Disclaimer: You know the drill. Harry potter does not belong to me.
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Title: Song of the Melodie
Author: Ivory Core
"Never think that you are alone
When those that love you are by your side"
--Mercedes Rivera—
Chapter 3: The Road to Coldrock
Miss Baker entered Eliora's room at 7:30 a.m. the next day. She was surprised to find the child all ready up.
Eliora was sitting on the blue chair that was next to the window. She was looking straight ahead, but she wasn't really seeing anything.
She looked like she was in deep thought. Quite a strange site to see someone like a seven year old deep in thought. Her eye brows were furrowed over and she had her chin resting on her fist.
"And what are you doing Eliora?" Miss Baker kindly asked as she stepped up to stand beside the girl.
Eliora suddenly lifted her head at the sound of Miss Bakers voice.
"Oh good morning, Miss Baker. I didn't hear you." Eliora calmly stated.
"Good morning dear. And I was wondering what were you doing just now?"
Eliora turned her gaze back towards the window, her amethyst eyes scanning across the parking lot and over the tree tops.
"I was just thinking…" Eliora began. "…of what it would be like to live in an orphanage."
Poor dear
Miss Baker kneeled beside the chair that Eliora was sitting in. She then gently took the child's small hand into her own.
"I understand how scared you must be right now, going to an orphanage and all. I wish you could stay here with us. You've been with us for a whole month, and it feels like you are apart of us; like you're family." Miss Baker kindly said while giving a warm reassuring smile.
"Thank you Miss Baker. But I'm not really scared. All of the kids and the doctors have become my friends. I too think that we are one big family." Eliora smiled.
But then that smile slowly faded away. Eliora's eyes down chassed and Miss Baker was able to catch one tear fall from Elioras eyes.
"What is it, Eliora?" Miss Baker asked.
"It's just; I wish I could remember my real family." Eliora sniffled.
It was true, no matter how many procedures and memory games that they presented to Eliora. She just could not remember anything about her past, or even how she got to the hospital.
It was like her memories were completely erased from her mind.
Miss Baker gently hugged the sniffling child. How she wished she could adopt the child. Dr. Hunt would probably do so himself. But he couldn't and neither could she.
When Eliora had calmed down a bit, Miss Baker helped Eliora to pack.
The staff had found a small suitcase for Eliora to take along with her. It had just enough space inside to fit a pair of white socks, some simple dresses that were donated to the hospital, and a jean jumper.
There was also space inside to fit the gown that Eliora had come in with. Till this day, no one could tell what the dress was made out of. It was so smooth that it almost felt like you were holding onto air.
The only thing that didn't go in the suitcase was Eliora's medallion. She wore that necklace all the time, she never took it off. Not to mention there was no way to take it off, since there was no latch on the necklace.
That medallion was the only clue to Eliora's past. All she had to do was know how to unlock it.
After Eliora's suitcase was packed, Miss Baker helped Eliora to get dressed. She helped Eliora unto a blue dress with butterflies flying all round, something that Miss Baker had bought for the child.
Eliora immediately loved it and had thanked Miss Baker for it by giving her a loving squeezable hug.
Just then, Dr. Hunt entered the room. He stayed there for a while, watching Eliora hug Miss Baker. He sadly smiled to himself that this was going to probably be the last time they would see the child.
Dr. Hunt gently cleared his throat, but loud enough so that Eliora and Miss Baker heard him.
They both turned their gaze towards Dr. Hunt. Eliora's smile widened at the sight of Dr. Hunt.
"Good morning Jeffrey." Eliora smiled as she hugged the doctor in greeting.
Since the day that Dr. Hunt had introduced himself to Eliora, she didn't call him anything else but his name. And secretly to himself, Dr. Hunt enjoyed having someone call him by his name. Even if it was from a seven year old girl.
"Good morning Eliora." Dr. Hunt smiled as Eliora hugged him.
But the mood was quickly changed by the sudden knocking on the door. Dr. Hunt opened the door and in entered a sour faced, brisk walking old woman.
She had white hair that was tightly rapped up in a bun at the back of her head. Her eyes were blue, but they looked stone cold. Her nose looked like Pinocchio's nose and not once did she smile.
She was as skinny as a twig and wearing a long black dress with a high neck collar that looked something a priest would wear.
