Flashback:
Eloise stood next to Newt in line with the other students, the two of them talking about an interesting object Eloise had just read in one of her books. It was a jewel long lost to time that could produce weather of any kind in small areas. It could be controlled, but was greatly affected by ones mood so it was a dangerous artifact in the hands of someone volatile. Leta gave an overly dramatic sigh coupled with a pout earning a glare from Eloise and a look of concern from Newt.
"Leta, are you ok?" Newt asked.
"Just didn't sleep well last night." Leta said in a faint voice leaning her head on Newt's shoulder. "It gave me a bit of a headache and I could really use some quite."
"Well thank goodness we're not in the middle of class." Eloise mumbled.
Newt nudged her lightly placing a finger to his lips and motioning to Leta dozing on his shoulder. While he wasn't looking Leta smirked at Eloise. Eloise grit her teeth, but her face remained impassive not wanting to give Leta the satisfaction.
They moved along in line with the others in silence now thanks to Leta's 'headache' and as they approached the front Eloise became worried. She didn't want Leta to see what she was afraid of and have that kind of power over her. Also she didn't want Newt to know either, she knew exactly what her fear was and it was embarrassing.
"Newt, you're up next." Professor Dumbledore announced placing Newt before the closet, the Bogart changing form into a small desk complete with typewriter and stacks of papers. "That's an unusual one." Dumbledore commented, somewhat amused. "What Mr. Scamander fears above everything else is…"
"Having to work in an office, sir." Newt admitted to the amusement of his classmates.
"Go ahead Newt." Dumbledore nodded to the desk and Newt aimed his wand at it.
"Ridiculous." He pronounced the spell perfectly and the desk was changed. Eloise was right behind Leta who was up next taking her place in front of the Bogart. Eloise slipped back going to the back of the line with Newt who gave her a questioning look. "Aren't you going to face the Bogart."
"I'd rather go last." Eloise said with a nervous smile.
"Ellie, whatever you're afraid of I'm sure you can perform the spell brilliantly." Newt encouraged her making her smile for real.
"Thank you Newt." Eloise took his hand giving it a thankful squeeze.
She was pleased to see his cheeks flush causing his freckled to stand out even more, sure that her own cheeks were just as red. His hand felt so warm and comforting wrapped around hers. His thumb was rubbing the back of her hand sending pleasant tingles up her arm. It would have been a lovely moment if not for the interruption of Leta coming back to the end of the line.
"Did you see me Newt?" Leta stepped between Eloise and Newt forcing them to let go of each other. Eloise's hand instantly felt cold without Newt's to hold, the same cold clutching at her heart as she glared at Leta.
"I'm sorry Leta, Eloise and I were talking." Newt ducked his head and Leta pouted.
"That wasn't very nice of you Newt." Leta simpered.
"It's not nice to interrupt conversations either Leta." Eloise pointed out sarcastically, but Leta chose to respond by hugging Newt's arm, practically hanging off of the awkward Hufflepuff.
Oh how Eloise wished she could hex the girl into oblivion, but there were too many witnesses…and her high moral ground of course. The last of the students finished up just in time as class was about to be dismissed.
"Professor." Leta called out raising her hand right before he could excuse the class.
"Yes Miss Lestrange?" Dumbledore acknowledged her.
"Eloise hasn't gone yet." Leta pointed out with a fake smile, the Professor turning to her, brows raised.
"Eloise?" He questioned.
"I…we…I just thought we…were out of time?" Eloise tried weakly as Dumbledore's eyes peered into hers, looking for the truth and seemed to find it.
"Class dismissed, Eloise please stay after to complete today's assignment." Dumbledore said.
"But that's not fair, we all had to do it in front of each other, so should she." Leta pointed out, her voice whiney.
"I believe you were dismissed with the others Miss Lestrange, please go to your next class." Dumbledore said kindly, but sternly as well. Leta nodded shooting a sneer at Eloise before sweeping out of the class calling for Newt over her shoulder. Eloise glanced nervously from the professor to Newt who gave her an encouraging smile.
"You'll be great Ellie, I'll wait for you outside ok?" Newt said kindly.
"Ok." Eloise nodded, smiling as Newt gave her a brief one armed hug before Leta came back dragging him out of the room by his arm. Eloise slowly turned back to the professor who was leaning against his desk looking at her contemplatively with his arms crossed
"Do you want to tell me why you chose not to participate today Miss Baewolf?" Dumbledore asked as Eloise shifted from foot to foot.
"I'm sorry professor." Eloise ducked her head not wanting to be seen as less in the eyes of one of her favorite professors. "I just don't want people to know what I'm afraid of."
"People? Anyone in particular?" Dumbledore asked kindly as he stood up from his desk.
