WARNING: THERE IS SOME (NON-EXPLICIT) SEXUAL CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER. READ AT YOUR OWN CHOICE.
Ellen woke the next day with bleary eyes and a pounding headache. She groaned loudly, shoving her head under her pillow. She had always been such a lightweight and to drink Firewhisky of all things? She was going to kill those Weasley twins when she finally got her hands on them.
With another groan she rolled out of the bed, gazing out the window. It was peacefully quiet and the first beams of sun were trickling across the grounds. She dressed slowly, enjoying the sound of twittering birds outside her window. Ellen yawned and headed for the common room with her doxy resting on her shoulder.
The whole common room was eerily quiet. The chaos of the night before was completely gone, almost as if it had never happened. She jumped a little when she spotted Harry sitting in one of the armchairs. His quill was suspended above a piece of parchment but he had yet to make a move to write anything.
Ellen slowly crept behind him, careful not to make any noise. Harry seemed to have come to a decision and was now writing in earnest. By the time he was done the sun was shining brighter and she could distantly hear the sounds of everyone above them waking.
She cleared her throat loudly. "Mornin' Harry."
"G'morning," He mumbled, folding up his letter quickly.
"You need to go ahead and send that now if you're trying to avoid everyone." Ellen advised. He sealed the parchment carefully and the pair made their way through the portrait hole. They turned left to take the longer path at the advice of the ghost that hung around Gryffindor so often.
She could feel his spirits rising as they walked along catching glimpses of the bright morning sky. He must be thinking about Quidditch, she smiled. James had that same look when he thought about flying.
Ellen saw him accidentally brush his hand against something and wince as though he was in pain. She frowned and reached out to grab it, anger filling her when she saw what was carved into the back. "I thought she just had you writing lines." She grit out.
The boy looked so tired when he finally told her the truth about what had been happening in his detentions. It took everything in Ellen not to go and murder Umbridge right then. She brushed her thumb over the words, pulling another deep wince from Harry.
"I can't heal this," She admitted bitterly. "That quill...it's a very dark object and dark magic always leaves a scar. I'm so sorry Harry. I promised I would protect you and I've let myself get so caught up that I haven't been much help."
"I'm fine," Harry protested, trying his best to pull his hand out of her surprisingly strong grip. "And I'm not telling Professor Dumbledore. I can handle this."
Ellen frowned but dropped the subject. They walked in silence all the way up to the Owlery, huffing slightly as they made their way up the stairs. Hundreds of owls sat nestled in the circular room, Harry's large white owl somewhere near the top of the vaulted ceiling.
"There you are," he said, "Get down here, I've got a letter for you."
With a low hoot she stretched her great white wings and soared down onto his shoulder. "Right, I know this says 'Snuffles' on the outside, but it's for Sirius, okay?"
The owl blinked once at him. Harry carried her over to the window and she took off into the blindingly bright sky. He and Ellen stood there and watched her until she became a small black speck before completely vanishing. Ellen watched Harry gaze down at Hagrid's hut, worry clear on his face.
She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. "I know you're worried about Hagrid, but I promise you that he's alright. And I know you don't like having Professor Mikk here, but you have to believe me when I say it truly is for the best."
Harry all but ignored her as he continued to look out onto the grounds. She followed his gaze to where a thestral was flying above the forest. It swooped in a great circle before diving back into the trees.
"Harry..." Ellen trailed off, unsure of what to say. The Owlery door suddenly opened behind them. The pair leapt in surprise and turned around, seeing the same girl who had visited their compartment on the train.
"Hi," Harry said quickly.
"Oh..hi," The girl sounded out of breath. "I didn't think anyone would be up here this early... I only remembered five minutes ago, it's my mum's birthday."
"Right," said Harry. An awkward silence fell over the three while the girl began to attach her parcel to one of the school's owl's legs.
"Oh," Harry's voice was oddly high. "Ellen, this is Cho. Ellen's part of that new Ministry program."
"I heard." said Cho rather coolly. She turned to Ellen with a slightly raised brow. "So you're really a Beast?"
Ellen stiffened. "Well, yeah, I am. That isn't a problem, is it?"
"Not at all," Cho smiled tightly. "Just a bit surprising."
She turned away from Ellen and focused her attention on Harry. "That Umbridge woman's foul," she said in a low voice. "Putting you in detention just because you told the truth about how — how— how he died. Everyone heard about it, it was all over the school. You were really brave standing up to her like that."
Harry's eyes brightened and he looked like he was going to say something when the Owlery door opened again. Filch, the caretaker, came wheezing into the room. There was a restless shifting of wings from above, and a large brown owl snapped his beak in a menacing fashion.
"Aha!" Filch spat out. "I've had a tip-off that you are intending to place a massive order for Dungbombs!"
"Who told you I was ordering Dungbombs?"
"I have my sources," said Filch in a self-satisfied hiss. "Now hand over whatever it is you're sending."
Ellen glared at the caretaker. "He already sent it off. It's gone."
"Gone?" said Filch, his face contorting with rage.
"Gone," said Harry calmly.
Filch looked positively livid"How do I know you haven't got it in your pocket?"
"Because —"
"I saw him send it," said Cho angrily.
Filch rounded on her. "You saw him — ?"
"That's right, I saw him," she said fiercely.
The caretaker glared at Cho, earning just as vicious of a glare back. Finally he scowled and shuffled back to the door, stopping with his hand on the handle. "If I catch even one whiff of a Dungbomb..."
He slumped down the staircase, leaving the three of them standing there alone. "Thanks," Harry said.
"No problem," said Cho, finally fixing the parcel to the barn owl's other leg, her face slightly pink. "You weren't ordering Dungbombs, were you?"
"Of course he wasn't." Ellen snapped. Something about the other girl just rubbed her the wrong way. Cho sent her parcel off and the three of them left the Owlery together, not saying much of anything. They reached the end of a corridor when Cho hesitated, looking over at Harry.
"I'm going this way." She said awkwardly. "Well, I'll...I'll see you around, Harry, Ellen."
"Yeah... see you."
