AUTHOR'S NOTE!
PLEASE READ THIS!
Recently, I realized this fic had major continuity issues, so I spent the last four days heavily re-editing the last four or so chapters. Please, go back and reread starting from chapter 12! Chapter 13 has no changes, but 14,15 and 16 do!
Enjoy!
Eliza's cheek was still flushed from Remus's farewell kiss, still remembering how his hands had tugged her close to his hips, his nails digging into her flesh and oozing desperation.
It must have been the wolf in him that was hungry for her, but she knew that man in him longed for her to never leave his home, or better yet, his bed. The foreign word of mate still hung precariously in her mind, nearly tipping over the edge of the precipice and into the waters of the unknown.
Jean had been quick to find her lingering in an empty alleyway, eyes dazed and lips tingling.
"C'mon, you." Jean had ushered her back into the middle of Hogsmeade, motioning for Daisy and Desmond to hurry along. "If we miss out on anything, it's your ass on the line."
Luckily, the four friends were easily able to slip into the Great Hall, plopping down at the Hufflepuff table with chilled bones.
The sky had darkened considerably in their walk back, and Eliza regretted her attempt to look pretty instead of warm. Her curls had dampened considerably in the chill and water had seeped into the base of her shoes, leaving her toes near frozen.
Desmond was the one to break the group's silence, a stark difference from the fluttering chatter of the other tables.
"So," he smiled at Eliza, "Where did you go looking pretty like that?"
"Nowhere," she said, trying not to look like she was lying but doing a piss poor job. "I just thought I'd look nice today. Before it started raining, it was strangely good weather, don't you think?"
"You're even wearing perfume." Daisy noted while wrinkling her nose.
Thankfully, Jean cut in and saved the day. "Why don't we dig in? I'm feeling quite peckish. Desmond, pass the rolls."
The set up twins reluctantly dug into their meal, shooting suspicious looks to their two friends. On their table, piles of mashed potatoes oozed steam, perfect rolls of bread piled high, and steaming loins of lamb and chicken cooked to perfection.
Eliza's cheeks were stuffed with pearly white mash when she went wide-eyed, feeling a heated gaze pierce her side.
When she looked at the Head Table, she was surprised to see that Professor Snape was not the culprit, his dull, dark eyes all but asleep aside Professor McGonagall.
His dark locks hung to his chin in a curtain that shadowed him from the rest of the room.
A kick to Eliza's sin had her softly cursing, shooting a glare to Daisy, who sat with an innocent smile. Before she could question her friend, the other girl's head tilted to the side over and over. It looked like something was stuck in her ear.
Eliza whispered, "Are you alright?" across the table, to which her friend only did the head tilt harder. "Something in your ear?"
To her left, Jean snorted. "She's trying to tell you that Cedric is staring at you."
Eliza was thankful she lacked skin light enough to see a blush, but trails of heat twinged with embarrassment traveled up her spine. A quick jerk to the right confirmed that Cedric was indeed looking her way, and she stuffed more mash in her cheeks.
Whenever Remus looked at her, warmth spread through her limbs and left her with a need to rush into his arms and never leave. At first, it had been dizzying, but now she almost missed it.
When Cedric stared at her in the same way, it sort of rumbled in her chest like a snake, wiggling around in an asinine way.
While the fellow Hufflepuff may have been nice, and occasionally cocky, he wasn't what she wanted.
Jean urgently whispered, "he's coming over, he's coming over", and then Cedric was suddenly in the empty space to her right. One of his elbows was perched on the table, and he leaned in with a smile.
She noted his crooked teeth and pinkish lips, as well as the way he slid in so his thigh touched with hers.
He leaned in closer. "You look very lovely today, Elizabeth. Were you meeting someone?"
"Is it wrong to look nice for myself?" Her fingers picked at the roll on her plate.
"Is there something you need, Cedric? You've never had reason to sit with us before."
"That was before I knew you, and like I said, I want us to be friends. I know it's already been a little while, but this is your last year at Hogwarts. What do you think you'll do after you graduate? My Father works with the Ministry and I could ask him to hold a spot for you, if you wanted that sort of thing."
Her lips felt dry and her throat was parched; "That's very kind of you, but I don't think the Ministry is the place for me. Besides, I already promised someone I wouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because…" She licked her lips. "Because I made a promise, Cedric, and that's enough of a reason in my book. And it's not as though I have to have a job that revolves around magic. My Aunt is a Muggle, I may follow after her."
