Chapter Ten:

Elizabeth paced nervously by the window in the Hospital Wing, her eyes stinging with tears, constantly glancing over to where Harry lay unconscious on one of the beds. Elizabeth wasn't the only one there. The entire Gryffindor Quidditch team—minus their captain, Oliver Wood—were around Harry's bed, and Hermione and Ron were there as well. All of them as soaked through as Elizabeth was.

Why had dementors decided to show up in the middle of the first match of the season? It had been going well. Hufflepuff had been in the lead. They were on their way to winning the opening match...Then dementors came to the field, and Harry fell from his broom...

"Lucky the ground was so soft," Fred said nearby, and Elizabeth turned back to them.

"I thought he was dead for sure," said one of the Chasers. Elizabeth wasn't sure what her name was.

"But he didn't even break his glasses," Ron said in relief as Elizabeth came back over.

"I've never been so terrified..." she said softly.

In the next moment, Harry's eyes opened and Elizabeth gave a huge sigh of relief. He was awake...

"What happened?" Harry asked as he sat up quickly. Elizabeth resisted the urge to move forward and get him to lay back down.

"You fell off," Fred said, "Must've been—what—fifty feet?"

"We thought you'd died," said another of the Chasers. Elizabeth flinched a little at the idea.

"But the match," Harry said, "What happened? Are we doing a replay?"

Everyone glanced around at each other, and Elizabeth squirmed a little where she was standing.

"Cedric caught the Snitch," Elizabeth finally said, "Maybe a few seconds after you fell...He wanted to call off the match and redo it, say it wasn't a fair win. But your captain disagreed."

"Where is Wood?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Still in the showers," Fred answered, "We think he's trying to drown himself."

Harry groaned and hid his face against his knees. Elizabeth couldn't help but move forward this time, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"C'mon, Harry," Fred said, taking Harry's other shoulder, "You've never missed the Snitch before."

"There had to be one time you didn't get it," George added.

"It's not over yet. We lost by a hundred points, right? So if Hufflepuff loses to Ravenclaw, and we beat Ravenclaw and Slytherin..."

"I'm right here," Elizabeth said, "Hufflepuff, remember?"

"That's right, we don't want you telling our secrets to the Hufflepuff team," George said with a smirk. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, though she had to admit, humor was nice.

Madam Pomfrey came over, telling the Quidditch team to let Harry rest, though she let Hermione, Ron and Elizabeth stay. The three of them took chairs around the bed as Harry finally looked up.

"Dumbledore was really angry," Hermione whispered, "I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field as you fell, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground. Then he whirled his wand at the dementors. Shot silver stuff at them. They left the stadium right away...He was furious they'd come on the grounds. We heard him—"

"It was terrifying," Elizabeth whispered, "Not just Dumbledore, but...When you fell, we all thought you'd..."

She trailed off, looking to Ron and Hermione before turning back to Harry. He looked distracted, a frown on his face. Ron and Hermione both looked nervous, though Elizabeth reached out and put a hand on Harry's arm.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Did someone get my Nimbus?" Harry asked instead.

Elizabeth shifted a little in her seat.

"Harry...Your broom hit the Whomping Willow," she said softly, figuring it would be better to get it over with, "Professor Flitwick brought what he could salvage, but..."

Elizabeth sighed, motioning to a bag of broken broom pieces on the nightstand.

"There's no way to repair it," she said, feeling her chest tighten at the horrified look on Harry's face as he took the shattered remains of his broom.

xxxxx

Elizabeth didn't return to the Hufflepuff common room until after dinner that night, despite being soaked through in her clothes. The clothes had dried by the time she'd returned to the common room, but they felt odd and stiff on her. She was eager to get into some warm pajamas and get some sleep.

However, as soon as Elizabeth came into the common room, Tobias came up to her. Elizabeth froze, just staring. She hadn't really gotten to talk to Tobias since Halloween...She'd been dreading the idea that he'd just walk up and break up with her over what happened...

"Can I talk with you a moment?" Tobias asked, and Elizabeth felt her heart racing.

"Uh, sure," she squeaked, following Tobias over to a corner of the common room, where they stood in awkward silence for a few minutes. Elizabeth kept glancing up at him, to see him staring at her, as if trying to find what to say. Elizabeth cleared her throat, finally deciding someone needed to speak.

