Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff
"Ready everyone?" the nervous Quidditch Captain, Oliver Wood asked.
Harry nodded along with his other teammates, "Yeah guys don't be too nervous, I mean the Hufflepuffs have always been an easy match, last time Harry here caught the Snitch in a matter of minutes!" Fred said encouragingly.
"Yeah..." Angelina said slowly, "But look at the weather, the Hufflepuffs are all bigger than us, if anyone's to be blown away..."
"It'll be me." Harry said quickly, "Don't worry I'll be fine!"
"Ok here we go!" Oliver said and they all stepped out onto the muddy, sodden pitch. Soon they were up in the air and the game begun. Harry couldn't make out what was going on, he only heard the roaring of the wind and the hissing of the rain. He was starting to worry, he had already been blown of-course several times and he couldn't see the snitch in this weather. The Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric Diggory obviously had the advantage over this match, he was bigger and heavier then Harry and so wouldn't be blown off as easily.
Helplessly he flew around the pitch praying for the bad weather to ease, and hoping that Diggory hadn't found the Snitch yet. Once or twice he had flown to the score board and saw that luckily Gryffindor was still leading by a big amount of points, with luck the Snitch would find it's way into Harry seeing range.
Suddenly he saw the yellow blur of Cedric whiz past and he quickly sped after him. They chased the Snitch near the stands, but suddenly Harry felt everything go silent, the wind and rain stopped roaring and hissing even though they hadn't stopped and Harry heard that familiar screaming again, as he felt himself slip of his broom and fall into a white fog. As he fell he saw a big brown shaggy dog sitting on one of the lower stands. It looked familiar, like the one he saw when he was waiting for the Knight Bus.
~ ~ ~
Meanwhile...
Eleanor say Harry slowly slip from his broom, she looked down from the reserve bench and saw three hooded figures stare up at his falling shape. She felt the familiar iciness come over her and it all went black. No! I can't let this happen! She thought desperately, trying to fight it off, You've got to get Harry!!! Be Strong! GO ON!!! She thought as she clenched her teeth and flew towards the falling Harry. How she got from the bench to Harry she did not know, but she found herself catching Harry's limp body and hauling him onto her broom. Now bring him down to Dumbledore! The instructions flew through her head, And get that Snitch before pretty-boy does!!!
She looked down and saw the three hooded figures staring up at her, she felt a cold sickening feeling spread over her whole body and suddenly everything went a horrible darkness. She heard the screaming and slowly she felt her grip of her broom and Harry loosen. "NO!!!" she screamed, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!" and a huge bird appeared from the tip of her wand, it flew towards the Dementors and knocked them over. Wow, I didn't know I could do that! She said mentally, as she saw the majestic bird charge the Dementors before dissolving into a white mist and disappearing completely. Shakily she flew down to Dumbledore and laid Harry down on the stretcher, hovering in mid-air. "It's alright Eleanor!" Dumbledore said reassuringly, "You can go now." She nodded and gave Harry a quick kiss on the forehead.
She flew back up again and saw all the Gryffindors shouting and screaming, the noise came back on again and she heard Lee Jordan shout, "AND ELEANOR GRANGER CATCHES THE SNITCH!!! GRYFFINDORE WINS!!!!"
"W-what?" she stammered, not sure whether she had heard it correctly or not, then she felt a small fluttering against her stomach and she untangled her robes and found the Snitch. Hastily she stuffed it in her pocket and the word 'BROOM' popped in her head. She looked up and saw Harry's Nimbus two thousand swaying in the wind, before flying over the stands towards the Whomping Willow. She quickly sped up after it but was stopped when she felt someone's arms around her waist. She turned around and saw no other but that stupid Diggory holding on to her shouting, "NO! Don't go!!! It's too dangerous, just leave it!"
"Get lost Diggory!" Eleanor screamed kicking him trying to get him of her, "I don't care! I'm getting Harry's broom! Let go of me!"
"NO!" Cedric yelled, struggling to hold her back, "You'll get blown to the Whomping Willlow and-" He was interrupted as the broom hit the Whomping Willow with a tremendous smash. Eleanor watched helplessly as she saw her friend's broom torn to pieces, bits of wood flying everywhere.
She caught Cedric of guard and she kicked him in the stomach, "Damn you, Diggory!" she hissed, "Damn you!" and she flew back over the stands to the castle, dizzy and faint. Darkness came slowly flooding over her and her surroundings started spinning. "Just hold on Eleanor!" she said desperately to herself, "Just a few more metres!"
