Chapter 9

A Rough Start

Merula woke up in a flurry of blankets and pillows. Where am I Keira? she panicked, I'm all tangled up in something. Keira's sharp chirp brought Merula somewhat back to her senses. Oh, she thought, I'm just in bed… In bed?! Merula sat bolt upright and looked wildly about her. Her stomach suddenly tensed and nervousness flooded through her body, fearing the strange place she found herself in. It took a moment for her to register the curtains hanging around her, but eventually she remembered the events of the previous day. Well now I just feel silly, thought Merula, trying to slow her breath to calm her beating heart.

She untangled herself from her blankets and drew back her bed curtains. The three other beds were occupied and soft breathing was all that could be heard in the dormitory. Merula swung her legs over the edge of her bed. Her feet fell upon the slippers Hermione had given her and she smiled, letting her toes slip into them. She made her way down to the Common Room on silent feet, moving like a shadow through the empty tower.

It was still quite early in the morning and the moon shone brightly through the window by the fireplace. After having a thorough look around the red and gold room, Merula snuggled into one of the red armchairs placed near a window and unclipped Keira, letting her friend play on the sill. As Keira clacked and growled at the strange creature reflected in the window pane, Merula let her mind wander. It wasn't long before she once again drifted off to into an uneasy sleep.

Merula woke to feeling a hand gently shaking her shoulder. She jerked up to find Hermione standing over her.

"You'd better go get dressed," she said as Merula sprang out of her chair, "You don't want to be late on your first day."

Merula glanced wildly around the room, Where did you go Keira? she thought frantically. Then she felt a little nip on her wrist and a slight weight wind itself around her arm. Merula gave Hermione a slightly frazzled, but grateful, glance and hurried up the dormitory stairs. As she rounded the door way into the girls rooms, a streak of orange flew by her ankle and almost knocked her over. As Merula regained her balance she heard an exclamation from down the stairs.

"Oi, Hermione! Keep that thing in line!" she recognized Ron's voice. Merula ducked into the dormitory before she could hear the rest of the argument.

That must've been Hermione's cat, Merula remembered her saying that she'd gotten a new one during the summer. She hadn't seen it last night though.

Merula quickly got back into her robes, reattached Keira, and hurried back down to the Common Room. She didn't see Hermione, Ron or Harry and figured they must've already gone down for breakfast. So she climbed through the portrait hole and followed the buzzing crowd of Gryffindors down to the Great Hall. She felt extremely uncomfortable with having so many people around her. But it wasn't a totally new feeling; the streets of Diagon Alley had often been quite packed.

Merula found herself seated at the Gryffindor table between the Quidditch captain, Oliver Wood, and Neville Longbottom, a boy in her year. The table was piled high with the most delicious looking foods Merula had ever seen. She stacked sausages, eggs, bacon, potatoes and pancakes onto her plate and dug in. Even though she'd stuffed herself the night before, she felt just as ravenous now.

"W-wow," she heard a voice from her side, "You must be really hungry."

Merula swallowed her mouthful and looked to her left to see Neville watching her. She blushed and lowered her face, but offered a small nod.

"Ah, I didn't mean to make you embarrassed," Neville stammered as he waved his hand apologetically, spilling his egg all over the table in the process, "S-sorry about that. I'm not very good with small talk…"

Merula smiled a little at his last words. She wasn't great at small talk either. Her smile seemed to brighten the boy's mood but he didn't try to speak to her again.

After Merula had eaten enough to stop her stomach from growling, she took a break from her second plate and looked around the Great Hall. The ceiling was mirroring the fresh blue sky that must be outside and the candles were all slightly dimmed. As her attention turned from the Hall to the students in it, she felt her heartbeat quicken. She hadn't been able to see the entire body of students that had been in the Hall last night, being so overwhelmed and it being night and all. In the light of day there were more people within these four walls than she'd ever seen, even in the packed streets of London. How will I manage? she thought to herself, feeling her stomach twist into a nervous knot.

While she was mulling over this predicament, the professors came down from the head table to hand out time tables. Professor McGonagall placed Merula's schedule on the table in front of her. The girl glanced at it, and then stared. It was blank.

She started to get up, waving in order to get Professor McGonagall's attention.

"You are to see Professor Dumbledore after breakfast, Miss Alsop." said Professor McGonagall, "Do not forget that he favours sugar quills."

Merula shot Professor McGonagall a questioning glance but she had already moved on further down the table. When the girl had finished her breakfast, she got up and was halfway down the hall before she realized that she didn't even know where Professor Dumbledore's study was.

As she stood in the middle of the Great Hall trying to figure out who to ask for directions and searching through her robes for her wand, she felt that someone was trying to get her attention. She turned and caught the eyes of two people with very ginger hair.

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George Weasley had overheard what Professor McGonagall had told Merula. And since he and Fred did not feel like starting the year off with a potions class, he suggested that they offer up their services as guides.

"Gotta look out for the youngsters, after all," was his main argument.

