…Failed Test…
"Did you need something?" I ask trying to diffuse the tension and awkwardness filling the air. "Could you please come back over here." he sighs. I think it over and wind up right beside him. He points to the papers. "What songs do you normally translate?" he asks. We sit there talking about my assignments and the translations for a few hours. It isn't until Draco shows up that I realized we've missed dinner.
It's pitch black out and Draco stands in the doorway frowning. "Your classmates said you finished the assignment hours ago. What are you two doing?" he frowns. "My bad. I overheard her singing, and the song was familiar." Blaise chuckles standing up and stretching. "I'll go see if the elves don't mind fixing her something while you take her back to the common room." he walks out without another word.
I put the translated works on the shelf of finished assignments and hurry over to Draco. He shakes his head and waves me forward. "Leave it to you to get distracted so easily Ellie!" he laughs as we walk down to the dungeons. "That's hardly fair! It was about music and my assignment. I'd rather pass flawlessly than with chinks in my armor." I huff.
"What's with the outfit? Are you trying to be girly for the first time in your life?" Draco eyes my dress. "Nope, I just threw on the first thing I could find. I didn't want to turn the lights on and wake the others." I shrug. Draco scoffs and I lightly slap his arm. "I don't think you should wear dresses around the general public. You get enough admirers in sweats and a hoody." Draco laughs ruffling my hair.
Blaise appears with a sandwich and some juice. I munch away while they have a whispered conversation. "What were you translating all those songs for?" Blaise asks suddenly. I'm caught unaware and choke on my juice. "Not telling!" I cough. They stare at me. "You know, it's hard to take you serious when you're coughing that badly." Theo smirks patting my back to help me. When I've fully recovered, I curl up. "Why didn't you try to help me?" I pout at Draco. He looks away muttering something under his breath.
I meet up with the other girls singing in the showers. Including the boys' group, we're the only ones exempt from attending the meeting of the schools. I shower scrubbing the day off me. one of the older girls dries and puts my hair into a half up half down hairstyle with a braid going around. To me it looks like one of those elf hairstyles the muggles talk about.
She trades out with another girl who helps me into my dress and shoes. The dress is a golden satin princess style dress with thin straps that floats down just to the top of my shoes. There's a small belt like chain that she ties around my waist that has all four houses on it. I slip into the kitten heels and try to calm my nerves this will be the first time I'll be singing in front of so many people.
The girl who helped me into my dress smiles and covers my trembling hands with her calm ones. "Nervous about your solo Ellie?" she asks. "Nervous in general. I don't think I can stand for much longer." My eyes begin to dart around, and everything starts getting blurry. She snaps her fingers and I try to focus on her.
"Ellie trying thinking f your happy place." she orders. I take a deep breath and find myself back at home with mum, dad, and the triplets. "Good, now when we go out there just relax and think back to your happy place." she smiles. I start to calm down and she pats the top of my head. I straighten up and manage to calm myself completely.
She does my makeup just a bit of blush, highlight, eyeshadow, and a bit of lip gloss. The boys are performing first and I'm glad. The professor set it up so we could watch from the classroom next to hall. We clap silently as each performance ends. When it's our turn we drape the pitch-black robes over us disguising our outfits and faces.
We walk, no float, into the hall. Silence descends as we make our way to the front of the hall. We position ourselves on the steps as per rehearsals. The robes melt off slowly as the music begins seeping out of the walls and floor. We lift our heads and start singing. Everyone is in a sort of trance as they watch us.
The group parts revealing me. I step forward for my solo and the others form a close protective yet encouraging circle around me. I think of my happy place as I sing and when we're done, I smile and hug the others. We go to our seats amid the applause. Draco stares at me as I approach. "How was my performance dear cousin?" I smile sitting next him. "Ellie?!" he gasps. I tilt my head smiling and laughing.
