K... well I skipped a lot of chapters cause I didn't see the point of writing
what happened in the book. Harry, Eleanor, Ron and Hermione are now in
their third year, this chapter starts on the Hogwarts Express. Please read
and review. Nothing is my own; all credits go to the great J.K. Rowling.
This is the third year for Eleanor, Harry, Hermione and Ron.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hogwart, here we come!
"So who do we have here?" a cold voice drawled, "Muggle-Lover junior and scar-boy!" Malfoy was standing in the doorway flanged with Crabbe and Goyle on either side, both of which had grown at least a foot over the holidays. Malfoy remaining blond and pointy faced as ever.
"Get lost Malfoy!" Ron warned. Who had only changed by a few inches, looking lanky as ever, his famous flaming red hair and freckles exactly the same as the last year.
"I read that your father got a hold of some gold." Malfoy said ignoring the warning, "Did you mother faint of shock?"
Ron stood up in anger, but Eleanor was before him holding her hand out stopping Ron. "Wow!" she said looking at Malfoy, "You've grown...
"Well yes!" Malfoy said proudly, "Mother said I am two inches taller."
"No," Eleanor said coldly, "I meant you've grown more stupid! I really didn't think it was possible, but I was obviously wrong!" Malfoy and his cronies left defeated as Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione roared with laughter, "Shhhh!" Eleanor finally said smiling, "You'll wake him!" as she pointed at Remus Lupin who was sleeping in the corner, "Besides that was really lame! I just didn't want Ron to fly at that git before we even entered Hogwarts." Ron and Eleanor's eyes met for a brief second, and Ron broke off the contact, blushing furiously, muttering something like, "t-t- hanks."
"No problem!" Eleanor replied, not seeing Ron's red face and continued reading her book. Over the two years, Ron had not gotten over his crush for Eleanor, just like James never got over Lily, but instead of shouting out that he loved her every time he saw her like James did, he just shied away from her. Hermione and Harry knew long before now and made it their unofficial goal to get the two together, even though they swore to Ron in their second year not to breath a word about it.
"You know Ron," Hermione said teasingly, "You're never going to get it, if you never try!"
"Get what?" Eleanor asked innocently, she didn't know a thing about Ron's love; she just thought he didn't really like her that much.
"Oh," Hermione replied in the same teasing tone, "Just something he always wanted, but never got, because he never tried."
"He thinks he's too poor!" Harry said in a disgusted tone, "Or are you just shy Ron?"
"What ARE you talking about?" Ginny asked frustrated, "It's not that broom you saw the other day, is it?" Ron gave a relieved sigh and nodded, thanking his sister silently that she had come to the rescue. Not that she knew, no she was too busy in her previous year with Riddle to notice anything.
Suddenly all the lights went off and Eleanor sighed, closing her book, "What just happened?" she asked.
"I don't know," Hermione replied, "Ouch! What was that?"
"Oh! Sorry!" sounded Neville's voice, "I just came to see what happened."
"Well don't sit down here!" Ginny squealed, as Neville nearly sat on top of her. "Arrgh!" Ron yelled as Crookshanks dug his claws into his lap, when Neville sat down on his tail.
"Everyone be quiet!" a commanding male voice said, they all looked up at the ball of flames held in Lupin's hand, "Don't move and we'll try and sort this out!" They froze, "Now-"
But he was interrupted as a soft rattling breathing noise entered the compartment, bringing an icy stillness over them. Harry heard a woman screaming, there was white fog all around and a cold cruel mans voice rang through his head, causing his scar on his forehead to throb painfully, "Just stand aside silly girl! And you will be spared!" He saw a flash off green and a far off voice calling his name.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron was shaking his shoulders; Harry opened his eyes, his surrouning swimming around him and found himself staring up at his friend's worried face, he touched his scar it still twinged a bit, he sat up and found himself drenched with cold sweat. "What happened?" he asked Ron.
"You passed out mate!" He replied, "That thing with a hooded face came in and looked around, you collapsed and professor Lupin chased it away and the lights came on again."
"Here, Harry eat this!" Lupin said handing out big chunks of chocolate, "How's Eleanor?"
"I don't know!" Hermione said worriedly bending over her sister, Harry turned around saw Eleanor lying on the seat, her face was unnaturally pale and her eyes closed. "Is she ok?" he asked the professor.
"I don't know, Harry." Lupin replied as he went over to the unconscious girl and shook her, "Eleanor! Eleanor!"
Her eyes fluttered open and she said, "I'm alright... don't worry... nightmare."
"But you weren't sleeping!" Hermione insisted. Looking at her sisters pale face with concern.
"Must have dozed off..." she said, staring out off the window into the darkness. Harry saw her reflection, her face looked worried and scared, What had she seen? he thought.
