Eleanor could practically feel the morning light streaming into the room, commanding her to wake up and greet the day. Instead, she pulled the comforter over her head and stretched languidly, finding a comfortable position away from the window. Usually, she had her favorite pillow to block out the light, but when she reached out to find it, her fingers only met with the other end of the comforter. She tried to blindly search the side of the bed for a few moments, refusing to open her eyes and admit defeat, but she knew it was useless. Groaning, Eleanor pulled the sheets away from her face and furiously blinked until her vision cleared.

To her surprise, the light wasn't coming from the window – in fact, there weren't any windows. Gripping the sheets to pull herself into a sitting position, Eleanor recognized the sheets as a familiar Ravenclaw blue, but something was off. The usual drapes surrounding her bed were missing and Eleanor didn't even recognize the lamp on the bedside table. As Eleanor scanned for any familiar objects, she realized she wasn't in her dormitory. The common room was the only other place she could have fallen asleep, but the common room didn't have any beds.

She had to be in Hogwarts. She was definitely somewhere in the castle, but she couldn't think of any other rooms that had beds except for the dormitories. Of course, there was always the chance that someone had wished for a bed in the Room of Requirement-

Then, everything from the night before came back to her in a sickening jolt. She scrambled out of the bed and frantically scanned the room. "Liam?" No answer. Trying to catch her breath, Eleanor managed to make her way over to the door, hoping to see Liam waiting for her, but he wasn't anywhere to be found.

Eleanor didn't understand. Did he leave her in here by herself? Why didn't he say goodbye? Was he angry?

Actually, she could understand if he was angry. In fact, she was angry at herself for crying and ruining everything. If only she had stayed quiet, then Liam would be here with her and they'd be happy together. Instead, he was probably fed up with her antics, ready to give up on this relationship and move on somewhere else. He had a valid reason of leaving; she just wished she had time to say something to him – beg, plead, make him understand why she showed this weakness.

Digging her nails into the palms of her hands, Eleanor took in a deep breath. She wasn't going to cry again. It was over now and her tears weren't going to change anything. She just had to deal with her mistake and accept the truth – Liam wasn't going to come back for her this time.

Just as she was about to leave, the door swung open and Liam walked into the room, calmly shutting the door behind him while slinging a bag over his shoulder. When he turned toward her, his eyes widened slightly and then he paused, as if waiting for her to say something, but she had no idea what to say.

"You're awake," he finally broke the silence.

Biting down on her lip, Eleanor nodded.

"I-" Liam held up his bag, flashing her a quick, comforting smile, "I went down to the kitchens to get some food. Are you hungry?"

She tried to say something, but she couldn't form a single word. Instead, Eleanor blinked furiously, trying to get rid of the tears in her eyes.

"I know, I know. I was out after hours and I shouldn't know where the kitchens are, but I thought you might be hungry." He set the bag down on the nearest table and started taking out bowls concealed by lids. "I think this is shepherd's pie." Holding the bowl out to her, he waited for her to take it. "Your favorite." She watched as he waved it in front of her, as if that would make it more tempting, but she only stared at it. "Okay," he finally said slowly, setting it back down on the table, "what's wrong?"

She gaped at his nonchalance. "Everything," she finally managed to say.

Liam frowned, his eyebrows furrowing. "I don't understand."

"You're going to break up with me, right?" After staying silent for so long, the words started to tumble out. "You said that you weren't going to force me to do anything I didn't want to do, but I know you're not disappointed with me and it's completely acceptable if you want to move on to someone that will give you-"

"You're joking," Liam interrupted her. She could see the confusion on his face, but still shook her head violently. "Eleanor, when I said I love you and I'd wait, I wasn't lying. I wouldn't – I couldn't break up with you just because you weren't ready to have sex. Our relationship is more than that. It's been years in the making and I couldn't just forget about everything because-"

"I can't do the emotional side of this relationship," Eleanor blurted out. Liam began to say "what-" but Eleanor couldn't stop talking. "I'm fine with the physical details and acts, I really am because it's just a normal human act...and then when you try to add in the emotional aspect, I can't do it, Liam. I don't like feeling too much. I don't like feeling this way. It's too much – it's way too much for me and I can't, Liam, I really can't."

