Chapter 9

All Hallows Eve

Breakfast the next morning was an interesting affair. Elizabeth spent most of it stabbing at her porridge, glaring daggers at Draco and thinking up an elaborate and almost criminal plan for revenge. Malfoy, on his part, was staring at Harry and Ron, half amazed and half disgusted that they had not yet been expelled. And Harry and Ron were acting as though last night's events had been the greatest adventure ever, and couldn't wait to go on another one.

Elizabeth couldn't help but notice that Dumbledore looked tickled pink by their current situation. She knew the crackpot old fool was aware to what was going on, whether he knew they had discovered his 'cute, little pet,' she wasn't sure; but either way he looked far too happy watching them glare at each other from the high table. The man didn't miss a trick and it was really beginning to annoy her.

The only person who wasn't in the slightest bit reminiscing about the previous night's events, was Hermione. She seemed to be doing a great job at pretending nothing had happened, and that there was not in fact a giant monstrous dog, sitting somewhere in the castle as she pondered between fried or scrambled eggs.

Elizabeth had almost cried with laughter earlier that morning when, after listening to Ron bad mouth Hermione the whole way down to the great hall, she had finally had enough and told him to stop insulting her friend or there would be hell to pay. Ron's face had been a picture and Elizabeth had trouble breathing she was laughing so much.

"FRIEND! Since when?" Ron had almost bellowed.

"Since, none of your business," She had replied, flouncing into the great hall for breakfast, with a quick good morning to Neville and Hermione as she passed; leaving Ron with his jaw hitting the floor, and Harry trying not to laugh at his best friends expression.

The whole morning had taken a turn for the worse when Malfoy had walked through the door, smirk plastered on his face, expecting to see two less heads at the Gryffindor table. It took everything in her not to curse that smirk right off his face, but that was not the Weasley triplets way, she would get him back, no doubt about that, and nobody would forget it.

She was brought from her thoughts as Ron began theorizing as to what their three-headed friend might have been guarding.

"It's either really dangerous or really valuable," said Ron.

"Or both," Harry added.

Elizabeth thought about what could possibly be that important, but was unable to come up with anything; until Harry interrupted her thoughts.

"There is one possibility," he said.

He then spent the next ten minutes explaining to them about that day at Diagon Alley. About how he and Hagrid had visited another vault in Gringotts, other than his own. About how Hagrid had taken a small grubby package from the vault, one about which he became highly secretive; and then how Gringotts had been broken into the very same day.

Elizabeth couldn't deny, he had a point. All the evidence seemed to point to the fact, that whatever the package Hagrid had taken that day was, that was what the dog was guarding.

Their only problem however, was that the only thing that Harry seemed to remember about the mysterious object, was that it was about two inches long and covered in grubby brown paper. It gave them very little to go on.

They were driven from this topic by the entrance of the post. Owl after owl swooped into the great hall, Barney dropping a letter into her lap, and stopping for a treat, before flying off to re-join the others.

She tore open the letter and read:

Ten years my dear. It is time again.

I will meet you in my office at 5pm on All Hallows Eve; there is something we must discuss before your journey.

Bring him if you are ready, you know of whom I speak.

Albus

P.S the password is Rainbow Drops

She had been dreading this moment for a while; she had a lot to think about over the next few days. She couldn't dwell on it for long however, as whispers broke out over the hall and all attention had been caught by a long, thin package being carried in by six large screech owls, heading straight for their table. Elizabeth had a horrible feeling she knew what that was.

The owls soared down dropping the package in front of them, knocking Harry's bacon to the floor, and moments letter a final owl dropped a letter atop the package, and they were gone. All three looked at each other.

She watched as Harry ripped open the letter first, which was lucky as she read, upside down, from across the table.

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.

It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand,

But I don't want everyone knowing you've

Got a broomstick or they'll all want one.

Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the

Quidditch pitch at seven o'clock for your

First training session.

Professor M. McGonagall.

Elizabeth had been preparing for this moment she knew it was coming, but really, a Nimbus Two Thousand. She was beginning to think that someone in the universe really didn't like her. She was happy for her brother, really she was, but this was her dream; Harry hadn't even known flying was possible till a few weeks ago.

Elizabeth was glad that McGonagall had asked him not to open it at the table, at least she could hide her jealousy if she could at least pretend it was nothing more than an old comet or shooting star. And she had to agree, if Harry was to open a Nimbus Two Thousand in the middle of the Great Hall, there would be pandemonium. She imagined Malfoy would be the first to have a few choice phrases to say about it, his anger over first years not being allowed a broom would only further their feud, when he realised that this rule had been ignored for Gryffindor's Golden boy.