"Eat up!" Lupin said, "I didn't poison it you know!" and Harry reluctantly took a bite of the chocolate in his hand. He felt a warm sensation spread over him and with the next bite felt the coldness ease away. "What was that thing anyway?" Ron asked.
"That was a dementor," Lupin said, "I didn't know that there was one on the train, I'll go up to the driver and ask what had happened." He left them eating their chocolate thoughtfully.
Eleanor stared out off the window and nibbled the chocolate Hermione handed her. Her reflection looked so pale, like Lupin's, as if they both had been sick and just recovered. "Are you sure you're alright?" Harry asked her, touching her shoulder gently in a brotherly way, she just turned to him and nodded.
After things had settled down, his thoughts wondered to the screaming woman, her voice was so familiar... he joined Eleanor in staring out of the window.
"Did I hear it right?" Malfoy sneered, as they met in the Entrance Hall, "Did you really faint when the dementor paid a visit?" His fellow Slytherins laughing at Harry. Eleanor raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Get lost Malfoy!"
"Excuse me! Harry, Eleanor, Hermione?" They three looked up as they saw professor Lupin push his way through the crowd of students, "Professor McGonagall wants to see you in her office!"
"Now?" Hermione asked.
"Yes now, as soon as possible!" Lupin said, "Just the three of you though!" he added as he saw Ron making a move to follow them.
"What does she want us for?" Harry asked the two girls as they made their way to their teachers office, "We didn't do anything wrong did we?"
"No I don't think so," Hermione said, "probably about your..." she didn't dare to finish her sentence as she was scared what Harry would say.
"My fainting?" He asked coolly, he didn't understand why he had to faint, why didn't the others? Then he looked at Eleanor, her face was still pale and she hadn't said much after they got off the train, had she fainted? Or did she really just doze off?
Harry knocked on the door of McGonagall's office and Madame Promfey opened the door.
"I heard that you were unwell on the train, Mr Potter." Professor McGonagall said holding up a letter, Harry presumed was from Lupin, "So Madame Promfey is here to check you over and bring you the Hopital Wing if necessary."
"I'm not sick!" Harry argued as Madame Promfey forced him into a chair stuffing more chocolate into his hand, "Honestly, I just dropped off, that's all! Besides professor Lupin already gave me a lot of chocolate to eat!"
"Well Poppy?" McGonagall asked, after Madame Promfey had given Harry a thorough check up.
"He's fine, but a bit weak, it might be best to keep him in the Hospital for a few days." She replied.
"What?" Harry exclaimed standing up, "I'm perfectly fine!"
"Well Poppy, a weak child wouldn't have been able to stand up that quick," his teacher said coming to his aid, "I think we should just let him go."
Madame Promfey looked as if she totally disagreed but just said unhappily, "Very well, but be sure to eat all that chocolate up!"
"Of you go Mr Potter!" McGonagall said and Harry hastily walked out off the door, scared that the women might change their mind.
"So what was it for?" Ron asked as Harry joined him at the feast.
"Health check." Harry said annoyed, Why were they always so worried? he thought, Why did they have to give me a health check? I'm perfectly fine! It's not like I'm going to drop dead any minute!
"Where Hermione and Eleanor?" Ron asked, seeing that the two girls hadn't returned yet, "Is Eleanor alright? She's not ill is she?" He added worriedly.
"I don't know, professor McGonagal wanted to see them, but told me to go off, before she talked to them." Harry answered.
Shortly after Eleanor and Hermione returned, Eleanor looked tired and worn out, Hermione hadn't changed much after the visit, but looked worried at the sight of her sister.
"So what did you do wrong?" Ron asked as they seated themselves.
"She wanted to see me about some work and Madame Promfey gave Eleanor a check-up." Hermione said, piling food onto Eleanor's plate
"Welcome back to a wonderful year at Hogwarts!" the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore said as he rose to his feet, "This year however, you will notice that there are dementors stationed at the school entrance." His eyes lost its sparkle as he announced the news, "This is, as you probably already know, for the security measures off you and the school imposed by the ministry. I advise you all to keep away from them at all times, as these creatures are not well-known for their friendliness."
"So that's what why there was a dementor on the train!" Hermione whispered, "I knew that there couldn't be one on the train by chance!"
"The tighter security is to protect us from Sirius Black, the Deatheater who escaped from the prison Azkaban." Dumbledore continued, "Furthermore I am very pleased to introduce two new staff-members this year. We are lucky to have professor Remus Lupin as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Only the staff, Hermione, Eleanor, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville applauded Lupin, the rest of the students just stared at the ragged, grey man who as supposedly their teacher. "Secondly we have Hagrid, taking over the Care for Magical Creatures class!" This time a few more students joined them in applauding Hagrid, but it was still a very pathetic applause. "I hope we are all looking forward to a good year and sleep well!"
