Exams came and Hermione didn't say a word about Eliza to anyone, not even Harry or Ron. Eliza glanced at her in the Great Hall but Hermione was nagging Ron about something.
Eliza's headaches ceased after that last dream but the stress she accumulated kicked in. She was anxious and paranoid and would avoid Slytherins at all costs. Blaise tried to talk to her but she literally ran away and kept close to Seamus and Dean.
Another person Eliza didn't want to see was Snape. It was pretty obvious something happened because she wouldn't even glance at the staff table.
"Will you be alright?" Hermione asked right before their first O.W.L.
Eliza ignored her and waited her her turn in silence. Charms was not a problem anymore with the intense training she got in the last two summers. Since they were entering alphabetically for the practical examination, Molley was bound to enter with Malfoy. Next was Transfiguration, where Eliza didn't really fuss over because she knew what she had to do. Though if could have gone better, Eliza hoped she passed Herbology on Wednesday but she was sure she passed Defense against the Dark Arts with flying colors on Thursday. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaWj4E3ZgS
While Hermione was temperamental about everything and would spontaneously threat Eliza that she would go and tell someone about her headaches and dreams, Eliza was ignoring her. Ron and Harry were doing the same while revising for Potions. Once or twice, Eliza had to quiz them but overall, they were prepared.
Potions on Monday was finished in record time and Eliza watched the rest of the class work happily. It was really different without Snape around, glaring at every Gryffindor but Eliza found that she was happy during potions anyway.
Care of Magical Creatures proved to be quite fun even if Eliza got scratched once or twice. The witch that was examining Eliza was taken aback when the student laughed while she was feeding and cleaning out a Fire Crab. Astronomy went bad but not worst than divination. Both Ron and Harry were wearing the same expression as she was, aware they passed through Divination with lies and stories they made up in haste. During the Astronomy practical examination something happened, something that didn't seem to touch Eliza as much as it should have.
"Hagrid got sacked and you're not exactly worried. I thought you enjoyed his lessons and everything." Seamus started when they got back in the common room. He was right next to her and she didn't even bother to take a look.
Eliza glanced at Harry, Ron and Hermione before she turned back to Seamus, "He's not going to be gone for long. Once Dumbledore returns, everything will come back to normal." She said firmly, cutting off any way Seamus could continue that subject.
However, once in the dormitory, Hermione turned to Eliza and started to talk about Hagrid and Umbridge until she fell asleep. Eliza didn't, she couldn't go to sleep until the last exam was over or else she'd have that dream again.
During History of Magic, Eliza concentrated hard on writing everything. She could barely make out the questions because she hadn't slept in a few days. Her eyes were tearing up when she heard Harry fall on the ground, squirming. The whole room was watching like it was a show before the professor took Harry and hurried to the Hospital Wing.
However, after the exam was over, Eliza got dragged away by Ron and Hermione and met Harry in the Entrance Hall. His eyes were wide and he looked scared. Eliza understood why a few minutes later when he told them what happened.
"What do you mean Sirius is in danger?" Eliza hissed, everything leaving her mind at the news. "Sirius doesn't leave the house, Harry. He's not stupid."
"I'm telling you what I saw. Voldemort's got Sirius."
"Where is he?" Hermione asked with a pale face.
"I dunno how but I know exactly where. There's a room in the Department of Mysteries full of shelves covered in these little glass balls and they're at the end of row ninety-seven. He's trying to use Sirius to get whatever it is he wants from there...he's torturing him, says he'll end by killing him!" Harry continued, his hands trembling. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacLiKo01Y3
Eliza's eyes widened and for the first time in a while, she showed exactly what she was feeling. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8W8D2SomK
"We have to get there so we can rescue Sirius." Harry added, looking at Eliza for support. She nodded, straightening right away.
Somehow, they made a plan and although Hermione was still not assured that Sirius was indeed in trouble, Ginny and Luna appeared at the right moment, in time to follow with the plan. Then, while they were waiting for Harry to get the Invisibility Cloak, Hermione turned to Eliza.
"You shouldn't come. You should help Ron with the-"
By now Eliza couldn't care less that Ginny and Luna were listening and openly said, "Sirius is my father. Do you really expect me to go have fun while he might be facing Voldemort?"
Hermione didn't look affected, "No. I think-I think you should go to Snape for-"
That was enough and Hermione saw that because she stopped. Eliza's eyes narrowed at her and she looked furious. Even Ginny and Luna were surprised by the way the atmosphere around Eliza stiffened.
However, that might have been a good advice because as Harry was coming their way, she noticed someone watching her very closely. He ran when their eyes met and Eliza remembered Draco's warning.
