Chapter 50

"Its strange being back, isn't it?" Said Harry as they walked into the Gryffindor common room on the Sunday evening.

"It's always like that, you haven't spent a Christmas away from Hogwarts have you?" Asked Ginny throwing herself into an empty armchair. Eliza and Harry shook their heads before sitting down on the sofa, Harry was talked into a chess game by Ron and Eliza opened the final chapter of the last book that she had to read, she had barely slept the previous night and had used the time well.

As she was reaching the bottom of the final page she heard someone call her name, looking up she saw Neville standing over her with a strange look on his face.

"Eliza, can I talk to you for a moment please?" Eliza nodded and stood up, placing the book neatly on the table. The pair walked over to a window seat away from the chatter about Christmas presents and New Year's resolutions.

"Eliza, I was just wondering if you…"

"I wouldn't tell anyone Neville." Said Eliza blushing, although she had spoken to Neville before they had always been with the others, Eliza tried to control her nerves and looked up at Neville's worried face.

"Really? It's not like…my gran thinks that…I'm not ashamed of them"

"Of course you aren't, Neville! Just because you don't want people to know doesn't mean that. It's a family matter, its personal." Neville nodded looking relieved,

"So did you have a good Christmas?" Eliza asked cautiously, Neville nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, I got that book that Professor Sprout recommended and some new plants, I couldn't bring one of them with me because it's classified as dangerous by the ministry…it's not though, just misunderstood." He added hastily catching the look on Eliza's face.

"I also wanted to ask you something else, I was wondering if you could help me with Potions. I really don't want to fail my OWL, I know Snape thinks I will but I just want to get an A…"

"Of course I'll help you." Said Eliza before remembering about her numerous detentions that she would be collecting from tomorrow.

"It might have to be at the weekend though, maybe…"

"Miss Potter, might I have a word?" It was Professor McGonagall; Neville seemed to fade into the common room at the blink of an eye. Eliza followed her teacher out of the common room and into her office.

"Take a seat, Miss Potter." Eliza sat down.

"Now, I know Professor Snape has told you about the Headmasters' wish for you to learn Occlumency this term, I will be present during all the lessons. Occlumency can be…well it can bring up some unpleasant memories. Madam Pomfrey has been warned to expect you."

Eliza scowled slightly at the thought.

"You will also be receiving several more detentions this term. Professors Snape, Sprout, Flitwick and Vector will be awarding them to you for your refusal to speak to them. This is simply a smoke screen to ensure that you complete your homework and stay out of that…Professor Umbridge's office. It is imperative that you play the part and remain silent in the Professor's classrooms so that they have reason to keep you behind. It would also be wise to inform your brother of this plan so that he does not over-react."

Eliza nodded, thinking that Professor McGonagall had a point.

"Now, your animagus training can start next week when you've had chance to finish the books that Professor Snape gave you, have you had chance to look at them yet?"

Eliza nodded, confused.

"I suggest you start with…"

"I finished them Professor, I thought you wanted then read by tomorrow. That's what Professor Snape told me"

"You finished them all? Well…Fifty points to Gryffindor, I hadn't expected that. We'll start next week when your detentions have been arranged." Eliza nodded and Professor McGonagall stood up, as Eliza made to mimic her but there was a knock at the door and Eliza slipped back into the seat.

"Come in." Said Professor McGonagall looking curiously at the door and then at the clock on the wall, it was already 9.30.

The door opened to reveal an assortment of pink that left Eliza in no doubt as to who the outfit belonged to; looking down at the floor Eliza hoped that Professor McGonagall would simply dismiss her.

"Ah, you're here, are you?" Said Professor Umbridge in satisfied tone.

"You may leave, Miss Potter…" Began Professor McGonagall, Eliza made to stand up but Umbridge spoke again.

"No Miss Potter, you may stay, after all this does concern you. I have been speaking to some contacts within the Ministry, and we have decided that until you are more mentally stable, Hogwarts isn't really the place for you. This is a document for your suspension; your case will be reviewed in two months. In the meantime, you will be with your family in Surrey, they have been informed of the situation."

Eliza looked at the document and down at the signature, it was signed by the Minister for Magic himself. It felt like a huge vice had gripped her chest, she was leaving Hogwarts; she was going back to Privet Drive, alone.

A/N I can almost feel the suspension! This is the final chapter of Courage to Words, I know the chapters short but it leaves you wanting more (I hope!). The next story is called Order From Words and can be found on my profile.