Hello, this post will be jam packed with tons of information. WOOO HOO

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming.

Oh and when I finish Year 5, I will immediately go to year 7 and epilogue. It also won’t be as long, because it will be a different format.

Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to Jk Rowling.

Chapter 15

“I can’t believe you” Ella screamed

“ You are under my rules young lady and you will do as I say.” Sirius Bellowed.

“You’re not my family, you’re not blood!”

Sirius grabbed Ella’s arm in rage. For the first time since meeting Sirius, Ella felt scared.

“I married your sister, blood or not you are my sister, and I protect my family. You may not leave this house, it is dangerous!”

“You cannot coop me up here! I am going crazy, plus that damn Kreacher scares me! “

“Oh so now my house is not good enough! Well I am sorry your highness, but let me get my servant to tuck you in at night. “

“ Don’t do that !Didn’t you hear me you ? He is creepy!”

“Go to your room. You may have tried to take down Umbridge but let me tell you I will put so many spells and charms on your door you won’t be able to leave until your 30.”

“Oh yeah, go and try it. I dare you.”

“Stop this arguing at once.” Remus who had just ran up the stairs, stood between them.

“What is going on, Remus?” His voice dropping Sirius saw the distraught look on Lupin’s face.

“The children are here, something dreadful has happened.”
Running down the stairs Ella saw her friends. Harry, and the weasley’s. They were huddled together looking pale and weary.

“It’s Mr. Weasley he was attacked.” Harry looked a wreck. His Harry was wet, his clothes clung to him and his eyes were blood shot.

“Sit down, I will get the tea.” Remus said.
Ella made her way across the room hoping to comfort her friends.

“What are you doing here?” Harry spat out.

“I live here.” Ella said defensively.

“Then leave this room, this is none of your business.” Harry’s anger grew.

“I am a part of the order, it is my business. What is wrong with you?” Ella was shocked at what was coming at her.

“Everyone read the paper, you were sneaking with Malfoy.” Ginny who had been crying couldn’t keep the tears back as her face began to harden.

“ You guys don’t know the whole story. I was using him. I think Umbridge sent him.” But she couldn’t get the words out because Ron interrupted her.

“Didn’t Harry just tell you to leave. Or are you going to join your little boyfriend in torturing the first years.”

Ella’s face fell.

“Didn’t know that did you.” Ron said keeping his focus on Ella.

“No, but trust me there was nothing going on. Plus, I don’t have to explain myself. So what if he stopped to talk to me.”

Ron stood up knocking the chair back. “He is a vile git, and if you hang with him then so are you.”

Ella felt her body tense up. The need to touch her wand grew strong.

“ Back off Ron. I have been itching and you don’t want to be on the tail end of my addiction.” Her voice shook. Her eyes began to set in on his. His every movement would be locked in to her senses.

“ Ella , you have been doing well. All of you stop it. “Sirius stood up “Reporters give one side and that is not the truth. Only Jennifer Black was a well-respected journalist.” At the sound of her sister’s name coming out of Sirius Ella’s heart began to ache. Still Ron wasn’t backing off.

“Let’s not give Mr. James what he wanted.” Tonks said.

Ella didn’t even hear her arrive.

Ron inched closer.

“My last warning! Get out of my face!” Ella yelled with some authority.

Her wand was twirling in her fingers. She felt it call to her and she began to
smile.

“He is the enemy and since you are with him, so are you.” Ron said

“The hate you harbor against him makes you just as evil.” Ella smiled.

“Excuse me?” Ron took a step back at the insult.

“Both of you! That is enough! “ Mad Eye had seen enough of the teenagers arguing.

“She is just mad because Snape is her dad. I would be embarrassed too.”

Ella reared back, but before she could utter a curse the entire order had their wands to her back.

Lowering hers, she put her hands up to show she had nothing in her hands.
She smiled inching closer to Ron Weasley’s face.

