Chapter 2: off to work

Unfortunately I don't own any off the Harry Potter characters of the universe, only the story ideas and OC's

Mia was sitting on the bed of the small room which she had rented for the night before her new job was due to start. She pulled on her clothes and was contemplating going down stairs and getting some breakfast at the inn when there was a clatter at the small window.

Bouncing over to the window and grinning she opened the pane and in flew a large magpie carrying a roll of parchments.

"Sorrow! I'm glad to see you!" she tickled the birds head as she unattached the correspondence attached to his feet and the bird croaked contentedly hopping around the sill.

"ooh two letters fantastic!" she flopped back to the bed to read the first .

Dear Mia,

I am looking forward to meeting you later on today, please find your own way up to the school and I will meet you at the gates (10am).

I will introduce you to the rest of the staff then and you should have time to settle in before the students arrive.

Yours sincerely

Poppy Pomfrey

"Great, I can't wait. Now what's next I hope this is what I think it is chick."

The Magpie hopped up and down on the bed pulling about the letter from Hogwarts and pushing the second parchment into her fingers.

So Skuld,

Have we decided what it's to be? Sweetness and light or the devil herself?

I will be along shortly to keep an eye on you, so you will not have to miss me for too long. I won't be able to contact you openly for some time, until then remember where your loyalties lie.

'till then.

"Well, it's too soon to tell really, should I reply?"

Sorrow the Magpie gave a nod,

"Ok then here we are", she scrawled a quick note,

Does it have to be one or the other; surely I can try out both?

I will be looking for you anxiously

Yours as always

Mia

She rolled up the small note, tied it to her bird's leg and sent him off into the fresh air, "see you later!" she called after him, and then rushed down for some food, it would be a long day ahead.

After a satisfying breakfast of as much porridge as she could eat, coffee, and toast too, she stood in front of the mirror in her rooms all packed and ready to go.

Surveying herself in the mirror she was, as ever, not entirely pleased. She stood, too tall, she felt at 5' 8, scrapped back her hair which was charmed almost black by lotions she had been using for years and pinned it tightly into a bun behind her head.

"Well that looks a little better, more like a school staff member anyway" she muttered to herself.

She had decided on a midnight blue knee length shirt dress, with thick tights and patent matching shoes. She finished with topping up her make up, covering her face and neck to produce a perfect finish.

"There a nice normal human being, we're off."

Carrying her small carpet bag, she bade the land lady thanks and farewell and trudged off in the direction of Hogwarts School.

An hour later she had reached the gates of the castle and it had also begun to rain. Spitting at first but now a steady downpour, Mia struggled to carry both her bag and the huge ancient umbrella which was still letting a small stream of water tip down her back. Squinting she spotted a middle aged woman carrying an equally huge umbrella heading towards her down the school drive.

Mia waved her umbrella in greeting to Poppy who she remembered from her job interview and assessments the previous month.

"It's lovely to see you again Mia, it will be marvellous to have someone else to help in the infirmary" Poppy greeted her happily.

"Good to see you too Poppy, I'm looking forward to starting it'll be good to be appreciated for a change!"

"Well you might find some of the children more challenging than you think, and the members of staff come to that, but well you'll get to meet them shortly

Goodness you're soaked! Let's get you inside!"

Entering the castle, Mia shook her umbrella off and saw the Hogwarts staff had been gathered together in the atrium to meet the new infirmary assistant.

"Professor Dumbledore, it's a pleasure to meet you again" she curtseyed slightly and then thinking about it for a second reached forward and kissed him on both cheeks.

Dumbledore smiled broadly, " Mia, it is a pleasure for me also, allow me to introduce you to the rest of the Hogwarts staff, although I'm afraid in your new position afraid most of us will be hoping not to see too much of you" he chuckled.

Mia frowned for a second then smiled, "oh dear" she thought that joke is older than him.

Dumledore continued " Miss Mia Skuld I am pleased to present, professors Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout and Severus Snape, the heads of houses" Mia nodded to each of the teachers in turn, finishing with Snape who was looking displeased as ever, giving the impression that he would really rather be somewhere else. She made sure she held his gaze as long as she could.

" and the rest of the staff, here are, Rolanda Hooch, Sybill Trelawney and last but not least we have Argus Filch, who is our caretaker here and of course Hagrid, who is the grounds keeper and newly our teacher for care of magical creatures which I believe you have some special interest in"

Mia was staring at the huge man who had shuffled forward and was holding out his equally huge hand in greeting, she was momentarily stunned, "bloody hell a giant" she thought, but bit her tongue and put her hand, which looked in miniature next to his, out to receive the greeting.

"Always good to meet another animal lover, always good" boomed Hagrid with what Mia thought was a monstrous grin.

"Well it's wonderful to meet you all but I'm absolutely soaked and I really must go get changed"

"ah yes I see, well we'll see you at diner, Poppy will show you your rooms near to the hospital wing"

Poppy led and Mia followed, the back of her dress soaking wet clung to her back and hugged her behind snugly after a few paces she took a quick glance over her shoulder and caught male members of staff, and madam Hooch, appreciatively absorbed in the view. "Excellent" she thought, and headed off to get to see her new home.