7 The Gryffindor Table

It was the day before all the children had to go home. She had already asked Dumbledore where he would want her to live from now on and he said that he would bring her to the only family members she had whose whereabouts were known.

But she had refused knowing where she was going to go, she also speculated that there was at least one member of her family members hiding there. Castle Black the seat of the old King Vorundus Black who was later on concerned by her grandfather King Uther Pendragon.

It was situated in the very north of Scotland almost ten miles off the coast of what is now called Durness.

So now Eleanor was standing on the balcony in Dumbledore's office leaning on the railing she watched as the sun was setting.

Remembering the offer she received from the boy named Charles Weasley she decided to accept it. Tonight she would sit with him and tomorrow she would sit with Dumbledore at the main table for the end-of-year feast.

So Pushing herself off the railing she strode over to where Dumbledore sat at his desk.

Coughing to get his attention she said "Professor, I have chosen to join the evening feast tonight. I was invited by a very nice boy named Charles Weasley and I have decided to take him up on his offer."

Razing an eyebrow Dumbledore inquired "Is that so, does the boy interest you in any way?"

"As a matter of fact, he does. I couldn't help but notice his less than desirable quality of clothing, it gave me the impression that he was one of a less fortunate background. But Professor McGonagall said he was the son of a noble. Which caught my curiosity so I will find out myself what his situation is."

Putting down the pen he was holding Dumbledore sighed "Very well, then I will be joining the feast as well. But luckily we still have an hour to go.

So until then why don't you read this book it's muggle made but I have found it quite interesting." he reached over to a stack of books and grabbed the top one as she took it from his hands she could read the title.

"On and Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin" Walking over to the now prepared couch she sat down and started reading only about two minutes later she gasped in shock and exclaimed sternly "Professor, I hope this was only a mistake on your part because this, this book it's blasphemy. How dare he question the word of God."

Dumbledore just looked at her in disappointment "It was no mistake. I just felt like it was a good idea to broaden your horizons. I know you were brought up believing in God and don't discourage that. I would merely like you to read it and if you still don't accept it then I won't push you further."

Sighing she just said "Fine" and carried on reading.

About an hour later she had to stop reading because she had to leave for the feast placing the book down and she stood up.

Walking over to a mirror Eleanor checked the clothes she was wearing it was nothing special they were only the standard Hogwarts school clothes. Her hair however was tied up in a ponytail using a blue silk ribbon.

Seeing she was dressed correctly for the occasion, Eleanor went over to join Dumbledore.

Standing in front of a door she heard loud chattering coming from behind it looking down at her Dumbledore asked "Are you ready" she just nodded. As the door swung open she saw that she was standing behind and to the left of a long table filled with teachers and beyond them, there was a huge hall with four long Tables.

When she looked at the ceiling Eleanor was hit by a wave of nostalgia she remembered dining with her family in this hall. Rowena once told her how they managed to enchant the ceiling to reflect the night sky.

Walking forward Dumbledore pointed at a table to the far right and said "That's the Gryffindor table where you'll find Mr. Weasley. Now go and enjoy your evening."

"You to Professor," she said walking to the right along the back of the head table.

Passing by Professor McGonagall, Eleanor turned to her and curtsied "Good evening Professor"

Turning round in surprise the deputy headmistress bowed as low as she could while sitting on a chair "Oh, Lady Eleanor what a pleasure to see you here, have you decided to take Mr. Weazley up on his offer?"

"Yes I have and I will be joining you tomorrow for the end-of-year feast," Eleanor said coming out of her curtsy.

"I will be looking forward to that."

Slowly moving back, Eleanor said "Well see you later then." before walking away.

Turning the corner at the end of the table. Eleanor could, at last, see the Gryffindor table properly, ist was filled with students of different ages ranging from eleven to eighteen she looked over the people and not too far away saw to heads of ginger hair.

Stepping down from the elevated platform the head table was placed on she provided to head over to them.

As she passed the students they looked at her in confusion curiosity and recognition.

The table was slowly starting to get louder as the news that an unidentified girl had appeared.

As she reached the two redheads they turned to look at her. When the people around her saw her all they could think was of how cute she looked. The younger one who she recognized as Charlie immediately stood up beckoning for his older brother to do the same.

"My Lady have you decided to join us?" Charlie said while bowing his brother just looked at him in confusion. Noticing this he pushed his brother down into a bow.

A slight smile grazed Eleanor's lips as she watched the brother interact. Curtsying she said eloquently "Yes I have Mr. Weazley, this must be your older brother." seeing Charlie nod she continued "then it is an oner meeting you heir Weasley."

