Life Happens
The New Year brought about a few changes surprising as they usually were. Professor McGonagall was mostly mended at the start if when classes restarted. Elizabeth made an effort to be a tote carry girl along with a few others. Make sure she did not need for help. This earned a grumble not unlike Professor Snape. But also a smile towards the kids. The restart of classes was a little sluggish as the staff and kids had a week to shake off the reminders of lazing around for a time. Snape was a bucket of cold water for many but Draco Greg and Elizabeth and Neville were ready. Both teams drew O's and a nod from the man He had taken their class over while Lily was seeing her healer to check on the baby and talk about the particulars. So far the plan was Lupin would be covering for Lily's pregnancy leave. That was if he met Snape's expectations. A stare from Lily 'not to be a git' Which went at both men as Lupin could surprised folks with his pranking.
Harry and James were practicing for when the baby was here and they could help or just do what needs done. A few days after they started baby gifts started to arrive. Ten bundles of disposable diapers and a good half dozen baby bottles were already arriving as Elizabeth wanted to take the burden off her parents minds.
The winter was unforgiving. Quidditch was going on only because the four teams refused to back down. The warmest gameday was 10 degree below zero and It was Slytherin vs Gryffindor. Elizabeth stayed in with Lily as her mom might need something and it meant that not cold liking ELizabeth was spared the worse of the day.
The final was 160 to 30. With Gryffindor winning due to Harry beating out Dracio with faint and his broom getting snatched by a blast of gale like wind. Leading to Draco besides get a trip to the medical wing he was going to be getting a new broom.
The next weekend with calmer winds the Hufflepuff bounced all over Ravenclaw 300 to 50. The after game party came during a study group and Few of the Snakes and Lions sat and worked. Harry Draco Theo Ron Hermione Greg and Elizabeth were prepping materials for the potions solo when Filch walked in.
The man walked over to Draco who was in middle of chopping And then he spoke at Ma;foy. "The Headmaster needs to see you Mister Malfoy." His tone was annoying but something twigged Elizabeth sense. Filch spoke in a clear and unaccented voice, No slur in his speech. Nothing like the grammar he used at anytime. Filch took Draco's arm and started to pull him away. Draco was not one to be manhandled and pulled against the tugging on his arm by a janitor. Elizabeth's wand slipped down to her hand. "Let go of me. Minion." Draco shouted. And Filch's wand dropped out. His body shielding from the others. But not Elizabeth.
"Espiru Espiru Espiru" she said evenly The three bolts struck the man. The first struck a shield but the other two struck home Left and Right sides of chest missing the heart and major blood vessels and punched out the other side which started to deflate the lungs and the shock stunned the man so Ron tangled him up and Harry took his wand. The others except Theo started shouting. "Harry call Dad." she said loudly not yelling but above the bedlam. "Greg go get Pomfrey." Theo walked over to the man. and raise his wand. "Accio Polyjuice." and a flask jumped out of one of the man's pockets." Got it." he says walking over to Draco.
James was second to Madam Pomfrey on arriving. He looked at both his children and at the man on the floor who was being treated for his wounds and being given a potion by Theo and The Headmaster and the Potions Master flowed in. Snape was quick to confirm the potion was Polyjuice And a quick discussion Elizabeth was warned about using so harmful a spell till she showed the higher version of the spell and a poor suit of armor was sporting a large hold in the breastplate. "Please be careful using such force in the future." Dumbledore commented.
Two hours later the group was sitting in the Great Hall. They were eating, Hermione was talking about third use of Dragon Blood. When the staff door opened and in walked Lord and Lady Malfoy. Narcissa looked a but paler than normal and Lucius had a look of calm and undisturbed mientill you saw his eyes. the real Dragon in the familt stood in just behind his wife. They closed on the table quickly enough that Draco had only turned around on his part of the bench to greet them. Narcissa hugged Draco maybe hard enough to break ribs. Lucius nodded at the others and put a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. She turned to look up and saw Theo take the proffered cane and Lucius Malfoy hugged her. "My Dear youg Lady... You gave me my son back." He said softly. " Your family milord. I know that Draco would do the same for Theo or myself." she muttered "Yes my dear but I have been lax in showing my support for yourself. And will set about ensuring that this never happens again."
The questions of why and who went unanswered. James and Lupin were equally frustrated. The fighting from earlier in the year stopped. Not faded off. Stopped stone cold dead. As March started a her mother started her maternity leave. Not limited to bed yet but she started to need and want a little help. "So you have not asked me. what I was going to name our little girl. she said at Elizabeth. "I thought you would tell me when you were ready and that pushing might get me on your bad side." The younger girl said bringing the tea over. She sets up for Lily first and then herself. "Well I had thought of Rose. My mother loved flowers and named my sister and I after flowers. And I though of Lucille after my mother. But then I asked what was it I wanted for my child. So your sister is going to be named Hope Lucille Potter." she said. "James gave me the 'look' where he thinks I am the wisest of all of us. He really puts a lot on my opinion. " she adds. " And you feel maybe he puts too much on you?" she asks. " You need to talk to him. Sometimes he does not read your hints to him. Also you cannot leave it to hints. Not that he is obtuse. but sometimes we tell them more than 'I'm Fine' and he cannot read our mind to know what has us upset." she says to her mother.
