The summer was going peacefully until the day Aunt Marge came- Marge being Vernon's sister and (in Ellice's opinion) a right old bitch. Ellice had never been a person to condone fakeness, or act as etiquette requires; she'd never been fond of Marge (which is to be expected as the woman had never been kind to her), so she rarely listened when the pompous lady spoke. In Ellice's opinion, Marge Dursley was an ignorant bigot that enjoys the pain of inflicting stupid opinions on others, this opinion happened to be confirmed when Marge decided to start badmouthing the twins parents.
Harry had never been as good as Ellice at masking his temper, which was why, when Marge wouldn't shut up, she began blowing up. Ellice would have laughed at the events if it weren't for the amount it had upset Harry. So, when he began to pack, dictating that he couldn't stay here anymore, Ellice readily followed.
Honestly, Ellice packed very little, simply her tobacco, papers, filters, and lighters, two of the ugly outfits, the letters and gifts from Harry, and the money she'd hidden. They reached the door before Vernon stopped them, screaming for Marge to be brought back, then biting into them that they had nowhere to go. They didn't care, ploughing past Vernon, they stalked out the house. Harry struggled dragging his case, whilst Ellice carried her rucksack and Hedwig's cage (the bird not currently in it). Eventually, they stopped at Magnolia Crescent.
Ellice sat on the curb, waiting for Harry to decide what he wanted to do. Echoing snaps sounded eerily in the night, Harry's cautious mutter lit up his wand like a torch. The treeline became evermore spooky as the outline of a large dog or wolf shadowed the grass. The twins stared, shocked into a trance. Harry stumbled back, falling onto his butt. The trance broke.
Ellice glanced at him and raised an eyebrow, "Smooth." She commented with a smirk.
"Shut up, Ellice." He shot back good naturedly, making her bark out a laugh. A deafening bang silenced her, as a violet bus sped to a stop in front of them (breaking at least 60 health and safety laws).
A guy, about 17, introduced himself as Stan, before reading a business card detailing that this bus was in fact called The Night Bus. Ellice edged towards Harry as she felt Stan radiated creepy vibes. Much to her displeasure Harry got them both tickets to the Leaky Cauldren. Ellice was on high alert as Stan and Harry merged into idle chatter- she was less than thrilled to learn a mass muderer was on the loose.
Ellice almost kissed the ground when Ern slammed on the breaks, letting the twins off. Harry had clearly had enough of Stan as he quickly dragged Ellice off the bus, both twins giving a dismissive, "Thanks."
A male voice interrupted Stan's chatter, "There you are, Harry." For a reason Ellice didn't care for, this excited Stan. The new authoritive man was clucking like a mother hen, ushering Harry, who in turn dragged Ellice, into a rundown looking pub, that Ellice surmised to be the Leaky Cauldren.
The landlord, called Tom, quickly led the trio into a private room, effectively cutting off Stan, who was stalking them.
"I am Cornelius Fudge. The Minister for Magic." The authoritive man announces, before he leisurely explains to the twins that their Aunt Marge has been uninflated and obliviated, and that their aunt and uncle had agreed that they could go back during the summer (this news thrilled neither child). He then further explained to Harry that he was not in fact expelled, but that he ought to stay in the wizarding side of London (i.e. Diagon Alley) due to the danger of Sirius Black. Finally an end came to the Minister's speech, "Enjoy your stay, Harry." The Minister smiled waningly, "Tom will show you to your room- I'd like to talk to your sister before she joins you." He explains briefly. Harry glances at Ellice who gives him a small smile and a nod, reiterating that she'd be fine on her own, so, reluctantly, he leaves.
"You're, of course, in no trouble, dear. It is simply that you've missed two years of school, so the Headmaster and I wish to explain what is going to happen." The Minister explains once Harry is gone. Ellice gives him a blank nod, prompting the elder wizard to walk over to the fire, dropping a note and green dust inside. A large green flame blazes for a second.
The duo hover in silence for a moment, then the green fire blazes again. Ellice raises an eyebrow as a tall figure exits the fireplace. The old man goes to stand by the Minister. He looks shockingly like Gandalf, and Ellice wanders if he is aware, for his silver robes are a shade too close to grey for her to not suspect he does. It's his eyes that bothered her, though- they twinkle with secrets, that she doesn't (you can never trust a person with secrets), and he looks at her like he knows something about her that she doesn't. Ellice's nose lightly crinkles at the eerie creepiness of it all.
