Part two
Mae’s last month with the Coopers was strange. They still cared for her, but it was clear they were keeping some distance. Mae kept to her room, not sure how to explain Hogwarts to her muggle parents. She had a calendar on which she was counting down the days to September first. On the last day of august, mea decided she better speak to the Coopers about getting to kings cross the next day. So she went downstairs to the living room, where Ms. and Mr. Cooper were watching the evening news.
“Mom, Dad?”
They turned to look at Mae, turning down the volume on the tv.
“Would it be ok if you gave me a lift to kings cross tomorrow at 11?” Mae asked, hope plain on her tan face.
“Why?” Mr. Cooper asked
“My ticket for Hogwarts says to board the Hogwarts Express at 11:00 at king cross. Station 9 and three quarters.”
“Never heard of that station, but if your ticket says that, yes I can”
“Thanks,” Mea said, turning around to go upstairs.
Mae woke at five the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep. She pulled on her leggings, she would put on her robes on the train. She checked her trunk consulting her list, making sure nothing was left behind. Mae placed Twilight in her cage next to the large trunk. Then she paced her room waiting for the Coopers to get up. Six hours later Mae’s heavy and large trunk had been loaded into the trunk of the Cooper’s tiny car. Mr. Cooper had run inside to get his forgotten coffee, and they were off!
They reached King’s Cross Station at half past ten. Mr. Cooper put Mae’s trunk in a cart, and wheeled it into the station for her.
“Mae, your train will be here soon, and we need to go. I have a meeting. Ask the people at the Help Desk if you need help, okay?” Mr. Cooper said.
Mae nodded and wheeled her cart into the station. She found Platform 9 and Platform 10, and stood there trying to figure out where Platform 9 ¾ was. Mae looked at the big clock; she had 15 minutes left before the train left.
Mae could feel the tears coming, but at that moment, a group of people passed just behind her; she caught a few words of what they were saying.
“Packed with muggles…!”
Mae swung around. The speaker was a thin woman who was talking to three boys, all with shining, gold hair – each of them pushing a trunk, and two of them with an owl. Heart pounding, Mae pushed her cart after them. They stopped, and Mae could just make out what they were saying.
“Alright, Max…you go first.”
What looked like the oldest boy marched toward the divider between Platform 9 and Platform 10. Mae watched, trying not to blink. The boy was just about to reach the barrier, when a group of people passed in front of him…and when the barrier was in view again, he was gone!
“Alex, you next!” the woman said. Alex ran at the barrier, and the next second, he was gone! How did he do it??
“Excuse me,” Mae said to the thin woman.
“Hello, dear,” the woman said. “First time at Hogwarts? Tobin is new, too.” She pointed at the last and youngest of her three sons. He was tall, with long fingers and big eyes.
“Yes,” Mae said, “but I don’t know how to get there.”
“Not to worry,” the woman said. “Just walk straight at the barrier. Don’t stop. Go on, now…best to run!”
Mae gulped and pushed her cart around. The barrier looked very solid. Mae ran at the barrier, flinching, expecting to crash into hard stone. But the crash did not come. Mae slowed down, and opened her eyes. A scarlet train was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said, “Hogwarts Express – Departs 11:00 o’clock.”
Mae looked behind and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with a sign, “Platform 9 ¾” on it. Mae saw cats of every color weaving through the crowd. Owls hooted to each other over the babble, and she could hear the scraping sound of heavy trunks being wheeled to and fro. Mae walked down the platform looking for a compartment that was empty. Mae found an empty compartment near the end of the train. She put Twilight in first and then started to shove her trunk toward the compartment door. She tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly lift one end.
“Want some help?” It was Tobin, the blond boy from earlier.
“Yes, please!” Mae replied.
“Oy! Alex, come help!” The middle-aged boy helped Tobin lift Mae’s trunk into the compartment and tucked it away under her seat.
“Thanks!” Mae said, pushing a stray hair out of her eyes.
“Blimey! Are you related to the Potters?”
“Uh, my name is Mae Potter,” Mae said, confused. “So, yes.”
The two boys stared at her; Mae felt herself go red. Then, to her relief, their mother called, and they walked away, only glancing back once.
A little later, the train began to move. The door on the compartment slid open, and the youngest blond-haired boy came in.
“Can I sit?”
Mae nodded her head and the boy sat down across from her.
“I’m Tobin,” he said.
“Mae Potter.”
“Are you really related to Harry Potter? And ” Tobin asked, looking interested.
“Well, yes, he’s my great-great-grandfather.”
“Wow,” Tobin said, sitting back in his seat again.
“Are all your family wizards?” Mae asked.
“Yeah,” Tobin said. “But none of them are like the Potters.”
“Well, I wish I had siblings, like you,” Mae said.
“No, you don’t! I have five in total! I’m the sixth to go to Hogwarts, and everything I own was theirs first. Mom says it’s to save mon-.” Tobin’s ears went red; he was embarrassed that he had let that slip.
Mae did not think there was anything wrong with not being able to get anything new.
“Well, I knew nothing about Hogwarts until River the groundskeeper told me,” Mae sighed, “I have lots more to learn. I bet I’m the worst in the year.”
“You won't be. There are loads of people who come from muggle families and they learn quickly enough.” Tobin smiled kindly at Mae.
While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of london. Now they were speeding along past fields full of sheep and cows. The two were quiet for a while watching the fields and small lanes flick past. Around half past 12 there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling dimpled woman slid open their door.
“Anything from the cart, dears?” The woman showed some pumpkin pasties to the children.
Mea, who barely had any breakfast that morning, leapt to her feet. But Tobin’s ears went pink again. She muttered that he had brought a sandwich. Mae went to the compartment door and looked at the treats. Meas was hoping for a milky way and a bag of almonds, but there was neither. Instead there were Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Pumpkin pasties, Cauldron cakes, Licorice wands, Chocolate frogs, Crisps and other strange things. Wanting to try everything she got a few of every snack. Tobin starred as mae brought it all back into the compartment, and tipped the armfull onto the empty seats.
“Hungry?” tobin asked
“Starving”
Tobin had taken out a lump package and unwrapped it. There were two sandwiches.
“She always forgets that I don't like mustard.”
“Lets share then” Mae said, holding out a pumpkin pastie.
“Thanks,” Tobin said eagerly, taking a big bite of the pumpkin goodness.
“What are these?” Mae asked, holding up a pack of chocolate frogs.
“Chocolate frogs, see who’s on the card.”
“What?”
“Oh right, you don't know, chocolate frogs have cards inside them to collect-famous witches and wizards. I have about five hundred.”
