Chapter 56: A Timely Rescue
"Heh, I should, um, go," Elian stammered, starting to rise. "Got to prep for class…"
Ron, obliviously, shook his head. "It's lunch. We've got ages. Sit down."
"Right! Potions!" Elian said, a bit too brightly. "Tricky subject. Need to review…" He tried to stand again.
A slender, strong hand clamped onto his wrist.
"You can review here," Hermione said, her voice deceptively calm. "First-year Potions. Ron can help you."
Ron, eager to be useful, puffed out his chest. "Absolutely! I'm no Hermione, but I can explain the basics!"
Ron, you are not helping, Elian screamed internally. He risked a glance at Hermione. Her expression was the tranquil surface of a lake hiding drowned things. He sank back into his seat.
"Right! So, Harry, that magazine…" Elian reached to snatch the Quibbler away, hoping to bury the evidence.
Another hand—Hermione's again—intercepted his. Her grip was firm.
She turned her head, her gaze skipping over Elian to land on Luna. "Luna," she asked, her tone light as a falling feather. "Did your father invite Elian to your house for Christmas?"
The table froze. Harry and Ron stopped chewing. Ginny's eyes went wide. Elian felt the world shrink to the pressure of Hermione's hand on his wrist.
Luna, who had been contemplating a strangely shaped carrot on her plate, blinked her silvery eyes. "Yes," she said, her voice floating into the sudden silence. "On the day of the interview."
Elian closed his eyes. It was over. He'd seen the damning line at the end of the article just a second too late: 'Editor Lovegood has successfully secured the Gryffindor student's company for Christmas dinner, with more developments to follow.' He'd been hoping, praying, Hermione had missed it.
"Wow, really?" Ron said, breaking the silence with oblivious cheer. "The editor himself! That's brilliant, Elian!"
"Looks like you're moving in famous circles," Harry added, smiling.
Their genuine happiness for him only made it worse. Hermione's invitation had been private, unspoken between them. She'd never told Ron or Harry, likely to avoid their teasing. And now, it was being publicly overshadowed.
Elian felt trapped between Luna's serene innocence and Hermione's gathering storm. He tried a weak defense. "Hermione, Mr. Lovegood asked right after the interview. It would have been rude to say no…"
Hermione merely raised an eyebrow. "Of course. It was Luna's father asking. You wouldn't want to disappoint." Her voice held a sharp, vinegary edge she didn't seem to notice.
Harry and Ron exchanged a confused look, finally picking up on the strange tension.
"What's…" Ron began.
"Dunno," Harry muttered. "Girl stuff?"
Their whispers felt like shouts in the awful quiet. The awkwardness thickened. Elian was searching desperately for any escape when salvation came galloping into the Great Hall.
Neville Longbottom, red-faced and out of breath, skidded to a halt by their table. "Elian!" he panted. "Headmaster Dumbledore's back! He wants to see you in his office tonight. Password's the same."
(End of Chapter)
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