[S.Shack] If we never go inside

[Daniel Hubbles]

(This thread continues from 'A Familiar Face')

The two of them continued to talk lightly, the casual conversation seemed to come naturally to them as they talked about everything from the Scottish weather to their favourite Quidditch positions. Slowly the confines of the castle walls faded away, the warm summer breeze spread over them and the castle grounds soon turned into the old fashioned buildings of the wizarding village.

“…I was the chaser when we won the cup, scored at a fantastic angle that was later voted goal of the season.” Dan then let go of Ellie’s hand placed her books on the ground and then re-enacted his swerves and dives as he shot for goal. “The crowd erupted, fireworks were set off and even the Gryffindor fan’s applauded.” He made the sound of adoring fan’s as he bowed to the invisible people and found himself laughing as he noticed that somehow they had ended up outside the Shrieking Shack. The old building looked even more beaten and weather worn then when he had last been in there thirteen years ago and that sudden feeling of excitement took over as he and Ellie stood on the brink by the broken fences that divided the overgrown garden from the everyday path.

“Well…” Dan said drawing breath and walking over towards his girl once more, wrapping a supportive arm around her waist automatically pulling her him so that their hips touched. “You know, if we never go inside I will be happy just standing here with you.” Looking down at Ellie the young man’s stubble covered face creased into such a caring smile that it would have fooled his own mother. He needed to make Ellie believe that he was there for her and to be one of those kind caring boyfriends that would do anything for his other half. “But if you want to go in, there is no time like the present.” A soft chuckle vibrated through his chest as he laughed at his own, admittedly rather lame joke.

[Ellie Rook]

It had started with a picture. The picture was still very clear in Ellie's mind, the fair hair and skin, the light eyes, the smile on a young face that seemed to put happiness into Ellie's own heart. Now the picture stood before her in the hallway of Hogwarts, the same smile, and Ellie had the same feeling. Ellie and Dan left the school, Ellie still blushing a deep red from Dan's "first time" comment.

Once they left the halls where anyone could see them, once they were utside on the lawn, walking toward Hogsmeade, it seemed to Ellie that she was free. She didn't have to be afraid of anything or anyone. One the walk, Ellie really opened up and became her talkative self. It started with the weather, and went on to how she hoped it wouldn't rain for the first quidditch match of the season, which moved on to Dan giving a rather physical display of one of his quidditch matches. Ellie guessed it was the match which inspired the smile from the picture from where he came.

Ellie laughed as Dan swung his arms about in the middle of the street. "Sounds like you were incredible, especially if you got Gryffindors to cheer for a Hufflepuff." Ellie said, as though the idea was completely out of this world. She giggled.

In Hogsmeade, Ellie felt safer, and the Hufflepuff felt safer yet as they made their way up the dirt road to the shrieking shack. There they stopped. Ellie still had a smile on her face. Her smile widened as Dan pulled her closer to him, she felt his hand on her waist. They were standing in front of the Shrieking Shack like they were still in front of their new home. Ellie smiled and broke away from the hug.

"Now sounds like a good time!" She said before turning and running up the hill toward the large decrepit building. She stopped for a second and turned toward Dan, "Come on." She said with a big smile and then continued to run toward the house.

[Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was slightly taken aback when Ellie broke away from him, he would have happily admitted that he was enjoying the hug and he thought Ellie would too, however the smile on her face and the glint in her eyes. Then she did something that no one should ever do to Dan, either this one or the thirty year old who was sipping on cup of tea in his office…you never taunt one and egg them to come on. After Ellie’s shout back Dan gave a laugh and broke out into a run following the Hufflepuff’s footsteps. His long strides meant that he was able to catch up with the girl and with a wide grin he wrap his large arms around her waist, sweeping her off her feet spinning her around in a small circle.

Their laughed seemed to carry over the quiet grounds making the normal derelict site sounds like a fun place to be. The sunlight shone down upon the two of them as Dan placed Ellie back down upon her own two feet. The long grass that filled the overgrown garden swayed in the light summer breeze and although this was meant to be one of the most haunted places in Britain Dan could not help himself. He had spun Ellie around so that he was looking down upon her, with one arm wrapped around her waist and the other carefully removing a strand of brown hair from her eyes. Even for this cocky young man his heart was pounding in anticipation oh what he as about to do, for the fact that he was about to kiss Ellie.