As Harry walked out of the transfiguration classroom, he saw Dean leaning against the doorframe with arms folded and legs crossed. He raised his eyebrows and exited the classroom, Eleanor closely following. "Eleanor?" Dean asked in a casual voice, "Could I have a word please?" Eleanor looked at Hermione who was standing behind Dean outside the classroom, she nodded slightly and Eleanor smiled and said, "Sure thing Dean!" and turning to Harry she said, "Go can first, I'm sure I can find my way back to the Hall for lunch!"
"No it's ok!" Ron said firmly, "We can wait, I'm not very hungry anyway!"
"Just go!" Hermione muttered and pushed him along, "Can't you see what's going on?"
"You can be so thick, Ron" Hermione said as they sat down at the Gryffindor table for lunch, "especially when it comes to things like this!"
Ron looked depressed and hung his head, "I know...I'm going to the library to do some work..." he muttered and left.
"This has been going on for SO long!" Hermione said irritated, "He has got to tell her how he feels about her or he'll never get over her and it'll go on for EVER!"
"Should we tell her?" Harry asked, not sure what to do in this type of situation, merely because he had never been in one like this.
His question was answered as Eleanor flopped down next to Hermione. "So what did Dean say?" Hermione asked.
"You know Hermione!" Eleanor said, "He asked me to be his girlfriend."
"And what did you say?" Hermione said excitedly, she was clearly getting into this.
"I said that I'll think about it and tell him after lunch," Eleanor said depressed.
"So do you like him or love him or not?" Hermione pressed on, Harry closely listening.
"Where's Ron?" Eleanor said trying to change the subject, "Didn't he go with you?"
"He went off to the library." Harry said.
"You didn't answer me!" Hermione said, "Do you like him or not?"
"You know what?" Eleanor said, "I going to the library too, I'm not hungry and I need to think this over. See you later!" And she left, Dean following her gaze.
"HEY!" Hermione said annoyed that Eleanor had left without answering her.
"What did you do that for, Hermione?" Harry asked, "Clearly she didn't want to talk about it and you just pressed her on!"
"Oh! Can't you see?" Hermione hissed softly, bending over so Dean, who just joined them wouldn't hear, "Ron's in the library, she'll see him. That might make them sort out their priorities!"
Thoughts swum through Eleanor's head, as she slowly made her way to the library. Did Dean really love her? Or did he just fancy her looks? She had made that mistake before... falling for good-looking, empty-shelled, pretty boys before and ending up in tears when she found out that were only using her to show off.
Dean's nice, she thought, if he really loves me... well then I guess I'll say yes... but I'm not exactly in love with him. He's a good friend... too bad that someone else doesn't like me at all. He doesn't even talk to me... always says the least possible, must hate me...
She entered the library and looked for her favourite spot between the two largest rows of books shelves, under the big stain glass window, which cast bright merry lights on her book when she was sitting under it on the oak chair.
She let her hands run freely along the shelves, feeling the smooth timber with her fingers as she past by. She sighed, some many good memories came flooding back to her, like the that winter when Hermione found out who Nicolas Flamel was in her humongous light reading book, or when she and Harry hid here after hours. She was lost in her memories as she happily strolled along.
Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a red head just below her stain glass window, pouring over a book on his lap. So this was the 'somewhere' Ron went to! she thought as she approached him.
"Hey," she said softly, "mind if I join?" Ron looked up, blushed and shook his head.
"What are you reading?" Eleanor asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Nothing much." Ron replied laying down his book and staring at something beyond her shoulders.
"Oh, ok..." Eleanor said, "Well you were missing from lunch, so I thought that I might join you. I bet you want to know what Dean asked, huh? Hermione wanted to anyway."
"He asked you to be his girlfriend." Ron said dully.
"How did you know?" Eleanor said astonished, "You didn't overhear did you?"
"No, I didn't." Ron replied in the same dull, depressed voice, "He's been discussing it with Seamus last night, he thought Harry and I were asleep, I wasn't."
"So he really does like me!" Eleanor said relieved, happy that Dean didn't just like her for her looks.
"Like you?" Ron said in a disgusted voice, "More like he's madly in love with you and would probably die for you!"
Eleanor smiled, "Hmmm... Well yeah, I don't know what to do... I thought I'd be able to clear my head and then just easily say yes or no later on. So let's just not talk about Dean or anything near that subject."
"Ok..." Ron said grinning, "So what did you think of professor Lupin?" This was a subject Eleanor would have rather avoided if possible, but this time there was no way of explaining.
"Umm... He's probably the best DADA teacher we have had so far..." Eleanor said.
"DADA?" Ron asked.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts"
"Oh, yeah..." Ron said stupidly, blushing at his stupid mistake, "I should have known."
Eleanor nodded and smiled, "I mean we've had the two-faced man and pretty- boy, I seriously think it was time that we got a better teacher!"