“You should get on your knees, and thank them Ron Weasley. I would have hurt you real bad and you know it.” “ I don’t need a wand to do damage. “Pointing to her head she said “ I can use my mind as a wand. Didn’t know that did you? Like I said thank them”
Running up stairs she gathered her belongings .She could hear everyone arguing but her mind only focused on getting out of the dreadful house.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The cold was almost too unbearable. Wrapping her Gryffindor scarf tightly around her neck helped a little, but the wind was rough.

“Oh Ella, you just can’t live anywhere can you? And now you’re talking to yourself.” Ella shook her head. Closing her eyes she tried to imagine she lived on a warm beach. No parents, no friends and no pesky brother in laws. The sounds of the early morning scared her. It was still black out, but it was nearly 4 in the morning. Hearing the sound of an upcoming car scared her.

The last thing she needed was a muggle to see her.

“Girl, you shouldn’t be out here, do you want a ride.”

“Nope, I am walking to my parents’ house. See that light, they left it on for
me.” Ella pointed at a random house that wasn’t even a mile ahead.

“ Oh, well I will follow you.”

“ No, my father would call the police if he saw you.”

“ What father would allow his daughter out at 4am?!”

“ I was at a slumber party at my friends and I wanted to leave early. I don’t
need to explain myself.”

“ Oh all right.” The man drove off.

Relived Ella kept walking. It was a twenty minutes from Grimmauld Place to
Kings Cross and then about a thirty minute walks to the Leaky Cauldron. Plus,
with her large trunk she knew she would be walking for a while.
---------------------------------------------------
“You look rough, where is your parents?” The innkeeper at the Leaky cauldron was a plump woman with wide eyes. Through her glossy tired eyes Ella took comfort in seeing her.

“ Please , I am so tired can I get a room? I have money.” Ella could barely keep her eyes open, and her legs burned from the cold long walk.

“ I am sorry, but where are your parents?”

“ I don’t have parents. Please, it took me two hours on foot to get here in the freezing cold.”

“ I can’t you’re a minor.”

“ Please I have nowhere else to go.” Ella felt her frustration grow.

“ It’s a new ministry law.”

“ Where do I go, then tell me?” Ella pleaded.

“ There is a home for children.”

“ An orphanage?” Ella said in disgust

“ I wouldn’t call it that. I would say it’s a home for young ones, but for wizarding children only.”

“ Don’t all children go to Hogwarts?” Ella asked.

“ Why aren’t you there?”

“I was expelled, what are the reasons for these children.”

“ Not all families can afford books, tuition, clothes and not all children have
the parents to enroll them. My cousin runs the place.”

“They don’t get an education or have families to help”

“ An old professor comes twice a week for lessons. Dumbledore comes and brings supplies. Dear, these children have no one. You see only a few lucky students get scholarships to go to Hogwarts others get left behind.”

“ Where is it?”

“Two blocks down, and make a right. The sign will appear. It’s of a house with loads of children surrounding it.

Sure enough, Ella stopped right in front of the sign just like the inn women said.

Ella took a deep breath and entered through the threshold of the unknown.

“ How may I help you.” The similarity between cousins was striking.

“ Um, yes I am sorry but I was at the Leaky Cauldron and they, or I mean your cousin told me I had to come here if I had no one.”

“ Please fill out as much as you can.”

“ You’re not a runaway are you?” The women glanced at Ella’s nice clothing.

“ No.”

“ Ok, why are you not at Hogwarts?”

“ I was expelled.”

Handing over the paperwork, the woman was shocked to see the name on the form.

“ Ella Greene, you’re the one in the prophet all the time.”

“ Yours truly.”

“ My name is Mrs. Smith. I am the caretaker here.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“ Follow me.”

Walking through a large door, they entered the main mess hall.

Ella followed but had so many questions.

“ How many children live here.”

“ It changes daily. Usually the number is 35-50.”

“ Oh my.”

“ There abandon and I have rescued them so to speak.”

“ They learn to deal, don’t feel sorry for them.”

“ Why can’t they go to school” She wanted Mrs. Smith to answer, she couldn’t just accept that Hogwarts wouldn’t accept all of them”

“ You’re so young. Some of the children here are squibs, some don’t have parents, some have parents that don’t want them, and it’s a horrible situation. Hogwarts isn’t to blame. Its life.”