"I suppose," Cedric nodded with a tight smile. He changed the subject quickly, "I don't think I asked what classes you're in this year. We don't share any, but I'm curious."
"It's just Potions, not much to brag about." She ignored the kick to her shin. "What about you?"
"Nothing too fun, but I was thinking of trying to get into Apparition. I hear it's twelve galleons. Worth it to me."
"Apparition?" She hadn't heard of a class for that being taught. "Who's teaching it?"
"Well, there's the kicker." He snagged a finger of mash off her plate.
"It's Snape. And you can guess how many people have signed up just from knowing it's him."
She thought for a moment about possibly having Snape for both Potions and Apparition. As always, only few passed the O.W.L for Potions, which meant her normally filled class would be surprisingly empty.
One on one with Snape twice in a row seemed like the worst possible choice, but then again, as everyone liked to point out, he did favor her in some way, which meant it might not be as bad. And besides, once she was seventeen and learned to apparate, visiting Remus would be a breeze.
"Is it still open?" She turned in her seat to see Snape, who still sat in silence. "I'll catch him after the Feast. Hopefully I'm not too late."
"I doubt one person has paid, Elizabeth. No one wants to be stuck with him for another year, and for you that'd be twice this year."
"He's not too bad once you make an effort to pass his class."
She glared as Cedric openly laughed with his full body, hand resting on his shaking abdomen. "I wasn't being funny."
He wiped his eyes, "You're the only person I know who'd defend him. Merlin, Elizabeth, I've got my work cut out with you."
Before she could ask what exactly he meant by that, Jean leaned over and cut in, "While this was lovely and all, I'd like my friend back, thank you very much. She'll see you later, Cedric."
The Hufflepuff boy looked like he wanted to say more, but relented and waved Eliza goodbye, slinking back to his side of the long table.
Instantly, his friends crowded him, spitting question after question.
"What'd he want?" Desmond asked, to which Daisy added, "Why didn't you tell us you knew Cedric? I feel that since we're your main group of friends, we are entitled to know about newcomers."
"I knew about him," Jean admitted.
"We only met at the World Cup. He sat next to me on the train here, but we're barely friends. I don't really know why he keeps talking to me, he has enough friends as it is."
Three sets of eyes stared with smirks and pierced eyes, "What?"
Daisy leaned forward, whispering, "I think he likes you, you idiot. Why else would he come over here and ask about your classes?"
"And here I was thinking I had a great personality." Eliza shot back while Jean mumbled 'he's got competition' under her breath, to which her friend nudged her in the side.
"You do, but he's a sixth year, you're a seventh. You're smart…. He's good on his broom." Desmond reached across and patted his friend's hand. "Just let him down gently, love. Don't break his little heart."
"You're all terrible friends." Eliza skulked in her seat, perking up when Dumbledore took the podium.
The Great Hall went silent, every student watching their Headmaster with wide eyes and open ears. Even Snape seemed to awaken from his slight slumber to sit straight up, lips pursed in a hard line.
The remaining Professors turned their attention to the occupied podium as well, though one seat remained empty.
Dumbledore began, "Now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen…"
His voice drifted as Filch came limping down the Hall, and the Headmaster leaned forward to hear what the Caretaker had to report before nodding and sending him off.
"So, Hogwarts had been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard Tournament. Now, for those of you who do not know, the Tri-Wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single contestant is selected to compete."
Immediately, a flutter of excitement fluttered through the crowd of students.
"Now, let me be clear, if chosen you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted, but more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madame Maxine."
The doors to the Great Hall opened, and a group of girls dressed in pale blue skirts and pointed hats walked in.
All of them were beautiful and lovely, and behind them, Madame Maxine stood taller than anyone in the Hall, minus Hagrid. Her hair was bobbed short and furs donned her neck.
Towards the front, a girl with blonde hair and a face more beautiful than any other smiled at the students. Once they reached the podium, in unison, they released flowers into the air and bowed.
"Well that was something," Jean whispered, to which Eliza responded, "I know."
"And now our friends from the North, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their high master, Igor Karkaroff."
Through the open doors, a series of boys with staffs marched across the stone floor, sparks erupting under their thumping staffs.
Amongst them emerged a figure taller than the rest, his coat grazing the floor as he strolled to the podium. Behind the boys, their high master smiled with black teeth.
"That's Viktor Krum!" Jean whispered, wildly nudging her friend. "Why the bloody hell is he here? He just played in the World Cup."
"It's not like he won." Desmond choked on his pumpkin juice when his twin hit his side.
"Your attention please!" said Dumbledore, once he'd shook Karkaroff's hand.
