True Fear
Chapter Four-Elizabeth's Confession
Madam Elkin came back in.
"Oh my Lord, what happened?" she cried and rushed over.
"I'm not sure," Sirius said weakly. "We just happened to come across this. It just fell over though."
Madam Elkin kneeled down beside Elizabeth across from me.
Shortly, James and Ron returned with Dumbledore.
Dumbledore came over and with a wave of his wand, the bookcase lifted off of Elizabeth. It was set upright again and Dumbledore crouched down beside Elizabeth.
"She's got a pulse," I explained to him.
"Did anyone see what exactly happened?" he asked.
"It just sort of fell over," James explained looking pale as a ghost.
"Alright," Dumbledore said. "Let's get her to the hospital wing."
He carefully magicked Elizabeth onto an invisible stretcher and we all headed out of the library.
HERMIONE.
Remus looked absolutely horrible. He looked pale and sick.
"She'll be alright," I said reassuringly. "Don't worry."
He just looked at me.
I immediately felt the heat rising to my cheeks. He really was cute when he was this age. I began remembering him from our third year and how weak and shabby he'd been. Now he looked as healthy as a Hippogriff and his robes were fresh and new looking. He had to be about the same age as we were in our 7th year.
Harry came up beside me.
"So," he whispered as we began walking down the corridor. "Are you going to the dance with Sirius?"
"Yes," I said. "Are you going with Elizabeth?"
He sighed.
"I hope she's alright enough to go," he said. "If not I'm not going to go."
I looked at him.
"That would be horrible to miss the dance," I said shocked. "Tell you what…if Elizabeth isn't well enough to go, you can come with me."
Harry looked stunned.
"But you're going with Sirius,"
"Yeah and it's a bit creepy I admit," I said. "Going with your Godfather. I feel so…weird. I'll just explain to him that because Elizabeth may not be able to go, you'd feel better going with a friend as you don't really know her that well. I'll think of something."
"You always do," Harry grinned, his emerald green eyes twinkling behind his black-rimmed glasses.
I grinned too.
We entered the hospital wing and I pulled Sirius aside.
I told him what Harry and I were talking about.
"That's cool," he said brightly. "I figured you'd feel a bit weird going out with me."
"How'd you know?" I asked curiously.
"Dunno, just had this feeling," he said shrugging. "It's okay, Hermione. Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll find someone. Maybe I'll even ask Eileen."
He winked but then everyone's expressions turned serious.
"Is she going to be alright?" Ron asked nervously.
Madam Elkin checked Elizabeth over.
"Well, she's got a broken arm," she said. "But nothing too serious. Her arm will be mended and she'll be able to return to classes later."
Relief spread through everyone like a tidal wave.
Dumbledore turned to us.
"Did you three see anything unusual? I'm sorry to keep asking but I would really like to find out what caused that bookcase to fall over onto Miss Gilmore,"
"No," Harry said shaking his head. "We all rushed in and found her like this."
"It could've just been an accident, yet maybe not. If anything else happens, I want you all to come to me understand?"
We all nodded.
Once Dumbledore made sure Elizabeth was fine, he left. She awoke after a few minutes. Madam Elkin mended her broken arm.
"What happened?" she asked groggily. "All I remember is the bookcase coming down on top of me."
"Yeah it fell over," James said sitting down beside her on the bed and putting an arm around her shoulders. "Is that all that you remember?"
"Well," Elizabeth said frowning. "I remember someone breathing heavily behind it and I thought it was Sirius so when I went around, there was no one there and that's when it fell over on top of me."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Remus asked with concern.
"Fine," she replied curtly.
Madam Elkin checked her over again.
"She's all set to go, nothing damaged,"
We left the hospital wing. I looked at Harry. Realization dawned on his face and I saw him pull Elizabeth aside.
We stopped walking and watched them.
ELIZABETH.
"Elizabeth?" Harry said. "I think I won't be able to make it to the dance with you."
I froze.
"Why's that?"
"I'm going with Hermione," he said as color rose to his cheeks fast. "I don't want to hurt your feelings cause I like you, but I feel a bit funny going with you."
