Chapter 9: The Most Unlikely Feeling

The next morning, Professor McGonagall visited me. I wasn't woken up until well after breakfast and first hour had started. She just informed me that Cedric Diggory would be taken in for questioning regarding the events that had happened. I nodded when necessary, but otherwise remained silent. I knew that if I spoke about what had happened, it meant that it was all real. I didn't think I was ready for that.

I was given the day off and Hermione was allowed to come bring me my homework from every class. Otherwise, I stayed in my dorm. I know, that sounds utterly boring but I needed time to myself. After all, you'd want to be by yourself too. And it was better than being out and about. I was already stared at enough but this event surely was gaining me more than enough attention.

Cards and notes were slipped under my dorm door. People knocked and said they were there to talk. After a while, I finally just stopped answering the knocks. I sat on my window sill, and thought of first year when I had found it. I was so small then, and now I had to scrunch in my legs up to my chest just to fit. But, it was do able.

Athena flew in through the window, giving me three letters. One from Mum and Dad, another from Brad, and the last from…it didn't give a return address. Strange…

I opened the one from Mum and Dad. It just said how sorry they were and that they couldn't come out until the last task. They regretted to say that Aunt Margaret had passed on and not to worry that they would come out as soon as possible. I sighed opening up Brad's letter.

My little Ellie,

I know how you must be feeling right now. I've been through what you're going through. I know that these tasks are designed to test you physically and mentally, but it seems that the creators of the tasks never put themselves through them. I'm sorry I can't be there, you have no idea how much I miss you. You're my little sister, and I feel like a failure of a brother for not being there to cheer you on.

As for the matter of Diggory, know that Dad is using all his contacts in the Ministry to get some kind of punishment enforced. Of course, he's launched a full scale investigation regarding him and is planning on using it in some sort of court matter. He'll make sure that Diggory pays for what he did to you.

Know this, Ellie-look for strength of heart, whit of mind, and speed of body for these last task. I don't know what it will be, but I do know that it will be the most challenging one. Supposedly the first one is the easiest one, though I guess you'd beg to differ. I love you Ellie, and I miss you terribly.

Love Always,

Brad

I sealed the letter with my tears and opened the last one. The black calligraphy wasn't very neat and the letter itself was short.

Dear Eleanor,

I know this must be coming to you as a shock, but I thought it best if I give you my support in what you're doing. I reckon this letter will get to you when you are closer to your second task and I wish you all the best of luck.

I can't imagine what you must be going through, though I reckon its as worse as being Kissed by a Dementor. By now you are probably wondering why someone put your name into the Goblet of Fire, and I can tell you I have a few ideas. I'm sorry to say, I can't share them with you in the letter, for fear of having this intercepted.

If you could see to it that you are in the Gryffindor Common Room on the 27th of December, midnight, I can explain to you what I can.

Warmest Regards,

Padfoot

I stared at the letter. Sirius Black wanted to talk to me? I wondered if Harry knew. By some chance I glanced at the bottom of the letter.

P.S. Please, don't mention this to Harry.

Well, there went that theory. It was weird having Sirius write me a letter. Even weirder was having him tell me to meet him and to not tell Harry! I quickly stuffed the letters into my drawer and sat back on my window.

I thought about what Cedric had said; about the egg. I needed to test it out, see if it was correct. With the second task only a month away, it was my best bet. But, I would need someone to come with me.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Hermione asked.

"Where did fearless Hermione go?" I asked.

"I left her in the dorms, where we're supposed to be." She whisper yelled. I grabbed her hand and we ran down the hallway towards the witch statue. I looked up at her.

"Bubbly soap." I said. She nodded her head, and a door right in the back of her statue opened up. We looked left and right before entering. We walked down a long hallway before coming into a lighted room. The windows were mosaic glass creating pictures of mermaids, fish, octopi, and other creatures of the deep. There was a girls side and a boys side. We decided to follow the girls path. Inside it were changing rooms and in the very middle of the floor was a gigantic bath. It was golden, gleaming in the moonlight. I looked at all the knobs, wondering what they all did. I started turning some of them on.

"What are you doing!" Hermione exclaimed.

"He said to put it in the water. In order for that to happen, there needs to be water in the bath." I explained. I started taking off my clothes.

"Now what are you doing?" she asked.

"Why do you think I put on my swimmer? Just so I could take it off?" I asked sliding off my skirt and shirt. My red bikini needed retying. I stepped into the water, the bubbles floating around the room. I turned and grabbed the egg. "Here goes nothing." I said and opened it. The same crystal egg showed, the same horrid shriek filled the air. I quickly stuck it under the water to muffle it.

"Ok, he lied. Now let's go." Hermione insisted.

"Wait." I said, listening. I could hear faint music. I took a deep breath and ducked under the soap suds. I heard the most beautiful music and voices singing in harmony.

Come seek us where our voices sound

We can not sing above the ground

An hour long you'll have to look

To figure out what we took

The siren voices repeated the words and my air supply had run dry. I came up gasping for air and closed the egg before it could reach the surface. Hermione came over to me, handing me a towel.

"Did it work?" she asked as I got out, drying myself off.

"Yeah but let's get out of here. I don't want to get caught by Filch." I said. I quickly put on my clothes. As we left, I could have sworn the mermaid mosaic window had winked at me.

The four of us turned the corner to Study Hall when we heard a chorus of boo's and other mean names pass by. We knew who was behind us.

"Eleanor wait!" I heard Cedric call. We didn't stop, but we heard him continue to call me. Suddenly, a crowd of men blocked him from us as we waited at the Study Hall classroom.