"Haha!" Ron laughed, "Yeah come to think of it, those are very good names! Lupin's lessons are much more interesting than theirs! Remember that time when Lockhart brought in the pixies?"
"Yes and they made such a mess of the classroom! I remember that most of Lockhart's portraits got stripped off the wall!" Eleanor said laughing at that memory, "That pulled his pompous the grin of his face!" she still was angry with Lockhart for making Harry bones vanish in their second year.
They continued talking about all about all the things that happened in the last two years, and time flew quickly by. This was probably the first time Ron had spoken more than a sentence to Eleanor, without blushing or stuttering. It was quite enjoyable, although something in the back of his head kept on going, "Just ask her! Go on you fool! Or else she'll go off with Dean!"
"Is that the bell?" Eleanor asked, as she heard a faint ringing in the distant, "We'd better get going, or the Trelawney will predict out marriage!" Eleanor choked when she realized what she had said, hopefully Ron would just take it as a joke. Ron laughed and Eleanor sighed with relief, if he had taken that seriously she would have prayed for the ground to swallow her. But is she had been closer to Ron as Harry was, she would have seen that Ron laugh was only surface deep.
"Oh, hi Dean..." Ron heard Eleanor's sweet voice, as she met Dean at the entrance of the library, his stomach plunged. What would she say? He edged closer hoping to hear her answer, but something held him back, Eleanor would not like to be overheard, she wouldn't be angry, but very disappointed. It is probably worse to disappoint her than anger her... he thought as he walked back where they had been talking and waited for their footsteps to die away.
"Hey where were you?" Harry asked as Ron flopped down next to him on one of the many futons, scattered around the Divination classroom.
"Library." Ron said.
"But you're later than Eleanor! Didn't you two meet in the library?" Harry pressed on.
"Yeah," Ron said vaguely, "she went off first with Dean... Where is she anyway?" He added as he searched for her around the room with his eyes. His eyes rested upon her as he saw her and Hermione standing at the teacup rack. She was bending down, her black wavy hair hung in front of her green sparkling eyes, her pink cheeks glowing with happiness.
"Hi Ron!" Eleanor said as, she and Hermione joined them, "Why didn't you follow when I left the library?"
"Uh, I thought you wanted to talk to Dean alone..." Ron replied sheepishly, "So I waited till you were gone."
"Oh," Eleanor said frowning, "So you heard?"
"No," Ron said quickly, "That's why I stayed behind."
"So did you say 'yes'?" Harry asked eagerly, Ron heart skipped a beat; he held his breath as he waited for Eleanor's response.
"Uhuh..." Eleanor replied slowly, a red tint creeping up her face. Ron's heart sank, it wouldn't have hurt more if she stabbed him in the heart a thousand times. He silently cursed himself for being such a coward and letting Dean getting the better of him. He had missed his chance, he knew it, if he had just asked her back in the library. But he didn't think it was the appropriate time, Dean had just asked her and then and then a few minutes later if he had asked her, and she said 'yes' to him not Dean, wouldn't that be awkward? Again Ron cursed himself, Who cares if it would be awkward! He would have her, what was there to care for, even if Dean chose to duel him.
"Poor guy," Hermione said sarcastically, "He must have had a heart attack!"
"No he didn't!" Eleanor protested reaching into her cup and throwing some of her dripping tealeaves at Hermione, "He just looked happy and put his arm around me as we walked here, that's all!"
"Happy?" Harry said frowning, "JUST happy? I think there are other people who can be more than 'happy' if they could go out with you!" he added as he looked at Ron.
"OK!" Eleanor said coming up for her boyfriend, "He was really happy! He was beaming! Is that good enough Mr. Potter?" she added mockingly.
"Yes, yes!" Harry said grinning, "Too late, Ron!" he whispered as he bended forward towards Ron pretending to reach something out of his bag, but seeing Ron's downcast face he immediately regretted doing so.
"Please refrain from making a racket Mr. Potter!" professor Trelawney said as she swept past picking up Eleanor's teacup, "It disturbs the inner-eye!"
"Ah..." She said turning towards Eleanor, "I see a strong, bright future in your cup, my dear..." professor Trelawney said as she peered into Eleanor's cup, "Ah... yes... straightforward and clear is your path." Hermione frowned at Eleanor and Eleanor gave her a knowing look.
"Hey Ron!" Harry shouted as he sped up after Ron, "I'm sorry! I didn't know you felt for her that much!"
"It's OK Harry..." Ron said not even looking up, "You wouldn't know anyway... or would you?" He asked searching Harry's face.
"No..." Harry said slowly, "I I've never fancied Eleanor, of course I love her as a friend! But something has always held me back from fancying her like the other boys, like Dean. I mean she's nice, clever, friendly and is very understanding, but some how I have never felt about her in that way."
