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braveclementine · 7 months ago

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Chapter 9

Warnings: None, Readers under 18 can read this book. It is solely fluff- nothing sexual

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

𝕴 𝖜𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊 𝖆 letter to dad the next morning:

Dear Dad, I was wondering with the Christmas holidays coming up, if you want me to come back home. I know full moon is December 21, but I would hate for you to be alone during the holidays. I won't come back if you would rather I stay here. Totally up to you, I don't mind either option. Also, I've been trying to find out who Nicholas Flamel is. I know I've heard the name before but I can't remember who he is. I know he is famous for something. . . a little help please! Oh yeah, Harry's the seeker for the Gryffindor team. They made an exception for him and he's really good. He probably got the ability from James. Anyways, his broom was acting up in mid-air during the game, like it was trying to buck him off. Both Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell looked like they were trying to jinx him, but I think one was muttering a counter-jinx or else I believe he wouldn't have stay on the broom as long as he did if both of them had been trying to curse him, right? Hermione, Ron, and Harry all think that Snape was trying to kill Harry. None of them saw Quirrell. I don't think it was Snape, because I think it's Quirrell. What do you think? Lots of love, Elizabeth

I stopped by the Great Hall and picked up some bacon in a napkin for Sadie, and made my way up to the Owlery. Fred Weasley joined me mid-way there, twirling a letter between two of his fingers.

"Sup Liz." He said, falling in stride with me.

"Hey Fred, where's George?" They were almost always together.

"Still sleeping. Lazy ass." Fred said, making an exaggerated face. "Why, did you want to see him rather than me?"

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had since the game yesterday. "No, you two are just never apart. Also, good game yesterday. I'm glad you and George were trying to save Harry too."

Fred nodded, distant for a moment. Then he came back to the present. "Wonder how his broom did that anyways." Then he smirked and said, "We're a bunch of heroes, aren't we?"

I rolled my eyes and punched him in the arm, not commenting on the possible why's or possible how's on Harry's broom.

We started climbing the steps to the owlery. Fred was making jokes and I laughed at all of them. In the owlery, he went over to another owl and sent off a letter, while I tied Dad's letter to Sadie's leg. I fed her a piece of bacon, letting her eat out of my hand. "Safe flight." I murmured softly and she flew out into the early dawn.

I turned to face Fred and noticed, at that moment, a large snowy owl sitting up in the rafters. Peering at her a little closer, I realized that it was the same snowy owl that I had seen in Diagon Alley. The one that I had wanted but felt I should leave for someone else to get. Hedwig, Harry's owl. I smiled, reaching up, and fed her my last piece of bacon. She hooted softly in thanks. Maybe she remembered me, maybe she just liked the bacon. Either way, I knew she had been meant for a good home. I was suddenly glad I hadn't bought her.

Fred and I walked back down and went out separate ways. I found myself wandering, since it was a free period, and I found myself back near the corridor with the Mirror of Erised. I hesitated, looking at the closed door, and then found myself walking towards it.

I said I would never come back here again, I thought, trying to make myself turn around. My feet continued towards the door and I opened it, slipped inside, and closed it again. I dropped my bag down by the door, turned, and froze

Professor Snape had been standing in front of the mirror. At my noisy entrance, he'd turned to face me, a guarded look on his face.

"S-sorry." I stuttered, reaching down to pick up my bag and leave. "I didn't know anyone would be in here."

"Come here." Professor Snape commanded in a soft voice. I didn't dare disobey.

I left my bag where it was and trailed over to where he was standing, apprehensive. He didn't look angry. He looked away from me and back in the mirror. His eyes were sad and full of longing.

"You see Lily Potter." I blurted out before I could stop myself. "With James and Harry. All of them alive."

Professor Snape looked at me quickly, angrily, and possibly a little frightened. "How did you know that?" He asked, sharply. He'd probably never told a single person what he saw in the mirror.

I hesitated. I decided on the truth. Dad had always said that the truth was the best option. "I see a lot of things, in my head, I mean." I started out hesitantly and then realized that I probably sounded crazy and tried to clarify. "Mostly things of the future, but sometimes random things of the past." I blushed red, adding, "I see a lot of things about you."

"Like what?" Snape asked, no longer looking at me, nor at the mirror.