He had only known her for a day, but he was already quite curious about her. Word had gotten around fast and the whole house knew that the new third year girl was mute.

"Allow us to escort you, Miss Alsop," Fred bowed and held his arm out, offering her his elbow.

The girl refused this invitation, but nodded her head and gave them a small smile.

"No need to be so nervous," George said as he led the way out of the Great Hall, "Fred only bites if you forget to feed him."

He expected a giggle, or at least a smile, but Merula only gave him a confused look. He exchanged glances with his brother, who shrugged and walked along beside the girl.

"So you're off to see the headmaster?" George headed up the staircase, "Guess it's for your class schedule. Do you think you'll be in third year classes or first year?"

He looked over his shoulder and saw his brother a step behind him, then his gaze moved farther and he saw that Merula's foot had sunk right through a step halfway up the staircase. Unfortunately, she'd made no sound, so neither twin had noticed.

Fred turned when he saw George's expression and let out an embarrassed chuckle.

"Sorry about that. Forgot you wouldn't know anything about the tricks old Hogwarts has up its sleeve. Give us a hand, George," he apologized.

But Merula silenced him with a wave of her hand and, refusing the one Fred held out to her, tried to grab a hold of the railing.

"Here," said George, climbing back down and reaching out, "Let us help."

Merula stared intently at them both before hesitantly taking the two hands extended towards her.

"Our deepest apologies," George grinned as they pulled her to safety and continued up the stairs, "We don't usually let a woman fall for us without catching her. I swear we Weasley's are a gentlemanly bunch. Well, except Ron that is. He's the odd one out in the looks department as well."

Merula stared at him for a moment, and then George swore he saw the fleetingest of smiles flit across her lips before they turned down in a confused frown.

"Come on," Fred had moved ahead and called back to them, "The Headmasters office is this way."

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The Weasley twins left her standing in front of a gargoyle, waving and saying they needed to hurry or they'd be late for being late to class. Merula stared after the boys with a thoughtful expression on her face. They're quite the characters, she thought, but they're very kind. Keira wiggled around her neck until she got to Merula's ear, which she gave a little nip. Merula smiled and turned her attention towards the gargoyle that stood silently in front of her. This was supposed to be the door? Merula thought. She looked up and down the hall. There weren't any other rooms on either side of her. Well this is a bit weird isn't it Keira, she thought, what did Professor McGonagall say? Keira purred quietly in her ear. Well I hardly think that sugar quills will help at this point, maybe she wanted me to buy-. At that moment the gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside, revealing a large, wooden door.

"Professor Dumbledore is expecting you," it said in a deep gravelly voice.

Merula nodded to the gargoyle and walked stiffly through the door. She made her way up the spiral staircase and knocked gently on the door at the top.

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Professor Dumbledore's study was unlike any room Merula had ever seen. Every shelf was cluttered with strange contraptions, every tabletop was full and there were even small mountains of mechanisms piled in the corners. Things clicked, ticked and whirred everywhere. For a few moments, Merula just stood in the doorway, awestruck.

A small rustling sound interrupted the constant clicking to her left. Merula turned and found herself face to beak with a phoenix. Well aren't you gorgeous, she thought, reaching out and stroking the bird's soft plumage. It gave a coo and clacked its beak just as a door shut, covering up the sound. So Merula didn't hear Professor Dumbledore entering the room and continued to pet the phoenix.

"A beautiful bird isn't he?" spoke Professor Dumbledore.

Merula spun around and stared at the floor to hide the embarrassed flush of her cheeks.

"His name is Fawkes," continued the headmaster, "He's a phoenix."

Merula nodded and glanced again at the bird's bright plumage. She had seen one of these beautiful bird's stuffed body in a shop at Knockturn Alley, but seeing one alive was much more wonderful.

"I summoned you up here to pick out your classes for this year, since I wasn't able to contact you before this time," said the Headmaster.

Merula nodded apologetically and walked forward to take the parchment that was being held out to her.

"For now, you have been enrolled in the usual third year classes, until we figure out where you stand in the lessons. By which I mean: If you require first and second year courses."

He seems to have it all figured out already, thought Merula, what does he need me for?

Dumbledore motioned for Merula to look at the parchment in her hands.

"This is a list of all the optional courses you may take, as well as the ones which are mandatory."

Merula looked at the list. Well I have to take transfiguration, potions, charms, herbology, astronomy, history of magic and defence against the dark arts. That leaves two open spaces. She scrolled down the list and picked out a few that seemed interesting. She wrote these out at the bottom of the parchment and handed it back to Professor Dumbledore.

"Well," he said, "Divination is a fine choice, and so is the study of Ancient Runes, but I'm afraid that the Arithmancy class is at full capacity this year, Miss Alsop."

Merula held out her blank schedule. Dumbledore took it and tapped it with his wand. The blocks and times started to fill up the page, and soon Merula had a full years' worth of classes.