"Hey well done!" Dean said putting an arm around her as he met her in the entrance, "What are the tears for?"
"H-harry..." she sobbed, clinging faintly on to him.
"Harry's alright..." Dean said, irritated that she should cry over his fainting, "They brought him to the Hospital Wing, professor Dumbledore said he'll be fine."
"B-but his broom!" Eleanor continued, "It-it got smashed to b-bits..."
"Don't worry!" Dean said, annoyed, "It's only a broom and it's not even yours!"
"B-but he loved it so much." Eleanor said crying into his shoulder, "I feel so bad..."
"Well if you worship Harry and his broom so much why don't you go and sob and kiss him some more!" Dean said pushing her off and walking away, "Everyone saw what you did! You might as well go out with him!"
Eleanor broke down and fell to the floor, crying. Dean turned around, just to shout, "Hey! I thought you were different! Obviously I was wrong!" and he stalked off.
"Eleanor! Eleanor!" Hermione said finding her sister on the ground, in a wreck, "Hey..." she said softly pulling her sister up into an embrace, "It's ok, there, Harry's fine... everything is going to be alright."
"No... no..." Eleanor sobbed, "D-dean thinks that I love Harry instead of him... he said that I kissed him in front of the whole school... and Harry's broom is-is in bits..."
"Well... Harry can get a new broom and Dean is just an idiot!" Hermione said comfortingly, "Don't cry about Dean, he was not worth it anyway..."
"And when I flew down to put Harry with Dumbledore, I saw him..." Eleanor grasped, her face lost it's red blotchiness from crying and went an icy pale. "He was just yards away from the Dementors! What if they got him, Hermione? What if they got him!"
"But you threw your Patronus at them, didn't you?" Hermione said gently rubbing her back to calm her frantic sister down.
"But what if it didn't chase them all away!" Eleanor said, "I didn't see if they all got hit."
"It's ok, when professor Dumbledore had Harry safely on the stretcher he threw another incantation at them, and they went away." Hermione explained, "They couldn't have got him, they can't even sense animals, silly!"
I've never seen Dumbledore so furious before! I guess the Dementors got scared of him. Anyway, Harry's in the Hospital Wing, he's awake and well. The rest of the Gryffindors are celebrating in the common room and I came to look for you when you weren't there or with Harry. Everyone's so happy! Especially Oliver! He's so proud that you came into the game on time!"
Eleanor just nodded, "I'm going to see Harry."
~ ~ ~
"Hi Harry!" Eleanor said smiling, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine..." Harry said blushing, Ron had told him what had happened after he fell of his broom, "Umm... thanks! I- you saved my life!"
"No problem! That's what-" Eleanor was going to say something else, but quickly stopped, "friends are for!"
"Yeah... and you won!" Ron said, "I mean GRYFFINDOR WON!!! Thanks to you!"
"Well done!" Harry said, "Oliver was is so proud! And you know what? I think we'll be able to win this year! If you take over my place, that is..."
"WHAT?" Eleanor said shocked, it was the last thing she wanted to do, "Why? You fly better than me! You've never lost a game!"
"But if those Dementors keep on coming back, well then I don't think my record will be so clean..."
"Oh... ok I'll do it..."
"Are you alright?" Ron asked looking at her red swollen eyes and pale face, "You look... ill"
"No I'm fine... Dean just...and the Dementors..." Eleanor said looking at the floor.
"Dumped you? Because you..." Harry asked.
Eleanor nodded, "I don't love you Harry, just as a friend..."
"I know." Harry said, "I'll tell Dean if you want."
"If you want."
"OK! Out!" Madame Promfey barked, "Out! Both of you! The patient needs his rest!"
"But I'm fine!" Harry argued, "I swear!"
"No I'm not letting you go for another three days ATLEAST!" Madame Promfey shouted and a laughing Eleanor and Ron rushed out of the ward.
"You better go to the Gryffindor Tower!" Ron said shyly once they were out of the hospital, "You're wanted there, they're celebrating your catch!"
Eleanor snorted, "My catch? I didn't catch it, the Snitch got tangled in my robes."
"They don't care." Ron said.
They entered the common room and got greeted by a loud cheer from their fellow Gryffindors. Eleanor got dragged away and her hands got stuffed with cakes and sweets, which she suspected had something to do with Fred and George.
"Eleanor!!!" she heard Oliver yell, "Come over here!"
She pushed her way through all the celebration and found Oliver with a bottle of beer in his hand, "WELL DONE!!!" he yelled, clapping her shoulder, "That was some excellent flying! I want you to be active!"
"Oliver you're drunk!" Eleanor said disgustedly, "Go and take a cold shower and think about what you said!"
"Me! Drunk?" Oliver said aghast, "From Butter Beer? No way!"
"He's just tipsy over the idea that he might be able to raise the Quidditch over his head this year." Katie whispered.
"Oh I see." Eleanor said grinning at Oliver, "Well I hope we win!"
"Yeah if you fly we should be fine!" Oliver said, "Harry is good but he has too many accidents and you-know-what encounters, it's not good!"
"Ok, well I'll do my very best!" Eleanor said, smiling at Oliver's energetic enthusiasm, Oliver smiled back in a proud brotherly way.
"So first it was me, then Harry, then Cedric and now Oliver, huh, in one day!" Dean said coldly, he had seen Oliver and Eleanor smile at each other, but through mere jealousy he did not see it as a friendly smile, but as something more.
"Dean!" Eleanor said frustrated, on the verge of tears, "You know I never went out with Harry or Oliver or Diggory!" and she stormed to her dorm.
"Hey Dean what was that for?" Oliver asked frowning, "I never went out with her, or even thought of it and she, Harry, Ron and Hermione are best friends, sure she's allowed to kiss Harry on the forehead when he's fainted? And Diggory, well didn't you see Eleanor kick him in the stomach? Obviously they had nothing to do with each other! What is wrong with you!"
"Yeah Dean!" Hermione said angrily, "Give her a break! She's had a hard time! If you really like her that much then don't be so jealous when she has other friends! You have got to get that through your head! Can't you see she's not feeling well and you go spoiling everything for her!"
"And Dean," Ron said, cross that he had hurt Eleanor, "If you can't be her boyfriend properly, don't be! There are other people who can be it better than you! If you hurt her again, I'd watch my back if I were you!"
Dean looked down at his feet and walked out of the portrait hole.
"Is Eleanor sick?" Angelina asked concernedly, "Is she alright? She looked like she was going to pass out when she chased those Dementors away."
"She's alright, just tired..." Hermione said climbing the stairs to her dorm to comfort Eleanor, "She's just having a hard time. And Ron, don't make it more complicated, don't go cursing Dean!"
~ ~ ~
A few days later Harry got out of the Hospital, it was Tuesday evening and he found the three sitting by the fireside doing homework. "Hi Harry!" Ron greeted him, "Matron finally let you go?"
"Yup!" Harry replied looking at Eleanor who smiled at him, she was pale again and she looked a little thinner than usual.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Fine, was perfectly fine on Saturday!" Harry replied, "You?"
"Couldn't be better!" she lied.
"Well if you two stop telling each other how you feel, you can get on with your homework! Honestly Eleanor! You still have to write Snape that whole essay on werewolves and you haven't even started!" Hermione snapped.
~ ~ ~
The next day they saw a group of students gathered around the Great Hall entrance.
"Ron can you see what's going on?" Harry asked.
"Hang on," Ron said standing on his toes, "There's a Hogsmeade visit this weekend!"
"Oh." Harry said disappointed, "I can't go."
"Because you blew your aunt up?" Ron asked, "And your uncle wouldn't sign your form?"
Harry nodded, "Why don't you ask professor McGonnagal?" Ron suggested, "She might understand and sign it for you."
"I'll try..."
"Or ask professor Lupin!" Eleanor said.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, "I have nothing to do with him, at least professor McGonnagal is our head of house."
"Yeah, but he - I mean he was one of your parents best friends!"
"Really?" Harry said shocked, "How do you know?"
"Uh... I just read it somewhere..."
"Ok I'll try." Harry said, puzzled, how did Eleanor know?
After lessons when they were heading to the Hall to have their Dinner, Harry saw professor Lupin going into his office.
"You guys go first!" Harry said quickly, "I'll go ask Lupin now!"
And he knocked on his teacher's door.
"Come in!" Lupin's voice said, "Ah Harry! What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you were able to sign my permission form to go to Hogsmeade... Eleanor told me that you knew my parents and so maybe..." Harry started.
"I'm sorry Harry," Lupin answered, "I did knew your parents quite well but they didn't leave me in charge of you when they died, so I can't sign it for you."
"But who did they then leave me in charge of? Surely not my aunt and uncle!"
"No they didn't, but the person they left you in charge of, was unable to look after you and so professor Dumbledore had to leave you with your aunt and uncle."
"So how are you feeling now?" Lupin said changing the subject so Harry wouldn't ask whom his real guardian was.
"You heard what happened?" Harry asked, remembering that Lupin wasn't at the match.
"Yes I did," Lupin replied, "I was ill or I would have come to watch, they say you fly like father, Harry."
"I'm fine, but if it wasn't for Eleanor... I probably wouldn't be so fine."
"Hmmm...."
"Sorry professor?"
"Eleanor is an excellent flyer, she flies just like, I've seen you two practice from my window."
"How come she fainted on the train, just like me, but at the match she didn't?" Harry wondered out loud.
"I don't know Harry, but she chased them away."
"Yeah Ron told me she did. How come only I faint when Dementors are near? Why doesn't anyone else?"
"I not sure, Harry, but I think it's because you've had more horrible experiences than everyone, and Dementors make you remember and re-visit your most horrible experiences."
"I don't even know what experience I'm going into when a Dementor is near..." Harry said softly, "All I see is fog."
"Well it's probably best that you don't see what your most horrible experience is, Harry, feeling it is probably more than enough." Lupin said.
"Professor?" Harry asked, "May I ask you something?"
"Sure!"
"Um... Eleanor was apparently able to chase the Dementors away, I was wondering if you knew how to..."
"Well I do Harry, but it's very complicated..." Lupin said slowly, "I can teach you if you want."
"Really?" Harry said hopefully, "That would be great thanks! When can we start?"
"Well I'm busy for the next few days..." Lupin said, thinking what day would be best, "What about Thursday, in the History of Magic Classroom at nine?"
"Sure!"
~ ~ ~
"What took you so long?" Ron asked as Harry seated himself opposite him, "You've been half an hour! WE were scared the food would be gone by the time you retuned."
"I asked professor Lupin if he could sign my form for me." Harry replied.
"What did he say?" Eleanor asked.
"He said that he couldn't, he said that he wasn't left in charge of me when my parents died," Harry said, "But he said he'll teach me how to ward of the Dementors!"
"That's good mate! We don't want you falling of any more brooms you know! Eleanor won't always be there to save you!" Ron joked, "But who is your real guardian then?"
"I don't know," Harry replied, "He only said that that person was unable to look after me." He saw Eleanor sigh, Did she just sigh with relief? He thought, Why would she sight with relief? There's nothing to be relieved about!
Just then Dean walked past, "Eleanor?" he said carefully, "Can I talk to you?"
"You can say whatever you wish to say in front of all of us Dean." Hermione said curtly. Everyone at the Gryffindor table turned around and stared at Dean, except Eleanor, she just looked straight ahead of her, like nothing had happened.
"Fine!" Dean said, "Well Eleanor please listen!"
"She is!" Hermione said coldly, "Just because she doesn't face you, doesn't mean she won't hear!"
"All I wanted to say is that I am sorry! I'm sorry that I accused you wrongly, I'm sorry that I hurt you! I just love you so much that I was jealousy turned me blind, I was jealous that you were friends with others; I saw them all as something else. I was stupid and ignorant, I'm sorry. All I want is for you to forgive me, because I meant nothing I said to hurt you. Will you forgive me Eleanor?" Here Dean ended and waited for her response, Harry saw Eleanor's eyes wet with tears, how he hated Dean, Eleanor looked so weak and wretched and Dean was still here to make it worse. Obviously Ron felt the same way.
"Your apology is not accepted, Dean!" Ron snapped, "You've done your damage, don't think you can mend it just like that!" Dean looked pleadingly at Eleanor, who had finally turned around, but her face was blank and she said nothing.
Dean hung his head and walked out of the Hall. Eleanor looked down at her plate for a second, before rising and following Dean out of the Hall, curious stares followed her.
"This is crazy!" Ron said, "That bloody Dean, still thinks he can be forgiven and Eleanor actually is going to?"
"Dean wait!" she called after him, "You're forgiven!"
Dean smiled and said, "Can I safely call you my girlfriend again?"
"Without the 'girl' you can." Eleanor smiled back, "We're just good friends!"
"Sure!" Dean said.
'You forgave him?" Hermione said disgustedly, "And your going out with him, after what he did to you?"
"Hermione!" Eleanor said coldly, "So what, if I forgave him and no I am not going out with him for your information! OK, just leave me alone; I don't like people going around thinking that I hate their guts! That's just stupid, besides Dean really meant what he said and that's all I care about!" And she got up and left.
"Ready everyone?" the nervous Quidditch Captain, Oliver Wood asked.
Harry nodded along with his other teammates, "Yeah guys don't be too nervous, I mean the Hufflepuffs have always been an easy match, last time Harry here caught the Snitch in a matter of minutes!" Fred said encouragingly.
"Yeah..." Angelina said slowly, "But look at the weather, the Hufflepuffs are all bigger than us, if anyone's to be blown away..."
"It'll be me." Harry said quickly, "Don't worry I'll be fine!"
"Ok here we go!" Oliver said and they all stepped out onto the muddy, sodden pitch. Soon they were up in the air and the game begun. Harry couldn't make out what was going on, he only heard the roaring of the wind and the hissing of the rain. He was starting to worry, he had already been blown of-course several times and he couldn't see the snitch in this weather. The Hufflepuff Seeker, Cedric Diggory obviously had the advantage over this match, he was bigger and heavier then Harry and so wouldn't be blown off as easily.
Helplessly he flew around the pitch praying for the bad weather to ease, and hoping that Diggory hadn't found the Snitch yet. Once or twice he had flown to the score board and saw that luckily Gryffindor was still leading by a big amount of points, with luck the Snitch would find it's way into Harry seeing range.
Suddenly he saw the yellow blur of Cedric whiz past and he quickly sped after him. They chased the Snitch near the stands, but suddenly Harry felt everything go silent, the wind and rain stopped roaring and hissing even though they hadn't stopped and Harry heard that familiar screaming again, as he felt himself slip of his broom and fall into a white fog. As he fell he saw a big brown shaggy dog sitting on one of the lower stands. It looked familiar, like the one he saw when he was waiting for the Knight Bus.
~ ~ ~
Meanwhile...
Eleanor say Harry slowly slip from his broom, she looked down from the reserve bench and saw three hooded figures stare up at his falling shape. She felt the familiar iciness come over her and it all went black. No! I can't let this happen! She thought desperately, trying to fight it off, You've got to get Harry!!! Be Strong! GO ON!!! She thought as she clenched her teeth and flew towards the falling Harry. How she got from the bench to Harry she did not know, but she found herself catching Harry's limp body and hauling him onto her broom. Now bring him down to Dumbledore! The instructions flew through her head, And get that Snitch before pretty-boy does!!!
She looked down and saw the three hooded figures staring up at her, she felt a cold sickening feeling spread over her whole body and suddenly everything went a horrible darkness. She heard the screaming and slowly she felt her grip of her broom and Harry loosen. "NO!!!" she screamed, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!" and a huge bird appeared from the tip of her wand, it flew towards the Dementors and knocked them over. Wow, I didn't know I could do that! She said mentally, as she saw the majestic bird charge the Dementors before dissolving into a white mist and disappearing completely. Shakily she flew down to Dumbledore and laid Harry down on the stretcher, hovering in mid-air. "It's alright Eleanor!" Dumbledore said reassuringly, "You can go now." She nodded and gave Harry a quick kiss on the forehead.
She flew back up again and saw all the Gryffindors shouting and screaming, the noise came back on again and she heard Lee Jordan shout, "AND ELEANOR GRANGER CATCHES THE SNITCH!!! GRYFFINDORE WINS!!!!"
"W-what?" she stammered, not sure whether she had heard it correctly or not, then she felt a small fluttering against her stomach and she untangled her robes and found the Snitch. Hastily she stuffed it in her pocket and the word 'BROOM' popped in her head. She looked up and saw Harry's Nimbus two thousand swaying in the wind, before flying over the stands towards the Whomping Willow. She quickly sped up after it but was stopped when she felt someone's arms around her waist. She turned around and saw no other but that stupid Diggory holding on to her shouting, "NO! Don't go!!! It's too dangerous, just leave it!"
"Get lost Diggory!" Eleanor screamed kicking him trying to get him of her, "I don't care! I'm getting Harry's broom! Let go of me!"
"NO!" Cedric yelled, struggling to hold her back, "You'll get blown to the Whomping Willlow and-" He was interrupted as the broom hit the Whomping Willow with a tremendous smash. Eleanor watched helplessly as she saw her friend's broom torn to pieces, bits of wood flying everywhere.
She caught Cedric of guard and she kicked him in the stomach, "Damn you, Diggory!" she hissed, "Damn you!" and she flew back over the stands to the castle, dizzy and faint. Darkness came slowly flooding over her and her surroundings started spinning. "Just hold on Eleanor!" she said desperately to herself, "Just a few more metres!"
