Eliza plopped down onto the bench, eyes wandering over the array of breakfast foods, eventually settling on two biscuits and a spoonful of fluffy eggs. She tended to fluctuate between fruits with meat for her morning meal, but found a craving for a buttery flakey pastry on this cloudy morning. Her friends had beaten her to breakfast, already digging into their meals with all of their noses stuck in the Daily Prophet.
Jeanine was in the middle, eyes stuck on every word. Eliza rolled her eyes, knowing that half of what the Daily Prophet wrote was false but couldn't help inquiring, "Anything interesting in the paper today?"
Daisy shrugged as she picked at her eggs, "Eh, just the regular gossip dribble—"
"Oh, shut it you." Jeanine let the newspaper flutter onto the tabletop, eyes ablaze with new gossip, words spilling out like a flood.
"It's the story following Sirius Black, shows all of the times he's been spotted—the last one was Hogsmeade, just a few days ago."
Eliza gulped, picking up and biting into her fluffy biscuit, nodding at Jeanine to continue. "Aurors are 'round the clock looking for him, it's why the Dementor's are here. Everyone's trying to find him first."
Desmond piped up, "I bet fifteen galleons we could find him first. He's just one man." He yelped when his twin smacked his shoulder with a frown, "He's not just a man, he's a crazed wizard that killed the Potter's. I hope the Aurors catch him soon."
Eliza could see the tension in her friends shoulder and tried to soothe her, "Don't worry Daisy, they'll find him." Eliza gave her a soft smile as Jeanine stuffed her face back into the newspaper, Desmond simply ignoring them in favor of eating another spoonful of eggs.
The group fell into silence and Eliza allowed her eyes to drift away from the Daily Prophet and rest on the ginger haired Professor that had claimed her thoughts last night, rummaging through her nightmares and claiming her dreamscape as his own.
It lit a fire in her belly, feeling his soft hands—or would they be rough—on her skin, skimming and touching every inch of flesh he could reach. She'd grown to yearn for the Professor, biting her lip when his eyes found hers. He smiled and nodded in her direction until a tap on the shoulder from Professor Snape had him looking away.
Her calculated eyes watched the two Professors exchange words, not being close enough to read lips or catch any words, but also wanted to give the illusion of privacy and looked away… right into Jeanine's grinning face.
"And what seems to have caught Ms. Lizzie's eye?" She turned and made a faux shocked face before turning back to Eliza, "Well, I'll be damned, it's a certain Professor."
"Oh, shut it." Eliza stuffed a plump pork sausage in her mouth, juices spilling down her chin as her teeth broke through the tight casing. She gasped and tried to wipe away the mess, scowling at Jeanine's grinning face and awkwardly smiling at the judgmental gaze of Professor Snape. Remus's shoulders lightly shook in a chuckle at her mess, the two Professors eventually going back to their private conversation.
Desmond snorted and Daisy shook her head, both twins standing with a stretch, "Well, Daisy and I have Transfiguration in a bit, we'll see you two later."
Eliza waved them both off and finished her last few bites of breakfast, standing with Jeanine to stretch as well. She noticed both Professors' had already left and tried not to linger on their empty seats.
They exited the Great Hall, stopping at the entrance to the Courtyard to part ways. Jeanine inquired, "What'd you have today? Anything fun?"
Eliza tried not to snort with an eye roll, "Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid, which should be pretty fun, but Potions right after. Hopefully, Snape isn't in the mood for some nonsense potion today. What about you?"
Jeanine, however, let out an ugly snort, "Divination with Trelawney. If I had a galleon for every time she asked us to look into the Beyond, I'd be more rich than the Ministry. " They both chuckled, hugging once before going their separate ways. Eliza went through the Courtyard and tried not to tumble down the steep hill to Hagrid's House, going past the small hut to find the new classroom meeting area.
There were a few students milling about, sticking together in huddles and gazing up at the full-length trees, multitudes of branches waving with the wind. She stood by herself, arms down at her sides and fit planted in a single spot. She could've tried to make friends, or simply introduce herself to the other students, but her inherit shyness had her standing silently and waiting.
Hagrid's footsteps could be heard a mile away, thundering the soil ground and shaking the tree leaves. He stood feet above the rest, enamored smile on his face as he introduced himself to the class.
"'Ello everyone! I'm Hagrid and I'll be your Professor for Care of Magical Creatures. Have any of you worked with a creature before?"
His eyes dimmed at the lack of raised hands, "Well… I guess today is your lucky day. Follow me." The group of students staggered behind him, eventually stopping in front of a large thatch of skinny reeds. Eliza tried to zero in on the reeds, but didn't see anything. Hagrid turned and explained, "The first lesson was supposed to be on Hippogriff's but… something came up, so instead, we have these little nifty guys. Who wants to hold 'em first? Anyone?"
Eliza was too busy trying to see what was in the reeds to realize that every other student had backed away from her, leaving her up front and within Hagrid's sight. "Elizabeth! Come on up."