"Strange..." Ron replied, "Because in second year, she was the only thing Dean, Seamus and Neville could talk about. I thought you'd ask her out long before now..."
"Fat chance!" Harry snorted.
This is the third year for Eleanor, Harry, Hermione and Ron.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hogwart, here we come!
"So who do we have here?" a cold voice drawled, "Muggle-Lover junior and scar-boy!" Malfoy was standing in the doorway flanged with Crabbe and Goyle on either side, both of which had grown at least a foot over the holidays. Malfoy remaining blond and pointy faced as ever.
"Get lost Malfoy!" Ron warned. Who had only changed by a few inches, looking lanky as ever, his famous flaming red hair and freckles exactly the same as the last year.
"I read that your father got a hold of some gold." Malfoy said ignoring the warning, "Did you mother faint of shock?"
Ron stood up in anger, but Eleanor was before him holding her hand out stopping Ron. "Wow!" she said looking at Malfoy, "You've grown...
"Well yes!" Malfoy said proudly, "Mother said I am two inches taller."
"No," Eleanor said coldly, "I meant you've grown more stupid! I really didn't think it was possible, but I was obviously wrong!" Malfoy and his cronies left defeated as Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione roared with laughter, "Shhhh!" Eleanor finally said smiling, "You'll wake him!" as she pointed at Remus Lupin who was sleeping in the corner, "Besides that was really lame! I just didn't want Ron to fly at that git before we even entered Hogwarts." Ron and Eleanor's eyes met for a brief second, and Ron broke off the contact, blushing furiously, muttering something like, "t-t- hanks."
"No problem!" Eleanor replied, not seeing Ron's red face and continued reading her book. Over the two years, Ron had not gotten over his crush for Eleanor, just like James never got over Lily, but instead of shouting out that he loved her every time he saw her like James did, he just shied away from her. Hermione and Harry knew long before now and made it their unofficial goal to get the two together, even though they swore to Ron in their second year not to breath a word about it.
"You know Ron," Hermione said teasingly, "You're never going to get it, if you never try!"
"Get what?" Eleanor asked innocently, she didn't know a thing about Ron's love; she just thought he didn't really like her that much.
"Oh," Hermione replied in the same teasing tone, "Just something he always wanted, but never got, because he never tried."
"He thinks he's too poor!" Harry said in a disgusted tone, "Or are you just shy Ron?"
"What ARE you talking about?" Ginny asked frustrated, "It's not that broom you saw the other day, is it?" Ron gave a relieved sigh and nodded, thanking his sister silently that she had come to the rescue. Not that she knew, no she was too busy in her previous year with Riddle to notice anything.
Suddenly all the lights went off and Eleanor sighed, closing her book, "What just happened?" she asked.
"I don't know," Hermione replied, "Ouch! What was that?"
"Oh! Sorry!" sounded Neville's voice, "I just came to see what happened."
"Well don't sit down here!" Ginny squealed, as Neville nearly sat on top of her. "Arrgh!" Ron yelled as Crookshanks dug his claws into his lap, when Neville sat down on his tail.
"Everyone be quiet!" a commanding male voice said, they all looked up at the ball of flames held in Lupin's hand, "Don't move and we'll try and sort this out!" They froze, "Now-"
But he was interrupted as a soft rattling breathing noise entered the compartment, bringing an icy stillness over them. Harry heard a woman screaming, there was white fog all around and a cold cruel mans voice rang through his head, causing his scar on his forehead to throb painfully, "Just stand aside silly girl! And you will be spared!" He saw a flash off green and a far off voice calling his name.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron was shaking his shoulders; Harry opened his eyes, his surrouning swimming around him and found himself staring up at his friend's worried face, he touched his scar it still twinged a bit, he sat up and found himself drenched with cold sweat. "What happened?" he asked Ron.
"You passed out mate!" He replied, "That thing with a hooded face came in and looked around, you collapsed and professor Lupin chased it away and the lights came on again."
"Here, Harry eat this!" Lupin said handing out big chunks of chocolate, "How's Eleanor?"
"I don't know!" Hermione said worriedly bending over her sister, Harry turned around saw Eleanor lying on the seat, her face was unnaturally pale and her eyes closed. "Is she ok?" he asked the professor.
"I don't know, Harry." Lupin replied as he went over to the unconscious girl and shook her, "Eleanor! Eleanor!"
Her eyes fluttered open and she said, "I'm alright... don't worry... nightmare."
"But you weren't sleeping!" Hermione insisted. Looking at her sisters pale face with concern.
"Must have dozed off..." she said, staring out off the window into the darkness. Harry saw her reflection, her face looked worried and scared, What had she seen? he thought.
"Eat up!" Lupin said, "I didn't poison it you know!" and Harry reluctantly took a bite of the chocolate in his hand. He felt a warm sensation spread over him and with the next bite felt the coldness ease away. "What was that thing anyway?" Ron asked.