"Hey well done!" Dean said putting an arm around her as he met her in the entrance, "What are the tears for?"
"H-harry..." she sobbed, clinging faintly on to him.
"Harry's alright..." Dean said, irritated that she should cry over his fainting, "They brought him to the Hospital Wing, professor Dumbledore said he'll be fine."
"B-but his broom!" Eleanor continued, "It-it got smashed to b-bits..."
"Don't worry!" Dean said, annoyed, "It's only a broom and it's not even yours!"
"B-but he loved it so much." Eleanor said crying into his shoulder, "I feel so bad..."
"Well if you worship Harry and his broom so much why don't you go and sob and kiss him some more!" Dean said pushing her off and walking away, "Everyone saw what you did! You might as well go out with him!"
Eleanor broke down and fell to the floor, crying. Dean turned around, just to shout, "Hey! I thought you were different! Obviously I was wrong!" and he stalked off.
"Eleanor! Eleanor!" Hermione said finding her sister on the ground, in a wreck, "Hey..." she said softly pulling her sister up into an embrace, "It's ok, there, Harry's fine... everything is going to be alright."
"No... no..." Eleanor sobbed, "D-dean thinks that I love Harry instead of him... he said that I kissed him in front of the whole school... and Harry's broom is-is in bits..."
"Well... Harry can get a new broom and Dean is just an idiot!" Hermione said comfortingly, "Don't cry about Dean, he was not worth it anyway..."
"And when I flew down to put Harry with Dumbledore, I saw him..." Eleanor grasped, her face lost it's red blotchiness from crying and went an icy pale. "He was just yards away from the Dementors! What if they got him, Hermione? What if they got him!"
"But you threw your Patronus at them, didn't you?" Hermione said gently rubbing her back to calm her frantic sister down.
"But what if it didn't chase them all away!" Eleanor said, "I didn't see if they all got hit."
"It's ok, when professor Dumbledore had Harry safely on the stretcher he threw another incantation at them, and they went away." Hermione explained, "They couldn't have got him, they can't even sense animals, silly!"
I've never seen Dumbledore so furious before! I guess the Dementors got scared of him. Anyway, Harry's in the Hospital Wing, he's awake and well. The rest of the Gryffindors are celebrating in the common room and I came to look for you when you weren't there or with Harry. Everyone's so happy! Especially Oliver! He's so proud that you came into the game on time!"
Eleanor just nodded, "I'm going to see Harry."
~ ~ ~
"Hi Harry!" Eleanor said smiling, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine..." Harry said blushing, Ron had told him what had happened after he fell of his broom, "Umm... thanks! I- you saved my life!"
"No problem! That's what-" Eleanor was going to say something else, but quickly stopped, "friends are for!"
"Yeah... and you won!" Ron said, "I mean GRYFFINDOR WON!!! Thanks to you!"
"Well done!" Harry said, "Oliver was is so proud! And you know what? I think we'll be able to win this year! If you take over my place, that is..."
"WHAT?" Eleanor said shocked, it was the last thing she wanted to do, "Why? You fly better than me! You've never lost a game!"
"But if those Dementors keep on coming back, well then I don't think my record will be so clean..."
"Oh... ok I'll do it..."
"Are you alright?" Ron asked looking at her red swollen eyes and pale face, "You look... ill"
"No I'm fine... Dean just...and the Dementors..." Eleanor said looking at the floor.
"Dumped you? Because you..." Harry asked.
Eleanor nodded, "I don't love you Harry, just as a friend..."
"I know." Harry said, "I'll tell Dean if you want."
"If you want."
"OK! Out!" Madame Promfey barked, "Out! Both of you! The patient needs his rest!"
"But I'm fine!" Harry argued, "I swear!"
"No I'm not letting you go for another three days ATLEAST!" Madame Promfey shouted and a laughing Eleanor and Ron rushed out of the ward.
"You better go to the Gryffindor Tower!" Ron said shyly once they were out of the hospital, "You're wanted there, they're celebrating your catch!"
Eleanor snorted, "My catch? I didn't catch it, the Snitch got tangled in my robes."
"They don't care." Ron said.
They entered the common room and got greeted by a loud cheer from their fellow Gryffindors. Eleanor got dragged away and her hands got stuffed with cakes and sweets, which she suspected had something to do with Fred and George.
"Eleanor!!!" she heard Oliver yell, "Come over here!"
