except for Bellatrix Black yes).