"Stop there Diggory, or you'll have to answer to more than one person this time." Paul threatened. Mark, Fred, and George all backed him up. Hermione took my elbow, trying to lead me away.

"Please, Eleanor. I just need to speak with you." I moved past my friends and family to see him. He had black circles under his eyes, and a very sickly look on his face. "Please, just one minute." He promised. I turned to the boys.

"Wait for me inside. I'll be there shortly."

"We're not leaving you alone with him." Mark said, glaring at Cedric. I smiled faintly.

"Don't worry about me, just go. I don't want you to be late." They all nodded reluctantly, and my three best friends remained. "You too. Tell Professor McGonagall that I'll be in there shortly." They too left. The corridors were now empty except for the two of us.

"What do you want Diggory?" I asked in a bitter tone.

"I just-I don't understand what happened. Everyone's been saying that I-that something happened between us." He explained in a sad and agitated tone. "Even my own friends can't look at me the same way."

"What's there to understand? You're a monster inside." I spat.

"No I'm not!" He exclaimed. "I never meant to hurt you."

"So, you know what happened. There's no reason why we should even be discussing it."

"No, I don't remember what happened. I only know what people have been telling me." I scoffed. "It's the true, Eleanor."

"I don't believe you. What you did to me, no one could make someone do."

"But that's the thing, I wouldn't do it. I-I like you, Eleanor."

"No you don't. You were just using me. Though I don't know why, you've got a sheer win for this whole tournament."

"This isn't about the tournament! This is about finding out who did this to you!"

"I already know who did it, you!" I bellowed.

"I don't remember it! Any of it!" He shouted. This caught my attention. "I can't remember a single thing from after lunch to that night at midnight!" he cried. I stared at him.

"If you're lying to me Cedric-"

"I'm not." He interrupted. I sighed.

"What do you remember?" I asked.

"I remember getting up, eating breakfast, getting ready for the day, going to class, getting lunch, and then afterwards when we were all supposed to go and get ready-nothing." He said.

"What did the authorities say?"

"They said I was just a young teenage boy trying to take advantage of a young girl." He said disgusted. "But I'm not. That was never, ever, my intent when I asked you to the ball."

"Is it possible someone could have slipped you something during your lunch? Some sort of, mind controlling potion?" I asked.

"The Dumbledore said it was possible, but it would have had to have been an exceptional potions master."

"Snape is." I said. "He would certainly have the means."

"You think Snape did this?" he asked.

"No, not in the slightest. But my name wasn't put in there by accident, I was almost killed by a dragon, and somehow the guy I was going to the ball with almost tried to kill me. I think it's a safe bet that someone doesn't want me in this tournament." I explained. He looked bewildered.

"Why would someone got the trouble of trying to eliminate you?"

"I haven't the faintest idea. If I did, they'd be in Azkaban faster than you can say Quidditch." I said exasperated. "Now, tell no one of what we have spoke about. This stays between the two of us." I stressed then turned on my heels and went to class.

The toll bell chimed midnight that night. I woke up instantly, quietly creeping out of the dorm. I quietly made my way down the stone steps into the Common Room. No one was in sight, so I slowly went and sat on the couch. Sirius hadn't exactly specified how he would be arriving but I assumed some sort of illusion would take place.

"Eleanor!" I heard from somewhere. I looked around. "The fireplace." He said and I spied his face in the fire.

"Padfoot!" I exclaimed. If anyone were to over here, they'd at least not suspect it was Sirius. "How did you get here?" I asked.

"Suck into a Muggle home and used their fireplace. They're on vacation, so I'm not worried I'll be interrupted." He explained.

"What is it you wanted to tell me?" I asked. He looked a little nervous.

"I'm not sure how much I can divulge, but I thought it best if you weren't kept so much in the dark." I leaned a little closer. "I believe that there is someone at Hogwarts who has infiltrated the school in order to get to you."

"But why?"

"That I can't say, but listen to me: trust no one. Only your closest friends and family, but even then be carful of what you say. Who ever is doing this to you is no friend, Eleanor."

"I figured that much." I muttered, then suddenly the reality of the situation hit me. My eyes glistened with tears. "I'm scared, Padfoot. I don't think I can do this." I turned my face so he wouldn't see me cry.

"Eleanor, look at me." I turned to face his fiery eyes. "You can. You are a bright, young, strong girl. It takes a lot of courage to do what you're doing. Make no mistake, what you're doing many wizards would cringe at the very thought of. You can do this." He smiled at me when suddenly we heard footsteps.

"Someone's coming!" He whispered and suddenly disappeared. I quickly sat on the sofa, looking at the fire like nothing was different. I turned to see Harry coming towards me. We smiled at each other as he sat down beside me.

"Rough night?" he asked.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep." I said. He nodded.

"I know what that's like." He expressed.

"Is it your scar?" I asked. He nodded.

"Yeah. I feel like it burns every other night."

"But I thought it only burned when he was near?" I asked.

"That's what I thought too but…I don't know." He said, wringing his hands. I placed my hands on his. It stunned both of us.

"Sorry." I said breaking the silence. I pulled them away, when he took hold of my hand. His hands were rough from his broomstick calluses. He interlaced our fingers, and I just watched as our hands met together like puzzle pieces. I faintly smiled at him.

"I should probably get to bed." I said, slowly removing my hand from his. The mood suddenly changed when a piece of firewood cackled and startled me. He looked back at me.

"Right, I should be too." He said. "Good night."

"Good night." I replied and we parted ways.