"When did you get this insightful?" Lily asked. Elizabeth smiled back. "Way too many Soap Operas growing up and too many books with relationships in them." she replied. April third arrived as most days at school did. A set of groans and huffing getting a shower and dressing. Having to go out to the game. I love Saturday sleep ins. But between Draco and Harry this Saturday was extra annoying. Theo got something gastly he was running from nose to butt. That was as much as she wanted to know if even that far. And happily as much as he wanted to tell her. But being Saturday it was pancakes glorious pancakes Mom and Dad had convinced her to stay up with them rather than retreat to her rooms and the day outside was looking nicer than last week.
But again watching Ravenclaw getting it's tailfeather plucked was a little pleasing Draco mauled them on the seeking end and what the Badger had done to them was pale in comparison. The Chasers reeked havoc with 200 points and the and chasers bludgers kept the crows near scoreless. 350 to 20 was the final. Now it was the real last match for the cup. James if he had known would have been offended, She had to giggle Dad was wearing a red and white sweater with a Gryffindor Lion on the front each second of red and white was a band across the rather than up and down. And the white cap with a red ball at the top left her father looking like Waldo. She was the only one in the room that caught the humor. Her mother was wearing a full sheepskin coat. And for a first time Elizabeth was out done on the syrup using on the pancakes. Mom had gotten this late craving But both ladies were composed enough to not spill any off the plate.
The first hour was busy Draco and Harry were working the snitch hunt dodging Greg and the other beaters while Draco had the twins really working him over. But still the hunt went on. As Harry pulled off a feint on Malfoy so he was above him and clear of the furball that was going on below. Elizabeth had a hand grab her own and squeeze HARD. A bone popped. Lily had this look of pain and clarity. "James. We need to go and go NOW." she said swatting James in the chest and getting his attention. James had a confused look till he registered her expression and jumped to helping her fully stand up.Thankfully the were able to get down quickly and the speed walking was helpful. Madam Pomfrey was at the front door alerted by Dorcas's Patronus as she took Lily's other side and helped move her. Sirius was racing behind having grabbed up all the items left and Lupin was away so he Marlene did their quick sweeps and rushed. They had slowed down when it was clear they would not catch up and settled into just getting to the castle.
Elizabeth after they had gotten down to the medical wing was having Marlene's attention focused on her hand. Lily had squeezed it hard enough to break bones but the shock and awe of her mother needing to be raced to the medical wing had kept her from really feeling it. But once she took hold of the injured hand it hurt...bad. but the few passes anda snap of the spell reset the bones and a wrapping for a balm to take the swelling down.
Hope slipped into this world as easy as you can think. Lily had James were right there. The girl took to life with a mellow almost sigh. She took ot the breast milk and soon was asleep in her basinet right by the bed. Harry rushed in but stopped at the door. He took off his gear and swept himself clean with his wand. Draco was behind him and turned to be a gate keeper for the others who were there to see the new baby.
Elizabeth swapped out with Harry and walked out to see what help Draco might need. The room mostly had students and the few teachers nodded and asked about any needs. Which had a couple go off to get a couple of changes of onesies and warm socks. The mother and child rested and the extended family celebrated. Elizabeth took on the serving duites so his Father and Harry could enjoy the situation. She had help from Crisp and Dobby. The house elves did not need to shooed away but once or twice there were small groups of elves peering into the basinet as if in awe of the babe.
As she was serving she walked up to the Headmaster and took his drink order. "Elizabeth. with all the issues we have with one another. I am happy to see your family come together. " he said. "For the sake of the celebration. Thank you Headmaster If you need a refill please let us know." she said. Theo stepped up and took up a task of rounding up the finished dishware. having never done this before he was... less than proficient and the two house elves kept it from being an issue. Draco brought Ginny around to see the baby and acted in a deeply proper manner and while not coming into the area the baby was directly in left a doll with James as a proper gift along with a small note from his parents sending best wishes for the birth and giving regards.
When asked Theo explained that "Since the child was very newly born those not of the family should not enter the room till a formal viewing. To prevent someone bring a illness to mother or child. Let alone harmful magics." She nods thinking this concept is reasonable. Settling in with a newborn was dull. Hope ate ,slept ,and pooped. Seemed a very quiet baby She was a great distraction for her mom as she had really felt she had missed something when she had Harry. They had been forced into hiding and that curtailed things. Now maybe the clouds would be gone and she could give her daughter what she felt a child needed.
For Elizabeth this gave her some free time to be out from under the all seeing eyes of her the extended family. Oh she had to keep an eye out for Professor Snape but she trusted in the chaos that was Harry to have some time to get into records she normally could not get access to. She tricked a House elf into the school records of Tom Riddle. Including notes. She had used her Father's access. Since he was a DADA professor and researching such people would give him restricted access.
To put it bluntly this boy had like her and a few others a full range of talents for the disciplines He like Granger was noted for his talents in Charms. And Potions was a sort of weak point for him. Professor Slughorn's notes commented that his poor performances were from a lack of patience. McGonagall was very direct unable to get the ideas of what was before him being something different. The DADA teacher at the time remarked his talents as a duelist were very adaptive. But his talents towards hexes and jinxes might exceed his talents with Charms. Herbology was dropped after third year and the notes spoke of a student who cared more for the dirt under his fingernails than for anything that might grow with in the dirt in the pots.The less public notes had spoke of research requests in the restricted sections books that were deeply connected to nuts and bolts and how they fit together on dark items. His claims of wanting to gain employment with Gringotts as a Cursebreaker had opened a few of those doors and a offer to work For Borgin and Burkes had opened others. It was while reading this in James 's office Elizabeth looked up to the opening door and Sirius and Lupin both standing there disappointment fully on their faces. This followed by Dumbledore walking in.