#muggles

Eleanor Murdock’s Perspective, December 1989

The snow continued falling harder the more Eleanor gazed absent mindedly out of her dormitory window. Even though she was inside, she still managed to shiver as if she was outside feeling the snow directly. It was a painful reminder of her fate, one that she could not change no matter how much she desired it.

It all hit when she called her mother on the landline on their floor’s phone. She had confirmed what she feared when she heard the forecast. If the snow storm here in Liverpool was bearable, it was the complete opposite back home. According to her mother the preparations had already been ordered. Just about every transportation method was suspended until further notice due to the rough weather. She had assured her mum she would be fine and that she would see her and dad soon enough. Yet even though there was nothing anyone could do about it, she struggled to see a bright side.

She should have gotten out of her dorm room and do something. Maybe try and go to the nearby cafe for some food or to the dining hall before it officially closed for the holidays. But something kept her stuck looking out the window as if she was in a daze.

All of a sudden, a knock came to the door. The sound caught her off by surprise. Michelle had already left to go to Sheffield two days prior, and even if it was her, she had a key and no reason to knock. Eleanor glanced over at Michelle’s side of the room and did not notice anything in particular that would require her to come back.

When the knock sounded again confirming that it hadn’t been a figment of Eleanor’s imagination, she got up from where she rested to go to the door. She made her way in hesitant steps as she tried to figure out who was there. Eleanor quickly got her answer as she squinted her green eyes to look through the peephole.

There stood Andrew Raleigh who was still surprisingly on campus. With him living in Liverpool, Eleanor would have assumed that he left the second her could. Yet here he was, with his red hair still having some flake of snow sprinkled and having his satchel situated on his shoulder absentmindedly tapping the strap as he waited for an answer.

She had hesitated if she should answer or not. Eleanor was certainly not in the mood for company and small talk. Still, Andrew was one of her only friends in Liverpool. And that was partially because of his own habit of always saying hello to her regardless of how deep into studying she was. She secretly never really minded his interruptions. There was something about that wide smile of his that was oddly comforting.

Eleanor took a calming breath. It would be rude not to answer the door. She carefully unlocked the door and intentionally opened the door just enough so they could see each other’s faces, “Hello.” She softly greeted him.

Andrew gave her a comforting smile, “Hi. I, uh…” he suddenly appeared to be unsure of his words as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. “wasn’t sure if you’d be in or not. I thought I’d drop by and see if you were.”

“I don’t have many options.” She answered with a shrug. “It is what it is.”

“I am sorry about that.” Andrew apologized as if he was some sort of wizard from a child’s fantasy and summoned the storm himself, “I heard about that nasty storm hitting the highlands.”

“Really, it’s fine.” She insisted even if she deeply wished she could be home for the holidays. The thought of spending them away from her home and parents brought the mood down that she tried to hide in Andrew’s presence. “Luckily the storm isn’t bad here so I can manage on my own.”

“You don’t have to though.” He reminded her as a mischievous spark lit in his eyes, “I have an idea. Want to go to the lounge? Just about all of them have a telly and a small collection of VHS tapes. Each lounge has a different selection so you’ll never know what you get. I brought some sandwiches and snacks,” he added as he motioned to his satchel, “and we could get some drinks from the vending machine.”

Eleanor sighed quietly but not from annoyance, “I suppose anything is better then locking myself here for the next few weeks.”

“Great!” Andrew cheerfully exclaimed as he motioned for her to follow, “Let’s go.”

After grabbing her key and slipping on her shoes, she followed Andrew through the hallway. Her classmate walked through the hall as if he knew it like the back of the hand. Though she supposed since he lived in the same building on a different floor, the layout was likely nearly identical. When she asked him once why he had chosen to live on campus when he could easily commute due to living in town, he had explained how it was a chance to explore life and live properly in a new setting to immerse himself in university life.

Eleanor rarely went to the lounges. If she had time for herself between classes. She would either study in her dorm room or would go to the library if she wasn’t in the mood for Michelle’s presence in the same room. It was the hub for just about everything the hall needed, with the exception of the phone but even that was just outside the lounge. A boxy television stood it self in an entertainment center as an attempt to hide its form.

As Eleanor settled down on the couch. Andrew pulled out a cardboard box situated nearby the television filled with VHS tapes. He seemed impressed by the selection given his silent nods in approval and smiles as he read the titles of each of the films.

“We have some good options.” Andrew told her over his shoulder, “The Princess Bride, Pinocchio, E.T., The Wizard of Oz. What are you feeling?”

“I don’t know.” Eleanor shrugged, “You can pick. I don’t really mind, I’m not picky.”

“Come on.” Andrew encouraged her

playfully. “One of these has got to be a favorite of yours.”

“Not particularly.” Eleanor admitted. “I never had a television at home growing up, much less a VHS player.”

“You’re serious?”

Eleanor nodded, “My parents never really saw the point. We had a radio, and books to keep us entertained. My mother even claims she never even watched a movie of any kind until she met my father.” Eleanor smiled at the memory of the story coming to mind, “He always joked he found it surprising since my mum acted like she didn’t even know what a movie was.”

Andrew chuckled at that, “Did she really?”

Eleanor shrugged again, “That’s what my Dad always said.”

“Well that explains why your nose is always in books.” Andrew commented with a hint of admiration. “You could probably rival my sister in that regard. What else did you do for fun?”

“Well reading, and I had a bike I’d sometimes ride around town when I didn’t feel like walking. I’d always beg to help my father with his woodworking and my mother with her sewing.” Eleanor recalled. “Even if it was just doing some painting or helping with some stitches it was still fun.”

