II) Hogwarts and Feast

Finally morning came, and with it, the day to go back to school. Hermione loved it best when they first got to the Platform between 9 and 10. Just because the complete magical aura started there. She was wearing her favourite lime green long sleeve with v-neck cut, jeans with the back pockets decorated with fuchsia sparkles (OK guilty! She did that part), and green flats with light pink bubbles.

When she emerged from the barrier, she took a deep breath, and went to find a compartment, making sure Ron and Harry were behind her. To her delighted surprise when she looked in the first compartment there was Madeline just staring out the window, wearing a blood red shalwar kameez with the most beautiful elaborate embroidery; she also had two silver bracelets and a matching string necklace with a single small amythest in the middle.

"Madeline? Can we join you?" asked Hermione opening the door. Madeline looked up "Of course Hermione" She nodded, and resumed looking out the window. Maybe Ron was right, thought Hermione, She is a little strange. Maybe that is the Afghanistan part of her. She glanced at Ron who was already sitting opposite and just gazing at her.

But then suddenly Madeline said, not turning away from the window "Please stop staring at me Ronald" Ron looked at Harry surprised but was met with a shrug.

"That's a nice necklace Madeline," mentioned Hermione, "Oh thank you my aunt sent it to me a few months ago, she lives in Mazar-e-Sharif, a city in the north of Afghanistan. She told me it's been in the family for a few generations. In case you're wondering it's actually a real amythest." Madeline smiled.

"Wanna play some chess?" Harry asked a few minutes later just after the train started to leave the station. Madeline looked up "Me?" she said bewildered, Hermione could see she was not used to be asked if she wanted to play a game or not. "Yeah, Madeline, see what you can do against Harry." Said Ron "I'll play winner" Madeline nodded and started to sort her pieces on the board. She chose to be white, while Harry was black.

It was a quick game, by Hermione's standard's when watching Harry and Ron, but this one only lasted about 15 min, till Madeline smirked moved a piece and said "Checkmate"

Ron looked dumbfounded. "How did she do that?" Madeline raised her eyebrows at Ron and said, "A really good chess player never reveals his or her secrets."

"My father and I are always playing chess and teaching family back in Afghanistan how to play. There is still war there and women are not allowed to go out and work, and if they go out, they must wear a burqa if they are a woman or a chador if they are a girl, to completely cover their faces. Therefore, when we go there on trips we always teach them games so they aren't bored. Of course that means I must wear a chador when father takes me there."

"The Canadian, American and British armies are fighting the Taliban; there are a few other armies too though. The Taliban say they are fighting for Afghanistan but they are the ones who are imprisoning women and girls in their own home. Here," Madeline reached in her bag, pulled out three books, and handed them to Ron, "Read these."

The first book was The Breadwinner, the second was Parvana's Journey, and the third was titled Mud City. "These are a series books following the story of two girls, Parvana and Shauzia. It has real information about Afghanistan and when you read them you may notice that a few times in the books it mentions my family's home, on my fathers side that is. I think it would be good so you can understand, well, more about me."

"What is a burqa and chador?" Ron asked, still gazing at the three books.

"A burqa is a long, tent-like garment, which the Taliban have said women must wear whenever they go outside. It covers them completely and even has a narrow mesh screen over the eyes. You can understand it is hot in the summer. A chador is sort of the same thing but different: It's a piece of cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders. Girls wear them outside. The men do all the work and shopping. If a women goes out, she must be accompanied by a male, or have a written note attached to them from the male stating she has permission to be out. Women and girls become weak because the homes are a very little single room. They do not move around much and besides, there is not much room to move around in. Women, girls, don't get much exercise." Madeline sighed and looked down. They saw a single tear run down her face as she bit her lip.

"I'm sorry I asked," said Ron, "I was just curious! Sue me! Though not literally!" he added for good measure. Madeline smiled at him and laughed.

Suddenly the compartment door opened and to all of their surprise (sort of), Draco Malfoy was standing in the doorway. "What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione asked icily, no way was she going to let the horrible Slytherin-Prince take on them this year (however secretly she had been writing to him all summer; they had made a good friendship. It had happened by accident).

"I was wondering if I could talk to Potter alone." He sneered, to Hermione's surprise Harry immediately got up and started to follow Malfoy, up at the door he turned and said, "Don't worry, it's not like anything can happen, the train is full of students." and left. Madeline got up and said, "I'll follow them just to make sure," And left, quietly closing the door shut behind her.

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Harry followed Malfoy to the end of the train aware that Madeline was following him so Malfoy could not attack anyway. "What do you want Malfoy?" he asked dangerously. "I want to apologize, Potter" Harry blinked. This was not what he had been expecting. "Huh?" was all he could get out.

Malfoy rolled his eyes and muttered, "My father doesn't want me doing this, but I'm tired of always doing what my father wants." Harry smirked. "You sound the opposite of Neville" Malfoy raised his eyebrows and said, "I want to start again. I've liked you and your friends from the beginning but under my fathers orders I was forced to act like an ass towards you" Malfoy grimaced slightly as if he was in pain.

Then Malfoy stuck out his hand, which had a burn mark on it, and as if his hand was giving the orders, Harry shook it. "You'll have to prove it though Malfoy" Malfoy sighed "Very well Potter. See you at school" Malfoy smiled (it looked a little funny) before adding "Harry" but Harry just nodded "Draco".

Madeline watched them closely, as far as she could tell, they were just talking, but she thought she noticed Malfoy's hand slipping into his pocket. She quickly muttered a spell and he immediately took it out. There on the hand was a horrible scorch mark. Madeline giggled slightly. She raced to Malfoy's side when Harry left and said, "OK I know you were reaching in your pocket for you wand. You were going to jinx Harry!" she added her special glare for an extra touch.