Leaning in his lips lightly pressed themselves against hers, it was not a full blown passionate affair, it was tender arguably simple kiss but at the present moment in time Dan did not think that it would have been appropriate to do anything else, after all they had only met less then an hour ago. As Dan raised his head and pulled away he bit his lip as he tried to read Ellie’s face to see if he had done the right thing. “Sorry.” Dan automatically apologised, aware that he did not want to ruin anything with Ellie, he needed her. To say he was her life might have seen dramatical but in truth she was, her belief in him…as well as a little bit of dark magic thrown in for good luck.

“S-shall we go in then.” Dan had not turned away from Ellie but he had stepped away slightly so that their was more room between them. He knew maybe he should not have pushed it, maybe he had gone too far…he just needed Ellie to say something.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie could hear that Dan had started after her. It didn't take him but a few seconds to over take her. Ellie laughed as she felt his touch and he picked her up and twirled her. Ellie giggled and her hair was caught by a breeze. She felt so free and she was in the arms of her dreamed love. Her face felt color and clear for once as she felt her feet touch the ground.

Ellie was looking up into Dan's clear eyes. She felt something in her that was cool and pleasant and nice. She smiled as she realized they were so close. Ellie thought the next moment Dan would break away from her and they would continued up to the house. However, in the next moment, Dan reached and and with soft fingers swpt a stray piece of Ellie's hair. Ellie could feel his soft touch, his hand was color from the air outside. She closed her eyes, and smiled.

Ellie was caught by surprise when she felt Dan leaning in closer. When their lips touched, though it was but the simplest of kisses, Ellie's heart sored. His lips were soft and warm, unlike her cool surroundings. Ellie kiss him back softly. Ellie remember when she first kissed Bray, the only other person she had kissed up to that point, that so many things were running through her head; was she good at it, did her breath stink, what was Bray thinking? Now however, Ellie was in a state of joy. The only thing running through the girl's head was happiness.

Their lips parted and Ellie opened her blue-grey eyes and looked up at Dan once more. Her face was a crossed between pleasant surprise and confusion. They had just met, but Ellie had learned about love at first sight, maybe this was it. Dan backed a way a bit. He looked horrified that he had just done something incredibly stupid. He apologized, but Ellie shook her head, but said nothing. He stuttered something, but Ellie smiled and broke the ice that had formed between them.

"You still haven't beaten me up to the house." She said taking his hand and pulling him toward the run down building. they walked up, hand in hand, calmly, Ellie smiling. They got to the doors, and saw that board were put up and nail in place over the door. The windows looked the same. Ellie sighed. "Oh well, I guess we're not getting in." She said, trying not to sound to disappointed.

[Daniel Hubbles]

Dan had learned something over his years of trouble making back at school, and that was that a well timed apology could be a much more affective approach then anything else. Admitting your wrong, or at least putting on the front got you much more further in life, people either think your being sensitive or that you actually understand and deeply regret what you have done. There are times however when people start to become immune to your apologise, the power in which a simple word such as ‘sorry’ posses fades away along with the ability to guilt trip the individual to do as you wish.

Thankfully however this relationship was still new, the flowers were just blossoming, everything was at its most vibrant, purest colours and everything smelt so sweet. At his whispered apology Ellie did not turn her nose up in disgust, she did not roll her eyes knowing the game he was trying to play, she went along with it, being the kind and trusting girl she was…Dan almost felt sorry for using her in such a way. Yet at her words and the simple tug on his hand the little lopsided grin crept onto his face, he was actually enjoying this. It was like being with Offley all over again, everything was so simple yet even a small gesture as holding one anthers hand could force even a person like Dan’s heart rate to rise.

Though as they reached the boarded up door at the entrance the happiness level dropt slightly as a note of disappoint clung to Ellie’s words. Her happiness was his strength, literally and he knew he needed to make her happy to remain solid and 3D. “It’s only a bit of wood.” Dan laughed cheekily as he slipped his hand out of Ellie’s before leaping up the rotting steps to the porch in one bound. “If they wanted to keep us out there would be spells and enchantments on this place.” He confidently took hold of the wood that was nailed to the door and gave it a tug. Nothing happened but the smile did not leave the boy’s face, oh no, the primeval alpha male instincts were kicking in and it was now a test of strength to impress the young female.

