Chapter Two: I Arrive At Hogwarts, And Laugh With McGonagall
Aleckai's PoV
The next day, I was packed and ready to go, my two large trunks and four medium ones ready infront of the fireplace, along with my free-house-elf-except-she-insists-upon-serving-me, Lucky.
The scrawny house elf tugs on the end of my silver lined black robe. "Miss, Lucky would like to know if she should bring some of the trunks to Hogwarts, and that Miss should use Floo powder to get there."
"A proper genius, I'd say Lucky." I laugh. "Let's do just that."
She apparates away with several of my trunks, and I use the Floo powder to drag the rest out into the main foyer of Hogwarts.
"Aleckai," Argus Filch growls at me, as he trudges down the staircase.
Lucky has one arm wrapped around my leg, the trunks she brought stacked upon mine.
"Hello, Filch." I greet the ever-grumpy Hogwarts caretaker.
"Dumbledore ask'd me ta show you were you'll be stayin'." He practically growls. "Ah hear you'll be takin' over for ol' Binns."
"Yes, quite unfortunately. He showed up last night offering the position. Even though long ago I told him only to contact me if that damn Potions spot opened up."
"Ah, well. You'll get the quarters behind the classroom. " i follow Argus Filch down the pathway I used to take as a young girl, when i attended Hogwarts.
"Lucky, go ahead and find the other house-elves. They should be in the kitchens." I instruct the elf attached to my leg.
"Yes, Miss. Lucky will find the other elves!" She disappears with a pop!
I direct my trunks, which are floating dutifully behind me.
"Aw, it's just as old and gross and dusty as when I was a lass." I pout, as we enter the classroom.
"Yer quarters are behind the painting of the Hogwarts crest. It's password protected." Filch informs me, and I turn to look at the giant painting of the crest that hangs on the right of the massive chalkboard, right behind the professor's desk.
"Is there a set password now?" I ask.
"No." Flich answers, and exits the room, no doubt in search of his beloved (and utterly revolting) cat, Mrs. Norris.
"The Headmaster informed me you would be taking Cuthbert's place." A voice says behind me.
I spin around, and come face-to-face with my old transfiguration teacher, Minerva McGonagall.
"Professor!" I screech, practically launching myself at the ageing witch.
"Hello, Aleckai. Yes, I missed you too." She chuckles, as I envelop her in a giant bear hug.
"So, History of Magic? Didn't that used to be one of your least favourites?" McGonagall remarks.
"You remembered! And eh, more like middle. Nothing could top Divination and Muggle Studies as my least favourites." I shrug.
"Of course i remember! It's kind of hard to forget the trouble you and those boys caused!" She laughs.
"Good tines, good times. Before I was the only one a)," i count on ny fingers," not dead, b) in azkaban, or c), hiding out Merlin knows where."
The transfiguration professor gives me a look of sympathy.
"Oh! Or being a total asswipe and following all that purist shit!" I exclaim, gesturing wildly. "Do you have any idea how many tines they would appear outside the gates, begging me?"
"Well, you are a-" McGonagall starts.
I cut her off. "Can we not bring Houses into this?" I whine. "Yes, I know. But really? Anyway, can i spice this place up a bit? It's bland." I cross my arms and pout.
"Still ever the mood-changer, I see." McGonagall laughs, brushing down her signature emerald green robes. "And itms your classroom now. Just be reminded that the term starts-"
"On the 1st of September, i know, i know." I interrupt.
The witch turns to leave. "And Aleckai? We're colleagues now. You can call me Minerva."
"Yes'm." I mutter, blushing.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Harry Potter is attending to Hogwarts as a Second Year." She escapes down the hallway, but i can hear her laugh after a pterodactyl noise escapes me.
Harry Potter? As in, son of Lily Potter, my childhood best friend?
Author's Note:
This is a rather important message. I recently severely injured my knee, and 2.5 hours in the ER and an X-Ray couldn't tell me what was wrong. I am unable to get an MRI until late next week. Worst case scenario, I will be stuck on bed rest for a week or so. Depending on how bad the injury is and whether or not I need surgery will impact how much I write, so there is a chance that will not be many more updates for a while.