Things returned back to normal after the Yule Ball or as normal as it would get with the Triwizard Tournament still in progress. While Cedric had managed to figure out the clue inside the egg revolving around the merfolk in the Black Lake, Eleanor and Marnie were trying to help him figure out what exactly would be taken for him to retrieve.

They went over all of his valuables, from a watch that his father had given to him, to a few gifts that had been given to them over the years from his best friends. But to Eleanor, it all seemed too simple to be the answer and she hoped she was just overthinking matters.

She had attempted to talk to Harry about it, thinking he would have his own insight on the matter. However, in recent days, he had been rather upset, over the fact that Hagrid appeared to be missing from the Hogwarts grounds. From what Eleanor had heard from Cedric, Professor Grubbly-Plank had stepped in as a substitute but wouldn't tell the students how long she would be there.

It didn't take long for rumours to circulate and finally, the reasoning behind his disappearance surfaced on the front page of the latest article released by Rita Skeeter.

DUMBLEDORE'S GIANT MISTAKE

Albus Dumbledore, eccentric Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has never been afraid to make controversial staff appointments, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. In September of this year, he hired Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, the notoriously jinx-happy ex-Auror, to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, a decision that caused many raised eyebrows at the Ministry of Magic, given Moody's well-known habit of attacking anybody who makes a sudden movement in his presence. Mad-Eye Moody, however, looks responsible and kindly, when set beside the part-human Dumbledore employs to teach Care of Magical Creatures.

Rubeus Hagrid, who admits to being expelled from Hogwarts in his third year, has enjoyed the position of gamekeeper at the school ever since a job secured for him by Dumbledore. Last year, however, Hagrid used his mysterious influence over the Headmaster to secure the additional post of Care of Magical Creatures teacher, over the heads of many better-qualified candidates.

An alarmingly large and ferocious-looking man, Hagrid has been using his new-found authority to terrify the students in his care with a succession of horrific creatures. While Dumbledore turns a blind eye, Hagrid has maimed several pupils during a series of lessons which many admit to be 'very frightening'.

'I was attacked by a Hippogriff, and my friend Vincent Crabbe got a bad bite off a Flobberworm' says Draco Malfoy, a fourth-year student. 'We all hate Hagrid, but we're just too scared to say anything.'

Hagrid has no intention of ceasing his campaign of intimidation, however. In conversation with a Daily Prophet reporter last month, he admitted breeding creatures he has dubbed 'Blast-Ended Skrewts', highly dangerous crosses between manticores and fire crabs. The creation of new breeds of magical creature is, of course, an activity usually closely observed by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Hagrid, it seems, considers himself to be above such petty restrictions.

'I was just having some fun,' he says, before hastily changing the subject.

As if this were not enough, the Daily Prophet has now unearthed evidence that Hagrid is not – as he has always pretended – a pure-blood wizard. He is not, in fact, even pure human. His mother, we can exclusively reveal, is none other than the giantess Fridwulfa, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

Bloodthirsty and brutal, the giants brought themselves to the point of extinction by warring among themselves during the last century. The handful that remained joined the ranks of He Who Must Not Be Named and were responsible for some of the worst mass Muggle-killings of his reign of terror.

Eleanor couldn't bring herself to read any more of the article, especially since  the slander of giants, seemed so similar to that of werewolves, only associating them with He Who Must Not Be Named, rather than being able to separate those followers from the rest of the population. Rita Skeeter was absolutely disgusting in her opinion, a woman who had nothing better to do than cause drama in people's lives.

She could only assume, due to the fact of how close Harry was with Hagrid, that the Second Task was probably the last thing on his mind at the time. So, she left it alone to approach him at a later time.

In the meantime, after a rather interesting Defence Against the Dark Arts Class, Eleanor decided she was going to write a couple of letters home. Her first one was addressed to her mother, filled with pictures that had been taken throughout the evening that showed off her dress robes and the ones she had made for Marnie. She was sure that Margaret was going to love the moving photographs as she could get a better look at them.

She thought about mentioning that she was dating Fred but wondered if she should give it a little bit more time before telling her parents about it. It sounded silly because it wasn't like she was ashamed of dating him, but it was almost like she didn't want to jinx herself. Deciding to leave it as it, Eleanor moved onto her next letter to her father.