"I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the Tri-Wizard Tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks."
Jean whispered "Wicked," and under the table, Daisy kicked her shin.
"For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain this, we have the head of the Department of International Magic Cooperation, Mister Bartimus Crouch."
Above, the peaceful sky of stars and clouds turned dark and cold, with thunder and lightning rumbling furiously. Students looked at one another, a few screaming as bolts of gold began to churn and threatened to strike the ground.
All eyes turned to watch a lumbering man enter from one of the side doors, his wand pointed to the sky and effectively taming the rumbling clouds.
Once light illuminated the room, Eliza recognized the hulking form that hobbled to greet Dumbledore. His dark grey coat was soaking wet, hair slick to his skull with water left behind his every step. What had he been doing out in the storm, she wondered, and Jean asked who he was.
"His name is Alastor Moody." At her friend's questioning gaze, she said, "I saw him outside of Dumbledore's office."
"The Alastor Moody?"
Desmond leaned forward in his seat. "He's responsible for half the catches in Azkaban. I've heard he's out of his mind, but the Ministry can't get enough of him. If he'd been here last year, Black would've been caught in a day."
"What's he drinking?" Daisy asked, and the group turned to watch Moody chug down a flask. Before Jean could answer, Bartimus Crouch took the podium.
"After much deliberation, the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. The decision is final."
Boo's erupted through the hall, and yells of "That's rubbish!" seemed to become increasingly louder.
The group of Hufflepuff's remained quiet, and didn't flinch when Dumbledore yelled for silence.
From behind the Professor's table, a large box floated overhead and landed before the Headmaster. He waved his hand and it began to transform, riding up and up, morphing into a stunning goblet that became lit with a roaring blue flame.
"The Goblet of Fire; anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their upon a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen," Dumbledore warned, "There's no turning back."
Eliza watched the blue flames dance in the goblet, gulping when she met Snape's eyes.
"As of this moment, the Tri-Wizard Tournament has begun."
"It's only Friday," Jean yawned. "We've a week to see who puts their name in the goblet of fire. Do you think I should?"
"No," said Daisy. "You heard what Dumbledore said; it's not to be taken lightly. You could be hurt, or worse, killed. Let someone else try and be a hero. We need you here."
"See, I knew you'd say that, which is why I'm asking Lizzie."
She turned to the lounging Hufflepuff, "Well, do you think I should? Not that I think I could win or anything, but it could be fun."
Hanging her head, Eliza said, "Were you not listening? Dumbledore gave three different warnings about how dangerous it'll be and even brought someone from the Ministry to say how you shouldn't submit your name unless you're serious.""
"Yes, but I won't be the only person putting my name in. There's two other schools here, and there's plenty of other seventeen year olds… just like you." Jean sang in a high off-key tone, wiggling her fingers at her friend.
"I'm not seventeen yet."
"But you will be on Sunday, dear friend. Are you planning anything fun?" Her brows did a dance up and down. "Anyone you're planning to see?"
Eliza struggled to find the right thing to say. She'd yet to receive anything from Remus as to what they would do, but there were still three days left. Keeping a clear head was all she could do.
"I have Potions that morning with Snape, but I was thinking we could sneak down to the kitchens and ask the house elves for their best chocolates. I'd say that's the best I've got."
"But you're turning seventeen!" Jean stood and dramatically clapped her cheeks. "You should go out and have fun. We're seventh years; I think we can go to Hogsmeade for the day without getting in trouble. Maybe have a couple of drinks and waste the night away if you know what I mean."
"I have class with Moody that morning, but I should be free to keep you company if you need it." Daisy offered. "No one wants to spend their birthday alone."
"Thanks," said Eliza, nodding. "I might take you up on that."
Jean snorted and stuck out her tongue, backing away out of the common room with a yawn. "You two can be boring all you want, I'm out for the night. Try and keep it down."
The two Hufflepuff girls watched their friend stumble away, mumbling to herself about how lame her friends were. Every other girl of their House had already fled to bed, or was off on the Castle grounds for some unknown reason, which left just Eliza and Daisy on the common room couches. The fireplace crackled in the middle of the room, and when Eliza made to stand and stretch, Daisy spoke.
"Did I do something wrong?" she said, her voice soft and laced with hurt. "Are you angry with me?"
"Hm? What?"
"I…" Daisy gulped. "I don't know what happened last year, but you're different with me. I feel like you've been keeping things from me, Eliza. I thought we knew each other better than that, but I don't know anymore."