"That was a dementor," Lupin said, "I didn't know that there was one on the train, I'll go up to the driver and ask what had happened." He left them eating their chocolate thoughtfully.
Eleanor stared out off the window and nibbled the chocolate Hermione handed her. Her reflection looked so pale, like Lupin's, as if they both had been sick and just recovered. "Are you sure you're alright?" Harry asked her, touching her shoulder gently in a brotherly way, she just turned to him and nodded.
After things had settled down, his thoughts wondered to the screaming woman, her voice was so familiar... he joined Eleanor in staring out of the window.
"Did I hear it right?" Malfoy sneered, as they met in the Entrance Hall, "Did you really faint when the dementor paid a visit?" His fellow Slytherins laughing at Harry. Eleanor raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Get lost Malfoy!"
"Excuse me! Harry, Eleanor, Hermione?" They three looked up as they saw professor Lupin push his way through the crowd of students, "Professor McGonagall wants to see you in her office!"
"Now?" Hermione asked.
"Yes now, as soon as possible!" Lupin said, "Just the three of you though!" he added as he saw Ron making a move to follow them.
"What does she want us for?" Harry asked the two girls as they made their way to their teachers office, "We didn't do anything wrong did we?"
"No I don't think so," Hermione said, "probably about your..." she didn't dare to finish her sentence as she was scared what Harry would say.
"My fainting?" He asked coolly, he didn't understand why he had to faint, why didn't the others? Then he looked at Eleanor, her face was still pale and she hadn't said much after they got off the train, had she fainted? Or did she really just doze off?
Harry knocked on the door of McGonagall's office and Madame Promfey opened the door.
"I heard that you were unwell on the train, Mr Potter." Professor McGonagall said holding up a letter, Harry presumed was from Lupin, "So Madame Promfey is here to check you over and bring you the Hopital Wing if necessary."
"I'm not sick!" Harry argued as Madame Promfey forced him into a chair stuffing more chocolate into his hand, "Honestly, I just dropped off, that's all! Besides professor Lupin already gave me a lot of chocolate to eat!"
"Well Poppy?" McGonagall asked, after Madame Promfey had given Harry a thorough check up.
"He's fine, but a bit weak, it might be best to keep him in the Hospital for a few days." She replied.
"What?" Harry exclaimed standing up, "I'm perfectly fine!"
"Well Poppy, a weak child wouldn't have been able to stand up that quick," his teacher said coming to his aid, "I think we should just let him go."
Madame Promfey looked as if she totally disagreed but just said unhappily, "Very well, but be sure to eat all that chocolate up!"
"Of you go Mr Potter!" McGonagall said and Harry hastily walked out off the door, scared that the women might change their mind.
"So what was it for?" Ron asked as Harry joined him at the feast.
"Health check." Harry said annoyed, Why were they always so worried? he thought, Why did they have to give me a health check? I'm perfectly fine! It's not like I'm going to drop dead any minute!
"Where Hermione and Eleanor?" Ron asked, seeing that the two girls hadn't returned yet, "Is Eleanor alright? She's not ill is she?" He added worriedly.
"I don't know, professor McGonagal wanted to see them, but told me to go off, before she talked to them." Harry answered.
Shortly after Eleanor and Hermione returned, Eleanor looked tired and worn out, Hermione hadn't changed much after the visit, but looked worried at the sight of her sister.
"So what did you do wrong?" Ron asked as they seated themselves.
"She wanted to see me about some work and Madame Promfey gave Eleanor a check-up." Hermione said, piling food onto Eleanor's plate
"Welcome back to a wonderful year at Hogwarts!" the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore said as he rose to his feet, "This year however, you will notice that there are dementors stationed at the school entrance." His eyes lost its sparkle as he announced the news, "This is, as you probably already know, for the security measures off you and the school imposed by the ministry. I advise you all to keep away from them at all times, as these creatures are not well-known for their friendliness."
"So that's what why there was a dementor on the train!" Hermione whispered, "I knew that there couldn't be one on the train by chance!"
"The tighter security is to protect us from Sirius Black, the Deatheater who escaped from the prison Azkaban." Dumbledore continued, "Furthermore I am very pleased to introduce two new staff-members this year. We are lucky to have professor Remus Lupin as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Only the staff, Hermione, Eleanor, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville applauded Lupin, the rest of the students just stared at the ragged, grey man who as supposedly their teacher. "Secondly we have Hagrid, taking over the Care for Magical Creatures class!" This time a few more students joined them in applauding Hagrid, but it was still a very pathetic applause. "I hope we are all looking forward to a good year and sleep well!"
