In loving memory of Robbie Coltrane,
our perfect Hagrid

❃.✮:▹ 　◃:✮.❃

7th Year of Hogwarts
❃.✮:▹　 ◃:✮.❃

"IN LIGHT of recent events, mandatory defence classes will be given every week," Dumbledore announced to the students gathered in the great hall. A tsunami of complaints started and was killed with a raise of Dumbledore's hand. "SILENCE! It has been decided for your own safety."

Eloise scoffed and glared at the Slytherin table. "For our own safety," The brunette shook her head. "He says that like half those twats haven't tried murdering us." Eloise pushed some mashed potatoes around her plate before scarfing them down.

"It would be better to expel all those little bastards, or better yet throw them in Azkaban" Marlene huffed. Sirius gazed over to the green and silver table where he saw his little brother listening to something Therese and Evan Rosier were discussing. The two Blacks made eye contact which they held for a moment before Sirius looked away.

"They won't do anything at school, the teachers wouldn't allow it," Frank reasoned, one of his arms laid draped over Alice's shoulders. "We'll have to learn the most we can in those classes to beat them out there."

James threw an arm over Sirius and Peter's shoulders with a grin. "We don't need to fear, we are far superior. We're going to win this war and kick the little lord between his legs." Peter frowned at James and Sirius laughed.

"Sounds like a plan mate."

Alice shook her head at the two boys. "This is serious--"

The Fortescue girl was interrupted by Sirius, Eloise and James who in sync pointed at Sirius and said. "That's not serious, he's Sirius." "That's not serious, I'm Sirius."

Choosing to ignore the infantile joke she had heard a million times, Alice proceeded. "We don't know who we'll be up against. They might be strangers, but they could also be the people we sat next to for years or even our friends," Remus shuffled on the bench and Eloise nudged his knee with hers. "We can't joke about this, no matter how much we want to."

Dorcas sighed and sipped her tea. "You five," She eyed the Marauders, James, Sirius and Eloise more than the others. The five teens in turn stared back at Dorcas frozen in time, James had been mid-bite and held his spoon in his mouth still. "Stop challenging Slytherins, we don't know who they know or what they will do after school."

"But it's fun to see them all riled up," James whined, then eyeing Lily who was suddenly very interested in a scratch on the table. "Besides more than half of the lot deserve it." His hazel eyes flickered to Eloise who sipped her tea in rare silence.

"In the wise words of the Blue Öyster Cult, we don't fear the reaper," Sirius belted with a smirk. "So we sure as hell don't fear some soiled prissy children."

Dorcas blinked at the eyeliner-covered boy. "Do you have a death wish?" Sirius shrugged in reply.

"We'll be careful," Peter squeaked.

The Sorting Hat started its newest song as the students ate.

"One thousand years ago this story starts
There were four sorcerers with strong and kind hearts
Bold Gryffindor from wild moor
Fair Ravenclaw from glen
Sweet Hufflepuff from valley broad
Shrewd Slytherin from fen
They had a dream to teach all that they knew
Witches and wizards came far and it grew
'Til a castle stood tall by the shores of a lake
And a thousand years later the magic remains

Old Hogwarts Sorting Hat sing me a song
Speak in my head tell me where I belong
And when things look bad and there's nowhere to run
Unite all the houses and we'll fight as one."

Sirius glared at the Slytherin table where he saw Regulus staring at him. The Black brothers held eye contact for a second before Regulus looked away and to Severus Snape by his side.

"Brave Godric Gryffindor favoured the strong
Those who had courage and knew right from wrong
And Rowena Ravenclaw taught only the best
So kind Helga Hufflepuff would teach all the rest
But Salazar Slytherin had his own plans
He thought the muggleborns didn't understand
The subtleties of magic and so he devised
The Chamber of Secrets with a monster inside."

Complaints sounded from the Slytherin table and Therese Windslow sighed as Evan Rosier babbled into her ear about the chamber.

"Old Hogwarts Sorting Hat sing me a song
Speak in my head tell me where I belong
And when things look bad and there's nowhere to run
Unite all the houses and we'll fight as one

Old Hogwarts Sorting Hat sing me a song
Speak in my head tell me where I belong
And when things look bad and there's nowhere to run
Unite all the houses and we'll fight as one."

