Chapter Twenty Six: Arrival at Hogwarts
The next couple of weeks passed pretty quickly. Albus and Emalia had visited Diagon Alley, gathering the supplies she would need. Albus chose a time that would be less stress on Emalia. He did not want to overwhelm Emalia with the hustle and bustle of students and their parents getting what they needed for school. Although in hindsight it probably would have made more sense to bring her when it was packed full of students. Practice for Hogwarts.
Albus worried about how Emalia was going to be able to cope when surrounded by hundreds of people. She had yet to deal with that sort of situation. It was not as if Albus kept her secreted away, at least not as much as he thought he should. Emalia herself was apprehensive about crowds, and even though she acted like she did not care about attending Hogwarts, he could tell she was anxious but excited about starting there.
The day finally arrived. It was time for Emalia to attend Hogwarts. Albus was nervous, he did not want to force Emalia to travel on the Hogwarts Express, but he felt as if she needed to. It was of course, a rite of passage for all first time Hogwarts students. Emalia was against it wholeheartedly. Albus was able to gently persuade her that this type of interaction would be good for her, so she relented eventually.
Albus had agreed that she would travel by portkey to platform nine and three quarters, an hour and a half before the train was due to depart. Albus would travel with her and then meet her at the school later in the evening. Her trunk was all packed, her muggle clothes were laid out on her chest of drawers, her robes and wand were packed into a small bag. Griffin was hooting happily in his cage.
Emalia went over to let him out to hunt. He hopped from his ledge onto Emalia's hand, gently wrapping his talons around her hand. Emalia stroked his feathers and he hooted happily. She walked over to the window opened it and let Griffin fly out to hunt for the night. She watched him as he flew out into the dusky sky until he disappeared from her vision.
Emalia did not sleep well. She was anxious about the year ahead, and afraid. She did not want people to know that she was cursed, she did not want to be a freak. She just wanted to be her normal self, but that was stolen from her. She was afraid to let her emotions show, as she did not want to change into that harpy creature again. The pain she felt, and the way she looked, well it scared her. Emalia got up and ran a bath, she cleaned herself, fixed her hair and got dressed into her muggle clothes.
When she arrived downstairs, she saw that Albus had prepared breakfast for them both. He kept his eyes on her as she sat at the table and began to eat her scrambled eggs. She sighed and looked up at him. 'I will be okay Albus' she smiled weakly.
Albus looked into her eyes and smiled warmly 'I know you will be my dear, I have no doubts about that. You are strong and resilient; you have shown me that much in the past couple of months.' He paused before continuing 'I just do not want you to cut yourself off from everyone. I know this is hard for you, but friends will help you through the toughest of times. Don't forget that.'
He finished and got up from the table. 'I will be back shortly; I am just going to use the floo to go over to Hogwarts. I will bring your belongings with me.' He said cheerily 'Less stress on you.' Emalia smiled and thanked him. Inside she felt relieved at least that was one less thing to worry about.
Albus was gone for about thirty minutes. Emalia sat on the purple couch that was in the living room. It was old and worn, but it was her favourite seat in the house. It felt like home, family, and love. Casting her memory back to when she was about six or seven, Emalia thought about the nights she would spend sitting tucked in beside Albus as he read to her stories from The Tales of Beadle the Bard or Hogwarts a History or Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. They were her favourite ones.
Albus had read to her every night for quite a number of years. Sometimes he even conjured shadows that followed the story that he was reading. Those nights made Emalia so happy. She loved Albus for everything he had done for her and continued to do for her. Emalia felt happy to have Albus as her family. With that Albus suddenly walked through the fireplace. 'Ah! Emalia, you're waiting for me' he said smiling 'Are you ready to go?' Albus looked at her, hoping to see what was running through her mind. Emalia pushed her nerves down, looked up at Albus and said determinedly 'Ready'.
Albus and Emalia walked to the back garden and walked over to the portkey. In the centre of the garden was an umbrella stand. When they reached the portkey Albus looked at her and smiled, Emalia returned a quick smile, one that did not stay on her face for very long. Both of them placed a hand on the portkey, Albus' eyes never left Emalia's face.
She did not look at him, instead she focused on the umbrella stand and how the varnish on the wood had started to wear in some places. A few seconds passed and Emalia could feel herself being pulled from where she was standing and suddenly, she was standing on an empty train platform. Platform nine and three quarters.
