Christmas. It was her favourite time of the year; watching everyone open their presents, seeing the joy on their faces as they did. But this wasn't the only reason she adored the festive season so. Elizabeth had once confided in Mrs. Weasley that she loved Christmas so much because of her mother. Elizabeth's only real memory of her parents was watching her mother as she wrapped a jumper for James. She could recall the shimmering, scarlet paper folded perfectly to not reveal the mystery of what lay within. She had given a sad chuckle at admitting it,
"It was probably just a dream, I'm being silly." At which point Molly turned away from the potatoes she was peeling and embraced the small girl before her.
"Maybe it was just a dream, dear, but if it makes you happy; does it matter?"
That is why, one morning in Mid-December, when Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow, Elizabeth couldn't have been more excited. The lake froze solid and the Weasley triplets had already been yelled at, by McGonagall, for bewitching several snowballs to stalk Professor Quirrell, incessantly bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver post had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again, thankfully Barney was not one of them. No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the draughty corridors had become icy and bitter, wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. This only helped add to her enjoyment of Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in mystical tendrils before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons, bewitched by the enchanting aromas bubbling up from within. To her, it felt cosy and comforting. The majority of her classmates did not agree.
'I do feel so sorry,' said Draco Malfoy, one Potions class, 'for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home.' He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Elizabeth glared. Harry, who was measuring out his powdered spine of lionfish, ignored them. Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that Slytherin had lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a widemouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker. Even though deep down she had to admit the image was quite hilarious, for some reason the tree frog she was imagining was wearing glasses with a lightning bolt scar; Elizabeth was still beginning to get a little fed up with their constant feud. Her anger had subsided a little at Malfoy's disappointment when he'd realized that nobody found this particularly funny because they were all so impressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking broomstick. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family. Elizabeth had at one point considered thanking him for his personality transplant before the game; after a few of these comments, she realized it had only been temporary insanity and decided against it; in favour of cursing the smirk off his irritatingly smug face.
It was true that Harry wasn't going back to his family for Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come round the week before, making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays, and Elizabeth had noticed Harry sign up at once. She had to admit, she found herself quite excited about that fact as she and the rest of the Weasleys were staying too; given that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had decided to go to Romania to visit her elder brother Charlie, who was out there working with Dragons.
When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it.
'Hi, Hagrid, want any help?' Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.
'Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron.'
'Would you mind moving out of the way?' came Malfoy's cold drawl from behind them. 'Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be a gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose – that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to.' Ron dived at Malfoy, Elizabeth was being held back by Harry slightly tugging at her sleeve, just as Snape came up the stairs.
'WEASLEY!' Ron let go of the front of Malfoy's robes.
'He was provoked, Professor Snape,' said Hagrid, sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. 'Malfoy was insultin' his family.'
'Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid,' said Snape silkily. 'Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you.'
Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree, scattering needles everywhere and smirking. 'I'll get him,' said Ron, grinding his teeth at Malfoy's back, 'one of these days, I'll get him –'
"I'll join you" Elizabeth seethed, starting to wonder whether or not there were two Draco Malfoy's; she'd just happened to run into the one with a conscious, a wondrous and rare event, like finding a unicorn.
'I hate them both,' said Harry, 'Malfoy and Snape.' Ah, yes, the other feud that still had Elizabeth as baffled as a Mermaid in the desert.
'Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas,' said Hagrid. 'Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat.'
So, Elizabeth and the golden trio, a moniker they had been bestowed through the halls of Hogwarts since the incident with the troll, followed Hagrid, and yet another of his trees, off to the Great Hall where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the decorations.
'Ah, Hagrid, the last tree – put it in the far corner, would you?'
The Hall looked spectacular. Festoons of Holly and Mistletoe hung all around the walls and no fewer than twelve towering trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles. Elizabeth had heard the term Winter Wonderland many times, but this was quite possibly the first thing she had ever seen that did it justice.
'How many days you got left until yer holidays?' Hagrid asked.
'Just one,' said Hermione. 'And that reminds me – Harry, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library,'
'Oh yeah, you're right,' said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden baubles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.
'The library?' said Hagrid, following them out of the Hall. 'Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?'
'Oh, we're not working,' Harry told him brightly.
From the look in Harry's eyes, she knew exactly what they were doing.
"Please tell me you're not?" She begged while rubbing her temples. These three were going to be the end of her. She was certain. She could have sworn she had found a grey hair the other day. Her comment seemed to go unnoticed, however, by everyone except Hagrid, who gave her a concerned look. Harry continued.
'Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is.'
'You what?' Hagrid looked shocked. 'Listen here – I've told yeh – drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'.'
'We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all,' said Hermione.
'Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?' Harry added. 'We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere – just give us a hint – I know I've read his name somewhere.'
