7. BRING IT ON, BABY!

After exiting the train, I felt good having a troupe of friends with me. At least I would have someone to help me fight off those annoying little brats who thought it funny to perform spells on me while my back was turned. I climbed into a horseless carriage with them, hoping they wouldn't think I was intruding. A large, almost beastly man was directing first years to some rowboats, and I was informed that this was Hagrid, who is the keeper of keys and games at Hogwarts. He seemed really friendly and nice, despite his gigantic form. Once arriving at the school itself, I stepped out and waited for my friends to get out. While waiting, I inspected the large oak doors that would surely open to the end of my life. I looked back, and saw Luna looking under the carriage. "What are you doing?" I asked. She looked at me and plainly answered, "Checking for Toothless Torighites, of course. They can lick the soles off of your shoes." I smiled, and caught Ron's eye. He was trying to smother a laugh into his hand and was leaning on Harry for support, who was trying to do the same. Hermione didn't notice, she was busy rolling her eyes and appeared to be trying to hold back some smart comment. The doors boomed open, and in their presence stood a tall, strong, aged woman wearing velvet emerald-green robes. Her eyes scanned over the crowd of other 4th years, and sought out my eyes among them. She brought one hand in front of her face and motioned for me to come with her. I took a deep breath and followed her, but did turn back to wave at the others. They waved back, (well, Luna was giving me a thumbs-up anyway), which I found most reassuring. As I walked behind whom I figured as Professor McGonagall, the Mission Impossible theme played through my head. We were walking down a long, stone corridor, leading to another pair of oak doors, though these were smaller than the entrance doors. She stopped so abruptly I almost ran into her. Looking at me, she told me, "I am Professor McGonagall. If you need anything, anything at all, come to me for help. Many other teachers will also help you, so don't think that you are alone here." She stopped and faintly smiled before continuing. "You will find that being a teacher, no matter what you teach, includes a great deal of learning on your half as well as theirs. Never let your boundaries waver, but be kind, and give them the benefit of the doubt, well, once in a while." She nodded, letting me know she was finished, and I nodded back. She started up her long stride again, and opened the doors. I heard once or twice Katie mention the Great Hall, but that did not prepare me. The decorations, of all the House colors, filled every corner and in-between. I stood, awed by the long wooden tables, and finally jolted myself back to reality and noticed that the entire staff was sitting staring at me. I looked and saw that Professor McGonagall was almost to the table already. I started to jog to catch up to her, then she stopped and turned fast again, and this time I gently ran into her. She stepped back, then forward again. "I have to go get the first years," she explained as she strode back the way we came. I looked back at the staff table. Professor Dumbledore sat at the center and motioned to a chair two away from his right, leaving one empty chair between us. This is where McGonagall sits I suppose. I had to walk around a stool with a peculiar old, worn hat on it to get there though.
As soon as I sat down, McGonagall opened the doors and let in the rest of the school except for the first years, who were still waiting to enter themselves. One by one, I saw students examine the staff table, finally resting their eyes on me before turning to their little buddies and pointing at me, whispering excitedly. Then those friends told others, who told others, and on and on it went. Hours later it seemed, McGonagall entered with a line of first years, all looking as frantic as I felt. They also performed this informing-everyone-you-know-that-there-is-a-girl-at-the-staff-table routine. All my sympathy instantly vanished for them. McGonagall went up to the hat and tapped on it once with her hand, then peculiarly seemed to be whispering to it. Odd, I thought. Then the hat actually opened up one of the seams and began to sing. I don't remember any of the words exactly, except that it seemed to be telling the school to learn to accept each other or something like that towards the end. Interesting, even the hat caught on to my presence. Then one by one the little, trembling kiddies walked up and were sorted. Now I spotted my friends clapping for new additions to their house. I also spotted Charlie Hastings in Hufflepuff, though he didn't see me. But most shocking of all, I saw the sleek blond boy from my dream sitting at the Slytherin table with two burly boys on each side. Oh dear. Now that everyone was sorted, Dumbledore stood up and began to speak. "I have only two words for you," he boomed, "tuck in"
At first, I felt the need to giggle, and then realized that food was steaming from in front of me. I didn't even notice McGonagall next to me, who was waiting for me to take the mashed potatoes off her hands. I quickly, uh, tucked in as it were, and soon felt pleased and full. Too soon I stopped myself from taking another helping of pudding, for Dumbledore was getting up to speak again. He first cleared his throat, which caught all attention, and then he smiled, crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts! I hope you are all starting to feel drowsy, so I will make this quick. We will be having another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher on our staff this year, so sad that Professor Lupin retired last year, which would bring me to introduce for you Professor Orville!" Dumbledore announced, waving his arm to a stout little man who was balding severely and wearing bright red robes, before clapping vigorously, like he was waiting all his life to introduce this man. I saw many eyes dart back and forth from me to Professor Orville, for now what is the girl going to teach? "Yes, welcome Professor Orville! And now I will be eager to introduce our first-ever choir director, Professor Catharke!" Dumbledore boomed and clapped again, though this time his audience was busy whispering to clap much. Dumbledore didn't seem to notice this and went on. "As many of you with eyes might notice, Professor Catharke is not the usual teacher," he glanced at me and winked. This made me smile, "but she does indeed have the power to award points and detentions as she sees fit. Now, off to bed!" he finished, still having that twinkle in his eyes. Slowly the students evacuated the Great Hall, leaving me all alone with the rest of the teachers, who were now inspecting me. All but McGonagall, who was now directing me toward my room. "Now, since we did not know exactly what you would need to teach a choir," Professor McGonagall began as she was leading me down another stone corridor, "Your teaching room will be the Room of Requirement, which is now a classroom with an adjoining bedroom. Your belongings have already been sent up." She now motioned toward a tall oak door, which now held a sign saying Choir Room and underneath that Director: Professor Megan Catharke. "Good night, and good luck tomorrow. Breakfast is in the Great Hall at 7:00. If you need anything, simply close your eyes and it will appear, thus the name 'the Room of Requirement'." She stopped and studied me. Before she could tell me what she was thinking, I said, "Thank you. A million times thank you." She had done so much for me. She smiled, and replied, "I really think you will help the school, you have something about you." At this, I chuckled and admitted, "It's mostly nerves." She smiled, really smiled this time, and left. I opened the door to my habitation, expecting white brick walls, and receiving gray stone ones. This is going to be different from at home. I walked through the door leading me to my room, finding a quaint four-poster bed and a neighboring bathroom. That was heaven enough for me. Then I noticed a note on my bed.

Dear Megan,
Never feel you are alone. Though you will spend nights correcting homework, planning, and waiting for the end to come, find happiness in the very work you do. Enjoy your year!

I didn't need a signature to recognize Dumbledore's handwriting. I looked around my room again, now noticing my bags were all already unpacked. I have said it before, and I will say it again. BRING IT ON, BABY!