Mae unwrapped the frog and broke it in half, she picked up the card that had fallen out. It showed a man's face. He had green eyes like mae and the same never resting hair.
He had a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Underneath the photo it said Harry Potter in gold cursive.
“I already have that one, you keep it”
Mae turned it over and read.
Harry potter
The wizard who defeated he who must not be named.
Known for his powerful magic and great skill playing as a seeker in quidditch. He was friends with the well known and loved Albus Dumbuledore. Husband of Ginny Weasely. May he rest in peace and his brave acts be remembered forever.
“So this is my great great grandfather” Mae said, not looking up from the card.
“Yea.”
Mea turned the card back over and saw to her surprise that Harry's face was gone from the card.
“He's gone?!”
“Of course he is, why would he stay there all day?” Tobin said “he will be back- could I have another frog?”
“Go ahead.” Mea said, and handed the hungry Tobin another frog. “In the muggle world painting and photographs stay still.”
“Weird” Tobin said, he sounded amazed.
Mae starred as Harry came back into the frame and gave her a sly grin. Tobin was more interested in eating than looking at famous witches and wizards cards, but Mae could not look away. Soon she had Morgana, Merlin, Hermoine Granger, Neville Longbottom, and a few more. Mae finally looked away to open a bag of Bertie Botts' Every Flavor Beans.
“Be careful with those.” Tobin warned Mae “when they say every flavor they mean it- there are normal ones like chocolate, lemon and raspberry. But then you can get liver, hay, mud. Alex says he got a booger one once.”
Mae picked up a brown one and bit into it “mud.” she said, gagging.
They had a good time eating the beans. Mae got coconut, strawberry, sardine, licorice, curry and coffee. Now the countryside was flying past the window and becoming wider. The fields were gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, dark green mountains and even darker hills in the distance. There was a knock on their compartment door.
“Sorry, have you seen a toad?” a boy poked his head into their compartment.
When they shook their heads no, they boy wailed, “i’ve lost him again”
“He’ll show up” said Tobin.
“Well. if you see him” they boy said as he left.
A few moments later a girl opened the compartment door.
“Has anyone seen a toad? Oscar just lost his.” she said. She looked asian, with long black hair, a button nose and black sparkling eyes.
“We already told him no.” Tobin sounded annoyed.
“Oh. I’m Liling Yang. You are?”
“I'm Tobin Walters.”
“Mae Potter.”
“Are you really?” Liling sat down next to Mae, “I’ve read so much about your family.”
“Really?” Mae looked embarrassed.
“Of course, the Potters are some of the best witches and wizards in the magical world.” she smiled revealing bunny teeth. “You know what house you will be in? I hope I am in Ravenclaw. Anyway, we’d better go look for Oscar’s toad. You two should change; we're going to be there soon.”
She left the toadless boy in her tracks.
“What house are your brothers in?” Mae asked Tobin.
“Griffindor,” Tobin said gloomily. “Mom and Dad were in it, too. I probably will, too.”
“I hope I’m in Gryffindor – if not, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff,” Mae changed the subject hastily. “What do your oldest brothers do for work?”
“Noah is in Iceland studying dragons, and Will is in Japan doing something for Gringotts.”
They sat in silence, staring out the window as the woods and streams flew past. Mae twisted her fingers together, wondering what Hogwarts would look like. Her thoughts were interrupted when Tobin asked, “What’s your quidditch team?”
“Err…I don’t know any,” Mae confessed.
“What??” Tobin looked dumbfounded. “It’s the best game in the world!” And he was off, explaining the famous game. He was just explaining how the keeper protects the goals, when the compartment door slid open yet again. But it was not Oscar, the toadless boy, or the bossy girl, Liling. Instead, three boys entered. Mae recognized the middle one; it was the same pale-haired boy from Madam Malkin’s.
“So, it IS true! They’re saying, all down the train, that a Potter is in this compartment. So, it’s you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Mae said. She was looking at the other boys, both who were standing on either side of the pale-haired boy. They looked like bodyguards.
“Oh, this is Jake, and that’s Jack,” the boy said, noticing Mae staring at them. “And my name’s Cain Malfoy.”
Tobin gave a slight cough, which may have been hiding a snicker.
“Think my family’s funny, do you? No need to ask who you are! My father told me all the Walters have straw-coloured hair and big feet, and more children than they know what to do with,” Cain said. He turned back to Mae. “You will find that some wizarding families are better than others. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort…I can help you with that!”
He held out his hand to shake Mae’s, but she did not take it. “I’m fine, thanks,” she said cooly.
Cain Malfoy went pink and said, “I would be careful if I were you, Potter.” He smirked and left.
“Have you met Cain before?” Tobin asked. Mae explained their meeting at Madame Malkins. “I’ve heard of his family,” Tobin said. “They’ve always been on the dark side, ever since the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named time. That explains the way he was towards you; his family is not on good terms with the Potters.”
The door slid open again and Liling entered. “You’d better hurry up and put your robes on; we are almost there!”
Tobin glared. “Leave, then. I need to change. Mae, could you go, too?”
Mae nodded and pulled Liling out of the compartment with her. After a few awkward moments, Mae knocked and was let back into the compartment. Since the train was already slowing down, she just took off her sweatshirt, and pulled the robe over her clothes, not bothering to put on her uniform under the robes. Tobin’s robes were a bit too short, and his sneakers poked out from underneath. It had become dark outside since they’d gotten on the train, and a voice echoed through the train: “We will be reaching Hogwarts in four minutes’ time. Please leave your trunks on the train; they will be taken to the school separately.”
Mae’s stomach lurched with nerves, and Tobin looked pale. The train slowed right down, and finally stopped. Mae and Tobin joined the crowd in the corridor. People pushed their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. Mae shivered in the cold night air.
A lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Mae heard a familiar voice.
“First years, this way. Alright there, Mae?” River’s big, handsome face beamed over the sea of heads. “Follow me! Mind your feet, now. First years, follow me!”
Slipping and stumbling, they followed River down a steep, narrow path. It was so dark that Mae thought there must be trees all along the trail. “Hogwarts is just around the corner!” River yelled. There was a loud “oooooh” the narrow path had opened onto the edge of a black lake. Perched atop a hill on the other side, its windows sparkling from lamp light, was a vast castle with many turrets and windows.