Astoria walks with me down to the first task. Draco walks ahead with his friends. "Are you still in trouble for not telling him about the performance?" she whispers. "No, the amount of letters and notes I get from admirers doubled and he found them. I'm in boiling water." I shiver. Draco turns around and motions for us to hurry up. We sit behind them and chat quietly.
Draco leans against my legs while we wait for the first Champion. I sit up spotting the dragon first and tap Draco's head pointing. "Holy shit!" Theo gasps earning a hit from Draco. Theo winces and nods apologetically. My eyes go wide with excitement. I lean forward eyes flitting to and fro not wanting to miss a beat of any of the match ups.
Draco taps my leg after the final match. "Ellie. Ellie! Ellie why are you crying?" Draco asks. "Aren't they pretty? Aren't they so pretty?" I gasp. "They're happy tears!" Astoria laughs. I sniffle and Draco shakes his head. "Admit it Draco. They're pretty. You should at least admit a bit of respect for them seeing as your name means dragon." I poke his cheek.
"They're really pretty." He laughs. Satisfied I turn back to where the judges are giving out scores. Astoria and I get into a poking war on the way back up to the castle, and Draco and Theo have to separate us before we cause trouble for someone else. We hurry to our dorm and play with Serenity until dinner.
We're leaving Charms when Astoria nudges me. We hide behind a statue as we watch Ron Weasley attempt and fail to ask Fleur to the ball. "Ooh, he looks terrible." She mumbles with a hint of sadness in her voice. I nod. "He looks as bad as when he tried to hex Draco and ended up vomiting slugs." I whisper back. "And what pray tell are you two doing?" Blaise chuckles from behind us.
Astoria jumps nearly knocking over a nearby suit of armor. I frown at him. "It's not nice to scare girls!" I scold waving my finger in his face. He groans taking a step back. "You know you two have to pack soon." He reminds us. Draco went above and beyond to make sure no one even got close to us to ask us to the ball. Astoria got into a seven-hour argument with him about it, but I just let it go opting to save my breath.
I nag Blaise all the way down to the dungeons while Astoria cheers me on. He mutters to himself but doesn't acknowledge my nagging. I pout and stop walking it takes him a while to realize I've stopped. He looks around for me but we're in a darker part of the dungeons. I take a running start and jump on his back.
"Apologize." I whisper repeatedly in a sing song voice. He tries to get me off his back, but Astoria distracts him by taking a torch off the wall and running around. I start switching between English and Italian extending the dizzy spell he's under. Tipsily he walks back into the common room with us before collapsing on the couch. Draco jumps up to check on him and Astoria and I try to sneak to the dorm.
"Not so fast. What did you two do?" Draco snaps. I shriek, grab Astoria's hand, and we bolt for the dorm. I hum and pack diligently while Astoria procrastinates and plays with Serenity. I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. Pansy burst in laughing. "What'd you two do? It's time to confess." She drags us out to the common room where Blaise lays on the couch still trying to recover.
Astoria confesses while I poke Blaise's face. He starts stir when I hum the song he said was from his childhood. He groans rubbing his eyes and sits up. Theo smirks. "Taken down by two girls all because you refused to apologize for scaring them. What a way to go Zabini?" Theo laughs. Blaise let's his head fall back down. "Sorry." I whisper. He looks at me and scoffs. "You can be quite evil when you want to be can't you Ellie." He smirks.
I huff and turn away. "You still haven't apologized." I pout. He chuckles and sits up. "I apologize for scaring you two." he sighs. I smile and hug him. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" I giggle in his ear. He rolls his eyes and I jump up. "I need to finish packing and Astoria hasn't even started packing." I tell Pansy. Pansy turns to Astoria and Daphne, Astoria's big sister, helps her carry the now struggling girl to pack. I skip after them, but I don't miss the ghost of a final smile on Blaise's face.