The boys left the hall quickly, excited to open the broom. Elizabeth followed, however jealous she might have been, this was a Nimbus Two Thousand, and she wasn't going to pass up a chance to handle one herself.

It was almost as if he knew he had crossed her mind as, they had only gotten half way across the entrance hall when they found their way upstairs barred. Malfoy was there, Crabbe and Goyle stood either side of him, like the two loyal mongrels they were. He seized the package from Harry and examined it, trying to see whether or not his suspicions were true.

"That's a broomstick," he said, tossing the package back at Harry, a strange combination of jealousy and pride on his face. He really thought he had done it. He thought he had found the way to get rid of Harry. Any trace of jealousy Elizabeth had vanished as a large grin made its way on her face. This was going to be good. "You'll be for it this time Potter, first years aren't allowed them."

Ron couldn't resist.

"It's not any old broom, it's a Nimbus Two Thousand."

"Bit out of your league, eh, Malfoy. What did you say you had at home? A Comet three sixty was it. Oh well better luck next time." Elizabeth couldn't help but add in her sickles worth, having still not got over his antics from the previous evening.

It seemed Draco had chosen to ignore her comment as he turned to Ron. "What would you know about it, Weasley? You couldn't afford half the handle. I imagine you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig." That was it. Elizabeth was an inch from grabbing her wand, no one insulted the Weasley's in front of her, when Harry's hand stopped her.

Professor Flitwick had appeared, head bobbing above Malfoy's shoulder as he stood a few stairs above them.

"Not arguing, I hope children?" he squeaked.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," Malfoy said quickly, the pure joy he felt at the concept of getting Harry expelled evident on his face. It didn't last long, however.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. Well, what model is it?" Elizabeth was doing everything in her power not to scream with laughter. The expression on Malfoy's face was hilarious.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir." Harry said, she could see he and Ron were also struggling to hide their amusement. This was better revenge than any curse she could throw at him, in that moment she could have hugged Flitwick. It was perfect.

But what Harry said next was the icing on the cake, and she had the astounding realisation that maybe her and her brother weren't so different after all.

"It's all thanks to Malfoy here that I got it, really." Priceless.

Five minutes later found the three of them heading up the stairs still laughing. She couldn't resist, she grabbed Harry and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Now that is more like it 'Mr' Potter" she said in a perfect imitation of Snape; just making the boys laugh harder.

"I have to tell Fred and George about this one. See you guys in class." And with that she ran off towards Filch's office, were she knew the twins had been planning to dump an obscene amount of Dungbombs outside, earlier that morning.

She still had to get Draco back for picking on Neville and for the so called duel and suddenly she had a plan; she was going to need their help.

Elizabeth hadn't been able to focus on class much that day. Her plans with Fred and George swimming around her head making her smile to herself. She could only imagine what she had looked like walking around grinning maniacly. She knew she had scared another first year, a Hufflepuff by the name of Lily Moon, when she had randomly stated giggling to herself, evilly, on the stairs to transfiguration. She had spent the next few minutes running after the poor girl promising she wasn't crazy and apologising, and before long had managed to make a new friend.

When she entered the Common Room that evening, it was to find Fred, George and Ron sat on the sofas; Hermione and Dean sat before them, as they attempted explaining Quidditch. By the confused expressions on the other's faces they weren't doing too good a job of it.

"So let me get this straight," Hermione said. "You two are beaters, and your job is to hit a maniac, homicidal ball at other players to knock them off their brooms, fifty feet in the air, just so they can't score and you can win."

"Got it in one, Granger; ten points to Gryffindor." Fred replied.

"That's barbaric!" Hermione almost yelled.

"Clearly you haven't played wizard chess," Elizabeth commented as she came to sit next to the twins; making all the Weasleys laugh.

"Harry gone already, has he?" she asked stealing an every flavour bean from the box on Fred's lap. Hmm… pepper, could have been worse.

"Yeah, he was hoping to see you first, show you the Nimbus. Where have you been? Didn't see you at dinner." Fred commented.

"Wasn't hungry," she replied. "So went to the Library, had some homework to do." Fred's jaw dropped.

"Who are you and what have you done with my little sister?" He joked.

She shrugged laughing it off. But George was not fooled, he could tell something else was on her mind.

As Ron and Dean separated from their small group, to play a game of exploding snap, George nudged Fred in the ribs.