Hitching his leg up so his foot rested on the door itself Dan tried again and again to remove the wood. He could feel the nail’s breaking free but also a bead of sweat appearing on his forehead. With one last tug the wood finally came free, the excess of force made Dan stumble backwards but with the wood held happily in his hands he raised it in the air as if it was the golden snitch and lapped up the applause of the invisible crowd. Turning back to the door there was still another section of wood to remove and his limbs were already feeling heavy from the work. It was time to call in the reinforcements.

“Come and give me a hand with this last bit of wood sweetheart.” Dan grinned as he looked over his shoulder at the beautiful brunet. “The quicker this is done the quicker we can get inside and away from prying eyes.” He shot her a cheeky wink hoping that his roguish charm might seal the deal.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie felt a rush of joy like she never felt when she held the hand of Dan Hubbles. It was like something was connecting them, a pulse shared by the two hands connected. Ellie smirked as they walked up to the house. It was as though she was floating on a cloud, and all the silly sayings people say when they think that they are in love. Ellie didn't know exactly what love felt like, but if she did, she would know that was it.

Ellie's disappointment was quickly over turned with the hopeful comments of Dan. She smiled as he hopped up the stairs and grabbed hold of the wood. Ellie laughed as he pried. He was obviously showing off, and Ellie didn't mind. Finally the wood got free, and Ellie clapped as he stood in triumph. The bead of seat that formed on his head his trophy of hard work and dedication. Ellie waited as he turned back toward the door, but he did look tired already.

Ellie bounded up the stairs as Dan called for her help. "Why are you being so silly?" Ellie asked pulling out her wand. "Step back." Ellie said, trying to hide the blush from the nickname he called her. With a flick and a tug of her wand, the last board fell of and landed with a loud clank on the floor. Ellie smiled. "See I must be good for something." She smiled, glad she was able to show off to Dan as he had for her.

Now that the door was free Ellie's heart was racing. She was about to go into a dark, and most likely haunted house with a past form of the headmaster that appeared fro ma picture. "Well..." Ellie said, hoping Dan would help her take the first step.

[Daniel Hubbles]

Dan tried to look affront when Ellie bounded up next to him and called him silly; his eyebrow’s raised further up his forehead as a little coy smile tugged at his mouth. He liked a woman who was able to take care and stand up for herself. It meant a lot less work for him when it came to protecting them in the face of danger and it seemed that if push came to shove today Ellie was much more prepared considering she had a wand and he did not. Doing as she commanded Dan took a step backwards from the door when the Hufflepuff produced her wand and with a simple flick the last board landed on the floor with a dull thud.

“Oh, I would say you’re good for a lot more then that.” Dan teased as he walked over to Ellie entwining his fingers in hers once more and raising her hand to his lips. With a light kiss he lowered it once more and his gaze too passed over towards the now free door. “I guess this is the part when we go inside.” He gave a light chuckle as he fondly looked down upon Ellie as if looking down at a favourite pet. Yet even though they had not known each other for long Dan felt like he was able to read Ellie like a book, maybe it was something to do with the connection between them, but he could tell she was worried, the slight clamminess of her hand made the obvious and he had a feeling he was going to have to help her over the threshold.

That was when the idea came to him, if Ellie was going to find it difficult to get her legs to cooperate and move forward then maybe he would have to remove that problem. With a small chuckle Dan let go of Ellie’s hand, spun to face her and before she could protest he had swept her off her feet and held her in his arms. With a cheeky grin and his arms wrapped tightly around her Dan began to walk forward, kicking open the old wooden door at stepped sideways into the old decaying house making sure he did not bump Ellie one the head. To anyone looking on it would have looked so much like a husband carrying his new bride over the threshold to their new house, to Dan however it was just a laugh.

“Can we have a bit of light sweetheart?” Dan teased as he tried to look around the dingy rooms looking for a safe place to put Ellie down.

