15. Gryffindor Courage
The Yule Ball was announced to the students a few days later and rumours spread like wildfire on a scorching day in Australia instantly. Secret notes were left in the kitchen, sharing news of a band of veelas in their famous translucent, shimmery dress robes to be present, and a magical circus act, choreographed by the groundskeeper Hagrid, infamous for possessing dangerous – and often illegal – creatures. On a trip to the girls bathroom in the middle of the night had me stumbling upon unrequited love notes all over the walls in a particular stall (I couldn't wait to tell George the sordid notes in his name and Fred's!). They were all unbelievably sickening. Lee proudly boasted of starting rumours himself, taking claim to the salacious veelas whisper and something about a disco Dumbledore…
If all things were found to be true, this wouldn't be such a terrible Ball after all.
The imminent arrival of Christmas was visible all around the castle, the kitchen more elaborately decorated by far. While the house elves furnished the castle remarkably, the kitchen was free reign to their imaginations. Tinsel hung in the oddest of corners; baubles sat over benches; streamers and confetti littered over all over the furniture; hats, gloves and socks hung on anything overhead (overhead to the house elves, waist high for me. But I managed to snag a few accessories for myself). In other words, it was a warzone awaiting its first victim.
"There's my favourite little house elf!"
And of course, with the impending Christmas came an over excited Weasley. One who most certainly would appreciate the flamboyant décor.
"Hello George," I greeted, giggling as he circled his arms around my waist from behind and played with the edge of my apron.
"How d'you know I'm not Fred?"
"Oh please, I'm not an idiot. Fred wouldn't come anywhere near me unless he was charmed in a body sized bubble and had a ten foot pole between us."
"Oi," George scolded, pinching my waist. "Don't be a git forever."
"Sorry," I said. He removed his arms. I picked up the end of my apron and swished it around. "Like?"
He made a show of inspecting the fabric, hand on chin, then made a face. "Bluh! Far too Slytherin green, not enough red. And what are those?"
I swatted his arm. "Arse. It's Christmassy and new. Bonnie made it for me. And those are ducks…I think."
The elfin matriarch had given it to me that morning, exclaiming she was far too excited to wait until Christmas morning. It was hunter green – not Slytherin green – with red edges and yellow splodges dotted around that looked more like fuzzy puff balls than ducks. It was shorter on one side and pinched in a corner. It was perfect.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's ugly. Now then," he clapped his hands violently and smirked, his eyes shadowed behind his shaggy hair, making him look far too devious to be comfortable, "Speaking of Christmassy, I figured you could do with some human interaction. I mean look, you're even dressing like Dobby!"
I had thrown on odd socks and a fuzzy and snug pink jumper, matched with an orange and green hat (thank you again, Bonnie) with a now dirty skirt. Spending all day in the company of elves who wore rags and towels as togas, I didn't very much feel to coordinate my clothing. I made a point of eyeing up George's oddly patterned attire and attempted to lift a brow at him.
He grinned. "You look stupid doing that."
My eyebrows drew back down and I rolled my eyes, returning to the bench behind me with the cookie dough, mumbling a, "so do you," under my breath.
"Ella! Come one, you'll love everyone up in Gryffindor. Ok, ok, you won't be meeting everyone, just us lot. And Fred and Lee are waiting for you. We'll have a mini party. There are drinks ready with your name on it!" he sang.
A witty remark about how he had drinks (most likely not age appropriate) sizzled on the tip of my tongue but one glance at George and I was done for, and he saw it. Without a seconds hesitation he grabbed my arm and ran out of the warm kitchen, my hat flying back from the instantaneous speed. And then he stopped, leaving me to run into his shockingly hard back. He stood there motionless, and as if under the imperius curse, winded his arm around my neck. For a moment I was sure he was going to strangle me, but then he kneaded his fist on my head. I shrieked and pushed against his torso, the friction of his knuckles against my skull unbearable and stinging. It was over far too soon but not quick enough, and as I grasped his booming laughter I swung at him.
"What the bloody hell was that for?!" I yelled, punching his arm again.
His continuous laughter had his face a burning red and he had moved against the wall to keep from falling.
"You-your…your face! You…" I patiently waited for him to overcome his bout of laughter. It was contagious; I had to turn away to refrain from laughing myself. "That's what you get for saying I look stupid, stupid," George said. He grabbed my arm again and swooped me up seven flights of stairs.