"Just…" Eloise glanced off to the windows overlooking school grounds worrying her hands. "Just people."
Dumbledore looked at her with twinkling blue eyes that seemed to see far more than the earthly and peer deeper into the situation. Letting out a thoughtful hum he walked back over to the wardrobe which was shaking from the angry bogart inside. Eloise's eyes went wide as he opened the door with a flick of his wand allowing the shapeshifter of fear out.
At once in locked onto Eloise and changed into Newt and Leta with their arms wrapped around each other and to make matters worse it was not her kind loving Newt that stood before her. His face was twisted into a sneer that matched Leta's causing her heart to beet wildly in her chest.
"Why would I want to waste my time with you when I have Leta?" He said coldly before turning to look down at Leta in adoration, cupping the side of her face. "She's everything you aren't, a real lover of creatures. She shares my dreams and she understands me in ways you never could."
"You are so pathetic." Leta giggled maliciously as she leaned into his touch placing her hand over Newt's. "Always trailing after Newt like a lost puppy, it's just sad really."
Eloise had tears streaming down from her eyes as she raised her wand and muttered a silent 'Ridiculous' changing Leta into a wart covered frog and Newt into a hyper toy poodle puppy. The bogart scampered back into the closet, the door slamming shut, and the lock turning with a click.
"Eloise…" Dumbledore held out a handkerchief to her. She took it with a thankful nod dabbing at her eyes. "So you want to talk about it?"
"Newt and I were really good friends, still good friends, but lately with Leta around her barely has any time for me." Eloise said softly as she worried the handkerchief in her hands. "I know I sound needy, but I miss him when he's standing right next to me and it hurts."
"I'm sorry you're going through this Eloise, have you talked with Newt?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
"I've tried, but never seem to get anywhere with it." Eloise shook her head. "I keep hoping it will just work out and fix itself."
"That rarely if ever happens Eloise, you should sit him down and speak with him, make him understand your concerns." Dumbledore advised her. "Newt is a very caring individual and I believe he values your friendship very much."
"You're right, I've been silly." Eloise sighed.
"It's not silly to want to keep your friends close or to fear losing them, it shows how much you care for them." Dumbledore reassured her. "Now I believe you have a quidditch match coming up."
"I do, I better go get ready." Eloise nodded with a smile, feeling better having talked with the professor about it, like a weight had been lifted from her heart. "Thank you Professor."
"Anytime Miss Baewulf." Dumbledore smiled watching as she went out of the room. Eloise came out into the hall glancing around for Newt, but he was nowhere in sight. She frowned as she walked a bit down the corridor thinking perhaps he might be there.
"Eloise! There you are!" Devin ran up to her. "Come on, we have to get to the pitch."
"I'm just looking for Newt. He said he'd wait for me to finish with Dumbledore." Eloise explained still glancing around for him.
"Newt? He's already down at the pitch. He came down with that Leta girl." Devin told her causing her face to fall. "Eloise, are you ok?"
"I'm fine." Eloise shook her head, heel toeing it toward the pitch with Devin quickly following.
"You don't seem ok." Devin pointed out.
"Devin, when a girl says I'm fine when asked if she's ok that means she's not ok and doesn't want to talk about it." Eloise told him in a clipped voice.
"Sorry, just asking." Devin mumbled.
"I'm sorry for snapping Devin, I'm just disappointed is all." Eloise shook her head.
"Newt ditched you again for Leta." Devin surmised.
"Yeah." Eloise admitted.
"Maybe it's time you just cut him loose." Devin commented.
"Devin, he's my friend even if he's not exactly acting like one now." Eloise replied. "Professor Dumbledore gave me some advice and I've decided to take it. I'm going to sit Newt down and have a long talk with him, tell him what I've been feeling."
"And you think he'll listen?" Devin asked.
"I do." Eloise nodded. "Newt is a good guy."
"If you say so, but if you need someone to hex some sense into him all you have to do is ask." Devin through his arm around her shoulders playfully.
"Thank you Devin, but I hope that won't be necessary." Eloise chuckled as they separated to the boy and girl lockers.
Devin watching her go with furrowed brows shaking his head at the whole situation. Eloise deserved someone that would be there for her. Sighing he turned to the locker rooms to get ready for the game hoping Eloise would be alright. Today they would be up against Slytherin and he hoped Eloise ready for it.
The Slytherin Seeker was Leta Lestrange and he knew that would be a distraction for Eloise. Once ready and out on the field he saw Leta and Eloise in their places starring each other down. Leta had a dark smirk on her face while Eloise's looked like it was set in stone, their animosity toward one another clear. This was going to be one heck of a match of that Devin was certain.