I thought about it carefully. "Before Lily died, you used to see yourself getting married to her, at least in the Mirror." As I spoke it, I saw the vision again. The one where Lily had brown eyes. That was the thing though. . . mum didn't have brown eyes- she had green eyes. "Or. . ." I voiced aloud.

"Or what?" Snape asked.

"Or maybe it wasn't mum after all." I whispered under my breath. I had brown eyes. I looked like mum. But it wasn't possible. No one knew I existed, he couldn't possibly have seen me in the mirror. He had to have seen Lily.

"What did you say?" Snape asked, looking down. He didn't appear confused, but he didn't seem to have heard me anyways.

"Nothing." I said quickly. There was no way I was voicing that option aloud. After all, it had been a slightly hazy vision and I couldn't marry a Professor. It had to be mum. "But I know that you're trying to stop Quirrell from getting past the three-headed dog. That's how you got bitten on Halloween night. The dogs guarding the stone."

The stone? Of course, the Sorcerer's stone. That was what Nicholas Flamel was famous for. He had created the one and only Sorcerer's stone. Looking into the future quickly, I saw that Hermione would figure it out and tell Harry and Ron anyways.

"You shouldn't know about that." Snape said sharply. "Just like-" He cut off, turning away.

I shrugged though now I felt as though I was in trouble. "There's a lot of stuff I shouldn't know. I know what Dumbledore sees when he looks in the mirror, what Harry sees, that Quirrell was the one trying to curse Harry off his broom, that next year will be a dangerous year though I'm sure of the exact danger. I can't help it. I don't know why I have these visions." I hesitated again. "you're the only one I've told." Dad had told me not to tell anyone. I hadn't even told Hermione. Why was I spilling all my secrets to Professor Snape?

We stood in silence for a moment and then he moved over. Putting a hand on my shoulder he asked, "What do you see when you look into the mirror?"

I stood in front of the mirror, but it was different from the last time. Now, in addition to mum, dad, Lupin, Sirius, and Harry- there was also Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Lavender Brown, a small boy with a camera, Uncle Moody, Fred, Cedric Diggory, another Professor- I think the one who taught Muggle studies- a woman with bright pink hair, and a small house-elf with green eyes. It was the strangest thing ever and I didn't know why they were there. I didn't even know half the people in the mirror.

I noticed that Professor Snape was closest to me, besides Lupin, and that our hands were just touching briefly, by our fingers. The mirror unsettled me. These were the most random people ever. I wasn't even friends with Lavender, what was she doing in here? Surely, not all of these people were people I wanted to know.

So I lied. "I see myself creating a cure for werewolves." I whispered softly. "I see myself curing my dad." Then I slipped out from under his hand and ran back towards the door, grabbing my bag.

He said nothing as I left the room, standing where I had stood, and looking into the eyes of my dead mum.

Or so I thought.

.❤️.

𝕯𝖆𝖉'𝖘 𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 back four days later.

Dear Elizabeth, I would love if you came back for the holidays. That is, if you don't mind me being gone on the 21st. Your grandfather is going to come over and visit with us from the 20th to New Years so you won't have to worry about being alone on the 21st. I don't know what to make of Harry's broom acting like that. It could've been either Professor though I'm inclined to say it most likely wasn't Severus. I can't believe that he would harm Lily's son, even with his hatred for James. I can't believe either Professor would have attempted that. Was Dumbledore in the crowd? It was a risky move, whichever Professor (if it was a Professor) did it. Nicholas Flamel is the famous alchemist who created the sorcerers' stone. That's the stone that creates base metals into gold and also the Elixir of life. I'd love to have that stone (mostly joking). Write back soon if you do plan on coming home for Christmas. All my love, Dad

Writing back, I said I would be coming home for Christmas, which made me start wondering about what to get Dad, Trang, Hermione, Ron, Fred, Hagrid and Harry for Christmas. I might as well throw George in there so there was no bias.

In the end, the gifts were quite simple. I got Fred and George fireworks from the joke shop in Hogsmeade. I also gave Fred an extra gift of Fizzing Wizzbees. I got Ron a box of sugar quills. I got Hagrid a book on Dragon care, a knowing smile on my face when I bought that one.

For Harry, I bought a large plastic container of sherbet levitation balls. For Hermione, I bought a bunch of children wizarding books for her. I decided I would wait until I was back home to buy Dad and Trang's gifts.

.❤️.