[Ellie Rook]

With the touch of soft lips on her head, Ellie thought that this was much easier than she had ever imagined. Ellie had always thought, that for her at least, falling in love would be one of the hardest things to do. She wasn't sure if she could ever bring herself to think of someone that way. However, with her lips still tingling and now that tingling appearing in the soft skin of her hand, Ellie knew that love was one of the easiest things to do in life.

What Ellie didn't know was that, although it was so easy to fall in love and find love, it was a much different story to go through all the trials and obstacles in love, and those problems would be the biggest Ellie would ever face in this particular situation.

Even though it had been Ellie's wish to go inside, a sudden wave of uneasiness filled her. Ellie couldn't place it. It wasn't in Dan's touch, or in his eyes, but it was some outside force that just made her hesitate only a second. Dan must have noticed this momentary hesitation, for before Ellie could say anything, she was swept up into his arms. Ellie laughed at the fun. "Really, Dan. Put me down." She giggled, as he kicked in the door and walked through the threshold. Ellie giggled. Dan didn't put her down immediatly. Without thinking it odd, just think Dan's hands were obviously full and he couldn't reach his wand, Ellie held her wand up where it instantly lit.

The entrance hall was dark still, grey looking, cob webs and dust covering most surfaces. Ellie thought that the crooked and decaying walls held some kind of elegance in them. She looked around forgetting that she was still in Dan's arms. She snapped back to reality and cleared her throat.

Her feet gently touched the floor, but her arms remained around his neck where she had placed them holding on. They were rather close again before Ellie's arms drifted apart and she stepped back, and away from Dan, holding her wand out so she could see the room in it's entirety. Ellie drifted away and into the next room, the light she held going with her. Ellie figured that Dan would follow the light and so she continued on.

The living room was bare, the furniture had been taken away, save a lonely couch, dismantled and tore from limb to limb, it was almost as if a werewolf had used it as a chew toy a hundred years ago. An old newspaper lay on the floor. Ellie picked it up and dusted it off. The headline read clear, though the rest of the wording and picture were smudged and dirt ridden. "Look at this." She held the paper up to Dan, hoping that he was right behind her. "Harry Potter: The Chosen One?" Ellie laughed, "Old headline huh?" She smiled brightly.

[Daniel Hubbles]

Despite her protests Dan choice to ignore Ellie and get on with his task at hand but he could tell that she was enjoying the attention that was being lavished upon her simply by her infectious giggle that he could not help but laugh along with her. He may have been what is known as the evil clone, but that did not mean he could not have a bit of fun right? Suddenly the room around them filled with a dim light that was protruding from Ellie’s wand, highlighting all the dark outlines of the sparsely furnished room. “This place could do with a lick of paint.” Dan muttered to himself as he finally placed Ellie back on her own two feet much to the relief of his aching arm muscles.

For a moment though they reminded close, their eyes fixed upon one another’s as if they were simply soaking in the presence of one another, not being able to believe that they had found someone so perfect for them…or at least hat is what Dan hoped his deep and meaningful look came across as. Nothing however seemed to be needed to be said between the two of them and Ellie drifted away off exploring the rest of the creepy house.

Breathing in deeply Dan felt the rush of dust up his nose, the tickling sensation and then the mini explosion of a sense. It had been a long time since anything like that had happened and the mere experience seemed to send him into shock, looking around like a startled puppy that did not know what was going on. The only thing he guessed he should be doing is to follow the light and with a small few bounds he had caught up with Ellie who seemed to be looking at something on the floor. Puzzled Dan looked at the newspaper she was holding up, deep frown lines filled his brow making him for the briefest of moments look like his more stressed older self.

“Very old.” Dan teased in response as he noticed the wide grin on Ellie’s face. She seemed to be enjoying the whole experience of being somewhere that they should not and he was not going to be one to act like the spoil sport, heck in his opinion it was great that she was finding her rebellious side. “It’s odd ain’t it, how the legend of Harry Potter lives on. The story has been retold so many times I never know what to believe. I mean giant spiders in the forest? A werewolf as a Professor? I bet there was not even a Chamber of Secrets.”