"Hermione, you're only going to see if dad is home, right?" She asked, her eyes searching for the boy. "It won't take long, correct?" She asked again.
Hermione frowned, confused how Eliza changed so drastically. "Well, yes. 5 minutes is all we get."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGlsXbRqwH
"I'll be back in 5 minutes then." She said before she ran off the same way Harry just came from.
Eliza ran without a clear aim and she found herself walking into a dead end. She was on her way back when she heard a snicker and stopped. Out of thin air, someone appeared behind and pushed her into an empty classroom that seemed to have gotten really dusty over the years.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnY5jCzwYj
Even the doorknob was dusty and no matter how hard she was trying, it wouldn’t budge; actually, while she tried to use the Alohomora spell, it backfired and she got thrown into the opposite wall, hitting the back of her head.
Eliza groaned when she woke up and felt her head pounding. She was still inside the old classroom and the door was still closed. Since she didn’t have any other and more civilized way to get out, she used what she could get. It was quite clear that magic wasn’t working when she tried to explode the door and instead, she’s been thrown again; she had to use muggle ways and thankfully, she has already done research just in case Kreacher would lock her outside the Black mansion.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgQxp8FGxQ
“Let’s see,”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzyPeCxXov
She looked around but couldn’t find much to use. Luckily, she noticed what looked like an old cover of a book, made by the same material as one of a card. She had to wipe the dust off firstly –and there was a lot- before she wedged the cover into the gap between the door and the frame and bent it away from the knob. It opened widely, also leaving Eliza with a new sense of achievement.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw0kY2Ejze
When the brunette got into the Entrance Hall, someone grabbed her aside. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCNaKGVN7j
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“Zabini, what are you doing?” She hissed, already having too many problems to solve.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32DvqwX14o
“Umbridge caught your group of friends trying to sneak out through the chimney,” He whispered, glancing around warily, “Professor Snape told me to advise you to not get involved at all.” He continued.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlJTAHURKh
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked but he didn’t seem to know either.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpJyFNs3BW
Giving a long and heavy sigh, she figured it was probably Snape who threw her into a locked classroom only to keep her away from whatever was happening.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6EbZjXEtR
“Well, thank you Blaise.” She smiled and patted him on the head like he was a dog before running towards Umbridge’s office.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc5zwgluHD
She was right around the corner when she heard Umbridge's high pitched annoying voice roaring at Snape for Veritaserum. Her green eyes glared at nothing in particular yet she had the urge to petrify that pink buffoon. Unfortunately, when Snape turned around, ready to leave, he saw her and dragged her along by the collar of her shirt until he got into the corridor.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3BC2KzXBW
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“You are not allowed to follow Potter.” He started, confusing her as to what his reasons were. However, he continued, “His mind is weak and can easily be penetrated by Voldemort.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Ta7uihoE
“He already knows I’m alive.” The green eyed witch retorted coldly.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnWKGSSLbE
“But he doesn't know where you are. He is using Potter to lure you in as much as finding the prophecy.” He probably shouldn’t have said the latter but he couldn’t care less in that moment. Eliza was a secrecy that shall remain intact in Ophelia’s memory and for the sake of everyone involved with her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyvpnTlE6b
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“Is that why you just decided to lock me away?” She hissed but Snape seemed surprised by that. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xb4yD3bMd
Her eyes softened and her voice lowered when she figured Snape had no idea what she was talking about. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8YICvdD6X
“Someone locked me away. Someone's been watching me this whole year.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAHQEOPGSU
The former Death Eater stared at her blankly and looking into his eyes, Eliza couldn't help but remember how humane he looked when he was talking to her mother. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7MYayCkwh
"If you follow Potter every time, you'll end up just like your mother." He said, not an ounce of disgust on his face. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGhbFt506T
Eliza knew what he meant so she didn't take it as bad as she did before.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jUpVBhPR4
"That's my choice."
