I don't own the Harry Potter series or any of the character (aside from Ella :) )
The Marauder's Map
The Quidditch match sent the school abuzz once more and Ella was seriously considering hexing the next person to bring up anything related to Sirius Black and/or dementors. She snapped at a couple of first years in the library who were whispering loudly about reasons why Harry may have fallen off of his broom. Later, she felt bad for frightening the eleven year olds, but at the time, she was too frustrated to care.
In the Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff match, Hufflepuff was completely flattened. Ella hadn't seen such a defeat since her first year. This meant that Wood began training with the same intensity he had before the first match. The poor team was out late into the cold evening as December fully took over. Ella looked at this month with sad acceptance. She loved the school during the winter, and Ella was only reminded of Mrs. Weasley's offer to stay at the Burrow over the holidays. She didn't want to go home to be with her parents, but what choice did she have?
One night, before the end of term, Ella made her way out to see Sirius in the Shrieking Shack. He'd finally decided to make that be his home for the time being and explained to Ella and Crookshanks that it was never haunted. Lupin used the Shrieking Shack for his werewolf transformations back when he was at Hogwarts as a kid. She had another bag of food –enough to last him through Christmas and break.
"Hello, Padfoot," Ella called bringing in the bag of food. Crookshanks trotted in behind her. She'd blown past him in the tunnel on the way to the shack. He'd been the one to press the knot under the tree though. Crookshanks was able to do it on the first try every time, but Ella normally got smacked by the branches once or twice before finally getting it right. It was rather difficult explaining the cuts from the tree to her friends the next morning.
Sirius smiled at her from a chair he was sitting in, "You know I can't understand you if I'm human and you're a fox." Ella transformed and shrugged.
"I know, but I think it's funny. I could've called you a nitwit and you smiled at it. Here, I've got you some more food." She tossed the sack into his lap and sat on the edge of a bed.
"Is this my Christmas present?" He asked her.
Ella shrugged, "I suppose so. I'm not entirely sure what one would get an escaped convict for Christmas aside from food."
Sirius searched through the bag and gave her a confused look, "There's an awful lot of food in here. Are you not visiting me over the holidays?"
She frowned, "I can't. My parents want me home for the first Christmas in three years –they've got a special dinner I need to attend." Padfoot looked upset but didn't try to argue it. There was no point.
For a good part on the next hour Sirius and Ella sat and chatted. They often did this whenever Ella decided she needed to get out of school for the night. She was trying to make her sleeping draughts last as long as possible. She hadn't dreamt since before the Quidditch match. She'd wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and happy instead of frightened and twitchy. If she decided not to use a potion, she'd go out for the night and stay with Sirius and Crookshanks.
On nights like these, the two would talk about a wide range of topics. Ella explained as much as she knew about Harry's first year and second year at the school. He loved hearing the wild tales of his godson's adventures. Then Sirius would exchange tales of what he and his friends did during their time at Hogwarts. The Marauders were the Weasley twins of their era. Ella loved the pranks they did back in the day and Sirius always seemed years younger while telling them.
"I'd better go," Ella told Sirius knowing that if she stayed out any later it'd be likely that she'd get caught. Sirius had confided in her that he had got Harry a Firebolt for Christmas, and she couldn't help but marvel at the broom.
Sirius nodded, "All right then, Happy Christmas, Ella."
"Happy Christmas, Sirius."
Christmas was truly in the air at Hogwarts. Not a single student was completely downcast in the light of the holidays. Ella's last class before the term would end was Charms. She knew that there would be no focus in that class. There was hardly focus in any of her classes.
Everyone in the Charms class was discussing their plans for the holiday while admiring the lights Professor Flitwick used to decorate. They were actual fairies and looked very festive with the frosted grounds in the windows. Flitwick recognized a lost cause and let it happen. Katie knew Ella was reluctant to go home so the two of them worked on one of the charms Flitwick had introduced. After this, Ella would be going to the Owlery to send Mrs. Weasley another letter. They'd been sending and receiving letters from each other at least twice a month.