“ Any adopted out.”

“ Maybe five a year."

“ What happens when there 17?”

“ They go find work.”

Ella hung her head low .

“ Ok, in you go.”

“ This is the where the females sleep. At nine I lock the doors, so no one in or out. The ages range from 4 to 16, so bear with the different maturity levels. “

Ella looked at the bunks that were spread out. Keep your stuff locked in the dresser next to your bunk. I love my children , but some are simply lost. Ella was given a key in which she used to lock her clothing in the dresser. Her trunk already well-fortified could never be broken into.

“ Do you have a family?”

“ My husband left when he found out I was barren. I devoted my life to children. Dumbledore says this was my calling, and that I am a mother.” Mrs.
Smith smiled .

“ Now follow me into the rec room. Here is where most of the kids hang daily. There is a ping pong table , desks ,couches games and a small television set.”

Walking in, Ella saw all the children piled up on couches and bean bags. The smaller ones sat on the floor squinting to see the black and white tv

‘ Everyone this is Ella , she will be staying here.”

“ Hi”

“ Hey , Ella move.” A teenage boy with brown hair said. He wasn’t even looking at her; she was just a wall in front of the tv.

“ Oh, I am sorry, I guess I make a better door than a window. “Ella smiled, but no one smiled back.

“ It takes a while to fit in, but you will.”
Ella took a seat in the back near the teenager who told her to move.

“Who are you? “

“ I am Ella .”

“ Oh the one in the way. “

“ Pleasure is all mine.”

“ I am sorry. My name is Ollie. I have been here since I was four so pardon I have seen many come and go.”

“ How old are you?”

“Sixteen. In six months I will be out of here.”

“ Where will you go?”

“ With my dad down at the docks.”

“ Oh.”

“ Yes, I have a family. I am different. “

“ Good.”

“ You?”

“ I don’t have parents. Well, I have a dad but he doesn’t live here.”

“ Your American.”

“Yes.”

“ California?”

“ No, Ohio.”

“ Boring.”

“ Aren’t you just honest?”

“ Always”

“ What are you going to do when you leave?”

“ Well, I hope to travel and learn more about foreign ways to brew potions
and then I should be able to teach potions at Hogwarts.”

“ Hogwarts huh?”

“ Yes”

Ella noticed Ollie sat closer towards her. Not wanting to embarrass him she allowed him to sit near her.
---------------------------------------
Two days later
--------------------------------------
“ Ollie I told you all I can about Hogwarts. I wish I was there trust me! “

“ I know, but you were a Gryffindor.”

“ Yes, I was and I still am. I hope to go back next year.”

“ Lucky.”

“ Ok, I don’t think you are allowed in here.”

“ It’s the girls bathroom!” Ella started to laugh.

“ What are you brewing , I’m not brewing I making sure my Wolfsbane has developed. I need to ship it soon.”

“ How do you know when it is done.”

“ The moon cycle and , and the look of it. I think it is done, see that packing material? Give it to me please.”

“ You have a lot of stuff.”

“Well this is my potions cabinet. Of course there is a lot. “

“ You will be a wonderful teacher.”

“ I sure hope so.”

“ Ollie , don’t go with your dad”

“ My OWLS were no good.”

“ So prepare for your NEWTS.”

“ Retake them, do anything you can to go into the ministry, or open your own business.”

“ I think I will work with my dad.”

“ Because it is the easy way out.”

“ Hey don’t judge me.”

“ I am sorry, I shouldn’t. I just think you can do better.”
“ I know.” Ollie put his hand on Ella’s shoulder.

“ Ollie were friends.”

“ I know”

Before confronting Olllie on his behavior, Mrs. Smith voice called for Ella.

‘See you later. You better get out of here.”

“Bye.”

You have a visitor.”

“ Who?”

“Why it is me Albus Dumbledore.”

“ Hello Professor.”

“ Mrs. Smith, thank you could you give us some privacy.”

“ Ella, my dear what are you doing here?”

“ I needed a place to stay, and here they have a bed.”

“ Sad thing to have no family.”