𝕺𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖉 to last day before break, I walked towards the Great Hall, and saw Hagrid carrying a large Christmas tree, still slightly snow-frosted. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking behind him. I ran to catch up, my bag banging against my hip.

"I hate them both. Malfoy and Snape." Harry was saying, scowling. Reaching into my visions I saw that moments before, Snape had taken house points from Gryffindor because of Malfoy. Past-event visions were much easier to twist and shape now that I had a rough hang on them.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas." Hagrid was saying, "Oh hello there Elizabeth."

"Hi Hagrid." I said, looking around.

The hall looked wonderful. Holly and mistletoe were plastered to the walls and hung from the ceiling. There were twelve large Christmas trees, so big I was surprised that even Hagrid had been able to carry them in. They were decorated with baubles, candles, holly, candy canes, and icicles. Magic and decorating truly went together.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked, setting the last tree down in the corner.

"Just one." Hermione replied, "And that reminds me- Harry, Elizabeth, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

I discretely rolled my eyes while Ron said slowly, "Oh yeah, you're right."

"The library?" Hagrid asked, following us out of Great hall into the bustling corridor. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

If I'd been alone, I would've said yes. I used the Christmas, Easter, and Summer holidays as time to catch up on my Muggle school studies in addition to my magical studies. But I wasn't alone and I was still a little self-conscious about the fact that I was doing Muggle homework.

"Oh, we're not working." Harry said in a bright voice. I grinned, and then hid my smile, feeling just a little bad for Hagrid cause he probably felt terrible for spilling the name. "Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is."

"Yer what?" Hagrid sounded appalled and ashamed, and my sympathy increased tenfold. "Listen here- I've told yeh- drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'".

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all." Hermione said innocently.

I know, I know, I could've told them. But I'd gotten good at this futuristic vision thing by now. They could figure it out on their own without me, and there was a specific timeline of when they needed to figure out certain things. I could tell them, just not at this exact moment. After Christmas break I could. Harry needed to try out the invisibility cloak first.

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?" Harry asked innocently. He was very good at the innocent look. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere- just give us a hint- I know I've read his name somewhere."

"I'm sayin' nothin'" said Hagrid flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves then." Ron said. They left for the library, but I stayed behind with Hagrid, telling Hermione I'd catch up with them in a moment. Hagrid looked after them, disgruntled and anxious.

"Hagrid, it's going to be okay. They're not going to find anything until way after Christmas." I said. I shifted the books in my arms. I wanted to get out to the greenhouse before lunch and check up on my plant before leaving for the holidays. I needed a good grade on this project.

"You seem sure about that," Hagrid grunted, walking through the castle with me. I wrapped myself in my jacket and scarf as we exited the castle.

"I am." I said firmly, putting my books into my side bag. "You shouldn't worry about them, they-we- can handle ourselves."

Hagrid stroked his beard and was quiet for a moment, the only sound was our boots tramping on the freshly fallen snow. "Perhaps, but Harry has already had enough trouble, he doesn't need ter get mixed up in this."

"The stone will be safe whether or not Harry and them find out about it." I said, reassuring Hagrid.

Hagrid gave a start. "You know?"

"Hagrid, I know quite a bit." I said, exasperated, but felt my insides squirming guiltily. "I knew who Nicolas Flamel was a long time ago. I just haven't told them yet because now isn't the right time for them to know, if you get what I mean. There's a time for everything, and now isn't it."

Hagrid looked troubled when I left him. I felt relieved. Professor Sprout was the only other person in the greenhouse, checking out everyone else's plants. She beamed at me as I shrugged out of my robes, setting them on a hook near the entrance with my bookbag.

"Miss Kane! Come to check up on your plant, have you?" She asked, making another note on her clipboard.

I nodded, walking over to where my dandelions were growing. "I just hope they're doing well."

"It's one of the best plants in here." She said. "Along with Miss Grangers and Mr Longbottoms."

"Neville's doing well." I grinned.

She nodded. "It's his best subject, or so I'm told."

I checked out my plant, having to grab a step-stool to reach the counter. It did seem to be blossoming beautifully. I checked the drainage and the roots, feeling the soil with my bare finger. Everything seemed to be in perfect condition and there really was nothing else left for me to do to the plant.

"What are you going to be doing for Christmas?" Professor Sprout asked, stopping over a flower that was doing quite poorly and frowning at it, scribbling furiously on the clipboard. I wondered who's plant it was and hoped it was Dracos'.

