The Werewolf's Daughter

1: The summer Sorting

Professor Dumbledore sat in his office thinking about the coming school year. He had finally managed to secure a teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts (DADA), he just hoped this teacher would be the one to break the curse and stay longer than a year. He was also thinking about the escaped Sirius Black and if he needed to put up some more security around the school. Fudge wanted dementors stationed at the school; he would most definitely be fighting that decision.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Professor Dumbledore looked at his clock – 11.47pm – who could that be? 'Enter' he called.

'Sorry to bother you Professor Dumbledore sir, it's just that I found this young girl down in Hogsmeade asking everyone how she could get in touch with you. She's just young Sir, 13 years old, and she seems to be all on her own.' Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper said.

'Bring her in Hagrid, I will speak with her.'

A young girl appeared in the doorway next, she had curly brown hair and hazel eyes. She was trembling.

'I am Professor Dumbledore, I believe you have been looking for me?'

The girl sighed a sigh of relief. 'I am so sorry to bother you Professor.' The girl said, in a slight American accent.

'That's ok dear. Please, how can I help you?'

'My name is Maya Jones, my mother was Moira Jones, I believe she went to Hogwarts? Along with my aunt Lyra?'

'Ah yes, I knew your mother and your aunt. How is she? Once she graduated, I didn't hear much of her.'

'My mother died when I was 3 – 10 years ago – I'm 13 now. I lived with my aunt up until recently; we moved to America when I was 5. When I turned 11 I went to Ilvermorny School.'

Professor Dumbledore smiled a sad smile. 'I am so sorry to hear that you lost your mother so young. I trust your aunt looked after you well?'

'Yes. Up until she died 3 weeks ago.'

'My dear, I am so sorry. So much loss at such a young age; you have gone through a lot. Excuse me if this sounds insensitive, but how can I help you?'

'I would like to join Hogwarts. I hate America, my Aunt moved there for a new start, but I feel like she ripped me away from everything I knew here in Britain. I haven't been able to visit my mother's grave to talk to her since we left. Ilvermorny is ok, but I would really like to join the same school my mother went to. I spoke to the headteacher at Ilvermorny and she gave me my school records to bring you.' The young girl handed Dumbledore a file, which he opened and looked through. 'I would also like the chance to try and find my father – I never knew him but I have some letters from my mother that may help me now.' the girl added quietly.

Professor Dumbledore stopped looking through the folder. 'Ms Jones, this is a highly unusual request, but I think I would be able to help you. The only problem I have is, do you have a guardian? A house to live in?'

'I have money and my mother left me a house. We lived in it before we went to America and then my Aunt rented it out. I have let the current occupants know that they have to leave the house within the next month'.

'I see, and do you think a 13-year-old will be able to live on their own?'

'Well, Professor, I haven't tried it yet, but I don't have much of a choice. I believe school term starts on 1st September, so it would only be for 2 weeks.'

Professor Dumbledore smiled at the young girl – she was clearly very independent. 'Ms Jones, I would be happy to offer you a place here at Hogwarts, on one condition. You stay here, at Hogwarts, for the next two weeks until the term starts.'

Maya started to cry 'Thank you so much. In truth, I was scared about being alone in a big empty house. Hopefully I will find my father this year and next Summer I will live with him.'

Professor Dumbledore smiled again. 'There is only one thing for it then.' he said, standing up and making his way over to a shelf. He picked up a grotty old hat. 'This is the sorting hat – this will decide which house you will join.'

'Dumbledore, why have you woken me up?' the hat asked, making Maya jump. The hat can talk?!

'Alas I am very sorry my old friend; we have a mid-year sorting! A third-year transfer – can you help?'

'I suppose so.'

'Maya, place this on your head please.'

Maya took the hat from Dumbledore and place it on her head. The hat had barely touched her head when it shouted 'GRYFFINDOR!'

'Well that settles that. Come Maya, I will take you to meet your new head of house, who will show you to the Gryffindor common room. That's where you will spend the next two weeks and the school year.'