With a small ’I know I am right’ look at Ellie Dan flopped down on the moth eaten sofa watching as a cloud of dust filled the air around him, dancing in the small beams of light that filled the room. Although some people thought the Shrieking Shack was haunted that too in Dan’s mind was a bunch of old cobblers, the only thing it had going for it was that it was a bit run down and some vandals trashed the place at some point. The Hufflepuff Commonroom was scarier then this place!

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie thought that she heard something as she wandered away from Dan. The sudden sneeze made her giggle to herself as she looked around the room. The newspaper felt damp in her hands. She frowned a bit as Dan went off on a cynical rant about Harry Potter. "Well, I've seen giant salamanders...and Girty is a werewolf and shes still at Hogwarts..." Ellie couldn't remember how much of an age difference there was between Dan and Girty, so once she caught herself she decided she just better skip over the whole thing. "...and the Chamber of Secrets is real, because I say so." Ellie folded her arms in a cute defiance.

She let loose of the newspaper with a sigh and plopped down on the couch next to Dan, her own little cloud of dust forming around them. She coughed a little, and then laughed at the silliness. Ellie looked around again. The room looked like it had been purposely trashed. It all seemed to planned. Ellie had never believed that the shack was haunted, but the whole place had intrigued her, but now that she was here, and in very strange circumstances, she wasn't sure what to do.

Out of the corner of her eye, Dan looked like the older Dan for a second. Ellie didn't know what to say to him. "What?" Ellie said, turning fully towards Dan, she blushed. "Oh, I thought you said something." The silence had been deafening.

[Daniel Hubbles]

What a simple lover’s thing to be doing, laughing and teasing another about something as trivial as the legend of Harry Potter. Of course he was sure that all that had been told in the tales where true and everything fitted so perfectly together, but he thought it was much cooler to pretend to not believe and be a cynic then treating it as the gospel truth. “Yeah, Salamanders are not spiders.” He raised an eyebrow in jest deciding to overlook the comment about someone called Girty…that could not be his sister could it? Could she be a werewolf? An eerie silence filled the creepy old building as if they were both lingering on this thought but thankfully Ellie continued her mini protest and when she looked at him like that with her playful pout he could not help but grin.

“Oh well it must be real then.” He teased as she flopped down on the sofa next to him and automatically Dan quickly wrapped his arm around his girl. Kissing her lightly on the top of her head the proud male joined in with Ellie looking around the dimly lit room seeing the trashed furniture and broken walls. This would have made a nice house if the windows were not boarded up; the floor was not coated in dust and the plaster peeling off the walls. ‘Maybe I could live here’ He thought to himself and then an odd thing happened…Ellie asked him if he had said anything.

“What?” Dan repeated the same words as Ellie as he looked down at her with a lopsided grin as if he was teasing her but this was just a way of covering for the thought that was niggling at him. He was thinking over the whole, ridiculous notion that maybe Ellie was able to read his mind…how stupid that was. “I think your hearing things sweetheart.” He gave a small chuckle before breathing in the musty air and pushing himself up off the sofa, pulling Ellie up with him giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as he lead their way hand and hand into the rest of the house.

With the light of Ellie’s wand he led them up towards a rather rickety looking staircase wincing each time the floorboards let out loud squeaks that echoed around the cavernous hallway. But then a sound occurred above them that was not caused by the two of them climbing the stairs, it was a loud clunk, like something falling over and then there was scuffling noises along the dusty floor. Freezing on the spot Dan turned to look at Ellie, pressing a finger to his lips telling her to be silent, but after that he had no idea what else to do.

[Ellie Rook]

If you have ever fallen asleep, which I'm sure you have, you have probably had a dream. Now the funny thing about dreams is that you could dream that you went on a journey over the mountains across the ocean, get captured by dragons and be saved by your one true love and wake up only to notice you have been asleep for no more then ten minutes. Our minds are strange things, that apparently have no concept of time. Ellie's mind was lost in a day dream that only took ten seconds to complete.

In her mind she picture the room in which she now sat cleaned and organized. The gray room suddenly in colors, rich reds and greens and blues, cob webs no longer hung, garbage picked up and the wood of the floors shining brightly with a new polish. Ellie was sitting just where she was, but the couch no longer had a spring going into her back uncomfortably and the large rip in the back was patched. Beside her was Dan, though not as he was now, but looked a little older, though not the Headmaster yet. He was reading a newspaper. Ellie could hear the sounds of children's laughter and the noise of playing coming from above her head. Dan turned the newspaper page and sighed. "They better not break anything again." he said, and then turned to Ellie with a smile.