Dear Dad,

I know you said you didn't work closely with Professor Moody during the war, but would you happen to know if there was any sort of tension or feud between him and Barty Crouch Snr? It sounds odd, but I can't tell whether Professor Moody is applauding Mr Crouch's efforts during the war, such as lifting the ban on the Unforgivable Curses so that Aurors could use them during duelling, or if he's criticizing it. He tends to go off on these little tangents and it's hard to keep up. I'm not even sure if he's trying to make a point or not.

Anyways, if you don't know that's fine too. I just thought I would ask. I'm trying to take your advice and learn as much as I can from him since he's an experienced Auror and all. But I find him to be so distracting in the classroom. Whether it's his ranting or the fact that he smells weird, I know that sounds mean, but really, it's a nauseating mixture. No one else seems bothered by it though, and everyone seems to love his teaching methods. I feel like the odd one out, but I guess I'll always be biased towards you being a better teacher.

The Second Task is next month, Cedric seems to have figured it out for the most part and he told Harry how to solve the clue. I was going to talk to him about it, but he's been rather upset over Hagrid's absence on the castle grounds. I'm sure you saw the article that Rita Skeeter wrote by now, it was terrible. I don't understand how they can let her write such things, that's practically defamation. Thankfully, Cedric's told me that she's been banned from the castle grounds, so hopefully, she can go back to her usual gossip instead of making things even more stressful here.

Also, do you remember when I came to you that one time in your classroom, talking about repelling spells without intending to? I think I finally figured it out, but I'll wait until I see you in person to explain.

We have so much to talk about, but I feel like my letters would be too long.

I love you,

Ellie.

P.S. How did your date with Mum go?

Halfway through January, there was a scheduled Hogsmeade trip, much to the relief of all the students. Eleanor was going to make plans on perhaps asking Fred to go on a date with her, just the two of them, but before she could, as she was leaving the Herbology Greenhouse one afternoon, Professor Sprout stopped her.

"Ms Ross, if I could steal a minute of your time," she began as Eleanor lingered behind. "It's about your internship programme. I was able to get in contact with my friend and told her about your ambitions of pursuing Wizarding Law. I mentioned your stance on rights for those infected with lycanthropy and the reformation to incorporate muggle parents in the wizarding world, she said she would very much like to meet you."

Eleanor's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? When do I get to meet her?"

"When I mentioned the trip to Hogsmeade, she said she could spare some time to meet you and perhaps talk over some lunch. I know from our past conversations that you enjoy some tea, so I scheduled for you to meet her at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop at noon. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, of course! I can't wait!"

Since Professor Sprout's announcement, Eleanor wondered who she was going to have the honour of meeting, especially since Sprout spoke so highly of the woman. Wanting to make a good impression, Eleanor had taken to opening all of her books to study up as much as possible before the Hogsmeade trip.

She had been sitting in the library by herself when someone approached the table she was working at. Thinking it was one of her friends or Fred coming to join her, she glanced up, only to see Artemis.

They hadn't exchanged any sort of conversation since Eleanor had been brought to the Headmaster's office and while Artemis claimed she had no ill-intention behind what had occurred, Eleanor wasn't sure if she should believe her. It would be too far-fetched for Artemis to change her ways seemingly overnight. However, noting the rather pitiful look on the girl's face, Eleanor had a hard time telling her to simply go away.

"Can I help you?"

"I-I was wondering if I could sit with you," Artemis said, "please. I just wanted to take a minute and explain- "

"Didn't you already explain what happened?" Eleanor questioned her in return. "What more is there to explain? Why bother to explain yourself in the first place? You don't like me; you've made that very clear. If you're feeling some sort of guilt because I helped you that night, I don't expect a thank you or anything- "

"But I wanted to thank you," Artemis whispered to her, "I did...I still do. Thinking about what could have happened that night. Knowing that I don't even know what he looks like, which means he's just walking around here like it never happened...if you and your friend hadn't been there...that's all I can think about. If you hadn't been there. And after everything I said to you beforehand, you still decided to help me. There has to be something you want. Money- "

Eleanor had tried to focus back on her book but at the mention of receiving money, she looked up again.

"Really? Do you think I did this for some money? Is that another stereotype based on the fact that all werewolves are supposed to be poor?"