Harry and Ellen walked quickly to the Great Hall and joined Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. "Morning," Harry said brightly.
"What are you looking so pleased about?" said Ron, eyeing Harry in surprise.
"Erm...Quidditch later," said Harry happily, pulling a large platter of bacon and eggs toward him. He and Ron fell into an easy conversation about Quidditch. She blocked them out and looked up at the staff table where Tyki was sitting. A warm, happy feeling filled her when they made eye contact and she couldn't help but let a genuine smile spread across her face. Tyki simply smiled back and looked up at the owls.
A letter dropped on her plate not a second later, her name written in Tyki's elegant handwriting. She opened it quickly, eager to see what was written.
I have sent requests to the rest of the Clan for assistance. I hope to see you tonight, menina.
All my love, T
Ellen smiled widely at the news. She had asked Tyki to reach out to the others to help the Order since he was the one that had stayed in contact with them. There was still no word about Rhode and he was being oddly evasive about it.
"Wait a moment," said Hermione suddenly, pulling Ellen out of her thoughts. "Oh no...Sirius!"
"What's happened?" Harry said, snatching at the newspaper.
" 'The Ministry of Magic has received a tip-off from a reliable source that Sirius Black, notorious mass murderer...blah blah blah...is currently hiding in London!' " Hermione read from her half in an anguished whisper.
"Lucius Malfoy, I'll bet anything," said Harry in a low, furious voice. "He did recognize Sirius on the platform..."
"...'Ministry warns Wizarding community that Black is very dangerous...killed thirteen people...broke out of Azkaban...' the usual rubbish," Hermione concluded, laying down her half of the paper and looking fearfully at the three. "Well, he just won't be able to leave the house again, that's all," she whispered. "Dumbledore did warn him not to."
"I have to go." Ellen abruptly pushed her plate away and stood, rushing out of the Great Hall with her friends staring at her in concern. She all but ran through the corridors, searching for somewhere in Hogwarts where she could reach some peace of mind. She shoved the doors open to the outside and kept moving before she finally collapsed at the edge of Black Lake, her knees digging painfully into the sand below.
She screwed her eyes shut tightly. "It isn't fair." Ellen whispered to herself. "He didn't do anything and they're treating him like a bloody criminal."
Ellen sat at the shore staring at the water, letting the sound of the gentle waves calm her. After a short while she heard footsteps crunching in the gravel and felt a small body settle next to hers. She stiffened but did not dare look over.
The person next to her sighed. "You don't have to be so stubborn Allen."
"You threatened to kill my friends." She said tightly.
"Allen, if you acted like this every time I threatened your friends then we wouldn't be where we are now." Rhode laughed and snuggled closer to the other Noah.
Ellen resisted the urge to cringe away. "How long have you been here?"
"Hogwarts or the UK?" She giggled.
"Both."
Rhode wrapped her arms around Ellen and sighed. "Father and I have been in London for the past five years. He met the loveliest witch and we moved after they married. We've been living on Grimmauld Place ever since."
She felt Ellen jolt with shock. "I know, we got so lucky, didn't we Allen? Imagine how surprised I was when I saw you vanish into Number Twelve when I was out for a walk. It wasn't that hard to figure out where you were. I can see through those silly Fidelius Charms, no problem."
"Then why are you here at Hogwarts?" Ellen asked.
"Uncle Tyki and Father thought it would be 'healthier' for me to be surrounded by other witches and wizards." The girl scoffed. "It's only fun because I have you here now."
Ellen slowly wrapped an arm around the smaller girl and pulled her close. They sat there like that for a while, just soaking in each others presence just like they used to over a hundred years before. "If you try to hurt them, I will kill you." She said softly.
"That's what makes you so fun, silly Allen." Rhode reached over and tweaked the other girl's nose.
She wrinkled her nose and swatted Rhode's hand away, instantly regretting it when she saw the playful look in the girl's eyes. Ellen jumped up and tried to escape but before she could Rhode jumped on her back. She flailed for a moment before she lost her balance and fell face first into the lake, soaking both of them.
They burst into laughter and started splashing at each other. Soon they grew tired of it and simply swam around the cold lake, occasionally kicking a grindylow away from their ankles. The sun was high in the sky when the pair finally dragged themselves out of the water and laid on the rocky shore. Ellen pushed her wet hair back. "So, Slytherin?"
"Did you think I would end up anywhere else?" Rhode fingered her green and silver tie. "That hat nearly screamed when the old lady stuck it on me."
She laughed loudly, catching the attention of some of the students that were milling around the grounds. In particular, she caught the attention of one Pansy Parkinson who scowled and stomped over when she saw who was with Ellen.
"What are you doing Rebecca?" Pansy shrieked, wagging her finger in what she thought was a threatening manner.
Rhode giggled and flicked her short black hair away from her face. "I think people call this sitting."
"I know what sitting is," Pansy's voice rose. "What are you doing with that thing?"
"You mean Ellen?" She blinked innocently. "She's a family friend. Pretty much my aunt."
Pansy's puggish nose wrinkled in disgust. "I don't care if she's the queen, beasts are even worse than mudbloods and I won't have you ruining Slytherin's name!"
She reached down and grabbed Rhode's arm, the small girl allowing Pansy to pull her away. "I'll see you later Ellen!" She shouted, waving obnoxiously. Ellen shook her head with a smile. It was just like Rhode to antagonize everyone she came in contact with. She stood up and dusted herself off before starting the walk back up to the castle.
The afternoon light was lazily shining through the corridors as she walked into the grand castle. Ellen took the long way and stopped outside of Tyki's door. She deliberated for a moment before knocking loudly, pushing her way in before she heard an answer.
She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Umbridge sitting across from Tyki with a cup of tea in her hands. "O-Oh, I'm so sorry Professor, I didn't realize you had a guest." She stuttered, refusing to meet the toadish witch's eyes.
"Don't fret Miss Walker," Tyki said smoothly, setting his own cup of tea down. "I must have let the time get away from me. I must apologize Senhorita Dolores, but I promised our lovely student that I would help her with our upcoming assignment. I would hate for her to feel unwelcome."
