The Legend of Chime

Chapter Four Introduction to Malfoy

"All right, I think you've got the hang of that one," said Harry, finally able to move again after being frozen in place by the Impedimenta Jinx for the ninth time in a row.

They had slowly made it down the list of spells. Harry had watched Elizabeth cast each spell at first, gently correcting her when she made a wrong gesture or pronunciation. She caught on quickly so they had moved on to increasing the strength of her spells. Harry was starting to regret volunteering to be a guinea pig, as he rubbed his aching joints.

"That one held for much longer," Elizabeth said with a smile of accomplishment. She noticed the stiff way that Harry was moving and her smile turned into a wicked grin. "One more time and I'll be happy," she said, pretending to do the jinx again.

"Oh . . . No, you don't!" said Harry dodging the flick of her wand. "Accio wand!"

Elizabeth's wand flew out of her hand and Harry gracefully caught it.

"You took my wand!" she said shocked, her mouth hanging open. "So . . . I'll take yours!" Harry's wand flew out of his back pocket and into her outstretched palm.

Harry was speechless. He had been disarmed. He had forgotten for a second she was a Chime. "I don't believe your playing fair, you being a Chime and all," he said indignantly, his hand still on his back pocket.

"My being Chime has nothing to do with what I just did," she said matter-of-factly. "My mother was able to do that so it seems I have inherited the ability from her," she said, twirling his wand like a baton in front of her.

"And your sense of recklessness from your father, I presume. You should never take a wizard's wand away from him unless, you're sporting for a duel of some kind, Elizabeth," Harry said smiling.

"You should never take a witch's wand, Harry, unless you ask first," Elizabeth said, raising an eyebrow as she slowly walked around him.

Harry watched her circle, a slow grin spreading across his face. He decided to take her up on her unspoken challenge. "It didn't take you long to become awfully confident of your abilities?" He quipped, noting to himself another attribute she could probably thank Sirius for. At his words, she raised his wand to a dueling position. Harry turned to completely face her, giving her the advantage before lifting her own wand against her.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry cried and a flash of scarlet light streaked toward Elizabeth.

"Protego!" she shouted instantly and Harry's Disarming Charm bounced and knocked the helmet off a nearby suit of armor. Elizabeth watched it fall then turned and beamed at Harry. "That's the first time I've tried that one." The suit of armor fell to it's knees and attempted to retrieve it's missing head.

"You blocked that charm very well," he complimented, smiling. "I don't think the armor appreciated it though," Harry said, raising his eyebrows. He walked over, picked up the helmet and handed it to the searching suit. The headless armor returned its head to its rightful place and resumed his unmoving stance.

Elizabeth covered her mouth and giggled.

"Something tells me, you didn't exactly try your best during that duel," she said casually as she moved to where Hermione's list of spells lay on a nearby desk and scanned down it. "I think that's all the spells unless you can think of some that Hermione hasn't," she said.

"That would be nearly impossible." Harry smirked as he strode toward Elizabeth. "If Hermione is anything, she's thorough. If it's not on that list, you know either it already or it's not important," he said looking over Elizabeth's shoulder.

Elizabeth slowly lowered the piece of parchment, "Hermione told me you're able to conjure a Patronus. You wouldn't mind showing me, would you?" she inquired quietly, looking over her shoulder at him and handing him his wand.

Harry took his wand and straightened up at Elizabeth's question, secretly pleased she had asked him. "No, I wouldn't mind at all," he said, slipping her wand back into her hand. He fought the urge to puff out his chest as he walked back to the area where they had been practicing. Harry thought of the kiss he had shared with Elizabeth the night before.

"Expecto Patronum!"

An enormous, silver-white stag erupted from the end of Harry's wand and pranced around the room. Elizabeth gasped as she watched it make its way past her.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

She reached out a hand toward it as it came to rest in front of her. Its silver eyes gazed down at her for a briefly and then it vanished. Elizabeth stared at the spot for a few moments.

Harry walked over to her and sat down on of one of the empty desks.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," she said, slightly in awe, as she sat down next to him. "Do you think I'll ever be able to do that?"