'I'm sayin' nothin',' said Hagrid flatly.
'Just have to find out for ourselves, then,' said Ron.
Suddenly an idea popped into Elizabeth's head.
"Wait!" Elizabeth shouted just as the trio turned to rush off to the library. "I just remembered I was reading something the other day, I knew I recognized the name. I should have said something earlier, Nicolas Flamel was a major famous conjurer in like.. the 17th century or something. He was really important in the development of transfiguration. I don't know if that helps."
Harry and Ron looked at her with grins that made it look like they were about to go for her neck; Hermione didn't look quite so convinced. Both boys jumped on her with yells of "Thanks Sis!" and with that all three were on their way out the door, hopefully, heading to the completely wrong section of the Library.
"See you later, Hagrid," she said with a nonchalant wave; but before she had taken even a step.
"Lizzy?"
She slowly turned around to face the suspicious look that was clear on Hagrid's face, even though his big bushy beard.
"Yep," she said as innocently as possible.
"I 'ear down the grapevine that yer mighty 'andy with potions," Hagrid paused and Elizabeth had a feeling she knew where he was going with this.
"I do ok." She replied, and a few more seconds of silence followed. She was beginning to think Hagrid was just pausing for effect; when finally he said exactly what she knew he was thinking.
"Ya know full well Flamel ain't no conjurer." Silence passed between them as a small smirk crept onto Elizabeth's face.
"We both know that Hagrid, but they don't know that, do they?" And with that she flounced off, leaving Hagrid stunned and yet somewhat proud behind her. There was only one minor worry running through Hagrid's head as he watched the tiny girl skip down the hallway as if she hadn't just saved his behind in a rather Slytherin way, a thought that was more than a little concerning.
'She knows what fluffy is guarding.'
—
Tap… Tap… Tap…
"No, we must save the tree frog!"
Tap…Tap…Tap
Elizabeth sat bolt upright in bed. I took her a moment to figure out what had woken her from her rather befuddling dream; involving three Merpeople, an excessive amount of strawberry trifle, and a wide-mouthed tree frog that looked suspiciously like her brother, when it happened again.
Tap… Tap…Tap.
For a moment, Elizabeth entertained the notion of rolling over and heading back to sleep, one of the others could deal with it. Then suddenly she realized there was no one else. The rest of the Pride, as Lavender had now termed them, had all stalked off to their own dens for the holidays. After a few seconds of wondering whether the noise would just go away, (tap…tap…tap,) she pulled open the luxurious, scarlet curtains of her four-poster, pulled on her dressing gown and fluffy duck slippers, and made her way over to the girl's dorm window, from where the ruckus was originating.
On pulling open the curtains, Elizabeth couldn't resist a chuckle at the sight that greeted her. There on her windowsill was Barney staring up at her with an expression that clearly stated, 'open the window you crazy witch, it's cold out here.' Immediately, Elizabeth unlatched the window and her feathered friend bolted inside, straight for her bed, diving under the duvet so all she could see was two large orange eyes staring back at her from under the covers. She couldn't help but laugh, it was true what they say about people and their pets.
" Fine, you can stay for a little while, but then you have to go back to the owlery with the others, OK?" Elizabeth grinned at the cosy creature as it shuffled a little further out of the blankets so his whole head was visible. He gave a loud acquiescing hoot as he nibbled on the treat she had fished out of her nightstand drawer on the way back to the bed. It was only as she sat down on the end of the bed, making sure to give Barney plenty of room, that she noticed the two letters he had deposited on her bed before retiring himself to his blanket fort.
Picking up the first envelope she noticed that the handwriting was familiar somehow but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was precisely addressed to :
Miss Potter
Gryffindor Girls Dorm
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts.
In a sloping silver script on expensive black stationary. The contents felt bulky but only in places and Elizabeth's curiosity was certainly peaked.
It was then the excitement took over and realization dawned, it was Christmas Morning. The excitement had her putting the package to one side and inspecting the next envelope. She knew who this was from straight away, she would know those narrow loopy letters from anywhere. This was from Albus Dumbledore. Elizabeth turned the envelope over. In vibrant emerald letters on the back were the words 'OPEN WHEN ALONE.' A dull ache settled in the pit of her stomach. For some reason she suddenly didn't feel like opening this letter, which was a good thing as a loud yell could be heard from downstairs;
"ELIZABETH! GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT WE HAVE PRESENTS!' She always had to marvel at how much Ron sounded like his mother when he yelled; she would never say that to his face, of course, or she might not live long enough to see the fallout. After allowing herself a quick chuckle at Ron's outburst Elizabeth found herself wanting to hide the two packages she now had in her hand. For some reason, she felt as though they were private and wanted them to be safe. That's when she remembered the loose floorboard she had found underneath her bed in the first few weeks of term. She had been trying to fish Scabbers out after he had been chased under there by Lavender's maniac cat. The same cat which, due to Lavender's mother's aversion to feline friends, was now glaring at her from the foot of Lavender's bed.
"What are you looking at?" she quipped at the cat who hissed back and stalked off, probably to once again use Scabbers as a chew toy.
After stashing the letters under the loose floorboard and throwing on some jeans and a t-shirt she ran downstairs to get Christmas started properly.
"Happy Christmas boys," She said, issuing a chorus of "Merry Christmas" in return from the two excited boys in front of her. They had already started in on their packages and Elizabeth could see Ron was holding his traditional Weasley sweater. Every year Mrs. Weasley would make all her children a jumper and every year Ron would moan about his being Maroon, just like the one he was holding right that second. She noticed that Harry was also wearing one, which made her smile.
"Nice Sweater, Ron. Where's mine?" Elizabeth received an eloquent 'Sod Off' from Ron as she dived into the pile of packages that the boys had put aside for her.
"Thanks, Elizabeth," Elizabeth's head popped out of her own Weasley jumper, Emerald with a large black E emblazoned on the front, as Harry's was flicking through his own brand new limited edition copy of Quidditch through the ages.
"No problem Harry, it's got all the current teams at the back and a poster of each, thought you could pick which one you want to support. Just don't pick anything lame, you know, like the Chudley Cannons or anything like that." She winked at Harry as a loud muffled "HEY!" could be heard from Ron through the mouthful of chocolate frog he was at that moment gorging himself on.
Elizabeth made her way through her pile. Mrs. Weasley had also included a box of salted caramel fudge and a handmade card from Ginny in her parcel - the front of the card was a snowman in a Gryffindor hat and scarf that Mr. Weasley had helped Ginny charm, as it waved at her now and again. The rest of her pile was pretty much what she had expected. Hagrid had made her a small wooden flute, the same as the one Harry had received only her's was made of slightly darker wood, and a couple of chocolate frogs.
Hermione's gift had, somewhat, surprised her. The tooth flossing string mints weren't too much of a shock, as Hermione had told them a few weeks back that her parents were dentists. This had drawn blank faces from her and Ron, but these were healers muggles saw to help look after their teeth. The fact that she has also included a book wasn't particularly a shocker; but, it was the nature of the book that had the manic grin spreading across Elizabeth's face. 'The Potioneering Pranksters Primer' by Maverick Brenner. Elizabeth was certain she wouldn't be the only one thanking Hermione for this gift she had a feeling the poor girl might live to regret it.
The rest of her packages were filled with sweets and chocolate; a homework journal from Percy (no surprises there); Bill, the eldest of the Weasley's, who currently worked as a curse breaker for Gringotts in Egypt, had sent her a small keyring of a sphinx. Now and again the tiny creature would get up, yawn, stretch and then settle back into its original position. A few more packages, one containing socks, covered in cats, from Lavender and another with a year subscription to her favourite magazine (The Practical Potioneer) from the twins; she only had one item left. A small red envelope was left on the chair where her pile had been and she knew immediately who it was from.
He sent her a letter every birthday and every Christmas without fail, and he could be sure that a few days later he would receive one in return. Elizabeth curled up in the now empty chair, leaving the boys to finish unwrapping the last of their loot, and read.
My Dearest Lilibet,
Merry Christmas. I am so proud of you. You know I would have been proud of you no matter what house you were in but when Dumbledore made me aware you had been sorted into Gryffindor, well, we won't speak of this again, I almost burst into tears. It is as if you are finally home. I just hope you will see less detention than myself and James while we were in those halls.
I am doing well. This freelance teaching idea of yours was quite ingenious I must admit. I am in France at the moment and am immensely grateful for the suitcase you sent two Christmases ago, it is holding up remarkably well.
I know you have always had an interest in potions, but I now hear you also have an aptitude for them. Don't look like that, nothing stays a secret for long inside those walls, as I am sure you are already aware. Don't let Professor Snape get you down, I'd be the first to admit we aren't exactly each other's biggest fans, but he is a good teacher and if you can learn to ignore his more…insufferable side, there is nothing to do with potions he can't teach you.
I hope you have made some new friends too. I know you will, you have an amazing talent for seeing the best in people; even those who can't always see it in themselves. You inherited that from your mother, you know. I do not doubt that the friendships you make in those halls will see you through, long after Friday's double potions class is nothing more than a memory.
Finally, be there for Harry. I know all this must be confusing and strange for you. You have both had to deal with more than anyone your age ever should, but that is why you need each other. Whatever happens in life, whatever obstacles or changes come your way, be there for one another.
I am so proud of you and wish I could be there to celebrate this festive season, but, no matter where I am, I'm only a feathered friend away.
You are in my heart always.
Remus
Merlin, she missed him. It was odd, they had only met three or four times in person but she felt closer to him sometimes than the Weasleys. She didn't know whether it was because of how close he had been with her parents or whether it was just the way he was, but her godfather meant everything to her. She had asked Dumbledore once why she hadn't been sent to live with Remus, he had just told her that he travelled a lot for work. She knew the truth now of course, but she loved him like a father and missed him terribly.
"You ok, Sis?" Elizabeth drew herself out of her thoughts, noticing the singular tear making its way down her cheek. She smiled at Ron who had voiced what a concerned-looking Harry was thinking.
"Remus," was all she said and Ron gave an 'Ah' of understanding before turning to Harry.
"Her godfather. He travels a lot but always sends a letter during the holidays." Harry nodded though Elizabeth could see the questions already forming in his head. This was not a conversation she could deal with. So, she did what she does best. She changed the subject.
"We headed to breakfast then?" she asked.
"Just a second," Harry replied "I got one more left."
Elizabeth made her way over to the boys as Harry picked up his last package. As he unwrapped it, something fluid and silvery grey went slithering to the floor, where it lay in gleaming folds.
Ron and Elizabeth gasped, the former dropping the box of Every-Flavour Beans he had been inhaling. It wasn't possible.
"What?" Harry questioned.
Elizabeth still couldn't speak. Who would have sent him one? Where would they have got it?
'It's an Invisibility Cloak,' said Ron, a look of awe on his face. 'I'm sure it is – try it on.' Harry threw the Cloak around his shoulders and Ron gave a yell. Elizabeth jumped up circling Harry just to make sure this wasn't a trick or a joke, but all she could see was Harry's disembodied expression as awed as the two people staring at the spot where moments ago his body had been.
"There's a note!' said Ron suddenly. 'A note fell out of it!'
Harry pulled off the Cloak as Elizabeth seized the letter. Written in narrow, loopy writing she knew all too well, was the following words:
Your father left this in my possession before he died.
It is time it was returned to you.
Use it well.
A Very Merry Christmas to you.
There was no signature. Harry and Elizabeth stared at the note. Ron was admiring the Cloak. 'I'd give anything for one of these,' he said. 'Anything. What's the matter?'
'Nothing,' said Harry. She could tell Harry was confused and Elizabeth was right there with him. Dumbledore didn't want Harry to know he had sent the cloak or he would have just signed it, but the herd of centaurs in her stomach had nothing to do with the cloak. If this was what Harry had received, then she was suddenly glad that she had left the letter Dumbledore had sent her safely tucked under her floorboards. Merlin knows what it contained.
Elizabeth saw Harry hide the cloak among the rest of his things as a door slammed in the distance. She handed Harry the letter, which he proceeded to shove into the back pocket of his jeans, and all three pretended to act as nonchalant as possible; Elizabeth had the feeling that they weren't particularly good at it.
Before they could say or think anything else, Fred and George Weasley bounded into the common room.
'Merry Christmas!'
'Hey, look – Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!' Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G.
Harry's is better than ours, though,' said Fred, pointing at Harry's jumper. 'She makes more of an effort if you're not family.'
'Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?' George demanded. 'Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.'
'I hate maroon,' Ron moaned half-heartedly as Fred pulled the offending object over his head. 'You haven't got a letter on yours,' George observed. 'I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know we're called Gred and Forge.'
"What am I, the next door neighbour?" snapped Elizabeth with more humour in her voice than malice, as the large 'E' on her jumper glared at them.
"Hmm, I don't know Fred, do you recognize this strange-looking girl?" George asked his twin, voice as serious as she imagined he could be at that moment.
"I doubt it, why would we be bothering with someone in Slytherin colours, dear brother." That had done it. Elizabeth dove for Fred tackling him to the floor as Harry and Ron burst into laughter and George threw in a quick;
'Ah, alas poor Fred, I knew him well."
'What's all this noise?' Percy Weasley appeared in the common room, looking disapproving. He had come halfway through unwrapping his presents as he carried a lumpy jumper over his arm, which Fred seized.
'Ah, Season's greeting to you fine sir. I apologize for these ruffians, nothing to do with me I swear,' Elizabeth answered, having jumped up from her impromptu wrestling match. 'And I see mother dear has graced you with some fabulous outerwear too, do let us peruse.'
'P for prefect! Get it on, Old chap, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one.'
'I – don't – want –' said Percy thickly, as the twins forced the jumper over his head, knocking his glasses askew.
'And you're not sitting with the Perfect Prefects today, either,' said George. 'Christmas is a time for family.'
With that they frog-marched Percy from the room, his arms pinned to his sides by his jumper.
Mrs. Weasley was the best cook Elizabeth has ever met, no one went hungry in the Weasley household, she simply wouldn't hold for such nonsense; but even Elizabeth had to admit, this Christmas dinner was like nothing she has ever seen before. A hundred fat, roast turkeys, mountains of roast and boiled potatoes, platters of fat chipolatas, tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce – and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table. These crackers had always been her favourite part of Christmas dinner. Elizabeth was almost disgusted when Harry told them about the Muggles' pathetic excuse, with their little plastic toys and their flimsy paper hats. Elizabeth watched as Harry pulled his first wizard cracker with Fred and it didn't just bang, it went off with a blast like a cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke, while from the inside exploded a rear admiral's hat and several live, white mice. Up on the High Table, Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizard's hat for a flowered bonnet and was chuckling merrily at a joke Professor Flitwick had just read him.
Flaming Christmas puddings followed the turkey. Percy nearly broke his teeth on a silver Sickle embedded in his slice. Harry, Ron, and Elizabeth chuckled as they watched Hagrid getting redder and redder in the face as he called for more wine, finally kissing Professor McGonagall on the cheek, who, to all their amazement, giggled and blushed, her top hat lop-sided.
When they all finally left the table, Elizabeth, complete with scarlet fez plopped haphazardly atop her head, was laden down with a stack of things out of the crackers, including; a pack of tooth flossing string mints to add to the pile Hermione has gotten her, a raise your own dragon kit, complete with miniature Antipodean Opaleye and a compass whose face contained not arrows but that helped you find your way by the movement of the planets. Elizabeth had a feeling she would need many more late-night sessions in the astronomy tower before she fully understood that one. The white mice had disappeared and they all had a nasty feeling they were going to end up as Mrs. Norris' dinner.
The afternoon was spent having a furious snowball fight on the grounds. Then, cold, wet, and gasping for breath, they returned to the fire in the Gryffindor common room, where Elizabeth watched, contentedly, as Harry broke in his new chess set by losing spectacularly to Ron. She suspected he wouldn't have lost so badly if Percy hadn't tried to help him so much, but it was fun to watch so she kept quiet, silently grinning to herself.
After a tea of turkey sandwiches, crumpets, trifle, and Christmas cake, Percy was once again to be seen chasing the Weasley Triplets all over Gryffindor Tower because they'd stolen his prefect badge... again. Slowly but surely, the day caught up with them all, and at last Elizabeth and George were the only ones left staring into the dying embers of the fire, George sprawled out over the sofa, and Elizabeth, adding fuel to lavender's analogy, was curled up in a ball in front of the fire in an undeniably feline way.
'So, first Christmas with Harry. How was it?'
'Like Christmas.' She couldn't think of a better way to put it.
'Very funny, you know what I mean.'
'No. I know, but I mean it, it felt like Christmas. Good food, laughter, and family. What more can a girl ask.' She smiled at George and he smiled back.
Slowly he swung himself off the couch, stretching as he did so, and headed in her direction. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. 'Night sis, and Merry Christmas.'
'Merry Christmas.' She replied as he headed up the stairs to his dorm.
It wasn't long till she was headed to her room. She could have sworn she heard footsteps on the stairs around her and she headed up, but as no one was there she put it down to tiredness and continued. She was so tired she fell into bed fully dressed, a soft grin on her face. She immediately drifted into a peaceful slumber, where she watched several white mice building a castle, made of cheese, in a quiet come of Hogwarts, where they all could live happily ever after.
'You could have woken me up,' said Ron, crossly.
'Us, Ronald, you could have woken US.' Elizabeth interrupted, now equally annoyed with both boys sitting in front of her.
Harry had just finished regaling them with tales of the grand adventure he'd undertaken the previous night. It seemed that having been unable to sleep, Harry had decided that the best way to find out who Nicholas Flamel was was to take an evening stroll to the Library's restricted section under his newly acquired invisibility cloak. Elizabeth had momentarily toyed with the idea of just telling them, if only to give herself five minutes peace, then realized that was probably just likely to get them all killed sooner, so held her tongue This grand adventure had of course ended in a high-speed chase with Filch in which Harry had chosen to hide in what he had thought was just an old storage room, but had turned out to be so much more. For inside there had been a mirror, this was not just any mirror, for when Harry looked into it he wasn't alone. The faces of his parents; THEIR PARENTS, stared back at him. Elizabeth didn't know if she was sad, jealous, excited, or angry; but looking at the two boys in front of her the word miffed was coming to mind.
'You can both come tonight, I'm going back, I want to show you the mirror.'
'I'd like to see your mum and dad,' Ron said eagerly.
'Believe it or not Ronald, so would I!' she replied, that miffed was turning into something mighty stronger by the second.
And I want to see all your family, all the Weasleys, you'll be able to show me your other brothers and everyone.'
'You can see them any old time,' said Ron. 'Just come round my house this summer. Anyway, maybe it only shows dead people. Shame about not finding Flamel, though. Have some bacon or something, why aren't you eating anything?'
Elizabeth had a feeling she knew exactly why Harry wasn't eating anything, she had to admit, staring down at her plate of scrambled eggs on toast, her appetite had taken a vacation too. She would see her parents that night. She knew she had no right to be jealous, she had grown up visiting them and knowing all about them, Harry knew nothing. But knowing he had been there with them, without her, pulled at something inside her. At that moment, nothing else seemed important and the clock could not tick fast enough. Just a few more hours and she would see their faces, she wasn't entirely sure she could wait. But if anything was worth the wait, this was it.
'Are you all right?' said Ron. Neither of them knew who he was asking, Harry, had a look of deep concentration and determination on his face she had never seen before, probably trying to remember the way and keep an eye out for Filch, with three of them under the cloak this time they were having to move a lot slower, a speedy getaway would not be an option.
As for her, she had the strangest feeling she was looking a little green. Throughout the day she had travelled through excited, weepy, delighted, terrified, apprehensive, joyful, angry, and determined until her body had solidly decided to settle on nauseous.
All Ron got in reply was a 'Hmm..' from the other two occupants of the cloak.
They passed the ghost of a tall witch gliding in the opposite direction but saw no one else. Just as Ron started moaning that his feet were dead with cold, Harry spotted the suit of Armor.
'It's here – just here – yes!' They pushed the door open. Harry dropped the Cloak from around their shoulders and ran to the mirror.
'See?' Harry whispered.
'I can't see anything.'
'Look! Look at them all ... there are loads of them ...'
'I can only see you.'
'Look in it properly, go on, stand where I am.' Harry stepped aside, but with Ron in front of the mirror, he couldn't see his family anymore, just Ron in his paisley pyjamas. Ron, though, was staring transfixed at his image.
'Look at me!' he said.
'Can you see all your family standing around you?'
'No – I'm alone – but I'm different – I look older – and I'm Head Boy!'
'What?'
'I am – I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to – and I'm holding the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup – I'm Quidditch captain, too!' Ron tore his eyes away from this splendid sight to look excitedly at Harry. 'Do you think this mirror shows the future?'
'How can it? All my family are dead – let me have another look –'
'You had it to yourself all last night, give me a bit more time.'
'You're only holding the Quidditch Cup, what's interesting about that? I want to see my parents.'
'Don't push me –'
'OI! Don't I get to see it?' Elizabeth had been standing by the door watching the whole scene play out before her. It was as if something had frozen her feet to the floor. As if history itself was reaching out of the mirror to encase her in its icy grasp. The minute Harry dropped the cloak, the minute she saw for herself that this mirror existed, she was completely unable to move. Perhaps, deep down she had believed Harry had dreamt it; she should have known better, there were far more strange and valuable things hidden in the depths of Hogwarts, right now she knew that better than any of her classmates. But something about this mirror gave her pause and it was only the boy's childish squabbling that pulled her out of her reverie.
Both boys bowed their heads a little ashamed, it seemed in their excitement they had completely forgotten how big of a moment this was for her too. Slowly they both shuffled to the side giving her a clear path to stand in front of the mirror.
She took a deep breath and, making sure to avoid looking up, made her way to stand in front of the mirror. Deep breath in. Deep Breath out. She looked up. What she saw confused her more than anything. She must have stood there for a few minutes before…
'Well…' both boys burst at the same time, clearly unable to contain their apprehension. For a second Elizabeth panicked. Then with a deep breath, she did something which she had noticed herself doing a lot recently and she didn't think she liked it.
'I see them.'
She lied.
For a moment she racked her brains for everything Harry had told her.
'Who are they all?' She had remembered Harry saying that it wasn't just their parents, but seemingly generations of Potters come to join them.
Harry stepped up beside her and took her hand. Her image vanished and all she could see was her and Harry in their plaid pyjamas staring back at her.
Harry replied, 'Family.'
For a moment she thought she would never stop crying as the guilt began to overwhelm her, but a sudden noise from outside broke the moment.
They hadn't realized how loudly they had been talking.
'Quick!' Ron threw the Cloak back over them as the luminous eyes of Mrs. Norris came round the door.
They stood quite still, all thinking the same thing – did the Cloak work on cats? After what seemed an age, she turned and left.
'This isn't safe – she might have gone for Filch, I bet she heard us. Come on.' And Ron pulled them both out of the room, for the silent journey back to the common room.
The snow still hadn't melted the next morning. 'Want to play chess, Harry?' said Ron.
'No.' Harry replied.
'Why don't we go down and visit Hagrid?'
'Not in the mood ... you go ...' Elizabeth added.
'I know you're both thinking about that mirror. Don't go back tonight.'
Both Elizabeth and Harry's heads shot up.
'Why not?' They said in unison.
'I dunno, I've just got a bad feeling about it – and anyway, you've had too many close shaves already. Filch, Snape, and Mrs. Norris are wandering around. So what if they can't see you? What if they walk into you? What if you knock something over?'
'You sound like Hermione.' Elizabeth told him, earning a glare in return.
'I'm serious, please, don't go.'
But both only had one thought in their heads, which was to get back in front of the mirror. It may have been for different reasons but Elizabeth knew that this was the first time she and Harry had been on completely the same page and one thing was one hundred percent certain; Ron wasn't going to stop them.
That third night they found their way more quickly than before, lacking Ron's, somewhat lankier frame was handy. They were walking so fast they knew they were making more noise than was wise, but they didn't meet anyone. And there it was again, the image that made no sense. If this mirror showed the thing you want most then she didn't understand. How could this be right? Was there something wrong with her, something that made the mirror not work for her?
The only good thing and that was depending on how she looked at it, was that this had brought her closer to Harry. The reason she wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not was she had learned all about them. The Dursleys. Harry's, well…their Aunt and Uncle who Harry has been left with as a baby. Harry had told her all about how his room was the cupboard under the stairs, how he had been bullied by their 'delightful' cousin Dudley and his friends, and how Harry had been a modern-day Cinderella. This had caused Harry to raise an eyebrow at which Elizabeth had burst out laughing.
"Honestly Harry, you think the Brothers Grimm were muggles! Don't get me started on Shakespeare!"
This had stemmed into a conversation about the Who's Who of the wizarding world until Harry let the cat out of the bag and all hell broke loose.
'A CAR CRASH! THEY TOLD YOU OUR PARENTS DIED IN A CAR CRASH!'
That had done it. Elizabeth realized that, OK… a lot of things did seem to just fall into Harry's lap, but that was because it was about bloody time. She had it all wrong. She was the lucky one. She was a Weasley.
It was then, on the third night, having finally come down from the turbulent rage the previous night had inspired, seriously, she had almost bit off poor Lee Jordan's head for asking if she wanted to play wizard's chess, she finally made a decision.
She needed to talk to Dumbledore.
Later on, she would wonder if you could summon the man simply by thinking of his name.
'So – back again, my dears?' Elizabeth, not for the first time that week, felt as though her insides had turned to ice. They both looked behind them. Sitting on one of the desks by the wall was none other than Albus Dumbledore. They must have walked straight past him, so desperate to get to the mirror they hadn't noticed him.
'I – I didn't see you, sir.' Harry said.
'Strange how short-sighted being invisible can make you,' said Dumbledore, and Elizabeth let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding; he was smiling.
'So,' said Dumbledore, slipping off the desk to sit on the floor with the siblings, 'you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised.'
'I didn't know it was called that, sir.' Elizabeth had yet to find her tongue, so was thankful for Harry's input.
'But I expect you've realized by now what it does?'
'It – will – it shows us our family –' Dumbledore gave her a glance which she could not meet. It was as if he could see straight through to her soul.
'And it showed your friend Ron himself as Head Boy.'
'How did you know –?' Elizabeth's intrigue had finally beat her discomfort.
'I don't need a cloak to become invisible,' said Dumbledore gently. 'Now, can you think what the Mirror of Erised shows us all?' Harry shook his head.
'Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?' It didn't make any sense, the truth of what she saw, if Dumbledore was suggesting what she thought then it couldn't be working, it just couldn't. Harry's voice bought her out of her inner turmoil.
'It shows us what we want ... whatever we want ...'
'Yes and no,' said Dumbledore quietly. 'It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you. Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of all of them. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even, in special cases, possible. The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow and I must ask you both not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do, to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. Now, why don't you put that admirable Cloak back on and get off to bed?'
They both stood up. 'Sir – Professor Dumbledore? Can I ask you something?'
'Obviously, you've just done so,' Dumbledore smiled. 'You may ask me one more thing, however.'
'What do you see when you look in the Mirror?'
'Me? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woollen socks.' Harry stared. 'One can never have enough socks,' said Dumbledore. 'Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.'
Elizabeth giggled, he was lying, she knew; she had wrapped them herself.
'Now, Harry, I do believe your sister wishes to speak to me privately.' Elizabeth's head shot up as Harry looked confused. 'Please head straight back to the common room with you, I do believe you haven't got much sleep the past few nights.' He said staring down at Harry over his half-moon spectacle. 'Under the cloak with you now, pip pip…oh and Harry just remember that cloak will make you invisible to most. Good Night.'
