Child of Grey
Chapter 2
Elisabeth sat in the "horseless" carriage on the final leg of her journey to her new school, practically trembling with fear. What was going to happen to her? Was she going to be expelled from the school before she got to know what it was like to be away from the taunts about her unknown, supposedly "mudblood" parents, or the cruel pranks that had always governed her life at Durmstrang? And what were her new friends going to say when they found out that she really hadn't gone to Beauxbatons? The only reason she had lied was because it was a known Dark Arts school, and she knew Hogwart's reputation of shunning them. And she hadn't even meant to hurt Malfoy like that. But how did she do it? It only really happened when she was incredibly angry. And that was rather normal for younger wizards. But purple skin? That was really weird…
Finally Elisabeth was startled out of her thoughts with a small voice. "Are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"Why?" was the astonished reply. Few people had ever spoken to her like they actually cared…
"Well, I don't know how you feel, but I know when I get teased like that, it really hurts." The corners of Hermione's mouth tightened. "As if I can do anything about being muggle-born," she added with bitterness.
"Come on, Mione! He does that to you all the time. Shouldn't you be used to it by now?" said Ron. "And besides," he added hastily, seeing the look on her face, "scum like him should never be listened to."
Hermione looked at him sharply. "Think about that next time he bugs you about your financial situation. And how many times hve I told you not to call me that?" Elisabeth and Harry watched with interest as Ron's ears turned bright red to match his hair, and his mouth flapping with indignation like a fish.
"Stop it, you two. This is no way to start a new school year!" said Harry, sounding rather like Mrs. Weasley. "And besides, you're acting like little preschoolers!"
Elisabeth smiled to herself, thinking that whatever they turned out to be, she rather liked her new friends. Her smile froze as she thought about those who she had thought to be her friends before. They had always turned out to be the first ones to prank her or to be unimaginably cruel to her. How she hoped that it wouldn't be the case this time!
Harry's little speech on behavior hadn't helped the situation between Hermione and Ron at all, so he leaned back in the cushioned seat, looking out the window to the view of Hogwarts Castle looming closer in the distance. He was sure that he had met the beautiful, if bruised, girl across from him somewhere before. But where? He knew for sure that he had never met her while he was at the Dursely's - he would have remembered her from his muggle primary school. And she had never been to Hogwarts before, so he could never have met her there. So why did she look so familiar? And how in the world did she ever hit Malfoy with two hexes at once without even drawing his wand? The most he had ever managed was to blow up his aunt when she made fun of his parents. Now this was food for thought…
Harry and Elisabeth stared out of the window for the rest of the journey ignoring the stubborn arguing of Ron and Hermione, thinking their own private thoughts and wondering about the next school year. What would it bring?
~*~*~*~*~
A few minutes later, the carriage stopped and the four teenagers jumped out cautiously onto the gravel and walked through the huge doors of the Entrance Hall. Elisabeth stopped dead in her tracks for a moment on the threshold, not wanting to get even closer to what she knew to be HUGE trouble. Only when Harry looked back to see where she had gone did she slowly start moving forward, dreading every step that brought her closer to what she was sure to be expulsion.
At last she caught a glimpse of a stern-looking, rather elderly witch in the company of her new friends. Or shall we say, keeping Harry, Ron and Hermione prisoner. Elisabeth was just about to obey her instincts and RUN, but at that exact moment the witch caught sight of her and beckoned her over. She hesitated for a moment, and walked towards her doom...
~*~*~*~*~
"I am Professor McGonagall," said the elderly witch sternly, "and I am the head of house for Gryffindor. I would assume that you would be our new transfer student Miss…"
"Elisabeth, Professor. Just Elisabeth," she said, looking down.
"Well, Elisabeth," she continued with a hint of amusement, "it has come to my attention that a certain Mr. Malfoy was found outside your compartment, sporting purple skin and a full bodybind. Your friends have told me that you have nothing to do with it, and that he provoked them, but it is required that I get a statement from everyone." Elisabeth's mouth hung open, astonished that they would lie for her. "However, I think that it would be more wise to get you cleaned up a bit first," eyeing her cuts and bruises with what appeared to be sympathy. "Miss Granger, if you could escort her to Madame Pomfrey it would be much appreciated. Once she is finished up there, just come downstairs to eat and be sorted. This issue will be dealt with later."
"Yes, Professor," Elisabeth said softly, and walked off with Hermione through the long corridors towards the infirmary. They had barely made it halfway, however, before they spotted the elderly matron bustling down the hallway towards them.
"You've barely even got here and you need medical help," Madame Pomfrey said exasperatedly. "You're not the only one either!" She continued without waiting for an answer. "And then there are some who keep on coming back with odd things sprouting and purple skin... Well, which of you needs help? Dumbledore told me that one of you needs assistance," She added kindly.
Elisabeth spoke up. "If you could help me with these bruises and such..."
"Ah, yes," Madame Pomfrey said. "You do look like you need some help. Well, then, if you would step inside this classroom - yes, you can come along too. It won't take a minute," She said to Hermione, who was trying to look rather inconspicuous.
They stepped inside the empty classroom, and Elisabeth was told to sit on the desk. She quickly obeyed, and Madame Pomfrey poked and prodded her with her wand. "Hmmmm, all that you have there is extensive bruising and a few scrapes. Were any of these made by spells or anything like that?" Elisabeth shook her head mutely. "All right then. Just one moment..." She mumbled a few words under her breath, "and we're done." All of the bruises on Elisabeth's face and the stiffness in her battered body had vanished, leaving her feeling much better than she previously had, and she hopped off the desk. "Enjoy the feast, and don't let me see you for at least a few weeks," Madame Pomfrey said as the two girls walked out of the door.
Whew!!! One thing over with, Elisabeth thought. Now all that I have to do today is get sorted and to talk to Professor McGonagall. Shouldn't be too bad...
~*~*~*~*~
I'm finally done the second chapter!!! Whoopee!!! ^_^ I'll start on chapter 3 next week, as I am going to be away on holidays with my family. And thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers for telling me how I've been doing so far.... in case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic...