The Amazing Thing About: Friendship. Chapter twenty-nine.
Author's note:
Welcome to the last chapter of this installment. I should have the next part up over the weekend. Once again, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.
...
During their last days together Eliza didn't go anywhere without someone along. Though Connor was nowhere to be seen and no notes came, her friends seemed to be in agreement that leaving her alone wasn't acceptable. They were often just hanging out and making plans for the summer. Hannah wanted Eliza to come visit and so did Kelly. They bickered about who she would see first but Eliza shut them both down letting them know that there was no way her parents were going to be allowing her out of their sight for a while. So as a way to call a truce the two came up with the idea to visit her. She let them know she'd talk to her parents about it. If she was lucky she wouldn't be on complete lockdown for the next couple of months.
The guys were sporadic in popping in to see what she was up to. So far each day of the week suspicious happenings took place all over the castle. From exploding toilets to late-night commotions they'd been wreaking havoc with the assistance of the notorious peeves who'd begun tampering with student's luggage causing some of them to burst open and scatter belongings everywhere. They asked her if she wanted to join them a time or two but she'd declined saying she would leave it to the professionals.
Cas and Tasha became difficult to dodge. They followed her around mostly everywhere and while it was cute Eliza had to hide in a bathroom or a closet once or twice to have a minute away. She knew they would miss her but she hadn't expected them to cling like they were. It was almost like her friends thought that if they gave her a moment alone Connor would somehow reappear.
Poor Thomas was often trailing behind Cas and Tasha trying to get them to play a game or hang out with their classmates. Eliza had pulled him aside and thanked him for doing so though she knew he wasn't doing it for her benefit. Either way, she appreciated it.
The day before the results of the OWLs Dumbledore called her to his office. At first, she'd been a bit worried about what he wanted to see her for but when she entered his office he appeared to be in a good mood.
"Ms. Montgomery. Please sit." He motioned to one of the chairs and she did as he requested. "I would like to apologize for what you endured a few days ago." He said to which her fingers twitched on the arm of the chair. "I'm afraid with so many things happening this year I overlooked your situation assuming you would be safe."
Eliza didn't blame him. She didn't blame anyone really. She kept a lot to herself; maybe if she'd spoken up, things would have turned out differently. She'd allowed her fear to get the best of her. That was a mistake she would not be making again. When it came to Connor she'd be an open book if he tried to pop back up."No need to apologize." She told him. He stared at her for a moment before nodding.
"I've been informed that your parents will be allowing you to return next year." His tone was light and jovial which helped ease the tension of the previous topic. "I, for one, will be very pleased to have you with us." He smiled and a twinkle in his eye spoke of something she couldn't know. Dumbledore was a mysterious man and she didn't think she'd ever figure out what was going on in his mind.
He sat forward in his seat and folded his hands on his desk. "I want to warn you that while we have your safety in mind I cannot guarantee that something like this won't happen again." Dumbledore's words sunk in and he paused to let them do so before speaking again. "So I would like to offer to continue your time with me next year. To prepare you if something like this ever takes place again."
Eliza appreciated the offer. Though she hadn't been able to do anything to defend herself from Connor and she still couldn't quite control her wandless abilities she had hope. Hope that one day she would accomplish the things he saw for her. Hope that if she ever had to face down her demons again that she would be ready. She agreed and rose from her seat to extend her hand over the table. "I look forward to it, sir." She said and Dumbledore took her hand in a firm handshake for someone his age.
"I am curious to know how you convinced them. Your parents were adamant when I spoke to them."
Eliza thought about it. While she'd argued with her parents and her father had taken her side she couldn't honestly say that it was her that had convinced them. Her mother had held the air that there would be further discussion on the topic when they returned home. But when she saw all of her friends waiting for her outside of the hospital ward Eliza believed that was when it was truly decided.
"I think it was something you told me, actually." Eliza said as she turned her gaze to one of the candles on a stand beside his desk. "That there is nothing in this world more important.." She waved her hand over the candle, extinguishing the flame. "Than having loyal friends to help us in our darkest hours." She moved her hand again and the candle flickered back to life.
Dumbledore's smile was proud. "I must be getting wise in my age." He said to which Eliza shrugged. "Could do with some tighter security. Not dementors." She cracked a grin his way.
"I don't think the Weasley boys would appreciate that much." There was a small chuckle from the headmaster and Eliza laughed lightly along with him. "Those two don't mind a challenge." She said to which he nodded. It was very strange to be having such light back and forth with him but the headmaster had proven to be a strange man. Besides, there was no need for formalities with the year coming to a close.
