Chapter 20: A Surprise Attack

After saying a fond fair well to Hagrid, Ellie followed Harry, Ron and Hermione back to the castle. They had only walked half way across the field when Harry abruptly stopped.

"There's something I forgot to ask Hagrid. I'll meet up with you back in the common room." Harry said quickly, as he ran back towards the tiny hut.

For the rest of the afternoon Ellie constantly replayed the conversation with Hagrid in her mind. She continuously debated with herself, wondering if it would be better to have a loved one go missing in the attack, or be killed.

"If they're just missing, then there is a chance, no matter how small, that they could still be alive." Ellie thought to herself.

"But if you know that they're dead, then there isn't any anxiety over whether there alive or not."

The two voices continued to go back and forth right until dinner.

The great hall didn't sound as noisy as it had the night before. There was still some whispering and pointing, but most of the students had grown accustomed to Ellie's presence. The entire Slytherin table glowered at her as she walked by, which Ellie fully expected.

The food was absolutely scrumptious. Roasted Chicken, BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and corn on the cob covered the tables. Ellie had gulped down her third glass of pumpkin juice when she realized she had to use the bathroom, and wasn't too sure where the closest one was.

"I'll show you." Hermione offered.

The two girls got up from their seats and headed out the great hall.

"So what's going on with you and Harry?" Hermione frankly asked as Ellie stepped out of the stall.

Ellie was caught completely off guard. "Excuse me?"

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed!"

"Noticed what?" Ellie asked puzzled.

"You know that tiny glint in Harry's eye when he's flying on his broomstick?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, he gets that same glint every time he looks at you."

Ellie could feel her face begin to turn red, and suddenly took great interest in washing her hands for the second time.

"I was just wondering if anything was going on." Hermione said nonchalantly.

"Hermione, I've barely known him for two days." Ellie replied, watching the water run over her fingers.

"I'm aware of how long you've known each other. It's just.... I've never seen Harry act like this, not even around Cho."

Ellie felt her fist involuntarily clench at the mention of Cho Chang's name.

"First he approaches you, out of no where, at the Three Broomsticks, and invites you to sit at our table, then he stays up all night telling you his life story, and today he offers you a ride on his firebolt. It's just strange seeing him like this."

Hermione began to walk towards the door, but stopped before opening it. Ellie turned off the faucet and realized that Hermione was staring right at her.

"It's...." Hermione began hesitantly, "It's almost as if you're supposed to be here."

Ellie glared at Hermione curiously before following her out of the girl's bathroom.

Ellie and Hermione had just turned the corner when a voice shouted from behind them "Stupify!". A dull thud echoed throughout the corridor from Hermione's body collapsing.

Malicious laughter filled the air. Ellie whipped around to see Draco Malfoy holding his wand, flanked by his two goons. The three Slytherins drew closer, all with sinister smirks.

"Now you're going to find out what happens to muggles who overstep their boundaries." Malfoy snarled.

Crabbe and Goyle let out a low grunt like chuckle. Ellie was in a panic. She quickly backed away, but the grey, stone wall prevented her from going any further. Malfoy was getting closer. Ellie helplessly glanced down at Hermione who was out cold. Malfoy began to raise his wand to perform a curse. Ellie shut her eyes tightly, and cringed against the cold wall, expecting the worse. The next thing she heard was a voice loudly saying "Expelliarmus!"

Ellie cracked open one of her eyes just in time to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle's wands soar across the hallway to where Harry and Ron were standing.

"Well, Potter, I see you've managed to arrive just in time.....again." Malfoy sneered.

"I warned you to leave her alone." Harry said threateningly.

"What is going on here?"

Prof. Snape, the potions master, was standing directly behind Harry and Ron, with a very disapproving expression.

"Potter and Weasley stole our wands!" Malfoy replied quickly.

"That's a lie! Harry and Ron were protecting me." Ellie shouted.

Snape glanced at the two wands in Ron's hand, and the extra one in Harry's.

"I believe the evidence speaks for its self." The potions master said coldly.

"Yeah, right...and I was the one who hexed Hermione!" Ellie spoke with as much sarcasm as she possibly could.

The entire corridor fell silent.

"It's a shame muggle schools don't teach their students how to respect their teachers." Snape responded with gritted teeth.

"They do teach us respect. But they also teach us to stand up against injustice." Ellie replied with confidence.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Snape's voice rang out.

"You can't take points from me!" Ellie shouted in outrage.

"I can, and I did. And I can even take more off if you like."

"I'm not even a Hogwarts student."

"You're staying in Gryffindor, so you're Gryffindor's responsibility."

"Incase you haven't notice, the robes that Prof. Dumbledore gave me have a crest that represents all four houses, so if points are to be taken away for my behavior, then they should be taken from each house." Ellie disputed.

"She does have a point Severus."

The transfiguration teacher, Prof. McGonagall, stepped around the corner from where the girl's lavatory was.

"I have the situation under control Minerva."

"I'm sure you do Severus, but I must agree with Miss. Richard that it is not fair to penalize Gryffindor for her actions."

Prof. McGonagall then took notice of Hermione, who was still laying unconscious on the floor. She took out her wand and said "Enneverate!".

Hermione let out a low groan and slowly sat up, rubbing her head.

"Now," Prof. McGonagall began, putting her wand back in her pocket, "ten points will be taken from each of you boys for using magic in the corridors. As six year students, and Prefects, you should know better. I believe that punishment is more than fair, don't you agree Severus?"

"Far too fair if you ask me." Snape grunted.

"Now, I want all of you to go straight to your common rooms before I change my mind. And Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, please return those wands to their rightful owners."

Harry and Ron both hesitantly gave the wands back to Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. Ellie helped Hermione to her feet.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked with concern.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, still holding her head.

"We'll explain everything on the way to Gryffindor tower." Harry replied.

"So, how did you know that we were in danger?" Ellie asked Harry and Ron after filling Hermione in on what she'd missed.

"We saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle leave the Slytherin table just after you'd left. We figured they'd be up to no good." Harry answered. "Fidus Achates!"

The portrait door swung forward and they all stepped inside.