𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 - 𝙝.𝙥. ⚯͛

𝐱𝐢𝐢 - 𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂-𝖽𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗈𝗇𝗌

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

╰┈➤ ElSIE'S POV

January 3, 1994

It was the first day of the term after the holiday vacation. The usual amounts of chatter and clinking silverware once again filled the Great Hall as Elsie, Harry, Hemione, and Ron took their seats at the Gryffindor table.

"Hi Elsie!" said Neville brightly, as Elsie sat next to him on the bench.

"Hey, Neville," Elsie smiled. "How was your holiday?"

"It was alright," said Neville, piling scrambled eggs onto his plate. "Gran was a bit under the weather, but we still had a nice time. Oh and look--" he held up his arm which was sporting a shiny new watch. "Gran got me this for Christmas!"

"Wow, that's really nice," said Elsie. She looked at the silver watch which glittered in the sunlight coming through the high ceiling.

Neville blushed. "Gran said that I need to keep a better track of the time."

Elsie chuckled. Sure Neville was a bit forgetful (and sometimes clumsy) but he was kind, loyal, and a great friend. He always made Elsie laugh, although she didn't think he meant to do so on purpose.

"Is that a new charm?" Neville asked. His eyes were on the gold locket that hung around Elsie's neck. She usually kept it tucked away under her robe, but she must have forgotten to do so during the rush to get ready this morning.

"Oh, yeah it is," said Elsie, lifting the locket to her hand. "It was a Christmas gift from Harry."

Out of the corner of her eye, Elsie saw Harry blush. He must have been listening in on her and Neville's conversation.

"That looks like the leaf of a dried nettle plant," Neville said excitedly. "Is it?"

"Er-- I have no idea," said Elsie, shrugging.

"Well if it is, that's really cool," said Neville.

Ron and Harry were in a deep conversation about the Chudley Cannons, and Hermione's nose was stuck in a book about magical law to help Hagrid with his trial, so Elise continued chatting away with Neville. As they continued to eat their breakfast, more Gryffindors arrived at the table. Dean and Seamus came over noisily and slammed their textbooks on the table as they sat down across from Elsie and Hermione.

"Watch it!" said Hermione. The force of their textbooks slamming on the table had splattered bits of oatmeal on the front cover of her book. "This is a rental!"

Dean and Seamus chuckled as Hermione and Elsie wiped crumbs off of their robes.

"Sorry about that," said Dean.

During Elsie's first few weeks at Hogwarts, she hadn't spent much time with anyone besides Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but as the months have gone by, she's become better acquainted with her fellow third-year Gryffindors. Dean and Seamus always made her laugh, and it turned out that Dean was a brilliant artist. He and Elsie had bonded over their love of drawing.

"Hey Elsie, guess what?" said Dean excitedly. "I got some new pens for Christmas. I tried a few out and they're great-- they have really fine tips-- perfect for intricate designs."

"That's awesome," said Elsie, swirling the pumpkin juice around in her glass. "I'd love to see more of your drawings sometime."

Dean grinned widely. He loved sharing his artwork with others. "I can show you some after Defense." He shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "I thought about drawing something cool for Professor Lupin since he is the best professor at Hogwarts."