Seeing a Stranger

Chapter 6

Things seemed to go back to normal in the next few days. Oliver was around more, which meant that Eranne spent less time alone, and more time on her homework. Her concentration improved, and she found that she could actually sleep well at night once again. As the end of the term approached, Eranne even went out to watch a Quiddtich match, where Ravenclaw destroyed the Huffelpuff team. Oliver, sitting next to her, was giving her a play-by-play crticism of both teams performance.

"You see, the Ravenclaw Keeper is too close to the top hoop - he'll never be able to defend a pass at the one on the left..."

"Oliver, do you ever not think about Quidditch?"

Her friend paused for a moment, and was about to answer when Percy interrupted, pushing his way through the stands towards them.

"Oh - sorry I am late, you two! Busy patrolling, you know!"

Eranne looked at him cynically. "Great. One of my best friends speaks of nothing but Quaffles, and Keepers, and my other thinks that he is a vigilante and is going to catch one of the most dangerous criminals of the wizarding world! What have I gotten myself into?"

The three laughed, and turned their attention back to the game. Eranne found herself laughing and smiling as if the last few weeks had been a horrible dream.

The next Hogsmeade visit day was to take place on the last weekend of the term. Eranne was working hard, and she was looking forward to spending time enjoying the village, and the outdoors before she left for home. She had assumed that she was going back to the Manor for the holidays, until one day her family's owl, Aurora, came swooping down to her at breakfast.

Eranne:

I hope the term is going well, and that you are studying hard.

I am disappointed that you have not written all term, but I'll

pretend not to remember that you haven't if you promise to keep

working hard and having fun until you come home in a week.

Your Great Aunt has invited us all over to her castle in Ireland for

the holidays, and since you two spent so much time together last

year, I thought that you might want to see her again. Your grandfather

and I will pick you up at King's Cross as planned, but then we are taking

a portkey directly from the platform to Ireland. Thought you would want to know of this change before you came home. Best of luck with the remaining term, and we'll see you soon!

Ma and Grandpa

"Anything interesting?" Percy asked her.

"No, just my mother. She says that we are staying at my Great Aunt's over the holidays. I think that my Great Aunt wants me to tell my mother what happened..."

"You didn't tell her that you spent a week in the Hospital Wing, and you could barely move for a month afterwards?"

"I think she'd pull me out of school again if I did tell her," Eranne commented. "Besides, Aunt Arisone was here, and she took care of it. I bet she wants to make sure I am okay, that's all."

"Does that mean you're not going to come visit over the holidays? My parents really do miss you, and Charlie and Bill will be there as well - you haven't seen them in years, have you? Not since Bill graduated..."

"Percy, that was only four years ago! You make us all sound like we're so old! I'll write my parents tonight, though, to see if I can come. It would be nice to see your parents again. Are you sure its okay with your mother?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"I have to be polite, don't I? Don't want anyone here to think I am less than perfect, you know. Well, maybe except for the occasional hysterical episodes, really. There part of my mystique."

Both Percy and Eranne laughed heartily, as Eranne realized it had been the first time that she had laughed about being a Searcher. It felt wonderful. Eranne turned to Oliver, who was sitting on the other side of her, and seeing that he was involved in a heated Quidditch discussion with the Weasley twins, Ron, and Harry, decided to strike up a conversation with Ginny and Hermione, who looked very bored at the choice of dinner chatter.

"Hermione, how is the term going?"

"Oh, very well. I absolutely love Arithmancy. It's my favorite class now! Professor Vector is astounding. I am learning so much. In fact, I love all of my classes this year - maybe not Divination, though."

"I never liked it either. The only reason I am still taking it is because the Professor loves me, being what I am and all. I wish that I had taken Arithmancy, though, looking back. It does sound a lot more interesting. How do you like Transfiguration this year? It tends to get a lot harder very fast during your Third Year, but, it's a breeze after your Fifth."

"Oh, I love that class, too! It's fascinating, and a good exercise in self-control. Having to use your mind like that...Have you read Hogwarts, A History."

"Bits and pieces, really. I never really have had the chance to sit down with the whole thing yet. The parts I did read, I really liked, though."

"Excellent! What parts have you read? I am dying to discuss the sections on the late-Renaissance policy of not admitting children of convicts and Magical creatures, part-human..."

"I haven't read it, but I do think that it is awful to deny anyone an education. Everyone should be able to learn, regardless of who their parents are. Was the law ever repealed?"

"Yes, a group of vampires did appeal and one in 1752. Do you think that evil genes are genetic?"

"Not really. I believe strongly in the way people are raised determining who they are."

"When are you ever going to stop talking about that book, Hermione?" Ron laughed.

"It happens to be very interesting...Eranne was just telling me about..."

"Oh, man, you've read it too?" Ron asked, exacerbated. Now she'll never stop talking about it.

And all around them laughed good-naturedly, as Hermione turned beet-red.