"Probably. I sort of taught a few people how to do it last year," admitted Harry with a shrug.

"I heard about that. I seem to have found myself among quite a group of rebels and you're the leader," she jested, bumping his shoulder.

"We're only rebels when properly provoked," Harry said bumping her shoulder a bit with his own. "Believe me, Umbridge was definitely someone that even you would probably curse, once you had her for a couple of classes. Pure evil, that woman is."

"I'll take your word for it," assured Elizabeth. "So how do you do it exactly? Conjure a Patronus, I mean? It's very difficult magic, isn't it?" she queried.

"Yeah, I guess it is. It takes a lot of practice," Harry said, rubbing his neck absently. He still felt a bit stiff from being frozen so many times. "Maybe I can teach you when you're done studying, for the O.W.L.s, I mean."

"I'd really like that." Elizabeth smiled, but a look of concern crossed her face suddenly. "What happened to your hand?" she asked as her eyes fell on the scars.

"Like I said, Umbridge is evil. I received detention with her the first two weeks of school last year," Harry said, remembering the quill and rubbing the back of his hand.

"She cut your hand?" Elizabeth gasped, completely appalled. "What kind of sadistic teacher does that?"

"Professor Umbridge," Harry answered simply as he hopped down off the desk.

 Elizabeth turned around and surveyed the damaged classroom. There were a few shattered water goblets and several books scattered about the floor, remnants of her stunning spell practice. She slipped off the desk, flicked her wand and muttered, "Reparo!"

 After a couple of minutes, the classroom had been returned to normal except for the desks that they had pushed aside to make room for her to practice. "I really appreciate all your help, Harry. I feel much better about my Defense Against the Dark Arts exam now," she said swinging around to face him. A weak smile fell across her face, "You wouldn't know any tricks on how to deal with murderous plants now, would you?" she sighed.

Harry looked into Elizabeth's face and desperately wished he knew more about plants. He had only done well enough to receive an Acceptable in the Herbology exam himself. "Sorry. I'm afraid not. Neville is the one who is great at Herbology. Maybe you can ask him for some advice. I'm sure he would help you."

"I don't think he likes me very much. I make him nervous," Elizabeth said and frowned at this thought. "He must still think I'm part-fairy or something. Afraid I'm going to bewitch his brain when he's not looking." She wiggled her fingers in a sinister way.

Harry laughed. "I don't believe that is the reason," he said.

"Why then?" she asked with a confused look on her face. "I haven't offended him in anyway, have I?"

She really has no clue. Harry shook his and said, "Don't take it personally. Neville has problems speaking with just about all girls, not just you. I use to be the same way. You have to admit. You are a very complicated gender."

"Complicated, are we? Well, you don't seem to have any problems speaking to girls now." Elizabeth pointed out, laughing. She bent down and started pushing the desks back into their rightful place.

"Oh, you still make me nervous. Just not as nervous as others I've come across," Harry said remembering Cho and the way he always wanted to run from the room when he was left alone with her for too long. He made several mistakes with her, but everything turned out the way it should in the end. It had definitely been a learning experience.

Harry watched Elizabeth as he helped her with the desks. Yes, she definitely made him nervous, but in a completely different way than Cho had. Elizabeth made him want to do certain things to her just by looking at him a certain way. He had to fight urge to touch her all the time. He never remembered having this problem with Cho. It had taken him half the day just to work up the nerve to reach for her hand and even then he never actually held her hand.

 I guess being a year older does make a difference when it comes to dealing with girls. But somehow, he didn't think this made a difference in regards to Elizabeth though. He had the nagging feeling he would have felt just as comfortable around her no matter when they had met. Their parents being who they were, they probably would have been playmates as children if things had been different. Everything would be different if wasn't for Voldemort.