Still confused he answered "Y-yes, but just call me Bill, my lady."

At this point, the whole table was watching their interaction.

Noticing all the stares charlie perked up "My Lady would you like to sit?"

"Yes, thank you."

When they were all seated with Bill to her right and Charlie to her left bill turned to look at her and said "I believe you know my name but I don't know you would you mind enlightening me?"

"Not at all, Bill, I am Eleanor Black heiress to the most ancient and noble house of Black."

His eyes grew wide as he gazed at his brother in confusion "Then it's an honor meeting you lady Eleanor. What brings you to Hogwarts?"

This was a question she knew was going to be asked so she decided to make up an excuse

"Well you see I was traveling home through the flue network but the connection in my residence was cut so I was kicked out of the path and ended up in Dumbledore's office with no way home. I was going to ask if he could apparate me there but learned it was dangerous for someone of my age to do it and so he offered for me a place to stay till you all go home and then I should be able to travel again."

Nodding Bill said "That explains it,"

"My Lady would you like some tea?" asked Charlie from next to her.

Turning to him she gave a reward winning smile "Oh, yes please."

He just stared at her and so did the others around them. "Charlie the tea" Bill said smirking.

Noticing he had been staring he quickly turned to the teapot and ever so gently poured it into her cup.

"So what do you think of Hogwarts?" asked a girl who was sitting opposite them.

Still smiling Eleanor turned to her "I love it, but you know it's polite to introduce yourself before asking questions."

The girl turned beat red at her words "I'm sorry, the names Mary Kent fourth year Gryffindor." she stretched out her hand. Taking it Eleanor asked, "Excuse me but I haven't heard of your family before are you perhaps muggle-born?"

Everybody went deathly quiet "Yes, I am is there a problem with that"

Eleanor just looked at her in confusion "Of course not I was just curious."

Everybody except Charlie and the other four that were with him when they first met looked at her in utter shock their reaction was understandable the Black family was known for their pureblood supremacy.

Eleanor still looking at Mary asked, "May I ask you a few questions?"

"Yeah, sure"

Smiling brightly Eleanor leaned forward with her tea in hand "Then how does a hoars less carriage work?"

As soon as these words left her mouth everybody was even more shocked and confused was this girl really a Black they asked themselves.

A smile appeared on Mary's face when she heard Eleanor "Well we don't call them that, we call them cars. There work mechanically, do you know what that means" when Eleanor nodded she continued. "They're made of metal plastic and glass otherwise I don't know much more, sorry."

"Then tell me what's a phone." her cuteness combined with the large grin on her face made everybody who could see her smile.

Up at the head table, Dumbledore was greeted by the other Professors.

"She looks so happy down there, doesn't she," Minerva mentioned from his right.

"I'm glad she fit in so nicely," Dumbledore said while taking a sip from his goblet.

"Doesn't she remind you a bit of Lily, with her long red hair and her curiosity?"

Dumbledore quickly glazed over at Severus who he noticed was watching Eleanor intensely. "I think you might be right, just look at Severus."

Turning to the man sitting next to her, she who he was looking at and turned back to Dumbledore "At last we have a student who might be able to get close to him."

"His godson will be joining us the same year as her."

Chuckling Minerva noticed something "A lot of heirs and heiresses will be joining then. First, there are Malfoy, Greengrass, Nott, Parkinson, Zabini, Bulstrode, Crabbe, and Goyle who we know will all be in Slytherin. Then there's the Longbottom boy and the Bones girl, and of course Harry and then Eleanor. It will either be a very fruitful seven years or they will be disastrous with multiple houses disappearing, let's just hope no one is stupid enough to anger her though I don't want to get my hopes up."

Sighing Dumbledore swallowed a bite he had been chewing "We knew Severus would go hard on Harry, but now with Eleanor who I think reminds him of Lily, It'll be worse. At least she won't be in Gryffindor."

Nodding Minerva took a sip from her goblet "There's only one place for her to go and that's Slytherin."

Back to the Gryffindor table, Eleanor was eating the food the others had recommended to her. Everyone was astounded by how delicately she ate. Even though she didn't need to she still ate for appearance's sake.

"You should come to our home some time said Charlie suddenly."

The two boys had dropped all forms of Upper-class behavior over the last half hour.

"I will see if I have the time there is a lot of work to do at home. But I'll come over if I have the chance."

And so the evening proceeded.