Across the Sea

Yeah so here is the disclaimer: I own nothing Potter related...blah, blah, blah...not making any money...blah, blah, blah...starving college student...blah, blah, blah...No offense to JK Rowling.

Author\'s Notes:

Thank you to those who reviewed, it makes me feel wonderful. This is my first attempt at a fanfic. So I am sure that I don\'t have it all down yet. So please keep reading and REVIEW, but don\'t flame because that doesn\'t help ANYONE!

I would also like to thank my dear, sweet beta Ms. LydiaC. Without her help I would be lost! So I bow down before her awesome knowledge and add that any mistakes here are my own fault...because trust me, this girl is GOOD!! XD


Chapter 2: The Hogwarts Train

The world outside Eloise’s window was bleak. The clouds hung low in the sky,
obscuring any hint of sunlight. The raindrops fell fast and heavy, each drop
splattering with a thud against the glass. A soft rhythm of rain coupled with
the satin soft darkness soothed Eloise as she gazed carelessly through the
dripping window. It wasn’t long before she found her eyes beginning to droop,
and the caressing feeling of sleep taking over her body.

As the minutes continued to tick by in the world outside her mind; Eloise found
herself floating on an exotic ocean, the red water rising and falling, rocking her
small vessel in a comforting way. She knew deep down that she was lost, but
something about the water and the amber sky seemed to diminish any care. In
this world, surrounded by this water, time was of no importance and peace was
all there was.

Yet, in the distance a darkness began to brew. Clouds piled on top of clouds,
spreading the darkness over all that was once serene. Eloise could see and
feel the approaching danger. The calm sea turned tumultuous; her vessel began
to spin and thrash upon the open sea. She knew in her heart that all was lost
and as the one wave she knew would end her life mounted upon her vessel, its
size alone eclipsing the sky, she let out a breath and whispered, “Thomas. . . .”

A violent jolt woke her as the train came to a crashing halt. Her luggage flew out
of the rack above her and onto her head. She sat up, one hand rubbing her head,
the other bracing herself against the cushion as she cursed the offending bit of
leather. Then the lamps flickered and instantly died.

It was then that the strange feeling began to creep within her heart. It was a feeling
of utter sorrow, an emotion comparable only to that of a breaking heart. Tears began
to well up in her eyes as she tried desperately to breathe, the feeling of despair so
great that it began to crush her lungs. She knew this feeling, and she also knew what
was causing it. Demons, she thought, boarding the Hogwarts train. What on earth are
they doing here?

Out of nowhere a bright light shot through the ebony blanket of fear, and gradually the
lights flickered to life. Eloise blinked her eyes, attempting to adjust to the newfound
brightness. She approached the compartment door slowly; she could hear the children in
the other compartments shuffling around. Her hands were shaking as she reached out for
the golden handle, trying to peer through the smoky glass of her private room. She drew
a breath and began to pull when suddenly a dark shadow crossed her path.

Eloise let out a scream and stumbled backwards, tripping over the luggage still strewn about
the cabin. She lost her balance and went crashing back, her head making contact with the
table behind her. The last thing she saw was the door sliding open before all faded to black.


“Are you with me Miss?” a gentle voice whispered. “Can you hear me?”

“Swanson . . .” Eloise replied, opening her still unfocused eyes.

“Excuse me?” the shadow questioned.

“Miss Swanson, my name is Ann Swanson.”

Eloise stared upward as the fuzzy image came into focus. Hovering above her was a man with
tender eyes, a concerned smile, and gray streaks through his brown hair. This man was gentle,
she could tell, but he was overly aged. Whoever he was, he hadn’t been in her files, but he
seemed oddly familiar.

“Remus, Remus Lupin,” he answered back. “You gave me quite a scare!”

“Gave you a scare?” she questioned sarcastically, pushing herself up. Eloise reached behind
her head and tenderly touched the large bump that was quickly swelling.

“Yes, well . . . are you going to be okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Lupin, I believe I am. I just have one question.”

“Anything,” Remus replied with another soft smile. Eloise felt her heart flip; there was something
about that sad, lonely smile. Something in those eyes that seemed to scream for love and acceptance, something she knew she could spend hours comforting.

“W . . . what were those demons doing on the train?” Eloise began, her cheeks reddening at
her thoughts.

“Demons? You mean the Dementors?” Eloise simply shook her head due to her lack of knowledge
about what he was saying. What were Dementors? “They were searching the train for Sirius Black.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I don’t know if I should be the one to tell you. I am sure that Albus will fill you in at the staff meeting after the feast. Speaking of which, if you are sure that you are okay, I should leave you to ready yourself for our arrival. We are nearly there.” He got up to leave, offering his hand to Eloise. She gratefully accepted his proffered limb and eagerly borrowed his strength to rise.

“I’ll be perfectly well, Remus. Thank you.”

“Most assuredly,” he said as he made his way out the door. “Oh, and Professor?”

“Yes?” Eloise answered, taking note of his shabby appearance.

“I hope you enjoy your time in Scotland.” With that he was gone, the door sliding shut soundly behind him.

Eloise ran the event through her head; she knew him from somewhere. The shabby clothes, the forlorn look of constant discomfort. . . .

Well, hello Professor! Eloise thought smugly, So you’re Albus’ little helper. How interesting. . . .