Chapter Text
1991
Eleanor Harris is 11 years old, with strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and a cute freckly nose. At least her mum calls it cute. Ben, a boy in her class, calls it spotty. Not that he matters because he’s nothing but a stupid bully anyway.
She’s sat at the wooden breakfast table in her parent’s kitchen, all wooden cupboards and white tiles, eating a bowl of Cheerios before school. For some reason a few of the tiles have fruit depicted on them, she’s never really questioned it but it’s always seemed rather strange. She stares at one of these tiles now, wondering why on earth someone decided a bunch of grapes would look good there when her mum calls her name.
She turns in her chair to stare at the door leading into the hallway, waiting for her mum to appear or call her again.
“What did you do?” Eleanor’s dad whispers in mock horror making her giggle.
She loves her dad, he always makes her giggle and usually lets her do what she wants. She knows parents aren’t meant to have favourites but she’s certain she’s her dads. Her younger brother is great but he’s a handful everyone says it and her dad always gives her the biggest piece of cake or an extra sweet with a wink.
She doesn’t look like him though, he’s got mousy brown hair and hazel eyes with a tall sturdy frame.
Eleanor is more like her mum, almost exactly like her mum in fact. She’s basically a miniature version, except for the height. She’s taller like her dad.
“I don’t know.” Eleanor shrugs with a suppressed smile making her dad chuckle as he shakes his newspaper before turning the page.
“Nora, you’ve got a letter.” Her mum says as she walks into the kitchen, her permed strawberry blonde hair pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head as she holds the envelope out to Eleanor.
Eleanor takes it excitedly. She never gets letters, not unless it’s Christmas or her birthday and even then they’re not letters.
Her little brother watches with a scowl as she scans the front of the envelope.
Her eyes roam over the emerald green lettering, her name and address wrote clear as day on the front. She momentarily halts as she notices it says The Back Bedroom. How peculiar. Did all letters say that?
She shrugs before turning the envelope and staring at the back. The paper is thick and heavy with a wax seal. She squints her eyes trying to make out the symbol on the seal but she can’t seem to figure it out. There appears to be animals of some sort and is that a H?
“What is it?” Her little brother, Joseph, asks leaning over to get a better look.
“I don’t know. I haven’t read it yet.” Eleanor states rolling her eyes as Joseph pulls tongues at her.
“Alright you two.” Her mum says giving them an exasperated look, clearly done with trying to get two young children ready for school. “Be nice to each other please.”
“I am mum.” Joseph whines turning his attention from the letter to their mum. “Nora is being a slow coach.”
“Am not.” She rebukes giving him a dirty look before turning back to the wax seal. “It’s just I never get letters and I want to do it properly.”
“Properly?” Her dad asks amusement filling his voice.
Eleanor turns to stare at him. “Yeah, like I don’t want to just break this thing. It’s too pretty. What if I rip it? It’s my first letter after all.”
She chews on her bottom lip with worry. She doesn’t want to damage her first letter, especially since it’s so lovely.
“Sweetie it’s just a letter, it’ll be fine.” Her mum reassures her, placing a gentle hand on Eleanor’s shoulder.
“But I might not get another one.” Eleanor says sadly.
Her dad lets out an amused laugh. “Trust me when you’re older you’ll wish you’d never get another one.”
Eleanor looks at him in confusion. Why would someone not want letters? They’re so exciting.
“Will you open the bloody thing already?” Joe shouts whilst waving his hands around in exasperation.
“Joe, watch your language.” Their mum scolds as she leans over the back of Eleanor’s chair to get a better look at the letter.
“But mum I need to know what it says.” Joe whines throwing his head back in despair.
“It’s not your letter.” Eleanor says with narrowed eyes.
“But-.” Joe starts.
“Stop harassing your sister, let her open her letter in peace.” Her dad says shaking his head with a small smile. Their dad is always smiling.
“But-.” Joe says again.
“I’m not opening it by him.” Eleanor tells her parents seriously.
Her mum sighs, placing both of her hands on Eleanor’s shoulders. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but don’t you want to know what the letter is?”
