Across the Sea

Sorry it took me so long to update!!! What a crazy past two weeks it has been for me. But, you don’t want to hear about that! No, you want to read the STORY. Yet, before you read there are a few things I need to take care of.

Disclaimer I am poor, I make no money from writing this story. I will never make any money writing this story. Everything that is familiar isn’t mine and everything that isn’t is. ;) So we all give homage to the great Rowling and silently pray for her not to sue me.

That is done so let us move on. I would like to thank my new reviewer, as in singular, as in only one. Please, please leave me a review; I will give you a cookie if you do! So we should all follow JenKM1216’s example and read and review. You should also follow my example and check out “The Squib Who Wasn’t” because it is an awesome fic.

Also I would like to give “props” to my amazingly patient and precise beta, LydiaC. Without her this story wouldn’t be half as good as I hope it is. Of course I would know if you reviewed…LoL. She hasn’t had a chance to get a hold of this yet, so I am sure there are numerous mistakes. I will switch the chapters out as soon as I get it back. I just wanted to update for you all.

Okay…NOW the story!!!

Chapter 4: Enter The Man In Black


The rest of the train ride was delightfully uneventful, and Eloise basked in the quiet rocking of a demon free compartment. She had managed to sleep off and on for an hour, an act that slowly eased the pounding in her head. Allowing her to feel somewhat refreshed as the train came to a slow halt at Hogsmeade Station. The calm demeanor that she had boarded the train with found her once again as she stepped out of her compartment.

Ten minutes later, after battling thru the crowd of children swarming the exits, she stepped off of the train. Her hair was tussled, and she felt a fine film of sweat covering her body. She no longer felt rested and secure. No, now she was regretting ever accepting her mission and dwelling on the fact that she now, and always had, found children annoying in some capacity. Eloise’s once calm emotions all but deserted her, replaced by feelings of frustration.

Fifteen minutes after that she was passing thru the doors of Hogwarts her face twisted into a permanent look of awe. Eloise no longer had thoughts about terrifying demons, or stomach twisting taste of over excited children. It was no longer about being calm and self-assured; it was all about taking in the sight that was before her. For, the castle was something unto itself.

Great stonewalls dwarfed her figure, her neck bent all the way back as she took in to the massive stone floor that hovered above her head. Her head craned from side to side as she took in the moving photos that smiled and waved as she passed. Two great wood doors stood in a forbidding manner stretching from floor to ceiling. Lying beyond the massive structure could be heard the chattering and laughing of the children that where gathered inside. And, though this is a noise that usually carried a woman’s heart away with joy, it only reminded Eloise of exactly what she was there for. So despite the delicate beauty that surrounded her she turned her mind back to the task at hand. Making the woman who walked through those doors was a serene, delicate female form that seemed as strong as the wood entrance through which she passed.


Her eyes were greeted by a row of hats lined neatly in eight rows situated around four long tables. A great space stood at the top of these tables, which Eloise reasoned was for new students. Though, how they were divided into the allocated spots still remained a mystery to soon to be dispensed with.

Topping this stringent organization, that Eloise could not help but note was lacking in their form of transportation, was a long table that held the elder members or staff. As Eloise walked she took note of all the faces that either openly beamed at her or gave her reserved and wary glances. To the left sat a great hairy man, in fact, his whole body seemed covered in the grotesque fur. Eloise couldn’t tell where his beard ended and his suit, at least she hoped it was a suit, ended. Next to him was a small man that appeared to be perched up on books. He was obviously well advanced in age, and appeared to be rivaled in seniority only by Albus himself. A few unremarkable faces passed, all seemed to be more curious than afraid, unknowing in their glances, so she dismissed them from mind.

Yet, her eyes came once again to rest on the glowing eyes of the elderly headmaster. Though Eloise was well aware of the extended lifespan of wizard when compared to muggle men she also was cognizant of the fact that he was getting on in years. Still, his eyes had a life of their own and she was quickly sucked into their smooth, comforting, blue depths. He nodded his recognation and waved her to sit in a seat just beyond and older woman.

This was a woman Eloise was wise to take note of. For, although there was no outward distaste in her manner, her body language spoke of strictness, and constant rigidity. She was a woman not to be underestimated and Eloise knew instantly that she would keep her space for a while before approaching her.

Eloise stuck out her chin, a mechanism of defense, and stared determinedly ahead of her. That last thing she wanted was to portray a creature of weakness to this woman. If she were to be an ally she would have to believe and see that the girl she saw before her was, in truth, a determined woman that could earn her respect. Or so Eloise thought that would be the best plan at the moment.

As Eloise ascended the steps taking her time to circle the table, to ensure the briefest glimpses at the faces that were before her, she noticed the soft blonde/gray hair that was now so familiar to her. This was Remus Lupin, her kind caretaker on the train. Yet, alas, he sat full five seats away from her own. Making any subtle conversation with him out of the question. So it was with some resignation that Eloise took her seat and looked out upon the curious pupils with seemingly emotionless eyes.


The sorting ceremony began sometime later, and the usually stoic American found it hard to keep her façade. For though she was no stranger to the magical world, being a witch herself, she was unaccustomed to seeing such deep-rooted traditions. In America they had no houses, in fact, schools were run much as the common Muggle schools; although primary magic studies began at the first sign of cognizant understanding of magic.

She was truly awed by the whole ceremony, and enjoyed the somewhat comical song the hat sang. She actually found the silent moments between students suspenseful, trying to figure out what houses the small children would be welcomed to. Eloise was so swept up in the whole affair that the previously unoccupied chair to her left had suddenly become occupied with out notice from her. No, she remained blissfully unaware of the black clad, cold-hearted, devious creature that had swept up beside her.

She, however, did not go unnoticed by the man. He immediately took note of the new face and knew instantly whom she was. Her long blonde hair, petite frame, and voluptuous curves were recognizable by the trained eye the second he swept thru the door. He attempted a brief glimpse at her face but was unable to catch as she was bent forward seemingly engrossed in the current activities a cascade of blonde hair obscuring his view.

The man did not seek to see her face again; he had all the time he needed during the feast. A well place remark, she would turn her head, and he would see the face he had been gazing at in Albus’ pensive. The old man had asked him to evaluate the girl upon returning to Hogwarts after their first meeting. He even insisted upon pulling him from his sleep, an action that did not sit well with the snarky potions master. Yet, all was made right when he saw the wonderful piece of meat that was dangled freely in front of him. It was then that he began to feel as though the semester might not be as terrible as he once believed.

Eloise was delighted when the final student was placed in Hufflepuff and the older woman once again returned to her seat directly to the right of Albus. Albus nodded his appreciation and stood and the hall went quiet. All the bubbling faces calmed themselves as they turned to listen to their Headmaster.

Eloise watched their reaction with hope, praying they would pay her the same respect in the classroom, clinging to the slightest chance that they may actually learn something from her. She absent-mindedly bit her lip as she zoned out the eldest wizards word and honed in on the ocean of faces before her. She had, of course, realized on the train that children are the same all over the world. This, of course, meant that they were irritating, mindless creatures that existed only to make life complicated. Yet, for the briefest of moments Eloise found herself excited to share with the impressionable youths before her, the future ruling generation.

It was in this thought that Eloise was lost when the smoothest voice and warmest breath caressed the soft shell of her ear. Instead of jerking away in defense she found herself momentarily stunned into paralysis by the mind numbing effect the mans tone had on her. It was only a few seconds later that she found herself staring into the obsidian eyes of the one and only Severus Snape.