The Amazing Thing About: Friendship. Chapter twenty-eight.
Despite her wishes, Eliza was forced to spend the night in the hospital ward. Professor McGonagall had forced the twins to leave shortly after arriving and Madam Pomfrey had gotten to work. Her injuries weren't severe they were mostly just gross to look at and the woman was finished with her in no time. She let her know that the swelling in her eye would be gone in a few hours and her nose would be back to normal by the next afternoon. Her ribs were sore but Pomfrew had a tonic for that. She seemed to have one for everything. After that, the woman had knocked her out with a sleeping drought and Eliza was dead to the world until the next morning.
Her mouth felt like it was stuffed full of cotton as she awoke. She moved her tongue around in her mouth trying to find a drop of saliva somewhere but she was dry as a desert. She cracked an eye open to check if there was water nearby. At the side of her bed sat Fred, George, and Lee all slumped in chairs with their arms crossed and eyes on the floor. It was nice for them to be there but it was a depressing sight.
"Who died?" Eliza asked breaking the silence. Three sets of eyes shot her way and Lee jumped out of his seat. "You alright, Izzy?" He asked, eyes scanning over her face as if he was amazed she was awake. She sat up and scooted back so she could rest her back against her pillow to prop herself up. "Oh, yeah. I feel great." She couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her tone and the twins shared a look.
"Iz...Really." George sat forward and she held up a hand. "Don't start. I'm fine." She wasn't really up for any talk of how she was feeling. That wasn't something she was ready to cope with. She had some questions, though. "How'd you find me?" She asked. Eliza was relieved to see a pitcher of water next to the bed with a glass and she poured one. As she chugged it down she noted the lack of an answer until she lowered the glass and raised her eyebrows. "Well?"
Fred cleared his throat. "Ginny saw you leave the castle with Amelia." He said sitting up straight. "You didn't show up for dinner so we asked if anyone had seen you. When Ginny told us we put two and two together because Amelia was sitting at the HufflePuff table."
Eliza nodded. "I see." She owed Ginny a huge favor. If it hadn't been for her there was no telling how the night would have played out. What Connor would have done if he hadn't been interrupted. That little voice was back telling her that she'd gotten off easy again.
From outside she could hear raised voices and she looked toward the doors. "Your parents arrived a while ago. They're talking to Dumbledore." George didn't have to tell her. She knew her mom's voice anywhere. "Talking isn't what she's doing." Eliza said as the woman's voice got louder. The shouting faded a few moments later and Eliza sighed. "This isn't going to be fun.."
"Can't believe that slimy creep was sneaking around pretending to be a student here." Lee made a face.
"Do you think Amelia knew?" Eliza asked.
Fred shook his head. "She's been questioned by the professors. Says she met him in Hogsmeade and he forced her to give him some of her hair and then threatened her to keep her mouth shut."
Well, that was something. "I'm glad he didn't hurt her." Eliza stared down into the empty glass in her hands.
"She should have said something!" Lee insisted, the voice of reason.
"I don't blame her. He's..." A nightmare? A violent psychopath? "not someone to take lightly when he's angry." She tried to choose the words carefully but it made it sound like he had little temper tantrums. Fred and George flinched at her dismissal of Connor's nature. She was minimalizing it. Tough habit to break. Eliza pulled the blanket off of her and swung her legs off the side of the bed. She felt better when her feet touched the floor and she stretched like she hadn't had a good one in years.
"Maybe you shouldn't be up just yet." Lee said, his face showing concern. "Hmph." Eliza reached over and dragged him forward. Lee yelped and she wrestled him onto the bed. "I think you might have earwigs, Johnson. I said I was fine." She licked her pinky and stuck it into one of his ears as the boy struggled. When he got away from her he was cringing and using his shirt to wipe at his ear. While George was trying to suppress a smile Fred was dead serious. "Told you, Fred. Can't keep Izzy down." George said and looked to his brother who nodded. "Yeah." But he didn't look very amused.