"Of course, Tyki." Umbridge tittered. "We must continue this another day."
She waddled past Ellen, a venomous look in her eyes. The door shut behind her with a resounding thud. Ellen winced and tried to smile at Tyki. "Er, sorry about that."
He smiled and got out of his chair to walk over to her. "I should be thanking you. I've been forced to ward off her advances for the past hour."
"I'm sure you could barely keep from ravishing her." Ellen teased, wrapping her hands behind his neck. He hummed and pulled her close, kissing her softly.
She leaned back a moment later, a frown etched across her face. "Why didn't you tell me that Rhode was here?"
"She wanted to speak to you herself," Tyki murmured. "I had to honor her wishes, amor."
Ellen rolled her eyes. "Bloody Noahs." She muttered before firmly pressing her lips against his once more. They kissed gently for a moment then it grew heated and desperate.
She could feel his hands running all along her body, pressing her impossibly close. It was as if she was weightless and the only thing keeping her from floating away was the ever constant push of his lips against hers. Tyki had always managed to make her feel that way, even from the very first kiss.
His hands slid lower down her back and slid under her skirt, cupping her arse firmly. Ellen laughed against his lips and let her own hands trail across his chest, her fingers lingering at the edge of his rumpled shirt. She slowly unbuttoned it and pushed it off his shoulders, grabbing at the exposed flesh of his torso.
Tyki kissed down the side of her jaw, chuckling deeply in her ear. "Still so eager, hmm?"
"Don't be an arse." She swatted him lightly on the chest, pulling another chuckle from him.
He kissed her heatedly and pulled her jumper off in one smooth motion, undoing her tie just as easily. Tyki smirked down at her, grabbed the top of her shirt and pulled. Buttons went flying across his office leaving her shirt hanging open, exposing her skin to the outside air. She yanked her shirt off and threw it behind them, kissing him with a newfound passion.
"Where's the bedroom?" She murmured between kisses, moaning loudly as Tyki's hand finally slid underneath her waistband. Tyki managed to separate himself from her long enough to pull on a bright purple book sitting in his bookshelf. The furniture slid to the side revealing a modest flat.
She squealed when her picked her up in the same way he had on their wedding night and carried her into the room, the bookshelf sliding closed behind them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight, laughing in joy when he tossed her onto the bed
His eyes were soft as he leaned over her. He cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb gently rubbing along her cheekbone. "You are so beautiful." Tyki's voice was quiet, almost like he was afraid that if he spoke any louder then she would come to her senses.
Ellen leaned up to kiss his nose, giggling at how he crinkled it in reaction. "I love you." She admitted for the first time in over a hundred years. "I don't want to spend another second without you in my life."
"No matter where you go, I will always be there." Tyki smiled down at her. "That I promise you."
Their lips met with a soft touch, melting into each other. It was as if Ellen could not tell where she ended and Tyki began. They eagerly pulled each other's remaining clothes, relishing the feeling of bare skin pressed to skin. She found herself gasping and moaning with every touch. He looked at her, the most important question of all written across his face.
She nodded and then they were one. Being with him in that way was like flying. Every part of her felt electrified, every movement sending little shocks throughout her body. They easily fell into perfect sync as if they had only been separated but a day, not the centuries they had endured apart. It felt like coming home. Ellen looked up at his beautiful face and let true happiness fill her for the first time in forever. The world around them disappeared as the feeling grew. Suddenly there were no Noah, no Voldemort, no war or heartbreak. It was only Ellen and Tyki, two people in love partaking in a dance as old as time.
Fireworks burst through her as they came to a peak, floating back down to Earth moments later. Ellen let him pull her close against him, her last thought before succumbing to sleep was how right it felt to finally be in his arms again.
She woke hours later, the dull evening light shining in through the window. Ellen looked down at the man next to her. He was so handsome, even in sleep. She brushed her hand across his cheek and tucked a dark curl behind his ear. "Tyki," She whispered, shaking him slightly. He looked up at her with bleary eyes. "If I don't head back now they'll go looking for me. I know them."
Ellen went around the room gathering her clothes and redressing before casting the right charms to clean herself up, trying to ignore Tyki's heated gaze. If she even so much as looked at him, she knew that they would just end up repeating what had just happened. She jumped when he grabbed her from behind. She hadn't even heard him move!
"The night is still young, menina." He kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "Surely a few more hours will not make a difference."
"Sadly, it will." Ellen sighed. "Trust me, I want nothing more than to throw you back on that bed and let you absolutely ruin me, but they will try to find me if I don't return soon."
She walked out into his office with him trailing behind her, frowning at her ripped shirt. For all her talents she had never been able to repair clothes all that well and the last thing she wanted was for her shirt to fall to pieces in the middle of a corridor. With a shrug she grabbed his larger white button up and slipped it on. Ellen grabbed her jumper and tie before turning back to him.
Shaking her head at his slight pout she pulled him into a quick, deep kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
"I love you too." He squeezed their joined hands. Ellen stuffed her belongings in her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She walked out the door only to be pulled back in for one more kiss. She laughed and pushed him away. Ellen slowly began to make her way to the tower, completely unaware of the hidden individual who had witnessed everything.
Ellen entered the Gryffindor common room to find all of her friends sitting around the fire. Harry and Ron were furiously scribbling on pieces of parchment looking rather distressed. Hermione and Ginny were sitting next to each other on the plush couch, a set of glinting knitting needles working away in front of them.
She all but threw herself down on the couch, causing Hermione to jump. "Where in the world have you been?" The witch asked, looking Ellen up at down with a suspicious look. She cursed to herself when she realized that she still had on Tyki's much larger shirt.
"I took a day to explore the castle." Ellen shrugged, trying to act like everything was normal. "Had a nice swim, the whole bit. That lot working on their homework?"
Hermione glanced over at the boys with a slight frown. "They're always waiting until the last minute."
Ellen patted her on the shoulder. "They're teenage boys." She sighed. "They'll learn one day."
