Chapter Two
The Big News
In the morning, just minutes before receiving the biggest news of her life, Megan ran into two boys; one from Gryffindor and one from Slytherin. One encounter left her feeling confused but the other left her feeling warm inside.
The first encounter was with Draco Malfoy, who was pacing the corridors alone. Megan had gone to return a book before breakfast and bumped into him outside the library.
"Oh! Sorry!" Megan said. Then she saw who the boy was, and didn't feel a bit sorry. Draco was always horrible to her groups of friends, but her in particular. She never found out why.
"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Draco said with a scowl. He folded his arms and stuck his nose in the air.
Megan imitated him. "Why don't you watch where you're going?" she said fiercely. Draco obviously wasn't expecting her to retaliate, and looked slightly shocked.
"...What are you doing wandering around anyway?" Draco asked. He tried to look bored but his cold eyes were fixed on her face.
"I could ask you the same thing," Megan said. "But I was returning a book to the library."
"You're just like that bloody Granger," Draco grumbled, leaning against the wall.
"Well, she is smart and kind, so I'll take that as a compliment," Megan replied. This seemed to annoy him slightly, but Megan didn't care.
"Hmm..." Draco studied her for a second. "In some ways you are better than Granger though..."
"What do you mean?" Megan asked. Was he about to tell her that she wasn't as smart as Hermione?
"Well for starters you haven't got that awful bushy hair," Draco drawled. "And you aren't bad-looking I guess... but you're annoying and think you know everything, just like her!"
"I'm tired of being insulted, so I'm going to leave now. Goodbye," Megan told Draco, smiling pleasantly at him before walking away smartly, leaving him stood by the wall alone.
It was a backhanded compliment, but she did have a look at herself in the mirror at the end of the corridor. Still not seeing it, she walked on, down the stairs and past the Gryffindor common room. Walking down the stairs opposite to the portrait, she was aware of her charm bracelet slipping off her wrist. Before she could turn to retrieve it, however, somebody else was already bending down to pick it up.
"You dropped this, I believe?" George Weasley said with a smile, holding it carefully. Megan smiled gratefully.
"Thank you!"
"Allow me." He carefully did it up for her around her wrist, and Megan looked up into his friendly brown eyes. He was so different from Draco; so much nicer, and good-looking in a different way to the Slytherin boy...
"I don't think I know your name?" George said.
"Megan Cathcart," said Megan.
"I'm George Weasley," George said. "I've seen you round before, but I never got the courage to talk to you until now. I always see you with your group of giggling Ravenclaw girls, but you never look that happy to be there."
Megan bit her lip. How had he guessed?
"Well, sometimes I feel a bit out of place," Megan admitted.
"Well, you're free to hang out with Fred and I if you wish," George said, smiling sweetly.
Megan's heart was pounding. "Thank you," she smiled. "Well, I'll see you later, I really must be going now."
"See you round, Megan."
Megan ran back to Ravenclaw Tower, her heart full of happiness. She was also confused though, by Draco Malfoy. She pushed him out of her head and instead thought about George, who was kinder.
"What are you smiling about?" Marietta asked grumpily, applying some foundation.
Megan smiled. "Oh nothing." She decided she wouldn't share anything with her friends; it was to be her little secret.
~~~(O.O)~~~
At breakfast, Megan sat between Cho and Iona and helped herself to eggs and bacon. After five minutes, the owls began arriving. Megan received letters from her mother once a week on Friday's, so she wasn't expecting anything that day. She was surprised when a very important looking owl soared in front of her and landed neatly next to her plate.
"Is this... for me?" Megan asked the owl, who held out his foot with his head held pompously high. She undid the letter with trembling hands and read Megan Cathcart in golden writing.
"That looks very important," Cho said, staring at the writing. Megan opened the letter and read it. Then she reread it again and again.
"Oh my," Iona whispered; she too was reading it.
Marietta leaned over, desperate to be involved, and snatched the letter away. She skim-read it, then stared at Megan in shock, holding it.
"You're royalty?"
There was a small silence around their area of the table. Megan snatched it back and read it for the fourth time.
Dear Megan Cathcart of Hogwarts,
It is I, your father ,writing. I must start by apologising for not corresponding with you earlier. Your mother felt however that I should wait until you were in your Third Year at school before I told you the truth of your heritage.
This may come as a shock to you, but I am King Rodolphus of Byarovia. Byarovia is a small island situated between England and France; it is also very wealthy and has a population of 6000. Your mother is the rightful Queen (by marriage) but fled shortly after she realised she was pregnant when it dawned on her that you would be the heir. She wanted to live a normal life after experiencing the life of a royal, and wanted a normal life for you. However, she has accepted that it is your life and you may choose when you are of age.
To make up for not being there throughout your childhood, I will be sending gifts and money regularly, as well as sending many letters. Hopefully one day we will meet.
Please reply as soon as you can. I can't wait to hear from my only child.
Yours sincerely,
King Rodolphus of Byarovia
P.S. Your real name is Margoletta de Cathcart but your mother thought it was too fancy a name for a normal child, so it was shortened to Megan.
All the girls stared in awe at Megan. She couldn't believe what she had read.
Royalty?
