The Tale of Eleanora Sweet
by Borgin
A/N: This fic has been revised countless times since I began it in August of 2000. There have been quite a few changes: Reanna wasn't always named Reanna, and Eleanora's grandfather was originally her father. But, as that seemed a bit farfetched, it has been rewritten. Anything that I feel needs a bit more explaining will be attempted, and the reasons why she does not live with her parents will be explained in a later chapter. But the thing I find the oddest about this fic is the number of good reviews it has received. I'm sure that Eleanora is classified as a Mary Sue, but she is also a first year to Harry's fifth, so her arrival is a bit more plausible than the typical Mary Sue's. Please review when you finish reading this. And I have a problem writing long parts, so the story is generally told in pretty short episodes. In some cases, the episodes have been combined to make them longer and easier to read. Also, the story has been updated so that it is only told by Eleanora, and Fleur's position has been revised as well.
Thanks to: My sister, who's put up with this fic and me for ages now, and to everyone who's reviewed any part of this before and given me writing tips. Mina and undefined also deserve thanks for reading through my very bad rough copy. Thanks again you guys!
Episode 1: The End and the Beginning
Chapter 1
He came up to the door. "Eleanora, you will be living with me now," the tall figure said, pronouncing my name correctly, making the second e long, like el-e-a-nora. I smiled when I saw him. "Really, Granddad, really?" I asked him.
"Eleanora, it's only natural," he said. "After all, you'll be starting school this year." He smiled. I knew he loved me. I went to hug him, and his long silver beard touched my shoulders.
"Why, hello Albus," my maternal grandmother stood in the doorway. "So you've come to get Eleanora, have you? I left it as a surprise, so Lanora, do begin to pack.
"Hey, Bill, it's Albus," she called to her husband.
Grandfather Bill appeared at the end of the steps. "So, are you just picking up the girl and leaving?" he said with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"No," Granddad replied, "I'm going to tell you why. Eleanora, you can stay," he said to me, because I had sat myself down and hadn't gotten back up.
He moved to the sofa, next to where I was sitting. He held my hand, like a parent would do.
"Remember the massacres that ended about thirteen years ago, Bill? Harry saw Voldemort regain his powers once again. Unless something is done now, they'll start again.
"Another student of mine, Cedric Diggory, died in June. Lord Voldemort killed him also. But I want Eleanora with me because it's safer. Here, she is a much easier target. Bill, you have to realize that they'll hurt her to hurt me.
"Anyway, Bill, she'll be starting school this year anyway. Isn't today her eleventh birthday?"
"Yes, Albus, that's right," Grandmother said.
In the excitement I had forgotten that when I was eleven, I could start attending my granddad's school. I was very proud of the fact that I was a pureblooded witch and that my granddad was a very great wizard.
"Well, I guess we'll have to let her go," Bill added resentfully.
Chapter 2
My granddad took me to his house. It was a small cottage in Hogsmeade, but I had my own room there, something I was glad of. I put my belongings in my room, and started to read. Reading was something I was very fond of. The book I had currently lost my nose in was interesting, but soon I grew restless. "Grandfather, can I go to the shops?" I asked as I entered his study.
"Why, certainly, Eleanora. But be back before dark, alright?"
"I will, Granddad. I'll be sure of it."
In the center of Hogsmeade there are quite a few stores. There was the joke shop, the candy store - wonderful things for people to explore, and I loved it. The people were wonderful - possible friends and possible enemies - but the magic put me into awe. Sure, there was the concrete magic, but I sensed the inside, special magic. I felt the way a little kid does who is going to Walt Disney World for the first time, that sort of magic. I loved Disney World. Once, my granddad took me there, as a special treat. It was a family affair. It was also the last time my family could all be together, enjoying ourselves on vacation.
I spent the remainder of the day there. When I returned to the cottage, dinner was ready, and Grandfather and I ate over a silent meal. I never knew if my granddad liked to talk over meals, but I didn't, because that was what my other set of grandparents preferred. And, because it was summer and we had eaten late, I went to bed immediately after I had finished.
Chapter 3
The next morning my grandfather woke me early. "We'll be going to Diagon Alley today to get your school supplies," he told me. "I'm sure you'll want to explore it, so we'll get ourselves an early start. We'll eat at The Leaky Cauldron this morning. Is that alright with you, Eleanora?"
"Yes, Granddad, it sounds wonderful," I smiled. Granddad left, and I started to dress for the day. Even though my granddad was wearing long robes, I wore jeans and a t-shirt. Anyways, I didn't own any robes. Well, not yet.
We traveled to Diagon Alley by Floo Powder. That's what Granddad called it. It kind of fit its name. It had me imagining of someone flying. He also mentioned something about my not being able to Apparate. I could only smile and nod. I hadn't the slightest idea what he was talking about.
During breakfast, my granddad was greeted by at least a thousand people. I heard "Good morning, Professor," or "How are you doing, Professor," and even a "Isn't the sky unusually bright for this time of day, Headmaster?" Granddad would occasionally introduce me to someone, and he told me whom it was that he was speaking to. I remembered meeting an Arthur Weasley, a Minerva McGonagall, and a Severus Snape. But Granddad seemed to be tight around Cornelius Fudge. He said that Fudge was the Minister of Magic, with whom he "wasn't on great terms with" at the moment.
"Why, Granddad?" I asked him afterwards.
"Lanora, it's all because of some very large disagreements between us, all right?"
"Yes, Granddad."
*
We then went to get my robes. Madam Malkin, who apparently ran the shop, said that height-wise I looked very much like my granddad. (I was tall and slim, and was very literally "looked up to".) Then she turned to my granddad: "Professor, otherwise, this girl looks just like dear Rachael. I don't doubt that she turns out unlike her, either. Okay, honey, time to get down." I hopped off of the stool, grabbed the robes, and headed outside while my granddad was paying.
Then I saw Flourish and Blotts. "Granddad, can we go there next?" I asked him when he came out.
"Why, certainly, Eleanora."
When we got to the bookshop, it was unlike anything I had ever seen before. There were thousands of enchanting titles, and all within my reach. It wasn't the first time that I had been exposed to books like this: I had my own copies of Hogwarts: A History and other books of the sort.
I got my schoolbooks: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History of Magic, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, and books like that. My grandfather told me then that he taught Transfiguration before he became Headmaster. I nodded, and asked how he liked it. "Transfiguration is one my favorite forms of magic," he answered.
After Flourish and Blotts, we passed by a broomstick shop, where I looked inside the window.
"Oh, no, Eleanora, you won't need one of those now. Maybe I'll get you one later though, alright?"
The thought appealed to me. "Okay, Granddad, I think I'd like that." We smiled at each other, and moved on.
Chapter 4
"Next we'll need to get you a wand," Grandfather told me. He led me into Ollivander's Fine Wands, where Mr. Ollivander greeted us. He was rather white, but seemed kind enough. He took some measurements, and began to grab wands down for me to try. It was six or seven before we found one that worked: 8 and a quarter inches, willow, with a unicorn hair. "Professor, her wand is strangely like Rachael's," he said to my grandfather. "I expect we'll see some beautiful work from your granddaughter."
Granddad looked very thoughtful. "Perhaps," he muttered silently.