Elizabeth noticed Harry, lost in his own thoughts. She took the opportunity to observe him without him noticing. She didn't really understand why she was so drawn to him. He wasn't particularly handsome by normal standards. He was only slightly taller than she was and had a lean, muscular build. He had beautiful green eyes framed in dark lashes behind his glasses and the fading hint of a suntan was still visible on his face. Her eyes wandered up to the scar peeking out from under his bangs. She felt a moment of compassion for the baby who had suffered the pain that left the scar. Her eyes moved to his hair which was dark as night itself and stuck up in the back slightly. Her eyes drifted down to his mouth. His lips were full. Elizabeth remembered the way they had felt and she blushed as a tingling sensation rose throughout her body.

She had been intimidated by him when she first arrived at Hogwarts, not really by his actions but more from the stories she had heard about him. He was a powerful wizard already. At the age of sixteen, he had done and seen things other wizards had only had nightmares about.

She smiled remembering his last comment. She made him nervous. Her heart beat a little faster at the idea. Then she noticed a disturbing look cross Harry's face.

"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked softly.

Harry suddenly realized they had finished with the desks and he was staring into space. "I was just thinking, my father would have probably been your godfather," he said softly, pausing for a moment before continuing. "If Voldemort hadn't . . . "

"Don't go there, Harry." Elizabeth interrupted softly, shaking her head and frowning. "The 'what ifs' and 'might have beens' will lead you to more 'what ifs' and 'might have beens'. I've learned that the hard way. Don't torture yourself."

"How can you do that? How can you just let it go?" Harry asked, incredulously, searching her face.

Elizabeth shrugged. "Who says I have? I'm my own constant reminder of the past, but I won't let that define who I am. I will choose whom I become now. If I don't, the past will consume me and I will be left with nothing of my own," Elizabeth said quietly. She gazed up and noticed Harry's look of admiration and it sparked her anger. She had done nothing to deserve it.

"Stop it! I'm no saint, Harry. I do what I must to survive in my own mind, that's all. So don't go thinking I'm more than I am! You'll be frightfully disappointed," she snapped looking away from Harry's admiring expression.

Harry shrugged and pulled her closer to him. "I admire you because you're able to do something, I'm not. Acceptance is something I struggle with almost on a daily basis," he said, putting his arms around her waist.

Elizabeth gradually relaxed against him and then closed her eyes, laying her forehead on his shoulder. "I haven't seen the things you have, Harry. I would probably respond the same way if I had. I'm no better than you, probably worse if truth be told," she said, bringing her arms up and embracing him. "I have a tendency to trap myself in my own thoughts and it's not a pretty sight."

"You're still practicing . . . Oh! . . .Sorry!" Hermione said as she came through the door. She blushed and made to shut the door again.

"Hermione! What are you doing that for?" came Ron's voice as he pushed the door back open. "I thought you were going to . . . Oh!" Ron blushed as his eyes fell on the embracing couple.

Harry dropped his arms and Elizabeth took a step back, blushing profusely. "Don't look at us like that. We weren't snogging or anything!" Harry said indignantly, slightly embarrassed over the sudden intrusion.

Yet . . . The unspoken word fell to the ground in front of them.

No one said anything for a few awkward moments.

 After a minute, Hermione finally broke the silence. "We were just. . . bringing you some sandwiches from the Great Hall. You missed lunch," she said, apologetically and handed Elizabeth a large napkin filled with sandwiches.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said still not quite able to meet Hermione's gaze. "We just finished cleaning up. We didn't realize it was that late." She took the napkin and laid it on a nearby desk and leaned against it, trying to appear unruffled.

Harry reached over and grabbed a sandwich. He stuffed it in his mouth and looked at his watch. It was nearly two o'clock. They had practiced for nearly four hours.

He glanced at Elizabeth who had also taken a sandwich. She still seemed uncomfortable, but was trying very hard to look nonchalant as she ate. Hermione walked over and sat down next to her.

"You should probably go to the library and study for your exams a little before going to meet with Professor McGonagall," Hermione reminded Elizabeth. "I'll help you if you like. I need to finish my potions essay anyway."

"Well, I guess your right. I should try to study some more," Elizabeth said resignedly, not enjoying the thought of more studying. She pushed herself up from the desk and turned to Harry.