The mood in the room turned stone cold as the doors opened and Eliza sat back down on the bed as her parents entered. The boys all jumped to attention and scrambled towards the end of the bed to get out of their way. Her mother had the most relieved look on her face when she saw her and rushed forward to wrap her up in a tight hug. "Oh, my baby. My sweet baby." Eliza cringed a bit at the way her mother stroked her hair and cooed at her like a child. It was embarrassing but she hugged her back. "I'm alright, mom." She turned her head to see her father wearing a stern expression and looking between her friends.
"Which one of you is George?" His voice was gruff as he asked the question and George glanced her way as if to ask for help before stepping forward. "I am, Sir." Her dad's mouth eyebrow twitched. "You found my daughter?" His voice wavered a bit and Eliza couldn't tell if he wanted to yell or cry. Looking at him one couldn't tell but Eliza knew her dad. He was barely holding it together.
"Yes, sir." To hear George being so respectful was weird. Then again her dad was a tower of intimidation. It was his job to be a frightening force of nature. But the moment the words left George's mouth her father extended his hand. George took it and was suddenly yanked forward, her dad pulling him into a hug. "Thank you, son."
"Uh..No problem." George muttered once released. It was a brief hug but George looked like he'd never expected that to be her father's reaction. He eyed the man as her dad turned and took a seat on the bed next to her. When he asked them to leave them alone with her the boys were quick on their feet to do just that. As they left she could hear them whispering to each other.
"Thought he was gonna snap you in half!"
"Shut up!"
"That man's a mountain!"
Once they were out of earshot Eliza pushed her mom away by her shoulders. The woman had tears welling up in her eyes and it broke her heart. "Mom. Really. I'm alright." She said. The woman took a deep shaky breath and pulled one of the chairs as close as she could and took a seat, Her hands holding Eliza's tightly as if she was afraid that if she let go Eliza would slip away. "You say that...But.." Her mom was staring into her eyes and Eliza didn't know what she was looking for. Maybe some sign that she'd lost her mind? Or that she was deeply traumatized by what had happened? Eliza admitted that she might be but she wasn't going to show it. She didn't want to acknowledge it.
"I'm fine." She met the woman's gaze and held it steady. "I'm all here."
Her father leaned in and put a massive arm around her shoulders and moved in close to her side as if he could protect her from the rest of the world and placed a kiss atop her head. "We should never have let you come back to school." He said. Eliza jerked away from him. "What?" She couldn't believe what he'd just said. "We should have waited until he was found. We underestimated how determined he was to get to you." Her father's tone was stern and he shook his head. "I won't be making that mistake again."
Eliza felt the world crashing around her ears. "What are you talking about?" Her stomach was in knots as she asked the question. Her dad's expression when she looked up at him said it all before he even answered. "Until Connor is caught we will be removing you from school."
She gaped at him. How in the hell did he think that was the answer? "No." She shook her head. She looked to her mother but she only sighed. "Honey, it's for your own protection." She insisted but Eliza yanked her hands from her mother's grasp and backed up off the bed until she was standing with it between them. "You can't do that." Eliza said unable to believe that this was their answer to what had happened.
"We allowed you to return to school because we thought you would be safe. That is clearly not the case." Her mother's tone spoke of finality. They hadn't even discussed it with her. They were the type of family who included each other in their decisions but apparently this one wasn't one of them. "You can't do this to me!" She exclaimed. "I like it here. I'm doing well in classes and I've made new friends-" She was interrupted by her mother.
"If they're really your friends they will understand."
Eliza felt like she'd been slapped. "So..What? You want to keep me locked up in the house until Connor is found?" She was shaking. "No. I can't let you do that. I can't let him win. He wants me isolated. He wants me alone." She took a few steps back and her father was on his feet. He took her by the shoulders but she tore away from him.