I dress in a simple knee length box pleat skirt, tights, and a turtleneck. Serenity purrs tiredly from my bed as I put my thigh high boots on. "We'll only be in the cold for a little bit Serenity. When we get home mum promised to have a fire going and warm milk." I try to coax her into her carrier. It takes an hour and a half to coax her inside. "You're so stubborn." I huff over her mewling complaints.
Draco ties my scarf around my neck before walking me down to the carriages. "Promise me you won't get into trouble or start a fight." I frown at him. He nods unconvincingly and start back towards the castle. "Fine, I promise. I'll even be nice to Lavender. Just get in the carriage. Your family is waiting for you at home. Come on Ellie." He pushes me gently back in the direction of the carriages.
Mum races to me when I hop off the train. Anya is strapped to her back and begins babbling when she sees me. Mum helps me grab my things as I tell her all about my year so far. Dad is playing with Elijiah and Regulus by the fire when we get home. Anya makes her way into my lap and curls up. Mum lets the now pouting Serenity out but when she sees the babies she bolts to safety.
I tell them all about my performance at the Welcoming feast and the dragons. Dad is more interested in the dragons than the actual task. Kreacher brings dinner in, a hearty stew with fresh baked bread. after we eat our fill mum clears her throat. "Could you sing your solo for us?" she asks. Dad sits up eager to hear it too.
I readjust how I'm sitting and Anya fusses until I settle down. I start off humming but once my voice is warmed up, I sing my solo. When I'm done everyone is watching me. Anya who I was sure was drifting off is now wide awake. Even Kreacher who'd be in the kitchen avoiding Regulus and Elijiah has come out and taken a seat beside them.
"That was so lovely." Mum whispers wiping tears from her eyes. Dad gets up making his way over. Taking care not to hug me too tight because of Anya, he hugs me and kisses the top of my head. "You have a very beautiful voice, Ellie." He chuckles with happy tears streaming down his face.
I spend most of the holidays playing with the babies. Dad has to go clean up his old place and takes Kreacher with him. I watch the babies roll around playing and babbling. Mum walks in with hot cocoa. "Are you said you didn't get to attend the ball?" she asks handing me my mug. "No, I wanted to come home. I missed everyone, but Draco didn't even let anyone get close enough to ask. Even if I did want to go it still would've been nice to have been asked." I sigh.
"Is there someone you'd wanted to ask you?" mum smiles knowingly. I blush and look away. "I think so but he's difficult and lazy. If he was given the choice to, he probably backed out trying to think for both of us instead of plucking up the courage and asking me." I pout stirring my cocoa with the peppermint spoon. "Why didn't you ask him?" mum shrugs indifferently. I hadn't thought of that.
I look into the fire unsure of what to say or do. "I have my theories on who it is but just know whoever it is I hope for his sake he treats you right." She pokes my sides until I start laughing. This sight is what dad and Kreacher return to. Both look worse for wear but brighten when they see us laughing.
Anya climbs into my lap to get away from Elijiah who somehow got a hold of an ornament. I look at the tree and see that Regulus has chased Serenity up the Christmas tree with a candy cane. I frown and whistle. Regulus drop the candy cane and turns to look at me with the most innocent 'I did nothing wrong' face I have ever seen. Dad burst out laughing while trying to take the ornament from Elijiah.
Mum rushes over to help Serenity and I stare in shock. I stand up walking around with Anya. She fusses at Elijiah from my arms, but he doesn't pay her any mind as he focuses on trying to get the ornament back. Kreacher scurries from the room as Regulus focuses on him. Regulus tries to crawl after him but mum scoops him up.
Elijiah is bit better behaved by dinner, but Regulus is still pouting and throwing a fit. "I wonder where he gets his stubbornness from." I sigh trying not to make eye contact with mum or dad. Dad chokes on the steak and potatoes he's eating. I widen my eyes in mock shock earning a scolding look from mum. "Since you're so good at noticing things why don't you take a break and whip up a quick dessert." Mum smiles.