Ellie smiled back, but she was smiling at the younger Dan in the gray room, and suddenly there was a spring putting an ache in her back again. Ellie though to herself that one day, she would live in the old house, and have everything she could ever want.


"Must be the ghosts I'm hearing" Ellie said, shifting her weight trying to get the spring out of her back. Ellie didn't have to suffer much longer because in the next second, Dan was up and pulling Ellie up with him. Her wand still light the room, the boarded up windows letting in little light to see. "Where are we going?" Ellie asked, though she was being lead to the stairs and now up the stairs, so her question was answered. The stairs squeaked under their feet, but a noise, coming from a room up stairs, was not a squeak. It was a crash, like something had been knocked over. "I guess they broke something." Ellie said thinking of her little day dream. She only got the last word out before Dan placed his finger to his lips. Ellie clamped her mouth shut.

The pair continued up the stairs, still lit only by Ellie's wand. Ellie had no fear of what they were coming upon, she felt completely safe. She knew that Dan would never let anything bad happen to her. Another crash and a shuffle came from the room to their left as they reached the top of the stairs. The door was half shut, and Ellie could not see inside. No figure or shadow was in her sight. Maybe it really was a ghost. Ellie reached out her hand and pushed the door open, squeezing Dan's hand as she did.

[Daniel Hubbles]

For something that had come into existence merely hours before hand the young version of Dan Hubbles was surprised about how the tension and fear of the unknown could make his heart pound and stomach turn in apprehension. Breathing in the stale musty air of the decaying building Dan’s sense’s tingled, the dust made his nose and throat itch and with a small cough he mustered his courage and moved up another step on the creaking staircase. Slowly turning his head around Dan looked upon Ellie with a small frown pinching at his brow as she made some bizarre comment about someone breaking something; to him it made no sense but clearly the thought made her happy. Shaking his head slowly with a small sign of amusement on his face Dan managed to summon the courage to lead them up the rest of the stairs and onto the first floor landing.

It was then when another crash occurred and Dan could not help but jump backward slightly in surprise but it seemed that this time it was Ellie who had found the courage of the inner badger and she took the first steps forward down the landing dragging a reluctant Dan with her. It was now when faced with the possibility of danger did the young Daniel Hubbles suddenly start to think of his own mortality. Everything had been about life so far; being free form his 2D prison, experience all the old sensations that had seemed so familiar to him once upon a time. But now…well now he could only think of one thing ‘Can I die?’

The sound of creaking hinges woke the young gentleman out of his day dream as he watched with wide eyes Ellie open the door. Whatever had been causing all the chaos in the room now took its chance for freedom and with a small cheer something that looked remarkably like a large potato with legs came charging out and ramped straight into the legs of Dan. With a small yelp of pain Dan lost his balance, tumbling backwards onto the dust covered floor, which the Gnome seemed to find rather funny as it chuckled and cheered once more as it dashed off into the darkness down the corridor clearly looking for another place to hide.

“What the f-" Dan did not even get to finish his sentence as another crash echoed around the old building and a different Gnome this time (even by the dim light from the wand Dan could tell this Gnome was a slightly fatter potato then the last) came charging down the corridor heading straight towards them.

(pffft that is so lame. I am sorry Lynn )

[Ellie Rook]

The tension Ellie felt in her hands as it hit the door slowly swinging it open was amazing. It was a thrilling. Ellie had gotten her taste or thrills, danger, threats, and pain, and after a rather boring spell, Ellie remembered how much she actually enjoyed the feeling of the unknown. Her breath was caught somewhere between her lungs and mouth as she pushed the door open, and squeezed Dan's hand.

She peered in cautiously but only saw a little brown blob come running out toward the pair, giving a rejoicing yelp. Dan was down on the ground as the little thing ran him down. Their hands parted and Ellie stepped to the side, trying to point her wand at the little creature but it already had its taste of freedom and was gone from sight. Ellie let out a little laugh turning to see Dan on the floor. His exclamation made Ellie look up once more to see yet another creature coming toward them.

