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Ellouise felt her feet hit the hard wooden floor of the hallway she was so very familiar with by now. They were back in number twelve Grimmauld Place, standing in the dusty, partially lit hallway. Ellouise still held Xavier’s hand, though Professor Dumbledore no longer stood by her side, he had already made to move to the kitchen.
“Come on”, whispered Ellouise as she pulled Xavier behind her.
They swept through the empty green drawing room, hurrying to catch up with Dumbledore. Ellouise could hear noise coming from the kitchen, loud voices, laughter, clinking of glasses, perhaps everyone had realised that Dumbledore has returned? She wondered. But surely even they were overreacting? It wasn’t that big a deal. Ellouise took the stairs two at a time, Xavier right by her side adjusted his stride to match hers.
“Starting the party without us?” asked Xavier as they were met with the scene of butterbeers and fire whiskeys being passed around.
Everyone took in the sight of Dumbledore, taken by surprise but pleased nonetheless, then their eyes averted and fell on Xavier. Their eyes wandered from his mischievous features, down the length of his arm, to his hand clasped around Ellouise’s, they then traced it back up to stare into her face.

Ellouise felt her face go red as she realised everyone was starring not just at her, not just at Xavier, but the two of them together. Was it really that obvious? Did they already suspect she liked him? Ellouise felt as though she was being x-rayed, and that all her deepest and darkest secrets, all of her deepest emotions were on show.
Sirius and James let out a whoop as they raised their glasses high and clinked them noisily.

Ellouise turned her body in towards Xavier, squeezing his hand as she did so. She must have had a look of worry or concern on her face because he placed both her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze, whispering, “It’s ok, I’m here”.
This soothed Ellouise’s nerves, she smiled and returned her gaze to the kitchen occupants. Everyone was here, drinking, celebrating? What were they celebrating? She thought to herself. And where were Remus and Naomi? She thought as she suddenly realised they were missing from the scene.
“Where’s Remus and Naomi?” she pipped up, hoping someone would be able to answer question. Harry suddenly came running up to her towing Ron as he went.
“Elle!” he exclaimed, “they went to a safe house!” he almost yelled, “Naomi’s having the baby!” he added. Before she could say Merlin, she had been steered over to the table and seated between Xavier and Carlisle, across the table from Sirius, James and Lily. Sirius poured her a glass of fire whiskey and slid it in her direction, then offered his son one.
Without even thinking, Ellouise grasped the glass in one hand and downed it in one shot. It burned her throat, like acid, her mouth felt suddenly rough and dry, as if on fire.
“Trust you to choose one that’s got guts”, exclaimed Sirius to Xavier, he poured Ellouise another glass, but Xavier took her hand before she could skull it again.
“Ellie?” he asked gently, “Ellie?” he repeated, this time shaking her a bit.
“She must be in shock”, said Lily as she stood to go to the kitchen cupboard. When she returned she broke off a piece from a slab of chocolate and thrust it into Ellouise’s hand.
“Eat this, you’ll feel better in no time”, she said gently.
Ellouise took the chocolate and put it in her mouth, she wasn’t controlling her actions, she was on auto pilot. All she could hear was white noise, her eyes couldn’t focus on the swirl of colour surrounding her, her arms moved without being told to. What was going on?
“Ellie?” came Xavier’s voice again, “Ellie, you ok?” he asked.
Slowly Ellouise came out of her stupor, she could feel a cold sweat forming on her forehead.
“I... I’m fine”, she said as she only took a little sip of fire whiskey this time.
“When did this happen?” she asked, “When did she go into labour?” she added.
“Perhaps a half hour after you left”, said Sirius as he pointed to his son.
“It was a couple of hours ago”, said Lily, clarifying for Ellouise.
Ellouise felt two hands on her shoulders, with long, cold fingers.
“I hear congratulations are in order”, said Dumbledore from behind her, “Perhaps we should postpone our discussion, considering the current circumstances”, he said gesturing to the crowded kitchen. Ellouise just nodded, and took another sip of fire whiskey. She welcomed the burn. Soon, she was going to be an... Aunty? No that’s not right. Cousin? Nope that’s not it either. Guardian, thought Ellouise. Yes guardian seemed fitting.