"Well Hermione, it's about to introduce you to wizard's chess," he said. Hermione looked like she was about to decline, but Fred wasn't taking no for an answer. He got up leading Hermione over to one of the study tables as George shuffled up on the sofa next to Elizabeth. Those two had never been good at subtlety.

"Homework, eh?" George asked one eyebrow quirked.

She passed him the letter she had received at breakfast that morning. George read it and looked at her, confused.

"He means Harry," she said.

"I know that," he said. "But what the bloody hell is a Rainbow Drop?" Elizabeth cracked. He had done it again. The tension was gone and suddenly she was happy to talk about it.

"Well, are you going to take him?" George asked.

She stared into the fire for a few moments. "Not yet," she said. George looked at her questioningly. "Soon, I promise. Just once more, I need to do this on my own."

George nodded and the rest of the evening was taken up by exploding snap, and Hermione squeaking every time one of her black chess pieces got clobbered into tiny shards, as Fred won game after game of wizard chess. Hogwarts was starting to feel like home.

When Elizabeth woke on All Hallows morning she knew she would not really be able to concentrate that day, but she was at least distracted, as she made her way down to breakfast, by the delicious smell of baking pumpkins wafting through the corridors.

The day was beginning better than she thought, as Professor Flitwick announced that they would be starting to learn to make objects levitate. Elizabeth paired up with Neville, who gave her a grateful grin, it seemed he had been afraid no one would want to pair up with him. Ron was looking rather put out at being paired with Hermione, as harry had already partnered up with Seamus Finnegan, who was sat next to him.

"Now don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practising!" Squeaked Flitwick, perched precariously atop his usual pile of books. "Swish and Flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important too- never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said an S instead of an F and found himself sat on the floor with a buffalo on his chest." Elizabeth winced.

She watched as Neville swished and flicked his wand at the feather they had been provided. Nothing. She gave him a pat on the shoulder and told him to keep trying. Neville wasn't the only one who was having problems. Seamus had seemed to have set fire to his and Harry's feather; and Ron was brandishing his wand as though conducting an orchestra through a, what she could only describe as violent, piece of music.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted, waving his long arms as though he was trying to fly himself.

"You're saying it wrong," she heard Hermione snap. "It's Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa. Make the gar nice and long." Ron never had been good at constructive criticism.

"You do it then, if you're so clever." Ron snarled.

Elizabeth could only watch and wait, she knew what was about to happen. Her brother was an idiot.

Hermione rolled up her sleeves, flicked her wand and said "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads. Elizabeth caught her eye and winked, receiving a subtle smile in return.

"Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it."

By the end of the class Ron was in a foul mood.

"It's no wonder no one can stand her," he said as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor. "She's a nightmare, honestly."

"Lay off, Ron!" but it was too late. Someone knocked into Harry as they hurried past. It was Hermione; crying. She had heard him.

"Smooth, Ron. Really smooth." And with that Elizabeth stormed off, leaving both boys behind her, looking somewhat ashamed.

Five o'clock came too soon for Elizabeth. Everyone was slowly heading down to the Halloween feast and she was hiding in her dorm. She hadn't seen Hermione all day, after that morning's fiasco, but she had no time to worry about that now. She heard Harry shouting her name and was beginning to panic, when:

"Hey Harry, I saw her earlier. She wasn't feeling too well, think she went to the hospital wing, Pomfrey told her to get some rest."

"Oh, thanks George." She heard Harry say and slowly the common room cleared. She would have to thank George later; she honestly didn't know what she'd do without him sometimes.

She slowly made her way out of the portrait hole and headed towards the headmasters office.

As she reached the stone gargoyle that led to what Fred and George referred to as 'the promised land,' she took a steadying breath. Every year since she was eight, Dumbledore had come to the Burrow and taken her on their annual Halloween excursion. But this year felt different, and she was nervous, but she had no idea why.

"Rainbow Drops." She said and the stone gargoyle jumped into life revealing a spiral staircase that led to Dumbledore's office.

She tapped her knuckles on the door twice and it swung open.

"Ah, Elizabeth, dear, I was wondering when you would get here. Please take a seat, Humbug?" He asked, she gratefully accepted and popped the minty sweet in her mouth, hoping that the offending object would mean she wouldn't have to speak. For the first time in front of the headmaster, she felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to say

"I see you decided not to bring young Mr Potter with you?" It was more a statement than a question. She averted her eyes to the floor, unsure from Albus' tone as to how he felt about this fact.