Eleanor turns her attention back to the letter. She really wants to read it, more than anything. Curiosity wins out over her desire to annoy her little brother. Instead of leaving she gently pries the wax seal open pulling out two pieces of parchment.
Eleanor scrunches her nose as she reads the words, it looks like a Halloween shopping list. Why did she get this? It wasn’t even near Halloween yet. She quickly turns to the other piece of parchment, her eyes widening as she takes in the words.
“I’m a witch.” Eleanor breathes out, shock and excitement filling her.
She knew magic was real, she knew it was her that locked Rosie Peters in the toilet at school when she was being mean.
Joe snorts as he stares at Eleanor. “I could have told you that.”
“Joe.” Their mum scolds him before gently taking the letter out of Eleanor’s hands. “What are you on about sweetie?”
Everyone stares at their mum as she silently skims the letter a frown on her face.
She obviously doesn’t believe it, but Eleanor knows it’s true. She knows she’s a witch, that’s why her favourite flowers never die, why her paintings dry quicker than everyone else’s and why it’s always sunny when she wants to go to the park.
Her mum starts to reread the letter as there’s a knock on the front door. Eleanor doesn’t tear her eyes away from the letter, the joy that fills her at the realisation she’s special, she’s magic.
Eleanor barely notices her dad get up and move towards the front door, a curious expression on his face. Joe is looking between everyone desperate to know what’s happening.
“Hello, Mr Harris I assume?” A Scottish accent spills into the kitchen from the doorway.
“Yes. May I help you?” Eleanor hears her dad reply.
“Yes, I’m professor McGonagall. I’m deputy headmistress at Hogwarts, a school in which your daughter has been accepted. May I come in?”
-
25th August 1991
“Oh my God.” Eleanor exclaims turning in a circle as she stares at the various shops in Diagon Alley. Her eyes wondering over everything, the shops, the people, the clothes, someone is wearing a witches hat, there’s a shop selling brooms and one selling cauldrons. There’s cats and owls, bats and toads. It’s amazing. It’s wonderful. It’s now Eleanor’s world.
“This is exciting isn’t it?” Her mum says happily, wrapping her arm around Eleanor’s shoulders as she watches a pair of wizards walk past in bright coloured robes.
“This is insane.” Joe states his mouth hanging open as he looks into the window of a shop selling brooms. Her dad hums in agreement with Joe, his eyes darting around continuously never settling on anything.
“What do we need to get first?” Her mum asks as Eleanor pulls the list of supplies from her pocket, where it had been since she’d first got it.
“Lots of things.” Eleanor says. She’s so excited she can’t even read the words on the page.
Her mum and dad share a happy yet nervous look before her mum leans over and reads the list herself.
“Well let’s start with the first item shall we?” She says giving Eleanor’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze as Eleanor let’s out an excited squeal.
After exchanging their normal money for magical currency they set out shopping. They get her wand, caldron, books, phials, scales and telescope first. Everyone stood with open mouths as Eleanor tried wand after wand, her hand shaking with both excitement and nerves every time Ollivander, the elderly shop owner, pushed a new wand into her grasp.
By the time they’d got all that Joe was fidgety and whilst he was enjoying looking at all the magical items he didn’t want to stare at books, he wanted to look at the brooms and the sweet shops and the ice cream parlour.
Her dad decided to take him to buy some sweets whilst her mum took her to get some robes.
“This looks like the right place.” Her mum states staring at the sign to Madam Malkins Robes for all Occasions.
They push the door open and enter into a small shop, robes and accessories adoring multiple surfaces.
A small woman pops her head around the corner. “Hello, looking for Hogwarts robes?” She asks. Eleanor nods eagerly.
“If you’d like to come this way, I’m just measuring another student but I shouldn’t be too long.” She smiles before quickly disappearing into the back of the shop.
Eleanor’s mum starts to move forwards but Eleanor spins on her feet stopping her mum in her tracks.
“It’s okay I can go by myself.” She states.
Her mum raises an eyebrow at her.
“Are you sure?” She asks obviously worried about letting her go alone.