She pushed her way through all the celebration and found Oliver with a bottle of beer in his hand, "WELL DONE!!!" he yelled, clapping her shoulder, "That was some excellent flying! I want you to be active!"
"Oliver you're drunk!" Eleanor said disgustedly, "Go and take a cold shower and think about what you said!"
"Me! Drunk?" Oliver said aghast, "From Butter Beer? No way!"
"He's just tipsy over the idea that he might be able to raise the Quidditch over his head this year." Katie whispered.
"Oh I see." Eleanor said grinning at Oliver, "Well I hope we win!"
"Yeah if you fly we should be fine!" Oliver said, "Harry is good but he has too many accidents and you-know-what encounters, it's not good!"
"Ok, well I'll do my very best!" Eleanor said, smiling at Oliver's energetic enthusiasm, Oliver smiled back in a proud brotherly way.
"So first it was me, then Harry, then Cedric and now Oliver, huh, in one day!" Dean said coldly, he had seen Oliver and Eleanor smile at each other, but through mere jealousy he did not see it as a friendly smile, but as something more.
"Dean!" Eleanor said frustrated, on the verge of tears, "You know I never went out with Harry or Oliver or Diggory!" and she stormed to her dorm.
"Hey Dean what was that for?" Oliver asked frowning, "I never went out with her, or even thought of it and she, Harry, Ron and Hermione are best friends, sure she's allowed to kiss Harry on the forehead when he's fainted? And Diggory, well didn't you see Eleanor kick him in the stomach? Obviously they had nothing to do with each other! What is wrong with you!"
"Yeah Dean!" Hermione said angrily, "Give her a break! She's had a hard time! If you really like her that much then don't be so jealous when she has other friends! You have got to get that through your head! Can't you see she's not feeling well and you go spoiling everything for her!"
"And Dean," Ron said, cross that he had hurt Eleanor, "If you can't be her boyfriend properly, don't be! There are other people who can be it better than you! If you hurt her again, I'd watch my back if I were you!"
Dean looked down at his feet and walked out of the portrait hole.
"Is Eleanor sick?" Angelina asked concernedly, "Is she alright? She looked like she was going to pass out when she chased those Dementors away."
"She's alright, just tired..." Hermione said climbing the stairs to her dorm to comfort Eleanor, "She's just having a hard time. And Ron, don't make it more complicated, don't go cursing Dean!"
~ ~ ~
A few days later Harry got out of the Hospital, it was Tuesday evening and he found the three sitting by the fireside doing homework. "Hi Harry!" Ron greeted him, "Matron finally let you go?"
"Yup!" Harry replied looking at Eleanor who smiled at him, she was pale again and she looked a little thinner than usual.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Fine, was perfectly fine on Saturday!" Harry replied, "You?"
"Couldn't be better!" she lied.
"Well if you two stop telling each other how you feel, you can get on with your homework! Honestly Eleanor! You still have to write Snape that whole essay on werewolves and you haven't even started!" Hermione snapped.
~ ~ ~
The next day they saw a group of students gathered around the Great Hall entrance.
"Ron can you see what's going on?" Harry asked.
"Hang on," Ron said standing on his toes, "There's a Hogsmeade visit this weekend!"
"Oh." Harry said disappointed, "I can't go."
"Because you blew your aunt up?" Ron asked, "And your uncle wouldn't sign your form?"
Harry nodded, "Why don't you ask professor McGonnagal?" Ron suggested, "She might understand and sign it for you."
"I'll try..."
"Or ask professor Lupin!" Eleanor said.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, "I have nothing to do with him, at least professor McGonnagal is our head of house."
"Yeah, but he - I mean he was one of your parents best friends!"
"Really?" Harry said shocked, "How do you know?"
"Uh... I just read it somewhere..."
"Ok I'll try." Harry said, puzzled, how did Eleanor know?
After lessons when they were heading to the Hall to have their Dinner, Harry saw professor Lupin going into his office.
"You guys go first!" Harry said quickly, "I'll go ask Lupin now!"
And he knocked on his teacher's door.
"Come in!" Lupin's voice said, "Ah Harry! What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you were able to sign my permission form to go to Hogsmeade... Eleanor told me that you knew my parents and so maybe..." Harry started.
"I'm sorry Harry," Lupin answered, "I did knew your parents quite well but they didn't leave me in charge of you when they died, so I can't sign it for you."
"But who did they then leave me in charge of? Surely not my aunt and uncle!"
"No they didn't, but the person they left you in charge of, was unable to look after you and so professor Dumbledore had to leave you with your aunt and uncle."