For what must have been the first time, the students of Hogwarts were silent and listened intently to the song the raggedy hat sang.

"Unite all the houses and we'll fight as one."

With that, the song ended and the students were left in discomfort. The hat seemed intent on singing necessary lyrics for the coming year. Yet half of the Slytherin students and no doubt a handful of other students already had a dark mark on their arm or were due to receive one. The houses fighting as one was a nice fantasy, but reality was a disappointing business.

☆——⍟——☆

In the early hours of the morning when the clouds were still pink and golden, James Potter, Eloise Prewett and a handful of Gryffindors stood in the middle of the quidditch pitch. "Just because you were on the team last year, doesn't guarantee your spot this year. We will start with the keepers" The boy smiled as his messy hair danced in the wind. The keepers went by in a daze and they found themselves a new keeper, a 5th-year girl named Hildred Jones.

The chasers were up next and Eloise fastened the straps of her bracers before mounting her broom and whizzing into the year. She and the other possible chasers lined up to toss the quaffles at one another, try some manoeuvres and score goals. From the previous year's chasers, only Eloise and James remained considering Silvia graduated the prior year. Their third chaser became Arthur Lockheart.

Eloise gulped down some pumpkin juice as she sat on her broom in the air. "They're not half bad," She commented, eyes trained on the new seeker flying after the snitch.

"We might have a chance of winning the cup this year..." James bit his lip and scratched the patchy beard on his chin.

Eloise laughed. "That would be something," James glanced at her as he pushed his rectangular glasses up his nose. "Imagine Sean's reaction when we win the cup after he has left. He would curse and hex us."

"You sound too happy about that Fox." Said girl shrugged.

"I'm a perfect amount of happy about that." Eloise grinned and tilted her head, her fluffy ponytail falling from her shoulder as she did.

As the duo wrapped up the session and packed away their brooms, they slung their remaining gear over their shoulders and headed back to the castle. The early fall wind swept over the grounds and brought pink to James' and Eloise's cheeks.

"Fall, all of the cold and none of the fun," Eloise huffed whilst blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

James shook his head. "You are truly daft," Eloise grimaced up at the tall Gryffindor beside her. "Fall is the best season," He puffed out his chest as he always did before speaking. "The leaves turn into the colour of Lily's hair and we can wear cozy sweaters and cuddle," He and Eloise spoke in sync. James' eye twitched at Eloise who burst out laughing, the boy lunged at her but Eloise jumped out of the way and took off sprinting, James hot on her heels.

The duo passed Professor McGonagall who pursed her lips at the two Marauders before smiling lightly. She shook her head and adjusted her pointy hat.

"Hello Eloise," Hagrid greeted the small brunette happily as she jumped behind him. The man spotted James running towards him and grinned. "Hello, James. "

"Hi Hagrid," James tore his twitching glare away from Eloise and smiled up at Hagrid as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "How's your day?"

Hagrid chuckled and moved his arms down, causing the two Gryffindors to stand side by side. James shoved Eloise and she shoved him back. "This is Fluke, I found her two days ago." He presented a tiny mastiff puppy. The small thing cowered back further into Hagrid's arms.

"Don't be afraid of me, I'm lovely," Eloise cooed as she held out a finger for Fluke to sniff. Cautiously the puppy took a whiff of Eloise and due to her animagus form, the puppy whined and licked her.

However, when James attempted to bond with the puppy, Fluke tried to get as far away from the boy as she could. "Is it because I'm brown?" James demanded with the tiniest of smirks curling on his lips. "Normally I would say that's unforgivable, but you're cute so I'll let it go, just this once." He pointed at the puppy who just stared back at him blankly whilst Hagrid chuckled.

"Nah mate, she just doesn't like idiot blokes such as yourself." James' head snapped in Eloise's direction and he grew bright red whilst the girl showed off her dimples.

"You," James held his finger in her face. "Are mean. Moony deserves better than you and I disown you as my friend." He crossed his arms and turned away from Elosie who stuck out her tongue at him.