"Thanks again, Harry. You've been very helpful," she said, a slight curve to her lips.

"Anytime," said Harry, smiling and inclining his head.

Elizabeth walked with Hermione toward the classroom door. "See you, Ron," Elizabeth said over her shoulder.

"See ya, Elizabeth," Ron responded and waited for the girls to close the door before turning to Harry.

"I can't believe it! You and Elizabeth! When did this happen?" Ron demanded but didn't pause for the answer. "One moment, we all are standing around talking and the next moment, you grab Elizabeth and take off. Blimey, Harry! I thought you had cracked. Hermione was the one who pointed out that Elizabeth didn't seem to mind."

 

Harry gave a halfhearted shrug and smiled. "I guess it does seem kind of sudden."

"That's an understatement," smirked Ron and waited for Harry to continue.

"It just sort of happened," he said his smile getting bigger.

Ron made a noise that could of indicated either disguised laughter or a sound of frustration, it was hard to tell.

"We were talking and she hug me, sort of, and I. . .Well, kissed her," Harry said truthfully.

"You kissed her? Just like that?" Ron asked incredulously. "And this was when exactly? After you took off with her?"

"Last night," Harry admitted.

"When you were telling her about what happened? You're joking, right?" asked Ron, looking alarmed at the very thought. "You told her about the night her father died and then you kissed her?"

"It wasn't like that! She already knew! Dumbledore had told her when he told her who she was!" Harry said, angry that Ron would think him so inconsiderate.

"Oh," said Ron, the surprise fading from his face. A moment later, he grinned. "So you kissed her? How was it?"

A reluctant grin spread across Harry's face. "Fantastic," he said simply.

Ron clapped him on the back and said, "Way to go, Harry! Just wait until Dean and Seamus find out."

********************************************************************************

 Hermione made it through several corridors and staircases on their way to the library before finally giving into her curiosity. "So how did it happen exactly?" asked Hermione in a mock casual voice.

"What?" Elizabeth said as she pulled open the door to the library.

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about," she whispered as Madame Pince eyed them.

Elizabeth put her bag down at one of the tables and turned to retrieve a book from a nearby bookshelf and Hermione followed her.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" asked Hermione, impatiently.

Elizabeth smiled still looking for her book and said, "I'm thinking about it. It's kind of personal, don't you think?" She couldn't resist the urge to tease her.

"Well, I guess it is, but you've been able to tell me other things. I just thought we were good enough friends now for you to tell me, is all," said Hermione with a wounded look.

Elizabeth stifled a laugh. "Emotional blackmail is not you, Hermione." She smiled and continued her foraging.

"But I'm dying to know!" said Hermione and received several funny looks from nearby students and a lifted eyebrow from Madame Pince.

Elizabeth turned, looking down at One-hundred Ways to Housebreak your Plants by Imogene Stemmer and said, "I'll tell you if you promise not to tell Harry what I said." She glared at Hermione and walked back to the table and started reading.

"How did you know I told them about the fire?" asked Hermione, wondering if Harry had let it slip.

Elizabeth laughed, looking at Hermione over the top of her book. "I didn't until now," she said shaking her head. "I was referring to the slip this morning about my asking you if you had feelings for him."

"Okay! Fine, I'll admit I told them a few things about you. But nothing inappropriate that you couldn't have told them yourself." said Hermione stiffly, refusing to sound desperate.

Elizabeth looked around and then pretended to read again. "It just sort of happened. We didn't plan it or anything. He just sort of. . . kissed me and I sort of kissed him back."

Hermione's mouth hung open for a moment before she managed, "He kissed you?"

"SHHHHH!" Elizabeth gave her a warning look and glanced around again. "Don't talk so loud," she whispered. She couldn't believe she had to tell Hermione to be quiet in the library.

"When did he kiss you?" Hermione whispered, dying of curiosity.

