DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
A/N: Hi all! Thanks for voting! Keep it coming though :-) So far we have KICKING RON OUT on 8 and KEEPING RON IN on 0 lol. And may I just say... MORE THAN 20 REVIEWS OH YEAH!!! FIRST FIC HITTING THE BIG TIME!!! Wow. Glad I got that out of my system!
A/N 2: Thank you, thank you, oh great and powerful reviewers (bows down at computer screen), and I hope this answers some of your questions:
yAoI-tEnShI1412: Remus is coming now, just hope I did him justice. As I am sure everyone has worked out being a werewolf makes you a major character in this fic and he just so happens to be one ;-) so yeah... soon.
HopeInHell: Other pairings are Narcissa Severus Hermione Remus&Zoe. All these pairings are minor to very minor and may only ever be mentioned in passing especially Remus&Zoe (you'll find out who she is later hehe). Also Severus and Hermione have question marks because I haven't decided if I want them together or not. Either way they will both be with someone at the end of the fic.
Chapter Warnings: None that I can think of
Chapter Ten: The First Transformation
Enjoy!
Draco was really nervous as he walked to breakfast that morning. Ella would be transforming tonight, and he could see how scared she was. He wanted to reach out to her and calm her nerves but he didn't have a clue what to say. There was no way he could know what she was going through and no way he could tell what would happen because he genuinely didn't know.
As they reached the Great Hall, Harry and Hermione were stood off to one side looking at them. Well, more specifically smiling down at Ella. Elloisa hadn't seen them though, as she was looking at the floor and trying not to show how scared she was about tonight. It wasn't until Draco came to a stop in front of the two Gryffindors that she looked up, and when she saw who was there she smiled slightly back at them before dropping her head back down.
Harry, once again lowering himself to her level, spoke to Elloisa in a soft, calming voice, while gently tilting her head back. "Elloisa, what is the matter? You look so sad. You just tell me and I will do what ever I can to make it better." Harry knew, thanks to Hermione, that tonight was the full moon and so he knew what was wrong with the young child, but he wouldn't say anything to her about it until she started it, purely because he wasn't sure how she's cope with him knowing.
"How can you want to be my friend anymore?" she asked in a whisper so quiet that Harry was straining to hear her. "How can you even look at me know what I am?"
"All I see when I look at you is a pretty little girl, in pretty clothes, with pretty hair and a very cute smile. If anyone can see anything else... well, they need to get their eyes tested. I had my eyes tested, they gave me glasses and now I can see everything much better." Harry responded smiling down at her when she blushed at the compliments.
"But Hawwy, I'm a... a... a werewolf." she struggled out after her blush had died down a little. "I'm a monster dat no one will ever want. Dat's what de man at de hospital said." Elloisa looked like she was going to start crying and Harry responded in the only way he knew how. He picked her up and snuggled her close to his chest while he whispered in her ear.
"You may be a werewolf, but you are no monster. How anyone could ever believe someone as lovely as you could be any sort of monster is beyond me. And that man at the hospital was wrong! A lot of people want you. I want you, and Hermione, and what about Draco and his parents, hey? Do you really think they would have adopted you if they didn't want you?" Harry said tenderly while he rubbed small comforting circles on her back.
He looked over at Draco and saw that he looked like he wanted to grab her and hide her from the world so that no one could ever hurt her ever again. In fact, Harry was sure if it wasn't for his parents being there, that was exactly what he would have done.
"You'we wight Hawwy. I'm sowwy. But I'm weally newvous about tonight." Elloisa said while snuggling even further into Harry.
"Yeah, about that," Harry said smiling again. "I hope you don't mind, but I wrote to Remus Lupin the other day and asked him if he could come to the school and just be there with you when you transform. You see, he's a werewolf too, but he's been one since before you were born, so he knows what its like. He said that he would be honored to if it was ok with you and your dad. So what do you think?"
Elloisa looked round at Draco. She didn't know who Remus Lupin was but she had never met another werewolf and thought the idea sounded awesome, but she wanted to check it was ok with her dad before she answered Harry.
Draco looked a little relieved if nothing else. His biggest worry about Ella transforming was that she would be on her own and wouldn't be able to handle all of the changes she would be going through. He looked over at Ella to see what she thought of the idea and although she tried to hide how excited she was at the prospect, Draco could see Harry's idea had won her over.
"It's fine by me, if that's what you want Ella." Draco said softly walking over to where she was still nestled in Harry Potter's arms.
"I would like it very much. Thank you Hawwy!" she said happily, hugging Harry tightly round his neck before leaning over with her arms out as an indication she wanted Draco to take her now.
"Yes, thanks Harry. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were a mind reader." Draco said smiling warmly at him as he took Ella under her arms and lifted her over onto his own hip.
Ella hugged him as well before being put down and racing into the Great Hall giggling away like a she hadn't a care in the world.
