Raising Eleanor

12

CHAPTER 12 - WHEN HARRY KNOWS

Just before Christmas and holiday breaks, the quidditch tournament takes place in the cold November where Hogwarts had already been filled with snow. Elaine had already claimed her position as a chaser, she was wearing her blue quidditch uniform, and now she's waiting and listening to the captain's speech. It was Skye, and she's full on fire today as she does not want to lose to the house against Slytherin.

She had just watched that Draco made it to the team by being a seeker, and that his father had managed to buy the whole team a new black colored broom called the Nimbus 2001. And it made Elaine worry just because she knew and heard that the broom's so fast that the other brooms seem outdated even the Comet ones when that thing comes around the field. But that lack of courage had never broken Skye's passionate leadership of wanting to end things the way things ended last year, beating Slytherin to the mud.

And so after briefing, they all mount their brooms and go flying on the field. As Madam Hooch whistled, the quaffle and bludgers were out, the snitch had already flown away too small to notice and the game began.

Slytherins had always found their way to bump purposely to make their opponents fall on their bums, the thought of Elaine falling feets away from the ground makes Snape's blood boil. He is always on the lookout wherever one of the Slytherin gets too close to steal the quaffle back from Elaine.

There are a lot of aws and ouch moments during the match, but Elaine managed to stay on the broom for the rest of the game which brings a sigh to Snape's worries. He had to watch his own house going against his daughter, him using the green Slytherin scarf around his neck, but whenever the Slytherin scored a goal Snape never really cheered for it as he was more looking at Elaine than his house's team.

After the game, Slytherin had lost their chance. First they lost to Gryffindor and now they lose again to Ravenclaw, so now the next stage would be Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw which will happen after the holidays around January.

The match was finished by Cho who had grabbed the snitch at the last moment where both teams were tied 60 to 60 points. The team celebrated in their common rooms, and they had a blast.

Even Elaine is enjoying herself on this celebration, not to mention the lots of foods around them making it even more fun. But then that means the team had to face Gryffindor in the finals and so they had to train hard everyday. Skye insisted that everyone should practice at least 4 times a week with no excuse. Her father, Ethan Parkin is a professional quidditch player in the quidditch world cup, the toughest and winning streaked person in their family's history. Her family had been following in her father's footsteps for years and so she decided to do the same. She saw everything as a challenge, and so it really describes so much that Skye would do anything to put forward quidditch in front of any other else.

-

Elaine is checking her suitcase for things that she will be bringing. She's planning a holiday with Severus. This time, she's going to pick the destination. But when she realizes that she can't apparate yet, she has to tell Severus where she had planned to go. Of course, Severus is in no place to provide any negotiation.

It's only a few days before Christmas again, everyone was busy packing up for the holidays. Although the difference in this year's holiday comes way earlier, considering the threat that has been happening to the school for these past few months. Dumbledore would like to take a precaution for everyone to be safe.

As Elaine lugged her suitcase down the hallway, she spotted Hermione being escorted by Harry and Ron. Hermione looked unusually disheveled, her hair a wild mess, and her face pale. Concerned, Elaine approached and asked what had happened, but the boys remained tight-lipped, exchanging uneasy glances.

Curious, Elaine leaned in slightly, catching the unmistakable scent of Polyjuice Potion on Hermione. She immediately understood what they'd been up to, but chose not to press the issue. Instead, she squinted at them suspiciously, knowing there was likely mischief involved. Still, whatever they were doing, Elaine figured they had their reasons. It wasn't the time for her to get nosy. She just wanted to drag her suitcase outside, meet her father, and get on with her holiday break.

In the thick snow, near the courtyard there were people trickling out one by one, and among them was Elaine, wrestling with her suitcase straps. As she was about to give up, Snape strode across the snow toward her.

"Father, you are late!" She exclaimed, still struggling with the stubborn straps. "There's magic for everything, Elaine" with a wish of a wand, the straps automatically lock themselves neatly. Her face palmed but then she checked on it again just in case, silly girl.

"Professor! Professor Snape!" Someone shouted, Elaine recognize that voice anywhere. None other than Potter himself. "What Potter?!" He said almost bitterly, he does not want anything to ruin his good mood. "Geez father, be a little nicer." She said, stepping out from behind him. Harry hadn't noticed her there before. "Hi, Harry," she smiles, gently waving.

"Hi, Elaine," Harry replied awkwardly, offering a half-hearted wave back before Snape shot him a sharp look. "Uh, right. Professor Dumbledore asked me to give this to you," Harry stammered, handing Snape a letter. "He said it's urgent."

"Fine," Snape said curtly, already striding away. But halfway there, he stopped and turned, his eyes narrowing at both Harry and Elaine. "No funny business, Potter," he warned, a clear signal that Harry should keep his distance from his daughter.

He gulped but as soon as he's gone, he looked at her. "Blimey Elaine, how do you keep up with the guy?" He asked, scratching his head.

" I honestly don't know Harry, perks of being the daughter of the most intimidating professor in Hogwarts, I suppose." She shrugged, but then whispered "between you and me, he's not really that scary. It's just his image, he wanted to be like this cold person for a reason. Outside of school, he's... well, let's just say he's learning how to be a father." Harry nodded, thinking that even his daughter does not know why he's acting like that.

"Wait what do you mean learning to be a father? What about your mum?" Harry asked, it somehow makes Elaine flinch at the word mum.

"You really don't know?" she asked, hopefully that nobody does know. But then again what was the point of telling others that she had not been blood related at all with Severus in the first place. She's in no place to change that position of hers, she will always be the adopted child of Snape. Knowing that this wasn't something she could hide forever. Eventually people talk and people know, only by a matter of time. She always says that family does not need to be based on blood and generations, but family can be found when each other finds comfort and whenever you're together you feel like home. That is exactly the real point of family.

"I'm not related to him by blood, Harry. I was adopted." That sentence is enough to drain the color of his skin. "Wha- whatt? So, you're saying that he's not you real father? Like he's a step father?" Harry was taken aback, still shocked and his words turned into a mere whisper. Elaine chuckled softly at Harry's shock. "No, not a stepfather. Severus saved me. He raised me, and that's more than enough for me to call him my father."

Harry stood there, processing. "Bloody hell, I don't think anyone knows about this." Elaine nodded. "It's a long story, but one day, I'll tell you the whole thing. For now, just keep it between us, alright?"

"Of course," Harry said, though he glanced around nervously. "But I might... y'know, let it slip to Ron and Hermione."

Elaine smiled, her trust in him unshaken. "It's fine. I trust you, Harry. You'll know what to do with this information."

Before Harry could respond, Snape reappeared, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Get out of my sight, Potter. It's done," he said, flicking his wand to lift Elaine's bags into the air. "See you after the holiday, Harry!" Elaine waved as she looped her arm through her father's, the two of them walking off together.

As they reached the end of the bridge, they both vanished into thin air, leaving only a wisp of smoke behind. Harry stood there, digesting the new information. He'd learned something valuable—but how would he use it?