"Last night, after you and Ron made yourselves scarce. Harry tried to tell me about that night and started torturing himself about my father and I couldn't stand watching it so I guess I sort of put my arms around him to comfort him a bit. I think it sort of shocked him at first because he just stood there for awhile and let me. Then he put his arms around me and I felt him relax and then I looked at him and asked him . . . something." Elizabeth bit her lip trying to remember. "Oh, well. Anyway, I asked him something and the next thing I knew he kissed me." She blushed at Hermione's smile.

"So . . . how was it?" asked Hermione, slightly embarrassed but not really caring.

A large grin spread across Elizabeth's face as she looked down at her book again. "Breathtaking," she said remembering.

Hermione sighed and stared into space for a moment. "It's like you were made for each other really. Your fathers were best friends. You would have met eventually . . . sort of like destiny," she said dreamily.

Elizabeth laughed from behind her book. "Who would have thought? Hermione Granger, a true romantic."

"Well, why not?" said Hermione indignantly. "There are other things besides schoolwork , you know, that I'm interested in."

"I know. Ron, being one of them," said Elizabeth. "You really should talk with him you know?"

Hermione frowned and shrugged, making it clear she didn't want to talk about it. Elizabeth let it drop.

They studied until their stomachs started to rumble and then headed to the Great Hall for some dinner. Halfway there, Elizabeth noticed she had forgotten her bag in the library.

"Oh, I'll go with you," Hermione said.

"No, it's okay. I'm sure I know my way by now. I'll meet you in the Great Hall. Just save me a chicken leg, okay."

Elizabeth hurried off back to the library, picturing the bag in her head and knowing exactly where it was. When she entered the library, it was practically deserted. She walked over to the table where she and Hermione had recently sat studying and looked under it. Nothing was there. Puzzled, Elizabeth pushed herself up and immediately came into contact with someone behind her.

She turned, apologizing, "Oh, I'm sorry I was just . . ."

"Looking for this," came the cool reply.

Elizabeth met the gray eyes of a handsome wizard with pale blond hair. He was standing there, dangling her book bag in front of her like bait.

"Thank you." Elizabeth made to take the bag from him and he moved it slightly out of her reach. She threw him a look that communicated how childish she thought this move was.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," he drawled, looking her up and down, still dangling her bag in front of her. She heard grunting laughter coming from behind him and noticed two other wizards standing at a distance, both were huge in size. They were clearly there as a form of intimidation.

Her anger sparked. She didn't like it being treated like a toy. "If you don't mind, I'd like my bag back now," she said coolly, refusing to reach for it again.

He stepped forward as if to intimidate her with his closeness. She didn't give him any satisfaction and stood her ground. The wizard was taller than she was so she was forced to raise her head a bit to remain looking him in the eye.

"I'm Draco Malfoy. I'm sure you have heard of me by now." He smirked. "Since I don't seem to recall ever seeing you before and," He looked her up and down again, "You are obviously not a First Year that would make you, Elizabeth Fairchild. Would it not?"

Elizabeth refused to answer. "My book bag, please?" she repeated, a dangerous glint in her eye daring him to deny it to her again. I'd love to wipe the smirk off his face. Her hand twitched but she suppressed the urge.

"Fairchild . . . that is a Pureblood family name," he said and tilted his head to the side. He held the bag out to her again.

Something prickled in the back of her mind as she glanced at his outstretched arm and a chill ran down her spine. She eyed him warily before taking her bag out of his hand. She made to go around him but he blocked her path.

"You're not bad looking for a Gryffindor. Someone said they saw you and Potter being awfully friendly today. Is that true? Are you Potter's girlfriend?" he asked and raised one of his eyebrows.

Elizabeth again made to go around him, but he stepped closer to her. Surprised at his aggressiveness, she took a step back and came in contact with the bookshelf.

"Move!" she said through clenched teeth. She didn't like the idea of being cornered in a deserted library with three Slytherins who clearly had no morals.

Draco smiled coldly, satisfied that he was finally getting a reaction from her. "I don't make you nervous now, do I?" he whispered, leaning into her.

"No. Your breath could do with some freshening though," said Elizabeth defiantly, wiping the smile off his face.