Fluke barked softly and then whined. "Oh ye little thing," Hagrid cooed and gently rubbed Fluke's head. "I found her by me doorstep, don't know where she came from or who left her there, but I don't mind."

The two teen Gryffindors grinned at the half-giant and the pup.

"By the way, nearly forgot," Hagrid reached into the large pockets of his raggedy brown coat. He produced a rectangular box with a neat bow. "For your birthday next week." Eloise took the box with a frown.

"Thanks," She shared a side glance with James. "Won't you be here next week?" Eloise asked as she propped the box under her armpit.

The large man shook his head. "Nay, I have some uh family business to attend to. I'll be back in a month or so."

The shorter boy smiled fondly at Hagrid and clapped his shoulder. "Well, good luck." Hagrid nodded and uttered thanks before the trio parted ways.

As Hagrid strode back to his cottage fussing over Flukes, Eloise cast him a look over her shoulder. The early morning sun shone kindly on the half-giant. "See you soon Hagrid," She mumbled before jogging to catch up with James who hollered at her to hurry up.

☆——⍟——☆

The Gryffindor common room knew a few rare moments of tranquillity as Sirius fussed over a letter to his boyfriend with Marlene aiding him, Lily was chatting with Alice and Mary whilst Peter, Remus, and Frank busied themselves with a game of cards. Peace didn't last as James and Eloise sauntered in, tossing their gear by one of the couches.

Eloise draped herself over Sirius and Remus' laps as though she were a house cat, she stretched out her body. "OI! Watch it git!" Sirius screamed as his quill nearly scratched over his parchment.

In return, Eloise kicked Sirius's chin with the toe of her leather boot. She giggled as Sirius lunged for her, Eloise curled back onto Remus' lap expecting protection that never came. Sirius wrapped an arm around Eloise's midriff, hauled her up, and dumped her onto a nearby loveseat. The Black boy then quickly sat on the furious girl.

"Get off of me you heavy cachiad!" She slapped aimlessly at Sirius' arms and he only grinned down at her. Shit

The boy reached down to ruffle Eloise's hair and release it from its ponytail. "Nope!" He wiggled his butt further into Eloise and she elbowed his ribs.

"Moonsy you traitorous cunt!" Eloise heaved, but Remus didn't pay attention and simply continued his game. "I fucking hate all of you," She slapped roaring Sirius' shoulder. "Especially you."

Not sparing his two friends a second glance, James whisked the box of fudges up and held it out to Peter. "Wormtail, Hagrid gave these to Foxy." The boy perked up and grinned, he took the box with two hands, tore it open and shoved two pieces into his mouth. A content sigh left the boy's lips.

Mary frowned at the box. "How you can eat that is beyond me." She shivered as she spoke.

"It's delicious," Peter burped back.

Frank and Remus shared a side glance and Marlene fake gagged. "It's terrible, it tastes like cat piss mixed with dirt," Sirius mumbled as he picked up his discarded quill whilst Eloise lay beneath him useless and defeated.

In return, Peter shrugged and popped another piece of fudge into his mouth.

☆——⍟——☆

In the astronomy tower, Eloise sat cross-legged, a canvas floated before her and she held an old paintbrush. She held the brush against the sky and measured the distance between Regulus and Sirius. The deep blue sky against the black hills and bright white stars appeared to shine on the canvas.

Remus trailed inside and plopped down next to Eloise, two bottles of butterbeer in his hands. He sat one down beside Eloise's knee and then squeezed the knee slightly. "Hey." He took a gulp from his butterbeer. "Mail came in for you."

The brunette raised a brow and continued painting. "Read it to me."

Parchment crinkled as Remus opened the letter. "Dear Eloise, Valentina has just gone into labour-" As the word left Remus' lips, the brush fell from Eloise's hand and she snapped her head around to look at Remus directly. "We are currently at Silvery Oaks and I'd like you to come. Love, Fabian."

A breath passed and Eloise jumped up, her canvas racing to the floor. Remus managed to catch it just in time. "I have to go." She spun on her heel, ready to race away to find some form of transport to take her to the hospital.

"Wait, you have to ask McGonagall first," Remus said as he grasped Eloise's wrist.

