Their first day done, Nayeli and Kathryn slumped down on the couch, mentally tired.
"I can't believe we already have homework, on the first day. How cool is that?" Kathryn asked, grabbing her Potions book and opening it, starting to read it once more. Nayeli looked at her incredulously.
"You serious?" She laughed, and then her eyebrows arched as she realized she was serious. Kathryn smiled.
"Sorry. Books have really been my only company in the last four years. I've never really even had a friend before." She admitted. Nayeli nodded. She felt restless, and even though her mind was shot, she still wanted to get up and move around.
"Come run with me." She asked, standing up and stretching. Kathryn looked up at her.
"Run with you?" Kathryn closed her book.
Nayeli laughed at the expression. She looked like she'd just asked for her to murder someone.
"Yeah! Don't you like to run around? Go crazy?" Nayeli asked, grabbing Kathryn's hand and jerking her out of her seat, pulling her with her out of the common room.
"Ready? Go!" She barked, running across the hall and down the steps. Kathryn was stunned, still trying to figure out what had happened. She looked at the lady in the portrait, only to find that the lady wasn't there at all. She was now alone, and locked out of the hallways.
She paled.
"Hey! Wait for me!" She cried out, rushing to the edge of the hallway and running down the steps. When she wasn't running to get away from the bullies at the orphanage, running was something she never did. It just wasn't fun to her. She'd suggest that they played tag, or football sometime… if she ever caught up with Nayeli.
Nayeli's heart pounded in her chest, and her muscles ached, but she lived for this. She grinned as she turned the corner on the third floor hallway, heading towards the balcony that overlooked the Hogwarts courtyard. She slowed to a stop, panting.
Only then did she notice that Kathryn wasn't behind her.
"Oops." She blurted out. She raised her arms and set her hands behind her head, trying to still her heartbeat as she walked back to the grand staircase.
"Hey, Kathryn, are you there?" She yelled up. A few seconds later, Kathryn's head peered out from over the balcony of staircase six, the one connecting the fifth floor to the sixth.
"Yeah, but the staircase moved on me! I almost fell off!" She cried out. Nayeli laughed aloud.
"They do that! Don't worry, it'll move back in a few minutes. There's a column that holds up the rail that you should be able to tickle, and it'll force it to move!" She called up.
Kathryn was sitting on the middle step, afraid to move. She heard what Nayeli said, and looked at the columns, confused.
"Tickle the column?" She asked herself, scoffing a little bit. Ridiculous, it sounded.
Then again, if you can turn an animal into a goblet, this must work too…
She crawled up the stairs, afraid to stand for fear of falling over and off the ledge. Starting from the top, she worked her way down, lightly dragging her fingers along the columns. She screamed and backed off when the one she'd just touched sprouted a mouth and began to laugh hysterically.
The staircase moved, and she lied down on the steps, breathing heavily. She remained there for a few more minutes before slowly getting to her feet and rushing down the last of the steps. She hurried to the third floor, and Nayeli laughed as she saw her.
Her hair was tussled, and her face had paled immensely.
"This school…" She began, then stopped to take a few more breaths, "is really frickin' weird."
Nayeli laughed and clapped, then set a hand on Kathryn's shoulder. Kathryn's knees nearly buckled.
"And that's just the staircase!" She grinned. She grabbed Kathryn's hand and took off again. Kathryn yelped and stumbled before finally managing to run along with her.
"Nayeli, you're going to kill me!" She cried out. Nayeli smirked, and took her to the balcony where she'd just been standing.
"Look." She ordered, pointing at the statue of Dumbledore, still standing tall. Kathryn looked, and saw the statue.
"Ok. It's a statue." She said sardonically. Nayeli rolled her eyes.
"Do you know who that is?" Nayeli asked. Kathryn gave her a look and shook her head no.
"Albus Dumbledore. He was the headmaster of this school when my dads and mom were coming here." She explained.
"Oh. Ok. What did he do to have a statue carved of him?" She asked. Nayeli shrugged.
"He was just a great guy. But that's the thing. The statue is him." Nayeli explained. Kathryn stared at the statue, and then her eyes went wide. She snapped her head back at Nayeli.
"Wait, what? Like, he was petrified? How is that possible?" She asked, her mind blown. Nayeli smiled.
"My Mom did it, but they won't tell me how. I would love to know the spell that she used, though, that'd be great!" Nayeli grinned. Kathryn stared back at the statue, still baffled.
She shook her head.
That breaks the laws of nature. Petrification takes ages! There's just no way! She thought to herself.
You're here, aren't you? You just tickled a staircase to get it to move. You turned a mouse into a goblet. It's real. Really, real.
She laughed, smirking at herself.
