Chapter 2- Getting in the Swing of Things
Stopping in front of the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office. She wondered what he wanted to speak with her about. Sighing to herself she looked up at the gargoyle. McGonagall had forgotten to tell her the password, which meant that she had to play a game of 'guess the confectionery that was the password'. She figured she'd start off with the more common candies and move on to the lesser-known sweets. Mya didn't mind playing. In fact she thought it quite amusing the sweets that Albus Dumbledore had a liking to. Looking up at the gargoyle, she started to spout off a list of sweets.
"Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean, Jelly Slugs, Chocolate Frogs. How about- Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands. No? Okay. Pepper Imps, Toothflossing Stringmints, Ice Mice, peppermint cream frogs. Let's see. Sugar quills, exploding bonbons, Cockroach Clusters, Blood Pops. Hmm, nothing common then eh? Canary Creams, Puking Pastilles, Nosebleed Nougat, Fainting Fancies."
That was it. The gargoyle came to life and side stepped the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Mya stepped onto the moving staircase and waited patiently until it reached the doors of the office. Before she could knock, the Headmaster said for her to enter. Smirking, the girl pushed the doors open and plopped herself down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Sir, Professor McGonagall said you wished to see me."
"Yes Ms. Prewett that would be correct. There are a few things that I wish to speak with you about. First off, would you prefer to be sorted now, before the rest of the school gets here, or later, before the feast? Secondly, you are to continue private lessons with both Severus and Minerva, which you will discuss with them in order to set up times. I would like these lessons to continue at least four times a week. Can you accept this Mya?"
"Yes Sir, I can. I would like to be sorted later, if that is quite all right with you. I will see Professors Snape and McGonagall after the feast to discuss my lessons. Just one thing Professor, what do I tell my classmates? I remember nothing of my life before the fight."
"Ah yes, that might be prudent to know. You already know that your parents were George and Alanna Prewett and that you come from a long line of Purebloods. When you were a baby, your family was attacked and you were the only survivor, although no one knew because you were quickly and quietly taken to distant relatives in Germany. They raised you and home schooled you until this past year when they past away from old age. No one knows much else about your life as a child because everyone thought you to be dead. Your father George was an ex-Auror and Alanna, your mother, was a medi-witch. Your uncles on your father's side were Gideon and Fabian. They were all in the Order you know, killed by Death Eaters. You only know about them from stories you were told when you were growing up. Whatever you want to tell people about your childhood is up to you, as long as it is not too out of the ordinary."
"Now, if I may correctly assume, the rest of the school is arriving. I will see you at the feast." With that, they both exited and walked down to the Great Hall where they could hear the sounds of the returning students and professors.
As soon as all the teachers were settled the rest of the students, minus the first years, entered and sat down at their respective tables.
Professor McGonagall led the first years in, holding the Sorting Hat and the three-legged stool in her hands. The nervous looking first years lined up in front of the Staff table and faced the rest of the student body. Setting the stool down and placing the hat on top of it, McGonagall stepped back and waited. The school as a whole stopped its chatter and watched the frayed hat eagerly.
"A great and many years ago
When Hogwarts School was newly started,
Stood the four Founders here
And numerous young ones to be parted.
Four good friends, they were
Devote to teaching and learning.
But how to gather students in one place?
It set their brains a turning.
A place for young people to learn,
"We'll build a school," they said
Where students and teachers come
When we are gone and dead.
With their mind frames set
And hearts decided
Our four founds ne'er dreamt
One day they would be divided.
For such great friends
Were Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw
Along with Slytherin and Gryffindor
Present strife they never foresaw.
Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin
They are Hogwarts founding four
With their knowledge and abilities
Together, things to teach galore!
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
Now slip me snug about your ears
I've never yet been wrong
I'll have a look inside your head
And tell you where you belong!"