As Harry walked out of the transfiguration classroom, he saw Dean leaning against the doorframe with arms folded and legs crossed. He raised his eyebrows and exited the classroom, Eleanor closely following. "Eleanor?" Dean asked in a casual voice, "Could I have a word please?" Eleanor looked at Hermione who was standing behind Dean outside the classroom, she nodded slightly and Eleanor smiled and said, "Sure thing Dean!" and turning to Harry she said, "Go can first, I'm sure I can find my way back to the Hall for lunch!"
"No it's ok!" Ron said firmly, "We can wait, I'm not very hungry anyway!"
"Just go!" Hermione muttered and pushed him along, "Can't you see what's going on?"
"You can be so thick, Ron" Hermione said as they sat down at the Gryffindor table for lunch, "especially when it comes to things like this!"
Ron looked depressed and hung his head, "I know...I'm going to the library to do some work..." he muttered and left.
"This has been going on for SO long!" Hermione said irritated, "He has got to tell her how he feels about her or he'll never get over her and it'll go on for EVER!"
"Should we tell her?" Harry asked, not sure what to do in this type of situation, merely because he had never been in one like this.
His question was answered as Eleanor flopped down next to Hermione. "So what did Dean say?" Hermione asked.
"You know Hermione!" Eleanor said, "He asked me to be his girlfriend."
"And what did you say?" Hermione said excitedly, she was clearly getting into this.
"I said that I'll think about it and tell him after lunch," Eleanor said depressed.
"So do you like him or love him or not?" Hermione pressed on, Harry closely listening.
"Where's Ron?" Eleanor said trying to change the subject, "Didn't he go with you?"
"He went off to the library." Harry said.
"You didn't answer me!" Hermione said, "Do you like him or not?"
"You know what?" Eleanor said, "I going to the library too, I'm not hungry and I need to think this over. See you later!" And she left, Dean following her gaze.
"HEY!" Hermione said annoyed that Eleanor had left without answering her.
"What did you do that for, Hermione?" Harry asked, "Clearly she didn't want to talk about it and you just pressed her on!"
"Oh! Can't you see?" Hermione hissed softly, bending over so Dean, who just joined them wouldn't hear, "Ron's in the library, she'll see him. That might make them sort out their priorities!"
Thoughts swum through Eleanor's head, as she slowly made her way to the library. Did Dean really love her? Or did he just fancy her looks? She had made that mistake before... falling for good-looking, empty-shelled, pretty boys before and ending up in tears when she found out that were only using her to show off.
Dean's nice, she thought, if he really loves me... well then I guess I'll say yes... but I'm not exactly in love with him. He's a good friend... too bad that someone else doesn't like me at all. He doesn't even talk to me... always says the least possible, must hate me...
She entered the library and looked for her favourite spot between the two largest rows of books shelves, under the big stain glass window, which cast bright merry lights on her book when she was sitting under it on the oak chair.
She let her hands run freely along the shelves, feeling the smooth timber with her fingers as she past by. She sighed, some many good memories came flooding back to her, like the that winter when Hermione found out who Nicolas Flamel was in her humongous light reading book, or when she and Harry hid here after hours. She was lost in her memories as she happily strolled along.
Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a red head just below her stain glass window, pouring over a book on his lap. So this was the 'somewhere' Ron went to! she thought as she approached him.
"Hey," she said softly, "mind if I join?" Ron looked up, blushed and shook his head.
"What are you reading?" Eleanor asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Nothing much." Ron replied laying down his book and staring at something beyond her shoulders.
"Oh, ok..." Eleanor said, "Well you were missing from lunch, so I thought that I might join you. I bet you want to know what Dean asked, huh? Hermione wanted to anyway."
"He asked you to be his girlfriend." Ron said dully.
"How did you know?" Eleanor said astonished, "You didn't overhear did you?"
"No, I didn't." Ron replied in the same dull, depressed voice, "He's been discussing it with Seamus last night, he thought Harry and I were asleep, I wasn't."
"So he really does like me!" Eleanor said relieved, happy that Dean didn't just like her for her looks.
"Like you?" Ron said in a disgusted voice, "More like he's madly in love with you and would probably die for you!"
Eleanor smiled, "Hmmm... Well yeah, I don't know what to do... I thought I'd be able to clear my head and then just easily say yes or no later on. So let's just not talk about Dean or anything near that subject."
"Ok..." Ron said grinning, "So what did you think of professor Lupin?" This was a subject Eleanor would have rather avoided if possible, but this time there was no way of explaining.
"Umm... He's probably the best DADA teacher we have had so far..." Eleanor said.
"DADA?" Ron asked.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts"
"Oh, yeah..." Ron said stupidly, blushing at his stupid mistake, "I should have known."
Eleanor nodded and smiled, "I mean we've had the two-faced man and pretty- boy, I seriously think it was time that we got a better teacher!"
"Haha!" Ron laughed, "Yeah come to think of it, those are very good names! Lupin's lessons are much more interesting than theirs! Remember that time when Lockhart brought in the pixies?"