"Impedimenta." Ellie said quickly a yellow ray engulfing the little creature. It was much easier to see the little creature now that he wasn't charging the pair down. Ellie helped Dan up of the ground and helped brush off the dust. The little gnome was frozen in mid step, his eye still darting about. "You ok, I mean you were almost killed by a gnome." Ellie said, trying to keep her laughter under control. She didn't want Dan to feel helpless, but after all, it was only a gnome.

Ellie couldn't hold it in any longer, and let out her laugh. Her cheeks were red and face flushed, "I'm sorry, really. I'll stop." She said, reducing her laugh to a little giggle. However, Ellie could hear a chorus of little mischievous giggles behind her, coming from the room they were now in. Ellie raised her still lit wand and showered the room in light. Little eyes poked out of a misshapen bed and a massive chest and closet.

The little potato looking creatures were popping out of every where. Ellie counted at least twelve. "I think its time to go." But before she had time to turn herself around, the laughter came closer as they all laughed a massive assault on the two humans. Ellie screamed as she felt a gnome clamp onto her leg and two on her wand arm. Her wand went flying out of her hand, landing on the dusty floor feet away.

[Daniel Hubbles]

The question of his mortality still lingered in the back of his mind but the one thing Dan was sure about was that he could feel pain. The impact of ass to hard wooden floor had caused a dull pain to throb around his backside and with a small wince the teenage mirage of the 30 year old headmaster gingerly rubbed his back as his eyes grew wide at the chaos that was being created around him. But it was not only the high pitched laughter of the Gnomes that Dan had to deal with, but Ellie seemed to find the whole situation hysterically funny as well. If his pride and ego had not been so badly damaged then maybe Dan would be laughing along with the stupidity of the situation that was unfolding before him. His manliness was then not helped when Ellie offered her his hand to help him stand up.

Had it been anyone else then maybe he would have bashed the hand away and with an arrogant frown pushed himself up off the dusty floor in an attempt to keep his head held high. But since it was Ellie and her smile was illuminating the dark corridor Dan gently took hold of her small, soft hands and stood back on his own two feet. As soon as he was standing in front of her, their eyes locked upon on another Dan found that small lopsided grin of his crept onto his young face. “Death by Gnome. I always imagined myself dying in much more lavish form then that, I mean it needs to look cool on the death certificate.”

However it seemed that the light hearted attitude that had come over Dan was going to be wasted as suddenly the situation in the small room got a little sticky. The fact that a large number of gnomes where closing in around them kind of was a mood killer although it did get his heart racing but sadly out of fear and not out of exhilaration of kissing Ellie. “Ah…not good.” Pulling Ellie closer to him out of the want to protect her seemed rather pointless considering she was the only one with a wand and the little blighters where already charging and jumping at them. Honestly what the hell had they done to deserve this?

As Ellie screamed Dan gave a rather loud yelp as another Gnome head butted him in the knees while another leapfrogged its friend and took hold of Dan’s right arm. Spinning in a small circle trying to shake the creatures off Dan saw out of the corner of his eye Ellie’s wand fly up into the air and land on the floor with a small thud. This was his chance, his only chance. Despite having the weight of five gnomes clinging onto him Dan stumbled forwards, driving onto the floor and fighting to get his left arm free he reached out and grasped hold of the wand.

Holding the wand again felt so right, it was like an extension to his arm that he had lost. He could feel the magic that ran in the core of the wand and although it was not his wand it still felt good. His first priority would be to free Ellie as after all without her he would be nothing…and that was not just some soppy romantic gesture, he honestly would be nothing without her seeing as it was her belief in him that had made him real!

“IMMOBULUS!”

His deep voice echoed around the decaying room as a bright silver flash filled the room before the room fell into a brief silence. At first Dan thought he had got all the cheeky little buggers, but it was clearly just the ones by Ellie as before he knew it once again more little potatoes where jumping onto of him trying to take the wand away from him. His knuckles turned white as he clung onto the wooden stick and squirmed around trying to be free of them but it seemed to no avail as he felt the wand slip out of his hand