"NO! You can't give him what he wants!" The pitcher next to the bed exploded and shattered glass scattered to the floor making her mother jump.
"Eliza!"
"Sweetheart. Calm down. We just want what's best for you." Her father looked almost pleading.
"This isn't it!" She yelled.
"I will NOT have that boy take my daughter away from me!" Her mom's voice was shrill and Eliza flinched at the sound. It was a rare thing for her mother to yell and it frightened her but she couldn't back down.
There was a pregnant pause as Eliza swallowed the lump forming in her throat. "You're taking me away from you. If you do this I will never forgive you." Eliza met her father's gaze and did her best not to waver. Her mother was out of her seat. "I know it feels that way now but-"
"No! If you do this...For the rest of my life I'm going to see you as my prison guards. Not my parents." She took a deep breath. "And when I'm seventeen I will leave and you will never hear from me again." It was only a year and some months away. She'd be turning sixteen in the next few weeks so it wasn't an idle threat that they could put off for years.
Her dad's hands fell to his sides. He looked torn. Her mom, however, stepped forward with authority. "Eliza. I don't care if you never speak to us again. At least you will be alive."
Eliza looked back and forth between them. "Hypocrites. Both of you." She snapped. Her mother frowned. "You're the ones that always taught me to never run from my problems. Then you take me from my home, move me here, make me start all over and now you want to do it again?" She shook her head. "I'm not running anymore! I will not let him keep taking things from me!"
"That's enough, Eliza! You will-" Her mother started to raise her voice but her father sighed.
"Helen.." Her dad looked to his wife. "She's right." Eliza felt her jaw drop and she snapped her mouth shut quickly. In their family it was often her mother who made the final decision but her dad was actually backing her up? Merlin! Was he seeing reason?
"Reginald. You can't mean-"
Her dad held up a hand and came to stand next to Eliza. "It doesn't matter if she's with us or at school. It doesn't matter if we move. That boy is always going to try to find her. If we isolate her then we will be the only things standing between her and Connor." He took a deep breath and tucked her against his side. "I don't know about you, Helen... But I'd feel a whole lot better knowing Eliza had friends to help her."
Her mother clenched her jaw but she appeared to be thinking about what he said. Looking at her Eliza could see where her own stubborn streak had come from. "Is this your final word on the matter?" Her mother asked and her dad straightened his spine and nodded. "It is." It was like two dragons facing off and Eliza stood stock still with bated breath until her mother's shoulders relaxed. "We will be having a discussion when we get home." The woman was staring daggers at her husband before turning her gaze to Eliza. "You too, young lady."
Her mom had hugged her after and her parents made to leave. She walked them to the doors when her father stopped her. "If I go missing. It was your mother." His mouth tugged up in a small smile. He was trying to be funny? After such a tense situation? She hugged him tightly. "I love you both so much. I know mom means well but thank you for standing up for me." She whispered.
"My back may change my mind after I'm forced to sleep on the couch." He replied.
As her mother opened the doors there was a commotion on the other side and Eliza looked around her father's frame to see her standing to the side. At her feet were the twins and Lee smiling sheepishly up at her before rushing to their feet. Beyond them, Eliza could see all of her friends standing outside and her heart swelled in her chest. "Eliza." Her mother barked her name and Eliza felt her stomach drop. Then her mom's expression softened. "It isn't polite to keep your friends waiting." And she motioned for her to come to her.
Eliza went to her and her mother gazed around at the faces of her friends. "It seems I've underestimated the bonds you've made here." She said quietly before hugging her to her chest. When she released her she placed her hand on the middle of her back and pushed her gently towards them. Eliza shuffled toward them looking from one to another before raising a hand in an awkward wave. She didn't know what to do. "Hey, guys."