“Four of you in each boat” River pointed to a fleet of tiny row boats bobbing in the water by the shore. Mae and Tobin were followed into their row boat by Oscar and Liling. “Everyone in?” river shouted and to the courses of yes he shouted “forward”
The fleet of little boats moved all at once, not needing rowing, moving by magic. They glided across the lake, which was as smooth as glass and as dark as the midnight sky. Everyone was silent, staring at the castle before them as they grew closer and closer to the cliff on which it stood. “Heads down” river called as the first few boats reached the cliff; everyone bent their heads and the little row boats brought them through a curtain of ivy that hid an opening in the cliff face. They traveled down a dark tunnel until they reached an underground port where they scrambled out onto the rocks that lined the water.
“Is this someone's toad?” River asked, he was checking the boats for lost or forgotten belongings.
“Luie!!” cried Oscar, collecting the large toad.
Then the first years trekked up a stair in the rock, coming out onto damp cool grass. In the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of nearby stairs and crowded around the huge oak door of the vast castle. River counted heads, then raised a huge hand and knocked three times on the huge door. The door swung open at once with a loud squeak of old hinges. A tall red haired witch stood there, she had a stern face and Mae’s first thought was that this was to a woman to cross.
“The first years, Professor Hart,” River said, stepping to the side.
“Thank you river. Follow me.” she pulled the door wide, the entrance hall was so big you could fit the coopers whole house in it. The stone walls were lit with flickering lamps and a beautiful marble staircase facing them led to the upper levels.
They followed professor hart across the flagged stone floor. Mae could hear hundreds of voices from the doorway to the right. But the professor to a small empty classroom. They crowded in and peerde about themselves in wonder.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” said Professor Hart, “the start of term banquet will begin shortly. But before you take your seats at a table you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting hat is a very treasured and special ceremony because while you are here your house will be family within hogwarts. Your classes are with your house. You sleep with your house. And spend free time with your house. The four houses are gryffindor, hufflepuff, ravenclaw and slytherin. Each house has its own history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards.
“While you are here at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points. While rule breaking will take points away. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the house cup. The sorting ceremony will take place in a few moments in front of the whole school. I suggested you neaten up as much as possible while you wait.”
Her eyes lingered on oscars cloak and on Mae’s disheveled hair. “I will return when we are ready for you,” said Professor Hart. “Wait quietly, please.”
Mae gave a jolt. A test, in front of the whole school?!? But I do not know any magic yet! Mae pulled on her hair and straightened her shirt. She glanced around, and noticed that everyone else looked just as terrified as she felt. Only Li-Ling was talking; she was whispering all the spells she had learned. Mae tried hard not to listen to her. She had never been so nervous – not even the time she had gotten lost on the way home from school. She kept her eyes on the door; any moment now, Professor Hart would come back and lead her to her doom.
Several people screamed, making Mae jump.
“What the…?!?” Mae gasped.
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. They were pearly-white, and a bit see-through. They seemed to be fighting as they glided across the room. A ghost wearing ruffles noticed the first-years, and the talking among the ghosts stopped abruptly.
“New students!” said a chubby ghost. “Waiting to be sorted?” A few students nodded. “Hope to see you in Ravenclaw; that’s my old house!” the ghost said.
“Move along! The sorting ceremony is about to start!” Professor Hart had returned.
The ghosts waved, and floated away through the opposite wall.
“Now, form a line,” Professor Hart instructed the first-years, “and follow me!”
Feeling oddly like her heart would shatter with nerves, Mae got into line behind a boy with brown hair. With Tobin behind her, they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Mae gazed around in awe. The Great Hall was lit with thousands of lamps. Some were floating above four long tables, where some students were sitting, and some were mounted to the walls. The tables were set with golden plates and cups. At the front of the hall was another long table where teachers were sitting.
Professor Hart led the first-years up there, so that they were standing with the students in front of them, and the teachers behind them. Sprinkled among the students, the ghosts shone, misty silver, impossible not to notice. To avoid all the staring eyes, Mae looked at the ceiling, which was a velvety black, dotted with stars. Li-Ling whispered from a little away, “It’s bewitched, to look like the sky.”
It was hard to believe there was a ceiling at all! Mae looked when professor Hart placed a stool down in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a very old wizards hat, it was very dirty and had several rips and many patches. Noticing that everyone was staring at the hat, she did too. A rip near the brim opened and the hat began to sing.
Hufflepuff,
That is where the kind and trustworthy stay.
Caring for each other every day.
Ravenclaw,
Behold the smart and bright dwell.
Doing well.
Slytherin,
Doth the cunning and tricky play.
Betting on who will stay.
Gryffindor,
Most brave of heart and daring of them all.
No one compares.
Now let us see,
It is the start of a brand new year.
Mysteries and terror await,
Along with friendship taking the bait.
So be brave,
Be bright,
Be kind,
Be cunning.
Come find your fate.
If you dare.
So take a seat,
And plop me on your head,
Many wonders lie ahead.
Everyone burst into applause. Mae sighed with relief, the only had to put on the hat. Professor Hart stepped forward “when I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and take a seat on the stool, the hat will tell you when you can leave.” she said. “Amet, Trudy.” A short chubby girl stumbled out of the line, she put on the hat, after a moment. “HUFFLEPUFF” shouted the hat. The table on the far right cheered as Trudy went to an empty seat at the Hufflepuff table.
“Jackson, Ash!” shouted the hat. “RAVENCLAW!” was yelled a few minutes later. The second table on the far left as Ash Jackson stumbled into a seat.
“Bluebottom, Rose” went to Ravenclaw, but “Buckthorn, Mandy” became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the left of Hufflepuff clapped and cheered. “Bulstrode, Briar” became a Slytherin. Mae thought everyone at the Slytherin table looked a bit unpleasant. She was starting to feel sick; she did not want to sit in front of everyone, looking the way she did. “Flingway, Julia” became a Hufflepuff. Mae noticed that sometimes the hat took a very long time to shout out the house, but sometimes, it shouted right away. “Yang, Liling!” Liling ran to the stool and jammed the hat onto her head. “Gryffindor!” the hat shouted right away. Mae nervously smoothed her hair (only making it more crazy), knowing she was going to be called soon. “Longbottom, Oscar!” Oscar almost fell on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide, but then shouted, “Gryffindor!” Oscar ran off, still wearing the hat, and had to hand it back to an annoyed and amused Professor Hart. Cain swaggered forward when his name was called, and got his wish: “Slytherin!” He went to join his friends, Jake and Jack, looking pleased with himself.
There were not many people left now. “Marks,” “Patel,” “Ploof,” “Rheinhart,” then “Plato, Rosemary,” and, at last, “Potter, Mae!” As Mae stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out, like a million snakes had gotten loose.
“Potter? Did I hear that right?”
“There’s another one??”
“A Potter just graduated…is she related to the graduate?”