Her wrinkled hands were clasped together at the front and with one quick sweep of the room, she immediately turned towards Eliora.
"I am Miss Perkings. I have come here from Coldrock house for orphans, to fetch the child Eliora Melodiana." She unemotionally stated.
Her voice sounded like nails on a chock board, very squeaky.
'Fetch the child? What the hell does she think Eliora is? A DOG!'
Dr. Hunt and Miss Baker thought at the same time.
Dr. Hunt stood in front of Eliora, blocking the path of the old crone to Eliora.
"We were told that you will be here by the afternoon." Dr. Hunt started. "It's 8:15 in the morning and we were going to have breakfast."
Miss Perkings waved her hand to the side like she was dismissing the idea. "Nonsense, the child can have breakfast at Coldrock." Miss Sterncus squeaked.
"Besides, Mrs. Stone wanted the child fitted before noon." Miss Sterncus stated.
"Maybe you didn't hear me. Eliora is supposed to stay for lunch and she will." Dr. Hunt stated his patience for the old crone was fast diminishing.
"I heard you perfectly Dr. Hunt, but I have a tight schedule and I must upkeep it by bring the child to Coldrock before noon." Miss Perkings stated.
"Miss Perkings, what exactly do you mean by Eliora being fitted into Coldrock?" Miss Baker questioned.
Miss Perkings shifted her eyes towards Miss Baker. "The child will be measured for her uniform; the rules will be applied to her, and her do's and don'ts as she enters Coldrock." Miss Perkings replied.
Dr. Hunt and Miss Baker didn't like the sound of that, not at all. Especially the part about the rules. Dr. Hunt knew perfectly well the rules at that orphanage, and every year they had some new stupid one.
"Now, if the child is ready I will take her to Coldrock." With that Miss Perkings turned around and headed towards the door.
Before she walked out, she turned towards the three. "You may say your goodbyes. I'll be waiting at the lobby."
With that she left the room, leaving two stunned people and one child who at the time was completely quiet the entire time…until now.
"She isn't so bad." Elioras suddenly spoke out.
Dr. Hunt and Miss Baker turned towards Eliora, both having the same expression on their faces, like 'you're kidding right?'
"She's just been without happiness for some time." Eliora explained.
With that Eliora hopped down from the bed and walked towards her suitcase. There was a pair of shoes; black merry-janes with a buckle strap across, that someone had donated to the hospital.
Eliora sat down on the floor and putted on her shoes. When they were strapped on, she got up and turned towards Dr. Hunt and Miss Baker.
Both of them were deeply sad that Eliora was going to leave so soon. They had planned a lunch for her and a few goodbyes from the children and staff.
Eliora knew what they were thinking. She saw it, heard it, and even felt it. From the start she knew that she was different, but it didn't scare it. Actually, to her, it felt normal.
Eliora walked up to the two, looked up and each one in turn before hugging them ever so tightly.
"Don't worry; we will see each other again." Eliora said as she let go of the two. "I can feel it."
At the end of 'feel it', Eliora looked down at her medallion. She lifted it up and placed it underneath her dress collar so that it hid behind the neck of her dress.
She then puts on a sweater that was in her suitcase. It was a black sweater, with glittering twills all over it.
Miss Baker was trying to keep the tears in, but a few escaped. She then kneeled down so that she was eye level with Eliora.
"Now, don't forget to write to us. And if you need anything...anything…just write to us or call us. Ok?" Miss Baker said.
Eliora smiled and nodded her head. "I will."
Eliora then picked up her small suitcase and turned towards the two. "Could you come with me to the Lobby?"
"Of course." Both Miss Baker and Dr. Hunt said at the same time.
Dr. Hunt took Eliora's suitcase from her hand and held out his free hand for her to take. She took it and rapped her other hand around Miss Baker's hand.
Looking something like the scene of Dorathy from the Wizard of Oz as she walks hand in hand with Tin-Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the scarecrow; the three walked out of the room and down the hall.
As they walked down the hall, the other nurses, doctors and children all turned to wave a sad goodbye to the child that over the past month brought so much joy into their hearts.
The children said their goodbyes while waving and yelling towards Eliora to write to them.
As Eliora entered the elevator, she called out that she will.
When they reached the first floor, which was the Lobby, the doors opened and all three of them came face to face with Perkings. And she was looking very stern and the moment.