"Listen, Tobias, I'm really sorry," Elizabeth said weakly, "I...I was really stupid on Halloween. That Hogsmeade trip was supposed to be our date. I really shouldn't have ditched you like that, let alone lied to you...I'm so sorry..."

Tobias sighed, watching Elizabeth. She found herself holding her breath, waiting for his response as she stared at him...

"Okay," he said softly, "I mean, you were trying to help a friend...I just wish you would have told me from the start."

"Would...Would you have minded?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"Of course I would," Tobias said, "We had been planning that date from the beginning of the year. But I would at least understand you wanting to help a friend."

Elizabeth felt even guiltier than before at that. She looked down again, brushing back her hair.

"I'm really sorry, Tobias," she said softly, "Can...Will you please let me make this up to you?"

"Yeah, of course," Tobias said, leaning closer and kissing Elizabeth on the cheek, "Just...Please don't lie to me again?"

"Of course," Elizabeth said, grinning at Tobias, relief rushing through her. He wasn't going to break up with her. She was getting a second chance. "I promise. I won't let this happen again. And next Hogsmeade trip, we'll have that date."

"Good," Tobias said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Elizabeth nodded, watching Tobias leave before she headed towards the girls' dormitories, her spirit lighter. Harry was okay. Things were looking even better with Tobias...Things were starting to get better.

At least, they were until the next day. Elizabeth had spent most of the day with Tobias, but late in the afternoon, she went to go visit Harry in the hospital wing, skipping dinner to do so. When she reached the hospital wing, Harry was alone and Elizabeth went over, sitting next to the bed.

"Hermione and Ron went to dinner," Harry said before Elizabeth could ask and she grinned at him.

"How're you doing?" she asked instead, "With everything."

"I'm okay," Harry said, then paused, "I...Can I tell you something, and you not mention it to Hermione or Ron? I know how they'll react and...Well, I know you'll understand better."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

Harry sighed, looking down at his dinner tray.

"Never mind," he said, "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked softly, "Harry...Is this about the dementors?"

"No," Harry said, then paused, "Well, partly. It's...I was probably just imagining things, but...Right before the dementors showed up, I thought I saw a grim again. In the stands."

Elizabeth felt cold, watching Harry. She could tell he was serious. He really did believe he saw the grim...That, added to what happened, and Black on the loose...

"Well...you're still alive," Elizabeth managed weakly, "That's something. And I've never heard of someone being stalked by a grim...It was dark out there, the storm was raging. Maybe it was just a trick of the light?"

"Maybe," Harry said slowly, then looked to Elizabeth, "What if a grim is following me? I mean, with Sirius Black after me..."

"You think the grim is a warning that he's going to get to you?" Elizabeth asked.

"He's already gotten into the castle once."

"Well...A grim is just an omen..." Elizabeth said, trying to cheer Harry up, "Maybe it's more just a warning, telling you to brace yourself. You can fight back. Not let the grim get to you. You're stubborn like that. I mean, you have this weird knack for surviving the unsurvivable."

A small grin formed on Harry's face at that, and Elizabeth grinned back.

"And I was thinking," Elizabeth said, trying to keep the topic cheerful, "I have a Comet Two-Sixty. I know it's no Nimbus, but...You're welcome to borrow my broom until you can get a new one."

"Thanks, Elizabeth," Harry said, though he didn't sound that pleased about it as he looked over to the bag on his nightstand. Apparently he wasn't willing to give up his shattered Nimbus.

"I'm really sorry about your broom," Elizabeth said, "Maybe you could get another Nimbus. Or a Firebolt."

"Yeah, if I wanted to spend every last galleon in my vault," Harry said sarcastically, "I'll probably just get another Nimbus..."

Harry seemed reluctant to buy a broom, however. Through all of the next month, he borrowed Elizabeth's during Quidditch practice. Elizabeth didn't mind, however. She was more focused on other things.

She had set herself to spending more time with Tobias. Of course, she still spent time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but she didn't want to let herself start ignoring her boyfriend for anything. She often spent afternoons after dinner in the common room with him, working on homework. Tobias was a great help with helping Elizabeth understand Astronomy more.

As November rolled into December, Elizabeth signed up to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas break. She wanted to be there for Harry, who until coming to Hogwarts had nothing in way of Christmas. But also, Elizabeth knew her Aunt Ginger was now heavily pregnant and she didn't want to be around the mood swings.

