Ellie's Pov

I got up, ecstatic for today. I finally get to go to Hogwarts! I get up and get dressed before I hop into my car and drive to Platform 9 3/4. I parked my car under a nearby bridge and put a spell in it to make it invisible before I grabbed my suitcase and backpack from the back and walked to the platform. I walked through the barrier and there was almost no one there. I smiled. I like being there early. I walked onto the train and got an empty compartment, bringing out Hanson, my cat. I laid him down on my abdomen as I laid down on the seat and closed my eyes... 

I awoke to someone opening my door. I looked up and saw a man wearing black head to toe and looks like he hasn't slept in days.

"Hello there." I said with a smile as I lifted up Hanson, who let out a small 'meow' as I did so, and I cuddled him. The man raised his eyebrow.

"You do know we've arrived, right?" He asked. my eyes widened. Good job Ellie, really. And your the only American.

"Crap!" I cursed as I got up and realized my things weren't there. I looked at him and he gave me some robes. I passed him Hanson. "Hold him, will you?" I asked before I began to get into my robes.

"Uh..." He said. I glared at him, not wearing a top.

"If you don't want to see, then don't watch!" I scolded before I pulled on my robes and grabbed Hanson once again. I felt him grab my wrist and we apparated. I thrusted Hanson towards him. "Just for that, you get to hold Hanson until I get sorted." I said. He looked confused at me.

"You must be a third year." He said. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm American. You would've remembered the accent." I said. His face hardened.

"I will not be holding this-"

"Watch it. I'll go California girl on you."

"I will not be holding Hanson until you get sorted."

"Suck. It. Up." And with that, I left him as I joined the other first years. We walked into the Great Hall and I could feel like I was being stared at. I sighed as I stood in line with all the first years, I towered over them.

"Elizabeth Park." An older woman called, but I could tell she was going to be a good teacher. I walked up to the stool and sat down before a hat was placed on my head.

"Oh my! An American!" I face palmed. "A sassy one at that. And yet, she holds great power. And great responsibility. Trustworthiness. Loyalty. Brave. Very brave. Good sense of humor. Kindness. Beauty. Cunning, yet sweet and fierce. I'm gonna say SLYTHERIN!" It boomed. I smiled and walked towards the table that was clapping the most. I sat next to a Blonde boy.

"American, eh? I'm Draco Malfoy, Pureblood." He said, holding his hand out. I shook it.

"Elizabeth Park, Half blood. But my friends either call me Lizzie, Ellie, or Eli." I said. He smiled.

"May I call you Ellie?" He asked as he let go of my hand. I smiled back.

"You may, Draco." I said. I felt eyes on me. I looked around until my eyes fell upon the man from earlier. Staring right. Back. At. Me. I smiled wider and waved to him. He stared back down at his plate. Wow. Way to be incognito.

~~

Early the next morning...

Severus' Pov

I was out patrolling the grounds at 4:30 when someone ran into my chest. I recognized it as Ellie. She looked up with me, her eyes bloodshot, half from tiredness and half from crying. She took out an earbud.

"Sorry Professor. I wasn't paying attention." She said as she took a step back. I saw a sweat drop go down the side of her face, mixing with a tear drop going down her cheek.

"Why are you crying?" I asked. She sniffled and wiped a tear.

"Nightmare. I'd better get back to running-"

"How long have you been running?" I asked.

"What time is it?" She asked. I checked the time.

"4:30." I said before I looked up at her. Her jaw was dropped.

"3 hours..." She said, more to herself than me. I raised my eyebrows.

"Why?" I asked. She bit her lip and put an earbud back in before she got ready to sprint off.

"I'm not going to tell you." She said. I stood in front of her.

"Yes, you are." I demanded. She was ready to bolt off.

"You'll have to catch me first, smart one." And with that, she ran off. 

Ellie's Pov

I was running. Faster. And Faster. And Faster. Scream and Shout by Will.I.Am was pounding through my earbuds. I ended up at the black lake. Glad my phone, phone holder, and earbuds were water resistant, I used my wand to change into my bathing suit. I gracefully dived off the pier. I swam under the water letting the music take me as Womanizer by Britney Spears started playing. I let the water engulf me in a blanket of coolness. Next thing I know, rays of sunshine shoot through the water and I swim to the top. I swim the the shore and dry off with the towel. I wave my wand over my head and I walk into the Great Hall, now fully dressed.

~~

That night...

We were having a back to school ball and I just finished getting dressed. I hope these dances are so... continuous. I slipped on my flats and did my makeup before putting on my jewelry. I walked down the stairs and ignored the boys' stares as I walked down to the ball room. I was soon pushed into the circle as music started dancing. I started dancing with... Harry Potter?!

"Erm.. Hi." I said, not sure what to say. He smiled.

"Hey." He said and soon enough, I was spun to Draco. I was okay with him. We laughed as we danced and he spun me to the next guy, Cedric Diggory. Wee danced as we quietly talked. Then I was spun to Severus. We blushed as the song turned to a slow song.

"What was your nightmare about?" He whispered softly.

"It was about... My best friend Sierra. She was killed two months ago. She was practically my sister. You would never see us apart. Its difficult to believe she's really gone." I whispered back. But no matter how much we talked about Sierra, I could  still feel his warm hand on my waist and his other holding my hand up. I kept my hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry." He said quietly, pain in his eyes.

"Don't pity me Severus- sorry. Professor." I said, correcting myself.

"Its okay. But I do not pity you, far from that actually. I was just trying to me a gentleman." He said. I smiled a bit.

"Way to sugar coat it." I said. He smirk and next thing I knew, my head was rested on his chest and we were slowly dancing as he held me close.