"There you are, my dear," said the headmaster, "Now it appears that you're late to Divination, but your second class is Transfiguration and it would not do to miss your first day entirely. Do not worry about your books; they will be waiting for you in your classroom. Good day."

Even my books? Merula wondered, they're giving me everything?

She got up, bowed her head to the old wizard seated in front of her, and headed for the door. Just as she was crossing the threshold, she paused and cast a worried glance back into the room.

"If you ever find yourself to be in need of direction," Professor Dumbledore suddenly spoke up, as if reading her thoughts, "A good "point me" spell always does the trick for me."

Merula nodded her thanks to the Headmaster and hurried back down the staircase and into the hall, trying hard to shake the feeling that the old wizard could hear her thoughts.

She leaned against the wall next to the griffon statue, waiting until her heart beat was back under her control. Then she started her way down the hall, realized she didn't know where she was going, and stopped again. What did Professor Dumbledore say, Keira? A point-me spell?

Merula held her wand out in front of her and thought Point me.

The rod lurched out of her hand, spun around a few times in the air in front of her, then settled down. It was pointing to the end of the corridor.

A relieved smile lifted her lips as Merula turned and began walking, only to stop once again as she was faced with a dead end. The smile turned into a frown as Merula faced a large tapestry that hung on the doorless wall. She glanced down at her wand, but knew better than to doubt her spell casting abilities. She quickly approached the fabric and reached out her fingers. The tapestry gave a little under her hand. Merula felt a spark of excitement as she pulled the tapestry out and peeked behind it. A small hallway was revealed and Merula smiled. There were secret passages here! I guess that would make sense in such an old castle, she thought. The passage was softly lit with a few torches in brackets along the wall. She slowly entered the passage, letting the tapestry fall closed behind her, I wonder how many secrets this castle holds? I can't wait to find out!

After multiple wrong turns and a few more discovered passage ways, Merula finally arrived at her Transfiguration class. She quietly opened the door and took a seat at the back of the class next to a familiar bushy haired girl. Despite her efforts, Professor McGonagall noticed her entrance.

"Miss Alsop, lateness is not tolerated, even on your first day. Three points from Gryffindor. Your books are over there. Please turn to page three: A study on Animagi."

Merula quickly grabbed her books from a shelf and sat back down, her face flushed crimson. She had already cost her house points and the first day had barley even started. I'm already a disgrace to Hogwarts, she thought, her shoulders hunched as she heard whispers and saw the other students glance back at her. Keira sneakily licked Merula comfortingly behind her ear. The girl next to her leaned over.

"Don't get too down," Hermione whispered and Merula jumped as she recognized the girl, "Professor McGonagall is fair. If you do well in class, she'll probably return your points. Besides, you didn't miss much. We just came from Divination and everyone's a bit out of it."

Merula looked up and gave a small, faltering smile, then she looked around the classroom. It was true that most of the students had a dreamy, somewhat tired, expression on their faces. Some of them were casting worried looks back into the corner where she sat. Looking around Hermione, Merula saw Ron giving a similar look to Harry. The dark haired boy was staring glumly at his desk and obviously trying not to look around him. What happened in Divination? she wondered. But was then drawn out of her thoughts when Professor McGonagall began her lesson again.

"Since Miss Alsop arrived tardy, and most of you weren't paying attention the first time," the stern professor glared at the room, "I shall demonstrate the effects of animagus transformations."

Merula blinked as the witch suddenly transformed into a brown tabby cat right before her eyes. Her mouth fell open as the cat proceeded to lick its paws and run them over the two circular markings around its eyes. Then, with a small wooshing sound, the cat became their professor once again. That is so cool! Merula thought excitedly, I wonder how you become an animagus?

"Now," Professor McGonagall turned to the board as the chalk began drawing figures and instructions out on its own, "We shall begin with distinguishing between animagi and the act of transforming objects into animals."

Merula turned her attention to the pages that Professor McGonagall had told her to read. Her mouth dropped even farther. It was full of graphs, charts, and tables showing what would happen if you tried to transfigure something. Oh my…, thought Merula, the immensity of things she had to learn loomed up and she shivered in front of it. But she threw herself into learning the lesson. She wasn't going to lose more points!

For the rest of the class, Professor McGonagall taught them the basics of becoming an animagus before getting them to refresh their skills by transforming toothpicks into needles. Merula had a little trouble with the wand movement at first. But after the fourth try, she'd managed to get her toothpick shiny enough and pointy enough to be called a needle.

"Good job, Miss Alsop," said Professor McGonagall, "You have earned those three points back."

Merula beamed up at her Professor and then saw Hermione giving her a warm glance. She'd fixed her mistake.

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Despite the rough start, the rest of the class passed smoothly. As well as lunch, ancient runes, and herbology. By the time dinner rolled around, Merula was ready to crawl into bed and sleep forever. As she walked into the Great Hall the sweet smell of pumpkin pie wafted over her and her stomach growled very loudly. She made her way over to the Gryffindor table to commence stuffing her face with delicious food. Her first day had been an overall success.