He was looking at her in a way that made Eleanor bite back down on her lip. It was such a blank look – she didn't even know what he was thinking. Was he angry? Disappointed? Sad? What could he possibly be thinking about her?

Then Liam's next words were quick, "do you love me?" and Eleanor didn't hesitate to respond, "yes."

Liam's expression turned into something like a smile, but Eleanor didn't know how he could smile at a time like this. "Then, tell me, how is that not an emotional aspect of this relationship?"

Her lips were slightly parted as she tried to come up with some sort of answer. When she stayed silent, Liam gave her another one of those small smiles and reached over to pick up the shepherd's pie again. Eleanor watched as he took one of her hands and, after curling her fingers away from her palm – so carefully, so gently – placed it in her grasp.

"You're not angry?" she asked softly, glancing back up at him. She was beginning to wonder if anything would disappoint him.

"No. Confused, but we'll talk about it, take it slow, figure something out. But right now, you should eat," Liam said as he sat down across from her, leaning his plate of food against the arm rest.

He was right; she was starving. Eleanor curled up in the armchair behind her, taking her time before digging her fork into the pie. Liam's gaze was away from her, situated on his fork as he twirled it between his fingers. It was a tiny thing, but somehow, it made her want to laugh. "I really do love you, you know," Eleanor broke the silence, causing Liam to look back up at her. "So much."

"I love you too," he replied with a grin that finally made her chuckle.

If he wasn't disappointed in her, then there was no reason for her to continue worrying. They would figure something out another day and it'd work, she knew just that much.

-x-

Even with Liam's assurances, Eleanor couldn't help but expect some sort of tension after that night, but instead, Liam quickly adapted a light, carefree mood. Most of the seventh years were acting the same way (except for the few that were worried about their futures and already having nervous breakdowns) and, at the graduation feast, everyone greeted their families with grateful smiles and elated hugs. Liam was watching everyone, his legs bouncing under the table as he hummed an undecipherable tune.

Eleanor knew Liam wasn't expecting his family to show up for the graduation feast and she wondered briefly if that was the reason behind his good mood. No teasing from his brothers for another couple days was probably a treat.

"I'm looking forward to the inevitable conversation with your mother," Liam told her as they waited with Suzanne and Jared for their families to arrive. Eleanor rolled her eyes at his sarcasm. "It's been six months since I saw her. I'm due for another round of disapproving comments."

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "It's not that bad."

"It's awful," Liam groaned, letting his head fall onto the table with a loud, drawn-out sigh. "Like torture. The ultimate torture."

"And you are being overdramatic," Eleanor chastised him, shaking her head at his antics.

"It's Liam's specialty," Suzanne teased. "I vaguely recall a certain dramatic Liam last year."

"Moody, melodramatic, impossible Liam," Jared muttered.

Instead of sitting up, Liam turned to glare at Suzanne and Jared by rolling over. Eleanor laughed, moving to pat Liam's back in mock sympathy. Turning around in her seat, Eleanor quickly scanned the room for her parents.

Her eyes fell on a group of familiar people and she squinted her eyes to make sure her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. "Hey, Liam," she said slowly, "are you sure your family's not attending?"

"Positive," he replied, lifting his head off of the table to look at her. "Why do you-" His sentence came to an abrupt stop and he bolted upright.

"There he is!"

"This can't be real," Liam muttered as he stood up. "They are not here, they are not here, they are not here."

Eleanor winched as Conner quickly ran over, scooping up Liam in a massive hug. Behind him, Sean smirked as he watched his little brother struggle and Mrs. Pritchard swatted his arm, snapping a quick, "I see that smirk, Sean! Be nice, it's your brother's graduation."