I slide from the table and go to the fridge. There's leftover angel's food cake, fruit, fresh whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce, and ice cream. I make a parfait for each of us and a fruit and whipped cream one for the babies. I sing them to sleep and they're fast asleep in seconds. "Before you go back to school, I'm going to record your voice, so they'll fall asleep fast for us too." Dad mumbles.
I record numerous songs for them to use. I walk around with Elijiah on my shoulders since he woke early from his nap. Mum is teaching dad how to clean properly, and I don't want to clean. Elijiah is curious when he's not around Regulus and quieter too. I slide him off my shoulders and onto my waist. His bright blue eyes take everything in with such speed that I frown. He points at a picture of mum on the wall with her friends after graduating. Dad's there too goofing off with his friends in the background.
"Mama. Dada." He points at the picture. I hear a crash and dad stumbles into the room panting. "I did not just miss that." he pleads. "Mama. Dada." Elijiah repeats as mum walks dumbfounded into the room. Elijiah leans towards dad, and I hand him over. he keep repeating the same words and I'm happy, but I feel like he's holding back.
He's still going when Regulus and Anya wake up. I bite my lip making dad frown. "They'll start talking soon too." I murmur. Sure enough, not two seconds later when Regulus' toy flies out of his reach he yells, "Fuck!" Mum whirls around so quick I think her neck's going to break. "I'm so sorry." Dad chuckles nervously. "Ellie!" Anya giggles at my feet. I pick her up and kiss her cheek.
They continue using their newly found words and dad forces himself to frown and scold Regulus when he swears. Regulus' new word is 'meanie' which I guess he heard from Kreacher. I try not to laugh at dad's overdramatic reaction. He acts like he's been mortally wounded and curls up on the ground pretending to cry. "Next Ellie will be bringing a boy home. How are you going to cope?" mum teases.
Dad sits up right away. "I'll cope just fine as long as she brings the right guy home. Nice to her, as smart if not smarter than she is, and maybe just a little laid back to offset her go-go-go attitude." Dad nods agreeing with himself as he speaks. I frown and grumble. "Did Mr. Right not ask you to the ball?" there's a note of teasing in his voice.
"He's just a bit lazy is all. He doesn't like putting extra effort into anything." I state defensively. "Let me guess. He was going to kiss you but didn't because you might've gotten caught, and Draco is too overprotective?" Dad smirks. My mouth drops open in shock. Mum gasps and Kreacher appears with popcorn. "He may have." I admit.
"Ah, so he failed the first test. There are two tests left and I hope he passes before the end of second term. By the way, it's the one that I led you too when you got lost in the forest isn't it. I thought he seemed decent." Dad stretches out on the floor letting Regulus climb over him. I freeze not expecting dad to remember that. Anya puts a hand on my cheek withdrawing it quickly.
I'm blushing quite badly and can't restrain any of my emotions. "Maybe…" I mumble. Dad lets out a bark of laughter. "Oh, he's a difficult one then. Can't help you there. Nor will your mother reign Draco in. If you like him that much, you're going to have to work it out yourself." Dad smiles. I groan and feel a little defeated.
I walk up to the castle slowly. I don't know how I'm going to face Blaise this term with two tests left. I shuffle into the castle barely aware of much even passing by Draco without a word. I walk trance like through the dungeons until I get to my dorm. I let Serenity out and fall onto my bed.
Astoria tries to cheer me up but besides my parents I haven't talked to anyone about what's on my mind. I sigh and put my head on the table. "That is it! What's wrong Ellie?" Draco demands. Pansy shoots him a disapproving look. "Nothing." I mutter. "If nothing's wrong then why are you moping?" he grumbles. "I didn't say nothing was wrong. I meant nothing happened. Nothing happened. Nada, zilch, nothing." I pout.
