"Robert, Malcolm, come on" I shout at my two younger brothers, who are still quarreling about who won in their race to get to the platform. Platform 9 ¾ that is, where we await the Hogwarts Express. Now you may be thinking 'Hogwarts? What a funny word!' But I must assure you that Hogwarts in the name of a place that is ancient, dangerous, wonderful, magical, and above all it is my school. My name is Minerva McGonagall, and I am a witch.
On the train I search for Cassandra. She is my best friend at Hogwarts. She looks relieved when I tap her shoulder, she must have been searching for me too. We sit down and get reacquainted. I haven't seen her all summer because my family went on a very long vacation to the tropics, I can't remember exactly where. I tell her all about it. She seems most interested in the food that I ate; you just don't get fresh coconuts in Scotland. The trip to Hogwarts passes by quickly as we chat and watch the countryside go by.
Once at Hogwarts we find seats at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. I am euphoric; Hogwarts is like a safe haven for me where I don't have to hide. Except that Arnold Willard is sitting beside me. He isn't that bad, he just has a reputation for playing tricks and doing things for his own amusement. When he catches me looking at him he grins. His teeth are perfect. He has very fair skin and hair, with vivid green eyes. He is quite handsome, but that contributes to his reputation. He has made so many girls fall for him, but he hasn't even acknowledged a single one. "Hey Minnie!" he says with a wink. He knows that I do not like to be called Minnie.
"Hello Arnie." I retort. My hand rests on the table. I had forgotten that it was there until he touches it. He has long, slender fingers to match his long, slender body. I am frozen with shock. My hand tingled where he touched it. I am glad that Cassandra isn't paying attention. She is talkative and a bad secret-keeper. Not that anything is happening… right? I glance over at her. She is having an intense conversation with a fourth year about how her dirty blond hair compliments her brown eyes. Cassandra is very pretty; all of the boys in our year –which is seventh- think so. My attention snaps back to myself though, when Arnold touches my hand again. I look at him and he looks back. My heart is beating fast and my breathing is shallow. I open my mouth to ask him something, although I have no idea what, but then the headmaster clears his throat.
I listen to the usual speech and clap for the sorting, but my mind is elsewhere. It lingers on the feeling in my stomach and the look that was in Arnold's eyes when he touched me. I am overreacting. That was nothing. I will not be like the superficial girls who have chased Arnold around since day one. I must not be one of them. Before I know it the sorting is over and the food appears. This is my final year at Hogwarts and I still have no idea where the food comes from. Maybe some time I should ask. The feast looks delicious, but I eat little. I'm not quite sure why.
Quick Author's note:
Hello everyone! This is my very first fanfic, so I hope you like it. Whether or not you like it please review because I appreciate constructive criticism.
- Lucy Pensee