The Same Mistake

The tower was more than slightly chilly; Ellie drew her robe tighter around her. The corridor whistled with a draft that slipped in through the windows and rattled their panes. It was a desolate location, perfect for Ellie’s quiet brooding.

Ellie had wandered up to one of the higher towers. She sat on the window sill peering down at the frost covered grounds. Her heart ached. She wanted to be at Beauxbatons enjoying the last few days of fall before winter over took them. She wanted to see the velvet blue coats of her Beauxbatons school mates contrast with the soft white snow that was soon to fall. She wanted to go to the Hiver Danse with Jean-Paul. But none of that would happen.

Instead, she would be serving her second detention that evening alongside Malfoy. After Snape had discovered the Room of Requirement as cluttered as ever, he had been viciously irate condemning both Ellie and Draco to two additional detentions. Knowing she deserved this punishment, Ellie hadn’t complained. Her only worry now rested on whether or not she and Malfoy would be assigned to a task together.

A part of Ellie thrilled at the idea of being in close quarters with Malfoy; the last two times having ended in passionate kisses. But, the more rationale part of her warned that more time spent with Malfoy equated to sinking deeper into a very dangerous entanglement.

Her letter had gone unanswered. Ellie assumed it had been received and that further instructions would be sent, but when she didn’t know. In the mean time, she carried on as if it was business as usual. Ginny continued to date Zachary while Harry continued to pine for her. Luna continued to wear her radish earrings and read the Quibbler. Sophi continued to update Ellie on her sixth year friend Lavender Brown’s advances toward Ron, Ginny’s brother. And Ellie continued to avoid any situation that would leave her cornered by Slytherins.

Not that doing so was particularly difficult. Ever since the night of their first detention, Pansy had been glued to Malfoy’s side. Her arms constantly wrapped around him, her lips always begging for a kiss. It was sickening really. Yet, Ellie refused to be bothered; Malfoy was free to date which ever Hag he wanted and Ellie didn’t give damn.

Though, Ellie wished this was entirely true. Pansy’s renewed relationship with Malfoy had exponentially increased her hostilities toward Ellie. It was quite evident that she had not forgiven Ellie for the curse that had landed her in the Hospital Wing. And Malfoy was worse than ever. He would stand there smirking as Pansy hissed vicious comments at Ellie. He would laugh boisterously with the other Slytherin’s when Pansy knocked Ellie’s books from her arms. And he would kiss Pansy proudly when she managed to place a misaimed spell at Ellie during class.

It was asking rather a lot that Ellie ignore all this and not stoop to returning the passive aggressive behavior. Only the threat of more detentions and possibly expulsion kept Ellie’s hand from grasping her wand. But Pansy’s behavior had also resulted in some surprisingly beneficial outcomes as well.

Hermione having realized the implications of Pansy’s hostilities had taken to sitting beside Ellie in class. “I’ve never liked her,” she confided the first day she sat next to Ellie.

“I can’t imagine why,” Ellie replied her words laced with sarcasm.

Behind them, Pansy whispered loudly to Malfoy. “I heard she was real tramp at Beauxbatons. But who would be desperate enough to sleep with that Frog is beyond me.”
Hermione covertly swished her wand. “Ouch!” Pansy shrieked as her open book slammed close on her hand.

Ellie and Hermione had barely stifled incriminating laughter. Of course, after class Hermione had felt awful about the rash spell, but Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Ellie all agreed that Hermione had actually done Pansy a favor. After all, Pansy hadn’t even had her book open to the right page.

Ellie smiled at the memory. It was far preferable to have friends in class and get bullied than to be on her own. In fact, the group had invited Ellie to join them on their visit to Hogsmeade that weekend since Ginny would be going with Zachary. But, Ellie had already made plans to go with Luna and she had no intention of breaking them.

Outside the castle window, the sun burned low in the sky. A soft pinkish glow highlighted the horizon as the sun began its journey East. Downstairs, Ellie knew the Great Hall was filling up for dinner, yet she didn’t rise to descend from the tower.

“You look very deep in thought,” a soft female voice commented.

“Luna,” Ellie smiled happily at her friend. “How did you find me?”

“I was following Sir Cadogan. He assured me he had seen a Follybarron, but I think he was rather mistaken; for instead of finding a Follybarron, I found you.” Luna shrugged in disappointment.

Ellie laughed gently. “Perhaps we can look again after dinner. Sir Cadogan has a penchant for being overly enthusiastic.”

“Yes, I suppose.” Luna agreed.

Ellie dropped off the ledge, landing nimbly on her feet. “Will you eat at Gryffindor table tonight?”

“Why?”

“Because I enjoy talking to you,” Ellie answered in confusion.

“Oh. That’s nice. Yes, I will sit with you.” Luna skipped down the steps, twirling around to face Ellie. “How lovely, it’s like we're friends.”

Ellie linked her arm through Luna’s. “That would be because we are friends, Luna.”