"I'm going home to my dad's." I said, pulling off a stray, somewhat dead leaf from my plant. "It'll be just us for Christmas, although he mentioned that his dad may come over. I hope so, I haven't seen my grandfather in a couple of years."

She smiled, noting a dead leaf on someone's plant. She tsked, and wrote something down on her clipboard.

"Professor, is there anything else I can do to learn more?" I asked cautiously. I'd asked McGonagall and Snape for extra lessons of course but they'd both turned me down and I didn't want to be turned down by a third teacher.

She looked up at me, slightly amused, slightly confused. "You know you're doing much more than anyone else is doing. Not just in this class I've heard. Professor Flitwick says that you've been getting private lessons from him, and Professor McGonagall said that you asked the same of her. If anything, I'd concentrate on that Astronomy grade of yours from what I hear."

I sighed, disappointed. "Astronomy, Autonomy."

Professor Sprout looked only amused now. "Every magical class is just as important as the other."

I sighed again, knowing that the information was important whether or not I liked it. "I know. I just wish I could find it as interesting as my other classes." I hesitated and then asked, "There really isn't anything else I can do?"

Professor Sprout looked at me for a long moment, a rare, serious look on her face. Then, she handed me the clipboard she'd been using to grade the students. "Here, you can help me grade other students. . . as long as you're fair, of course. Perhaps you could be a PA."

I was pleased. Most students couldn't become Professor Assistants until fifth year.

.❤️.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖉𝖆𝖞 I left with Hermione to board the Hogwarts Express. We sat in a compartment with Susan Bones and talked about what we were going to do over the holiday. Both of them voiced opinions on what I should get my Dad and Muggle girlfriend for Christmas.

When the Trolley witch came along, I realized that I could send Trang candy. Of course, I'd have to be careful to send her something that wasn't magical. Sugar quills that looked like real quills and she could suck on them all day in class. Of course, in America, they probably used ballpoint pens but still, she was a Brit.

Dad was waiting for me at the station, looking a bit ill. There were about a week or so left before the 21st so I wasn't all that surprised. He almost always looked ill, just in different degrees.

He hugged me tightly. "Ah, I've missed you a lot Elizabeth."

"Me too dad." I said, squeezing him tightly. I felt like I was ten again, just a kid, and not someone who seemed to have the fate of the world on her shoulders. Cause after all, if Quirrell got that stone. . . well who knew what would happen. . .but probably nothing good. I couldn't imagine him taking it for himself, he was to much of a coward. So he must be stealing it for someone more important than him, more powerful, someone who could protect him, right? I just hoped it wasn't Voldemort. . .

Dad decided on side-along apparition to get home quickly. I found it a bit nauseating, but was pleased to be home. Sadie was already here, waiting in my bedroom. I'd told her to stay at the house when she delivered my message to dad.

I spent the rest of the day cleaning up my bedroom. Having not lived in it for a few months, everything had collected dust.

The day after that, I got up early and wrote a note to dad telling him that I had gone to Diagon Alley to look for Christmas presents. I took the floo network and was in Diagon Alley in no time. I searched the shops, looking for anything that stood out for dad and even for Trang- sometimes there were innocent things that were fascinating, but also simple.

Finally, for dad, I found a handsome locket. It wasn't a girly necklace in the shape of a heart or anything like that. It was made of old bronze, but had lost value because of the tarnish- it wasn't goblin made. It was circular shaped and hollow on the inside, tines in place for pictures. It was as big as an American Half-dollar. I paid 37 Galleons and pocketed it.

I had no idea what to get Trang. Sending her just candy seemed to be a bit of a horrible thing to do. I wanted to give her something that she could keep. I went to Flourish and Blotts to see if they had any interesting books that didn't have moving pictures in it.

A majority of books did, but finally I decided to send her a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Considering even in the Muggle world, fantastic beasts were something of the known, though mystical. And the drawings in here were watercolor and they rarely moved. Hopefully, Trang didn't look to closely and if she did. . .well I was sure I could explain it. After all, technology advanced all the time, right?

I visited the broom shop, looking through brooms again. I hesitated at the Nimbus 2000. It was 300 Galleons, more money than I had ever spent in my life. I had the money, I had nearly 10,000 Galleons in my vault yet. . .