Mae put on the hat and waited. “Hmmm,” said a small voice in her ear. “Difficult. Lots of empathy, not a bad mind, too. So much talent…a nice thirst to prove yourself. Where should I put you?” Mae thought, Not Slytherin…please, no! “Well, okay,” the hat said. “Better be…GRYFFINDOR!” The hat shouted the last words of it to the whole hall. Mae took off the hat and walked over to the Gryffindor table. She was so relieved not to be in Slytherin that she did not know that she was getting the loudest cheer.
Mae sat down next to the ghost she had seen earlier. The ghost patted her head, giving Mae the feeling she had just jumped into ice-cold water. Mae looked at the high table. River sat at the end nearest to her. At the center, in a large, gold chair, sat Casper Lupin. His hair was blue-black with a few streaks of gray, and his eyes were lilac-gray. Now there were only two first-years left to be sorted. “Topaz, sully” became a ravenclaw and then it was Tobins turn. Mae crossed her fingers under the table. “Gryffindor!” the hat shouted, mae clapped as loud as she could when tobin flopped onto the empty space on the bench next to her. Professor Hart rolled up her scroll and took the stool and the sorting hat away. Casper Lupin got to his feet.
Beaming he said “welcome! Welcome to a new year at hogwarts. Before we begin feasting, I would like to say a few words. Have fun, learn lots and let's eat!”
He sat back down. Everybody cheered.
“Could you pass the yorkshire pudding?” Alex Tobins older brother aske mae.
Mae looked down and the dishes were now piled with food. There were so many things Mae loved all on one table. Lamb chops, fluffy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, peas, bangers and mash, gravy, and for some reason peppermint humbugs. Mae turned to look down the table and saw the ghost looking longingly at the food.
“You can't eat it?” Mae asked.
“I wish I could. The names Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington by the way”
“Oh! So your nearly headless nick! My brothers told me all about you.” Tobin said.
“Don't call me that, but yes I am.” the ghost said “I hope you new Gryffindors will help us win the house cup.”
When the rest of dinner was gone and done, the remnants of food faded from the plates and a moment later desserts appeared. Chocolate custard, apple pie, treacle tart, rice pudding, ice cream in every imaginable flavor, jell-o, strawberries… Mae chose a large piece of apple pie, as the talk turned to families and hopes for the new year.
“My mum and dad are both magical” Mandy buckthorn said “ but me aunts a doctor and a muggle”
“My uncle brought me up and he is a wizard,” Oscar said. “They thought I was a muggle for ages, until my aunt pushed me off a dock and I floated, and mind you I don't know how to swim. My uncle was so proud he bought me a toad.”
Everyone laughed, picturing the scene.
Liling spoke up, “both of my parents are muggles. But they were happy when I got my letter. One of my distant relatives was also magical. Also then they got to go on that trip to china they have always been wanting to go on, my family is from there.”
At last the desserts disappeared and professor Lupin got to his feet. “Ahem, I have a start of year notices that I must tell you. First years should know that forest to all pupils. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term, if you are interested contact madam thorn.” Professor Lupin smiled as he looked around the hall. “Now before we had to bed, lets sing the school song!”
Mae noticed that the other professors' smiles were starting to look forced. Lupin gave his wand a flick and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, the ribbon twisted itself into snake-like words above the students.
“Everyone, pick your favorite tune. Three two one-” and the school sang.
“Hogwarts, hogwarts, hoggy warty, hogwarts.
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees.
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff.
For now their bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we’ve forgotten.
Just do your best,
We’ll do the rest.
And learn until our brains rot!”
Everyone finished at different times, at last Alex finished the last verse, slow and wailing.
“Bravo, now bedtime. Off you go. First year follow your house prefects, they wear a badge bearing a capital P.” Professor Lupin bellowed.
The Gryffindor first year followed Max through the crowd, out the great hall and up a marble staircase. As Mae walked up the stairs she noticed that the people in the portraits were waving and smiling at the first years. They climbed more stairs, going through hidden doorways. Yawning and dragging their feet the first years followed Max down a long corridor, they Gryffindors stopped at a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.
“Password?” she asked.
“Flying first years.” Max replied and the portrait swung forward to reveal a large round hole in the wall.
They all scrambled in after Max, Oscar with some help. They found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cozy round room full of large armchairs. Max directed the girls up one set of stairs and the boys up another.
“See you later!” Mae called to Tobin.
“Yup.” Tobin replied, bounding up the stairs to the boys dorm and out of sight.
Mae smiled and went to her own dorm. Mae found her four-poster in a corner, labeled with her full name in gold cursive. Five four posters filled the room, there was a door that led to the older girls' rooms. A small fireplace stood in an empty space and two armchairs faced it. The four-posters had deep red velvet curtains for privacy. Their trunks were already at the foot of their beds. Too tired to pull on her pj’s Mae fell into bed. She had a hard time falling asleep. Perhaps it was that she ate too much, she was not used to eating so much. At home her mum had always lectured her about how thin girls are prettier. Mae sighed, reminding herself that she did not have to worry about that any more. She rolled over and tried to fall asleep.
Mae found it so hard the next day to find her classes. There were a hundred and forty two staircases at hogwarts. Narrow rickety ones, wide ones, some that were not there on fridays, some with a vanishing step. Then there were the doors. Some only opened if you asked politely, doors that were not doors, but solid walls that were just pretending. The people in the portraits moved around and the coats in armor could walk.
Of all her classes Mae’s favorite was charms and her least favorite was defense against the dark arts. Professor Hat was a kind old man with very little hair. He always let Mae stay late and practice with Tobin (more like help Tobin so he would not fail). Professor Boon the potions teacher was a boring woman, he droned on and on and never let them use their wands. Mae was relieved after a few weeks that she was not falling behind, lots of other students who came from muggle families like her were doing way worse.
Friday was a special day as Mae and Tobin did not get lost on their way to classes.
“What's first today?” Mae asked Tobin.
“Potions with the Slytherins.” said Tobin.
Mae groaned, just what they needed. The mail arrived, while they were eating breakfast. The hundred or so owls swooped down, finding their owners and dropping off that morning mail. Twilight had not brought anything for Mae yet. She sometimes flew in to say hi. This morning though there was a letter. Mae tore it open and read;
Dear Mae
I know you have a free block on friday. Would you like to stop by for some tea around four? I want to hear about your first few weeks. You can bring a friend.
Yours,
River
Mae pulled out her pen and scribbled on the back of Rivers' note.
I would love to. I will bring my new friend tobin.
Mae
And then Mae sent Twilight off again, into the cool morning air, split only by rays of warm sunlight.