Draco pulled out his wand in a threatening gesture. "I believe my mother might know your relatives. Why has it taken you so long to come to Hogwarts, I wonder?" he asked, raising his wand to her face and running it lightly down her cheek.

Elizabeth remembered Dumbledore's warning about keeping her identity a secret. Her mind raced for some sort of distraction. She looked down at Malfoy's wand and a slow smile crossed her face. "That's an awfully large wand, Malfoy. Is it true what they say about a wizard's wand?" she said and paused, watching his expression turn into a seductive look. "Are your other areas so small that you feel the need to compensate?" she said coldly.

Draco's eyes flashed with anger and then he laughed quietly. "I could show you if you like. That is what your asking? I am very good at using my . . . wand," he purred and came even closer to her, putting his arms on either side of her and leaning hard against her, letting her feel the evidence for herself. He bent his head and inhaled deeply, like a predator enjoying the scent of his prey just before he taking a bite. Elizabeth started to panic as Malfoy's face came closer to hers, the grunting laughter getting louder.

"Mister Malfoy! I will not allow any inappropriate behavior in this library. Do you understand?" Madame Pince demanded wagging her finger at them and charging.

Draco turned slightly toward Madame Pince and Elizabeth took advantage of it, pushing him away and ducking under his arm then making her way out of the library, forcing herself not to run. She didn't want to give Malfoy the satisfaction of knowing he had frightened her. As soon as the door shut behind her, she bolted for the Great Hall, not wanting to be caught alone again.

When she came to the entrance to the Great hall, she stopped and caught her breath first before entering. She had been stupid to goad Malfoy like that. She had let her anger get the better of her, she knew. She was afraid she had just encouraged his unwanted attention by insulting him. She'd do best to avoid him next time.

She entered the Hall and her eyes immediately found Harry and she made her way through the crowd. He gave her a curious smile and moved over to allow her to sit next to him. She looked toward the door and Malfoy and his two bulldogs had appeared.

"What happened, did you get lost?" Ron asked, shoveling some food into his mouth.

Elizabeth watch Malfoy take his seat and said, "Something like that." She turned and saw Harry and Hermione looking toward Malfoy.

Malfoy gave Harry a wicked grin and lifted his cup to him and took a drink. Elizabeth looked down at her empty plate and stared for a moment. The little prick!

"It's not that big of a deal," said Ron when he noticed Elizabeth's response. "It took me a whole year to figure it out and I still get lost sometimes."

"You didn't happen to run onto Malfoy in the library, did you?" asked Harry, in a deceivingly quiet voice.

Elizabeth grabbed a platter full of roast beef and started filling her plate nonchalantly, hoping Harry wouldn't repeat the question. She knew Harry and Malfoy were not friendly to say the least and she didn't know how Harry would take knowing what he had done to her. She had heard he could be rather volatile sometimes and he was way too close to Malfoy at the moment.

"Elizabeth?" Harry asked again, grabbing her hand so she couldn't ignore him.

"As a matter of fact, I did. But it was no big deal so let's drop it. Pass the potatoes," Elizabeth said grudgingly.

Hermione was looking at Harry with some concern. "Now, Harry don't automatically think the worst."

"That's what kept you for so long? Malfoy stopped you? The nerve of that little prat! Where is that son of a bitch?" asked Ron angrily, standing and craning his neck to look over at the Slytherin table. "Ouch! Hermione! What did you do that for?"

Elizabeth glared at Ron and quickly searched her brain for an edited version that wouldn't sound so bad. "He found my book bag and he refused to give it back until I told him who I was," she said simply. There that was the truth.

"See, Harry, it wasn't so bad," said Hermione trying to convince Harry but not sounding so convinced herself.

"That doesn't sound like Malfoy, giving it back without a fight of some kind, especially since he probably knows you're going out with Harry," said Ron, suspiciously.

"Was that all that happened?" Harry asked and patiently waited for Elizabeth's response, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

Ginny came bounding up and pushed Neville and Hermione aside so she could sit down. Her face was flushed as if she had been running. "Have you heard? Malfoy got thrown out of the library just a minute ago for snogging!"

