A late-night snack

Lucy entered the Great Hall, holding onto Wade's arm, and glanced at Ella.
"This is probably my least favorite place in Hogwarts." she told them, not trying to sound mean.
"It's quite magical, I'll give it that, but I just don't find it as interesting as the other parts of the Castle. I mean, all I ever do in here is eat and attend important ceremonies."
However, despite her dislike for the hard wooden tables, she skipped happyly towards the Slytherin's place. Letting go of Wade, she took Ella's hand and sat down, next to her.
"So, I know you're new here. I remember you from Care of Magical Creatures." she told her, while grabbing some food an putting in on her plate.
"How do you like it here, Ella? Any favorite classes yet?" she asked, taking a bite out of a soft piece of bread.

Wade and the girls entered the Great Hall, and Lucy began talking. "This is probably my least favorite place in Hogwarts. It's quite magical, I'll give it that, but I just don't find it as interesting as the other parts of the Castle. I mean, all I ever do in here is eat and attend important ceremonies." she told them. Wade nodded in agreement. Yes, the ceiling was about the most beautiful part of the Great Hall, but he rarely came here, except for food.
Lucy let go of his arm and grabbed Ella's hand instead. He followed the girls as they sat at the Slytherin table.
"So, I know you're new here. I remember you from Care of Magical Creatures." Lucy started, "How do you like it here, Ella? Any favorite classes yet?"
Surprised, Wade stared at Lucy, as she was rarely this energetic and talkative at such a late hour.

"Actually, I love it here. It's really big and magical and beautiful. Everyone around here is so nice and welcoming." Ella said while grabbing some food. "I like Care of Magical Creatures and I really like Defense Against the Dark Arts. How about you?" she asked.

Wade jumped in, "I like Care of Magical Creatures too." he said while finally leaning in to grab some food, before Lucy could finish it all.

"Actually, I love it here. It's really big and magical and beautiful. Everyone around here is so nice and welcoming." Ella said while grabbing some food. "I like Care of Magical Creatures and I really like Defense Against the Dark Arts. How about you?"

Lucy was about to answer when Wade spoke, "I like Care of Magical Creatures too."
Confused, she asked him, "Oh really? Because this morning, you didn't seem to like it very much."
Turning back to Ella, she said, much more nicely, "Well, I love those classes too! But I would have to add History of Magic."

Ella looked confused for a moment, not knowing what just happened.She had never heard that bite in Lucy's voice before or the look on her face. "I haven't been accepted into History of Magic yet, or I may have not signed up for it. I don't even remember what classes I'm taking but I guess I'll get used to things around here soon."

Turning to Wade Ella said, "You only have one favorite class?

"I haven't been accepted into History of Magic yet, or I may have not signed up for it. I don't even remember what classes I'm taking but I guess I'll get used to things around here soon." Ella informed them, which Lucy understood, since with too many classes, one may feel confused.
Ella then turned to Wade, "You only have one favorite class?"
Lucy was glad Ella had asked that, it put Wade 'on the spot'. She looked at Wade, eager to know how he would respond.

Wade had lost track of the conversation after Lucy had snapped at him. He had never liked arguing with her, and if he talked back, it would just make things worse, so he stayed quiet.
Then suddenly Ella asked him something.

"You only have one favorite class?" she said.
With wide eyes, Wade looked up from his bowl of cereal.
"Umm," Wade stuttered. "Yes, as of right now."
Noticing Lucy's eyes on him, but not looking directly at her, he continued, "Well. Umm, I guess I can say I like Charms too, and Defense against the Dark Arts." he cleared his throat.

"Charms seems really fun. " Ella giggled a little noticing Wade was eating cereal out of all the foods he could've picked.
"What you guys' favorite thing about Hogwarts?" Ella asked to both of them.

"Charms seems really fun. " Ella giggled, glancing at Wade.
"What you guys' favorite thing about Hogwarts?" She asked.
Lucy spoke first, "The lake. Absolutely the Lake." she said with a smile, pouring some milk into a glass.

"Charms seems really fun. " Ella giggled. "What you guys' favorite thing about Hogwarts?" she asked them.
"The Lake." Lucy said, "Absolutely the Lake."
Of course, he thought.
"Well, I really liked the Forest, even if it is gloomy. Oh, and also the Common Room. It's quite comfortable."

"The Forest? Do you like dark things?" Ella smiled to let Wade know she was joking. "The lake is really pretty, I could sit out there all day. I actually like our common room too. It's comfortable and relaxing. I love the colors, the green and silver are quite nice and the underwater view is great!" Ella replied cheerfully. This is so much fun, I feel like we've known each other for forever, Ella thought.

