Make Me.

Book 1 - Chapter 13

As November turned to December, the air that surrounded the castle seemed to get ever colder, if that was even possible. The cold weather did not bother Ellie much, but her friends only respite from the unrelenting temperatures were the tiny enchanted fires conjured by Hermione, encased in little glass jars, that were constantly being passed from warm hand to cold, then back again. 

Christmas was coming, as indicated by the mid-December change in weather and the buzzing excitement that was beginning to rumble through the corridors and seep into the classrooms. Hogwarts found itself now covered in several feet of snow and the few owls who had managed to battle though the icy winds to deliver their mail had to be nursed back to health before taking flight again. The Black Lake was frozen solid and it looked as if it would never thaw. 

Ellie had just barely managed to escape punishment for her latest shenanigans. The Weasley twins, Fred and George, took the fall for bewitching several snowballs to follow Professor Quirell around the corridors and continually bounce off the back of his turban. Though Ellie thought up the idea of using Professor Quirrell as the target, ultimately it was the twins who did the bewitching and upon finding out who was responsible, Professor Quirrell quickly let Ellie off the hook, refusing to look her in the eye as he was dishing out detentions for Fred and George. 

Though the winter weather was most extreme on the castle grounds, the state of the dungeons was up second. The other girls in the dormitory awoke every morning, their noses running, faces blushed, and lips chapped from the bitter air that bounced off the damp, stone walls. Even in Potions lessons with Professor Snape, surrounded by the warm fires situated under the cauldrons, there was no relief.

~~~

Ellie entered the Potions Classroom; pushing on the heavy door with huff, a cloud of mist rose in front of her eyes, a result of a warm breath escaping her body. Most of the other students were already seated, huddled around their tables, heads down, hands near the few small fires. Ellie took her seat, next to Neville. She had continually volunteered to be his partner, and secret helper, in Potions Class, partly because Neville was terrified of Professor Snape, and the Professor treated him very poorly, and partly because she didn't even him trust him to boil water safely. At the table next her, sat Harry, Ron, and Hermione. 

Ellie had barely sat down in her seat, her bag just scuffing the floor. She hadn't even had time to say hello to Neville when a voice as cold as the surrounding air rung out. 

"I do feel so sorry," said Malfoy, he was speaking loud enough to get the attention of everyone in the room. Ellie's head whipped around to face the table behind her, waiting to see what he could possibly have to say today, knowing he was sorry for nothing, ever. 

"For all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home." As he spoke his eyes shifted between Ellie and Harry, the two 'orphans.'

Crabbe and Goyle chuckled next to him. Ellie could handle his insults, especially when they were about only her and they weren't true. And, despite not being particularly fond of Harry and his big head, something inside of the girl could not let that blond maggot insult Harry's family life, the one thing that she felt tied them closer together than any of her new friends. She was lucky, she had her god-father. Harry didn't. 

"First of all, I don't know why you're looking at me. I have father who loves me very much, unlike you." Ellie spoke casually in the direction of Malfoy and his goons. She knew it was low; the whole reason she said anything was because he was insulting Harry's family, and that wasn't fair, so she shouldn't insult his: but he started it. 

Malfoy looked instantly infuriated but, Ellie continued to speak. 

"Second of all, don't go talking about other people's families, especially ones you know nothing about."