The other witched only pursed her lips before turning back to Ginny. They began a cheerful conversation while Ellen leaned her head against the arm of the couch. She blinked once, twice, and then the world was dark.
When she finally woke back up it must have been past midnight. The common room was all but empty, save Harry, Ron, and Hermione. That ugly orange cat was snoozing in an armchair near the fire, Hermione bent over what looked like a pile of homework.
Ellen yawned and walked over to them, settling down at Harry's feet to lean her head on his knee. She looked up at him and grinned, getting only a blank stare in response. She resisted the urge to sigh and stared into the fire. The flames danced merrily in response. Her eyes unfocused slightly and she let the warmth fall over her.
She felt Harry stiffen underneath her, pulling her back to reality. He was staring intently into the fire before he slid to the floor, crouching in front of the fire.
"Er — Harry?" said Ron uncertainly. "Why are you down there?"
"Because I've just seen Sirius's head in the fire," Harry said calmly. She jerked up and rushed over to where Harry was, glaring at the fire as if that might make her friend appear in it.
"Sirius's head?" Hermione repeated. "You mean like when he wanted to talk to you during the Triwizard Tournament? But he wouldn't do that now, it would be too — Sirius!"
There in the middle of the dancing flames sat Sirius's head, long dark hair falling around his grinning face. "I was starting to think you'd go to bed before everyone else had disappeared," he said. "I've been checking every hour."
"You've been popping into the fire every hour?" Harry was halfway laughing.
"Just for a few seconds to check if the coast was clear yet."
"But what if you'd been seen?" said Hermione anxiously.
"Well, I think a girl — first year by the look of her — might've got a glimpse of me earlier, but don't worry," Sirius said hastily, as Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth. "I was gone the moment she looked back at me and I'll bet she just thought I was an oddly shaped log or something."
"But Sirius, this is taking an awful risk —" Hermione started to lecture him.
"You sound like Molly," said Sirius. "This was the only way I could come up with of answering Harry's letter without resorting to a code — and codes are breakable."
Hermione and Ron turned to glare at Harry. "You didn't tell us you'd written Sirius!" She frowned.
He shrugged in response. "I forgot. Besides, there's no way anyone would have got anything out of it, right Sirius?"
"It was very good." Sirius grinned. "But never mind that — your scar? It kept hurting last year, didn't it?"
"Professor Dumbledore said it happened whenever Voldemort feels any powerful emotion." Harry admitted. "Maybe he was just really angry that night."
"Well, now he's back it's bound to hurt more often," said Sirius.
"So you don't think it had anything to do with Umbridge touching me when I was in detention with her?" Harry asked.
"I doubt it," said Sirius. "I know her by reputation and I'm sure she's no Death Eater —"
"She's foul enough to be one," Harry scowled.
"Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters," said Sirius with a wry smile. "I know she's a nasty piece of work, though — you should hear Remus talk about her."
"Does Lupin know her?"
"No, but she drafted a bit of anti-werewolf legislation two years ago that makes it almost impossible for him to get a job." Sirius had a tight smile across his face. Ellen wished that she could reach over and hug him or grab his hand, something to make the hurt go away.
"What's she got against werewolves?" said Hermione angrily.
Ellen snorted. "She's probably just scared of them, the old bint."
"I expect so," Sirius agreed with a smile. "Apparently she loathes part-humans; she campaigned to have merpeople rounded up and tagged last year too. Imagine wasting your time and energy persecuting merpeople when there are little toe rags like Kreacher and Ellen on the loose —"
The Noah stuck her tongue out while Hermione began to sputter on about the treatment of Kreacher. "So what are Umbridge's lessons like?" Sirius interrupted. "Is she training you all to kill half-breeds?"
"That would require her to let us use magic at all." Ellen rolled her eyes.
"All we do is read the stupid textbook," said Ron.
"Ah, well, that figures," said Sirius. "Our information from inside the Ministry is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat."
"Trained in combat?" Harry said with his eyebrows raised high. "Does he think we're forming some kind of army?"
"That's exactly what he thinks you're doing," said Sirius, "or rather, that's exactly what he's afraid Dumbledore's doing — forming his own private army, with which he will be able to take on the Ministry of Magic."
"So we're being prevented from learning Defense Against the Dark Arts because Fudge is scared we'll use spells against the Ministry?" said Hermione, looking furious.
"Yep," said Sirius. "Fudge thinks Dumbledore will stop at nothing to seize power. He's getting more paranoid about Dumbledore by the day. It's a matter of time before he has Dumbledore arrested on some trumped-up charge."
"D'you know if there's going to be anything about Dumbledore in the Daily Prophet tomorrow? Only Ron's brother Percy reckons there will be —"
"I don't know," said Sirius, "I haven't seen anyone from the Order all weekend, they're all busy. It's just been Kreacher and me here..." There was a definite note of bitterness in Sirius's voice.
"Paddy.." Ellen trailed off.
"So you haven't had any news about Hagrid, either?" Harry interrupted eagerly.
"Ah..." said Sirius, "well, he was supposed to be back by now, no one's sure what's happened to him. But Dumbledore's not worried, so don't you three get yourselves in a state; I'm sure Hagrid's fine."
"But if he was supposed to be back by now..." said Hermione in a small, worried voice.
"Listen, don't go asking too many questions about Hagrid," said Sirius hastily, "it'll just draw even more attention to the fact that he's not back, and I know Dumbledore doesn't want that. Hagrid's tough, he'll be okay." And when they did not appear cheered by this, Sirius added, "When's your next Hogsmeade weekend anyway? I was thinking, we got away with the dog disguise at the station, didn't we? I thought I could —"
"NO!" Harry, Ellen, and Hermione all but shouted.
"Are you trying to get caught?" Ellen gritted out. "Haven't you seen what they're saying in the papers?"
"Oh that," said Sirius, grinning, "they're always guessing where I am, they haven't really got a clue —"
"Yeah, but we think this time they have," said Harry. "Something Malfoy said on the train made us think he knew it was you, and his father was on the platform, Sirius — you know, Lucius Malfoy — so don't come up here, whatever you do, if Malfoy recognizes you again —"
"All right, all right, I've got the point," said Sirius. He looked most displeased. "Just an idea, thought you might like to get together —"
"I would, I just don't want you chucked back in Azkaban!" said Harry.