"When I said I'll wait for you to say your goodbyes, I didn't mean for you to take half an hour." She stated.
Dr. Hunt gripped the handle of Eliora's suitcase tightly, thinking if it was worth it to loose his job if he whacked the old crone upside the head with the suitcase.
A grin spread across his face at the thought, but he quickly wiped it with a stern look to match Miss Perkings.
"Was it really half an hour? My how time flies…wouldn't you say so Miss Baker?" Dr. Hunt asked with a mock tone.
"Oh yes, time does fly." Miss Baker played along.
Eliora looked up at the two adults and smiled. She was still holding unto them at the time. She then suddenly closed her eyes. She didn't know what she was doing, but at the same time…she did.
As Eliora's eyes were closed, a soft purple light glowed from Elioras hands to Miss Baker and Dr. Hunt.
To Eliora it felt incredibly warm, but Miss Baker and Dr. Hunt didn't feel a thing. Nor did they see anything, including Miss Perkings.
"Indeed. Well, we must be off." Miss Perkings briskly stated.
She then turned towards Eliora. "Come along Eliora, don't dawdle." With that she quickly turned on her heels and walked towards the exit.
As soon as Miss Perkings spoke, the purple glow vanished. At the same time, Miss Baker and Dr. Hunt released Elioras hands from their own.
Eliora then gave them both one final hug, before grabbing her suitcase and running towards the exit to catch up with Miss Perkings.
Before she left the doors though, she turned around and waved at the two adults. Eliora secretly smiled as she looked at them. They were both, unknowingly, holding hands while they waved towards Eliora.
With that, Eliora pushed the doors open and walked out into the brisk morning air. Miss Perkings was waiting for Eliora at the curb.
Before Eliora walked towards Miss Perkings, she heard a squeaking sound coming from the bushes that were to her right.
Eliora turned towards the sound and peaked into the bushes, only for her eyes to stare straight into the silver eyes of a Chinese dragon.
"Good morning Tal." Eliora whispered as she petted her dragon.
Tal leaned into Eliora's touch and did a sort of purring sound.
"Eliora!" The shrieking voice of Miss Perkings called out.
Eliora quickly turned her gaze from Tal and towards Miss Perkings. Her arms were crossed and she was tapping her foot impatiently on the sidewalk.
"Quite dawdling and come here!" She yelled out.
Eliora quickly nodded her head, wondering if she was right about saying that Miss Perkings wasn't a bad person.
She then turned towards Tal and quickly talked to her. "Follow us. Ok Tal?" Eliora asked.
Tal nodded her head, and before Eliora's eyes she transformed herself into a white pigeon…with silver eyes.
"ELIORA!" Miss Perkings yelled out.
"I'm coming!" Eliora called out as she turned away from the bush and rushed towards Miss Perkings side.
"There is to be no back talking, Eliora. Now apologies this instant for your rudeness." Miss Perkings firmly stated
"But I didn't mean to be rude…" Eliora immediately started.
"I will not hear another word of it. As a child in Coldrock, you must learn manners Eliora. Manners are everything a child must know in order to properly live in this world. Manners and discipline."
Eliora inwardly cringed at the word discipline, but she nodded her head just the same.
"Yes M'am, I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Eliora softly said.
Miss Perkings nodded her head and turned towards the street. They were waiting for the light to change so that they could cross; which brought on the next question from Eliora.
"Is it far from here to Coldrock? Are we going to take a cab?" Eliora asked.
She had heard one of the children talk about his mother coming in a cab. Eliora didn't know what a cab was, so she had asked Dr. Hunt. He had explained to her that a cab was a type of car that you paid to take you places.
But Eliora didn't know what a car was, so Dr. Hunt had answered that question too. Eliora was just filled with questions.
Miss Perkings slowly looked down at Eliora who was hopping from one foot to the other.
The look was enough from Miss Perkings was enough for Eliora to stop hopping and to stay absolutely still.
"We are going to walk." Miss Perkings said.
Suddenly, the light changed and Miss Perkings grabbed Eliora's hand and walked across the street with Eliora in hand.
The way to Coldrock was all-the-above-miserable. They didn't speak at all, and when Eliora tried to strike up a conversation, Miss Perkings would look down at Eliora with that look of hers which Eliora would soon after shut her mouth.
