Chapter 23: More Bad News
Ellie and Harry chuckled quietly to themselves on the way to the great hall. Hermione didn't seem to be too impressed with Ellie's behavior in the potions class, but she didn't scold her about it either. They found Ron sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table, waiting for their arrival.
"So, how was it?" He asked with interest.
"I had a lot of fun." Ellie replied casually.
"Fun? In Snape's class?" Ron said in disbelief. "What aren't you telling me?"
Just before Ellie had a chance to tell Ron what had happened, all the other Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor students who were in the 6th year, N.E.W.T. level, potions class surrounded them.
"That was amazing!"
"I couldn't believe you did that!"
"You should have seen Snape's expression after you left."
"Not to mention Malfoy's."
Dozens of excited voices were overlapping each other, trying to get an equal share of giving their kudos to Ellie.
"What on earth did I miss?!?!" Ron exclaimed.
It was Dean Thomas who took the responsibility of telling every detail of Ellie's bold actions in the Potions class.
Every student within ear shot stopped to hear the story of how a muggle made a fool of the most feared teacher and despised student in Hogwarts. Once Dean was finished a roar of applause filled the air.
Ellie couldn't help but blush at the unexpected jubilation she'd caused.
"For the first time in my life I wish I had been in Snape's class." Ron commented.
"It's really not that big of deal." Ellie said modestly.
"Are you kidding? This is huge!"
"Standing up to a teacher, especially Snape makes you a hero in my book." Neville Longbottom said with a tone of admiration.
Ellie could feel her cheeks begin to go pink again.
The group of students surrounding them continued to grow as word of Ellie's 'heroics' quickly spread throughout the school.
"Mr. Potter! Ms. Richards!" Prof. McGonagall's voice boomed over the laughter and chatter.
The great hall suddenly became quiet, and the large group quickly disbursed leaving McGonagall free to approach Ellie and Harry.
"The Headmaster would like to see the two of you in his office immediately."
Ellie and Harry looked at each other gravely. They were in trouble, and they both knew it.
"Well, it was nice knowing you." Ellie commented glumly to Ron and Hermione as she stood from her seat.
Everyone remained silent as Ellie and Harry followed McGonagall out of the great hall.
"Canary Cream!"
Prof. McGonagall gave the password, and the stone gargoyle immediately jumped aside.
Harry and Ellie remained motionless, not wanting to go up the moving staircase.
"It's not nice to keep the Headmaster waiting." McGonagall said sharply.
With great reluctance, Harry and Ellie made their way up to Dumbledore's office.
Inside, everything looked exactly the same as it did two and a half days ago when Ellie had first stepped foot in the Headmaster's office.
It had only been two and a half days, but it had felt more like a life time. Maybe that was part of the magic.
Dumbledore sat alone at his desk, but stood when Ellie and Harry entered.
"Pleas sit," Prof. Dumbledore said, as two armchairs magically appeared in front of his desk. "I have something very important to discuss with you."
"Professor, Snape was being a complete-"
"Harry, this has noting to do with Prof. Snape, or anything that happened in the potions class."
"Oh" Was all that Harry could reply.
The grave and serious tone in Dumbledore's voice told Ellie that this matter was much more severe than insulting a teacher.
Dumbledore quietly took a seat in the large chair behind his desk. He sighed deeply. Ellie and Harry both took this as a cue to sit in the two cushy chairs provided.
"I regret to inform you that there has been another attack in downtown London."
Ellie felt her entire body go numb.
"How many are dead, and how many are missing?" Ellie's voice sounded weak, as if she was afraid to hear the answer.
"There are two dead and five missing."
"I see."
"This recent attack is causing more panic and fear in the muggle world than the previous ones. And this is why I think it is best for you to go home now, as oppose to later this afternoon as originally planned."
"Oh." Ellie said in disappointment. She was far from ready to leave the magic world, and she especially didn't want to leave Harry.
"To make matters worse, the muggle world is now fully aware of the existence of wizards and the magic world." Dumbledore added with a grave tone.
Ellie's eyes grew wide. "W-What? How...how do they know?" She stuttered in disbelief.
"At the moment I don't know, but I'm expecting an owl with the full details at any moment." Again Dumbledore heavily sighed. "I'm afraid at the rate that everything is progressing relations between our worlds are looking grim."
The Headmaster's office fell silent, as the grave news truly set in.
"So, exactly how do I get home?" Ellie asked, finally accepting Dumbledore's decision.
"You'll be using a portkey."
"So you're just going to send her back?" Harry interrupted with a bitter tone.
"Yes I am. Harry, you knew her stay wasn't going to be permanent."
"But how do you know if she'll be safe? How do you know that she won't be attacked the moment she gets home?" The volume of Harry's voice had increased dramatically.
"I have my assurances." Dumbledore replied calmly.
"Oh really? Who?"
"I've made arrangements for Arabella Figg to escort Ms. Richards home."
"Mrs. Figg is a squib! If they're attacked they'll be completely defenseless." Harry shouted.
"Then what do you suggest we do Harry?" Dumbledore asked with interest.
"I'd rather have myself take her home."
"Harry, you know very well that Voldemort's powers are increasing everyday, and given the opportunity-"
"It'll only be for a few minutes, and the portkey can send me right back."
Dumbledore looked firmly at Harry, and Harry stared right back.
Ellie could tell that Dumbledore didn't like this idea one bit, but she also knew that the Headmaster was far too familiar with the wrath of Harry's stubbornness.
"Alright Harry, you can take Ms. Richards home." Dumbledore reluctantly gave in. "But you will only have five minutes before the portkey will bring you back."
Harry agreed to the terms.
Dumbledore then picked up a quill from his desk top, and examined it thoughtfully. "Yes, this will do."
"You used a portkey to get to the quiddich world cup, didn't you Harry?" Ellie asked remembering back to the long talk she and Harry had on her first night in Hogwarts.
Harry nodded.
"So, we just have to touch it, and it'll send us directly to Little Whinging?" She asked for clarification.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it." Harry replied.
Dumbledore was now pointing his wand at the quill and lowly said "Portus". A brilliant blue aura surrounded the feather as it shook on the desk. The shaking abruptly stopped and the aura disappeared.
"You will land in the park at the end of Magnolia Road. Mrs. Figg will be waiting for you there. Remember, you have five minutes."
"Right." Harry nodded, as he took the quill from Dumbledore.
"Ms. Richards, I'm afraid I can't let you go home dressed like that." Dumbledore smiled.
Ellie glanced down and realized that she was still in her Hogwarts uniform. With a small wave of his wand, Dumbledore transfigured the school robes into Ellie's shirt, jacket and jeans.
Now that she was ready to leave, Ellie took hold of the feather tip, and nervously listened to Dumbledore's voice count, "one...two...three..."
Suddenly, Ellie felt the sensation of something grabbing her navel, and pulling her forward. Dumbledore, the portraits on the wall, and the many odd gadgets that filled the office all disappeared. She was now falling through a blur of colours and sounds.
Her feet hit hard against the ground, and she immediately lost her balance. Trying her best to brush off the grass stains, Ellie glanced up at her surroundings.
She was home.