In no time at all we stood before the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, the image of a tremendously fat lady staring down at us from within the large portrait. I was panting heavily from the run and my hair flew wickedly around my face out of its plait. George assured me it would have been a much longer trek had we taken the conventional route rather than all the hidden passageways behind musky tapestries and crumbling statues. She stared at us, her brows furrowing into her sunken eyes.
"Oh, do hurry up you, boy!"
"But my love-"
"Don't start that rubbish with me again, Weasley!" Her swollen face flushed a violent red, heavily resembling a tomato.
"George," I called as he made a move closer to the portrait, "I can't…"
"Yes, you can. You've been fine with Fred and Lee, honestly, it can't get much worse," he reassured gently, although it only elicited sweaty palms and the thumping of a heartbeat in my ears.
Loud, raucous laughter turned the corner accompanied by fast heavy feet.
"Oi, oi! What you doing here, Ella?" Lee grinned as they approached us and swung me off my feet into a hug. I hadn't had time to use George's tall body to hide me.
"She's come to meet the girls. What were you guys doing? I thought you were already in there with them?" George said, holding firmly to my wrist when I attempted to sneak away. Bugger.
"We were…" Lee started.
"But then they started jabbering on about dress robes and shoes and nail paint or something, so we thought a little prank would do us some good-"
"-Bring us back into the real world, y'know."
All three boys visibly shuddered at the mention of female objects of desire.
"You alright there, Ella? Look a bit ill, you do," Lee asked.
My mouth opened to respond but words failed me. I nodded.
"She'll be fine- you'll be fine! Stop getting your knickers in a twist," George scolded, pinching me yet again.
"I'm perfectly happy to sort that out for you any day, Elles," Lee winked. I smiled at his attempt to relax me.
"George, you sure 'bout this?" Fred said to his twin.
George huffed and pushed Lee towards the portrait. It swung open upon his words and, with a Weasley twin on either side of me, I took my first step into the Gryffindor common room.
Back home in Ottery St. Catchpole my room was softly furnished with purples and white and old wooden furniture. Every stain, every rip in the fabrics and cracks on the wall and squeaks in the doors…it was perfect; the epitome of comfort. This kitchen dorm, although plenty woody, was not quite so colourful and bright, what with it being underground, the only illumination coming from the floating candles and the fireplace. The Gryffindor common room was the most fantastically warm place I had ever laid my eyes upon. It was the absolute definition of rustic opulence with its rich red and gold furnishings. The added laughter and friendly conversations was the mood of the room brought to life.
"There are our girls!" a twin yelled. The boys all gravitated towards a trio of girls settled around a glowing fireplace with a crate of bottles almost empty. With the twins now adopting the same facial expressions I couldn't tell Fred from George. But that was the least of my worries.
"Dungbombs again boys? Please try being a bit more original," a brunette, her legs curled up under her and cuddling a thick cushion on her lap, said, her face scrunching up from the sickening smell. A twin flopped down on the plush sofa between her and another girl.
"Katie! You're not supposed to be encouraging these idiots," said a dark skinned girl. The twin between them hugged them by their necks and twiddled their loose hair.
"Idiots!" an outraged Lee exclaimed, hand over heart behind the sofa. "How the fair maidens wound us so!"
"Dear Alicia, you do not feel the same, surely?" said the twin from his seat on the edge of an armchair occupied by a gorgeous blonde, his finger trailing down her cheek. Alicia.
"Of course not, Fred! Your face is far too cute to be considered idiotic," Alicia said, her eyes rolling theatrically.
"I thought that was George?" A confused Katie eyed up the two boys, hoping their matching grins would answer her.
"Forget it, Kates. Merlin knows how Leesh tells them apart."
"Isn't it obvious ladies?" George waited the length of a dramatic pause. "I'm the handsomer twin! Obviously Ali would realise when that ugly mug would sit with her. Shame you girls haven't caught on yet."
A cushion flew across the room and George dived. The cushion made contact with the dark skinned girls face.
"Fred!" she shrieked.
"Sorry, Lina." Fred visibly winced and made to move behind a grinning Alicia.
"Go on and kiss it better, Fred," Lee goaded. Him and George simultaneously puckered their lips and smacked them with much exaggeration. The two girls giggled.
"Come on, Lina, let's see the damage." Fred, steeling his nerves, kneeled before her and gripped her struggling face firmly for his inspection. "Oh yes, incredibly bruised and damaged. Nothing a good kiss from Healer Weasley can't solve."
Before a moment's hesitation he pressed his lips to hers.
"Oi, move over will ya. Some people want to get in."
I turned around to a small boy glaring up at me. Behind him were four others.
