4th year

Eloise tapped her quill on her magical history book absentmindedly, only stopping to write down notes she thought to be useful for their upcoming essay from time to time. She glanced over at Newt when she realized that he was no longer studying, but starring off with a soft smile on his face. She followed his gaze and nearly snapped her quill in half.

"Newt, this essay is due in only a few days, mind focusing a bit?" Eloise tried to get his attention, but he made no sign that he heard her, his eyes remaining glued to Leta who was at another table with some of her friends.

Leta turned in her seat with a wicked smile and eyed Newt up and down causing her friend to flush. Leta's eyes darted to Eloise for only a moment, but it was enough for Eloise to see the smug teasing look, Leta more than happy to rub the attention she was receiving from Newt in her face. The fact Newt was ignoring Eloise was an added bonus. Eloise made one more attempt to regain Newt's attention before giving up with an annoyed sigh. She packed up her belongings throwing her satchel over her shoulder.

"You know what, do your essay yourself." Eloise snapped turning on her heel and making for the exit, leaving a confused Newt behind.

"What's a matter Wulf jealous?" Leta said just loud enough for Eloise to hear as she passed.

"Me jealous of you?" Eloise scoffed with a sharp smirk. "Bless you delusional heart Lestrange, I do have standards you know."

"He'll always choose me over you." Leta said before sauntering over to Newt, who gave her a blinding smile and pulled out her seat for her.

Eloise glared at Leta before discreetly pulling out her wand and muttering a quick spell. The legs of the chair Leta was in snapped and she fell to the ground bumping the table as she did overturning the ink well which spilled down on her. Eloise smirked as Leta screamed, but the smirk fell to a frown as Newt was instantly at Leta's side helping her as best her could. She turned from the sickening scene and went on her way, her head bowed so no one would see the tears in her eyes.

-0-

Eloise held onto her broom with one hand, the other wrapped around the quiffle as she ducked and dodged oncoming Slytherin chasers. She grinned jerking her broom up suddenly shooting straight up into the air throwing of the opposing team giving her a clear shot to the goal. She raised her hand into the air as the Hufflepuff side erupted into cheers when she scored.

She was nearly knocked off her broom though, by another player swooping to close for comfort for her. She shot a scathing glare at Leta, the Sytherin seeker this year since the last had graduated. She grinned back at Eloise.

Eloise rolled her eyes getting back into the game. If she wanted to spend her time tormenting her instead of looking for the snitch all the better for her team. The game was progressing rapidly and it was clear the only way either would win was the seeker getting the snitch.

"Come on Holly." Eloise mumbled under her breath, hoping their seeker was able to get the snitch.

She maneuvered around protecting Chris who had the quaffle trying to keep the syltherin chasers from him. They were vicious and not below cheating if they could get away with it, so avoiding illegal physical attacks was part of the game.

Leta went over to one of the slytherin beaters giving him an order and a wicked smile without too much notice. The beater nodded flying off while Leta made sure she was in Eloise's line of sight before putting her plan into action. Leta pressed her hand to her lips and blew a kiss, Eloise followed her line of sight and felt her eyes widen in shock.

There in the crowd was Newt holding a slitherin banner. Her breathing came out in strained pants and her knuckles turned white as they gripped her broom. Newt was blushing bright red sending a wave to Leta, making Eloise's anger, betrayal, and hurt spike. She was so wrapped up in her emotions she didn't see the bludger being sent straight for until it was too late.

It hit her shoulder causing her to scream out in horrible pain as she was sent to the ground, but she was not the only one to fall victim to the bludger. The beater had hit it harder than he thought so that it barreled straight on into Leta's broom. Luckily for Leta it only hit her broom and she was much closer to the ground. Eloise on the other hand was laying on the ground in a pained daze as the game was paused and she was whisked off to the hospital wing of the school.

"She's coming round." Eloise heard the school nurse say as she slowly blinked her eyes open. She stared straight up for a moment gathering her surrounding before trying to set up, only to yelp in pain. "No, no, stay laying down. I had to splint and wrap your arm. That bludger broke your shoulder and upper arm. Since it was such a difficult and odd break it will take far longer to heal. You're going to be here for the rest of the day and night I'm afraid."