He ushered her forward and she toed through the soft dirt to stand tall above the reeds, mimicking Hagrid and falling to her knees. Now that she was closer, she could see the little Bowtruckles. They were only a little larger than a hairpin, little arms and legs supporting their miniscule bodies. She was sure she even spotted little faces on the small Bowtruckles.
"Well, try and pick one up. Go on." Hagrid urged her to reach forward with her held out hand, eyes watching the small green creatures flutter around her fingertips in a flurry. One brave little Bowtruckle stepped onto her fingertip, waving off the others, who seemed to be yelling to come back. A brave one stepped onto her palm, Hagrid whispering, "I think he likes you."
She brought the little green being up to eye level, watching it stare back. She was vaguely aware of another student screaming, "What chapter is this in?" and Hagrid standing to offer his students some guidance. Eliza looked around at all the other students, seeing most of them off to the side with uninterested glances and sneers in her direction.
A noise like fairly lights tinkling above had her turning back to the Bowtruckle, now seeing it trying to run up her white shirt and fit in her pocket. She stifled a giggle and lightly picked it up, placing the small green body back on her palm, only to watch it run back to her pocket again.
"Well, aren't you a little bugger." It stared up as she placed it on her palm once more, smiling down. "Do you have a name?"
It's head turned, as if contemplating an answer and eventually shaking its head. "Hmm, well that won't do? What should I call you?"
"I'm going to call you Leaf, seeing as you have a few yourself. You are a small one aren't you?" She giggled as it thwacked the hand it was standing on. She pet its small head and tried to ignore the other staring Bowtruckles in favor of the one who had taken a liking to her.
"Class dismissed. Don't forget to do your reading in chapter 7." Most of the students bolted from the class, leaving Eliza on her knees with Leaf.
A sigh of sadness left her downturned mouth and she started to place the little leafy creature back on its stalk, but it was having none of that, for it held onto her thumb like a lifeline, refusing to part from her. She started to shake her hand- maybe it'd fall off or give up—but its hold was strong.
"Ah, he's taken a liking to you it seems." She turned to look at Hagrid, who was watching her hand with a jovial smile.
"It'd be wrong to part the two of you it seems, so if you promise to take care of em', then I guess I can look the other way." He raised his eyebrows at her and Leaf and she was a bit awestruck to be honest. It was a lot of responsibility to take care of a Magical Creature, and she really didn't know that much…
She stood and gave Hagrid a determined look, "I promise to take care of him Hagrid, you can count on me."
He watched her stomp off with a determined look, knowing that if anyone could keep that little Bowtruckle safe and sound, it was Eliza.
The Potions classroom was located in the Dungeons of Hogwarts; the deep dark corners hid shadows that housed everything from spiders and all arachnid kind. The only other living thing that resided in the pits of the Castle were the Slytherins, scrounging about in their green and black colored cloaks, hissing whenever the other houses invaded their territory.
And that wasn't to say that Potions class wasn't a feat in itself, but Eliza kept a cool calm face every time she ventured down the to the heavens below to partake in a simple Potions class with Professor Snape. That wasn't to say that this certain class wasn't a horror story to other students; others whispered the fears and devilish tales of Snape's classroom—ranging from his impossible to potions, to his enjoyment of taking House Points from every House but his own.
But Eliza typically brushed these tales off, knowing her own truth of Snape's classroom. She noticed every stare, every House Point not taken away, the less harsh sneers, though he still sniped at her from time to time. There was an odd relationship afoot with Snape, but Eliza didn't mind one bit.
Eliza gingerly took a seat near the front of the dark classroom. Only a few seconds passed before another body slid into the seat to her right, and she already knew who it was without looking. Their odd perfume was enough of a give away.
Their voice was full of glee, "Oh, Elizabeth, I do say it feels as though I haven't seen you in ages."
Eliza turned to meet the beady eyes of Silas, "We saw each other three hours ago, remember? Called my friend a mud-blood and all." She mindlessly pointed to the back of the room. "Isn't there someone else you can bother? I'm sure there are seats somewhere in the corner, you'd fit in well with the spiders."
Silas hissed back, "But you're my favorite."
Their back and forth came to a halt as a Bang resonated off the classroom walls, every student falling silent as Professor Snape stalked into the classroom, his cloak billowing behind. His wand flicked in the air and they watched as a piece of chalk lifted, gracefully writing Draught of the Living Death.
"Can anyone tell me what potion can reverse the effects of Draught of the Living Death?" Everyone would agree that Snape's voice could cut glass.
No one raised their hand, to which Snape merely crossed his arms before his chest and waited. Eliza felt her knee jiggling under the seat, resisting the urge her arm had to shoot up into the air.
Luckily, it seemed that a 6th year Hufflepuff Josiah had more courage than anyone.
"I believe its Wideye Potion, Sir."