He surprised her. "Well, quite right too. I believe there are some things one must do for themselves at least one last time. Am I right?" He winked at her and she felt her whole body relax, as though she were Wizard Baruffio and Dumbledore had just removed that rather heavy Buffalo from her chest.

"Thank you, sir." She said.

"No need to thank me, dear. Now the only reason I called you up here so early is to inform you that, sadly, I will not be able to take our trip with you this year. Our dear Divination tutor, Professor Trelawney, came to me earlier today in a terrible state. I seems the tea leaves have told her that something very dark is to happen at tonight's feast; and even thought this is the ninth Halloween in about eleven years she has said such, I did employ her and therefore would be remiss to ignore her completely. Wouldn't you say?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but grin, she had the feeling that Dumbledore would always know more than Trelawney, and the mischievous twinkle in his eye gave her the feeling he was thinking the same thing. She still couldn't help but be slightly nervous, this would be the first time she had ever made this trip without him, and it would be strange.

Her thought's that Dumbledore was more likely to be the one blessed with foresight, or at least the power to read minds, was developed even further when he said, "Now I know this is strange for you my dear, but I believe I have found a more than worthy substitute. Hagrid will be waiting for you when you arrive."

Elizabeth broke into a wide grin. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "Is he not taking me sir?" she asked, somewhat confused.

"Well, due to Hagrid's inability to apparate you will be travelling by Floo powder; to the home of a dear friend of mine, Bathilda Bagshot. Now, where my fireplace might be just big enough to accommodate Hagrid, I'm not sure Bathilda's tiny cottage would survive and eleven foot half giant barging through the fireplace, I'm afraid. No, he left early this morning and has already arrived. He is waiting for you." Dumbledore said placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her towards the grand fireplace that stood at the back of his office.

He took a pinch of Floo powder from the tub on the ornate mantle, threw it in the fire whilst muttering an address she didn't quite catch, and emerald flames burst to life within the grate.

She looked at Dumbledore, who surprised her by drawing her in for a fatherly hug. After releasing her moments later, he turned around and retrieved something from the desk behind him.

"I thought you might want these," he said. It took everything in her not to cry. Dumbledore has just handed her a dozen pure white lilies. She couldn't speak. But she didn't need to, the old man already knew what she wanted to say, she could see it in his eyes.

She was about to step into the flames, that would transport her to her destination, when Dumbledore called her one last time.

"Oh, and dear, when you return, feel free to head straight back to your common room. If Professor Trelawney is to be believed all hell may have broken lose, and I might be a bit busy. I must admit im rather excited, who knows, she may have cracked it this year. Have a good trip." And with that he left, heading to the feast

Elizabeth took one more deep breath before heading into the flames.

The feeling, which could only be compared to being pulled down a giant plug hole, was not foreign to her. Many times she had travelled by Floo powder at the Weasleys, and strangely she kind of enjoyed it. It seemed that wizarding transport didn't affect her as much as it did most. The first time wizards apparated, most threw up. Dumbledore had told her the first time she had apparated she had chosen it as a nice moment to have a nap; her older brother Charlie had said;

"Of course she did, us Weasley's are made of stronger stuff than that," and then proceeded to throw up every time he apparated for the first month he was learning. Safe to say they very rarely brought that up.

She was still spinning fast, the sensation always felt calming to her, she didn't know why. As she watched she could see the blurred steam of other fireplaces, on the network, and could catch glimpses of the rooms beyond. She allowed herself to close her eyes a moment, enjoying the sensation. Then, suddenly, her feet hit solid ground and she toppled forward, only to be caught seconds later by an extremely large hand.

"Careful there, lil' Lizzy," Hagrid has stopped her hitting the ground, face first. She had always hated the name Lizzy, but from Hagrid she found it quite endearing and so chose to ignore it. Getting to her feet and brushing soot off her robes, she checked the lilies in her hand. Still as white as when she left. Dumbledore had obviously charmed them.

"Hey, Hagrid," she said giving him a one armed hug.

"Lizzy, le' me introduce yer to Bathilda Bagshot," Elizabeth had only just realised they weren't the only two people in the room. It was quiet dark and there was books and notepads in stacks all over the room. But it was homey, and made Elizabeth feel extremely comfortable.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Bagshot," Elizabeth said extending her hand. Bathilda Bagshot was a tiny woman, with warm, welcoming eyes and silver grey hair. Elizabeth couldn't help but think she looked as old as some of the history in her books, but she seemed a kindly old woman, who was looking at Elizabeth as if seeing her own granddaughter for the first time.