Hannah and Kelly were the first to break and they nearly knocked her over with how they ran forward and threw their arms around her. "We're so glad you're okay." Kelly sounded on the verge of tears. Their actions started a domino effect and the rest of the girls joined in taking turns hugging her. Tasha and Cas had their arms around her middle refusing to let go while Ginny and Hermione waited for Kelly and Hannah to move aside so they could wrap their arms around her shoulders. It was an awkward position due to the fact they had to do so around the two smaller girls latched to her waist.
Eliza turned her head to see her parents standing side by side. Their looks of pride made her want to cry but she didn't want to embarrass herself further. Harry was up next to hug her and she managed to dislodge Tasha and Cas to give him a proper one. "Alright, Eliza?" He asked as he pulled away. Ron patted her on the back but didn't appear up for hugging. "Alright? With a reception like this how could I not be?"
Her parents took the touching moment to say their goodbyes and leave. Eliza watched them go before her attention was directed back to Kelly and Hannah. Kelly had her by the hand and Hannah was wrapping a bracelet around her wrist. It was a solid band of silver that, upon closer inspection, had names engraved all over it. "You guys." Eliza felt her eyes sting as she admired it.
"Told you we'd have to get you one." Kelly said with a bright smile. "Most of us pitched in." Hannah threw a playful glare Ron's way who rolled his eyes. "Putting the names on it was my idea." He grumbled and Eliza turned his way. "You..." She took a step towards him and he held his hands up.
"What're you doing?" He asked. She grinned at the look of confusion and fear on his face. "C'mere." She said and held her arms open. He shook his head. "Oh, no." He backed up but she followed. "Come on."
From behind, Fred and George shoved their brother forward and she wrapped him in a tight hug and kissed him on the cheek to a chorus of 'Awhhh'. He only allowed it for a moment before pushing her away. "Someone has to teach you about respecting personal boundaries." Ron grumbled but his face was bright red as he moved off and there was a tiny beginning of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Her friends moved to the side as Victor came forward. At his side was someone she wasn't expecting at all. Amelia looked uncomfortable and she had her arms wrapped around her middle as if to hold herself together. She looked like she'd been crying for a long time. Eliza looked from her to Victor not knowing what to say. She definitely wasn't expecting the girl to suddenly lunge for her and hold onto her for dear life.
"I'm so sorry!" Amelia broke down and began to sob. She was shaking and Eliza froze before placing her arms around her. "I. Should. Have. Said. Something! I was so scared!" The girl said between gasps and Eliza could feel her tears running and soaking into her shirt as she cried on her shoulder. Eliza placed a hand on the back of her head. "I know. It's okay." She never much liked crying. Having someone around her in such distress made her want to do something about it. She couldn't help it.
At her words the girl wept harder and Eliza just petted her hair staring at Victor hoping he would help. "I don't blame you for what happened." Eliza told her and finally Victor put his hand on Amelia's shoulder to pull her back. The girl backed up and sniffled. "Please..I don't know how you'll ever forgive me. I didn't know he would..." She shook her head, her blonde curls flying back and forth. "I'll do anything." She said.
Eliza patted her arm and peered into her cry swollen face. "I already forgive you. I'm sorry you got dragged into all of this." She imagined Amelia was going to be tearing herself apart for a while. There was no need to make her feel worse. The simple fact that she'd had to meet Connor was punishment enough in Eliza's eyes. She wouldn't wish that on her worst enemy.
She turned her gaze to Victor. "Can you do me a favor? Take Amelia somewhere quiet. Calm her down." She requested. He looked to be on the fence about it but Eliza had a feeling that he was the only one that could accomplish such a task. Maybe it would be good for them to sit down and have a nice long chat about everything. He eventually nodded and Amelia sagged against him sobbing as he steered her away.
Turning back to look around at all the friends she'd made over the school year Eliza smiled to herself. Surrounded by them she felt complete. Whole. If only Luke and Alicia were there the world would be perfect but she was happy just the way it was. She set her hands on her hips and sighed heavily.
"I'm starving."