Before Eliza could say a word, Daisy reached into her pocket and produced a small green creature; one that Eliza had so severely neglected it nearly crushed her heart. Hagrid had entrusted the creature with her, and she'd forgotten about him.
I'm terrible, she thought.
"I was looking for my hairbrush when I found it, just after you left with Jean." She pet the little leafy head. "Do they have a name?"
"I called him Leaf because… he has leaves."
Daisy chuckled, but her smile fell. "You never told me you had a Bowtruckle, or that you were seeing someone because even if you say you aren't, I know you are. And that you knew Cedric. You sneak off and don't tell us where you've gone, except I assume you've told Jean. I'm not mad at you or angry that you're keeping secrets, but I want to know why."
Every apology nearly bubbled up in Eliza's throat and spilled onto the ground below, but she swallowed them down. She walked to her friend and sat down on the couch, leaning over to pet the Bowtruckle.
It looked happy to see her, and did a little dance at her touch, but she took no pride.
"I was scared," she admitted. "I was scared of what you'd think of me, and what you'd do if you knew what I'd done and am doing now. I trust you with my life, and you mean the world to me, but I've been a shit friend to both of you."
"It can't be that bad, Eliza. You're a good person, I know that much."
Eliza told her everything; Sirius Black and his innocence, Peter Pettigrew and his betrayal, Remus and that night in the Shrieking Shack, the words he'd spoken to her just hours before about the bond they shared, Snape and the book, it all fell out into the open and hung in the air.
At first, Daisy said nothing, simply petting the green creature in her palm. It churned Eliza's gut to watch her friend process everything she'd said; would she scream and run, or nod and take it with a smile?
"Does my brother know?"
Eliza shook her head. "And if Jean hadn't been there when it started, I doubt I would've said anything to her."
"Why?" Daisy asked with her brows furrowed deeply into her skull.
"We're your friends, Eliza. We care about you, and when you're in danger or you're in love, we want to know. All of us have been together for years, it's not fair for you to pick and choose who gets to know what. But for now, at least until graduation, don't tell Desmond any of this. He's horrible at keeping a secret."
"There were times I wanted to tell you, I really did." She bit her lip and met her friend's eyes, "But honestly, if I'd told you about Remus and I, what would you have done?"
Daisy gently set the Bowtruckle in her lap; "We'll never know, will we."
A cloud of regret loomed over Eliza's head; it pained her to see the hurt on her friend's face, and she wished she could go back to last year and spill everything.
"I think I'm more hurt that you and Jean lied to my face. Sure, having secret affairs with your former Professor is more mad than I'd think you'd go for."
Daisy loosely chuckled. "How am I supposed to trust you when you lied to me for an entire year? And more than that, you lied right to me this morning before you left to met Lupin."
Every point Daisy made was a kick to the shin, another twist of the knife that protruded from her chest. Gods, she was a rancid friend, and even though at the time the lies hadn't seemed so bad, they piled up so high that when they fell, it shook her to the core.
"What can I do?" Eliza begged. "I never wanted to hurt you."
Daisy thought for a moment, saying, "No more lies. From this moment on, I want to know what's happening and I swear if you do it again, I'll never forgive you."
Eliza leapt into her friend's arms, squishing their cheeks together, muttering 'I love you's' over and over. "We're going to be closer than ever, I swear. I couldn't take it if you hated me."
Her friend's arms came up and hugged her back, the small leafy Bowtruckle yelping between them.
"But," Daisy said after their hug went past a handful of minutes. "Since we're doing this now, I guess there's no better time to be honest with you."
"Hm?" Eliza pulled back. "What'd you mean?" She gave a curious smile, "What have you been up to?"
"You're not the only one with secrets, Eliza."
Daisy opened her mouth and spoke.
On the second floor of Grimmauld Place, Remus dreamt of Eliza. In his mind, her neck was red and bloody with his bite, her belly swollen with his pup, and a smile on her face. "I love you", she said from his arms, leaning up to peck his cheek.
He could hear her soft heartbeat and their child's as well, and when he tipped up her chin to taste her sweet lips, he felt at home.
In the Hufflepuff Dormitory, Elizabeth did not dream of Remus, though naturally she did. Typically, dreams of running through a field of luscious green grass, their laughs echoing in the wind.
He would pull her into his arms and whisper, "You're mine", touching foreheads without a care in the world.
But tonight, her mind raged, seeing the blue flames that churned in the goblet of fire. And the soft whispers of Daisy broke through the fiery flames. Come, she whispered, I'll teach you everything I know.