Malfoy rolled his eyes and shook his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note. "I was going to ask him to give this to…Hermione. I was asked to give it to her and not to say who it's from." Madeline blushed and took the note, "I'll give it to her. Sorry about that." And she hurried back to the compartment where the others were waiting for her. The train was nearing the station.

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"What was that all about on the train?" Ron immediately asked Harry, once they got a carriage. They had changed already except Madeline, who explained that she was going to get robes on the first trip to Hogsmeade, because she only had time to get her books. Madeline put down her book while Hermione put the note from Draco back in her bag, her face slightly pink. Luckily, Madeline was the only one to notice this; though Ron eyed the note with a suspicious glance.

"Malfoy wanted to apologize and be friends, with all of us." Hermione pretended to roll her eyes, as he told them everything. "No bloody way will I be friends with that ferret Harry!" Ron cried out angrily, immediately after Harry finished telling them what happened. "Oh come on Ron," sighed Hermione "Give him a chance. He could have changed, it happens. I for one do not mind giving him a second chance. After all, I did punch him in third year." She shrugged her shoulders.

Ron just glared and right away gave her a retort. Hermione just answered back and the row started. Great, Madeline thought, I have to start my year off in a fight. They got out of the carriage and headed up to the school with the others, I will just have to block them out every time they start a row! Madeline knew, it was not going to be easy.

Once they were inside Madeline was shocked. She thought the doors were big, but when they stepped in the place was enormous; her house would probably fit a little less then two times in the Great Hall. There were four house tables with the houses colours and symbols over it, and, right at the top the Staff table, which had a giant black banner with an enlarged Hogwarts symbol in the middle.

Madeline saw her mother already at the table and waved and her mother returned the wave along with a cheery grin. Then she realised that sense she was not in a house she could not go anywhere. Therefore, she decided to do the sensible thing and wait at the doors.

Finally, when everyone was settled in, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster stood up "I would like to welcome you all for another year at Hogwarts. Now, before we continue with the usual Sorting Ceremony I would like to welcome a new student who will be starting in her sixth year. Ah, and here she is already. Please join me in welcoming Madeline McGonagall!" The whole Hall burst into applause as Madeline walked towards Dumbledore. She knew her face was showing complete confidence.

She got up to the Staff and turned around, flashing the whole Hall a dazzling smile. The oak doors opened again and in came Madeline's grandmother carrying a stool; a grubby hat and a roll of parchment. Ooh, I hope I can be sorted first so it will not be as embarrassing, thought Madeline. No sooner, had she thought it then Professor McGonagall put down the stool and the hat and opened the parchment, and the first years all came together in front of her. "Now first years. When I call your name, you will come forth, put on the hat, and it will sort you into your houses" She cleared her throat and started "McGonagall, Madeline!"

Madeline was surprised that what she hoped came true, ok well not that surprised, and she hurried forward and sat down. McGonagall put the hat on her and immediately the brim opened and a voice said: "A McGonagall? I have not seen one in ages. Lots of courage and bravery, ready to prove yourself. Well then…GRYFFINDOR!" the hat bellowed the last word to the Hall and it rang out in applause again as she hurried to the Gryffindor table and sat down beside Harry.

As Madeline looked down the table, the sorting continued, she saw other students who she saw at Diagon Alley.

The sorting finished at the 'W's' (Georgia Windfall - Ravenclaw) McGonagall picked up the stool and the hat and walked away. Dumbledore stood up and with arms wide and said beaming "Tuck in!" And suddenly the house tables were groaning under the plates and plates of food. "This looks amazing guys!" Madeline exclaimed. "The food is good, but the dormitories are awesome!" Hermione mentioned, "You know Peeves was messing in the kitchen again and scaring the house-elves so it's lucky there actually is a feast. Same thing as two years ago" Nearly Headless Nick said suddenly. "Your remember I'm sure?" his gazed turned towards Hermione. She nodded and frowned a little.

Nick soon after glided up the table to chat with a little first-year girl with her pitch-black hair in two braids. Hermione looked curiously at her. She was wearing a black dress that went to her knees with a white collar and black tights. Underneath her new robes of course but her robes were wide open. She was oddly pale with dark eyes.

After the last of the pudding vanished, Dumbledore stood up again. "Now that we are all fed and watered. I would like to make a few announcements. One, Mr. Filch says there is a list of 517 items that are banned, the list can be viewed tacked to his office door. Also Professor McGonagall has the list of those wishing to be on the house teams, Gryffindor with three positions open, Ravenclaw with five positions open and Slytherin and Huffelpuff both with four positions open." He paused for a moment while the Hall silence suddenly lifted. "As so" Dumbledore continued louder "I know how important your study's are and I am sure that you would want to have breakfast before classes start, so off you go!"

Madeline heard the scraping and banging as the school was dismissed and headed with Harry, Ron and Hermione up to the Gryffindor Tower. She had not actually listened to Dumbledore's speech, mostly because her grandmother already told her. Another was she was a Seer but did not want anyone to know. Not even her family, she was still considering her friends.

Madeline followed Hermione up to the rooms. When Madeline got into her bed, she was amazed at how warm and cozy it felt. She also heard Hermione give a big huff when the others got into bed. Madeline grinned to herself but did not fall asleep right away; rather she was listening to the storm that had started outside during the Feast. Madeline had always loved the rain. She was glad the rain started after they were inside and she was a total water baby. Well more then that. It wasn't, however, like she knew that yet.