"The Forest? Do you like dark things?" Ella smiled, and Wade could not quite understand why she was smiling.
"The lake is really pretty, I could sit out there all day. I actually like our common room too. It's comfortable and relaxing. I love the colors, the green and silver are quite nice and the underwater view is great!"

Before he could control himself, Wade opened his mouth, "As a matter of fact, yes I do. I do happen to like dark things. After all, my father is being hunted by Death Eaters and my Uncle used to be one." he said, quite harshly.
"I'm sorry, Ella. Being related to Draco Malfoy has it's ups and down. I didn't mean to snap at you." he apologized.

Ella's cheerfulness was interrupted by Wade's angry words.
"As a matter of fact, yes I do. I do happen to like dark things. After all, my father is being hunted by Death Eaters and my Uncle used to be one." His voice was harsh and loud. Lucy was surprised to see him talk to a girl like that, and to even hear him talk in such a way! Never had he raised his voice to someone. Wade has always been the sweet, caring, responsible brother she never had, but today, he had been acting strangely. Much more surprising was that he had mentioned Kellin and Draco to someone outside the family. He rarely spoke of his father, and he was never very fond of Uncle Draco.
"I'm sorry, Ella. Being related to Draco Malfoy has it's ups and down. I didn't mean to snap at you." He apologized, and Lucy reached across the table to hold his hand, in a comforting manner.
Glancing at Ella, she smiled kindly.
"Wade I'm sorry, I was only trying to joke around." she said, but there was hurt clear in her eyes. Lucy felt strangely resentful towards Wade; something she had never felt before. "I don't see you as a relative to Draco. I forgive you." Ella continued.
Confused, Lucy didn't know what to say. She wanted to make Ella feel better, as she was clearly hurt. But she also wanted to slap Wade for being rude, and comfort him, all at the same time. Instead, she kept holding his hand, and tried to change the subject.
"So, Ella. Do you want to come with us to Hogsmeade this weekend?" she asked, trying to sound cheerful.

Ella picked around at her food not daring to look up at Wade or Lucy afraid of what to see on their faces. "Lucy, don't be mad at Wade, I shouldn't jave said anything. Sure, sounds fun. I never heard of it." Ella replied quietly, almost whisper-like. What are you doing?! There are people here who are actually want to be friends with you and you're going to act like this? Ella thought.

"Do you guys ever miss it back home?" Ella looked up, her face was red and she had tears in her eyes. You know you always cry when you think of home replied Ella's internal voice.

Looking at Ella in the eye, he saw hurt. "Wade I'm sorry, I was only trying to joke around." Ella looked down, her voice shaking. "I don't see you as a relative to Draco. I forgive you."
Wade could not keep looking at her; he felt guilty and it bothered him that she was hurt.
He then felt a soft, small hand on his. It was Lucy. He held her hand, as he knew she was trying to calm him down.
"So, Ella. Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with us this weekend?" Lucy asked, changing the subject.
Ella began picking at her food not looking at them. "Lucy, don't be mad at Wade, I shouldn't have said anything. Sure, sounds fun. I never heard of it." Ella replied. Her reaction just made Wade feel worse, but he pushed it aside, and said, "Yes, Ella. You should come. It's pretty neat, actually. I've been there only twice, with Lucy and Uncle Pheonix."

"Do you guys ever miss it back home?" Ella finally looked up, with tears in her eyes. Wade could not help but feel even guiltier. He had been so rude to her, and she didn't deserve it.
"Not really. Technically, I don't even have a home. I live with Lucy." he said.

"Lucy, don't be mad at Wade, I shouldn't have said anything. Sure, sounds fun. I never heard of it." Ella replied.
Lucy was surprised that her anger was visible, she was sure she had kept it hidden.
"I would never be angry with Wade, not for the wrong reasons." she assured her, shooting a look at her cousin.
"Yes, Ella. You should come. It's pretty neat, actually. I've been there only twice, with Lucy and Uncle Pheonix." Wade said.
They stayed quiet for a while, until Ella spoke again.

"Do you guys ever miss it back home?"
"Not really. Technically, I don't even have a home. I live with Lucy." Wade responded.
"I do. I miss Pheonix very much." she added.

"I miss my sister. She'll be coming here next year but it's so hard being away from her since I raised her." Ella responded.
Changing the subject, she asked, "So where is this Hogsmeade place?"
Wade wanted to remember where it was exactly, but he couldn't so he looked at Lucy.

"It's outside of Hogwarts. But don't worry, we won't lose you." Lucy said with a smile.

"Well, I don't remember, but I can ask Phoenix to send an owl and explain how to get there. It's been a while." she admitted, hoping that Wade would remember.

"Oh." was all Ella could say. She sat quietly looking at all her uneaten food.