"Liam, hey!" Liam finally broke free, but Conner didn't seem to care. Instead, he started to wildly gesture with his hands. "So, I was just in our kitchen mere minutes ago – minutes, can you believe it? - when Mrs. White showed up at the door babbling about your graduation and we thought she was crazy – I mean, you were hours away and there was no way a train would be able to get us here in time - but anyway, she insisted that we come over. Then she showed us something with some powder-"

"Floo powder," Liam corrected him.

"Yeah, that stuff. And then she gestures toward her fireplace and I'm looking at her like she's crazy because it's a fireplace and then I had flashbacks to those Hansel and Gretel fairytales. I always suspected her of eating all the young children – remember, I left you in front of her house when we were kids and you cried about how she was going to capture you? So, I thought that she was crazy and she throws the powder stuff in the fire and it turns green. So, I assume it's magic, obviously, and I had to go in and try it because it's green fire and and then I'm here at a castle and this is where you go to school? Are you kidding me? This entire time and you went to a castle?"

He took a step back to stare up at the enchanted ceiling and Liam took the chance to get away. "Mum, hey." He gave her a quick hug and pulled back with a smile. "I'm glad you could come."

She seemed a little out of place, but managed a smile in return as she clutched onto her purse. "I've seen you do magic before, but this seems like something out of a storybook."

Liam grinned. "It's real." Even after seven years, Eleanor could still hear the amazement and wonder in his voice.

Sean was staring at a student who was twirling her wand in between her fingers. "So, you actually use those sticks of wood to do...magic?"

"Yes, magic is real," Liam spoke slowly, "and that's why I've been going to a magical school for seven years."

Sean frowned. "Hey, no, little brother, sarcasm and taunting is my thing." Liam rolled his eyes, causing Sean to point at him and shout "hey!" again.

"Where's Lindsay and Graham?" Liam changed the subject, probably hoping to avoid a pointless argument in the middle of the Great Hall.

"Over at Lindsay's parents," Sean answered, also distracted by the ceiling. "Is it...like 3-D?"

Liam glanced back at Eleanor, surprising her with an amused laugh. He had to be enjoying this moment – finally, he was the "bigger" brother with all of his knowledge of Hogwarts.

Eleanor watched as the entire Pritchard family stared up, their mouths slightly open in amazement. Then Conner looked away, his gaze falling on something behind Eleanor. When his eyebrows furrowed, Eleanor had to turn and look and what was making Conner look so puzzled.

Olivia Rothe was practically skipping her way over to the group.

Eleanor hesitated, trying to decide whether or not to greet the girl. Maybe Olivia wouldn't bother them if she just-

"Hi, Liam!"

Or not.

"Oh," Liam's eyes flickered over to Eleanor before he forced himself to turn back to the girl in front of him. "Hi, Olivia."

"I'm so proud of you!" the brunette gushed, smiling brightly and grabbing onto his arm. Behind Liam, Conner's eyebrows rose slightly. "I bet you got outstandings on all of your exams."

Eleanor could tell Liam was forcing the smile on his face just by the way the corners of his mouth were twitching. "I hope I did," he replied slowly and then turned toward his family. "Mum, this is Olivia. She's-" he faltered, probably not sure what to call her.

"One of his best friends," Olivia introduced herself, holding out her hand.

Liam let out a long, visible sigh and then put on that smile again. "Yeah, Olivia's a...friend."

"Your son is really wonderful," she exclaimed, shaking the older woman's hand enthusiastically before turning toward Conner. "Oh." She paused for a second, tilting her head at him before saying, "You must be one of Liam's brothers. The resemblance is uncanny."

Conner looked over at Eleanor for a second, then Liam, before finally turning back to Olivia. "Conner," he introduced himself, his lips twitching into a smirk. "And you are Olivia, one of Liam's...friends?"

Liam immediately began to glower.

"Yes," Olivia exclaimed with a huge smile, oblivious to Liam's discomfort. "We've been friends for a couple years now-"

"With my brother? The same Liam Pritchard right here?" Sean entered the conversation, placing his hand on Liam's shoulder and lightly shaking the younger boy, the same Pritchard smirk stretching across his face. Liam pushed himself away, grumbling something to himself as he stalked behind Eleanor, presumably so his brothers couldn't touch him.