Snape turned his gaze to poor Josiah and gave him a look that could make any child cry. He started a slow walk, speaking articulately about how only someone of a stature akin to a brainless chimp would know that a Wideye potion is used for awakening but instead has death like affects, and by the end of his rant Josiah looked like he wanted to faint.
"Anyone else have a guess?" And instead of walking around the class like before, Snape instead walked right to her desk and raised his eyebrow.
"If you would enlighten us Miss Jones, I would greatly appreciate it."
She gulped. "Wiggenweld Potion. Sir"
He hm'd and walked back to the front of the classroom and gave a deeper explanation of exactly how these two potions worked together.
The students partnered up to brew a Wiggenweld potion and Silas had no qualms about saddling up right next to Eliza with a smarmy grin. Strangely enough, they partnered for most potions; they worked well together even if they didn't get along.
Eliza and Silas went reaching for their books and, of course, Silas turned with a mock sad gaze and said she didn't have her book.
"We'll use mine this time but you better bring it next class." Silas drew an X over her heart and they started brewing, though quickly ran into a disagreement that had the two girls spitting in each other's faces.
"Can you read? It says crush the bean, not whatever the hell you're doing?" Silas's voice was whispered but venomous.
"And I'm telling you, it's wrong." Eliza tried to reach for the small knife. "It's easier this way, I swear—"
Silas snarled like a snake, "But the book says so, and I'm not having another one blow up in my face because you don't listen." They were nose-to-nose and practically breathing fire down each other's throats.
"Is there a problem here?" Snape had seemingly silently sauntered over and was looking down at the two girls with certain curiosity.
A sound barely got out of Eliza's throat before Silas was rambling at Snape, "Yes, Professor Snape, there is. Eliza here is clearly refusing to follow the instructions—"
"No I'm not!"
"—And now we're risking our potion for the sake of her own muses that could be entirely wrong. Don't you agree, Professor?
Snape made a disinterested face that had Eliza wanting to shrivel up and die.
"And exactly what changes did Miss Jones try to enact upon, if I may ask?"
Silas sat up straighter and Eliza visibly deflated. "She wanted to crush the Sopophorous Bean while the recipe clearly states it is to be cut."
One black eyebrow rose at Silas's words and Eliza watched as Snape nodded with a grim look. "I would've thought a Hufflepuff of your year would understand the following the exact instructions for any potion is vital to its success. How…dissapointing."
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape." Silas grins at Eliza's down tone and is ready to strike the bean with her knife when—
"And though nothing would bring me more joy than taking House Points from an insufferable Hufflepuff…" Eliza watched how his eyes gave her a quick once over and the lines visibly deflated on his angry aged face.
"I do believe it to be in your best interest to listen to Miss Jones. It seems her knowledge could be of some use."
If laughing weren't a sin in the potions classroom than Eliza would have let out the biggest guffaw in history. The portraits on the walls would have to speak of the day Eliza bested Silas at the hands of Professor Snape; truly a moment for the ages.
Jean retold the tale of her school day aloud; "And so, I'm sitting there and she comes up behind me to start whisperin' about some grim nonsense, and to be honest, I didn't really follow her for the most bit. I started to zone out once she went into the death and otherworldly nonsense."
"I mean, I really wonder sometimes how Dumbledore even hired her in the first place."
Daisy chimed in, "I think she gets taken for granted; you know, I do believe her for the most part." Jean snorted out loud, to which Daisy frowned.
"Do you really? You'd be the first, that I can assure you." She turned to Eliza, who hadn't said a word. "Hey Lizzie, you alright?"
The two girls looked to their friend with raised brows, watching the unresponsive Eliza stare out of the Hufflepuff tower window, her cheek resting against her palm. Jean went over to shake her friend but Daisy held her place, eyes squinting as she watched her friend.
Eliza came back to reality with a shake, "Huh? Is everything alright?"
Jean made her way back to her bed, flopping down on her belly. "You zoned out for a bit there… got something on your mind you want to share?"
Well, she was tempted to ask her friend her opinion of seeing Professor Lupin for Patronus lessons; there was a part of her that was saying this was wrong—he wasn't even her Professor—but another part of her was ecstatic at the idea of learning from a great Wizard and well, there was something about Professor Lupin she couldn't quiet put her finger on.
As if she'd spoken aloud of her thoughts regard the DADA Professor, Daisy belted out "Well? Anything to share? Anything at all?"
It was either the tone of her voice or the look in Daisy's eyes that had Eliza simply saying, "Nope, slipped my mind. But come see what Hagrid is letting me take care of for a bit!"
Daisy looked unhappy and Jean looked pleased as punch, watching Eliza pull out a little Bowtruckle. Eliza met her disgruntled friends eyes with a questionable frown, and watched Daisy thump off to the restroom.
"What's her problem?" Jean looked off in Daisy's direction for a moment and nothing longer, wanting to watch the cute little Bowtruckle.
"No idea."
Neither girl saw Daisy cry into the restroom sink, trying her hardest not to rip out her silk locks.