“In that case, let me find us a good movie.” Andrew vowed as he searched into the box more diligently. He moved around the VHS tapes to make sure he was able to see the whole selection. His green eyes lit up when he found something at the bottom of the box and then he quickly pulled it out. “This is perfect!”

“What is it?” Eleanor asked as Andrew walked over to her with the tape to show her.

“The Muppet Movie.” He announced proudly as he presented the tape like it was an exam he aced.

Eleanor squinted as she looked at the cover to try and make sense of it. It was some sort of peculiar green creature that Eleanor couldn’t quite place that held a banjo. And with him was some sort of pig dressed in a glamorous and sparkly dress.

“…Puppets?” Eleanor remarked with surprise.

“Muppets.” Andrew corrected her as he put the VHS tapes in the player and then walked back over to Eleanor and placed the sandwiches and snacks on the table.

“There’s a difference?”

Andrew nodded, “There are a mixture of marionettes and puppets, at least according to their creator. I swear, I’m not sure how that man came up with this, because it’s brilliant.”

“I guess I’m just surprised.” Eleanor found herself admitting, “You chose a film about pu-muppets, over everything else.”

“I might be a little biased.” Andrew sheepishly confessed, “I saw this film in theaters when it first came out when I was eight. But trust me, it’ll be a fun time. That frog and pig are more entertaining than you could ever imagine.” He promised her as the movie began.

Eleanor was not quite sure what she was expecting from the start of a movie that starred puppets. Though what she did know was that she did not expect to see the little green frog guy playing a banjo in a swamp singing an oddly soothing song about rainbows, love, and dreams. For a moment, the world felt like it was at peace and was refilled with hope and happiness for the future. So much so that she nearly forgot about the snow falling outside and the distant storm back home.

“It’s oddly charming.” Eleanor admitted quietly not to interrupt Andrew’s enjoyment.

“It’s great isn’t it?” Andrew smiled at her as he took a bite of his sandwich as another scene played. “That song alone can make anyone feel good.”

“Do you think it’s true?” Eleanor pondered.

“Frogs playing banjos in swamps?” Andrew assumed with amusement. “Well I’ve never seen one but-“

“No, no.” Eleanor stopped him gently, “I mean the stuff about the rainbows. I know magic like that isn’t real and believing in it is a waste of time. But still, the song is… so convincing.”

“Well, I don’t think believing in hope and the future like that is childish.” Andrew revealed. “You never know what you can happen. And you can’t let life get you down.”

Eleanor playfully smirked at him in response, “You are good at reminding people of that. I’ll say, if it wasn’t for you, I doubt I would have left my dorm room today. Much less to spend time with someone.”

After they continued watching the film more, including a scene where the frog was riding in a car with an orange bear with a tendency for telling jokes. She found herself wondering more about her companion. “Is this what holidays are like for you? You said you watched movies like this in theaters and watched VHS tapes at home. Is that what you do?”

“Part of it.” Andrew confirmed, “My oldest sister is working as an actress in London and she has always dragged me and my other sister into watching films since we were kids. Not that I ever minded of course. She always had good taste, but don’t tell her I said that. Mum always makes a big meal on Christmas Eve night. Sometimes we go to Nottingham to visit Dad’s friend from University. It varies by the year, but it’s always memorable regardless.” He then turned to her, “How about you? Something tells me your family isn’t the type to go on grand adventures for the holidays.”

“Yeah it’s nothing as extravagant as that.” Eleanor nodded, “Just a meal cooked by my mum and the exchange of handmade presents. We always celebrated at home, except for the times my gran stayed in Ullapool and then we went there to celebrate with her. But even then, it’s still not far.” She then continued, “Dad always gifted me a carving of a different animal each year, and Mum always made me a new scarf. Even though I could easily predict it, I still treasured it in a way. And even though I was never as good with my hands as either of them were, they still seemed to appreciate the sketches I would make for them.” She sighed, “I don’t know why… but… I miss it more than anything right now.”

Andrew paused before finally finding the words to continue onward, “You do know that just because you can’t go home. Right?”

His words confused her, “What?”

“What I mean.” Andrew restated, “Is that my Mum is picking me up first thing tomorrow to go back home so we can celebrate the holidays. I was wondering if you would like to come with us? I haven’t brought up the idea with my parents of course, but if I tell them about you basically being stranded here, I’m sure they’d be more than happy to let you join us. I know we can’t give you the type of Christmas you are used to, but let my family give you something to enjoy.”

Eleanor blinked as she tried to comprehend her classmate’s words and process his offer. She wondered what made Andrew invite her for the holidays. Sure, they were friends, but offering an outsider to join in a tight knit even in a city that was still unfamiliar to her remained unexpected. Normally, she would have insisted she was fine and that she could manage. It was exactly what she had done before when he first expressed his concern. Yet, the words to make her decline couldn’t leave her mouth, as if her mind was telling her to not be so stubborn about such things for once.

She tried to figure out what had changed. Perhaps it was because of how Andrew took time out of his own day to spend time with her and cheer her up. He insisted on doing so even when she told him he did not need to bother with it. Usually, such behavior would annoy her, yet when Andrew did it, all she could feel was a peculiar warm feeling.

“It sounds lovely, really it does.” Eleanor finally spoke, “but I don’t want to intrude. It’s your family after all, and your house. I have only been in Liverpool for a few months.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Andrew assured her, “I promise. And besides, I am sure it’s better than staying in an empty dorm for months.”

“I suppose so.” Eleanor shrugged with a sigh before meeting Andrew’s eyes. “Alright, I’ll come with you.”

“Great!” Andrew cheered. “We can meet here tomorrow morning and head down to meet my mum together.”