"Sorry," I murmured and moved further into the room and out of the shadows of the entrance.
Six pairs of eyes were on me, three of those pairs calculating and two others excited.
"We were beginning to wonder whether you left us," George said, now next to Alicia as Fred was seated comfortably between the other girls in much the same position George had been in.
Lee leaped over the heads on the sofa and wrapped his arms around me. "Accusing us of letting off dungbombs when we were with this cutie here. Girls, I'd like to introduce you to Ella."
The twins got up and surrounded me, introducing me to their Gryffindor friends. Three perfect friendly smiles greeted me and I offered weak hello's on response. So far so good.
"So what house are you in, Ella? We've never seen you before," Alicia asked kindly.
From my closer position on the sofa between Katie and Angelina – Fred and Lee seated by their legs on the floor – Alicia's every feature came into focus. George's words all those months ago were pale in comparison to her physical appearance. Her hair was like flowing gold, velvety and glossy in the in the dim room; her green eyes sparkled vibrantly like the rare emeralds found in royal Egyptian ruins. Her skin was perfect, and sitting beside George she was beauty multiplied by the hundreds, thousands. I shuffled self-consciously, increasingly aware of my knotted messy hair standing on edge around the hairband lost in the depths of my hair, the slickness of my hands and underarms and my predictable pubescent blemished face.
"I'm…uh" my mind whirred with a million responses on how to answer. The truth, or a lie?
"She's in Katie's year," George said.
"Not in any of our classes," Fred added.
Katie visibly lit up. "Really? Are we in any classes together?"
I tried shaking my head. "No," I managed to say, my voice coming out surprisingly stronger than how I was feeling.
"Oh. Why's that?"
A beats silence. And then I made my mind up.
"Because I'm not in a house. I work in the kitchen. I'm a squib."
In all honesty I wasn't sure what I was expecting. The twins and Lee trusted them and if they were all such good friends, so could I. It wasn't an immediate acceptance like how it was with Lee. The girls all shared looks with each other and then with the boys who all nodded. Lee rubbed his hand on my leg, noticing my unease. I jumped, startled. All this anxiety was not good for me.
Her glorious green eyes found mine and a smile blossomed across her face. Her angelic voice broke out, and we all laughed like lifelong friends.
People entered and left the darkening common room, eventually retreating to their dorms at the late hour until it was just us. The girls hadn't asked many demanding questions, for which I was thankful for. Rather they joked about my first human experience in the castle with the twins and how no matter what they had said, they didn't generalise for the rest of the student population. George retaliated to this by tackling Alicia, heaving her onto his lap once her voice turned hoarse from squealing. Fred immediately began his taunts to the duo again – Alicia was a lucky bird to steal George away from his womanising and bachelor ways (to which he had a crude reply ready, arousing blushes from all the girls).
It would be a lie if I said it didn't affect me. George was always so attentive to me when it was just us. For him to ignore me as if I was a helpless tramp he found on the street was pretty painful. And Fred never stopped.
Lee played with my fingers, picking off the dry dough, and tapped on my short and neat nails with his own. The conversation was on a recent incident in potions involving a Slytherin and Ravenclaw, I believe. My focus was on the cuddling pair on the armchair. His one hand stroked her arm while the other was in her hair.
"Ella?" Angelina's face came into view and I blinked at her.
"Sorry? I'm kind of tired," I responded lamely. "Don't mind me, what were you saying?"
"I was just wondering what Snape's like when it's only you. He absolutely hates us Gryffindors, hates Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws less and adores his little snakes," she sneered, "But you're not in a house. What's he like?"
"Not so bad, I guess. He's not exactly Mr Sunsh-"
"Oi! You two, get a room. Any closer and you might as well be fu-"
"Fred!"
"What? Don't give me that look, Lina. They're being too intimate in a ruddy public place."
"Shut it. That's not even remotely intimate compared to what you were doing with what's-her-name-Billie last week. Sorry Ella, you were saying?"
"Oh, just that he can be a bit-"
"Oh Merlin help us, now she's giggling. George! Stop whispering naughty things into her ear you git!" Fred yelled across the room again.
"Fred!" Angelina chastised.
"Look at where his hand is! Exactly – you can't even see it."
"Leave them be. He's a bit…?"
"A bit…a bit cra-"
"Oh, don't you start as well, Lee."
"What am I doing?" Lee sat up straighter, his hand leaving mine.
"Fred, stop it," Angelina scolded harshly, hitting him around the head. Katie had fallen asleep against the arm of the sofa and was snoring softly.
