Slytherins Golden Girl

Chapter 29

20th September 1995

Eleanor slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the chest of draws beside her, searching for the pieces of clothing in the darkness was harder than she thought it would be. She ended up pulling out a pair of black joggers and Cedrics jumper that was tucked in the back corner of the draw. Eleanor tugged his jumper over her head so it engulfed her small body like a blanket. She inhaled his warm scent as a low sob escaped her lips for the hundredth time today.

Pine, fresh rain and sandalwood

Eleanor had hardly said a word to anyone all day, practically avoided everyone at all costs. She doesn't think anyone noticed her change in attitude, or do they what this day is and even if they did she wouldn't want to hear the sympathy they'd unload upon her. That wasn't what she needed.

She'd made the excuse to Pansy and Daphne she wasn't well and had decided to go to bed early, as expected they got the memo since they disappeared to the boys dorm to give her some privacy.

Eleanor tugged her emerald curtain across so they wouldn't notice her empty bed and padded out of the room. To her surprise the common room was practically empty along with the corridors in the dungeons, ever since Umbridge arrived it's been a lot harder for her to sneak out at night.

The air was cool and for once there was not a cloud in the sky as the stars shone brightly over the castle grounds. Her feet scuffed along the steps as she could hear the growing sound of voices from the top viewing platform of the astronomy tower. Eleanor peeked her head around the stone pillar, her eyes lighting up when she saw the three familiar boys sat in a triangle on the floor arguing over a lighter.

Harvey caught sight of her in the darkened corner and a small smile drew across his face, "There she is, we thought you'd changed your mind." He picked himself off the ground as the others followed suit.

Eleanor emerged from the shadows and was instantly bombarded with arms wrapping round her shoulders, sandwiching her between them. She let out a sad chuckle and hugged them tighter, "I wouldn't miss this for anything."

Eleanor loved the others, Harry, Ron, Mione, the twins and the Slytherins but the three boys currently squeezing the air from the lungs understood her. They all bonded with each other as they lost someone so close to them, she felt like they were the were the friends she never had whilst in France. It just felt wrong that he wasn't here it celebrate with them.

Eleanor sat cross legged on the stone floor as Zacharias continued rolling a spliff with his free hand as the other conjured a ball of fire to keep the four warm. "Ella," He ran his tongue along the rolling paper before spinning it round his his fingers, "are you okay?"

Eleanor pulled the sleeves of her jumper over her hands due to the breeze, "I'm okay." She replied. For the first time today she did feel okay, the hole she felt was forgotten about.

Ty leaned across holding a lit spliff in his hand and slid it between the gap Eleanors fingers, "Of course she's okay. She's got us with her." He said softly taking a spliff of his own and placing it to his mouth.

Zacharias glanced round them with eagle eyes, "Everyone got one?" They nodded back at him in response.

"Right, everyone raise your spliff in the air. This is for you mate." Harvey spoke out as the four held them up above their heads, "To Cedric!"

"To Cedric!"

Eleanor stared up to the sky as the star glistened back down at her, that's when she knew he'd managed to make it. "Happy birthday Ced. I love you" She whispered to herself before taking the spliff between her lips.