“These kids don’t even have a school.”

“ Ella, we help who we can.”

“ It’s not enough.”

“I never said it was.”

“ I feel guilty about Ron.”

“I know you do.”

“ How’s Mr. Weasley? “

“ Recovering.”

“ Good.”

“ I came to check on you and to give you this.”

“ I hope You find what you are looking for. Before I leave I must say, Ella,
pushing friends, family and others away leads to a lonely existence. Friends
keep us grounded, keep us alive.”

“ Tell Ron, I am sorry. If you could. I mean is father was attacked and I
should have stood down.”

“ My dear, that is why we love you. You don’t stand down. Ron and Harry were both wrong. Write them.”

“ I will.”

“ Dumbledore , thank you.”

“For what?”

“For knowing that I wouldn’t be someone else and that I need to follow my own path.”

Dumbledore smiled.

“ Just like your father.”

Ella opened the parchment to see a letter from Snape.
Christmas Day, Knockturn Alley, Noon.
----------------------------------------
Ella smiled. Knowing what she needed to do to save her friendships she rushed to holler for Chauncey.

Dear Hermione, I am fine. I cannot say where I am, but I am focusing on my studies. I want to take the OWLS early, so I can maybe find some work.
-Miss you
El.

Dear Ron,
I hope your father is doing well. I am sorry I over reacted. I was lonely at Hogsmeade and Malfoy was hiding something. I don’t know how to explain myself. Are we still friends?
-El

Harry,
I am here if you need me. Don’t be afraid to write. I hope we are friends .
-El

There was another letter she had to write.

Draco,
It’s me El. Could we meet during Christmas break? At the Leaky Cauldron? I need to talk to you.
-El“
Ok, Chauncey so there not heartfelt. But I don’t do emotional stuff.”

“ HOOT HOOT.”

“ Be quick and be safe. It’s a hard winter in Scotland right now. “

“ Who are you writing too? “

“ Oh Jeez, Ollie you scared me. Make yourself known next time. Its rude.”

“ I am sorry El.”

“ Excuse me?”

“ I said I am sorry.”

“ No you called me El.”

“ Ollie were friends , but only really close people call me El and when you say
that it reminds me that I don’t have them near me anymore. “

“ Ollie I am sorry if that came off mean, but please understand.”

“ It’s after 7 , don’t you think you should go to the boys dormitory.”

“ I am going.”

“ Good.”

Ella took a deep breath. The situation with Ollie was not going good.
-----------------------------------------------
Dearest El, I will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron Dec 26th at 6 pm. My father has a meeting, so I will be in town .

-Merry Christmas

-Draco

“ Good.” Ella said out loud. She needed to see him.
-------
December 25th
---------------
“ Good morning, Everyone.”

‘ Merry Christmas to you.”

“ Breakfast Looks great!”

“ Courtesy of Headmaster Dumbledore at Hogwarts. So everyone be grateful
and merry!” Mrs. Smith couldn’t hold her excitement.

Ella smiled.

“ I am heading out, I will be back later this afternoon.”

“ Where are you going on Christmas?” Ollie yelled over the caroling.

“ Ollie, I have to meet someone.”

“ Who?”

“ Please, I will back later.”

“ No, where did I put my scarf? “ Ella began to look around.

“Here it is.”

“ Why did you have it?”

“ I didn’t I founded. “

“ Oh, ok I will be back later.”

Ella walked the few blocks to the Leaky cauldron, through there she found herself overcome with joy as the streets were bare. She didn’t want to run into anyone. Never daring to visit Knockturn alley she sifted herself through the curvy alleys.

Finally, she saw a pale man, his face hidden under a cloak, and with a nod she knew it was snape.

“ This way.”

What looked like an abandon café, Ella entered fearing the worst.

“Why here? We could have went to a muggle place.”

“ Not even a muggle place is safe.”

“ Why Knockturn?”

“ No one dares repeat what they see here.”

“ Oh God the food.” Ella said glancing at the dusty menu.

“ Don’t eat here.”

“ I will give you money and you can eat lunch at the leaky cauldron.”