As the hat finished its song, the hall burst into applause. The ragged hat bowed to each of the four houses then became still. Professor McGonagall stepped up, holding a list of names. "When I call your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool. When the Hat announces your house, you will go and sit at the appropriate table." Mya zoned out the list of first years and waited for her name to draw her out of her wanderings.
The tall brunette re-focused when she saw the Headmaster stand up. "Now, before I allow for your minds to wander and your mouths to occupy themselves, we have one more sorting to go. Joining us this year is Mya Prewett, from Germany. Ms. Prewett, come in if you will." At his request, the confident girl strode forward to be sorted. Sitting tall on the stool, she allowed for McGonagall to place the Hat on her head.
"Ah I hoped I might see you soon Mya Prewett. There are a great many things in your future, my dear. Now, back to the task at hand. You are being sorted I see. The question is where to put you, but where oh where to put you. Not in Gryffindor, I see. You don't wish to be there. Not Hufflepuff, you are much too brilliant and witty to go there. Ravenclaw would suit you certainly, but you could do so well in Slytherin too. Yes, you are clever and cunning enough for that house. This is very difficult, oh yes, so very difficult."
"Ravenclaw or Slytherin? You could do so well in Slytherin, you know. You could be great. It's all here inside your head and Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness. There isn't any doubt about that. Your talent and wits would be an asset to the Ravenclaw House. You would easily fit in there. Let's see, I think it shall be – SLYTHERIN!!" The hat shouted the last word for the entire hall to hear. The Headmaster just smiled to himself, the Sorting Hat had made a good decision placing her in Slytherin.
The tall, lithe girl made her way over to the table filled full of Slytherins and sat on the very end were there wasn't anyone. As she sat down, Dumbledore once again clapped his hands for attention.
"As many of you have heard, our very own beloved Hermione Granger is missing and has been since this summer. If any of you have any information as to her location it is crucial that you share it with either myself, one of your professors or the Ministry. We are all concerned for her."
As he sat down, he flicked his wand and food appeared in plentiful amounts. Selecting a few of her favorite dishes, the brunette delicately filled her plate. Reaching for the jug of water she found a hand already there and filling her glass. She closed her eyes and then opened them, to see who had so rudely invaded her personal space. Her glance fell upon white-blond hair, stormy grey eyes and pale alabaster skin.
"I don't believe you were on the Express." The young man held out his hand. "I'm-" "Draco Malfoy. I know." Her voice was hard and unfeeling. There was a pause as her eyes flicked toward his outstretched hand and then away. He got the idea. "Is there anything I can do for you, or may I return to my meal?" Not bothering to get his answer, she began eating. She could feel all the stares from around the hall and ignored them. Internally, she was surprised that she had known his name and had dismissed his so easily.
Draco stared at the girl in front of him. No female had ever rejected him that fast. Normally they were all over him. But this one, this one was different, like she had already met him and deemed him unworthy. While she ate, he studied her. She had flowing dark brown hair; beautiful, translucent skin that glowed; and pale crystal blue eyes that seemed to pierce the soul. Then there was that attitude. It just screamed 'I don't care so fuck you!' The teenage boy barely detected the scent of strawberries lingering around the new girl.
Across the hall Harry and Ron were dejectedly continuing a conversation that had begun in the summer- Hermione. "Where do you think she is mate? It's completely unlike her to not make any contact or not owl at all." Ron complained. He shoved food in his mouth and swallowed, not bothering to chew. Harry nodded glumly. In all the time he had known her, Hermione had never, ever not gotten in contact with them when something was wrong. "ut ey, di'a et a ook a' da ew irl?" "Ron, swallow before you speak, it's repulsive to see half chewed food rolling around in your mouth." Ginny said disgustedly. "And yes Ron, we did. I think everyone saw her. She must be part Veela, the way every guy's eyes popped out of their sockets. I wonder if she knows the power she has over the male population…" "I wonder if I have a chance with her…" Dean Thomas wondered out loud. Ginny elbowed him in the ribs. "Hello? Who am I again?" The black boy grinned at her and winked. "The light of my life." He answered. The fiery redhead blushed lightly and beamed.