"Let's get back to the common room. I want to get started on that essay for Potions." She announced, walking away.
Nayeli snorted.
"You're such a bookworm! Besides, that essay isn't due until next week!" Nayeli pointed out. Kathryn stopped, walked back to Nayeli, and tagged her.
"Tag, you're it, no tag backs!" She barked, taking off at a run. Nayeli gave her a look, and then began to run after her.
"What the hell was that?" She asked. Kathryn stopped on the fourth staircase, and turned around.
"You've never played tag before?"
Nayeli shook her head, and crossed her arms.
"No. What is it?" She asked, walking up the steps. Kathryn laughed.
"It's a game. It's much more fun with a big group of people, but you take turns tagging each other and chasing after them." She explained. Nayeli chuckled, and they continued walking.
They walked in silence, staring at the portraits that littered the walls. Kathryn was thankful when she saw the Lady in the portrait at the entrance to Gryffindor commons.
"Hello, again." She greeted, smiling. The fat lady arched an eyebrow.
"Hello. Password?" She lulled.
"Fillibuster." She announced. She smiled as the door swung open. The first time she'd seen the moving portraits, she'd almost fallen over.
Nayeli yawned, and muttered a "goodnight" before walking up the steps to the first year dorms. Kathryn waited until she was sure that everyone was asleep, and grabbed her diary and quill and ink, scribbling in it.
Dad:
You wouldn't believe where I am right now. I'm in a school for magic, called Hogwarts. This place is amazing! Candles float in midair. The ceiling above the dining hall shows the weather outside. I turned a mouse into a water goblet, and tickled a staircase to make it move.
But the best thing? I made some friends today, Dad. I really wish that you could meet them. Nayeli Zabini, she's twelve, and in the same house as I am. Gryffindor. Their symbol is a Griffin. Severus Malfoy, Nayeli's twin. He's in Slytherin; their mascot is a snake.
My teachers are really cool. They seemed really impressed with me today. I was so happy! A boy named Greggory Longbottom blew up a cauldron in Potions, and I made a feather float in the air.
One of my teachers called me a muggle-born. That's what they call people that aren't full-blood magical, I guess. It's kinda silly. So what if I'm not a full-blood? I can do this, too!
She pause to sniffle and wipe away a tear that threatened to fall.
They said that I can stay over the holidays. I'm relieved. I don't want to go back to the orphanage, now that they know what I am. I'm scared. I think I'll find a place to hide here, and disappear during the summer.
She yawned, and stretched, then glanced at the clock above the fireplace. It was ten. She knew she wouldn't get to sleep anytime soon, and so went back to her entry.
Even though it's the first day, I already have homework. They have a class called "Muggle Studies". I'd like to take it someday. It's supposed to be about our history. You would like it; you always used to say that once you got out of the Air Force, you'd go to school to be a history teacher.
She frowned at the last sentence, and wanted to erase it, but then remembered that she wasn't using a regular pencil anymore.
She decided to let it stay there.
Well, Dad, I have an essay to write. I'll write more later.
I love you, Dad. I miss you, so much…
Kathryn Huître.
She grabbed a roll of parchment, and began to write about all the ingredients for the 'Antidote to Common Poisons' in great detail, cross-referencing her Herbology book as well.
It was well past two in the morning when she stopped, and, too tired to move, she curled up in the lounge chair and rested her head on the arm, holding on to her diary for dear life.
Sheeva opened the curtains to the Gryffindor commons, shedding light on the dark room. She turned around and walked to the fireplace, poking at the embers and throwing a few logs on it, forming a sign and spitting fire at them.
They lit instantly, turning to a roaring, comforting fire within a few minutes. She smiled to herself, and set her hands on her hips, pleased with her work.
A groan rang in her ear to the left, and she jumped, turning to the sound. Kathryn had sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking up at Sheeva sleepily.
"What are you doing out here?" Sheeva asked.
"Oh, um… I fell asleep out here, ma'am." She replied, smiling sheepishly as she stood and gathered her books and put them back into her bookbag. She paused to yawn. Sheeva chuckled.
"Without a blanket? Were you not cold?" She asked. Kathryn shook her head.
"No, the fire kept me warm, ma'am. I'm used to it, ma'am." She muttered. Sheeva crossed her arms, studying the girl. She was very thin, and somewhat pale. Her clothes seemed to hang off of her, barely fitting. Sheeva took off her shawl and draped it over the girl's shoulders. It touched the ground, and Kathryn hurriedly picked it up.
"What is this for, ma'am?" She asked. Sheeva laughed.
"You must be cold… what was your name again?" She asked. Kathryn looked up at her.
"Kathryn, ma'am." She answered. Sheeva nodded.