“ Ok, so Merry Christmas.” Ella said smiling.

“ Happy Christmas Ella.”

“Now, how and why did you decide to live at a shelter?”

“ I need to find myself. I feel like I am shuffled from place to place.. I don’t
know, I just want to make it on my own.”

“ Stubborn and young. Two bad qualities.”

“ Do you understand?”

“ Yes. I was fifteen too!”

“I don’t want to think about that.” Ella said laughing.

“ Trust me I don’t want to either.”

“ I want so badly to go to Hogwarts.”

“ I am excited for you to come back.”

“How’s Umbirdge?”

Snape looked as if he swallowed a rat.

“ Same, but more powerful.”

“ I think I am going to look for some work.”

“ No.”

“ Why not?”

“ I won’t allow it! You may think you know about the world but you do not.”

“ Ok, forget I even suggested I do something than other study, eat , sleep
and repeat.”

Snape chuckled.

“It’s nice to hear you laugh.”

“ I missed you Ella.”

“ I have missed you too.”

“ It scares me , I know too much and you so little.”

“ Before we leave.”

“ Already?”

“ I am sorry I have some meetings to go to yet. “

“ I understand”

“ Here is my present too you.”

He handed her an envelope that had a red bow on it. Unsealing it , Ella pulled
a piece of parchment out.

Dearest Severus,
I need a change. Why should we be angry all the time. I am tired and I am only nineteen years old. Life seems to be passing by without us.
Love,
Jane Bowman.

“ Why did you give me this.”

“ Because I want you to know that your mother wasn’t a bad person.”

“ I know “

“ She didn’t want this anymore. You just get caught up.”

“The biggest piece of advice I can give you is follow your heart.”

“ So pursue Malfoy.”

“ Wait what!?” Snap’s jaw dropped. “ How did you get what I just said to.. wait what?”

“ I am meeting up with him tomorrow to talk about us. I need to tell him we can’t even talk anymore. What he is doing at school and his friends, is not what I want to be associated with.”

“ Hmmm” Snape’s lips were pursed.

“ It’s weird right, to be into him? I can’t get him out of my head. The way he
looks at me, says my name.”

“ Okay, Okay, enough I can’t take it.”

“ Dad, I am a teenager.”

“ Dad?”

“ Yes, your my dad.”

“I like hearing that.”

“ Ok, good… So what do I do?”

“ Tell him how you feel. In my opinion I think you shouldn’t pursue anybody. Let someone come to you. Your young, you will find someone who makes you happy and doesn’t do or say bad things. “

“Good advice.”

“ Well, I am running late, can you get back?”

“ Yes.”

“ Good, Merry Christmas.”

And with a flash he left.
------------------
December 26th
------------
“ When is curfew? “

“ I lock the doors at eight pm”

“ Ok thank you. “

“ Out again, Miss. Greene.”

“ Yes.”

“ Wait , Ella there is a funny program on the tele tonight.”

“Oh Ollie, I will be back. I have to go.”

“ Oh. Fine.”

“ Bye”
------------------------------------
Standing in the crowd at the leaky cauldron was nerve racking. It was 6 on
the dot and no sign of Malfoy.

“ Great, he stood me up”

“ So we meet again?”

Jumping and almost knocking another witch over. Ella turned to see Lucius
Malfoy staring at her.

“ Where’s Draco” She barely could mutter.

“ I told him 6:15”

“ You read his letters”

“ Of course.”

“ What do you want from me?”

“What are your intentions with my son.”

“Oh I see, always wanted a daughter. “Ella began to giggle.

He didn’t smile.

“ I am here to tell him we can’t talk anymore.”

“ Do you like him?”

“ I will always have a thing for him, but every time I fall to deep, I get end up getting hurt.”

“I see. Your name is all over the prophet.” With every word that came out of his mouth he seemed disgusted with her.

Keeping the smile, she responded“ All rubbish”

“ You do look like him” His eyes darted towards her.

Again she responded “Coincidence”

“ It’s a shame you know if you weren’t so stubborn you would be a great witch”

This word tango they were going through humored Ella.