"Did we win?" Eloise asked as the nurse fretted over her.

"Aye, you did. That seeker of your caught the snitch while Miss Lestrange was distracted." The nurse replied with an amused smile. Eloise grit her teeth, knowing exactly what Leta was distracted by. "Her broom was hit by the bludger as well, but she's fine, not that you'd know it."

It was then Eloise realized what that annoying noise in the back of her head was. She looked over to the other end of the room where Leta was on the bed moaning like she was about to die. Eloise let out an annoyed sound.

"She's not staying here all night is she?" Eloise asked, not sure if she could stand it.

"No, I'm about to send her off." The nurse said with a sigh. "Now I believe you have some visitors, think you're up for it?"

"Yeah, sure." Eloise nodded as the nurse stacked up some pillow to allow her to sit up.

The rest of the day was spent with guests and receiving get well gifts from all of her friends. Leta was insisting on staying in the clinic, complaining about her stomach. The nurse had said she could stay until curfew for observation then after that if she was alright out she'd go.

Eloise was munching on a cauldron cake, her favorite treat, while flipping through a book on ancient Chinese tombs. Leta was still playing invalid and the nurse had put up a curtain around her bed. Eloise brushed off her hand, the other still wrapped up tight, unable to move without pain and place her book on the side table. She glanced up when she heard the door to the infirmary creak open and her face brightened when she saw Newt stick his head in.

"Hello Newt, what brings you here?" Eloise gained his attention as he slipped in with some flowers in hand.

"Oh…I….well….." He looked around awkwardly.

"Newt, darling, is that you?" Leta called out as she stepped out from the behind the curtain.

"Hello Leta." Newt smiled as she flounced over pulling him into a hug, smirking over his shoulder at Eloise, pressing herself against Newt. Eloise reached over to her stack of books and held up one on ancient burial rituals with a dark look.

"Are those for me?" Leta ignored Eloise and took the flowers from Newt.

"Well yes…" Newt nodded rubbing the back of his head.

"Well I love them." Leta pecked him on the cheek. "Would you mind walking me to my room?"

"Not at all." Newt said quickly and started to walk her out.

"Seriously?!" Eloise glared at them.

"Oh, right, sorry Ellie." Newt moved over to her, though she could see he was rather keen to leave with Leta. "How are you?" Eloise gave him a dark look. "Uh…"

"Just go with Leta." Eloise grumbled grabbing her book on Aztec pyramids.

"Ellie…" Newt tried.

"Newt, clearly you did not come here to see me and I wouldn't want to keep you from what you really want to do so just…." Eloise sighed and Newt felt a small pang in his chest. She looked so resigned and tired, like she had given up on something she really wanted.

"Come on Newt, it's almost curfew." Leta pulled him away. He cast one more look to Eloise who was staring down at her book, a few tears splashing on the pages. When she woke the next morning her arm healed she felt a bit better. She turned over on her side and let out a small gasp. There next to her bed was a large vase filled with stargazer lilies. A small note was with them that said…

Dear Ellie,

I am sorry for my behavior and hope you feel better soon.

-Newt

At the bottom of the note he drew a beautiful purple ink dragon which flew around the note in elegant motions. It let out flames of green ink and shimmered blue when the light hit it just right. She was surprised that Newt remembered her favorite flowers and that he had spent the time to draw and enchant the note for her. He really did care about her, she knew he did, and that made her happy once more.

Eloise made her way down the halls in search of Newt after she had placed her flowers in her dorm room along with her other get well gifts. She had a small skip in her step as she searched out her friend, making her way toward the forest.

Eloise pressed her hands over her mouth as she ducked behind a large tree, tears gathering in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to deny what she had seen, but one more look around the tree told her that she had seen it. There sitting on a fallen log was Newt and Leta, their lips locked together and arms wrapped around each other holding the other close.

Eloise felt her stomach twist painfully as she clasped her hand to her heart. She placed her other hand against her forehead taking in deep breaths as she tried to stop the tears in her eyes from falling. She ran, that's all she could do, she just ran and tan as fast as she could.

What a time to realize she was in love with Newt.