"S'not my fault these two are molesting people in front of my innocent eyes."
"Innocent eyes? Seriously Fred?"
"You dare doubt me, love?" Fred gasped and collapsed against my legs, his head thrown back. He sat up straight away and scooted closer to Angelina's legs.
An explosion sounded from a corner. Katie screamed awake and flipped over the sofa and onto the floor with a thump.
"Damn, too slow. Note: recalculate the timing and dosage of erumpent horn," George said to Fred, both eyeing the smoke drifting around with blackened crisps of parchment.
"Erumpent horn? Where the bloody hell would you two get that from?" Angelina's eyes were as round as tennis balls; an uncanny resemblance to the house elves. The boys ignored her, muttering ingredients and brewing processes.
My head was pounding. The bickering between Angelina and Fred started up again. And then we were laughing: Katie, Lee, George and I as Alicia grinned at the display, shaking her head in amusement.
"You guys are the weirdest couple ever." Katie laughed. This new revelation cleared my head a bit.
"Kates, we're not together," Angelina stressed, as if the mere thought of being considered in a relationship with the Weasley twin was repulsive.
"Not yet," Alicia murmured.
"Just ask her to the Yule Ball and go snog in a corner," Lee said.
"Why does the guy have to ask? That's so…sexist. And demeaning."
"Go on then, Ange, you ask him."
She scoffed. "Are you mental? I am not going to the Yule Ball with him."
Fred pulled a face but was interrupted before he could retaliate.
"I still need to get my dress robes!" Alicia alerted the group. "Mum didn't pack any, said I'd be better off buying my own."
"I need some shoes as well to go with mine."
At Katie's words the boys all groaned and slumped.
"Must we endure another conversation on bleeding colourings and fabrics," Lee grumbled.
"What d'you mean 'endure another'? You lot always scarper before we even get started," Alicia laughed.
"You better not be complaining, Jordan. Or do you want me to go with Terry instead?" Katie challenged, crossing her arms and staring him down.
"Lee asked you?" I blurted out. I hadn't had time to even process her words before the question was out.
"As friends," Lee said.
"And I can still withdraw my answer."
"But you forget, I'm doing you a favour by being your date, love," Lee winked.
Katie narrowed her eyes at him then gave up her stare as his unwavering grin showed no signs of slipping off. She mumbled a low, "arse," before leaning back into her corner of the sofa.
"I've got my eye on that gorgeous Beauxbatons boy," Angelina piped up.
"Which one?" George questioned.
"The one that always says bonjour Mon Cherie, and kisses my hand before meals."
"You mean Francis?" Katie asked, her eyes wide and bright. "He's asked you?"
"Not yet, no," her beautiful face fell slightly.
"He seems keen though. Really keen. Bound to ask you soon, Ange. Or you could always surprise him and beat him to it, y'know; independent woman!" Alicia smiled encouragingly to which Angelina smiled appreciatively back.
"What d'you want a French bloke for when you've got us dashing Gryffindors?" Fred exclaimed. As if on cue, he, Lee and George began flexing their arms in all sorts of ridiculous poses.
"Like you don't want a piece of those half veelas!"
The three boys smiled dreamily. A series of appreciative thoughts tumbled out of their mouths as if they had no power to keep their mouths shut.
"Thank Merlin…"
"Those legs…"
"Her lips…"
"Silver knickers…"
Everyone turned to Fred at his last wistful comment.
"What? Her legs were wide open at dinner!"
We all submerged into uncontrollable laughter.
"Ella, are you coming to the Ball?" Katie's voice brought me to the centre of attention.
"Oh, I haven't really thought about it."
It was true, I hadn't, despite it being obvious everywhere and almost all the time. My mind was too excited for my impending visit back to Ottery that I hadn't much thought of the Ball, to which I would probably be at Hogwarts by. In fact, I didn't even know whether I was allowed to go…
"You should come!" the girls all encouraged.
"Oi Kates, you're dumped. Ella, you'll be my date won't you?" Lee winked, trailing his fingers up my calf and circled my knee.
I leaned closer to his face and smiled sweetly. "I'd rather eat dragon dung."
The group burst into laughter at Lee's perturbed expression and I patted his head consolingly.
"Never mind, Kates, you're un-dumped."
She rolled her eyes. "Yay for me."
"You guys call us weird," Angelina commented.
"You two are going to get married one day," I said.
Lee laughed wildly and Katie stared, horrified. Watching them interacting I was reminded of Zoe and Nate. Although these two teased each other far more mercilessly and there was no awareness to a seemingly unrequited admiration, they were exactly alike. They would get married.