There was a pause in which Sirius looked at Harry, a crease between his sunken eyes.
"You're less like your father than I thought," he said finally, a definite coolness in his voice. "The risk would've been what made it fun for James."
"He's not James." Ellen snapped, ignoring the hurt expression that stole across Sirius's face.
"Well, I'd better get going, I can hear Kreacher coming down the stairs," said Sirius, but Harry was sure he was lying. "I'll write to tell you a time I can make it back into the fire, then, shall I? If you can stand to risk it?"
There was a tiny pop, and the place where Sirius's head had been was flickering flame once more. They all sat there in silence before Harry went to stand. Ellen grabbed his arm and shook her head, forcing him to stay sitting with all of them. "Sirius is right. You need to quit asking about Hagrid."
"But!" Harry protested, Ellen covering his mouth to silence him.
"The game is different now Harry." She warned him. "You've got to learn to adapt."
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "High Inquisitor"
"In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. " 'The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.'
"This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person. " 'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success —' "
"She's been a WHAT?" said Harry loudly.
"Wait, there's more," said Hermione grimly.
" '— an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.' "It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts .' " 'This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'
"The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts. " 'I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. 'Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.'
"Among those 'eccentric decisions' are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody. Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts. " 'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence,' said a Ministry insider last night.
"Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts. " 'Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office,' said Madam Marchbanks. 'This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore.' (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17)."
"So now we know how we ended up with Umbridge! Fudge passed this 'Educational Decree' and forced her on us! And now he's given her the power to inspect other teachers!" Hermione was breathing fast and her eyes were very bright. "I can't believe this. It's outrageous..."
"I know it is," said Harry. He looked down at his right hand, clenched upon the tabletop, and saw the faint white outline of the words Umbridge had forced him to cut into his skin. But a grin was unfurling on Ron's face.
"What?" said Harry and Hermione together, staring at him.
"Oh, I can't wait to see McGonagall inspected," said Ron happily. "Umbridge won't know what's hit her."
"Well, come on," said Hermione, jumping up, "we'd better get going, if she's inspecting Binns's class we don't want to be late..."
But Professor Umbridge was not inspecting their History of Magic lesson, which was just as dull as the previous Monday, nor was she in Snape's dungeon when they arrived for double Potions. The entire class period and the next passed dully for Ellen, no sign of the awful High Inquisitor anywhere. She and Hermione finally met up with the boys as they walked up to the door of their Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Ellen gave the look a disgusted glance. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be going there today."
She turned and marched down the hall all the way towards Dumbledore's office. She flounced up the stairs after giving the password and let herself in the same way she had the last time. Settling into the chair he conjured for her, Ellen grinned. "Everyone but the Ninth has agreed to consider joining the Order, and I'm pretty sure that she'll join once she knows the others are involved too."
"So soon?" Albus's eyebrows rose in response. "I would have thought that it would have taken at least a month."
"The others have been in constant contact for the last seventy years." She admitted. "When we got Tyki on our side, we basically got all of them."
Her friend let a very boyish grin steal across his face. "How are things going with Professor Mikk?"
Ellen gagged dramatically. "Can you quit calling him that? It makes it sound like I'm having some clandestine affair with my own husband."
"But," She smiled. "It's going very well. I never thought that we would be together again and now that were are, it feels like a dream that I don't want to wake up from.
Albus looked at his old friend with a light feeling in his heart. Never had he seen the moody Noah so genuinely happy. "I have to ask," He began. "Is the Clan going to be joining the Order at any of the upcoming meetings?"
"Trust me, you don't want to deal with them without me around for the first time." Ellen held in a groan at the thought of Jasdevit terrorizing Molly Weasley. "Besides, Tyki has his hands full with his students and it isn't like Rhode can just take off from her common room at the slightest notice."
Her eyes widened when that last part slid out. "Rhode is the Ninth. She's a first year Slytherin under the name Rebecca Campbell. She's harmless as far as I can tell, but you might want to get Severus to keep an eye on her."
He nodded and summoned them each a cup of tea. The old friends spent the rest of the afternoon talking and planning things both important and unimportant. It wasn't until the screeching of an owl landing on his desk interrupting them that Ellen realized how late it was. She quickly excused herself and started walking towards Tyki's office.
Ellen actually waited for him to answer the door that time and looked around to see if the hall was clear before literally jumping on him and kissing him. He kissed back eagerly, shutting the door behind them.
"Not that I am not happy to see you," He grinned, "But aren't you supposed to be in class right now."
"Because I really need to worry about passing my OWLs." Ellen snorted and untangled herself from him. "I couldn't stand do deal with that terrible Umbridge woman today. All she has done is insult everyone and imply that I'm some uncontrollable Beast."
He shook his head fondly. It was so like her to be so belligerent in the face of adversity. Ellen walked over to his bookshelf and pulled the purple book, opening up the passage into his quarters. She threw herself down on the bed with a loud groan.
Tyki lay next to her and wrapped an arm around her smaller body. He did not say a word; he was content to just exist near her for a moment more. His love did not speak a single word but he could feel the tension slowly draining out of her as she snuggled closer. She turned around in his arms and tucked her head neatly under his chin.
"I don't know what I'm doing." She said quietly. "I'm supposed to be here to protect Harry, but that awful woman keeps making him use a blood quill and there isn't anything that I can do about it. He made me promise not to say anything to Albus but I don't know if I can do that anymore."
He brushed her hair out of her face with a gentle touch. "Do what feels right to you. It will not be easy but if Mr. Potter trusts you, isn't that what matters?"
The only response she gave was burrowing closer. The empty spot that lived in her heart felt whole whoever she was near him and she would do anything to keep it that way. Tyki was a source of comfort in her life; he was the only person that did not leave her.
Even when they were supposed to be enemies, he had never left. She could remember the night that he first stayed as if it had only happened the day before.