Dinner finished and dessert came and went. Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands, immediately gaining everyone's attention. "Now that we all have eaten and drank, I have a few announcements to make. First of all The Forbidden Forest is to remain that way-forbidden. There are numerous new items that have been added to the list of banned objects. The full list can be found on the door of Mr. Filch's office. Now, as quite a few seventh years are wondering, Head student notifications were not sent out over the summer vacation. I am pleased to announce that this year's Head Girl and Boy are Kalasin Moon, from Slytherin, and Terry Boot, from Ravenclaw. Before you tumble into bed, I leave you with this riddle: What is greater than God, more evil than the Devil, the rich want it, the poor have it and if you eat it you will die?"
As everyone stood up to leave, Mya headed towards the staff table. She still needed to speak with McGonagall and Snape about when her private lessons would continue. Speaking in hushed tones, the tall brunette set up her DADA lessons with Snape for every other morning, after she went for her run. He informed her that he would be joining her because she really wasn't allowed out by herself. The seventh year nodded. Her Occlumency lessons would take place every day after classes and before dinner, four times a week. Talking with McGonagall, her Animagus lessons would continue after dinner and before she went to bed, three times a week.
Bidding her professors goodnight, she exited the Great Hall, and was immediately ringed by five seventh years. Terry Boot, Kalasin Moon, Blaise Zambini, Draco Malfoy, and Pansy Parkinson all surrounded her in a semi circle; most had their arms crossed or hands on their hips. Shutting the doors; she stood with her back against the wood, eyebrow raised and her hands in her sleeves-with a firm grip on her wand.
"Can I help you?" Mya asked in a tight, guarded tone. Pansy launched herself at the girl. "You whore!! You have no right to speak to my darling Drakie like that!! I don't know who the bloody hell you think you are but you better fuckin' watch where you go, Mudblood bitch! I'm gon-" With a flick of her wand, Pansy had been silenced and frozen in place.
"No Pansy, I don't have to do anything you say. I will speak to Malfoy as I please. Only those who have earned my respect will be spoken to with it. Now, listen and listen well. Don't you ever fucking touch me again, you filthy piece of whorish trash. The consequences will be terrible. As for who I am, I am Mya Prewett, daughter of George and Alanna Prewett. Should you have any desire to know more, make an appointment." Her icy tone and rigid manner had glued everyone else in their places.
"Anyone else want similar treatment? Because I am more than happy to oblige." Draco started to step forward, but Mya stopped him with a glance. "I'll talk with you later Malfoy." She said dismissing him. The Prince of Slytherin turned and left, with Blaise and Pansy trooping wordlessly behind him.
That left only Kalasin and Terry.
"I'm sorry for my offensive language. I've no idea why I reacted to her like that."
The two Head students exchanged looks. It was well known that Pansy wasn't liked much outside of the Slytherin house. And everyone knew of her many exploits with the boys of Hogwarts.
Kalasin started off tentatively, "We just wanted to offer any help or assist to you this year, because you are new and it's a big school."
"We also wanted to extend a hand of friendship, in case you need someone to lean on or talk to, you can come to either of us. You are always welcome in our common room." Terry finished.
Mya could tell that the Head Boy and Girl got along well and seemed friendly towards everyone. "Thank you two very much. I appreciate your offers. I shall keep it in mind if I find I need help with anything. It is nice to know that the males here can be friendly and not just try to come onto me." Terry nodded and Kalasin smiled. They liked this new student. She was intelligent, polite and seemingly a dedicated student. "Our pleasure, Mya. I'm off to bed. See you all tomorrow in classes." With that Terry headed off in the direction of the North Tower. Kalasin nodded to him. "I'll head down to the common room with you Mya, I'd like to talk more, if that's ok."
"It is fine." The two headed towards the dungeons.