"It is lovely to meet you, Miss Potter. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore." He pleasantly introduces. "I am happy to inform you that you will be attending Hogwarts this year," He smiles, "But, due to your absences, you will require a different timetable until you have caught up. I have taken the opportunity to acquire you the books for the last two years, although you will be required to acquire this year's belongings." He waves his hand at a table, and two piles of books appear, "Oh, yes, before I forgot," He think aloud, before producing a heavy parchment envelope, that Ellice knows to contain a Hogwarts letter, "This is yours." She takes it from his outstretched hand.
"Thank you." She finally speaks, remembering her manners for once.
"The last thing to discuss is your sorting, I assume you don't want to be sorted with the first years, correct?" He inquires, his voice never leaving the mild, pleasant tone. Ellice gives a short nod. "Then, we shall sort you now. Pop on this stool if you will, Miss Potter." Dumbledore pats an empty stool. Ellice awkwardly sit on it. The next moment she's blinded.
"Ah, what's this?" Whispers a croaky voice in her head, "A bit late, aren't we?"
'You're a hat, what do you have to be sassy about?' She thinks bitterly.
"Rude and late," The hat tuts (Ellice almost groans when she remembers the hat could see her thoughts). "Hm, you hold many secrets, Miss Potter."
'I bet you do to,' She returns.
"So brave, and secretive, and smart. You would do well in any of the houses, but my decision has been made," The hat comments, before announcing, "Hufflepuff!"
'Seriously, there's three people in a tiny room, did you have to shout?" She thinks bitterly. That hat laughs as Dumbledore removes it from her head.
"I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts, Miss Potter, but for now I must depart." Professor Dumbledore gives her a last smile, before spinning on his heal and disappearing.
The Minister smiles at Ellice, "Tom will show you to your room." He says, with a nod of his head. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"And you minister." Ellice says politely.
"And dear? Do remember to stay in the wizarding world." The Minister calls before Ellice follows Tom (who was hovering her new books to follow him) out of the room.
After a few minutes silence they reach the room, and Tom places her books on a desk, before ushering himself out. Ellice almost laughs when she sees Harry had gotten them a shared room. She quickly scrawled a letter to Georgia, explaining the situation of boarding school, and 'give your letter to the bird'. Then tiredly, she flops down onto the bed, falling into a restful sleep.
"Go away," Ellice groans, waving her hand at her brother, "And get off me." Her eyes roll, half open, as Harry lays on top of her, trying to wake her up.
"Wake up!" He sits next to her and pokes her cheek, she swats at his hand, "Ellice! I need you to wake up!" He demands urgently. With seconds she's sat bolt upright, looking frantically around the room.
"What's wrong?" She asks frantically.
"Nothing," Harry shrugs, grinning, "I just wanted you to wake up." Ellice glares at him as he laughs. Quickly, she jumps on him, and the two begin rough housing playfully.
Exhausted and laughing they finally roll away from each other, laying on their back on the floor. They both stare at the ceiling, getting their breath back, before Ellice sits up.
"So, why'd you wake me?" She asks, looking down at him with a smile.
"Oh, yeah," Harry pushes himself into sitting position, leaning up against her bed, "I wanted to know what I missed when you were with the Minister."
She rolls her eyes, "And that couldn't wait 'til a decent time?"
"It was midday." He defends, shifting slightly.
"My point still stands, babe." She informs him, smiling.
"So?" He's asks, "What happened?"
"Met Dumbledore, got told my timetable would be weird until I caught up with first and second year work, got sorted, then got reminded to stay out of the muggle world." Ellice summarises, leaning back on her hand.
"Sorted?" He enquires, leaning towards her slightly.
"Mhm." She hums carelessly.
Harry rolls his eyes, "Into what house?"
"Oh, Hufflepuff." She informs.
"The Hufflepuffs are- nice," He hedges, a light smirk dancing on his lips.
Ellice groans, "That's code for they're gonna annoy the hell out of me."
"Not necessarily," He argues, "I don't really know them that well." She stares at him, unimpressed. "Anyway," He kicks her lightly, "If they're that bad, you can sneak into my dorm and stay there."
She grins at him, "Thanks, honey."
"I'm going to go to Diagon Alley, you coming?" He stands.
"No," She groans, "I'm very got to start on all that if I ever want to catch up." She waves her hand at the pile of books.
"You'll catch up in no time, you're the smartest person I know. I swear it's you superpower." He teases, offering her a hand up.
She takes it, and jumps up, "You know how you love me though," She grins innocently, "And you wanna do my school shopping for me?" She bats her eyes.
Harry laughs, "Yeah, okay. But you're gonna have to take a break from that eventually and get your robes and wand."
"Love you!" She chirps, taking a seat at the desk.
"Yeah, you too," Harry snorts, waving as he leaves the room. Ellice begins her reading.