"Again, why's that?" I demanded.
Harry shrugged.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "There's just a nagging feeling I have. I can't shake it."
I sighed. I wasn't mad at him. I understood. We all just met and it would feel strange for him to go with a complete stranger.
"That's fine," I said softly. "I'm okay don't worry. I'm sure I'll find someone."
Harry looked relieved that I wasn't upset.
I gave him a quick squeeze before we walked over to the others.
"Everything okay?" James asked looking from Harry to me.
"Fine," I replied grinning.
He nodded and we continued to head down the corridor.
THE CHRISTMAS DANCE
2 WEEKS LATER.
Hermione, Ron and Harry seemed to get closer to us as the weeks passed. The dance was tomorrow. I still had not found a date. James and Lily were eagerly talking about the dance, Hermione and Harry were just talking, Ron and Anna were sitting at the table playing Wizards Chess and Remus was sitting on the couch reading a book. His robe was opened exposing the gray sweater vest and maroon/gold tie beneath the robe. I was standing against the fireplace, staring into the crackling orange/yellow flames. I folded my arms over my chest. Sirius had asked Eileen and to everyone's amazement, she had said 'yes'. We all thought for sure she'd ask Rick Emerson, the Quidditch team captain.
Sirius was beside himself.
"I can't believe she said yes!" he cried happily bouncing around the room like a 4 year old child. "I wonder if I should ask her out next?"
James looked up from talking with Lily.
"Calm down, mate," he said laughing. "First get through the dance tomorrow. See what happens."
Sirius plopped down on the loveseat behind me and the next thing I knew, Sirius reached out and grabbed me around the waist and pulled me toward him. I cried out as I fell across his lap, lying on my back on top of his thighs. My head was resting on the seat itself with my hair fluffed around my head.
"You could've gone with me babe," he said grinning. "You missed out."
"I think I'll get over it," I said as I went to pull myself up, but he kept me down.
"Hey Remus," Sirius called to him.
Remus looked up from his book.
"What?" he asked warily.
"Come here a minute," Sirius said.
Remus was warily watching him, but closed his book and placed it on the cushion beside him. He stood up and came over.
"What?" he asked raising an eyebrow at Sirius.
"I dare you to kiss her," Sirius grinned.
"What? Let me up!" I cried struggling to get up. "You're nuts!"
"Come on," Sirius prompted. "Just one kiss."
"Sirius," I said as I balled my fists up and began pounding him on the back. "You're sick!"
Remus stared at Sirius.
"Let her up," he said finally.
"Come on mate," Sirius said grinning coyly. "We all know you want to so just do it."
"Let her up, Sirius," Remus repeated in a firm tone.
Finally, Sirius let me up.
I smoothed out my robe and uniform and then smacked him up the backside of the head.
"You need some O2," I said angrily and irritably. "Cause I don't think that brain of yours is getting enough."
Harry and Ron giggled.
Just then, a fellow Gryffindor named Emma Warden came into the common room.
"Hi guys," she said brightly and then immediately, her eyes landed on Remus. I remained standing against the fireplace with my arms folded over my chest again. I was biting my bottom lip just staring into the flames.
"Do you all have dates for the dance tomorrow?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes," a chorus rang out with the exception of Remus and I.
"What about you, Elizabeth? Remus?" Emma asked.
She had shoulder length curly dark brown hair and blue eyes.
"No," I replied turning my eyes onto her. "Remus is free though."
There was silence in the common room. All eyes were on Remus.
Remus cleared his throat.
"Actually, I'm already going with someone, Emma," he said.
"Oh," Emma's face fell. "Okay. Well, see you guys around."
She headed to the girl's dorm.
"So," Sirius asked in a sing-song voice. "Who are you going with?"
Remus came over to me and stood in front of me.
"Elizabeth? Would you like to go with me?" he asked softly and gently.
I turned to glare at him.
"Oh," I said coldly. "Now you ask me. What, as a last resort?"
Guilt flooded his expression.
The others were silent and pretending not to hear what was going on.
"Oh don't pretend you guys," I snapped. "You can hear me plain as day."