Harry flew to his feet and scrambled over the Gryffindor table, knocking food everywhere.

"Harry, leave it!" Elizabeth shouted as she tried to catch him.

Harry jumped across the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, pulling out his wand as he did so. Malfoy was in the middle of getting to his feet when Harry tackled him, punching him in the face at the same time. Ron jumped on another Slytherin as he was about to kick Harry and the whole room broke out in chaos. People shot up from their seats and started rooting for their favorite to win and most of the Slytherins were taking jabs every time either Harry or Ron were jostled near them.

Elizabeth and Hermione sprinted the distance between the house tables and started pushing people out of the way. Elizabeth screeching, "MOVE, DAMN IT!" at anyone who got in her way. Just as she reached Harry and Malfoy, she threw her arms apart and yelled, "STOP IT!"

Immediately, both boys flew apart and landed on their backsides.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had arrived just in time to witness Elizabeth's outburst.

"Ms. Fairchild, Mr. Malfoy, and Mr. Potter! What is the meaning of this?" shouted Professor McGonagall, clearly appalled. "Mr. Weasley and Mr. Goyle, that goes for you too! I've never seen such disgraceful behavior in the Great hall such behavior is not usually seen even on the Quidditch field! Ms. Fairchild, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, in my office, now!"

Elizabeth had never been more embarrassed in her life. She strode passed Harry and Ron and didn't look at them. She was furious with Harry for giving Malfoy what he had been looking for and at Ron for encouraging him and taking part in the whole fiasco. She groaned to herself as she continued to Professor McGonagall's office, she couldn't believe she had done that in front of everyone. She was no better than they were.

She entered Professor McGonagall's office and sat in the chair in front of her desk. "Damn, I can't believe I'm in here the first week of school!" she said incredulously and flopped back in the chair.

Harry and Ron slipped in quietly behind her and she turned around, ready to give them what for, but when she saw Harry's busted lip and Ron's swollen eye and jaw, she just couldn't. She grimaced. They had done it for her, no matter how stupid it had been. Shit!

She got up and walked over to Harry and examined his injuries. "Damn, Harry," she whispered and gently put her finger to his lip.

Harry felt a warm sensation were Elizabeth placed her finger and the painful throbbing disappeared. As he watched her, Elizabeth's lower lip became swollen and bloody momentarily and then disappeared almost as quickly but leaving a red tinge and puffiness in its wake.

"You're both freakin' idiots," she said softly, shaking her head as she stepped in front of Ron and raised her hand to his face. Elizabeth's eye and jaw became red and swollen and then disappeared just as quickly as her swollen lip had, leaving the same slight tinge and puffiness. "You know that, don't you?"

Both tested their recently injured area when she stepped away from them and took her seat again.

Professor McGonagall came into the room just as Elizabeth sat down. She glanced at Harry and Ron and said, "I see, Ms. Fairchild took pity on you both and mended you up. I would have let you suffer. But no matter." She strode around her desk and faced them. "What on earth made you want to throttle Malfoy this time, Mr. Potter?"

"He attacked Elizabeth in the library," said Harry through clenched teeth sounding very much as if he would like nothing more than to do it again.

Professor McGonagall looking over the top of her glasses turned to Elizabeth and asked, "Is this true, Ms. Fairchild?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Well, this does put a different light on things, but still you must control your urge to duel anyone who crosses you, Mr. Potter," she said sternly.

"Crosses him? Malfoy attacked Elizabeth because she is his girlfriend. What was he suppose to do? Send him a owl asking him not to do it again?" shouted Ron incredulously.

"There is a time and a place for everything, Mr. Weasley, and in the Great Hall during dinner is not one of them," said Professor McGonagall stiffly. "You will both have detention with me on Monday evening. Ms. Fairchild, I will be lenient with you since you had no actually contact with anyone but I must warn you, it is not wise to go throwing people around in the middle of a Muggle duel. Is that understood?"

Elizabeth nodded again. Whatever!

