- The Hufflepuff Princess -

Chapter 1

"I've what?" Asked Elyse as she looked up from the letter. "What do you mean I was born in London? I didn't think it was London London, I thought that it was London, Kentucky."

"No sweetie, you were born in, as you put it, London London. We always thought that you knew." Said her mother looking into her hands.

"Well? Am I going to go to this weird place call- What is it called." Elyse looks at the letter. "Hogwarts?" She looks at her parents who just look at each other. "Well?"

"Honey," Her father starts, "I think that you should. I think it will be good for you to get out of the house more." Her mother nods approvingly.

"What about Ilvermorny? What about Lili-Anna? What about-" Elyse stops, almost spilling about her boyfriend.

"Honey, it's Okay. Imagine. A year in London, doesn't that sound wonderful?" Asks Mary.

"I agree with your Mother, that would be so cool to go to London." Agrees John. "Sleep on it, 'kay, but let's have cake and ice cream, it is your birthday after all."

The small family continues celebrating Elyse's birthday with cake and ice cream, and of course, presents. Elyse got a new sweater, lots of books, and a new school bag.

After the celebration ends and Elyse goes upstairs to get ready for bed. As she puts her new books away, a voice comes into her head.

"They don't want you. They don't love you. You were given up once before, who says it won't happen again?" Elyse sits down on her bed, letting the voice fill her head. "They want to get rid of you. Going to London is the perfect excuse. You'll never be loved. Your own mother gave you up when you were born. She never loved you. No one did and no one ever will."

Then she jumps, getting startled from the knocking at the door.

"May I come in?" Her mother's muffled voice askes.

Silence. Elyse doesn't answer. Maybe the voice was right.

"Elyse? Are you Okay." Asks her mother as she sits down on Elyse's bed, running her hand through Elyse's long hair.

"I-I'm good. Sorry, I was just thinking." Answers Elyse.

"Have you made up your mind about London?"

"No I haven't. I mean, going to another country where I don't know anyone. I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb. What am I even going to tell my friends? I mean-" 

"Elyse Jane Elizabeth! You won't know anyone yes, but you will make friends I can guarantee that. You won't stick out. You sound like you belong there. I mean you've already got a British accent. You'll fit right in. You can write to your friends at any time you wish, but I think you should go." Comforted her mother.

"I still don't know, I mean what-" Elyse starts again as she slides under her covers.

"Elyse. Stop worrying so much. You'll do great. Sleep on it Okay?"

"Okay Mother." Elyse answered smiling at her mother.

"Good night. I love you." Mary said as she gave Elyse a hug.

"Good Night. Love you too."

Mary walked out of her daughter's room just as John walked in.

"Hey Lee-Bug," Said her father. Lee-Bug is her nickname that only her father calls her, but her friends mostly call her Lee. "I'm not going to bug you about your decision, but all I'm going to say is that I know in the end you won't regret it. Okay?"

" 'Kay. Good night." Elyse said in a playful tone, knowing what was to come.

"Is that all?" Her father said jokingly, "I mean. I am the John Jacobs. The wonderful loving Father to Ms. Elyse Colston the beautiful princess who stole my heart." He said it dramatically and while clutching his heart, he "fell" sat down on her bed and wrapped Elyse in a hug. "Good night Elyse."

"Good night Father. Love you."

"Right back at you Princess." He said bowing down as if she was an actual princess.

Once John left her room, Elyse waited a bit before getting out of bed and sitting down at her desk. Her room was not big, but it was hers. She got out two pieces of parchment paper to write some letters. One for Lili-Anna and another for Tom. First she wrote the letter to Lili-Anna.

Lili-Anna,

I have some bad news and I know you won't like it. I might not go back to Ilvermorny next year. I got a letter today and basically I am going to be attending another school called I think it's Higwerts, no it's Hogwarts. Weird name right? Yeah well I might be going there for a year. What should I do?

Elyse

Next she wrote a letter to Tom.

Tom,

I've got some bad news. I think you should know about this 'cause it could affect our relationship. I don't think I'm going to Ilvermorny next year. There is this other wizarding school in London, and I think that my parents want me to you. I was asked by the headmaster if I would come because I was born there in London. I thought I was born in London, Kentucky, not the London London. I need to make up my mind, but I want to know what you think.

Elyse 

After Elyse sealed up the letters she went over to her brown and white spotted owl, Willa. The owl never really hooted unless she wanted to go outside to hunt or if she was hungry. Elyse talked to Willa in a whisper, afraid to wake up her parents.

"Willa. Hi girl. I need you to give these letters to Lili-Anna and Tom, Okay? These are very important." She opened the cage and brought Willa to her window, opening it she let Willa take the letters with her talons and off she went into the night sky.

The next morning Elyse woke up to see that Willa was back in her cage, the cage door still open. She smiled as she got out of bed. She picked out her clothes for the day. A grey flowery dress that flowed out and stopped under her knees. She grabbed her dress and when to the bathroom. She took a warm shower that helped soothe her. The voice that came in her head last night was still bugging her. What if it what true? All of it. She got dressed and brushed her hair, making sure there were no knots and her hair being how long it is, takes a while to brush. Once her hair was brushed, she went back to her room and pulled her hair back with a ribbon. Elyse fed Willa and grabbed her glasses from her nightstand and went downstairs.

"Good morning Elyse. How did you sleep?" Her mother greeted her.

"Very well thank you." Elyse answered. She sat down for breakfast which was toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Her favorite.

Once breakfast was finished, her father left for work and her mother got started on her work. Her mother was a editor for the local newspaper, so once a week, she sat down, read through the paper and fixed any mistakes. Elyse cleaned up after breakfast. She didn't mind doing it. It gave her time to think.

After Elyse finished doing her chore, she went to her room to see if she had gotten a response from L.A. or Tom. She was excited to see that she did get a response. It was from Lili-Anna. She opened it and read it quickly. It wasn't a long letter, but what she got is all she needed.

Bestie,

That is sad that I might not see you next year, but you should DEFINITLY do it. That sounds wonderful. Ugg. I'm jealous. I wish I could go. Please let me know your choice ASAP.

Your bestie,

L.A.

She quickly wrote a response back and had Willa send it. She left her room. Happier then she was before, she practically bounced down the stairs and found her mother on the couch.

"Mother, I think I know what my decision is."