Her newest letter read:
Dear Mrs. Weasley,
Thank you for the encouraging words about spending Christmas with my parents. I hope you're right that they'll behave better in the company of other people. I'm doing well, no more dementor incidents on the grounds. Dumbledore was so livid, I think he managed to frighten fear itself! The twins are all right, constantly covered in mud, but otherwise well.
I hope you have a very Happy Christmas and I'm sorry I won't be able to make it to the Burrow. Believe me when I say it would've been my first choice of where to go for the season.
Lots of love,
Ella
"You'll just stay at the Weasley's over break. I don't think my parents would be happy to see you come home with me. Plus, this way you don't have to stay in your cage for the entire trip back. You'll be able to fly and stretch your wings. Then you can cozy up with Errol and Hermes," Ella told the bird. Rowena hooted sadly and nuzzled Ella's neck. "Thanks, Rowena, your support means a lot." She hooted once more before taking flight.
When she returned to the Common Room after sending Rowena off she saw the twins in a corner looking at something. Ella assumed it was some sort of shopping list for Hogsmeade the next day, but that didn't seem quite right. She moved closer and noticed it was a piece of parchment. They were watching over it and muttering to themselves.
"What are you two up to now and what have you got?" Ella said making the both of them jump.
The two shared a look and George said, "I think we should tell her, Fred."
"She has proved herself to be rather trustworthy."
"It's the Marauder's Map," George told her with a mischievous grin. "It tells us every known secret passage in the school and where everyone is at any given moment." They looked at her waiting for her to praise the parchment.
Ella smiled and watched little labeled dots moved around, "That's amazing, but if you've got a map that tells you where everyone is why did you two jump like little girls when I came up behind you?" She moved to sit across from them. Her thoughts drifted to her Petrified state where she was told about her friends' map. This must have been what they meant.
"Well, we weren't really focused on your dot. We were looking for someone else's," George told her.
"Sirius Black's to be specific. We wanted to see if we could find him on here," Fred confided in her. She attempted to seem interested instead of nervous.
Forcing her grin to stay put she asked, "Any luck with finding the escaped prisoner?"
Fred shook his head, "Nothing. He's probably hiding in Hogsmeade. The map doesn't go out there, but we don't use this thing for much else anymore."
George nodded, "We've already got it memorized and it's no fun if we can see someone coming during a prank. Takes all the surprises out of it."
"Have you ever thought of passing the map down to someone who really needs it?" Ella prompted getting an idea.
The two shared a look, "Who do you have in mind?"
All three friends stayed behind a little longer before going to Hogsmeade that Saturday morning. They agreed with Ella that Harry Potter was the perfect candidate for the next Marauder's Map owner. Fred and George were currently hiding behind the statue of the humped-backed, one-eyed witch. They were waiting for Harry to pass by. Ella was in the empty classroom near it. She was supposed to talk loudly if any professor came up before they had a chance to get in.
Before Ella knew it, Fred and George were leading Harry into the classroom with wide grins. George shut the door quietly behind them so no one would overhear what was going on. The twins turned towards Harry while Ella moved over to sit on the top of a desk.
"Early Christmas present for you Harry," George told him. Harry looked confused and slightly frightened –which was smart considering whose company he was in. Fred pulled the old parchment out of his pocket. At the moment, it was completely blank and Harry looked at it incredulously.
"What's that supposed to be?"
George patted the Map fondly, "This, Harry, is the secret to our success."
"It's a wretch, giving it to you," Fred stated melodramatically. He and George just said that the two rarely used it, but Fred had a knack for being dramatic. "But we decided last night, your need is greater than ours."
"Anyway, we know it by heart. We bequeath it to you. We don't really need it anymore," George told him truthfully.
Harry looked between the two of them, "And what do I need with a bit of old parchment?"
"A bit of old parchment!" Fred exclaimed acting wounded and completely offended. "Explain George."
His twin grinned at the task, "Well…when we were in our first year, Harry –young, carefree, and innocent –" Harry snorted and Ella let out a laugh. "–well, more innocent than we are now –we got into a spot of bother with Filch."