I turned away and walked out of the shop. I restated my deal in my head. If I made Hufflepuff Quidditch team next year, then I would buy the broom. Plus, by that time, the price would drop to 220 Galleons and save me money. (That wasn't a futuristic vision- that was just economical math).

Back home, I wrapped Trang's gifts and set them aside. I would send Sadie off with them later today. Or could I? Maybe I'd have to send them through Muggle packages. Could Sadie make a trip over the sea?

I got a moving photo of me from Dad's study, duplicated it, and transfigured it so that it would fit the circular shape of the locket. I fitted it in and stuck it with a permanent sticking charm on the back because I wasn't sure the tines would be strong enough to hold it. On the other side, I placed a lock of my hair. It was something signature in the Wizarding world. I put a thin wrap of plastic over it, using the sticking charm again. I closed the locket, placing it in an ornate box and wrapping it.

I felt my own locket bouncing against my chest and I pulled it out and opened it. Mum and dad smiled up at me, and baby Harry waved his small fist, looking up into mum's face. I smiled and stared at the pictures for a long time until I heard dad come in the room. I snapped it closed and stood up quickly. I shoved the wrapped box into the closet.

Grandfather came a day early and dad left the house the afternoon of the 20th for the forest.

.❤️.

𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖘 𝕯𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 and I woke up early. I crept down the stairs so I didn't wake dad or grandfather.

There were more presents under the tree than I was used to, and there was also a large something with a blanket over it. Noises were coming from it- moving noises- and I was quite tempted to look under it. I refrained myself from looking in case it was a magical creature. I'd much rather have dad around if something went wrong.

I cooked breakfast instead- for the adults at least. I was quite content with eating only candy, cookies, and sweets today. I made cheesy scrambled eggs (because that was how Grandfather liked them) and then two separate sunny side up eggs for Dad (his favorite). Then there was bacon and sausage links. I put a pot of water on the stove to boil for tea.

Dad and grandfather woke up around nine. Well, actually, I got impatient and woke them up. Most of the presents were for me, though Dad did like his locket. (Or at least he said he did but he was a horrible liar, so I was quite content he was telling the truth). I didn't expect him to wear it either because it wasn't that great of a gift, but he slipped it around his neck when I wasn't looking and tucked it under his robes. Grandfather had gotten him new work robes and also some books, though I wasn't entirely sure what they were on.

Hermione had given me some of her favorite Muggle history books along with a couple of fiction ones too. She'd given me a new book called The Awakening: Volume I. It was about a girl named Elena Gilbert and two brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. It had vampires, witches, and werewolves in it and I couldn't wait to read it. Plus, looking at the characters on the cover. . . Damon was hot.

Ron and George had both gotten me Chocolate Frogs. Unfortunately, I didn't get any new cards to add to my collection. However, it did put my number of Helga Hufflepuff cards to an even 46.

From Hagrid, I got a carved statuette in the shape of a rabbit. It was standing on its hind legs, both ears pointed upwards. It was adorable and I was incredibly happy that Hagrid had taken the time to make it for me. I put it up on a partly empty shelf in my bedroom above my dresser.

Fred had sent me a box of sour gummies from Honey Dukes, along with a small woven bracelet with small bands on it that were meant for separate charms. It came with a broom charm. I put it on right away.

Trang had sent me a rather large box with a divider down the middle. On one side, she had sent me a bunch of books that she had found in America, including the same copy of the Vampire Diary book that Hermione had sent me. Luckily, that was the only duplicate. On the other side was a bunch of different American sweets that I had never heard before. Zotz, Mega Warheads, Tear Jerkers, Sour jacks, pop rocks, a container with a singular mega jawbreaker, DinoSour Eggs, and something called an astro pop. I could only assume that they weren't dangerous because they were Muggle candy.

Harry had also given me a book and also different patterned bookmarks, which I hadn't expected but rather liked. Most of them were Quidditch designed and all in Hufflepuff colors except for one which was in Gryffindor colors. The book was also on Quidditch.

I finally set those aside, leaving two presents from dad, and one present from grandfather. Neither of those included whatever was under the blanket.

The first thing from dad was a small box. Undoing the wrapping paper, I opened it and saw that it was a small bracelet. It was made of small linked chains, possibly of silver. There was a small moon charm on it and I grinned. My fingers fumbled with the clasp but I managed to get it on my wrist right next to Fred's bracelet.