"What were you expecting to happen?" Pansy leans forward. "Something, you know?" I look at her meaningfully and she nods in understanding. "That is serious, especially for a girl. I understand completely. No wonder you've been so bummed." She frowns at me sympathetically. "What the hell do you understand?" Draco is getting impatient.
"Even though she wanted to go home it would've been nice to have at least one person ask her to the ball. You're too overprotective Draco. Judging by the way she's been moping she probably has someone in mind, don't you Ellie?" she smiles. I blush realizing she understood far more than I'd meant for her to understand.
"Is it someone in your year? Is it a Slytherin? When on earth did you find time to talk to him with Draco always hovering?" she asks question after question not letting me answer. Theodore who's been quiet this entire time starts laughing. "Oh my. Really Ellie! Merlin's beard! I know who it is. I know how you got around Draco's hovering. This is hilarious!" he laughs.
Draco taps his fingers on the table, and he must be plainly pissed because Lavender comes over. "What'd you do Ellie?" she points at Draco. I scoff and pout feeling attacked for no reason. "Our darling sweet cousin has somehow gotten around my protections and developed a crush on some guy." Draco crushes the fork he's holding. "Ooh, who is it?" Lavender giggles. "Only Theo has figured that out. Blaise do you know who it is?" Draco snaps.
Blaise sits up looking bored out of his mind. "I have no idea. I don't keep tabs on your cousin. I just babysit her when you tell me to." he yawns tiredly. Theo is practically on the floor now. Blaise's words sting but I try my best not to let it show.
"Have you tried asking her? You know you could eliminate every guy that's sent her a love letter or note. She's never seemed too interested in those. It's probably someone hiding in plain sight." Lavender shrugs going back to her table. Draco turns to me, but I turn to Astoria. I don't get a chance to ask for help. He pulls me from the hall and into the courtyard.
He sits me on a bench and stares at me. "You wouldn't happen to like someone from another house, would you?" he asks much calmer than before. "You don't let me run around with people from other houses. The only time I hang around other house is when I eat with Lav or I'm in class." I state. He at least looks embarrassed by the stupidity of his question.
"Is it someone I know?" he asks. I look away. "My parents said he has two more tests. He's already failed the first. If he fails, the last two they want me to give up my crush." I sniffle. Draco's eyes widen in shock. "What was the first test?" Draco whispers. I feel myself tearing up. "Not caring about being seen by others or caught by you." I feel the tears splash onto my cheeks.
Draco pulls me into a hug. "I don't want you to get upset at what I'm about to tell you Ellie." He whispers in my ear. he waits until I nod. "The reason I'm so strict is because if any of these guys who say the like you really wanted to be with you, they wouldn't care about an overprotective brother or cousin. Especially if they had good intentions. You're a nice girl. You're sweet, kind, and you always make people smile when you smile. If you really like this guy and he can manage to get his act together I'll try not to be so overbearing." Draco smiles and hugs me.
I don't care anymore and start crying. "Hey now. If you start crying like that people will think I'm being mean." Draco shushes me while patting my head. I start crying harder. "I'm crying not only because of what you said but because the guy I like is lazy and won't do anymore work than is necessary. He'll never do what you or my parents want him to do." I wail at the top of my lungs.
Draco sighs and wipes my tears away. "I think I know who you're talking about now. I've had some idea for some time now, but I thought it'd take you two longer to get to this stage. That's why I told you last year you should wait until you graduate." Draco tuts. I sniffle and sway on the spot. I've been worrying and stressing so much I've run out of energy.
Draco catches me and puts me on his back. He carries me inside and motions for Pansy to get my bag and Astoria to come over. "Ellie finally reached her limit. Can you tell her teachers she's too tired to attend class for a while and get her homework for her?" he asks shifting me on his back as I drift in and out of consciousness. Draco puts me down at the stairs leading up to the girls' dorms and ruffles my hair.