“ If you weren’t such a pompous *** you would be a respectable man.”
He began to laugh.

“ I will be seeing you Ella Greene.”
She whispered to herself.

“ I am sure you will.”

A few moments later, Ella saw Draco walk in.

“Over here El, I found a table.”

Ella smiled. He seemed happy and it had been awhile since she saw him.

“My dear” he said while kissing her hand. “ It’s been too long.”

“ Draco, I am going to cut to the chase.”

“ Yes”

“ I know there is chemistry, and passion here between us. It makes me melt when you even look at me. I just can’t be hurt. I end up looking dumb because I fell into your trap.”

“ I have made a lot of mistakes and I want you to know I am sorry.” He was convincing alright, but Ella had to be brave.

“ Don’t apologize.”

“ When I think about what is right for me, I know I shouldn’t have to be conflicted. A relationship shouldn’t have to be about choosing.”

Looking at Ella , he muttered“ We are dangerous.”

“ Exactly.”

“ Is this why you brought me here to break off all contact.”

“ Yes.”

“ We can’t be friends?”

“ Is this what we are now? Face it Draco we both haven’t been honest with each other.”

“ You keep going to the press.”

“ That was a misunderstanding.”

“ Isn’t it always? “She couldn’t help but snap at his excuse.

He remained silent.

“Were young Draco and you never know what the future may bring.”

“ I have to go.”

Ella wiped a tear from her face catching it before it fell.

“ I am sorry.”

“ I am too.”

He rose and left the cauldron.

Ella sat back took a drink of water and left herself.
------------------------------------------------------
Walking the streets were lonely, although it wasn’t far, it seemed to take forever.

Reaching the door to the front office, Ella was surprised to see Ollie.

“ Ella your back.”

“ Ollie, I hope you went back to the rec room”

“ No, I waited right here.”

“ Why is there snow on your pants?”

“ I went outside to check the weather.”

“ Oh.” Ella began to walk into the main entrance of the mess hall.

“ So, how was it?” He asked

“ What?”

“ You left.”

“ Yes, I met up with a friend.”

“ El, tell me who.”

“ Ollie, its Ella and no it was just a friend.”

“ If I dyed my hair blonde would you like me.”

Ella turned around.

“Blonde, like that boy you were with.”

“ You followed me?”

“ To protect you.”

“ Ollie this is getting weird.”

Ollie stood by the entrance.

Closing her eyes, Ella formed it in her mind and sent a message to Mrs. Smith.

“ Let me through the doors.”

“Tell me one thing, why this Malfoy.”

“ How do you know him?”

“ The prophet.”

Ella began to get nervous.

“ I wonder why you would meet up with him. Is he your boyfriend?”


“ No, Ollie he is a friend.”

“ Oliver Louis Morrow, move out of the way!” Mrs. Smith’s booming voice
could be heard on the other side of the door.

“ Move Ollie.” Ella said.

“ One more question, What is so wrong with me?”

“ Nothing. I just don’t feel anything for you. I just meant you maybe a week ago and I thought were just friends.”

“ You want the rich boy with the education rather than the poor orphan.”

“ You’re not an orphan you have a dad.”

“ I have no one.”

“ I am sorry.” Ella spoke very softly.

“ Oliver Open this door!”

Turning around he went through open the door. Following suit, Ella made her way with Mrs. Smith to the door way.

“Your patronus scared me. Oh my, it spoke in such a haunting tone. “front office, come now.” I thought I was dreaming. “

“ Thank you Mrs. Smith.”

“ He got too attached. He does it every time. Happens when you have no one”

“ He doesn’t have a dad.”

“ No, his parents dropped him off only three years ago. “ “Too much of a problem they said.”

“ He told me he was four.”

“No, twelve years old almost 13. I can understand a young child, but almost a teenager. To raise a child and then just give them up. So very sad. Go to bed dearie.

Ella sat awake. The ticking of the faraway clock was heard.


She had a family, what was she doing there? Was she being selfish? Finally,
she fell asleep only to dream about a dinner at the Malfoys and one large snake.

-------------------------------------------------------------