"Thanks Dad." I said, grinning up at him.

He chuckled. "You haven't even opened the better present."

I reached under the tree and pulled out a longer package. I felt it in my hands and looked up at dad in shock. "A broomstick?"

He simply smiled.

I tore off the wrapping paper and there was the Nimbus 2000 that I had been looking at in the store only six days ago. "But-why- how- I mean- this" I stuttered over my words, trying to express my gratitude, while also expressing my worry over the money.

"I thought it was about time that you had a proper broom." Dad said. "I know you're worried about the money, but don't worry about it, okay?"

I jumped up, ran over, and hugged him tightly, unable to express my thanks in words properly.

"You will make the team next year, right?" Grandfather joked. "Would be a shame if you didn't make it."

I nodded multiple times, still speechless.

Grandfather's gift was a necklace. It had been grandmother's at one point and he wanted me to have it. Since I was already wearing everyone's jewelry, I slipped it on as well. It came to rest a couple of inches above my belly button, but it had been designed to be longer. There was a sapphire at the bottom of it and the chain was silver.

I pointed to the blanket apprehensively. "What's under there?"

Both Lupin and Lyall laughed. "Go ahead and take a look." Grandfather said with a grin.

I approached it slowly, unsure what sort of creature was going to leap up at me. There were multiple different magical creatures that could be kept as pets, but I already had Sadie. Oh, perhaps it was a crup puppy? Those were incredibly cute. Or a Kneazle kit?

I pulled the blanket off and it took me a moment to realize what I was seeing. I fell to my knees, opened the cage door, and pulled out the adorable little bunny that was sitting in it. I squealed with delight as I held it on my shoulder ,and it licked my ear, pushing its soft tiny nose against my cheek. I nearly fainted with happiness, joy, and enthusiasm. As it was, I squealed.

"Thank you Grandfather, thank you so much." I said. I ran back over to the couch and sat between them.

"Well you're very welcome sweetheart." He said, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"And thank you dad." I said, unable to stop smiling. "This has really been one of the best Christmas I've ever had." I beamed up at him.

The rest of the day went well. The bunny ran around as I cooked Christmas dinner which was ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, pickled beets, black olives, banana peppers, pumpkin pie, apple cider, and grape cider. Grandfather was impressed by how well I was doing in the kitchen, even though I was only eleven. I overheard them talking in the breakfast room.

"She's taught herself to cook ever since she was seven." Lupin said quietly. I obviously wasn't supposed overhear. "She would bring home cookbooks and look for ingredients, or ask me to take her to the store so she could get them and then she'd make it. I'm ashamed to admit that I thought she was going to burn the house down, at first, but she's really gotten excellent at it. She's the smartest girl I know. I actually got a complimentary letter from Professor Sprout saying she's one of her most dedicated students. I don't know what Elizabeth's doing up at Hogwarts, but I'd say she's excelling indeed."

Professor Sprout had actually done that? I wondered if Professor McGonagall had sent one to Hermione's parents. Then again, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were very different. Professor Sprout had probably sent out several letters to student's parents.

At that moment, a vision came out of nowhere. Harry had gotten Dad's invisibility cloak. I dived deeper into the vision, in order to see what dad's cloak had looked like. Harry was trying it on in front of Ron. Everything but his head disappeared. I wished, at that moment, that I had something of dad's or mum's.

Then, I immediately felt ashamed of myself, and wrenched out of the vision. How could I think like that? After everything Lupin had done for me! After the incredibly expensive gift that he'd given me today. And he was willing to do everything for me. How could I be so ungrateful?

I carefully placed the wooden spoon that I was using to mix the mashed potatoes down on the counter. I quickly turned everything off on the stove and put lids over the food so the heat would stay in. I hurried past dad and grandfather so that I could get upstairs to the bathroom.

"Elizabeth?" Dad asked, concerned as I passed.

I didn't turn around and just said, "bathroom" as normally as possible. I raced up the stairs and hurried into the bathroom.

I stared at myself in the mirror as though the word selfish would be printed across my forehead in capital letters. I observed myself. I no longer wore my glasses, and I could now see the resemblance I had to mum. My brown hair had more red tints and my face was starting to shape like hers. The brown eyes were the only difference, the difference between the two of us looking nearly identical.