The finders she had been with had broken off to find shelter from the storm they were caught in, leaving her alone in the dark. When they did not return over an hour later she had been forced to continue on her own. The slippery mountain path led her to a deep, but dry cave. She had carefully entered with her Innocence activated in preparation for any wild animal that she might encounter but all she found was the Noah of Pleasure sitting next to a small fire, his dripping outer clothes laid out next to him.
She had expected a fight but the Noah had only invited her to sit next to him, stating that he was far too tired to fight with her that night. It had taken a few hours for her to fully relax and accept that he truly meant no harm. The Noah had convinced her to lay her soaked exorcist coat and boots out next to his so that they could dry and she found herself sitting closer to the man than she ever had before.
Only the sound of the crackling fire filled the cave until Tyki began speaking. He told a tale from his childhood, a story of how he and his older brother had found themselves in a similar situation; they had ended up staying in their shelter until a local sheep farmer discovered them and dragged them back to their father's villa.
From there conversation had flowed freely between the enemies and it had surprised her how much she truly enjoyed the man's presence. They talked late into the night until her eyes were heavy with sleep. Tyki had ordered her to sleep, promising that he would stay to keep the fire burning through the night.
And he did.
When she awoke the next morning he was still there, the pale morning light streaming into the cave and lighting up his face. The Noah had wrapped his now dry overcoat across her shoulders, explaining that hers was still a little damp. She had felt the strangest feeling in the bit of her stomach like there was something fluttering about.
His hands had lingered as the top of her arms and he had looked at her with an expression that she couldn't place. She had looked into his eyes and it was like the world had stopped; they were the only ones in existence. They grew closer as if there was a ever shortening string attached between them. Her heartbeat sounded in her ears when he had finally brushed his lips against her, soft but reassuring.
They pulled away from each other and looking into his glowing yellow eyes, she knew something had changed for good.
Their romance had been something out of a novel. It was full of stolen moments and kisses in the dark, words of love never spoken above a whisper yet they be discovered. The more time she spent with him, the happier her life became. Having someone like him, someone that loved her so fiercely, it changed her whole life. Suddenly the world didn't seem as dark and hopeless because he had shown her that there was still joy and beauty.
She had been willing to give up everything for him and she nearly did. Once she figured out that she was with child they had immediately begun planning their escape. Tyki had found a ship that was willing to let them join on its journey to the colonies and if it hadn't been for the Black Order, they would have left.
It had been her mistake really. She had been on a mission with Lenalee when a bout of morning sickness struck her. Her dear friend had easily figured out what was happening and truly seemed happy for her until Ellen told her that she planned to leave the Black Order to be with the father. Lenalee had told her brother about Ellen's pregnancy the moment that they arrived back in Headquarters and he had had no choice but to inform the Vatican.
The Vatican had immediately placed her under careful watch of Howard Link to ensure that she did not flee in the middle of the night. That had been something that she could handle until it came to their notice that she was the host for the Fourteenth. It was that very night that the Vatican had ordered for her child to be killed, as they could not allow such an abomination as a Noah to reproduce.
She was forced to swallow all types of medications and her Innocence was bound, by the end of the night she had delivered a stillborn child, a little boy. Ellen had sobbed in despair and cradled the body of her precious son. She had a son. They had already decided on names, it was to be Nicholas if it was a boy and Maria if it was a girl. And now her beautiful Nicholas was dead.
Ellen did not realized that she was shaking from the intensity of the memories until she felt Tyki grip her tighter and murmur reassuring words. She jerked slightly and stared up into his haunted eyes, her eyes shimmering with tears that would not fall. "I'm sorry." Ellen whispered against his chest.
"I miss him too." Tyki's voice wavered. "There is not a day that passes that I do not wish to have him back."
She sniffled and pressed her face against his shirt. "I can't do this. How am I supposed to protect Harry if I couldn't even protect our son?"
"There was nothing you could have done back then, amor. There were too many of them and you did not have a way to defend yourself. You are stronger now and I know that you will keep the boy safe; I know you."
"We have to protect him Tyki. His parents trusted that we would all keep from harm's way; I won't let Lily and James down like that." Ellen vowed. "I'm willing to be the monster this world sees me as if it means that Harry is safe."
Tyki ran his hand down her back reassuringly. "Then I will be a monster as well. We all will. You don't ever have to be alone again."
Ellen kissed him lightly and tucked back against his chest, allowing peaceful sleep to wash over her.
The following morning found her still in Tyki's bed wrapped in his warm embrace. Ellen rolled out his bed and onto the floor with a loud thud, hopping up with a groan. Tyki groaned sleepily and looked over at her. "What," He asked. "are you doing?"
"I didn't show back up to my dormitory last night!" She panicked, casting every charm she knew to make herself look presentable. "What am I going to say when they ask me where I've been? 'Oh, don't worry, I've just spent the night with our professor. You know, the one that I'm bloody married to?' I'm sure that'll go over well!"
She frowned at the stubborn strawberry preserve stain on her collar that refused to move no matter how many spells she cast on it. With a roll of her eyes she walked over to his wardrobe and pulled a white button up out, shrinking it to fit her size. Tyki chuckled loudly at her antics.
"Is it your mission to steal every one of my shirts, menina?" asked Tyki. "This is the second one this week. If you keep this up then I will have to teach my classes without a shirt."
"I'll only take the good ones." She teased, laughing as she danced out the way of his embrace. "Your shirts smell better anyways."
He reached out and ruffled her hair. "That's because I know what colônia is, you little witch."
Ellen rolled her eyes and finally slipped her jumper on. She checked to see if her tie was straight and dragged him out into his office with her. Leaning up she kissed him goodbye, a soft blush across her cheeks. "I'll see you in class today, Professor."
She slipped out of his office and sprinted towards the Great Hall in hope that her friends would still be eating by the time she got there. With a sigh of relief she made her way to the table and sat next to Hermione, apparently interrupting the middle of some argument.
"You think McGonagall was right, do you?" Harry said angrily, glaring at where Hermione was hiding behind her newspaper.