Everyone left in the hallway smiled ever so slightly at the retreating back of little Elloisa. Narcissa and Lucius made for the head table for breakfast, Draco headed off over to the Slytherin table where his chatting five year old was already being served her breakfast, while Harry and Hermione made there way to the owlery to write to Remus before classes started.
After Draco had finally finished all of classes for the day, he raced through the school as fast as he could without running (Malfoy's never run anywhere), he made it slightly out of breath to the Headmasters office. Professor Snape had been kind enough to drop a hint to the old man about Draco wanting to speak with him, and as a result had received a note during his transfiguration class telling him to 'come on up for some tea after classes the password is Toblerone'.
So after giving the gargoyle the, in Draco's opinion, ridiculous password he climbed onto the spiraling staircase and upon reaching the top knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in Draco," came Professor Dumbledore's cheery call, and Draco stepped into the room with a slightly apprehensive air about him. "Good afternoon, Draco. Professor Snape mentioned that you had something you wished to speak with me about," he said kindly, the twinkling in his eyes irritating Draco slightly as he took the chair indicated.
"Yes sir," Draco replied, "it's about what you said to me before school started again. About Elloisa's education."
"Ah, yes. I take that to mean you come up with a suitable solution then?" he asked looking over the rims of his half-moon specs.
"Yes sir. I thought that since no one I know has the time to teach her, and no teacher would ever go near her because of her being a werewolf, that I would open my own school. Sort of like this one, but purely for homeless, parent-less werewolf children. After taking Elloisa on I've been thinking about how wrong peoples attitudes towards them are and... well, I'd like to start trying to change that." Draco replied, shifting slightly and rubbing his sweaty hands on his trousers.
"I think that's a marvelous idea Draco, but it would require a lot of planning. Besides if these children are parent-less and homeless, who is to pay for their education?" Dumbledore asked leaning forward in his chair. He had no doubts in his mind about the idea being a very good one, but he was curious to see just how well the young Malfoy had thought about this.
"I would be funding it sir. That is to say, my father would be funding it. And the you really don't have to worry about the planning of the whole thing as Harry Potter and Hermione Granger and both in on the idea and needless to say that Hermione has thought of everything. In actual fact it was her idea that I talk to you, sir." Draco said, a small smile tugging at his lips as he thought of the irony. For years he had mocked the bushy-haired Gryffindor about her brains and now she was the one he was relying on the most to help him with this project.
"Ah I see," Albus said, leaning back in his chair and steeping his fingers together. "And why do you need to speak to me?" he asked smiling lightly at the use of Miss Granger's first name from her long time enemy.
"Well sir, Hermione said that with you backing the idea people would be more inclined to back it aswell, and to get the Ministry to even think about approving the Shelter, we would need a lot of support from the general public. As I've already said people's general ideas about werewolves leave a lot to be desired so we have a better chance of hell freezing over than we do of getting the support we need for a project on this scale." Draco explained calmly, although inside he was on his knees begging the Headmaster to approve the idea and help him.
"I which case," Albus said, once again leaning forward in his chair, "I would love to be a part of this project," he said smiling as he watched the words registering with the blonde in front of him. He could see that Draco was cheering inside. "However, I think it would be best to call a meeting with everyone that you have involved so far, so that we can discuss the plans and ensure that we are truly everything in our power to make this plan work."
"Of course sir. I'll arrange it for, um... when would be best for you sir?" Draco asked. He wanted to jump out of his chair and go running to his rooms to tell his parents of his success, but he made himself sit perfectly still, and tried to concentrate on what the old man behind the desk was saying.
"I do believe that Mr. Lupin has arrived at the school and I think it would be a wise move on our part to include him in this plan. So why don't we have the meeting tomorrow."
"You're so sure he'll stay sir. I haven't exactly been the nicest person to him, so why should he help us? Not that I disagree with you sir, another werewolf on board, and one with experience, would be very beneficial to the project, but..."
"Draco, Draco, you are forgetting a few important things. Remus Lupin was raised by parents who didn't know how to care for him after he was bitten, so to see someone such as yourself caring for a young werewolf child, and doing such an amazing job of it I might add, will show him that you truly do care. On top of that, Harry is involved. Straight away that will win you points with him. And finally, he knows what you did for Harry, his cub, during the battle, so you will most likely find that you have already been forgiven in his eyes." Dumbledore said kindly. "Now run along and tell everyone about the meeting tomorrow, we'll have it at ten in the morning so Elloisa will still be sleeping, in Professor Snape's class room as it is closest to your rooms and probably has more wards on it that any other part of this castle," he said merrily, leaning forward and whispering he continued, "the man is a little bit paranoid, even after the war," he joked smiling at Draco. He leaned back in his chair and steeped his fingers and Draco got up to leave.