"I'm selfish." I whispered aloud. I sounded much younger than I wanted to. "I can't be selfish anymore." Never again, would I wish for anything. I would make the most out of everything. That stupid mirror!

There was a knock at the door. "Elizabeth?" Dad asked in concern. "Are you alright?"

I opened the door. "Yeah, I just had a vision." I said.

His brow creased in concern. "About what?"

I hesitated and then said, "Well I saw what Harry had gotten for Christmas. Dumbledore gave him James's old invisibility cloak. I had a momentary fleeting wish that I had something of mums' or James' and immediately felt horrible because you've already given me so much that I shouldn't be wishing for anything else. Especially the broom! I love the broom! How could I be so selfish and want more?"

Dad stared at me for a second and then, to my shock and slight horror, he burst out laughing. "Elizabeth, you're young! You're supposed to be selfish and want more than you have. It's natural. Especially those who grow up without a lot of money, it's natural to want something every once in a while."

I shook my head, feeling frustrated and slightly abashed. Was Dad saying it was alright to be selfish? "I don't want to be selfish. I really am satisfied with what I have. I swear, it was just a fleeting thought."

Dad laughed aloud again and that was the end of the conversation. I felt much better as I went downstairs to finish off dinner. If he was laughing, then there really wasn't anything to worry about.

It was dark and cold after dinner, but I still took the broomstick out with dad to a nearby clearing in the woods nearby that was empty and had good tree coverage. I took off on the broomstick, feeling the wind on the my face, stinging my eyes. It was freezing, but I was exhilarated. We didn't stay long though, and we headed back to the house for dessert and I played with the bunny rabbit.

He was a lion-lop (lionhead x English lop mix) rabbit with white and gray coloring. He had lots of baby fur around his face and on his butt, covering his tail. I called him Sushi which was an adorable name. Eventually, I thought, I'm going to get him a girl rabbit so they could mate and play. And I'll name her. . . well what color would she be? If she's brown it'll be cinnamon. If she's black she'll be. . . chocolate. No? What good food is black cause chocolates brown. . .Licorice? Coffee? Ink Pasta? Hmm. . . I just won't get a black rabbit. A white rabbit's easy though- Marshmallow, rice, cracker, or vanilla. Probably Rice. Rice and Sushi.'

Grandfather left for his home on New Year's Day and I spent quality time with Daddy and Sushi. Sadie came back with a letter from Trang, asking how I had managed to get such a wonderfully trained owl, and also thank you for the presents. I had forgotten to send the presents by Muggle post, but Trang's letter didn't seem to care much, only finding the situation amusing, and her host parents thought it was amazing and asked if all Brits did that for Christmas.

Dad and I talked about my visions and what we thought some of them might mean. I confessed that I knew Harry, Ron, and Hermione were going to go after the stone if Dumbledore left Hogwarts, and I knew that he would eventually, though I didn't know when. I also confessed that I was torn between going with them and telling an adult.

Dad didn't say much on it, only saying that James would've gone, and Lily would've told a teacher.

"Either way, you'll be doing as your parents would've done and I know that matters a lot to you." He said kindly but I wondered if he felt sad on a deeper level.

"What would you have done?" I asked. "Or really, what would you do?"

"Does my opinion matter that much to you?" He asked lightly. I climbed up off the floor where I was playing with Sushi and curled up next to him on the couch, resting my head on his shoulder. His arm went around my shoulder.

"Your opinion means the world to me." I whispered.

"Follow your heart, I think. I'm not entirely sure what I would do if I was in your position. I suppose I would've gone, I think, James definitely could've gotten me to go. But ultimately, the choice is up to you. If there's a bad outcome, you need to tell a teacher. Only you know how the situation is going to play out."

"Hagrid's going to get a dragon." I said, changing the subject. "That ought to be interesting, he'll want us to help raise it."

Dad shuddered with horror so we didn't talk about my visions any more after that. Then eventually it was time to go back to Hogwarts and I went, leaving my broomstick and Sushi behind. I brought nearly everything else with me except for a couple books that I couldn't fit into my trunk.

"I'll see you when school ends." Dad said, kissing my cheek good-bye. I returned the kiss. "But please, stay safe, and stay hidden in the crowds. I'd hate to think about any other alternatives where you're not safe."

I think that was his way of saying what he thought. He was telling me not to go on that adventure with Harry.

But would I listen when the time came?

⬅️➡️

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