When talking wasn't an option, Eliora would then skip down the road beside Miss Perkings.
But when Miss Perkings tightly squeezed Eliora's wrist and told her in a threatening manner to stop…the skipping was over.
So Eliora turned her attention to her surroundings. She tried to memorize the places that they passed so that she could one day find her way back to the children's hospital. That feeling she had was strong that she would see them again.
She didn't know when, but she knew that she would.
The walk to Coldrock was LONG! Everyone knows that children are a bundle of energy, but making a child walk a great distance and they would soon tire out.
And that's just what happened. Eliora had been switching hands on her suitcase for thethreehours.The suitcase at the moment felt like a ton of rocks to Eliora and she was getting incredibly tired.
"Are we there yet Miss Perkings?" Eliora suddenly asked. She didn't care if she was breaking one of the rules, she was tired and she wanted to sit down.
They had just turned the corner and entered a very lonely street. A few cars passed by, but that was the only sign of life in the area.
All the homes were buildings, with high steel fences that were impossible to climb over.
Miss Perkings didn't answer Eliora's question, but seemed to quicken her pace. Eliora inwardly sighed in tiredness, but tried to keep up with Miss Perkings.
The area, or town like place, was actually a U intersection. At the very end of the U, there was a huge mansion like building.
It looked to have six floors, two large windows that were actually balconies, were on either side of the mansion.
From a distance, it looked old and angry to Eliora. It seemed to leer over them like a phantom.
A tall iron fence surrounded the mansion, giving it a prison like appearance.
The mansion was made out of red bricks, the roof with green shingles. One of side of the roof was flat, but the other was pointed like a church. At the very top of the mansion, there was a tower. It was quite large, having one large window that someone could fit through.
But it would be incredibly dangerous if someone was to crawl out of that window, because since the roof was pointed at that end, one false step and it would be your death since it was a six story drop.
They had reached the gates, and all Eliora wanted to do was to run back to the children's hospital as fast as her legs would carry her. This place not only frightened her, it also gave off a sense of foreboding.
"This is Coldrock House for Orphans." Miss Perkings stated as she pulled out a key for the lock to the gate.
The lock was huge! Eliora had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that children who entered the place was never able to get out
Miss Perkings opened the gate and firmly pulled Eliora in, who was rooted to the spot.
As they neared the door, which had double oak doors with bras handles and a lion head knocker, the only comfort that was brought to Eliora was the gentle cooing coming from a familiar pigeon that had perched itself at the top of the roof.
At the time, neither Miss Perkings nor Eliora noticed the dark clouds rolling in. Until that is a sudden down pour came down on them.
Miss Perkings ran up the stars, if that was possible for an old woman to do and tried to fix herself up.
Eliora on the other hand was dancing around happily. She skipped, jumped, twirled around and around as the rain fell down upon her.
Her arms were raised above her head, her suitcase stood beside the stone steps. She stood there for a few blissful movements, just enjoying the rain and the feel of it on her face.
But her movement of peace was shattered by Miss Perkings scolding and calling her.
Eliora stopped twirling and tried to slowly walk towards Miss Perkings, taking her time so that she could enjoy the rain a little longer.
When she reached her suitcase, she picked it up and walked up the stone steps.
When she reached the last step leading to the door, Miss Perkings sharply grabbed Eliora's wrist and yanked her towards the door.
"Impertinent child!" Miss Perkings angrily said as she opened the door and pushed Eliora inside.
Miss Perkings followed closely behind Eliora while closing the door. The door slammed shut and with a hard click…it was locked.
Sorry! Sorry for this real late chapter! I really hope you liked it. Sad…but I hope you liked it!
The next chapter will come real soon I promise!
A special notice for you all:
Check my bio and click on the link to the photo album. Once there, just click on Fanfiction – Song of the Melodie and it will take you to some pictures of the actors I chose to portray my characters.
ENJOY!
And a special thank you to the following reviewer:
Inuyashafaneva – THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING! It means so much to me. I hope you liked the chapter. Sad, but I hope you liked it. Btw: go check my bio and click on the link to my photo album. From there just click on the title of this story and it will take you to some pics I chose of actors who bring out my characters. Of course, I am more than welcome to any suggestions. Like whom do you think should portray Eliora? My ears are open lol. Well thanks again!