"Pixie Sticks!" the sisters grinned widely as the stone gargoyle revealed the spiral staircase. "Only Dumbledore." they laughed lightly.
As the redhead lifted her hand to knock, a shrill voice made her fist freeze in mid-air. "Are you saying," Ella's mother screeched, "that I don't know what's best for my own child?!"
"No, Mrs. Sinesstra, all I meant was that Ella deserves to choose her own path in life." The silver-haired professor's voice was calm and controlled.
Not wanting to wait any longer, Analese announced their arrival. "Enter." Dumbledore's called through the thick wooden door.
"Happy New Year, sir." Ella acted as if she had no idea her mother was in the room. "You wanted to see us."
"What is that unworthy Gryffindor doing here?" a dark-haired man spoke, his dark, almost black eyes with hatred.
"SHE has a name and is more worthy of being here than you, Father." Ella spat the last word with such venom that Analese was taken aback.
"SHE has no right to be anywhere near me." the man ignored his daughter's statement. "And SHE has no right to be anywhere near you, you ungrateful child!" he took a threatening step closer to Ella.
Even though she hadn't flinched at the man's movement, the older sister intervened. Analese stood between her younger sister and her verbally abusive 'parents'.
"Step aside, you filthy Muggle-lover." the charcoal eyes shined with fury.
"No, I won't let you speak to my sister like that. It's a wonder that she has any decent emotions now. After over thirteen years of listening to your lies and cruel comments, I would never be able to trust anyone at all." Fire flashed through Analese's emerald eyes as she defended the third year.
"You're despicable, vile, inhumane, among many other things I would rather not say in front of Professor Dumbledore, Ella, or anyone I respect, for that matter." the redhead's rant continued as three more people entered the office unnoticed by the two sisters. "How anyone as incredible as Ella was raised by someone as horrid, impolite, and immensely crude as you is beyond my intellectual capacity, which I can guarantee greatly surpasses yours, you ill-mannered tub of guts."
For an eternity after that outburst, not one person in the circular office moved a muscle. As the shock finally were off and became full-blown rage. Knowing both Ella and Analese could handle themselves just fine, Dumbledore stood back, deciding not to interfere. The dark-haired man made the first movement. He rose his arm and back-handed the redhead across her face.
"Someone needs to teach some manners to this pile of scum." he glared at the girl who had had the nerve to insult him icily. "As for you, the disrespectful nuisance of a daughter, you will be marrying young Marcus Flint as soon as he comes of age."
"What a pleasure it is to see you again, Mortola." Mrs. Sinesstra called as she moved toward the newest arrivals.
Mrs. Sinesstra's last statement had left both sisters gaping open-mouthed. The cocky form of Marcus Flint walked over to his fellow students.
"Surprised at your luck, Ellie?" Flint, Jr. mocked.
Analese had noticed her sister's glare and was quick to react. The redhead placed her hands on the younger girl's shoulders and stepped behind.
"Why don't you slip into something more comfortable, Flint," Ella glared straight into Flint's ugly face, "like a coma."
Analese couldn't hold back the smirk that forced through her stone-set features. Her eyes wandered to the two adults who had just joined them, Flint's parents.
"At least, now we know where he got his looks." Ella muttered, her honey-brown eyes studying Flint's mother.
"Why, thank you, dear." the woman had obviously missed the excessive sarcasm in Ella's voice.
"What if Ella doesn't want to marry Flint?" the redhead inquired.
"The only way this marriage will not happen is if my son backs out of the arrangement." Mr. Flint spoke.
"Which won't happen, Father." the ugly git winked at Ella.
"Well, Malcolm, Mortola, shall we return to Sinesstra Manor to discuss the details?" Amelia, Ella's mother, invited.
"I believe so," Mortola agreed before Flooing.
"A wonderful way to start the new year." Amelia followed the woman into the fireplace.
The two fathers left in silence, and Flint, Jr. was left to follow. "How about a kiss good-bye, Ellie?" the troll leaned toward the third year.
"How about just good-bye and I keep my stomach contents actually in my stomach." She spat back with rage.
"You really should show respect to your future husband." he stated.
"And you come into the picture where?" Ella retorted cleverly. When Flint remained silent, she continued, "oh, great comeback."
"You know what I think-"
"I had no idea you had that ability." she cut him off.
Analese noted the slight grin appear on Dumbledore's face as Flint Flooed out of his office, seething with anger.
"Thanks for the heads up, Professor." Analese waved as the girls turned to leave.
"I trust you both will find an entertaining solution to this predicament. Just do your best to stay out of trouble."
"We will." the sisters said in unison. Mischief filled their eyes as they took their leave.
"Let's go a little easy on him first, build up to it." Analese advised. "It will the finale all the more enjoyable."
By now, the girls had reached the Fat Lady's portrait. "Fortuna Major." the entrance swung open and the sisters climbed through.
"We should head up now, boys." Analese greeted the anxious twins.
"What did Dumbledore want?" Fred and George questioned swiftly.
"Oh, nothing really, just wanted to let me know that I'm now engaged." Ella stated nonchalantly.
"Is that all? Alright, see you in the morning." Fred kissed his girlfriend's cheek.
When the fifth year girls' dormitory was about to shut behind the two girls, realization dawned. "WAIT, WHAT?" Fred exclaimed angrily.
The two girls laughed lightly before setting to work.