Eliza was running through the castle, looking for a hint as to where her friends have gone and what was the plan. She was just turning the corner towards the Wooden Bridge when she got hit in the back of her head hard. To her attacker’s disappointment she fell but didn’t faint824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA61gSOiirU
“I know you,” She mumbled, feeling her head vibrate when she spoke, “You transferred when I did from Durmstrang. Did your headmaster send you to keep an eye on me?”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxkExEuXCd
The boy shook his head and bent in front of her, glaring at her for some reason, “I only had to inform him every so often of your little relationship with Potter.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWWu0QyO1k
“I wasn’t expecting Karkaroff to be so interested in friendship.” She spat with hatred and irony, getting herself hit in the face by the Slytherin.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kgULF6ngk
“Not him. The Dark Lord.” He slurred before he pointed his wand at her, “Crucio!”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsO8Q9YjIX
Granted to her extreme training with Snape, she bit her lip in pain but could still grab him by his robe. Her pupils dilated from the pain and she could barely speak through gritted teeth. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoc98fE3Ud
“Stupefy!” She hissed.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbTP3swkFi
The boy started to laugh, thinking that she was silly to use a spell without a wand but once she focused on the subject, he got thrown against the ceiling, falling unconscious right away.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhkc73PwH2
But the pain was still there and the deadly curses weren’t torturous for nothing. Her body was aching and blood was dripping from how hard she bit her lip. She closed her eyes for a few minutes, slowly breathing in and out and using her stubbornness to force her body to fight the pain. It worked in some way because she got enough strength to get up and limp towards the only person who could help her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeL3JC43MW
When Malfoy walked out of the Hospital Wing, he didn't expect to see the big green eyes of a black cat waiting for him patiently. They stared at each other blankly until Furvus meowed again and again, getting louder and drawing attention. He tried to pass him by and even sneered at the cat but something about those eyes seemed very familiar.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq0c8v3qnh
“Stupid cat, what do you want?” He snapped, glaring at the little black cat.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQPYQHsntK
Furvus meowed and crawled up his leg, startling him with the boldness. The blond shook his leg but the cat didn’t budge; it actually felt like he plunged his claws in his skin.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgp6tdo1GO
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“Bugger off.” Malfoy mumbled but the cat was earnestly looking at him with those big eyes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0SEXF8e3Q
In the end, Draco gave up and followed the perky cat wherever it wanted, watching him wag his tail happily while walking with his head up like he was a noble. It was rather cute in some way.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOQ2QFlDru
Eliza was leaning against the wall, taking another break when she saw Furvus walking down the corridor towards her. The first thought was how her cat sneaked out of the common room but then she remembered that the same cat is a messenger for the Order.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzsrSBWVaj
Behind Furvus was someone else, someone that instantly made her sigh.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuNOf0DKkh
“Why are we meeting like this...” She whispered, wincing when his eyes fell on her face.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KwQ4rtAKm
Draco’s eyes widened and grabbed her chin, inspecting what looked like a really bad bruise on her cheek.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhixiCurgk
“Who hit you?” He asked dead serious. His eyes hardened and he looked mature, like she could depend on him.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPfTZA98ze
“I need to get in the Ministry.” Her response had nothing to do with his question.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi6lkZmdsB
Malfoy stared at her for a few minutes before he sighed and folded his arms in front of his chest.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBV9xWj8sN
“Why would I help you?”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU21v5j5Zg
Eliza frowned, “Because your mother asked you to.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl103ta5RgO
That seemed to do the job as he remembered he was supposed to keep an eye out for her. With no smartass response, he wrapped one hand around her waist and helped her walk to Umbridge’s office. She was conflicted between thanking him and not but she decided to keep that for later.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlyWPDmxOE
When Eliza got into the Ministry, she wasn’t sure what exactly she was searching for since she wasn’t there when they talked about it. Besides, she was limping in a place she had never been in before. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5T1Sube1B
She wandered the corridors of the Ministry for a while until she heard noise above. The noise was spreading through the whole building and Eliza was confused how other people couldn't hear it. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ovJwf8xST
She was in the Atrium as she found out walking to the fountain in the middle of it. she took a break before going for the lift. She remembered Harry talking about the Department of Mysteries and went straight to that level.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE68Xlubc1
However, when she got into the hall, she found herself standing confused and strength leaving her body slowly. Her head was getting dizzy and she had to keep her balance by standing with one leg forward and one in the back, swaying from time to time.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RgbFGyq3t
“This year is the worst.” She mumbled, rubbing her forehead.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcevAF7TiT
Truthfully, she preferred standing with Sirius and Remus over everything that has happened at Hogwarts. It gave her both emotional and physical pain and she was growing angrier and sadder with every day.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSiSZ4DEfB
A sudden voice started to murmur something, comforting her in a way even if it was incoherent. Eliza looked ahead and concentrated on that voice alone, following it unconsciously to a door hidden between two walls. She entered only to find the source was an archway in the distance. The voice was luring her in and Eliza couldn’t fight against it; the brunette couldn’t take her eyes off the archway and the soul reaching out to her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwPkTK350p