Lewis signed up to stay as well. He claimed it was because it was his O.W.L. year and he wanted to study, but Elizabeth knew he was doing it to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Elizabeth thought he was being overbearing. After all, she hadn't gotten herself into any trouble since the school year started. But he obviously hadn't forgotten the previous Christmas where Elizabeth turned herself into a cat-person.

Elizabeth didn't let herself worry about that, however. She had something better to think about. The last day of the term, there was going to be another Hogsmeade trip. And this time, Elizabeth was set on going with Tobias. She doubted the 'faking sick' would work again, and honestly, she didn't want to try it again. She wanted to spend a day with Tobias, especially since it was the last day before the holidays began.

So when the Hogsmeade trip came along, Elizabeth bundled up warmly in her favorite long-sleeved dress and thick leggings, pushing a nice headband into her hair before grabbing her winter cloak and headed into the common room.

"Elizabeth," Tobias said, coming over to her, "You look really nice."

"Thanks," Elizabeth said, feeling herself blush, "Looking forward to that tour of Hogsmeade."

"Then let's go," Tobias said, holding his arm out to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth grinned, wrapping her arm around his as he led her off from the room.

"Hogsmeade is great," he said as they started from the castle, "I can't wait to show you everything."

"I definitely want to see some shops," Elizabeth said, "I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet. My Aunt Ginger is going to have a baby in a couple of months. It'd be nice to get her something for it."

"Yeah, I know of a good place."

It was nice, getting this time with Tobias. Elizabeth enjoyed chatting as they made their way to Hogsmeade, and once in the town, she was instantly impressed.

The entire town was blanketed in snow, while a light snow was currently falling. Shops lined the street they were along, and more streets went off on different side streets lined with houses.

Shopping with Tobias was fun. He gave her a tour of Hogsmeade, showing her one shop after the next. They spent quite a lot of time in Honeydukes Sweet Shop, going from one sweet to the next. Elizabeth did most of her Christmas shopping there. The place was quickly becoming Elizabeth's favorite, even though they'd only been through a few small shops before there. But Elizabeth was always one for a bit of a sweet tooth, so a candy shop was a place Elizabeth really loved. Even though she was mostly shopping for others, she couldn't help but pick up sweets for herself as well.

Once done at Honeydukes, Elizabeth and Tobias also stopped by a small toy shop where Elizabeth found a very plush stuffed phoenix for her future niece-or-nephew. The snow was getting heavier and the wind stronger as they left the store, and Elizabeth pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.

"How about we head to the Three Broomsticks?" Tobias asked over the wind, "I'll treat you to butterbeer. It's the best stuff, will really warm you up."

"Sounds great," Elizabeth said, following Tobias along the street to a pub nearby.

Inside was warm and noisy, reminding Elizabeth a little of The Leaky Cauldron. Tobias led Elizabeth through, passing a table where Hagrid and Professor McGonagall were chatting with the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Elizabeth glanced their way but she figured their conversation was private so didn't think much on it as she and Tobias found a table to themselves in one corner of the pub. Tobias went over to the bar, then returned with two mugs of butterbeer, handing one to Elizabeth.

"Thanks," Elizabeth gave her boyfriend a smile, "You were right. Hogsmeade is amazing."

"Today's been really nice," Tobias said, "We haven't really had a chance to have a real date, have we?"

Elizabeth blushed at that, looking down at her butterbeer. They would have had another date if she hadn't bailed the last time. Elizabeth took a sip of her butterbeer, closing her eyes at the warming feeling going through her. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked back at Tobias again.

"Not since Aunt Ginger's wedding," Elizabeth said, "But you're right. This is really nice."

"Filthy, stinkin' turncoat!"

Elizabeth jerked, spilling her butterbeer across the table as she turned in her seat at Hagrid's outburst nearby. Most of the bar had suddenly gone quiet and turned towards the noise.

"What's going on?" Tobias asked in surprise.

"I met him!" Hagrid said loudly, "I musta bin the last ter see him before he killed all them people! It was me what rescued Harry from Lily an' James's house after they were killed! Jus' got him outta the ruins, poor little thing, with a great slash across his forehead, an' his parents dead...an' Sirius Black turns up, on that flying motorbike he used ter ride."