"Welcome home, dear," she said ignoring Elizabeth's hand and pulling her into a hug, which was surprisingly strong for a women who was so small, and seemed so frail. "We'll then how about a nice cup of tea and a scone, before you head out." She said ushering them into the kitchen, which was also covered in papers, but had a table set for three.

They spent half an hour sat in Miss Bagshot's kitchen, Elizabeth found it difficult to call her Batty even though she had requested it, and then it was time.

They left the small little cottage, and found themselves on a rain soaked road in Godric's Hollow. Hagrid told Bathilda they would be about an hour, and he would drop Elizabeth back so she could return to Hogwarts.

Elizabeth pulled her cloak tightly around her, winter was surely on its way.

Together she and Hagrid walked past numerous houses, before Elizabeth stopped. She could tell Hagrid was finding this almost as difficult as her, after all it was almost ten years to the day he had taken Harry from this small village, away from this wreckage. She gave his hand a small squeeze, and looked back at the sight before her.

The hedge was beginning to get wild, and rubble lay amongst the long grass. Most of what was left of her childhood home was becoming covered in a dark ivy, but the right side of the top floor had been completely blown away.

She remembered nothing from that night, in fact she was glad of this. Dumbledore asked her frequently if she had seen or heard anything, but there was nothing.

Elizabeth headed towards the garden gate and lay a finger upon it, a she did every year. Her touch seemed to have triggered something, as a sign rose out of the ground, in golden letters it read;

On this spot, on the 31st October 1981,

Lily and James Potter lost their lives.

Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard

Ever to have survived the killing curse.

This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left

In its ruined state as a monument to the Potters

And as a reminder of the violence

That tore apart a family.

Tears had begun to well in Elizabeth's eyes, she pushed the gate the rest of the way open walked towards the door and left a single white lily on the doorstep; before heading back to Hagrid and they continued on in silence.

It wasn't long till they reached the graveyard, and Elizabeth stopped.

"Hagrid," she said. "Do you mind if I do this one alone?"

He looked at her, cleared his throat and said in a thick voice, "I'll be righ' 'ere, you know, if you need me."

She hugged him one last time, and headed to the back of the graveyard, the same place she visited every year.

James Potter, born 27th March 1960, died 31st October 1981

Lily Potter, born 30th January 1960, died 31st October 1981

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death

She had always hated that epitaph, she didn't know why, it just made her sad.

She knelt down in the grass, not caring that the damp ground was making mud seep through her jeans. For a moment she couldn't say anything, she just allowed her tears to flow, as she laid the lilies at the foot of the stone.

"Dumbledore gave me those," she finally said. "He asked me to bring Harry with me today. I couldn't do it yet. He's great though, we're getting somewhere towards being closer, I think. It's just going to take some time." She had always known what to say when she was sat here; but tonight she didn't have a clue.

So instead she just sat. For once nothing needed to be said, for the first time she could sense them with her. Just their presence was enough.

And so she sat.

What felt like hours later, though could have only been minutes, Hagrid came to find her telling her it was time to go.

She stood kissed two fingers and laid them atop the stone. "I'll see you soon," she whispered. And followed Hagrid back to Bathilda's in silence.

She didn't really remember getting back to Hogwarts that night, nor did she remember reaching the common room. But as soon as she did all hell broke loose.

"ELIZABETH!" it was Ron and he was running at her, as excited as a child on a sugar high.

"Where have you been? You should have been here. There was a troll in the dungeons!"

This phrase brought Elizabeth completely out of her daze. Apparently Trelawney's inner eye didn't need glasses after all.

She spent the next hour being regaled by tales of Ron and Harry taking on a fully grown mountain troll, of Hermione lying to Snape and McGonagall, and Harry and Ron gaining instead of losing house points. Apparently Dumbledore's exciting evening had co me to pass.

It seemed that Ron and Hermione were talking again, and more so where quite possibly friends.

Although she had to admit, there were a few things you couldn't go through without ending up friends. And being attacked by a twelve-foot mountain troll was probably one of them.

"Where were you anyway?" Hermione asked.

"Hospital wing, didn't feel too well." She replied.

"Oh, are you feeling better?" Hermione asked genuine concern in her voice.

Elizabeth took a moment to think about it. She had felt closer to her parents than ever before that night, she had decided she was ready for Harry to join her and she had returned to the best friends anybody could ask for. She caught George looking warily at her from the corner, he knew she found her visits hard, and was waiting interestedly for her answer.

She winked at him, answering the only way she could that truly conveyed how she felt in that moment.

"Never better."