It was then she started to feel more anxious. She did not know if it was just a side effect from travelling by portkey, she did feel slightly nauseous, but it was more than that. The air was lighter here than at home, and it was getting more difficult for Emalia to breathe.
She looked up at Albus, her face was as white as a sheet and panic in her eyes. 'I can't do this Albus' she whispered her breathing becoming more laboured. She sat down on one of the benches on the platform. She put her head to her knees, heaving in each inhale almost gasping for breath. Her heart was racing.
Albus took a hold of her hand 'Emalia. You do not have to. We can travel to Hogwarts by Floo, please do not stress.' He soothed. He looked down at the little girl trembling in front of him, her tears rolling down her face. 'Hold on tightly to my arm Emalia, hold on tight.'
In the blink of an eye Albus and Emalia were back at home in the living room. Emalia sat down into the purple cough, shuddering. She pulled her knees up to her chest hugging them to her. She felt unwell from side-long apparition with Albus. Albus sat down beside her and put his arm around her. 'Sometimes' he began. Emalia looked up at him. 'Sometimes Emalia, we push ourselves too much too soon. Its ok my dear, you can accompany me to Hogwarts. I would love the company' he smiled down at her and hugged her reassuringly.
Emalia looked at him with tears in her eyes 'I am not strong enough to do this Albus' she whispered shakily fighting back tears. Albus looked down at the little girl sitting beside him. 'Emalia Potter' he said firmly 'You are one of the strongest witches I have ever met. You have gone through so much for one so young, and you do it with grace and a strength that not everyone has.' He smiled at her 'Your parents would be immensely proud of you and the strength you possess.' Emalia smiled weakly, the tears in her eyes slowly dissolving. 'Thank you Albus' she whispered into his long white beard as she hugged him.
'I am always here for you my dear' he said as he gently patted her back returning her hug. They sat together in silence for a few moments, allowing Emalia a chance to gather herself. She let Albus know she was ok by gently squeezing his hand. 'Now, let us get a move on. I think we should make our way to Hogwarts, don't you?' he asked looking at Emalia smiling.
She nodded, looking at him determination in her eyes. 'If Albus believes in me, then I can believe in myself' she thought to herself as she took the floo powder out of the jar on the mantlepiece. She stepped into the fireplace and looked at Albus. He smiled at her 'Headmasters Office, Hogwarts' he said to her, his eyes twinkling. Emalia smiled broadly, her fears had been calmed, for now at least.
'Headmasters Office, Hogwarts' she said clearly and threw the floo powder into the hearth of the fireplace and in an instance, she was gone. Albus watched as she disappeared into the flames. He was immensely proud of the little girl. She was going to turn into a fine witch. She had a strength in her that she did not even know and a depth of love that Albus felt lucky to receive. 'Whoever wins her heart will be very lucky' Albus thought to himself. He chuckled and walked into the fireplace and like Emalia, he too disappeared.
When Albus arrived in his office, he saw that Emalia was over with Fawkes petting him gently. Fawkes was sitting on his perch, his eyes closed. He opened one when Albus appeared but other than that was content to stay still and let Emalia pet him. It was still very early in the day, and Albus did not have much to organise for later in the evening. He had to check in on all the professors and see how they were and had to organise a few bits and bobs.
Emalia looked up at him excitedly 'Will you show me around Albus?' she asked. Albus smiled down at her, relieved to see that she was displaying her emotions freely. 'I have some time before I have to turn to work' he hummed merrily 'And I can think of no better way of spending it than by showing you around.' Emalia ran up to hug him leaving Fawkes unattended.
Fawkes opened his eyes and looked at Albus, he was not impressed that Emalia had taken her attention away from him. Albus chuckled. Emalia turned around and gave Fawkes a final pat 'See you later Fawkes' she said cheerily. Fawkes seemed happy enough with that goodbye and closed his eyes again. Emalia and Albus walked out of the office and out towards the grounds.
'I chose to show you the grounds' said Albus as they made their way out of the castle 'As I had a special request to introduce you to the groundskeeper. And I have delegated the castle trip to Professor Flitwick. I know that Professor McGonagall wanted to show you around, but she is extremely busy preparing for the sorting and the incoming first years.' Emalia smiled she had met both Professors before numerous times.