"Yes and they made such a mess of the classroom! I remember that most of Lockhart's portraits got stripped off the wall!" Eleanor said laughing at that memory, "That pulled his pompous the grin of his face!" she still was angry with Lockhart for making Harry bones vanish in their second year.
They continued talking about all about all the things that happened in the last two years, and time flew quickly by. This was probably the first time Ron had spoken more than a sentence to Eleanor, without blushing or stuttering. It was quite enjoyable, although something in the back of his head kept on going, "Just ask her! Go on you fool! Or else she'll go off with Dean!"
"Is that the bell?" Eleanor asked, as she heard a faint ringing in the distant, "We'd better get going, or the Trelawney will predict out marriage!" Eleanor choked when she realized what she had said, hopefully Ron would just take it as a joke. Ron laughed and Eleanor sighed with relief, if he had taken that seriously she would have prayed for the ground to swallow her. But is she had been closer to Ron as Harry was, she would have seen that Ron laugh was only surface deep.
"Oh, hi Dean..." Ron heard Eleanor's sweet voice, as she met Dean at the entrance of the library, his stomach plunged. What would she say? He edged closer hoping to hear her answer, but something held him back, Eleanor would not like to be overheard, she wouldn't be angry, but very disappointed. It is probably worse to disappoint her than anger her... he thought as he walked back where they had been talking and waited for their footsteps to die away.
"Hey where were you?" Harry asked as Ron flopped down next to him on one of the many futons, scattered around the Divination classroom.
"Library." Ron said.
"But you're later than Eleanor! Didn't you two meet in the library?" Harry pressed on.
"Yeah," Ron said vaguely, "she went off first with Dean... Where is she anyway?" He added as he searched for her around the room with his eyes. His eyes rested upon her as he saw her and Hermione standing at the teacup rack. She was bending down, her black wavy hair hung in front of her green sparkling eyes, her pink cheeks glowing with happiness.
"Hi Ron!" Eleanor said as, she and Hermione joined them, "Why didn't you follow when I left the library?"
"Uh, I thought you wanted to talk to Dean alone..." Ron replied sheepishly, "So I waited till you were gone."
"Oh," Eleanor said frowning, "So you heard?"
"No," Ron said quickly, "That's why I stayed behind."
"So did you say 'yes'?" Harry asked eagerly, Ron heart skipped a beat; he held his breath as he waited for Eleanor's response.
"Uhuh..." Eleanor replied slowly, a red tint creeping up her face. Ron's heart sank, it wouldn't have hurt more if she stabbed him in the heart a thousand times. He silently cursed himself for being such a coward and letting Dean getting the better of him. He had missed his chance, he knew it, if he had just asked her back in the library. But he didn't think it was the appropriate time, Dean had just asked her and then and then a few minutes later if he had asked her, and she said 'yes' to him not Dean, wouldn't that be awkward? Again Ron cursed himself, Who cares if it would be awkward! He would have her, what was there to care for, even if Dean chose to duel him.
"Poor guy," Hermione said sarcastically, "He must have had a heart attack!"
"No he didn't!" Eleanor protested reaching into her cup and throwing some of her dripping tealeaves at Hermione, "He just looked happy and put his arm around me as we walked here, that's all!"
"Happy?" Harry said frowning, "JUST happy? I think there are other people who can be more than 'happy' if they could go out with you!" he added as he looked at Ron.
"OK!" Eleanor said coming up for her boyfriend, "He was really happy! He was beaming! Is that good enough Mr. Potter?" she added mockingly.
"Yes, yes!" Harry said grinning, "Too late, Ron!" he whispered as he bended forward towards Ron pretending to reach something out of his bag, but seeing Ron's downcast face he immediately regretted doing so.
"Please refrain from making a racket Mr. Potter!" professor Trelawney said as she swept past picking up Eleanor's teacup, "It disturbs the inner-eye!"
"Ah..." She said turning towards Eleanor, "I see a strong, bright future in your cup, my dear..." professor Trelawney said as she peered into Eleanor's cup, "Ah... yes... straightforward and clear is your path." Hermione frowned at Eleanor and Eleanor gave her a knowing look.
"Hey Ron!" Harry shouted as he sped up after Ron, "I'm sorry! I didn't know you felt for her that much!"
"It's OK Harry..." Ron said not even looking up, "You wouldn't know anyway... or would you?" He asked searching Harry's face.
"No..." Harry said slowly, "I I've never fancied Eleanor, of course I love her as a friend! But something has always held me back from fancying her like the other boys, like Dean. I mean she's nice, clever, friendly and is very understanding, but some how I have never felt about her in that way."
"Strange..." Ron replied, "Because in second year, she was the only thing Dean, Seamus and Neville could talk about. I thought you'd ask her out long before now..."
"Fat chance!" Harry snorted.