Dose of Darkness | Tom Riddle |

Chapter Twenty Two: Fitting Back In

The surrounding forest around Hogwarts Castle looked like an unfinished painting, the freshly lain snow setting across the grounds like a blanket and made it look like a canvas waiting to be filled in with just few strokes to show the hidden branches of the trees.

The dark, brooding castle itself was dark in contrast on this white canvas of snow, its peaks looking like the ice caps of mountains yet it was still the most beautiful sight.

Eleanor felt like she had never left.

The snow started on that trip to Hogsmeade weeks ago and now she was walking back into these very doors as if the snow had not ceased.

But she knew very well that the school was not the same as she left it.

With her pale breath dispersing into the numbly cold air, Eleanor and Marcella walked towards the Great Hall as the chilly wind blew through the corridors. The flames still flickered in their posts across each corridor but they failed to keep anyone warm, leaving Eleanor walking in her robe, scarf, and gloves as well.

This was the first time she would be stepping into the Great Hall and her anticipation of reactions was low. She had grown accustomed to this to her dismay and glanced over the looks of awe she received as she walked through the halls.

"Do you ever get used to it?" Marcella asked.

"Used to what?" she replied, glancing over at her friend who's hair was hidden under a Ravenclaw blue knit hat.

"Everyone. All of this." she uttered. "Since the Tournament last year, everyone has been petrified around you. I mean that in a good way. But it seems like its been that way forever."

"My life has always been in the spotlight. There was just more to the shadows around me when that light grew bigger, I suppose." Eleanor shrugged.

As they came down the last set of stairs before turning into the Great Hall, Eleanor pictured her life figuratively standing under a light.

It was just her.

The Ravenclaw of one of the wealthiest Slytherin families.

Then it became the champion of Hogwarts, a victim of Grindelwald, a fighter, the Minister's daughter, a protector and every moment up until this point was just a light expanding around her revealing qualities of herself she never knew she had.

"It's a miracle you're still composed under such a big light." Marcella chuckled.

If only she knew the nightmares.

Nonetheless, the girls carried onward to their table in the midst of the subtle morning chats and tired faces even on the first morning upon returning. Most students returned despite the attack on Hogsmeade which struck Eleanor as peculiar as her eyes scanned over the long chestnut wood tables.

Above these tables was a single one, overlooking them, filled with the staff and Headmaster Dippet in the center. But to see her mother, Professor Barnes to the rest of them, sitting with Professor Dumbledore was a heartwarming sight that made her feel just a little more welcomed.

To her relief though, Julius was alive and well and she still couldn't get over it.

"Good morning, sunshines." Cormac smiled, Lillian under his arm with a beaming smile as well.

"Morning." her and Marcella replied. "Everyone seems cheerful and I'm not sure how to feel about it." Eleanor commented with a wary look.

"Apparently Dippet has good news." Julius replied as she took her usual seat beside him.

Eleanor glanced over at him, his blonde hair neatly combed and strong jaw sitting a pleasant smile. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she let his arm wrap around her.