"But she's already left for her cottage," Eloise whined and pouted."

Remus shook his head and allowed Eloise's painting supplies to float behind him. "Come," He interlaced their fingers. "We'll ask Dumbledore."

So not thirty minutes later Eloise popped out of the fireplace in the waiting room of Silverly Oaks. As she dusted off her cloak, Eloise approached the front desk where she inquired about Valentina. Eloise uttered thanks before rushing down a pale and badly lit hallway.

"Auntie Elo!" Bill cheered once he saw her and Eloise wasted no time in scooping her eldest nephew up into her arms. The young boy squeezed Eloise's neck like an anaconda. The rest of the Weasley clan stood gathered by some benches. A heavily pregnant Molly sat on a chair, Percy was fussing in Arthur's arms and Charlie was clutching onto Gideon's leg. "Eloise," Gideon grinned and strode towards her, Charlie dragging over the floor after his uncle.

Just before Gideon reached her, Eloise set down Bill. Gideon and Eloise hugged each other tightly and the young man lifted Eloise off of her feet as usual. Ever since the death of their parents, Gideon's hair had been darkening whilst Fabian's remained bright red. In the bad lighting of the hospital, Gideon appeared to match his brunette sister. Little Charlie pushed himself off of the tiled floor and opted to cling to his aunt's ankles. As Eloise scooped up Charlie, Arthur came over for a hug, and Molly nodded from her seat.

"How is Val?" Eloise asked.

A sigh came from Arthur who rocked his toddler. "Well, the baby is early..." Arthur stroked Percy's round cheek. "But the doctors are not too concerned."

Without having anything to do, the family spread out over the waiting room. Molly and Arthur sat next to each other, Percy was fast asleep on a chair with a cardigan as a blanket and the rest of the family had crowded around the kid's corner. As the two Weasleys played, the two Prewetts chatted.

Hours ticked by and Charlie shoved a fire truck into Gideon's thigh and the man laughed before ruffling the boy's red hair. "Caradoc keeps me on my toes," Gideon laughed and playfully shoved his nephew to the ground. "I suppose this Remus keeps you on yours." Gideon's eyes flicked to Eloise who shook her head and without looking caught Bill as he stumbled over his stool.

"Where did you meet this Caradoc actually? You never mentioned," Eloise asked as she stabilised little Bill.

At that Gideon's words lingered in his throat. He pursed his lips. "At a meeting for work." His nose twitched ever so slightly and Eloise's eyes narrowed.

The Gryffindor leaned forward. "I can tell you're lying," She mused. "Now why would you ever lie to your dearest sister." Eloise leaned over far enough to topple onto Gideon's lap. The girl stared up at Gideon with big brown eyes and a dimpled smile.

Gideon was saved by the bell as Arthur came towards them and informed them that Elena had been born. The two Weasley children were scooped up by their aunt and uncle and the family made their way to the room.

Upon entering they found a very exhausted Valentina who appeared on sleep's doorstep, and Fabian who was smiling down at a tiny bundle in his arms. The ginger man grinned as he saw his family enter.

"Everyone meet Elena Milagros Rhiannon Santos Prewett." Fabian tilted the small baby ever so slightly so the adults could get a glimpse of her face. Elena had the faintest whisps of red hair, chubby cheeks and eyes so dark brown they nearly appeared black. As Eloise and Elena locked eyes, Elena coed and shook her head with an open mouth.

The first one allowed to hold the young girl was Gideon of course and Elena took a liking to him as she continued to stare up at him with a keen look of wonder. Next came Eloise who rocked the young child who appeared to be drifting away. "The audacity you to have of not even giving me her second name," Eloise scoffed in a baby voice, her glare settling on the two new parents.

a/n:
not my best work but i've been very unmotivated to write since october so i did what i could.
hope you guys still enjoy this update lol. elena is finally here! i can't wait to follow her in book
3. i already have so many plans. anyway, i hope all of you are doing well! love you all xxx
-victoria

also in case you missed it, the lovely and amazing Oneirataxia_girl made this
gifspam for eloise and remus. thanks again!!

funny post

i love this so much hahahaha
date published: 3 december 2022
word count: 3218