"I wish she hadn't taken points, but she is right about not losing your temper with Umbridge." Hermione said while staring at the same spot on the paper.
Harry looked over at his friend in anger and spent the rest of their breakfast in relative silence. She and Hermione chattered all the way to Charms where Harry still seemed insistent on ignoring the other girl. When they finally made it to Transfiguration she was almost excited to see Umbridge sitting in the corner clutching a clipboard.
McGonagall marched into the room as if the toashish professor was not even present. "That will do." She said crisply and silence fell over the classroom. She ordered her students to hand out the necessary mice for class and handed back their homework in silence.
"Hem, hem," Umbridge coughed strangely. Professor McGonagall ignored her.
"Right then, everyone, listen closely — Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention — most of you have now successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell. Today we shall be —"
"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge.
"Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning round, her eyebrows so close together they seemed to form one long, severe line.
"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec —"
"Obviously I received it, or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom," said Professor McGonagall, turning her back firmly on Professor Umbridge. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell —"
"Hem, hem."
"I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."
Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped in the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously. Looking supremely unconcerned, Professor McGonagall addressed the class once more.
"As I was saying, the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind on your dinner. So — you know the incantation, let me see what you can do..."
Hermione glanced over at Ellen and spoke in a whisper. "Where were you last night?"
"I can't tell you right now." Ellen glared at her, silencing any questions the other girl might have had.
They continued on with the lesson as normal, Umbridge sitting the corner writing a large amount of notes on her clipboard as McGonagall taught. When Professor McGonagall finally told them all to pack away, rose with a grim expression on her face.
As they filed out of the classroom, Harry saw Professor Umbridge approach the teacher's desk; he nudged Ron, who nudged Hermione, who nudged Ellen in turn, and the four of them deliberately fell back to eavesdrop.
"How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Professor Umbridge asked.
"Thirty-nine years this December," said Professor McGonagall brusquely, snapping her bag shut.
Professor Umbridge made a note.
"Very well," she said, "you will receive the results of your inspection in ten days' time."
"I can hardly wait," said Professor McGonagall in a coldly indifferent voice, and she strode off toward the door. "Hurry up, you lot," she added, sweeping the four before her.
Ellen had hoped that would have been the last they would see of Umbridge that day, but when they walked down to the forest for Care of Magical Creatures she spotted the woman and her clipboard standing next to Tyki.
"You are new to this position, am I correct?" Ellen heard her ask him as they crowded around the trestle table where the bowtruckles were feasting on wood lice.
"I am new to Hogwarts, yes," Tyki said with a polite smile. "However, as the Headmaster has stated, I have many years of experience teaching Care of Magical Creatures at Castelobruxo."
"Oh yes," Professor Umbridge simpered, "I wonder — the headmaster seems strangely reluctant to give me any information on the matter — can you tell me what is causing Mr. Hagrid's very extended leave of absence?"
"I am afraid I cannot." Tyki said flatly. "I have not had the opportunity to discuss it with the Headmaster, but I have heard nothing but kind things about Senhor Hagrid. So, shall we get started?"
"Yes, please do," said Professor Umbridge, scribbling upon her clipboard with a vaguely sour face. The woman wandered around the students as Tyki taught, asking them several questions about magical creatures which a surprising amount got correct.
"Overall," said Professor Umbridge, returning to Tyki's side, "how do you, as a new member of staff — an objective outsider, I suppose you might say — how do you find Hogwarts? Do you feel you receive enough support from the school management?"
"The Headmaster has been rather impressive," His eyes lit up in admiration. "I must say that I am very pleased with the way he runs Hogwarts. It is very different from what I am used to, but in a very good way."
Looking politely incredulous, Umbridge made a tiny note on her clipboard and went on, "And what are you planning to cover with this class this year?"
"I plan to cover the creatures they will see on their O.W.L.s," said Tyki. "Senhor Hagrid did an excellent job of preparing them so there is not much more that we will need to go over. We will be covering porlocks and kneazles in the next few weeks, and I want to make sure that they can recognize crups and knarls as well as a few others."
"Well, you seem to know what you're doing, at any rate," said Professor Umbridge, making a very obvious tick on her clipboard. Ellen turned towards Tyki with a happy smile. He had answered everything so well that the awful toad would have a hard time finding anything to critique.
She made her way next to him, poking at the bowtruckle he had in the palm of his hand. The creature swung its sharp fingertips at her and it would have scratched Tyki deeply had the thing's arm not passed through his hand as if it did not exist.
Ellen giggled to herself then frowned when she heard Umbridge speaking to Harry. "Another night's detention, I think." The woman said softly. "Thank you so much, Professor Mikk. It was a pleasure to observe your class. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days."
"The pleasure is all mine." Tyki smirked, pulling a soft snort from Ellen. She watched Umbridge march back up to the castle, a sick feeling in her stomach when she realized what Harry would have to endure that night.
Ellen sat out of the couch with Ron and Hermione, a bowl of bright yellow murtlap essence in from of them. According the other two, Harry's injuries had only gotten worse the more that he had detention. The common room was empty except for them and the fire was still crackling away.
"So," Hermione said quietly. "Were were you last night Ellen?"
"I can't tell you." Ellen replied, refusing to make eye contact. "It could cause a lot of trouble for you if someone found out that you knew."
Harry's entrance interrupted whatever Hermione was going to say. The witch motioned for him to join them and pushed the small bowl towards him. "Here," She said anxiously, "soak your hand in that, it's a solution of strained and pickled murtlap tentacles, it should help."
His expression was relived when he set his bleeding hand in the bowl. "Thanks." He murmured, petting that awful orange cat behind the ears.
"I still reckon you should complain about this," said Ron in a low voice.
"No," said Harry flatly.
"McGonagall would go nuts if she knew —"
"Yeah, she probably would," said Harry. "And how long d'you reckon it'd take Umbridge to pass another Decree saying anyone who complains about the High Inquisitor gets sacked immediately?"
"She's an awful woman," said Hermione in a small voice. "Awful. You know, I was just saying to Ron earlier... we've got to do something about her."