"Well, then Potter, Weasley, you may return to the common room. I believe I have a meeting scheduled with Ms. Fairchild."

Crap!

********************************************************************************

When Harry and Ron clambered through the portrait hole to the Gryffindor common room, they were greeted by a round of applause from everyone present and quite a few claps on the back. Everyone seemed to know what happened and agreed with what Harry and Ron did, except for Hermione, of course.

"Do you realize what you've done to Elizabeth?" said Hermione angrily. "You've embarrassed her in front of the whole school, for goodness sake! No one would have known it was her that Malfoy had cornered if you hadn't hauled off and tried to kill him, Harry."

"We were defending her honor!" snapped Ron.

"Oh, you defended her alright! So well in fact, that she had to use her abilities in front of everyone to keep the whole of Slytherin house from beating you both to a bloody pulp!" she said with a look of contempt. "And why don't you look two even look like you've been in a fight? Don't tell me she healed you after everything you did?" Hermione gasped at there guilty faces. "I swear that woman is a saint. She had to take your pain on herself to do that you know! Or did it slip your mind when you saw the injuries appear on her?" Hermione said disgusted. "Men are such idiots!" Hermione shouted then turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.

Ron and Harry were left to think about the consequences of their actions in wake of Hermione's tirade. They exchanged looks and went to their usual spot in front of the fire and waited for Elizabeth, hoping she wouldn't be as angry as Hermione seemed to think she should be.

 Harry had no remorse for fighting Malfoy though. He would do it again in a heart beat. The only part he felt bad about was that Elizabeth had taken both of their injuries from them and took the pain upon herself. He didn't like the idea of Elizabeth being in pain because of him.

There was a creaking sound behind them as the Fat Lady swung forward and Elizabeth stepped through the portrait hole. She looked very tired and she was touching the side of her face with a pained expression. She dropped her hand when she saw she was being watched. She walked over to Harry and sat down beside him and stared into the fire.

"I'm sorry if . . . you know . . . we embarrassed you or anything," said Ron hesitantly. "And I hope you didn't get hurt to much by . . . you know, healing us."

God, how weak do they think I am? They have no clue. Pain is nothing to me.

Elizabeth stared at Ron. His conscience was obviously getting to him. Good. She let him squirm a little longer before she calmly said, "You bloody well should be. I handled it fine on my own before that fiasco. Malfoy didn't do anything that I haven't willingly done before. I wasn't traumatized or anything so you can sleep well tonight with that off your chest." She glanced at Harry and then back at Ron and rolled her eyes. "But . . . it's all right. I was furious at first, but I understand why you did it. So thank you for being an such a git for me, both of you."

Harry noticed her favoring the left side of her face as she spoke and winced. "Does it hurt when you heal people?" he asked quietly.

Elizabeth glanced at Harry and shrugged. "Yeah . . . a little bit. It'll stay sore for awhile but it will be gone by the morning."

Harry said sternly, "I don't want you healing me. I'm a big boy. I can handle my own injuries. I've had enough of them."

"I know you can. But strangely enough, I can't handle seeing you hurt. Especially for my sake," said Elizabeth truthfully. "I'll make you a deal though. You let me handle my problems and I'll let you handle your injuries." She gave Harry a pointed look and then closed her eyes against the throbbing in her face. "I think I'm going to turn in. I'll see you two tomorrow," she said as she pushed herself off the sofa. She shook her head and kissed them both on the cheek.

Harry watched her disappear up the staircase and turned back to Ron. He was touching the place were Elizabeth had kissed him with a funny look on his face. Harry laughed.

"Don't fall in love with her now. She's my girlfriend, remember."

Ron shook his head and said, "She surprises me is all. She doesn't act like any girl I've ever known. You should of seen her when she threw you and Malfoy on your arses. She was livid, I tell you. I thought for sure, she would tell us off when we got to McGonagall's office but instead she goes and heals us. She doesn't make any sense."

"You sound like you wish she had done a better job of telling us off," said Harry.

"I sort of do. I don't think I would feel so guilty if she had," Ron said completely confused.

Harry silently agreed.