Ella Potter (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 12

October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students. Her Pepperup potion worked instantly, though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for several hours afterward. Ella and Draco were careful not to catch a cold.

One night Ella and Draco were sitting in the common room talking and laughing happily. Draco was teasing her for falling off the sofa. She was so clumsy, but they both had a good laugh about it. They were having fun until Ella heard it.

"... rip... tear... kill..."

Ella stopped laughing and stood up. Draco looked worried "Ella are you ok?"

Ella shook her head and looked around, she must've been hearing things again.

"... soo hungry... for so long..."

"Ella your breathing heavy, calm down" Draco said putting his hand on her shoulder

"... kill... time to kill..." The voice was growing fainter.

Ella ran out of the common room and heard the voice: "... I smell blood... I SMELL BLOOD!"

She ran down the corridor until she came upon Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Something was shining on the wall. Foot-high words had been daubed on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN

OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE

There was a large puddle of water on the floor. Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat, was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket. She was stiff as a board, her eyes wide and staring.

For a few seconds, nobody moved. Then Ron said, "Let's get out of here."

"Shouldn't we try and help -" Harry began awkwardly.

"Trust me," said Ron. "We don't want to be found here."

"Ella" Hermione said worried, seeing Ella breathing heavy

"Ella snap out of it," Harry put his hand on her shoulder

From either end of the corridor where they stood came the sound of hundreds of feet climbing the stairs, and the loud, happy talk of well-fed people; next moment, students were crashing into the passage from both ends.

The chatter, the bustle, the noise died suddenly as the people in front spotted the hanging cat. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ella stood alone, in the middle of the corridor, as silence fell among the mass of students pressing forward to see the grisly sight.

Then someone shouted through the quiet.

"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

It was Draco Malfoy. He had pushed to the front of the crowd, his cold eyes alive, his usually bloodless face flushed, as he grinned at the sight of the hanging, immobile cat.

Draco's grin disappeared as he noticed Ella. He pushed Harry away and put his arm around her, he was very worried and called to her "Ella!"

"What's going on here? What's going on?"

Attracted no doubt by Malfoy's shout, Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs. Norris and fell back, clutching his face in horror.

"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked.

And his popping eyes fell on Harry.

"You!" he screeched. " You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll--"

"Argus!"

Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers, including Snape. In seconds, Dumbledore had swept past Harry, Ron, and Hermione and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket.

"Come with me, Argus," he said to Filch. "You, too, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."

Lockhart stepped forward eagerly.

"My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free--"

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape" Hermione called

"What" Snape said looking annoyed

"Ella" Hermione said nervous "Their's something wrong with her"

Snape's eyes snapped to Draco and Ella. Snape hurried over and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Ella" he called waving his hand in front of her

"Professor is she ok?" Draco asked worried

"She's having a panic attack" Snape said worried

"Mr. Malfoy take her to the infirmary quickly please, Severus please come with us" Dumbledore said

"I'll be there as soon as I can" Snape said to Draco

Draco nodded and picked up Ella. He carried her to Madam Pomfrey, he laid her on a bed as Madam Pomfrey did everything she could to calm her down, after a while she calmed down and held onto Draco's hand. Madam Pomfrey left them alone.

"Where's my dad?" Ella asked softly

"He'll be here soon" Draco said caressing her hand

"Why isn't he here now, doesn't he care" Ella asked as a tear went down her cheek

"Of course he does Ella" Draco said "What's gotten into you?"

At that moment Snape rushed into the room.

"I'm sorry dear" Snape apologized

"Dad" Ella said as Snape stood next to her bed

"You'll be ok" Snape said kissing her forehead

Ella smiled and fell asleep, Madam Pomfrey wanted her to stay the night just in case. Draco and Snape didn't leave her side until curfew. Snape made Draco go back to his dorm and Snape stayed with Ella all night.

Snape sighed "You've gotten yourself into trouble again haven't you."