Ella Nunes

I was walking down to Potions with Leanne, Hannah and Susan on one of the last days of the year when Leanne suddenly nudged me. I started slightly; I hadn't been following the conversation, thinking about the fact that I still didn't know where I was going to be spending the summer. I turned to Leanne apologetically, but she was doing her suggestive face. Sure enough, I followed her gaze and saw that Libby had just come around the corner.

I felt my face flush (oh Merlin, I'm so awkward) before I even realised that Libby was coming over to us. Me specifically. And she was beaming.

"Ella," she said brightly. "Come with me, Professor McGonagall wants to see you."

Before I could say anything, Libby reached over and took my hand. I felt my face go from flushed to bright red and I deliberately made sure I was looking anywhere but at Leanne, who I knew would never stop finding this hilarious. Still, there was a warm feeling in my chest as Libby trailed me out of the dungeons and through the school to Professor McGonagall's office, and I couldn't deny that I enjoyed it.

Libby finally let go of my hand as she knocked on Professor McGonagall's door. My face still felt warm as the door swung open and I saw Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway. For a second I thought I saw amusement pass over her face (clearly everyone knew how I felt about Libby) but she quickly regained composure as she beckoned the two of us in.

To my surprise, though, when I sat down on Professor McGonagall's sofa with Libby next to me, Professor McGonagall had a small smile on her face. I glanced over to Libby, who was still beaming.

"We have good news, Miss Nunes," said Professor McGonagall, watching me over her glasses. "I will let Miss Howard tell you, as it is largely down to her."

Libby turned to me. From her facial expression, this was news she was eager to give. "So, a few months ago I was offered a job," she began excitedly. I wondered where this was going, but I nodded. "I think Professor Lupin told you – that I want to work with young people? Especially young people with mental health problems?"

I smiled – he had told me Libby wanted to work with young people, but he hadn't mentioned the mental health part. Probably to save my feelings. But I nodded as if I had known all along.

Libby was still smiling brightly. "Well, the job is at a new facility opening this month, for teenagers with mental health problems who need a foster home," she explained quickly before finally delivering her piece of good news. "And I've managed to get you a place!"

I immediately felt tears come to my eyes. I had been so worried that I was going to end up in some lonely, unfriendly place – and now Libby was telling me that I was going somewhere that actually sounded like a fit for me. And the fact that there would be someone working there that I knew already was just another bonus. I quickly jumped up and hugged Libby tight.

"Thank you," I said sincerely into her shoulder.

I heard Libby laugh and she put her arms lightly around me in return. "That's OK, Ella," she said gently.

When I let Libby go and returned self-consciously back to my own seat, I caught Professor McGonagall wiping her eyes on a handkerchief peeking out of her sleeve. She cleared her throat self-consciously when she saw that I was looking. "Miss Howard, why don't you tell Miss Nunes a little more about the placement?" she said hastily.

Libby didn't need telling twice. She explained excitedly that there was seven bedrooms, and that most of the young people there would be people that I would recognise from Hogwarts, though she couldn't tell me any names just yet. There was going to be four staff members there at all times to help with difficult days or anything else the young people needed.

There was one thing sticking in my mind though. When Libby finally paused for breath, I jumped in. "What about Becky?" I asked worriedly. "Can she visit?"

Libby nodded happily. "Any time she wants. Well, during the day, of course. And if the staff think you're well enough, you can spend some time visiting her at her foster placement."

I felt like hugging her again. This was the best news I had had in a really long time.

This time the tears that sprang to my eyes rolled down my face before I could stop them. I started to wipe my face with my sleeve, not caring about my makeup, before Professor McGonagall quietly offered me a box of tissues. I took one gratefully. For a moment, I saw Libby's smile falter ever so slightly.

"Happy tears," I reassured her quickly, and to my relief she went back to beaming.

Professor McGonagall too was looking as cheery as I'd ever really seen her, a small smile clear on her face. "I hope this will be a place of healing for you, Miss Nunes," she said seriously.

I hesitated as something popped into my mind. "Professor," I said cautiously. "You know that thing – that we talked about in the Hospital Wing…?"

I hoped Professor McGonagall would know what I was talking about; I really didn't want to have to talk about it in front of Libby. Though, maybe she would have to know anyway if she was going to be working there during the night sometimes. Madam Pomfrey knew now – I had agreed to let Professor McGonagall tell her about it so I could get some sleep while I was in the Hospital Wing. We had tried a few potions but nothing had helped so far.

Luckily Professor McGonagall clearly knew exactly what I was talking about. "Madam Pomfrey will have let them know," she said, quite gently. Libby looked totally confused, and Professor McGonagall glanced between us. "I think the staff will have to be aware, but I'm sure you can continue to manage it alone if that is what you would prefer."

I felt highly relieved. "Thank you, Professor," I said gratefully.

She nodded, taking a sip of her tea, but her eyes were kind. "Nothing to worry about," she said serenely. "I think you had better head onto your lesson now, Miss Nunes. I'm sure Miss Stubbs especially will be pleased to hear that you have a foster home in place for when school finishes for the year."

I grinned. "Yeah, she will," I agreed. I would have to tell her after Potions; she didn't need a detention from Snape for getting emotional in his lesson. "Can she come and visit too?" I added.

"Of course!" said Libby cheerfully. "She would always be welcome."

I barely felt like this was really happening. This was a better result than I could have hoped for. I couldn't stop smiling as I collected my rucksack, ready to go down to Potions.

"Thank you so much," I said again, addressing both of them. I felt fairly sure that Professor McGonagall had had a hand in this, even though she had said it had been all Libby.

Professor McGonagall looked back at me a little sadly. "You deserve a safe place to stay, Ella," she said, and I knew she was being genuine. "In any case, on to your lesson, please."

I nodded quickly, giving the two of them a last quick smile each before I turned to leave.

"Oh, and Miss Nunes?"

I looked back around at Professor McGonagall, who had addressed me.

She took another sip of tea but when she looked up at me again, her eyes were twinkling. "Do let Miss Bones know that your new placement allows small pets. Stuart the guinea pig has somewhere to stay for the summer, too."

Author note: So this is finally finished! I feel so emotional about saying goodbye to Ella. I hope some people have enjoyed this story, I know it might feel a bit irrelevant as it hasn't really featured any main characters except Remus and Minerva, but I have loved writing it!