Fred inserted, "We let off a Dungbomb in the corridor and it upset him for some reason –"
"So he hauled us off to his office and started threatening us with the usual –"
"–detention –"
"–disembowelment –"
"–and we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets marked Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."
Harry started to grin himself, "Don't tell me…"
Fred, clearly enjoying Harry's interest continued, "Well, what would you've done? George caused a diversion by dropping another Dungbomb, I whipped the drawer open, and grabbed –this."
"It's not as bad as it sounds, you know," said George. "We don't reckon Filch ever found out how to work it. He probably suspected what it was, though, or he wouldn't have confiscated it."
The third year gave a skeptical look, "And you know how to work it?"
With a smirk Fred replied, "Oh yes, this little beauty's taught us more than all the teachers in this school."
"You're winding me up," Harry accused.
"Oh, are we?" George asked him. He pulled out his wand and tapped the parchment, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
Ella watched Harry's eyes widen in amazement as the Map created itself before his very eyes. It was an impressive bit of magic, not to mention helpful in the right situation.
Fred traced a pathway, "Right into Hogsmeade. There are seven in all. Now, Filch knows about these four, but we're sure we're the only ones who know about these. Don't bother with the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor. We used it until last winter, but it's caved in –completely blocked. And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one, because the Whomping Willow's planted right over the entrance. But this one here, this one leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes. We've used it loads of times. And as you might've noticed, the entrance is right outside this room, through that one-eyed old crone's hump."
"Mooney, Wormtail –" Ella's eyes narrowed automatically, "–Padfoot, and Prongs," sighed George with admiration. "We owe them so much."
"Well, you owe Lupin, Sirius, and Harry's dad, but Pettigrew has got enough from your family," Ella thought bitterly to herself.
"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of law-breakers," Fred told him very seriously.
George gave a quick nod, "Right. Don't forget to wipe it after you've used it –"
"–or anyone can read it."
"Just tap it again and say, 'Mischief managed!' And it'll go blank."
Fred drew himself up and in an uncanny impersonation of Percy said, "So, young Harry, mind you behave yourself."
"See you in Honeydukes!" George said with a wink. Ella followed the two of them out of the room.
Fred, George, and Ella made their way to Hogsmeade together. There wasn't much ability to talk as the three got used to the blustering wind. Ella still felt cold under her winter coat and gloves. Her hair had been whipped into a wild mess after a few minutes of being out in the freezing weather. She checked her reflection in the window of a store and shrugged at the image. She kind of had that wind-blown model look, only in her opinion it her hair was still much too messy to pass off as a fashionista.
"There you three are! We were beginning to think Ella blew away and you two were trying to find her!" Lee shouted to them when they reached Zonko's.
Ella glared at the boy, "You're lucky I'm taking that as a compliment. I'd hate to ruin the Christmas spirit by turning you into a tree."
"Actually, that might help," Angelina said thoughtfully. "We could decorate him and put our presents under him. Plus, trees can't talk –it's a winning situation in every way." Lee pouted at his laughing friends before joining in himself.
For the next hour or two, Ella followed her friend around as they did their shopping. Since she'd gotten their presents over the summer, she didn't have much to do in Hogsmeade now. Everyone agreed after their shopping had been completed that they'd grab a quick butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
"So you were exploring a passage way last winter? How come I didn't know that?" Ella asked the twins. The two shared a look.
"You…well, you weren't quite with us anymore. We would've taken you –"
"But we couldn't really pull your Petrified self out of the hospital wing," George finished for his brother.
She bit her lip, "Sorry, I should've realized…"
Fred shook his head, "No, it's fine."
"We understand." George said shaking the conversation off. None of them wanted to think about that.
Ella and Katie saved a seat while their friends went to get the butterbeers. The place was filled to the brim with students and teachers all enjoying their trip away from school. Ella's eyes rested on a group of people who seemed to be having an intense conversation. It was Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, the barkeeper, and a man Ella recognized to be the Minister of Magic himself. Ella was confused about what they were all talking about. She strained her ears to hear the middle part of their conversation.