Artemis looked away shamefully.

"Unbelievable," Eleanor huffed, "I didn't help you to get anything in return. I helped you because it was the right thing to do and I would hope that if I were ever in that situation, someone would do the same thing for me without expecting anything in return, even if we weren't on the best of terms. Keep your money, I don't want it, nor do I need it. My family doesn't need it either. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to my reading, thank you."

Artemis lingered for a few moments longer as if she had something more to say but decided against it before leaving. And just when Eleanor thought she would have a little bit more of peace and quiet, knitting away in her lap, when she was interrupted once more, leaving her to grumble as she looked up again. Only to see Fred, who pouted slightly at her reaction.

"If you want to be left alone- "

"No, no," she said, "I thought you were someone else, go ahead, sit down."

"Are you sure, you seem very concentrated over here," Fred said, "are you really studying up all of this before your meeting at Hogsmeade?"

"Well, I want to make a good impression," Eleanor told him, "so I'm just looking over a few things, that's all. I don't want to look stupid if she asks me something."

"I don't think you could look stupid, even if you tried, love," Fred chuckled, "I think you're just overthinking again. You tend to do that quite a bit. It's a warmer day outside, why don't we go for a little walk on the grounds?"

Glancing at her books and the hand he was offering to her at the time, Eleanor quickly closed the books over and shoved them into her bag, while also putting away her knitting supplies. She stood up and took his hand, allowing him to lead the way out of the library.

"So, where's George?" she asked as they walked along the corridors.

She would admit, since telling the twins the secret behind her knitting, Eleanor had become slightly paranoid that they were going to revert back to their old ways of trying to prank her at any given second.

"Lee's tarantula has that cough again- "

She let out a laugh before holding his arm and leaning into him. "You know, Fred, if you just want to spend some time alone with me, that's all you have to say. You don't have to keep coming up with these excuses."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Fred replied, trying to conceal his blush, "Lee's tarantula- "

"Is not capable of coughing," she interrupted, jumping to stand in front of him, "they have book lungs, which don't work like our lungs but more like gills. So, no, Lee's tarantula does not have a cough. You just like spending time with me."

"You think you're so clever..."

She leaned closer to him. "Am I right?"

Fred didn't answer her, picking her up off her feet and carrying her outside, much to her amusement. However, as soon as they made it outside, Eleanor complained that it was cold.

"I thought you said it was warmer! It's freezing out here!"

"By warmer, I meant that the sun was out for a change."

He placed her back down and before Eleanor could say anything, Fred pulled off the Weasley jumper he had been wearing and pulled it over her head. She was about to protest until she felt her entire body encased in warmth, paired with the scent of cinnamon.

"Better?" he asked.

"Well, what about you? Aren't you going to get cold?"

"No," he shivered as a gust of wind hit him from behind, "I'll be fine!"

Stubbornly, Fred insisted that Eleanor keep his jumper on and even when they ventured back inside, he told her to keep it. He felt it was a better (although late) Christmas gift for her to have. It was rather big on her as Eleanor didn't have the shoulder width to fill it out, but she wasn't complaining as she often enjoyed oversized jumpers to lounge around in. And to flatter Fred even more, the day of the Hogsmeade trip, she decided she would wear it into the village.

She was to meet up with him, George, Lee, Marnie, and surprisingly Cedric, who didn't have a date scheduled with Cho that day.

But making her way to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, Eleanor wished Fred or one or both of her friends had accompanied her at least to the door as she began to feel slightly nervous. She realised Professor Sprout had never given her the name of her old friend, so she didn't know who to expect or who to even look for.

Upon entering, the tea shop itself, wasn't all that crowded, with a few workers and a few students around, but as Eleanor glanced around in hopes of getting a signal of sorts, there was a tap on her shoulder.

"Ms Ross?"

Quickly, she spun around at the sound of her name and nearly collided with the woman standing only a few steps away.

"Y-yes, that's me."

The woman before her, wore a very serious expression, reminding Eleanor of Professor McGonagall, however, it softened slightly and eventually, she came to smile.

"It's nice to finally meet you, I've heard a great deal about you," she said, " Allow me to introduce myself, I am Amelia Bones."

She said it so casually, but Eleanor knew exactly who she was as soon as she learned the woman's name.

Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.