I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, but I know that Pansy tucks me in. When I finally wake up Astoria is watching me while playing with Serenity. "You've been asleep for two weeks Ellie." She sniffles getting up. I look at my clock. "I thought you agreed not to push yourself to your limit after last time. Snape was about send Madam Pomfrey down here!" she throws herself on top of me.
It's the weekend so I catch up on homework and then head to the shower. I'm walking back to the dorm when I run into Blaise. "Finally, out of bed I see. Feeling better?" he asks. I nod. I sidestep to pass him, but he steps with me. "About last term and that almost incident thing in the classroom." He looks off at a loss for words. I wait patiently but he seems to be out of it. I go to step past him and he's right there in my way again.
"You have to turn in your missing assignments, don't you? Would you like some help?" he mumbles. This is weird. He never offers to help people. I squint my eyes at him. "Are YOU feeling, ok? You're not acting like yourself." I look him up and down. "I'm just really glad you finally woke up Ellie." He pulls me to him and hugs me.
"I think I need to get you to Madam Pomfrey pronto." I mutter. What happens next shocks me to the core. He lifts my chin and kisses me. "Don't ever worry me like that again Ellie." He whispers. I nod barely able to think. My mind has gone blank. He wraps his arms around me again and kisses the top of my head.
I don't know how long we stay there but eventually he chuckles. "You know Draco told me what happened the day you passed out. So, I have two tests left to pass. You wouldn't happen to know what they are would you?" he asks. I shake my head. "I didn't know about the first test either, but my dad… my dad seems very eager to see how you're going to act." I tilt my head.
"What is your dad like? He seems to be confusing you." Blaise fights back a smile. "Well, if I compared him to people I know then, I'd have to say he's most like the Weasley twins, Fred specifically." I frown. Blaise tilts his head back thinking. "I have an idea, but for now let's get you caught up with your classwork." He starts walking back the way he came.
"Are you coming?" he asks. I realize belatedly I'm not walking and hurry after him. He shakes his head and grabs my hand. "Come on. I'd prefer if you didn't wander off." He smirks. I let him lead all the way back to the common room. Not many people are awake or alert. "Go get dressed and get all of your homework." He waves me toward the stairs.
I stand there looking around. "You have to let go of my hand first." I whisper wriggling my fingers. He lets go flustered and I smile. I hurry up the stairs and change. I slide into a pair of jeans and an oversized t-shirt. I trip over my trunk grabbing my Chelsea boots and Astoria shoots me a worried look. "My assignments. I have to turn them in." I laugh. I sling my bag over my shoulder and rush back out.
Blaise is dressed too and waiting at the door. I run over and he smiles. "Ready?" he asks. I nod excitedly. He takes me to the library first so we can get my reports done. I frown and turn to look at him. "What?" he mumbles not looking up from my completed papers. "I've never seen you work or put any effort into anything." I whisper. He closes his eyes lowering his head.
"This is only to get your missing work done. After this I'll revert back to my normal self." He rolls his eyes. I giggle and turn back to my work only for a moment. "Why didn't you kiss me in the classroom that day?" I wonder. He chuckles quietly. "I was trying to keep in control of my senses. It's so very rare to see you in a dress. You looked pretty that day with the sunlight in your hair make it look like gold." He twirls a strand of my hair in his fingers and leans closer.
He straightens and turns back to review my work. I lean over and kiss the corner of his mouth before going back to work. Out of the corner of my eye I see him smile. When I'm done, we take the work to the Staffroom. I apologize repeatedly for my prolonged absence. Snape takes me to his classroom to work on my missing potions and when I'm finally done, I groan. My brain hurts and I rub my head.
I pass with flying colors and Snape dismisses me. Blaise who's waiting outside holds out a hand. I take it and he pulls me into another hug. "I was really worried about you." He whispers. I wrap my arms around him, and he sighs. "I didn't mean to worry you." I mumble. "Are you sure you're, ok?" he whispers. I nod and he kisses the top of my head once more.