End of part two
Mae’s last month with the Coopers was strange. They still cared for her, but it was clear they were keeping some distance. Mae kept to her room, not sure how to explain Hogwarts to her muggle parents. She had a calendar on which she was counting down the days to September first. On the last day of august, mea decided she better speak to the Coopers about getting to kings cross the next day. So she went downstairs to the living room, where Ms. and Mr. Cooper were watching the evening news.
“Mom, Dad?”
They turned to look at Mae, turning down the volume on the tv.
“Would it be ok if you gave me a lift to kings cross tomorrow at 11?” Mae asked, hope plain on her tan face.
“Why?” Mr. Cooper asked
“My ticket for Hogwarts says to board the Hogwarts Express at 11:00 at king cross. Station 9 and three quarters.”
“Never heard of that station, but if your ticket says that, yes I can”
“Thanks,” Mea said, turning around to go upstairs.
Mae woke at five the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep. She pulled on her leggings, she would put on her robes on the train. She checked her trunk consulting her list, making sure nothing was left behind. Mae placed Twilight in her cage next to the large trunk. Then she paced her room waiting for the Coopers to get up. Six hours later Mae’s heavy and large trunk had been loaded into the trunk of the Cooper’s tiny car. Mr. Cooper had run inside to get his forgotten coffee, and they were off!
They reached King’s Cross Station at half past ten. Mr. Cooper put Mae’s trunk in a cart, and wheeled it into the station for her.
“Mae, your train will be here soon, and we need to go. I have a meeting. Ask the people at the Help Desk if you need help, okay?” Mr. Cooper said.
Mae nodded and wheeled her cart into the station. She found Platform 9 and Platform 10, and stood there trying to figure out where Platform 9 ¾ was. Mae looked at the big clock; she had 15 minutes left before the train left.
Mae could feel the tears coming, but at that moment, a group of people passed just behind her; she caught a few words of what they were saying.
“Packed with muggles…!”
Mae swung around. The speaker was a thin woman who was talking to three boys, all with shining, gold hair – each of them pushing a trunk, and two of them with an owl. Heart pounding, Mae pushed her cart after them. They stopped, and Mae could just make out what they were saying.
“Alright, Max…you go first.”
What looked like the oldest boy marched toward the divider between Platform 9 and Platform 10. Mae watched, trying not to blink. The boy was just about to reach the barrier, when a group of people passed in front of him…and when the barrier was in view again, he was gone!
“Alex, you next!” the woman said. Alex ran at the barrier, and the next second, he was gone! How did he do it??
“Excuse me,” Mae said to the thin woman.
“Hello, dear,” the woman said. “First time at Hogwarts? Tobin is new, too.” She pointed at the last and youngest of her three sons. He was tall, with long fingers and big eyes.
“Yes,” Mae said, “but I don’t know how to get there.”
“Not to worry,” the woman said. “Just walk straight at the barrier. Don’t stop. Go on, now…best to run!”
Mae gulped and pushed her cart around. The barrier looked very solid. Mae ran at the barrier, flinching, expecting to crash into hard stone. But the crash did not come. Mae slowed down, and opened her eyes. A scarlet train was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said, “Hogwarts Express – Departs 11:00 o’clock.”
Mae looked behind and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with a sign, “Platform 9 ¾” on it. Mae saw cats of every color weaving through the crowd. Owls hooted to each other over the babble, and she could hear the scraping sound of heavy trunks being wheeled to and fro. Mae walked down the platform looking for a compartment that was empty. Mae found an empty compartment near the end of the train. She put Twilight in first and then started to shove her trunk toward the compartment door. She tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly lift one end.
“Want some help?” It was Tobin, the blond boy from earlier.
“Yes, please!” Mae replied.
“Oy! Alex, come help!” The middle-aged boy helped Tobin lift Mae’s trunk into the compartment and tucked it away under her seat.
“Thanks!” Mae said, pushing a stray hair out of her eyes.
“Blimey! Are you related to the Potters?”
“Uh, my name is Mae Potter,” Mae said, confused. “So, yes.”
The two boys stared at her; Mae felt herself go red. Then, to her relief, their mother called, and they walked away, only glancing back once.
A little later, the train began to move. The door on the compartment slid open, and the youngest blond-haired boy came in.
“Can I sit?”
Mae nodded her head and the boy sat down across from her.
“I’m Tobin,” he said.
“Mae Potter.”
“Are you really related to Harry Potter? And ” Tobin asked, looking interested.
“Well, yes, he’s my great-great-grandfather.”
“Wow,” Tobin said, sitting back in his seat again.
“Are all your family wizards?” Mae asked.
“Yeah,” Tobin said. “But none of them are like the Potters.”
“Well, I wish I had siblings, like you,” Mae said.
“No, you don’t! I have five in total! I’m the sixth to go to Hogwarts, and everything I own was theirs first. Mom says it’s to save mon-.” Tobin’s ears went red; he was embarrassed that he had let that slip.
Mae did not think there was anything wrong with not being able to get anything new.
“Well, I knew nothing about Hogwarts until River the groundskeeper told me,” Mae sighed, “I have lots more to learn. I bet I’m the worst in the year.”
“You won't be. There are loads of people who come from muggle families and they learn quickly enough.” Tobin smiled kindly at Mae.
While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of london. Now they were speeding along past fields full of sheep and cows. The two were quiet for a while watching the fields and small lanes flick past. Around half past 12 there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling dimpled woman slid open their door.
“Anything from the cart, dears?” The woman showed some pumpkin pasties to the children.
Mea, who barely had any breakfast that morning, leapt to her feet. But Tobin’s ears went pink again. She muttered that he had brought a sandwich. Mae went to the compartment door and looked at the treats. Meas was hoping for a milky way and a bag of almonds, but there was neither. Instead there were Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Droobles Best Blowing Gum, Pumpkin pasties, Cauldron cakes, Licorice wands, Chocolate frogs, Crisps and other strange things. Wanting to try everything she got a few of every snack. Tobin starred as mae brought it all back into the compartment, and tipped the armfull onto the empty seats.
“Hungry?” tobin asked
“Starving”
Tobin had taken out a lump package and unwrapped it. There were two sandwiches.
“She always forgets that I don't like mustard.”
“Lets share then” Mae said, holding out a pumpkin pastie.
“Thanks,” Tobin said eagerly, taking a big bite of the pumpkin goodness.
“What are these?” Mae asked, holding up a pack of chocolate frogs.
“Chocolate frogs, see who’s on the card.”
“What?”
“Oh right, you don't know, chocolate frogs have cards inside them to collect-famous witches and wizards. I have about five hundred.”
