The Eyes of Graphorns (Professor Sharp x mc)

Goodbyes

Something had changed since the Battle of Hogwarts and Eleazar Fig's death. Sharp had noticed it back then in his office, but on the day of Fig's funeral, it became especially clear to him. There was something broken in Elaine's gaze. He saw her trying to hide it and smile, but her eyes had lost all joy. In the past year, but especially during her last fight, she had to grow up in a ruthless way and all too sudden. While some of her classmates only knew from rumors what had happened beneath the castle, Elaine had to take responsibility for her own survival and that of her classmates. She had seen with her own eyes how cruel the world beyond the castle walls could be.

After the Battle of Hogwarts, she simply returned to classes and continued as if nothing had happened. Her friends repeatedly tried to reach out to her and support her in coping with her grief, which she undoubtedly carried within her, but Elaine did not speak about what had happened. It was as if she had locked it away deep inside herself and had no intention of bringing it up again. At least not when anyone was around.

In Potions class, Sharp sometimes noticed that Elaine looked tired, as if she had barely slept at night. Poppy Sweeting, Natsai Onai, and even Sebastian Sallow, who usually only worked with Ominis Gaunt, would stand by her table on those days, trying to cheer her up. Secretly, it touched Sharp how much his students were trying to help their friend, so he generously overlooked it when an occasional disaster happened in their cauldrons.

- Two years later -

On the day the N.E.W.T. results were announced just before the summer holidays, the graduation ceremony of the seventh years traditionally took place. Usually, Sharp avoided such events, but on this day, he stayed. Elaine had excelled in almost all subjects and was awarded a special commendation as top of her year. Sharp thought this commendation was a joke. Of course, he was pleased that she was finally receiving some of the recognition she deserved and he admired her determination and talent, but she had done something much greater for the school's welfare than what was acknowledged here.

When most of the commotion was over and the students retreated to their common rooms to continue celebrating, Elaine also stood up and looked thoughtfully at the entrance door. She had to think of that day when she had entered the entrance hall for the first time with Professor Fig. On her last day, she had to do it alone.

She stood near one of the open fireplaces and thought about how she had received her letter and how Fig had finally come to get her. It had taken some persuasion to convince the orphanage's management to let her go. In hindsight, Elaine could have sworn that a Confundus Charm had done its part: It had always seemed strange to her that head of the institution, who valued her as cheap worker, had suddenly changed his mind to let her go with a stranger who claimed to be a professor at a wizarding school. Fig had been the first to become a role model for her, the first person ever to treat her with respect. He had made her feel like she belonged somewhere and had let her know in crucial moments that he appreciated her. He had taught her how to use magic without judging or punishing her. No one had ever given Elaine recognition like Eleazar Fig had. The grief for him still sat deep within her.

Sharp noticed that Elaine was the only one left in the Great Hall. Matilda Weasley had approached her and was talking to her. Matilda laughed. They talked for a while until Matilda nodded and patted Elaine on the shoulder. Matilda turned around and walked towards the teacher's table. He saw her concerned expression and immediately stood up, even though he had no idea what he should do. He looked at Professor Weasley questioningly, and as if she knew what was going on in Sharp's mind, she answered without him asking: "Eleazar. Today is the anniversary of his death. Go meet her. I believe she trusts you more than me."

Sharp noticed that Elaine was the only one left in the Great Hall. Matilda Weasley had approached her and was talking to her. Matilda laughed. They talked for a while until Matilda nodded and patted Elaine on the shoulder. Matilda turned around and walked towards the teacher's table. He saw her concerned expression and immediately stood up, even though he had no idea what he should do. He looked at Professor Weasley questioningly, and as if she knew what was going on in Sharp's mind, she answered without him asking: "Eleazar. Today is the anniversary of his death. Go meet her. I believe she trusts you more than me."