Eleanor nods happily, eager to do something independently. She also wanted to speak to another student, she wanted to make a friend and see if they knew anything more about Hogwarts.
“Okay then. I’ll wait here.” Her mum says gesturing to a small chair by the front door.
Eleanor doesn’t acknowledge her as she quickly sprints after the woman.
As she enters the back of the shop, she notices floor length mirrors and table littered with measuring tapes, pins, fabrics and scissors.
“You can have a seat there. I won’t be too long.” The lady says again as she grabs a bunch of pins, bending down on the floor to taper the robes of a young boy stood on a plinth.
Eleanor stares at the boy who looks at her curiously before breaking into a smile.
“Hello.” He says happily. “I’m Theo Nott. Are you getting your Hogwarts stuff today too?”
Eleanor nods. Before she can answer he starts talking again.
“It’s exciting isn’t it? I can’t believe we finally get to go, I’ve been waiting for ages. When I finally got my letter I begged my dad to bring me to get my wand straight away.”
“Did you only just get your letter?” Eleanor asks. Did people get their letters at different times?
“No, I got it a while ago but dads busy. He works at the ministry so he’s not home that much.” He tells her, he’s still smiling but there’s a sadness in his voice.
“I’m sorry.” Eleanor tells him feeling stupid for leading the conversation in this direction.
“That’s alright.” Theo tells her with a small shrug. “Does your dad work at the ministry?” He asks.
Eleanor shakes her head. “No he does some business thing but I don’t know what. It sounds boring anyway.”
Theo chuckles. “They all sound boring. My dad wants me to work in the ministry like him but I’d much rather be a dragon keeper.”
“Really?” Eleanor asks her mouth dropping open in surprise. Dragons are real?
Theo nods with a knowing look. “Yeah, they’re not as bad as people think, you’ve just got to know how to treat them. What about you?”
“I don’t know.” Eleanor states nervously rubbing the toe of her shoe on the floor.
“I suppose there’s a lot to consider.” He says, Eleanor just nods.
There’s a moment of silence before Theo calls her attention back to him. “So, which one are you after then?” He asks nodding in the direction of some scarves hanging on the wall.
Eleanor turns to stare at them. There’s a red and gold one, a green and silver one, a yellow and black one and a blue and silver one. She smiles as she looks at them.
“Green’s my favourite colour.” She tells him.
Theo beams at her. “It’s the best. I’m definitely going to be in Slytherin, my entire family are. How about yours?” He asks.
Before Eleanor can tell him she doesn’t know what that means the lady from the shop removes the robes from him and gets them to switch places.
“If you just stand there with your arms out please.” She asks Eleanor who obliges immediately.
Theo stays, taking a seat on the chair she was previously occupying.
“I wonder how they’ll sort us.” He continues talking once he’s seated comfortably. “I’ve got an older cousin who told me it’s something to do with a giant squid.”
“A giant squid?” Eleanor gasps.
Theo nods seemingly happy with her response.
“Yeah, I have no idea how a squid would know but I know there is one at Hogwarts. I read it in Hogwarts: A History. Have you read it?”
Eleanor shakes her head.
“You should, it’s very interesting. Plus I think it’ll help when we get there.”
Eleanor makes a note to ask her parents to buy it for her before the start of term.
“I’ve heard quidditch is very competitive. I’ve never been a major fan, I like watching it but I’ve never wanted to play it. I don’t understand the desire to be hit in the head with a bludger.”
“Right.” Eleanor mutters wonders what on earth quidditch and bludgers are.
“I hope we’re in the same house, it’ll be nice to be friends. I’m sure we will be.” Theo continues babbling on about how the Slytherin common room is under the lake and therefore is the best when a woman walks into the backroom.
She’s very young, with tan skin and dark hair.
“Theodore we must go, your father is needed back at work soon.” The lady tells him, the hint of a French accent in her voice.
Theo’s face falls but he nods standing all the same. He starts to make his way towards her before turning back to Eleanor.
“Wait, I don’t know your name.” He says.
“I’m Eleanor.” She smiles at him. He grins back at her happily.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. See you on the 1st of September Eleanor.” He shouts as he leaves the shop with the, weirdly, formal woman.