Mae unwrapped the frog and broke it in half, she picked up the card that had fallen out. It showed a man's face. He had green eyes like mae and the same never resting hair.
He had a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Underneath the photo it said Harry Potter in gold cursive.
“I already have that one, you keep it”
Mae turned it over and read.
Harry potter
The wizard who defeated he who must not be named.
Known for his powerful magic and great skill playing as a seeker in quidditch. He was friends with the well known and loved Albus Dumbuledore. Husband of Ginny Weasely. May he rest in peace and his brave acts be remembered forever.
“So this is my great great grandfather” Mae said, not looking up from the card.
“Yea.”
Mea turned the card back over and saw to her surprise that Harry's face was gone from the card.
“He's gone?!”
“Of course he is, why would he stay there all day?” Tobin said “he will be back- could I have another frog?”
“Go ahead.” Mea said, and handed the hungry Tobin another frog. “In the muggle world painting and photographs stay still.”
“Weird” Tobin said, he sounded amazed.
Mae starred as Harry came back into the frame and gave her a sly grin. Tobin was more interested in eating than looking at famous witches and wizards cards, but Mae could not look away. Soon she had Morgana, Merlin, Hermoine Granger, Neville Longbottom, and a few more. Mae finally looked away to open a bag of Bertie Botts' Every Flavor Beans.
“Be careful with those.” Tobin warned Mae “when they say every flavor they mean it- there are normal ones like chocolate, lemon and raspberry. But then you can get liver, hay, mud. Alex says he got a booger one once.”
Mae picked up a brown one and bit into it “mud.” she said, gagging.
They had a good time eating the beans. Mae got coconut, strawberry, sardine, licorice, curry and coffee. Now the countryside was flying past the window and becoming wider. The fields were gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, dark green mountains and even darker hills in the distance. There was a knock on their compartment door.
“Sorry, have you seen a toad?” a boy poked his head into their compartment.
When they shook their heads no, they boy wailed, “i’ve lost him again”
“He’ll show up” said Tobin.
“Well. if you see him” they boy said as he left.
A few moments later a girl opened the compartment door.
“Has anyone seen a toad? Oscar just lost his.” she said. She looked asian, with long black hair, a button nose and black sparkling eyes.
“We already told him no.” Tobin sounded annoyed.
“Oh. I’m Liling Yang. You are?”
“I'm Tobin Walters.”
“Mae Potter.”
“Are you really?” Liling sat down next to Mae, “I’ve read so much about your family.”
“Really?” Mae looked embarrassed.
“Of course, the Potters are some of the best witches and wizards in the magical world.” she smiled revealing bunny teeth. “You know what house you will be in? I hope I am in Ravenclaw. Anyway, we’d better go look for Oscar’s toad. You two should change; we're going to be there soon.”
She left the toadless boy in her tracks.
“What house are your brothers in?” Mae asked Tobin.
“Griffindor,” Tobin said gloomily. “Mom and Dad were in it, too. I probably will, too.”
“I hope I’m in Gryffindor – if not, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff,” Mae changed the subject hastily. “What do your oldest brothers do for work?”
“Noah is in Iceland studying dragons, and Will is in Japan doing something for Gringotts.”
They sat in silence, staring out the window as the woods and streams flew past. Mae twisted her fingers together, wondering what Hogwarts would look like. Her thoughts were interrupted when Tobin asked, “What’s your quidditch team?”
“Err…I don’t know any,” Mae confessed.
“What??” Tobin looked dumbfounded. “It’s the best game in the world!” And he was off, explaining the famous game. He was just explaining how the keeper protects the goals, when the compartment door slid open yet again. But it was not Oscar, the toadless boy, or the bossy girl, Liling. Instead, three boys entered. Mae recognized the middle one; it was the same pale-haired boy from Madam Malkin’s.
“So, it IS true! They’re saying, all down the train, that a Potter is in this compartment. So, it’s you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Mae said. She was looking at the other boys, both who were standing on either side of the pale-haired boy. They looked like bodyguards.
“Oh, this is Jake, and that’s Jack,” the boy said, noticing Mae staring at them. “And my name’s Cain Malfoy.”
Tobin gave a slight cough, which may have been hiding a snicker.
“Think my family’s funny, do you? No need to ask who you are! My father told me all the Walters have straw-coloured hair and big feet, and more children than they know what to do with,” Cain said. He turned back to Mae. “You will find that some wizarding families are better than others. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort…I can help you with that!”
He held out his hand to shake Mae’s, but she did not take it. “I’m fine, thanks,” she said cooly.
Cain Malfoy went pink and said, “I would be careful if I were you, Potter.” He smirked and left.
“Have you met Cain before?” Tobin asked. Mae explained their meeting at Madame Malkins. “I’ve heard of his family,” Tobin said. “They’ve always been on the dark side, ever since the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named time. That explains the way he was towards you; his family is not on good terms with the Potters.”
The door slid open again and Liling entered. “You’d better hurry up and put your robes on; we are almost there!”
Tobin glared. “Leave, then. I need to change. Mae, could you go, too?”
Mae nodded and pulled Liling out of the compartment with her. After a few awkward moments, Mae knocked and was let back into the compartment. Since the train was already slowing down, she just took off her sweatshirt, and pulled the robe over her clothes, not bothering to put on her uniform under the robes. Tobin’s robes were a bit too short, and his sneakers poked out from underneath. It had become dark outside since they’d gotten on the train, and a voice echoed through the train: “We will be reaching Hogwarts in four minutes’ time. Please leave your trunks on the train; they will be taken to the school separately.”
Mae’s stomach lurched with nerves, and Tobin looked pale. The train slowed right down, and finally stopped. Mae and Tobin joined the crowd in the corridor. People pushed their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. Mae shivered in the cold night air.
A lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Mae heard a familiar voice.
“First years, this way. Alright there, Mae?” River’s big, handsome face beamed over the sea of heads. “Follow me! Mind your feet, now. First years, follow me!”
Slipping and stumbling, they followed River down a steep, narrow path. It was so dark that Mae thought there must be trees all along the trail. “Hogwarts is just around the corner!” River yelled. There was a loud “oooooh” the narrow path had opened onto the edge of a black lake. Perched atop a hill on the other side, its windows sparkling from lamp light, was a vast castle with many turrets and windows.
