Ink and Parchment ~ blood and bone

37

Eliza did in fact start meditating.

Things actually became a lot easier after that. Jormy told her that Tom used to come down to the chamber all the time back when he was at school. He had found it just as hard as she did to be normal. She also sought out Severus the day after their blow up argument, it had been dreadfully awkward but they had quickly reached a peace.

“I’m sorry” Eliza had said, shuffling her feet “I’m not going to pretend that I think I was wrong when I was dealing with Umbridge but I was wrong with the way I treated you. Being back at Hogwarts it’s just-

“Hard?” Severus had interrupted, raising an eyebrow and Eliza nodded in return.

“You spend a whole summer planning for a war and then it’s just, back to normal, back to playing student. But I’ll be fine and I know you’re in a precarious position and was only trying to look out for me-

“And I myself said some things I wasn’t proud of” Severus said grudgingly and Eliza perked up slightly.

“Truce?”

Severus laughed quietly before nodding his head “Truce”

Eliza bobbed her head happily and started making her way out of the classroom before she paused.

“And sir? You’ll always be family to me”

She didn’t stop to hear his response but she swore she heard a muffled ‘you too’ before she closed the door.

After that she went to write a letter, well actually she wrote two. She sent one off to Sirius and Remus telling them she had successfully gotten into trouble and she was also refusing to go to detention and so if they received any letters from Hogwarts it’s because Eliza was finally living up to the marauder legacy. She also sent a letter to Tom, deciding to keep it simple.

Dear Tom,

No amount of illegal books can make up for Umbridge.

I want a refund.

Yours,

Eliza.

She didn’t overthink it.

Not at all.

She had just tied her letters to Hedwig’s leg and watched as her beautiful snowy owl flew away into the distance when Filch burst through the door of the owelry. Eliza had never had many interactions with the crotchety caretaker. Eliza had a reputation of a model student and for all intents and purposes in all her time at Hogwarts she had never put one toe out of line unless it coincided with Dumbledore’s plans. So why the old caretaker was currently glaring at her like she had just committed some criminal offence completely baffled her.

“You!” he snarled taking a step forward “I’ve had a tip-off that you’re intending to place a massive order for Dungbombs!”

“Really?” Eliza drawled feeling distinctly unimpressed “and where ever did you hear that?”

“I have my sources” Filch hissed which obviously meant he had absolutely no such thing “now hand over whatever you’re sending”

Now who in this castle would have such a grudge against her that they would want to search her bloody mail?

“You’re too late I’m afraid Mr Filch, I’m afraid I’ve just sent my letters”

Filch spluttered angrily and Eliza took the moment to sweep past him. Did Umbridge really think she had a chance trying to get into her mail? Did the toad truly think Eliza was that kind of an imbecile? She’d just have to get a message to Tom to let him know her mail was being monitored – Eliza was pretty sure even their casual conversation could be classed as treason at this point.