Elizabeth went cold, despite the warmth of the inn, and the butterbeer dripping onto her cloak over her lap. Hagrid was talking about Sirius Black...And Harry. Sure, they knew Black was after Harry, but...He'd shown up just moments after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was destroyed by a backfired curse?

"Never occurred to me what he was doin' there," Hagrid said, "I didn' know he'd bin Lily an' James's Secret-Keeper. Thought he'd jus' heard the news o' You-Know-Who's attack an' come ter see what he could do. White an' shakin', he was. An' yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!"

The entire bar was quiet now, staring over towards Hagrid. Elizabeth gripped her cloak in her lap. She knew a bit about Secret-Keepers. Her mother talked about considering having the Fidelius Charm done on their home during the war with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. If Black had been the Potter's Secret-Keeper, but they still were dead...He had to have betrayed them...

"How was I ter know he wasn' upset abou' Lilly an' James?" Hagrid went on, "It was You-Know-Who he cared abou'! An' then he says, 'Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I'm his godfather, I'll look after him—' Ha! But I'd had me orders from Dumbledore, an' I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an' uncle's. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. 'I won't need it anymore', he says."

"I...I'm sorry, Tobias, but I need to go," Elizabeth managed, getting to her feet. Harry...He would want to know this. She had to get back to the castle, let him know what he heard.

"I'll talk to you later, I promise," Elizabeth said, pulling her cloak on and heading out of the Three Broomsticks, out into the cold winter air, not even looking if Tobias was following. She just knew she needed to get back to the castle. How was she supposed to enjoy a date with what she just heard held over her? Sirius Black had been a close enough friend that he'd been Harry's parents' Secret-Keeper...Had been Harry's godfather...

Harry deserved to know the truth. That the man responsible He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named killing his parents had once been their best friend...Harry needed to know. She would just have to worry about Tobias's reaction later.

Elizabeth, unfortunately, didn't find Harry back at the castle. She didn't see him again until dinner that night, and Elizabeth couldn't talk with him since Percy was nearby. Elizabeth tried, instead, to go apologize to Tobias for running off on him, but he wasn't at dinner. Elizabeth tried not to read too much into it. Things were going well with Tobias, after all. He'd overheard the same thing she did at the Three Broomsticks. He'd have to understand why she needed to leave in a hurry.

Elizabeth didn't each much of the dinner, and soon just got up and headed into the entrance hall, waiting for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to come out. When they finally did, Harry just went right past her and up the stairs.

"Harry?" Elizabeth asked, starting after, but Hermione took her arm and held her back.

"We need to talk," she said.

"But I have something I need to tell Harry," Elizabeth looked over to Hermione, "Something I overheard at Hogsmeade—"

"He knows already," Ron said, "He was in Hogsmeade."

"What? How?"

"Come on, we'll explain everything."

Elizabeth, confused, followed Hermione and Harry into one of the study rooms they often hung out together in when the weather was too rainy or cold to go out to the courtyards. It was empty now, as most people were either at dinner, or packing in their common rooms to head home for the holidays the next day.

"Fred and George had this map of Hogwarts and gave it to Harry," Ron said, "It had this passage to Honeydukes on it, and he used it to get to Hogsmeade. He found us there, and we went to the Three Broomsticks...We were there when Professor McGonagall came in with Hagrid and Fudge."

"So...So Harry heard?" Elizabeth asked softly, "About Black being his godfather, how he was his parents' friend?"

"And how Black killed another of their friends, Peter Pettigrew," Hermione said softly, "When he blew up that street of Muggles..."

"No wonder he looked so pale..." Elizabeth whispered, "I...I thought he deserved to know, but...Finding out like that?"

"We're worried about him," Ron said, "I mean...You don't think he'd...Well, that he'd try to go after Black, do you?"

"I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to," Elizabeth said bitterly.

"What?" Hermione's voice was high, "Elizabeth, he could get himself killed!"

"I didn't say he should!" Elizabeth protested, "I just said, I can't blame him for wanting revenge. I mean, my father was killed by a Death Eater. That alone is enough to make me hate him. I'm glad he's rotting in Azkaban. But if it turned out the man used to be his friend? Of course I'd want him dead."

Ron and Hermione fell silent, glancing at each other, and Elizabeth sighed.

"We'll talk to him tomorrow," she said, "Maybe he'll have calmed down by then. We'll talk to him and make sure he's okay. I mean, the holidays are starting, that should help take his mind off things."