"After witnessing their friendship with you, Ms. Montgomery, that much is obvious." Eliza took his words as a compliment and turned to leave. At the door he stopped her with a call of her name and she turned back to see him messing with something in his hand. She arched an eyebrow curiously as she noticed he was unwrapping something.
"Mr. Filch confiscated quite a few of these peculiar little bottles." He held one up and adjusted his spectacles to read the label. "Izzy's Gas Guzzlerz." He read aloud and Eliza attempted her best poker face. "The blue bottle I don't much care for but..." He shook the purple one which was the belching solution and uncorked it. "These have done wonders for my indigestion." He winked and upended the bottle into his mouth.
"I look forward to seeing what else you have in store for us, Ms. Izzy."
The twins were not surprised when she caught up with them later to tell them that she'd just witnessed the great Albus Dumbledore enjoying something she'd made as a prank item. They laughed at the way she was all worked up after receiving praise from him. "We've caught him playing with loads of stuff we've had confiscated from us." Fred said as if it was nothing at all that one of the most famous wizards in history enjoyed prank items. "Helped him out of a finger trap in our second year." George said.
Eliza was stunned. It seemed there would never be a shortage of things that would surprise her at Hogwarts.
The day of exam results brought with it a quiet breakfast. Until the results were given out students anxiously waited to see how they'd done. But once they came out the school was an eruption of excitement, disappointment, glee, and horror. Hannah had worried over nothing. She'd received two 'Outstandings' and three 'exceeds expectations' while Kelly had one 'O' and three 'E's. She'd held up her results with an excited shout and there was cheering as they congratulated her. There were many "I told you so"s going around but the girl was on top of the world.
Eliza compared her results with the twins. They'd received three a piece and looked absolutely pleased with themselves for it. "Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, and Herbology." Fred announced with pride. Eliza was shocked at the last one. She'd never known he was much interested in the class. They never discussed it at length. She'd keep it in mind to pick his brain in the future.
"Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, and Transfiguration." George said as she looked over his results. "Nicely done." She complimented though she hadn't doubted they would pass what they wanted with very little issue. The two of them were quite talented even though they preferred to apply their talents to things that could get them in trouble.
Fred had her results in his hands. "Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, and...Herbology." At the last one, he glanced her way with a confused look as if he too was surprised they had it in common. George, however, was more shocked at the fact she'd gotten so many. "Charms and Transfiguration? That's a surprise." He grinned but shook her shoulder playfully. If it wasn't for them she may not have passed at all but she wasn't going to point that out to them any time soon.
"Defense Against The Dark Arts we all got lucky on this year. Lupin passed nearly everyone." Fred said and she fully agreed with him. She had a feeling that next year it would much more difficult considering Lupin had taken it easy on all of his students. "Potions was a given." George shrugged and Fred handed her results back to her. She couldn't wait to show them to her parents. After her spotty record the year before she was glad to show them that not only had she made friends here but her studies were improving as well.
They all met up one last time in the empty classroom they'd set up shop in, Lee included. It was the day before they were to be boarding the train back home and they were retrieving anything they could take with them including failed potions along with the extra stores. They felt comfortable leaving the cauldrons and some of the ingredients beneath the floorboards.
"Think we'll use it again next year?" Lee asked as he looked fondly around the room. Rikki was sliding his belly along the floor at his feet as if he were also saying goodbye.
"Don't know. Staying in one spot for too long is bound to get us caught." Fred said. He was standing next to a desk and writing his initials into the dust. George watched him before adding his own. "Right. Setting up elsewhere might be for the best." He agreed. Eliza would hate to leave the room behind. Even though it held a lot of stressful conversations it was also full of good memories that she wouldn't be forgetting.
Lee added his initials next and Eliza stared down at the table. "You're right. It's for the best." She sighed. "But no bathrooms." She shot a look between them. After the security around the school had been tightened Fred had mentioned a bathroom on the sixth floor that would be a good place to set up shop. "I'm not explaining why I was trying to sneak into a boy's bathroom if I get caught." She said as she quickly added her initials to the dust on the table.
George smirked and Fred messed up her hair. "You just say you're visiting your very best friends in the world." He laughed as she shoved him away and tried to straighten her hair. "Hannah and Kelly would never be hanging out in an old bathroom." She retorted. Fred gasped and when she turned her back on him he had his fingers digging into her ribs. "Take it back!"
"Okay! Okay!" She shouted and he looked triumphant as he leaned against her side, arm around her. "Knew you'd see it my way." Meanwhile, George had bent over a tad and added a 'W' to her initials and then Lee's. When Eliza tilted her head in question he shrugged. "Might as well admit you're one of us now." He winked and Fred started in chanting. "One of us. One of us."