-
“Have you got everything?” Her dad asks nervously as they walk onto platform 9 ¾, Eleanor didn’t believe they would actually be able to walk through a solid brick wall, but here they are.
“Yes.” Eleanor almost shouts as she eagerly eyes the chaos surrounding them. The various people dressed in the most bizarre clothes, the magical objects flying around their heads, the cats, owls and toads screeching at all angels, the huge red train parked at the platform, steam billowing from its blast pipe.
“You’ll remember to write to us won’t you?” Her mum asks. “Professor McGonagall said there are owls you can borrow at the school.”
Eleanor nods straining her neck as she stands on her tiptoes to get a better look at everything.
“I will.”
“And you’ll eat your vegetables.”
“Yes.”
“And brush your teeth twice a day.”
“Yes.”
“You’ll let us know if you want to come home.”
“I won’t.”
“But if you do.”
“I won’t.”
“But-.” Her mum starts but her dad thankfully cuts her off.
“Love let her enjoy herself, she’s excited. She’ll tell us if she wants to come home.” He reassures her. Her mum doesn’t look convinced but presses her lips together eyeing Eleanor anxiously.
“What are you looking for dumpling?” Her dad asks trying to follow her line of vision.
“My friend.” Eleanor replies, hoping to catch a glimpse of Theo and his parents.
“Friend?” Her dad asks furrowing his brow.
“Yeah, Theo from the robe shop.” Eleanor answers. Her dad stops looking confused and instead looks irritated.
“Oh the boy.” He says grumpily.
“Yeah him.” Eleanor says obliviously.
Her dad pulls a face Eleanor can’t see making her mum roll her eyes.
“They’re 11 Michael.” She tells him.
“Yes but they’re going to be alone together for the next seven years.” He tells her his voice sounding put out.
“They’ll be with adults and other students.”
“Yes but he’s made an impression, she’s already searching for him.”
“Stop being paranoid they’re children.”
“He’s a pain in my arse.”
Eleanor’s drawn from her searching by the sound of a whistle being blown. She turns wide eyed, fear running through her at the idea of the train leaving without her.
“Oh no, it’s going. I’ve got to go.” She exclaims turning to run but being held back by her dad who grabs the top of her arms.
“Not so fast, you need to say goodbye first.” He tells her firmly.
“But the train.” Eleanor protests.
“You’ve got 5 minutes. That’s more than enough time to say goodbye to your sentimental parents and get onto the train before it leaves.”
Eleanor bites her lip staring at the train before turning and hugging her dad.
“I love you.” She tells him.
He hugs her back tightly. “I know dumpling. I love you too. Stay safe and do as your mother says, she’s looking out for you.”
“I know.”
They pull away for her mum to instantly take her dads place.
“Bye baby. We’ll see you at Christmas.” She tells Eleanor.
-
Eleanor didn’t see Theo the entire train ride, instead she sat with a boy called Dean, and two girls called Mandy and Hannah.
They eagerly talked about what to expect, Dean has muggle parents too. Hannah, whose parents are both magical, informed them muggles are non-magical people. Mandy is a half-blood, her mum is a muggle and her dad is a wizard.
When the train finally arrives at Hogsmeade station Eleanor proudly, excitedly and eagerly climbs off the train and onto the platform, her new robes swinging around her as she gawps at a giant of a man calling first years to follow him.
Were all wizards that big or did the school employ giants?
As she starts to make her way towards the man she feels a tap on her shoulder, she turns to see Theo smiling at her.
“Theo.” She exclaims happily.
“Alright Eleanor?” He asks.
Eleanor nods happily. “I’m so excited, I haven’t been able to sit still the entire train ride.” She gushes.
“Me neither. I even started to reread Hogwarts: A History again.” He tells her.
“I read it too, I bought it after you suggested it.”
“Really?” He beams at her. “What did you think?”
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe how much stuff there is.”
“It’s brilliant, isn’t it?” Theo asks as they step forward.
“Beyond brilliant.” Eleanor gushes dreamily.
