The Unsolved Riddle.

Simmering Rage.

Sunshine, flowers and chirping birds had never looked so out of place. Hogwarts had lost all of the warm air that once surrounded it and instead everyone was scared as they faced reality, students could no longer hide behind the lies that the Ministry of Magic had been forcing into the Daily Prophet. Professors still tried to act as if nothing was going on but their teaching efforts had become even more severe as they pushed for their students to do better than ever.

"Very good, Harry." Slughorn had taken to Harry almost immediately. Eliana herself avoided the man like the plague but Harry was suddenly known as The Chosen One and Slughorn couldn't resist the attraction of fame and fortune. Something that Harry couldn't avoid if he wanted to.

"ELLIE! LOOK-" a loud bang filled the room and singed hair began to waft under everyone else's nose as black smoke filled the whole area. Su and Padma had managed to escape in time and Anthony Goldstein wasn't close enough to begin with, but Eliana had been too focused on her potion to notice what was going on. "I am so sorry Ellie, I forgot to stir it twice before I added, oh, I am so sorry." Slughorn trotted over to the scene as he saw the potion work up and around Eliana's face and with a careful hand, Slughorn clasped her robes and bag.

"I am going to take Miss Abaza up to Madam Pomfrey, please continue. I dare say Harry could help any of you if you ask him to." No backwards glance could be sent as Eliana caught her hands around her face, trying to hide what had happened to her. Slughorn was quick to let go of Eliana's robes when he saw that she could see and was walking fine, he also found himself a few steps ahead of her, Slughorn was treating Eliana like she wasn't there.

"Horace," greeted Professor Vector but as she noticed Eliana hidden behind her own hands, any conversation was immediately dropped and the three crossed paths in complete silence. By the time they arrived at the infirmary, the room seemed empty aside from Madam Pomfrey who stood on the tips of her toes as her hands ran through some of the potions.

"Ah, Madam Pomfrey. Sorry to disturb you but a sixth-year has had an accident. Draught of Living Death exploded. Fortunately, the potion was only in early stages." Madam Pomfrey immediately pulled out two containers and then closed the doors to her stores just behind her.

"Very well, Professor Slughorn. Just set them on a bed and I will heal them up." Eliana didn't need to be told twice as she moved to a bed and sat down, waiting for the Healer to approach her. No healing potion ever tasted pleasant and Eliana was sure that she was only ever given the most disgusting ones to take.

"Well, must be off. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." The woman didn't have time to object as Slughorn practically sprinted from the room and found himself free of the student. Eliana felt a familiar sensation of loneliness as yet another member of staff couldn't wait to be rid of her.

"Horace, I need to know..." Madam Pomfrey finally turned around and saw who had been brought in and she instantly fell quiet, careful eyes examined the burning face as Eliana fought within herself not to react as the patches of potion also covered her hands. "Well, let's be quick then." Madam Pomfrey turned back around and began to swirl the two potions she had obtained together.

"Madam Pomfrey, why won't any of my professors look at me? Why won't you look at me?" Eliana felt the skin on her chin and beside her lips crack slightly as the potion had worn away some of her features.

"Oh, don't be silly. Everyone here is acting like they always do. Maybe it's just in your head," Madam Pomfrey muttered and tried to convince Eliana that she meant what she was saying, only they both knew that it wasn't true.

"Then why won't you look at me? I know my face looks gross but I also know that those two potions are mixed and I should be drinking it but you don't want to come anywhere near me. No one does. Even Professor Snape has stopped taking house points from me. None of my professors smile at me in the corridor and when they hand back my work they give it to my friend who has to pass it to me. If something is going on then I have a right to know. I haven't done anything wrong and if I have then I need to be told so that I don't do it again." The pity that Eliana had thrown over herself was lost as anger grew closer to her heart and a fluttering of annoyance graced her features as Madam Pomfrey stopped swirling the potion and instead handed it to the girl. Immediately it was drunk and on the surface beside her bed, a paste was seen. It looked green and thick.