"I suggested poison," said Ron grimly.
"No...I mean, something about what a dreadful teacher she is, and how we're not going to learn any defense from her at all," said Hermione.
"Well, what can we do about that?" said Ron, yawning. " 'S too late, isn't it? She got the job, she's here to stay, Fudge'll make sure of that."
"Well," said Hermione tentatively. "You know, I was thinking today..."
She shot a slightly nervous look at Harry and then plunged on, "I was thinking that — maybe the time's come when we should just — just do it ourselves."
"Do what ourselves?" said Harry suspiciously, still floating his hand in the essence of murtlap tentacles.
"Well — learn Defense Against the Dark Arts ourselves," said Hermione.
"Come off it," groaned Ron. "You want us to do extra work? D'you realize Harry and I are behind on homework again and it's only the second week?"
"But this is much more important than homework!" said Hermione. Harry and Ron goggled at her.
"I didn't think there was anything in the universe more important than homework," said Ron.
"Don't be silly, of course there is!" said Hermione. "It's about preparing ourselves, like Harry said in Umbridge's first lesson, for what's waiting out there. It's about making sure we really can defend ourselves. If we don't learn anything for a whole year —"
"We can't do much by ourselves," said Ron in a defeated voice. "I mean, all right, we can go and look jinxes up in the library and try and practice them, I suppose —"
"No, I agree, we've gone past the stage where we can just learn things out of books," said Hermione. "We need a teacher, a proper one, who can show us how to use the spells and correct us if we're going wrong."
"If you're talking about Lupin..." Harry began.
"No, no, I'm not talking about Lupin," said Hermione. "He's too busy with the Order and anyway, the most we could see him is during Hogsmeade weekends and that's not nearly often enough."
"Who, then? Ellen?" said Harry, frowning at her.
Ellen sighed and shook her head. "They won't listen to me. None of them know anything about me, they won't respond well to a stranger coming in and trying to take control."
"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione blurted about. "I'm talking about you, Harry. I'm talking about you teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"But I'm not a teacher, I can't —" He sputtered out
"Harry, you're the best in the year at Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Hermione.
"Me?" said Harry, now grinning more broadly than ever. "No I'm not, you've beaten me in every test —"
"Actually, I haven't," said Hermione coolly. "You beat me in our third year — the only year we both sat the test and had a teacher who actually knew the subject. But I'm not talking about test results, Harry. Look what you've done!"
"How d'you mean?"
"You know what, I'm not sure I want someone this stupid teaching me," Ron said to Hermione, smirking slightly. He turned to Harry.
"Let's think," he said, pulling a face like Goyle concentrating. "Uh...first year — you saved the Stone from You-Know-Who."
"But that was luck," said Harry, "that wasn't skill —"
"Second year," Ron interrupted, "you killed the basilisk and destroyed Riddle."
"Yeah, but if Fawkes hadn't turned up I —"
"Third year," said Ron, louder still, "you fought off about a hundred dementors at once —"
"You know that was a fluke, if the Time-Turner hadn't —"
"Last year," Ron said, almost shouting now, "you fought off You-Know-Who again —"
"Listen to me!" said Harry, almost angrily. "Just listen to me, all right? It sounds great when you say it like that, but all that stuff was luck — I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I didn't plan any of it, I just did whatever I could think of, and I nearly always had help —"
"Don't sit there grinning like you know better than I do, I was there, wasn't I?" he said heatedly. "I know what went on, all right? And I didn't get through any of that because I was brilliant at Defense Against the Dark Arts, I got through it all because — because help came at the right time, or because I guessed right — but I just blundered through it all, I didn't have a clue what I was doing — STOP LAUGHING!You don't know what it's like! You've never had to face him, have you? You think it's just memorizing a bunch of spells and throwing them at him, like you're in class or something? The whole time you know there's nothing between you and dying except your own — your own brain or guts or whatever — like you can think straight when you know you're about a second from being murdered, or tortured, or watching your friends die — they've never taught us that in their classes, what it's like to deal with things like that — and you two sit there acting like I'm a clever little boy to be standing here, alive, like Diggory was stupid, like he messed up — you just don't get it, that could just as easily have been me, it would have been if Voldemort hadn't needed me —"
"We weren't saying anything like that, mate," said Ron, looking aghast. "We weren't having a go at Diggory, we didn't — you've got the wrong end of the —"
He looked helplessly at Hermione, whose face was stricken. "Harry," she said timidly, "don't you see? This...this is exactly why we need you...We need to know what it's r-really like...facing him...facing V-Voldemort."
"Please think about it, at least." Ellen finally spoke, her eyes trained firmly on the ground. "I know what it's like to face him. Hell, I know what it's like to face something far worse than Voldemort. But the rest of you, everyone else your age? They have no clue what they're going to have to face. You're the only one that can truly prepare them. This isn't just about you anymore. It's about every single one of them."
The boy nodded numbly. Ellen felt a flash of guilt before she steeled herself and stood up. "I'm off to bed." She said stiffly. "Hermione?"
Hermione stood up and joined Ellen, turning back to face the boys. "Erm...'night."
They walked up the stairs in silence and quietly changed into their pajamas. Ellen tossed her dress shirt between their beds without a thought and pulled the curtains closed around her bed, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts. The curly haired witched sighed and leaned down to untie her shoes, pausing when she glanced over Ellen's shirt.
She reached out and picked the shirt up, running her fingers over the raised part spot of the shirt's cuff where it was all but hidden from view. Embroidered there in identical white thread were two letters, so small that Hermione almost hadn't noticed them.
T.M.
Hermione dropped the shirt back onto the ground and lay down in bed, a million thoughts running through her mind. She breathed deeply and let sleep surround her, finally quieting her thoughts.
Ellen is lowkey obsessed with Tyki and so am I. Sorry for the obscenely long chapter, but I had a lot to get out. Hopefully they'll be a bit shorter from now on, but I make no promises.
I also want to apologize for the long delay! I've been in the hospital on and off for the past two weeks and there just wasn't time for me to edit. Hopefully it'll be enough for now :(