Dark child

29

If Elara hadn't woken up the next morning in Barty's arms, she wouldn't have believed her memories of the last night to be real. It was still dark outside as Barty called her name.
"Elara, Elara, wake up. It's 5 in the morning. You need to get back to your dormitory before anyone sees you. Come on darling..." and he kissed her forehead gently.

Frustrated but amazed to find herself in the same bed with Barty, Elara sat up and looked around. A sweet smile formed at Barty's astonishingly beautiful face as Elara looked into his eyes. She returned the smile more broadly. Elara neither wanted to leave his safe, comfortable arms, nor did she had any desire to get back to her normal life again, not being able to communicate with him and being hated by most of the people in the school. She hated that she will not even be able to tell somebody about her boyfriend, because she wasn't allowed to reveal his identity. Trying to look less disappointed, Elara said:
"Can I come back some times in future?"
"What are you talking about? I will be waiting for you tonight. Don't be late." Barty said, winking.

Elara couldn't stop grinning as she put her robes on and left the office with a last kiss from Barty. She crept back in the dungeons, and entered the Slytherin common room, when a soft hoot made her jump and spin around. looking for the source of the sound, she found Hazelnut, who soared across the room, and landed on the table in front of Elara.

"Hey pretty." said Elara, hastily untying the letter from her and sitting down to read, whereupon Hazelnut fluttered onto her knee, hooting softly.
The letter was very short, and looked as though it had been scrawled in a great hurry.

"Elara, I'm flying north immediately. I think something serious is happening around Harry. His scar has hurt recently and it's the latest in a series of strange rumors that have reached me here. Please keep an eye on Harry for me, I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't urgent. I'll be in touch with both of you as soon as I get close enough to you.
Sirius"

Elara stared at the letter, not grinning anymore. How on earth was she supposed to save Harry from Barty's trap? She had no way of sending warnings to anyone; neither to Severus, nor to Dumbledore or Harry and not even Sirius. The only discussable way was to make Barty change his mind. It seemed impossible to happen though, as Barty had worshiped his master his whole life. It was most unlikely that he'd change his mind if Elara just asked him politely to do so. That was even dangerous, because he would have not only get mad at her, but also would let her father know that she, Elara, is not interested in his return. Elara needed a better plan. A plan which wouldn't ruin everything. Getting herself into the Dark Lord's bad side wasn't a wise move. Her brain working furiously, she picked up a parchment and quill and started to write back to Sirius.

"Dear Sirius, I hope you get here safely. Let me know if you needed my help finding a shelter around Hogwarts, or any other thing. And about Harry; Sirius, do you trust me? Because the only thing I can do is to act upon a plan that I've got which "might" decrease the upcoming damages slightly, but that's all I can do and say. I'm asking you to trust me because it won't look nice at the beginning and I'm pretty sure you're not going to be pleased with it, but it's for Harry's sake, however it might seem to be the opposite.
I can't give you any more information. I hope you understand my situation.
Lots of love,
Elara"

Elara folded her letter carefully and attached it to the Hazelnut's leg.
"Give this to Sirius, all right?" Elara said, stroking Hazelnut's back as she carried her on her arm to one of the windows. As she spread her wings and took off into the pale dawn light sky, Elara crept into the girls dormitory and took an early shower. Her fellow students were slowly waking up as she got dressed, and left the dormitory.