She had spent some time at Hogwarts when she was smaller, and she had vague memories of those times, but they were blurry. Albus and Emalia walked through the grounds, Albus giving her a general history about the grounds as they did so.
Eventually they arrived in front of a hut, Albus walked up towards the door. No sooner had he knocked; had the door flung open. 'Professor Dumbledore! I was beginning to think you had forgotten to drop by' said a rough voice that belong to a very tall and rather large man. 'Ah Hagrid, how could I forget' smiled Albus. 'Please allow me to introduce you to Miss Emalia Potter' as he stepped from in front of Emalia.
Hagrid beamed a big toothy grin when he saw Emalia. 'Hullo there Emalia. Its been a long time since I've seen yeh. Blimey you've gotten taller you have' said Hagrid as he grabbed her hand to shake it. Emalia laughed and tried to shake his hand back 'Its nice to meet you too Mr. Hagrid.' Hagrid chuckled 'No need for the Mister, just plain ol' Hagrid it alright with me.'
Hagrid let go of her hand and stepped back out of the doorway. 'Have you time for a cup of tea Professor Dumbledore?' Albus, who had been trying to suppress a chortle while watching Hagrid vigorously shake Emalia's hand, was brought back to the current situation.
'Unfortunately, not today Hagrid, first day of school has us all very busy and on a very strict time schedule' he replied. Hagrid looked a little crestfallen, but his appearance brightened, and he turned to Emalia. 'Maybe you will come for tea and a chat on Friday after class Emalia?' he said. Emalia beamed 'Of course Hagrid! It will be the highlight of my week.' She said. After exchanging goodbyes and promises of tea on Friday both Emalia and Albus made their way back to the castle.
When they reached the entrance, they were greeted by Professor Flitwick, the head of Charms and Ravenclaw house. 'Good evening Headmaster' Albus smiled 'Ah Filius, good evening! May I introduce Miss Emalia Potter'. Flitwick turned to Emalia 'Good evening Miss Potter, and welcome to Hogwarts.' Emalia smiled 'Good evening Professor' she replied.
Albus turned to her and said 'Emalia my dear, if you do not mind I would like to have a few words with Professor Flitwick before I turn you over to his guidance.' Emalia nodded and walked over toward the various portraits watching them communicate and interact while Albus and Flitwick talked quietly together for a few moments.
Emalia was enthralled by a portrait of two brothers who had turned their painting into a brawl as they were fighting when Albus caught her attention. 'This is where I leave you in the capable hands of Professor Flitwick my dear.' He gave her a hug 'I will see you at the feast' and with that he walked off.
'Now Miss Potter, if you will please follow me, I will show you around the castle. We will start in the dungeons and we will finish in the Great Hall.' Professor Flitwick gave Emalia a very thorough tour and a lot of insightful information about Hogwarts as well.
When they reached the Great Hall, some students had already arrived and there was a buzz of chatter in the air. Emalia followed Professor as he led her towards the top of the Hall. She could feel all the eyes in the room on her. Some of the students were whispering, gasping, and pointing at her as she walked by.
'Ignore them Em' she whispered to herself 'Be confident.' As she neared the front of the Hall, she walked by a young boy with dreadlocks. He was staring at her with a dazed look on his face. 'Wow' he breathed 'So pretty'.
Emalia felt uncomfortable, ever since the incident in Beauxbatons she hated being focused on. She did not stand out in Beauxbatons, she was just like everybody else there. But here, she could already tell that she would stand out here, going by the reactions of some of the students. A year ago she probably would not have cared, she probably would have embraced it but now. 'Now I am a cursed girl' she thought to herself bitterly ' A cursed girl who feels pain with every emotion and could easily turn into a monster.'
Flitwick led her to Professor McGonagall who was standing on the podium at the top of the Hall. She gestured for Emalia to follow her as Flitwick took his place at the teacher's table. Professor McGonagall led Emalia into a little room just off the Great Hall. 'Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Potter' she said a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. 'You will wait here until I come to fetch you, you will be sorted after the first years.' Emalia smiled 'Thank you Professor'.
'I have to go gather the first years, but I will be back for you presently. You can change into your robes here.' Said McGonagall before she left. Emalia changed and sat down on the chair waiting for McGonagall to return, waiting to be sorted into her house.