"Boys, why don't you go and explore the castle a bit?" Mrs. Pritchard interrupted and then paused, turning toward Liam. "Is that all right if they go by themselves?"

Eleanor cringed, imagining the chaos and destruction in the corridors and, judging by the look on Liam's face, he was thinking the same thing.

"Mrs. Pritchard," Olivia spoke up, "I'd be glad to show them the castle separately since it would make things easier for you."

Liam looked between Olivia and Conner and Sean, finally shrugging. "I guess that could work." Eleanor knew Liam was seeing this as a way out; not only would Sean and Conner be far away from him, but Olivia would have to deal with that chaos and maybe they would balance each other out.

"Wonderful." Olivia clasped her hands together and pulled on Conner's sleeve. He almost tripped over his own feet as Olivia led the way and Liam had to stifle a laugh. "I'm sure you've noticed the enchanted ceiling. It's pretty wonderful, don't you think? Out this door, we have the front doors and the staircase to the first floor." Sean quickly ducked behind the Hufflepuff table, effectively losing the two as Olivia pulled Conner out of the Great Hall.

"Oh, Eleanor!"

Eleanor felt Liam shrink back into his seat as the familiar voice called out her name. She wanted to feel sorry for him, but she was distracted by the way her mother was hustling over to her. "Hello, mum, dad." Without giving them time to exchange hugs, she gestured over to the table. "You know Liam. And this is Suzanne and Jared."

Her father immediately went to introduce himself to Suzanne and Jared, but her mum kept a stern gaze on Liam. Before she had the chance to say anything, Eleanor quickly added, "And this is his mother, Charlotte Pritchard."

Mrs. Pritchard, who was standing to the side, gave Eleanor's mother a warm smile. "Oh, hello," her mother exclaimed and Eleanor watched in anticipation as she actually tried to act friendly for once. The two older women shook hands before they lapsed into an awkward (and a bit frightening) silence.

"Uh, mum," Liam was quick to speak, "you two should, um...go look at the castle together."

"That's a good idea." Eleanor tried to look excited about the idea. It meant that their parents would have time to get to know each other and she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but they had to try. "Why don't you take dad, too? I'm sure Mrs. Pritchard would like to hear all about your stories at Hogwarts."

To encourage them, Eleanor grabbed onto her parents' hands and hurried them out of the Great Hall. Liam followed closely behind, proclaiming something about how Hogwarts was a very confusing castle and it would be great to have a couple tour guides.

"Why can't you show me the castle, Liam?" Eleanor heard his mother ask.

"Oh. We – we have this sort of ceremony rehearsal thing before the dinner and all of the graduating seventh years need to be there, so – so I think it would be really great if you went with Eleanor's parents. I promise, they're nice people and it would mean a lot to me."

There was no ceremony rehearsal and Eleanor had a feeling Mrs. Pritchard knew her son was lying, but she didn't give it away. Instead, she responded, "I really do want to see these moving staircases you were talking about."

They stopped in front of the oak doors and Liam gave his mother a grin. "Just be back here by seven." He waited until their parents were almost up the staircase before asking, "Do you think they'll actually get along?"

"I think it's a possibility," Eleanor answered.

Although they didn't plan it, she was kind of impressed with the way everything was turning out. Maybe her mother would finally accept their relationship after speaking with Mrs. Pritchard. Maybe this was the next step that Eleanor needed – approval from everyone – before taking that other next step with Liam. And maybe, since they were graduating, everything would finally fall into place. She smiled as Liam grabbed onto her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as they made their way through the crowd and back into the Great Hall.


I UPDATED. HEY.

Not much to say, other than this chapter is extremely long and I even had to cut out some scenes, so you'll be seeing some flashbacks in chapter 53. (Interesting...scenes. Really really really really interesting.)

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!