"You can call me 'Sheeva', you know. I am fine with that." She bent down to pick up the scroll of parchment that held Kathryn's Potions essay. She unraveled it, scanning it over. She smiled. It was really well written, and in amazing detail.
"You finished it already. Draco will be pleased. What time did you sleep?" She asked. Kathryn looked down at the carpet, slightly embarrassed.
"A little after two. I don't sleep much, ma—uh, Sheeva."
Sheeva glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning.
"Insomnia?" She asked. Kathryn shook her head.
"No, I think I'm just used to it." She admitted, holding out her hand for the essay. Sheeva handed it back to her.
"Anything else that you are used to, dear? Is it due to the orphanage?" She asked, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. Kathryn looked up at her, shocked.
"How did you hear about that? Did Severus tell you?" She asked, again, embarrassed. Sheeva smiled and shook her head, remembering how she'd scared her son.
"I overhead the two of you talking." She sat down on the couch, folding her hands and setting them in her lap. Kathryn hopped back up on the large chair.
"The orphanage runs on donations and there's a lot of kids there." She answered shortly. Again, she didn't want to be a pity case.
"I'm fine though, it's nothing." She dismissed the issue.
Sheeva thought for a minute, remembering a piece of her own history. She'd run an orphanage shortly after the Black Death. Many children had lost their parents, and she tried as hard as she could to ensure that every occupant had a bed, clothes, and food. It was tough work, but after employing the help of the priests, she made it work.
"An orphanage that runs on donations? That is difficult. I… read about some of them. Do they feed you, at least?" She asked. Kathryn nodded, and forced a smile.
"Yes, they try. The portions are small, but they try." She lied. It was obvious to Sheeva's trained ears. However, she dismissed the matter and sat back in the couch, observing the girl again. She didn't look well nourished, not at all.
She also noticed that Kathryn was staring at a spot on the floor, deep in thought.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She started. Kathryn was brought to reality, and looked up.
"Oh. Um, nothing…" She muttered. Sheeva shook her head again. Another lie. If this kid was Pinocchio, her nose would have been two feet long by now.
"I suppose you are staying throughout the holidays? Nayeli and Severus will be staying, so you will not be all by your lonesome." She pressed, calmly trying to break the girl's shell.
At this, Kathryn brightened, giving her a smile.
"Yes, I'd love that! I can't wait!" She nearly shouted. Sheeva smiled.
"Make your time here count before you have to go home for the summer." Sheeva stated, watching Kathryn's reaction closely. Kathryn cringed inwardly, but kept the smile on her face, her muscles aching from keeping it forced.
"Yes, ma'am." She agreed, clutching her diary tightly. Sheeva noticed this too.
"You will be gone for three months. Can you handle that?" She asked. At this, the girl grew angry, scowling at her.
"Of course I can! I'm not a pity case! I can tough anything out!" She barked, then clapped her hands to her mouth, turning red. She tucked her knees up on the chair and looked away.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to yell at you." She whispered, staring into the fire. Sheeva nodded, her suspicions confirmed. This girl didn't want to go back. She didn't blame her.
Kids started pouring out of their dorms, yawning and stretching, wiping the sleep away from their eyes. Nayeli was last out of the girl's dorm, looking slightly confused.
She smiled and said good morning to her mother and to Kathryn, who smiled back.
"You weren't in bed when I woke up. I was a little confused!" She started, sitting next to her mother.
"I accidentally woke her up early." Sheeva put in, catching Kathryn's eye. It was obvious to her that she didn't want anyone else to know about their conversation.
"Oh, ok. Your bed was made, so I thought you slept down here. You shouldn't do that, you'll get sick, you know." Nayeli explained. Kathryn faked another smile and nodded.
"I make my bed after I wake up. Something my dad always made me do. 'Military corners' and everything…" She added, trying to sound convincing. Nayeli nodded and shrugged the matter off. Her stomach growled loudly, and she winced.
"I'm starved. Is breakfast ready?" She asked her mother. Sheeva smiled and nodded.
"Yes, dear, it is. Eat fast. I do not want you to be late for class again." Sheeva chuckled. Nayeli frowned.
"Dad told you, huh? Darn…" She stood and waited for Kathryn to get up as well. She pulled the shawl from around her shoulders and handed it to Sheeva, placing her diary back in her bookbag and taking it with her.
"Thank you, Miss Sheeva." She smiled. Sheeva nodded, and stared at the fireplace for a few minutes, thinking things over. She couldn't help but be a little worried about the kid. She figured a visit to the orphanage was in order…
Well, i'm going to speed things up in my next few chapters, as i had planned the majority of the story to be set in their fifth year, when they're about 15, 16. Just a heads up. Unless you, my readers, don't like that idea. I'm flexible. review with questions/comments.