Eliza scrunched her eyes trying to see what was going on around and stopped. Death Eaters were there and they had Harry and Neville. Bellatrix Lestrange looked ready to kill the latter until a few more people walked through another door and interfered. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uy7tpCjOK
Eliza’s eyes widened in both shock and fear. She couldn't move and couldn't take her eyes off the sight. Her heart was beating really fast and she was panicking on the inside even if she looked completely calm on the outside. She was there, hiding while her friends’ lives were in danger.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfMlEu6dHy
The members of the Order were fighting the Death Eaters but it didn't seem like they could win. Eliza noticed one of them going for Remus from behind and her blood was boiling. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OWr5kxtG4
"Give me the prophecy, give me the prophecy, Potter!"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJD7bzCYZT
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Eliza knew that voice, even dreamed it a few times. Out of reflex, she took a step back and hid behind the wall. Lucius Malfoy looked exactly like the last time she saw him, back when he watched Ophelia die. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIdHWj9aiR
“I'll make this simple for you, Potter. Give me the prophecy now or watch your friends die!” He threatened, Eliza’s eyes widening at his venomous tone.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagVaEk1YHZ
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“He will get you killed sooner or later.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJTXXMMGuu
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Those words were echoing in her mind, repeating again and again overwhelming her being. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nCx3rLQTU
"Come to me." She heard it again, clearly than ever before. She could only squirm and cry and it was pitiful.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjVFLO8CyS
“It’s time to embrace my fear.” She mumbled.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvgNECRKl3
Eliza watched the other fight and noticed Harry barely holding Neville while trying to leave. Before thinking it through, she jumped down and ran towards her godfather, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCutSoWslS
“Crucio!” She screamed, pointing her wand at the Death Eater attacking Remus.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxpNFDK5Li
Lupin’s eyes widened at her sight and pulled her closer to him, “Liz, you have to leave.”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLU6erfcc
“No.” She coldly answered, her head turning towards the man she has been waiting to meet for ten years.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiGjqoIXwe
“Listen to me, you have to leave. If they find you-“824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtwPo4Pbiq
"He knows already. He's been messing with my mind for the last month." Eliza announced, her eyes falling over her father and a face she hated with every fiber.
She squirmed out of Lupin's grasp and glared at him before quickly turning around and disarming another Death Eater. While doing so, someone else got the chance to see her...824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSrCjudsyw
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“Little bastard child,” Belatrix Lestrange looked straight into Eliza’s eyes, ignoring Sirius completely. “Look who came from the dead! Ophelia’s remnant!” Her laughter was even worse now that Eliza could hear it for real.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZgEuTDvGX
Sirius turned immediately towards the new attraction but so did Malfoy. Sirius looked furious and scared at the same time but Lucius Malfoy froze. Eliza stared at Malfoy for a few seconds before she ducked. Bellatrix Lestrange missed her by a few centimeters.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfCb8Iu7I6
"Liz! Eliza, leave. You have to leave right now. Go after Harry, GO!" Sirius screamed but Bellatrix was chuckling to herself.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWJwZ3yPZ8
"How nice. Little Lizzy will witness another parent dying~"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X9XQPIgN2
Eliza's eyes hardened and she naively attacked Bellatrix. It didn't touch her at all so the woman started to laugh loudly.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPvaHA2bTu
"Crucio!" Bellatrix screamed at Eliza but Sirius pushed her aside harshly and blocked it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFovhFRBlIz
"Come on, you can do better than that!" He yelled, his voice echoing around the cavernous room. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5GSbu1fTx
Belatrix winked at Eliza with a sadistic smirk before she hit him again, straight in the chest. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdVgh6F3pL
Sirius' eyes widened in shock and he could barely look at his daughter for one last time. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTxUvavPkg
Time stopped in that moment. Eliza's eyes widened as she heard it louder than ever in her mind...Voldemort... Come to me, Eliza. Everyone else is bound to die sooner or later. I am the only one who can mend your pain. Come to me.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7alMA3I14
She could see it once again, her parent dying right in front of her eyes while she could only watch from the side, powerless. Eliza fell on her knees and felt water drip down her cheeks; she was crying, the image of her mother flashing before her eyes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sVLL7kdrf
“No,” She mumbled, her father’s soul already gone. “No! No! NO!” She screamed, throwing her wand away. "DAD! NO!"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EFGp38GUJ
Her eyes hardened and all the anger she felt came back to her; the loneliness was too much and she wasn’t sure she could resist without her father.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XEF9VYV75
Eliza Black was alone and not even Remus Lupin could make that sorrow fade away; no one could. It was too much for her heart so she ran towards the veil inside the archway, ready to give herself into the temptation of death.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOaDMqvGwJ
“Stupefy!”824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdRaXK6cMh
The spell hit her full force and threw her aside. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjEPXhejaB
Eliza was going through the worst moment of her life. The pain was so overwhelming that she lied there, on her back, crying. She moved her head slightly to the side and saw two people staring at her with remotely alike sorrowful expressions before she fainted.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCar3qG8Yxm