"I'm sorry, Lizzie," he continued looking upset. "I really am."
"My name is Elizabeth, Remus," I said coldly.
He looked even worse.
"And no," I said narrowing my eyes. "I'm not going to go with you because I'm not going at all."
"Elizabeth, you have to," Lily said shocked. "It's going to be so much fun."
"Then I'll miss it," I said angrily.
"Please Lizzie," Remus pleaded.
He gently took my elbow but I wrenched my arm out of his grasp and just glared at him as if I was going to explode.
"Just leave me alone all right? All of you,"
With that, I turned and stormed from the common room.
REMUS
Elizabeth stormed from the common room. I turned around and faced the others.
"You know," Sirius said quietly. "I'm getting a little tired of her attitude. I think it's her time of the month."
"No," I said shaking my head. "It's something much deeper I think."
"Her parents?" James asked quietly.
"Yes," I said nodding. "Do you remember what the date was when they were first hit with the Farnundis charm?"
Lily, James and Sirius frowned deep in thought.
"December 12th?" Lily guessed.
I nodded.
"Right…today's the 11th,"
Realization dawned on everyone's faces.
"The anniversary is tomorrow," James said sadly. "No wonder why she's extra sensitive."
Hermione looked upset. "Someone should go and talk to her. She needs to get it out."
"'Mione's right," James said. "If you remember, Elizabeth never cried and this happened a year ago."
"Poor Elizabeth," Hermione said sadly.
"I'll go and talk to her," I offered.
"Just be careful she doesn't take you apart," Sirius said deadpan.
I nodded and left the common room.
I picked up Elizabeth's scent outside on the cold grounds.
She was standing on a patch of snow. The wind whipped her hair around her face. Her breath came out in puffs of steam each time she exhaled.
She was shivering under her robe. I came up behind her.
"Hey," I said quietly and softly. "Here."
I took off my robe and wrapped it around her shoulders. She didn't even acknowledge the fact that I was there.
"Listen," I continued quietly. "I know it was wrong of me to ask you as a last resort and I'm TRULY sorry for that. I really am. Honestly, I wanted to go with you but I was scared to ask you."
She didn't reply so I continued.
"And I know your parents anniversary is tomorrow," I went on. "I know how much you're hurting. Believe me. We all want to help you get through this but you're acting like a hard nosed bitch."
I was surprised I actually called her that but it was the honest truth.
At that, Elizabeth turned her head around and glared at me. There were tears forming in her eyes.
"How could you know how I feel, Remus? Your parents know who you are," she said her voice shaking. "How could you honestly know what I' m feeling?"
"Because I lost my uncle 2 years ago," I said calmly. "I know how much it hurts."
"MY PARENTS DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE ME! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE TO HAVE THEM REFER TO YOU AS 'HEY PRETTY GIRL?'" she cried rounding on me. "EACH DAY I GET A LETTER FROM MY MOTHER WRITTEN AS THOUGH SHE WAS WRITING TO A PEN PAL!"
I swallowed.
"I JUST WANT MY PARENTS BACK," Elizabeth said as she broke down and began sobbing hysterically. She dropped to her knees on the patch of snow and sat back on the heels of her feet. She hugged herself and began rocking back and forth. Bits of snow blew around and stuck in her hair and onto her robe. Her hair was whipped around her face.
I slowly sank to my knees in front of her and put my hands on her shoulders. I put my face close to hers.
"Listen," I said quietly. "I know its hard okay? But you can't push people away. Especially Lily, James, Sirius and I. We really care about you a lot and we're here if you need us. I would really like to go to the dance with you and only you."
Elizabeth only sobbed harder.
"And your parents wouldn't want you to feel sorry for yourself. They'd want you to enjoy life," I continued even quieter moving my face closer.
Elizabeth just sobbed and slumped forward in my arms. I slowly wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. Her arms encircled me as well. My chin rested on top of her shoulder. She sobbed and I felt her body shivering violently.
I pressed my face into her hair.
"Come on," I said gently. "We'd best get back inside where it's warm."
She released me and we got up, heading back into the castle.