“Four of you in each boat” River pointed to a fleet of tiny row boats bobbing in the water by the shore. Mae and Tobin were followed into their row boat by Oscar and Liling. “Everyone in?” river shouted and to the courses of yes he shouted “forward”
The fleet of little boats moved all at once, not needing rowing, moving by magic. They glided across the lake, which was as smooth as glass and as dark as the midnight sky. Everyone was silent, staring at the castle before them as they grew closer and closer to the cliff on which it stood. “Heads down” river called as the first few boats reached the cliff; everyone bent their heads and the little row boats brought them through a curtain of ivy that hid an opening in the cliff face. They traveled down a dark tunnel until they reached an underground port where they scrambled out onto the rocks that lined the water.
“Is this someone's toad?” River asked, he was checking the boats for lost or forgotten belongings.
“Luie!!” cried Oscar, collecting the large toad.
Then the first years trekked up a stair in the rock, coming out onto damp cool grass. In the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of nearby stairs and crowded around the huge oak door of the vast castle. River counted heads, then raised a huge hand and knocked three times on the huge door. The door swung open at once with a loud squeak of old hinges. A tall red haired witch stood there, she had a stern face and Mae’s first thought was that this was to a woman to cross.
“The first years, Professor Hart,” River said, stepping to the side.
“Thank you river. Follow me.” she pulled the door wide, the entrance hall was so big you could fit the coopers whole house in it. The stone walls were lit with flickering lamps and a beautiful marble staircase facing them led to the upper levels.
They followed professor hart across the flagged stone floor. Mae could hear hundreds of voices from the doorway to the right. But the professor to a small empty classroom. They crowded in and peerde about themselves in wonder.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” said Professor Hart, “the start of term banquet will begin shortly. But before you take your seats at a table you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting hat is a very treasured and special ceremony because while you are here your house will be family within hogwarts. Your classes are with your house. You sleep with your house. And spend free time with your house. The four houses are gryffindor, hufflepuff, ravenclaw and slytherin. Each house has its own history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards.
“While you are here at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points. While rule breaking will take points away. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the house cup. The sorting ceremony will take place in a few moments in front of the whole school. I suggested you neaten up as much as possible while you wait.”
Her eyes lingered on oscars cloak and on Mae’s disheveled hair. “I will return when we are ready for you,” said Professor Hart. “Wait quietly, please.”
Mae gave a jolt. A test, in front of the whole school?!? But I do not know any magic yet! Mae pulled on her hair and straightened her shirt. She glanced around, and noticed that everyone else looked just as terrified as she felt. Only Li-Ling was talking; she was whispering all the spells she had learned. Mae tried hard not to listen to her. She had never been so nervous – not even the time she had gotten lost on the way home from school. She kept her eyes on the door; any moment now, Professor Hart would come back and lead her to her doom.
Several people screamed, making Mae jump.
“What the…?!?” Mae gasped.
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. They were pearly-white, and a bit see-through. They seemed to be fighting as they glided across the room. A ghost wearing ruffles noticed the first-years, and the talking among the ghosts stopped abruptly.
“New students!” said a chubby ghost. “Waiting to be sorted?” A few students nodded. “Hope to see you in Ravenclaw; that’s my old house!” the ghost said.
“Move along! The sorting ceremony is about to start!” Professor Hart had returned.
The ghosts waved, and floated away through the opposite wall.
“Now, form a line,” Professor Hart instructed the first-years, “and follow me!”
Feeling oddly like her heart would shatter with nerves, Mae got into line behind a boy with brown hair. With Tobin behind her, they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Mae gazed around in awe. The Great Hall was lit with thousands of lamps. Some were floating above four long tables, where some students were sitting, and some were mounted to the walls. The tables were set with golden plates and cups. At the front of the hall was another long table where teachers were sitting.
Professor Hart led the first-years up there, so that they were standing with the students in front of them, and the teachers behind them. Sprinkled among the students, the ghosts shone, misty silver, impossible not to notice. To avoid all the staring eyes, Mae looked at the ceiling, which was a velvety black, dotted with stars. Li-Ling whispered from a little away, “It’s bewitched, to look like the sky.”
It was hard to believe there was a ceiling at all! Mae looked when professor Hart placed a stool down in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a very old wizards hat, it was very dirty and had several rips and many patches. Noticing that everyone was staring at the hat, she did too. A rip near the brim opened and the hat began to sing.
Hufflepuff,
That is where the kind and trustworthy stay.
Caring for each other every day.
Ravenclaw,
Behold the smart and bright dwell.
Doing well.
Slytherin,
Doth the cunning and tricky play.
Betting on who will stay.
Gryffindor,
Most brave of heart and daring of them all.
No one compares.
Now let us see,
It is the start of a brand new year.
Mysteries and terror await,
Along with friendship taking the bait.
So be brave,
Be bright,
Be kind,
Be cunning.
Come find your fate.
If you dare.
So take a seat,
And plop me on your head,
Many wonders lie ahead.
Everyone burst into applause. Mae sighed with relief, the only had to put on the hat. Professor Hart stepped forward “when I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and take a seat on the stool, the hat will tell you when you can leave.” she said. “Amet, Trudy.” A short chubby girl stumbled out of the line, she put on the hat, after a moment. “HUFFLEPUFF” shouted the hat. The table on the far right cheered as Trudy went to an empty seat at the Hufflepuff table.
“Jackson, Ash!” shouted the hat. “RAVENCLAW!” was yelled a few minutes later. The second table on the far left as Ash Jackson stumbled into a seat.
“Bluebottom, Rose” went to Ravenclaw, but “Buckthorn, Mandy” became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the left of Hufflepuff clapped and cheered. “Bulstrode, Briar” became a Slytherin. Mae thought everyone at the Slytherin table looked a bit unpleasant. She was starting to feel sick; she did not want to sit in front of everyone, looking the way she did. “Flingway, Julia” became a Hufflepuff. Mae noticed that sometimes the hat took a very long time to shout out the house, but sometimes, it shouted right away. “Yang, Liling!” Liling ran to the stool and jammed the hat onto her head. “Gryffindor!” the hat shouted right away. Mae nervously smoothed her hair (only making it more crazy), knowing she was going to be called soon. “Longbottom, Oscar!” Oscar almost fell on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide, but then shouted, “Gryffindor!” Oscar ran off, still wearing the hat, and had to hand it back to an annoyed and amused Professor Hart. Cain swaggered forward when his name was called, and got his wish: “Slytherin!” He went to join his friends, Jake and Jack, looking pleased with himself.
There were not many people left now. “Marks,” “Patel,” “Ploof,” “Rheinhart,” then “Plato, Rosemary,” and, at last, “Potter, Mae!” As Mae stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out, like a million snakes had gotten loose.
“Potter? Did I hear that right?”
“There’s another one??”
“A Potter just graduated…is she related to the graduate?”
