Eli changed from her pajamas into, a pair of black "suede" ankle bootie with a little heel, thick black leggings, a long white V-Neck with a black tank under. Her Slytherin robes over it all. She ran her hands thru her damp hair, it always air dries best. She grabbed her backpack before wandering down to the common room, where a sleepy eyed Finnick waited by the door for her. He looked even sexier with sleepy eyes.

"Morning." He mumbled, his voice deep.

"Good morning Finnick. Ready for breakfast?"
"Yep."
Finnick led her to the Great Hall, as they walked in; she doubted she would ever grow tired of the ceiling and its beauty. He walked towards a small group of Gryffindor teens, a guy with messy black hair, a girl with bushy brown hair, a tall, gangly teen with vibrant red hair and a tall, kind looking young man with chestnut brown hair; he looked up as they neared the table, making eye contact with her. She blushed and looked down.

"Hey guys, this is my new housemate and friend Eli. Eli this is Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville." So kind boy was Neville.

"She's a Slytherin?" Ron asked, a hint of distain in his voice.

"Sit." Finnick told Eli.

"Yes, a Slytherin. What of it?" Eli asked.

"You're American?" Hermione was surprised, and that never happened.

"Yeah, found out I was a witch a few months ago. Some things were going down back home that I couldn't leave. Trained and shit there. Now I'm here. Just wish my brother was too."

"Are you a sixth year?" Harry asked, his voice was quiet, his eyes haunted. She'd recognize that look anywhere.

"Yea, I'm taking lessons with the various teachers to up to par as you kiddos though. SO does anyone know where the greenhouses are? I have Herbology first."
"We have it with your house. You can walk with us." Hermione smiled warmly, she was going to like this girl.

"Thanks. I'd like that."
The group grew into comfortable chatter, Eli made eye contact with Neville again. It was his turn to blush and look down,

"Not much of a talker?" she spoke quietly.

Neville shrugged, "I guess."

Eli smiled at him,

"Well, I am. So I guess we will see how this works out."
Eli loved Herbology, she was paired with Neville and shot a secret hex at Pansy when the fellow Slytherin "accidentally" hurled dirt at her.

The next couple of months flew by quickly, Eli grew close with "the Golden Trio" as Malfoy called them all the time, Neville was around a lot too. She found herself quickly growing a crush on the young man. Which was weird, he wasn't her type. Derek or, even Brett was more her type. Stiles sent things via owl all the time, he loved the idea of hand-writing letters. She was always getting something from someone back in Cali, seems the pack actually missed her.

"What the hell is a boggart?" Eli mumbled to Hermione, they were in Defense Against The Dark Arts, Prof. Snape was apparently ill, so they had a substitute, Professor Flitwick from Charms.

"You'll see." Hermione replied.

Several people went and Eli was beginning to understand what it was, it transformed into your biggest fear, you thought of a way to make it less scary, spoke Riddikulus and it turned into said thing. What was her biggest fear?
"Miss Stilinski. You're next. Be prepared." Flitwick called.

Eli stepped in front of a headless clown, and the boggart instantly turned. In front of her was Stiles, he was bleeding from the stomach, his shirt ripped to practically shred.

"Why didn't you save me? Theo killed us because you left us."

Eli stuttered a Riddikulus, but it didn't turn into anything funny. Theo now stood in front of her, in wolf form. His eyes red. Alpha red.

"Eli Eli Eli." His voice was calm, condescendingly so, "You abandoned your pathetic pack and I was able to kill them all. Want to know how?"

"Riddikulus." Eli said, her voice a tad louder this time. Theo was still in front of her, this time with Stiles in front of him, a claw against his throat.

"No, Stiles. Don't hurt him." Tears poured down Eli's cheeks. She stumbled back a few inches. Boggart Theo slit Stiles's throat and tossed his body to the ground, "Now for some real fun." He was in front of her in an instant.

"You're so fucking dumb, you useless human being. You think I actually cared about you?"

"Riddik…" Eli didn't finish, as Neville shoved her out of the way. Shouting the spell, it turned into Snape wearing his gran's vulture hat. Eli fled the room, Neville not far behind.

Eli stopped down the hall, hands on her knees, Neville didn't say anything as he pulled her against him.

"Remember me telling you about the chimera Theo?" she said after a few minutes of her crying into his chest.

"Yes, what that kid Theo?"

"Yes."
"He's your worst fear? Might I ask why?"

Eli took a deep breath, wrapping her arms around Neville so he was as close to her as possible. She missed the blush that lit up his cheeks.

"Well, last year. We had a thing. Everyone told me he was bad news. Turns out they were right. He was using me to get close to the pack. It all came down to one night, we were supposed to have a date that night. Instead the Dread Doctors kidnapped me from my house. My dad was at work, I struggled as much as I could. Ending up breaking the window in the front door. I was locked up in a basement with no windows for what seemed like forever, it was only a week. Theo would taunt me every chance he got, and told the pack everything that was happening to me. Which I won't get into now. Anyway, to make a long story short; they found me. I killed one of the doctors who tried to drug me with a rock. Not something I want to relive. Theo still lives and goes to school in Beacon Hills. He doesn't know I'm a witch."
"Bloody hell. Why does he live there still? Why hasn't the pack done anything?"

"Trust me, they want to. But he's not 18 yet, my dad is waiting until then. Hopefully he slips up. My dad's the sheriff, he can arrest him then."

Neville placed a kiss to the top of her head,

"Eli, I am so sorry that that happened. If you ever need someone to talk to, I will. No matter what time."
"Can we go to the kitchens? I want a hot chocolate."
-

Eli buried her face into Neville's chest, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"It's only for three weeks El. I hope you like my gift." He said.

"You got me something?" Eli cocked her head to the side, "Why?"
"Because, I want to. I care about you (cue swoon)."

"Well, I got you something too. It's slipped into your trunk."
"An owl will deliver it Christmas Eve or morning.'"

"An owl can make it across the ocean?"

Neville chuckled, "Yes. Now come on love, train leaves early in the morning."

Eli rolled her eyes,

"Can't we just sneak into the Room of Requirement? I liked falling asleep in there that one time. Plus, I'm not going to see you for three weeks."

Neville nodded,

"Come on." He said, taking her hand. Eli really wished she had the balls to tell him how she felt about him. But alas, she was a chicken shit.