"Alas, if only we had," the Minister was saying. "It was not we who found him. It was little Peter Pettigrew –another of the Potters' friends. Maddened by grief, no doubt, and knowing that Black had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper, he went after Black himself."
Madam Rosmerta responded, "Pettigrew…that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?"
Professor McGonagall's voice was choked as she explained, "Hero-worshiped Black and Potter. Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I –how I regret that now…"
"There, now, Minerva," the Minister told her kindly. "Pettigrew died a hero's death –"
Ella's eyes widened in anger. How could people think that that rat died a hero's death? It was an insult to the true heroes that gave their lives instead of being a filthy coward. If they knew the real story, they'd be sickened by the idea of Pettigrew being a hero. Ella felt physically sick at the idea that McGonagall was crying over the man who gave away the Potters.
"What's up with you?" George asked sliding her the butterbeer. Ella shook her head slightly and tried to remove the tension from her body.
She gave a small smile, "Sorry, I was just thinking and it wasn't as pleasant as it could've been."
"Sounds like Lee on a regular basis then," Fred joked.
"Oi! What is this –insult Lee Jordan Day?" Lee piped up across from them.
The twins laughed, "No, that's every day." Lee simply rolled his eyes and the group starting discussing their usual topics of conversation like Quidditch, holiday plans, and joke ideas.
When they decided to go back to the school, it was still windy and cold outside. The group walked slowly as the butterbeer's warmth disappeared from their stomachs. Ella was blowing warm air into her cupped hands to try and warm her fingers, but nothing seemed to pull the chill out of her mind. A gust blew around her taking a bunch of snow off rooftops and spinning it around before dying down again.
Ella stopped to stare at the blowing snow. She remembered when she was little she'd stand outside for hours in the winter, until her lips were stained blue and she couldn't feel her toes, just to watch the snow. She'd play pretend with the seemingly alive specks of white. One moment it'd be her dance partner, the next she'd be performing a magic spell on it. Now she couldn't help but wonder if her magic ever had affected the snow. It was certainly magical that she never got pneumonia from spending so much time in the cold.
As he walked back towards the castle, Fred turned to see Ella standing several feet back staring at the snow as it floated around her. There was the same child-like spark in her eyes that he saw a year ago when she entered Honeydukes for the first time. Her eyes were focused on the sky above her. He slowly made his way towards Ella.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ella saw someone come over to her. She didn't know who they were, but they didn't speak so she assumed it must have been one of the girls. They'd be the ones to stay silent and let her have a moment, the boys would tease her.
"When I was really little, I'd sit outside in the snow and watch the wind blow it around for hours on end. My parents never really pulled me inside, they normally were at work anyway. I'd bundle myself up as much as possible, and I'd just sit in a snow bank. I thought the snow was magical –I know better now. It's just snow, there's different magic in the world. But I still can see something magical in it. The way it swirls around and glitters, it just makes people happy and childish…" Ella told whoever it was. She didn't want to take her eyes off the flakes.
"It's beautiful."
Her head snapped towards Fred and heat rose to her cheeks. She would've never said that had she known it was him –she assumed it'd probably be Angelina or Katie. His gaze was where hers had been moments before. It looked like he was attempting to see the snow like she did, and he seemed to understand it. Ella's blush grew deeper as she realized that it was only her and Fred there.
"He looks so handsome," Ella's mind thought. She could help it. He stood with his face up to the sky looking at the little snowflakes that were just beginning to fall. The wind blew his red hair around and flecks of snow were dusting it with white flecks. Just as she was beginning to think about his eyes, he turned to look at her. Their eyes locked for a moment and Ella stomach was filled with butterflies while her breath caught in her throat. There was no one else in the world…
But there was.
Ella took a step back, "We should probably go catch up with the rest of the group."
Something flicked behind Fred's eyes and he mumbled, "Oh, right. C'mon." Did he sound disappointed? Ella couldn't tell. The two raced to catch up with the group before getting to the castle. The whole trip back Ella couldn't rid herself of the fluttering feeling in her heart.
A/N: I figured a nice fluffy chapter after the last one would be perfect. What did you think? Review and tell me if you liked it! :)