Mae put on the hat and waited. “Hmmm,” said a small voice in her ear. “Difficult. Lots of empathy, not a bad mind, too. So much talent…a nice thirst to prove yourself. Where should I put you?” Mae thought, Not Slytherin…please, no! “Well, okay,” the hat said. “Better be…GRYFFINDOR!” The hat shouted the last words of it to the whole hall. Mae took off the hat and walked over to the Gryffindor table. She was so relieved not to be in Slytherin that she did not know that she was getting the loudest cheer.
Mae sat down next to the ghost she had seen earlier. The ghost patted her head, giving Mae the feeling she had just jumped into ice-cold water. Mae looked at the high table. River sat at the end nearest to her. At the center, in a large, gold chair, sat Casper Lupin. His hair was blue-black with a few streaks of gray, and his eyes were lilac-gray. Now there were only two first-years left to be sorted. “Topaz, sully” became a ravenclaw and then it was Tobins turn. Mae crossed her fingers under the table. “Gryffindor!” the hat shouted, mae clapped as loud as she could when tobin flopped onto the empty space on the bench next to her. Professor Hart rolled up her scroll and took the stool and the sorting hat away. Casper Lupin got to his feet.
Beaming he said “welcome! Welcome to a new year at hogwarts. Before we begin feasting, I would like to say a few words. Have fun, learn lots and let's eat!”
He sat back down. Everybody cheered.
“Could you pass the yorkshire pudding?” Alex Tobins older brother aske mae.
Mae looked down and the dishes were now piled with food. There were so many things Mae loved all on one table. Lamb chops, fluffy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, peas, bangers and mash, gravy, and for some reason peppermint humbugs. Mae turned to look down the table and saw the ghost looking longingly at the food.
“You can't eat it?” Mae asked.
“I wish I could. The names Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington by the way”
“Oh! So your nearly headless nick! My brothers told me all about you.” Tobin said.
“Don't call me that, but yes I am.” the ghost said “I hope you new Gryffindors will help us win the house cup.”
When the rest of dinner was gone and done, the remnants of food faded from the plates and a moment later desserts appeared. Chocolate custard, apple pie, treacle tart, rice pudding, ice cream in every imaginable flavor, jell-o, strawberries… Mae chose a large piece of apple pie, as the talk turned to families and hopes for the new year.
“My mum and dad are both magical” Mandy buckthorn said “ but me aunts a doctor and a muggle”
“My uncle brought me up and he is a wizard,” Oscar said. “They thought I was a muggle for ages, until my aunt pushed me off a dock and I floated, and mind you I don't know how to swim. My uncle was so proud he bought me a toad.”
Everyone laughed, picturing the scene.
Liling spoke up, “both of my parents are muggles. But they were happy when I got my letter. One of my distant relatives was also magical. Also then they got to go on that trip to china they have always been wanting to go on, my family is from there.”
At last the desserts disappeared and professor Lupin got to his feet. “Ahem, I have a start of year notices that I must tell you. First years should know that forest to all pupils. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term, if you are interested contact madam thorn.” Professor Lupin smiled as he looked around the hall. “Now before we had to bed, lets sing the school song!”
Mae noticed that the other professors' smiles were starting to look forced. Lupin gave his wand a flick and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, the ribbon twisted itself into snake-like words above the students.
“Everyone, pick your favorite tune. Three two one-” and the school sang.
“Hogwarts, hogwarts, hoggy warty, hogwarts.
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees.
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff.
For now their bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we’ve forgotten.
Just do your best,
We’ll do the rest.
And learn until our brains rot!”
Everyone finished at different times, at last Alex finished the last verse, slow and wailing.
“Bravo, now bedtime. Off you go. First year follow your house prefects, they wear a badge bearing a capital P.” Professor Lupin bellowed.
The Gryffindor first year followed Max through the crowd, out the great hall and up a marble staircase. As Mae walked up the stairs she noticed that the people in the portraits were waving and smiling at the first years. They climbed more stairs, going through hidden doorways. Yawning and dragging their feet the first years followed Max down a long corridor, they Gryffindors stopped at a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.
“Password?” she asked.
“Flying first years.” Max replied and the portrait swung forward to reveal a large round hole in the wall.
They all scrambled in after Max, Oscar with some help. They found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cozy round room full of large armchairs. Max directed the girls up one set of stairs and the boys up another.
“See you later!” Mae called to Tobin.
“Yup.” Tobin replied, bounding up the stairs to the boys dorm and out of sight.
Mae smiled and went to her own dorm. Mae found her four-poster in a corner, labeled with her full name in gold cursive. Five four posters filled the room, there was a door that led to the older girls' rooms. A small fireplace stood in an empty space and two armchairs faced it. The four-posters had deep red velvet curtains for privacy. Their trunks were already at the foot of their beds. Too tired to pull on her pj’s Mae fell into bed. She had a hard time falling asleep. Perhaps it was that she ate too much, she was not used to eating so much. At home her mum had always lectured her about how thin girls are prettier. Mae sighed, reminding herself that she did not have to worry about that any more. She rolled over and tried to fall asleep.
Mae found it so hard the next day to find her classes. There were a hundred and forty two staircases at hogwarts. Narrow rickety ones, wide ones, some that were not there on fridays, some with a vanishing step. Then there were the doors. Some only opened if you asked politely, doors that were not doors, but solid walls that were just pretending. The people in the portraits moved around and the coats in armor could walk.
Of all her classes Mae’s favorite was charms and her least favorite was defense against the dark arts. Professor Hat was a kind old man with very little hair. He always let Mae stay late and practice with Tobin (more like help Tobin so he would not fail). Professor Boon the potions teacher was a boring woman, he droned on and on and never let them use their wands. Mae was relieved after a few weeks that she was not falling behind, lots of other students who came from muggle families like her were doing way worse.
Friday was a special day as Mae and Tobin did not get lost on their way to classes.
“What's first today?” Mae asked Tobin.
“Potions with the Slytherins.” said Tobin.
Mae groaned, just what they needed. The mail arrived, while they were eating breakfast. The hundred or so owls swooped down, finding their owners and dropping off that morning mail. Twilight had not brought anything for Mae yet. She sometimes flew in to say hi. This morning though there was a letter. Mae tore it open and read;
Dear Mae
I know you have a free block on friday. Would you like to stop by for some tea around four? I want to hear about your first few weeks. You can bring a friend.
Yours,
River
Mae pulled out her pen and scribbled on the back of Rivers' note.
I would love to. I will bring my new friend tobin.
Mae
And then Mae sent Twilight off again, into the cool morning air, split only by rays of warm sunlight.
End of part two
Comments
Log in or register to post comments.