"That's a good one, Ella," George said, wiping his eyes and then Alicia's.
"I'm anticipating that day already," Alicia said, her face slightly flushed.
They probably thought I was joking. I was ok with that.
The smell of breakfast always woke me up in the best mood. For once I was glad the house elves started preparing breakfast without me. I mentally noted to get an extra-large present for Bonnie for allowing me extra sleep. The twins and Lee greeted me, settled on the armchairs by the fireplace.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked through a yawn.
"Coming to get you. You sleep good?" George said.
"Get me? Where am I going?"
George grinned. "Why, to the Great Hall of course."
"Is this a joke?" I chuckled nervously, glancing at the boys.
"Nope, 'fraid not. Our jokes are funny. That's not really very funny."
It had been a few days since my first visit to the Gryffindor common room. I went there once again the night before on the insistence of George but I had focused my attention on my duties and school work for the most part.
"You're taking me to the Great Hall? For breakfast? Where everyone will see me?" His proposition was finally dawning on me, waking me up completely before I even started on my morning ritual of a cup or two of tea.
"Yup."
"Now?"
"Of course."
"No time like the present."
"Here, take this, help you with your Gryffindor courage," George handed me his school robe and I shrugged it on, tempted to correct him with my lack of house status, thus excluding me from its famous attribute.
I could have delayed them. Or put up a fight. But in the back of my mind I knew I needed to do this. I was just glad I had George pushing me.
"George," Fred said, his voice low. "Are you sure about this?"
"Of course I'm bloody sure. She can handle it."
"But everyone will see. They would all notice a new face."
"So what? We'll be with her. Are you…don't tell me you're embarrassed? Fred!"
Their conversation was quiet and probably not meant for me to hear. Lee pulled me into his side and cleared his throat loudly.
"Shall we, Weasleys?"
It was still rather early and students were milling about the Entrance Hall excitedly. Lee had squeezed my shoulders on his parting when Katie had called to him from around the corner. The twins were walking ahead of me, whispering heatedly over a piece of crumpled parchment. The closer we got to the Great Hall the more crowded the clusters of students became. Eventually the twins' bright head of hair were lost to me and I struggled through the bodies to find them, pulling George's robe closer to my body. I considered calling out to them but so far no one paid me any mind and I didn't want to change that.
People paraded into the Great Hall seemingly all at once. A group of tiny girls ran past, shoving me to the side. I bumped into a much larger and bulkier body and fell to the floor.
"Are you ok?"
A boy stood above me, holding out a thick caramel hand.
"Yes, I'm fine," I replied.
"That was a nasty fall. Might not want to walk into Montague again though," he said, pulling me up and inspecting my head. "No permanent damage." I thought of Fred and Angelina in the common room and hoped it wasn't wizard custom to kiss any non-existent damage.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." His gold eyes strayed to the emblem on George's robe still engulfing me. He smiled.
"Gryffindor, eh? Seem more like a Hufflepuff to me."
I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, so I stayed silent. Still no sign of any vibrant orange hair.
"What year are you in? I don't think I recognise you."
"Fifth," I answered automatically.
"Ah, no wonder. No classes together. Shame, I would have loved to have such a pretty face to look at during charms."
I was stunned. Pretty? My eyes wandered over the strange boy. He wasn't much taller than me, far shorter than the height of the lanky twins. His skin was dark and gorgeous, matching his golden eyes and puffy afro perfectly. His build was not athletic – far from it, in fact. He was a bit of a chubby boy. I found him incredibly cute.
"Oh. Thanks."
"Were you going to breakfast?" he asked, slowly walking.
"Yes, I'm a tad clumsy sometimes, my fault I fell really. Once I even stepped all over a broken mug and cut my foot really bad. It bled a lot. I was sick that day as well, I think. Not as bad as the time I fell out of a tree though. Although, technically, that one wasn't my fault." I stopped talking, surprised by my sudden bout of rambling. Why did he have to be so cute?
He grinned, showing his perfect teeth.
"You'll have to tell me about it sometime…"
"…Oh! Ella! I'm Ella, my name's Ella."
"Nice to meet you, Ella. I'm Darren," he chuckled.
We were outside the Great Hall. It was full of chatter and laughter and the most amazing smells were drifting out. Not that it fazed me much, I usually contributed in making it. Pride surged through me as I noticed many students inhaling the food. Darren entered the Great Hall, departing with a smile. My eyes followed him as he went and sat down at the table I knew to be for Slytherins.