Before he got to the door though, he turned back and said, "thank you Headmaster. For everything," and then he was gone. Albus Dumbledore stood and walked over to Fawkes perch and stroked his loyal birds feathers softly. "I told you he do amazing things. Do you believe me now?" Fawkes just turned his head and stuck his beak out in indignation. Albus just laughed before returning to his desk, and his mountain of paperwork.
Draco made it back to the portrait entrance of his families quarters after a quick dinner, when Harry, Hermione, Remus Lupin and Professor Snape all rounded the corner leading up from the potions classrooms. He said the password quietly to allowed the portrait to open, but stood waiting for them at arrive.
"Good evening Mr. Malfoy," Snape said evenly. "I've bought your daughters potion. Lupin has already taken his." he said very matter-of-factly.
Draco just gaped at him before turning to face Harry. "How long have you been planning this exactly?"
Harry laughed slightly before responding, "I didn't think it a good idea to have the school on full Remus alert just because Professor Snape didn't know he would be here."
It was Draco's turn to laugh, "Guess you do have a brain after all Pot-head!" he said in jest. "I suppose you had all better come in then." That said Draco walked into the families rooms, followed by a rather unusual assortment of people.
Draco then walked towards the corridor leading to the bedrooms and disappeared into one of them, before returning with a once again nervous looking Elloisa in his arms. "Ella this is Remus Lupin. Remus Lupin, my daughter Elloisa. She a bit nervous as it's her first transformation."
Remus stepped forward a little and spoke softly to the little girl his cub seemed so fond of in his letters. "Hi Elloisa, there's nothing to be nervous about you know, and after the first time you won't be nervous at all. It is just a little shock to the system at first, but you get used to it."
Elloisa was looking at him like he had something large and unpleasant stuck to his head. "Is it painful?" she asked in a voice so quiet only Remus actually heard her.
"I won't lie to you, it does at once you change back, but Professor Snape is always nearby with his trusted potions, and they always make me feel better... even if they do taste rather awful." he replied with a smile.
Elloisa was giggling at the look on Snape's face when she looked up at Remus again. "And you pwomise you won't leave me?"
"I cross my heart," he answered honestly, drawing a cross shape over his chest where his heart was.
"OK then. Hawwy says I can twust you, so I twust you," a smiling face shined up at him as she said that, and Remus knew right then why Harry loved this little girl. He could feel his own heart melting and shifting around to make a large space for this kid werewolf.
Severus stepped forwards and handed the goblet of Wolfsbane over to Ella. "You need to drink this now, Elloisa. It will make sure you stay safe while your a werewolf."
She eyed it slightly before taking the goblet in one hand and holding her nose with the other, before drinking the entire contents in three large gulps. "De nuwse at de hospital said if I hold my nose I won't be able to taste de potion, but she lied! It still tastes howwible!"
Remus laughed and took the now empty goblet from her and handed back to Snape. "I thought that the first time I drink it, but it really does help, so I just have to put up with it," he said kindly, winking at Elloisa. She giggled again before looking back at her Daddy when he started talking.
"I went to speak with Professor Dumbledore today after classes," he said calmly. "He has agreed to back the idea and has suggested that we hold a meeting for all of us involved in Professor Snape's classroom. It is at ten in the morning so this little one," he said lifting Ella a little high on his hip, "will still be sleeping." Everyone present except Ella and Remus nodded there head at this and emitted various noises in agreement. "He also suggested that while you're here Professor Lupin, that I ask you to come to the meeting to, as the project we'll be talking about is right up your alley. If you do want to come, just meet us there after you've had some sleep in the hospital wing."
"I must admit I'm intrigued now, so yes I'll be there at ten in the potions classroom. Now it really is time that we made a move downstairs little lady," he said while looking at the clock for confirmation.
Ella hugged her dad tightly before sliding out of his arms and made her way around the room, hugging her grandparents, then Harry, Hermione and Professor Snape, and finally hugging her dad one more time before walking over to Remus. She waved at everyone and then, with her head held high, walked out of the room with the older werewolf. At the door Remus turned back and said, "Don't worry, I promise I will take good care of her," before bidding them goodnight and leaving the room.
On the other side of the door Ella stood waiting for him. She wasn't holding her head high anymore. She was scared. Remus offered her his hand, which she gratefully grasped, holding on as if her life depended on it, and allowed him to lead her towards the special room the headmaster had made up for them.
Just before they turned the corner she took one last longing look at the door to her families quarters. "Please don't hate me," she whispered into the empty corridor, before hanging her head and allowing one small tear to slide down her flushed cheek and hit the cold stone floor. She took a deep breath and continued on around the corner, away from the family and friends she'd always dreamed of having.
A/N: OK guys I thought I should warn you that I'm not going to be writing about the transformation because I would never be able to do it justice. So the next chapter will be the morning after the transformation and I'll give some details then. Hope that's ok for you all. Until next time.... Please Review!!! lol