𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨 | Marauders Era

𝐈. 𝐕

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February 19, 1973. Monday

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

2nd year, 2nd term

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‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Elora Valerie Starling had one thing set in her mind today. How was she going to tell everyone that she would be leaving Hogwarts on a random day, at a random time, while not knowing when she would return home? Which, obviously, was a handful considering what happened last week while she was hanging around with the girls by the Black Lake.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ While the boys had their detention from last week's prank with the Slytherins, Elora spent the time studying in advance for the Alliance. Whenever anyone would see her studying in the common room or in the library despite the owls being months away, she'd always reply, "I have nothing else to read." Or, "I finished all my homework."

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Despite always cramming up in the library ever since she had gotten the letter, the boys would always try to pull her out of it for a prank or two, which she would kindly decline.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all knew something was up. The constant declining, restless days with her crammed up into a book, the eyebags that slowly grew under her eyes all concerned them. James already tried talking to her, asking her if she was anxious for the third year, which was one term away.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Elora, on the other hand, thought it was nice of them to be worried about her, knowing that her parents weren't really there as often as one should due to their line of work. She had always seen James as her brother, despite only being cousins.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ As the day went by and the morning soon came to be the afternoon, Elora walked towards one of her last classes before she was called.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Ms. Starling," a voice said behind her.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Turning around, Elora saw Professor McGonagall standing before her. Strands of white hair were tucked into her bun, and her signature witch hat—no student would see her without it—sat on top of her head.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Yes, professor?" Elora replied, her hands clasping around each other as she waited for an answer.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Come to my office in ten minutes, I have something to discuss with you."

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ James, who was walking behind Elora, grinned. "You finally pranking again, Elora? You should have told me! Sirius and I were—"

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The professor glared at the boy before turning back to Elora, finishing her sentence before apparating away, "Ill see you then."

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The girl turned to her cousin with a knowing, annoyed look on her face as she crossed her arms. An eyebrow was raised before she spoke. "James."

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ "Elora," he replied, a smirk on his face as he crossed his own arms to mirror her.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Elora rolled her eyes and started to walk in front of him. "I told you not to call me that." she sang out.