The brothers continued the chant as they left the room despite how many times she asked them to cut it out. Lee didn't help and joined in smirking the whole way to the great hall for their last feast together.
Saying goodbye to her friends was honestly harder than she'd expected. On board the train she sat with Cas and Tasha, Kelly, and Hannah. She'd already parted ways with Harry, Ron, And Hermione and much to Ron's dismay he got another hug. She promised she'd write them and if she made good on all of her promises to write over the break she'd be spending her whole summer with a cramped hand. The family owl was going to have its work cut out for it.
Victor had taken his time before boarding to let her know that he and Amelia were back on speaking terms for the time being. It made Eliza happy to know that the gap had been bridged between them even if it was through what happened with Connor. He'd told her to be safe over the break and that he couldn't wait to see her next year. It would be his last at the school and, before parting, he swore that he'd make the most of their time together. She rolled her eyes at him but the hug they shared lasted a bit longer than initially intended.
As the girls chatted while Rikki roamed between them Eliza thought back on her first time on the train at the start of the year. She'd been so anxious and worried that the new environment would be too much for her. She'd been alone and had no idea how to expect her school year to turn out. It was such a drastic difference between then and now and she smiled as she gazed out the window watching the scenery pass by.
"Frog incoming!" The compartment door opened and a chocolate frog was released inside sending Cas into a fit and she ran from the compartment cursing the name Weasley as the twins and Lee laughed. Tasha chased after her yelling that everything was okay. Eliza opened the window as Hannah scooped up the frog and tossed it out the window. "Hey! That was a gift!" Fred exclaimed as they piled in.
The girls all moved over to give them space to sit and Eliza smushed herself to the wall as Lee squeezed in beside her. "Some gift. You know she hates frogs." Kelly made a face. "Eh. We left her alone for most of the year." George shrugged before letting her know that Oliver was looking for her. He gave her the compartment number and Kelly was off like a bullet to spend time with her boyfriend.
"You did that on purpose." Eliza said letting the guys know that she saw right through their act. "Whatever do you mean?" Fred asked innocently but there was much more room in the compartment without three of the girls. George picked up Rikki and started talking to him. "She has no idea what she's talking about." He told the ferret. Lee quickly moved to the seat across from him when Eliza moved to pinch George on the arm. "Don't talk bad about me to my own pet." She said as he jumped.
Hannah looked around at all of them. "I just want to sit here in peace." She said. The twins grinned and started checking their pockets but Hannah leveled them with a look. "Don't." She said and the two laughed. "Only joking." Said Fred. "We're pretty much out of everything by now." Lee spoke up from his seat and Eliza raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
George nodded turning out his pockets. "I'm all out."
Fred passed something into his brother's hand and George smirked before stuffing it into his pocket. "Correction. I WAS all out."
"Haven't you two done enough? They'll be cleaning up the entire fifth floor for weeks after what you did." Hannah said. As their last day celebration, the guys had basically torn through the corridors like a tornado setting off fireworks as they went. They'd been caught but not until the damage was already done. It caused them to make the train last and they bragged that they'd never seen Filch look so angry. It was a big accomplishment to them.
"How Gryffindor won the house cup with you two around I'll never know." Eliza muttered. George faked offense but when Lee launched into what they were planning over break the twins became occupied. "Don't get used to lazing around, Iz. We'll have tons of new ideas for you. Just you wait." Lee said excitedly as he described a lineup specifically to cater to girls since the love potion had done well. He went over multiple things but when he brought up exploding solutions after that Eliza stopped him. "You want me to make it easier for you to blow things up?"
Fred was all smiles. "We were thinking of something that could be timed." He said
"That way we can get out of dodge before it went off." Added George.
Lee was bouncing in his seat. "Think of the possibilities!"
Eliza rolled her eyes at them but knowing she wasn't going to see them for two months had her pitching in ideas. Nothing concrete but just a few things for them to think about. "I'll be putting my cauldron away for break so don't expect me to work a lick." She warned them. Though the twins were disappointed they let it slide. "Guess you can enjoy your break.." Fred said sarcastically.
The guys left towards the end of the ride to go cause a little more mischief and George flashed her the cover of their notebook with a wave before they headed off. Hannah was glad to see them go so she could spend the rest of the trip in peace. Eliza knew she liked them though considering she'd thrown a few ideas their way during the discussion. She just didn't want to admit it.
Eliza pulled her journal out from where she'd tucked it against her side. Before they'd boarded she'd scribbled them a message in case she didn't see them on the train. When she checked the journal there was one waiting for her.
I'm going to miss you guys. Thanks for everything.
Don't thank us yet. We've got big plans for next year -F&G
She smiled to herself and turned her gaze out the window. Despite all that had happened the year had really gone well.