"So how are you feeling now?" Lupin said changing the subject so Harry wouldn't ask whom his real guardian was.
"You heard what happened?" Harry asked, remembering that Lupin wasn't at the match.
"Yes I did," Lupin replied, "I was ill or I would have come to watch, they say you fly like father, Harry."
"I'm fine, but if it wasn't for Eleanor... I probably wouldn't be so fine."
"Hmmm...."
"Sorry professor?"
"Eleanor is an excellent flyer, she flies just like, I've seen you two practice from my window."
"How come she fainted on the train, just like me, but at the match she didn't?" Harry wondered out loud.
"I don't know Harry, but she chased them away."
"Yeah Ron told me she did. How come only I faint when Dementors are near? Why doesn't anyone else?"
"I not sure, Harry, but I think it's because you've had more horrible experiences than everyone, and Dementors make you remember and re-visit your most horrible experiences."
"I don't even know what experience I'm going into when a Dementor is near..." Harry said softly, "All I see is fog."
"Well it's probably best that you don't see what your most horrible experience is, Harry, feeling it is probably more than enough." Lupin said.
"Professor?" Harry asked, "May I ask you something?"
"Sure!"
"Um... Eleanor was apparently able to chase the Dementors away, I was wondering if you knew how to..."
"Well I do Harry, but it's very complicated..." Lupin said slowly, "I can teach you if you want."
"Really?" Harry said hopefully, "That would be great thanks! When can we start?"
"Well I'm busy for the next few days..." Lupin said, thinking what day would be best, "What about Thursday, in the History of Magic Classroom at nine?"
"Sure!"
~ ~ ~
"What took you so long?" Ron asked as Harry seated himself opposite him, "You've been half an hour! WE were scared the food would be gone by the time you retuned."
"I asked professor Lupin if he could sign my form for me." Harry replied.
"What did he say?" Eleanor asked.
"He said that he couldn't, he said that he wasn't left in charge of me when my parents died," Harry said, "But he said he'll teach me how to ward of the Dementors!"
"That's good mate! We don't want you falling of any more brooms you know! Eleanor won't always be there to save you!" Ron joked, "But who is your real guardian then?"
"I don't know," Harry replied, "He only said that that person was unable to look after me." He saw Eleanor sigh, Did she just sigh with relief? He thought, Why would she sight with relief? There's nothing to be relieved about!
Just then Dean walked past, "Eleanor?" he said carefully, "Can I talk to you?"
"You can say whatever you wish to say in front of all of us Dean." Hermione said curtly. Everyone at the Gryffindor table turned around and stared at Dean, except Eleanor, she just looked straight ahead of her, like nothing had happened.
"Fine!" Dean said, "Well Eleanor please listen!"
"She is!" Hermione said coldly, "Just because she doesn't face you, doesn't mean she won't hear!"
"All I wanted to say is that I am sorry! I'm sorry that I accused you wrongly, I'm sorry that I hurt you! I just love you so much that I was jealousy turned me blind, I was jealous that you were friends with others; I saw them all as something else. I was stupid and ignorant, I'm sorry. All I want is for you to forgive me, because I meant nothing I said to hurt you. Will you forgive me Eleanor?" Here Dean ended and waited for her response, Harry saw Eleanor's eyes wet with tears, how he hated Dean, Eleanor looked so weak and wretched and Dean was still here to make it worse. Obviously Ron felt the same way.
"Your apology is not accepted, Dean!" Ron snapped, "You've done your damage, don't think you can mend it just like that!" Dean looked pleadingly at Eleanor, who had finally turned around, but her face was blank and she said nothing.
Dean hung his head and walked out of the Hall. Eleanor looked down at her plate for a second, before rising and following Dean out of the Hall, curious stares followed her.
"This is crazy!" Ron said, "That bloody Dean, still thinks he can be forgiven and Eleanor actually is going to?"
"Dean wait!" she called after him, "You're forgiven!"
Dean smiled and said, "Can I safely call you my girlfriend again?"
"Without the 'girl' you can." Eleanor smiled back, "We're just good friends!"
"Sure!" Dean said.
'You forgave him?" Hermione said disgustedly, "And your going out with him, after what he did to you?"
"Hermione!" Eleanor said coldly, "So what, if I forgave him and no I am not going out with him for your information! OK, just leave me alone; I don't like people going around thinking that I hate their guts! That's just stupid, besides Dean really meant what he said and that's all I care about!" And she got up and left.