Elizabeth smiled at Harry as he pulled the cloak over himself, she saw the door open and close and went to speak but Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her.
They stood for a few moments when the old man spoke.
' I believe it is time my dear.'
'How did you know?' not that she could honestly say she was surprised anymore, just curious.
'Ah, you forget my dear I was here to witness your… outburst. I will admit it was very similar to how I felt when I found out about young Harry's situation. For a while, I must admit I blamed myself. But hard decisions had to be made, and Harry is safe for now, that is all we can hope for.'
'Is there no way…'
'Unfortunately not my dear, for now, this is the only way, I promise you I have tried. Sometimes in life decisions must be made not by looking at the past or the present but by predicting the future. This is the best way to protect Harry for the future.' Dumbledore paused for a second and Elizabeth stared at the man in front of her. She knew she was only young, but even she could see the weight that lay on his shoulders, a weight he carried as though it were a floating feather. ' Enough of this seriousness before bed. How does Tuesday sound to you?'
Elizabeth just smiled at the old man. It was perfect. New years eve. She smiled at Dumbledore and nodded.
'Will you be joining him?'
'Not this time.'
'Quite right too.' The old man said smiling back just as brightly. 'Now, allow me to guide you safely back. I find these hallways quite calming at night, but the number of times I have heard myself referred to as crazy old coot for this opinion, I fear you all may not agree.' Elizabeth giggled and they headed out into the dark corridor.
The walk to the common room was silent and yet comfortable. Elizabeth had so much to think about she appreciated Dumbledore's silence and she had the weirdest feeling it was mutual.
'Alas, we are here, I bid you goodnight, my dear.' Dumbledore bowed his head slightly at her with a smile to which she oddly found herself curtsying to.
She was about to enter the common room when she couldn't stay silent any longer.
'Professor?'
Dumbledore turned and waited.
'Feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but why did you lie?' Dumbledore smiled at her.
'I do believe that some doors are best left closed my dear don't you.'
Elizabeth nodded with a smile.
'My dear, while we are asking personal questions, may I ask you the same one?'
Elizabeth paused for a second. Maybe Dumbledore could explain to her, tell her why she saw what she saw. But the voice of the man in front of her filled her head, a memory, "Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even, in special cases, possible." She looked at the man before her as he looked at her expectantly.
'Now, Professor, you know how we feel about closed doors.' Albus chuckled and with a backward wave disappeared into the dark corridor, leaving her to head to the best night's sleep she'd had since Christmas day.
'If you keep pacing like that you are gonna end up in the Slytherin Common Room.' George was once again sprawled across the common room sofa, as Elizabeth paced back and forth wearing a hole in the scarlet carpet.
'He's going to hate me.'
'No, he's not.'
He's going to be angry with me.
'No, he's not.'
'I'm gonna throw something at you in a minute.'
'No he's no… wait what?'
Suddenly the common room door swung open and in came Harry. Elizabeth was glad at this moment they had the common room to themselves; everyone else who had stayed for Christmas had gone down to the Quidditch pitch to watch the new years eve fireworks.
For a moment they just stared at each other.
'How was it?' It was the only thing she could think of to say.
'Beautiful, Dumbledore gave me a wreath to put with your flowers. They were singing, in the church.'
For a moment, there was silence. Elizabeth could see George to the side of her, he was poised as if he expected her to try and bolt at any moment. It was something she had a habit of doing as a child whenever the situation was uncomfortable. But George was always there to catch her, take her back and help her through. Whatever happened now she knew he would never let her fall.
Her thoughts had her so distracted that she didn't see Harry coming. The bone-crushing hug he enveloped her in almost knocked her off her feet. George was chuckling to himself as she got her composure back enough to return Harry's sentiment. Over Harry's shoulder, she saw him mouthing 'Told you so.'
'Thank you. Thank you so much.' Harry whispered in her ear.
'Anytime.' she whispered back holding him a little tighter.
A gigantic bang bought them all back to reality. They all looked at each other for a moment and then fell into a three-way hug with a chorus of 'Happy New Year!' Another bang and all three raced to the common room window to see the show.
Stood there, Harry's hand in hers as George hugged her, his head resting on her's, as a majestic dragon made of red and gold fire flew over the castle; she didn't think it was possible to be any happier.
George's voice appeared in her ear 'I'm proud of you.'
She was wrong.
Author's note
Sorry it had been so long but as you all know sometimes life takes over :) you know by now how this works - i own nothing but Elizabeth and her story. If you are concerned that there are things in this chapter that have been forgotten don't worry they haven't ;) . Hope you enjoy and will hopefully be able to upload again soon.
Cheers Chicks xx