Their conversation is cut short as they clamber into small rowing boats. Eleanor looks around confused, how were they meant to get across the water in these, there’s no oars or motor on any of them.
She glances at Theo but he looks just as confused as her.
As soon as they’re seated the boats take off, gliding gently thought the jet-black water, cutting into it so smoothly Eleanor can see her reflection when she leans over the side.
“Do you think we’re headed to the giant squid?” She asks Theo, her voice shaking with worry.
He turns to her with wide eyes, swallowing thickly before replying. “I hope not.”
They’re silent the rest of the way to the castle. Both Theo and Eleanor gasping as they glance it, their eye’s widening and their mouths dropping.
It’s the most breath-taking sight Eleanor has ever seen. It just looks magical, there’s no other way to describe it.
Once they reach the water’s edge they’re rushed out of the boats and up stone steps, leading into a large stone hallway. Eleanor can’t stop staring at everything, almost tripping over at least a dozen times in her distracted state.
She’s so busy staring at a moving painting that she doesn’t realise the group have started to move forward until Theo pulls her by her arm.
She sends him a thankful smile as they stumble into one of the most mesmerising rooms Eleanor has ever seen.
They’re surrounded by a sea of faces on all sides, hundreds of kids sat at long tables filling a large hall. A table at the end houses eager looking adults, whom she assumes will be her professors, candles float in what looks to be the night sky as ghosts adorn the air.
She doesn’t notice an old, wooden, rickety stool. Not until the old, threadbare hat on top of it starts to speak.
Yeah, this is definitely magical.
Soon students are being called to the front, much to Eleanor’s horror, they sit on the chair and have the hat placed on their heads before it shouts out a house.
How does the hat know? Is it random? Does it do a test? Do you have to answer magical questions?
Eleanor fills with dread, she starts to wonder if she’ll fail. Has anyone failed before? She glances at Theo but he looks just as pale as her thankfully.
“Harris, Eleanor.” Professor McGonagall calls from the front.
Theo turns to her with a confused look before smiling at her reassuringly. She nods her head and walks to the front.
She timidly sits on the chair, her legs shaking with fear as hundreds of eyes watch her eagerly.
Suddenly she can’t see anything as the hat drops over her eyes.
“Hmm.” It states making her jump. “You’re a funny one.”
Oh no.
“Oh yes. It appears you’re a muggle born wanting to be in Slytherin. How peculiar.”
Is it?
“Oh yes, yes quite peculiar. You’re smart, that’s for sure and kind no doubt. Very ambitious, you’d be good in Slytherin.”
Good.
“If you weren’t muggle born.”
What?
“Slytherin house does not accommodate muggle born students. Salazar Slytherin himself did not want them to be taught at Hogwarts, therefore they aren’t welcomed into his house. Shame really, biased views do limit people.”
That’s ridiculous.
“You have your opinion as he has his. I say neither is right and neither is wrong.”
Well I do.
“I see that you’re a very opinionated young girl, you won’t let others stand in your way. You’re brave and true and have the potential to be a little reckless. I think you’d better be… GRYFFINDOR!”
Cheers erupt as the hat calls out Gryffindor. Eleanor’s sat in shock. Gryffindor? But she’s meant to be with Theo.
She numbly slides off the stool and onto her feet before making her way over to the red and gold table her heart thumping ridiculously loud.
Once she’s sat down she turns in her seat trying to see Theo but he’s not looking at her. He’s staring at the floor with a furrowed brow.
What is he thinking?
They go through more and more names until they reach Theo.
“Nott, Theodore.”
Theo marches to the front his face stony as the hats placed onto his head. He doesn’t flinch, not even a little.
Before too long the hat shouts “Slytherin” and Theo gets off the stool making his way towards the cheering table of green and silver. Eleanor’s favourite colour.
Eleanor watches as Theo’s congratulated by the surrounding students. Her heart sinking as he continues to ignore her glances.
Suddenly once everyone else’s attention is pulled to the sorting ceremony he turns to stare at her, his eyes full of hurt and his lips pulled into a heart-breaking frown.