CHAPTER TWO
Without responding, Hagrid pulled out a watch from his pocket. "We ought to get goin', the Headmaster's waitin'. 'S not righ', keeping the Headmaster waitin'." He started walking in the direction of the castle, holding a lantern in one hand and his umbrella in the other. A huge set of keys jangled by his waist as he walked.
He seemed to be trying to make his stride shorter to accommodate yours, but even then, you were still struggling to keep up with him. The ground made a dull, heavy thud with every step Hagrid took. You kept looking at his umbrella, wondering why he didn't have a wand instead.
Lord Malfoy conceals his wand in a cane, you remembered suddenly. Maybe Hagrid hides his wand in an umbrella.
You pause.
A pink umbrella.
Your lips twitch, and you continue following the groundskeeper. Soon, you arrive at a gate, which he opens with an old, intricate key. Once you're both through the gates, he turns and waves his umbrella, muttering an incantation under his breath. The gate closes itself.
"Why do you need a key to get in, but not to lock it?" you ask.
Hagrid shrugged, making the keys at his waist jingle all at once. "Tha's jus' Hogwarts. It wants what it wants, I 'spose, Miss."
The closer you both got to the castle, the more your heart began to pound. You could see a dark lake to your left, willow trees, and a giant willow tree on a hill that looked positively menacing — if it was possible for a tree to look menacing.
Soon, you both arrived at the massive wooden oak doors. Hagrid tapped his umbrella on the handle of the entrance, and the two doors — taller than six Hagrids, combined — began to open inwards, revealing a warm stone interior, complete with archways, torches on the walls, and —
"Is that a ghost?" you asked excitedly. "We used to have one at home, but he 'moved on.'" You pause. "Do the ghosts here like to speak to the students?"
Before Hagrid could say anything, the ghost cackled, swooped down, and released a bucket filled with water over your head. You gasp. All of a sudden, your clothes and hair are dripping wet.
"What the —" you start.
"Ah, Miss L/n," came a cheerful voice from up ahead. "How delightful."
You looked up to see a wizard wearing bright yellow robes and a tall hat to match. The wizard was old, with a long silver beard and silver hair. He had a crooked nose, pointy shoes, and half-moon spectacles. Behind his glasses, you could see his bright blue eyes, which seemed to pierce you at the same time as they twinkled.
"Allow me to introduce myself," said the wizard, sagely. "I am Professor Dumbledore. The ghost who gave you your rather damp welcome is our resident poltergeist, Peeves. I am afraid I must sincerely apologize for his enthusiasm; it may be a bit misplaced, but he has the very best of intentions, I assure you. Though I must confess, he is unusually restless of late. I will of course speak to the Bloody Baron about the incident."
"It's nice to meet you, sir," you said in a slightly choked voice, teeth chattering. You gripped your sleeves with your hands, trying to ward off the cold from your arms.
Dumbledore had the good grace to look slightly disappointed with himself for not noticing this.
"Ah, my apologies," he said. He twirled his wand, and suddenly you felt warm and dry all over.
You sighed in relief. "Thank you, Professor." You were about to thank him for letting you come to Hogwarts, but he interrupted you.
"Of course, my dear," said the elder wizard, eyes sparkling. "Now. Will you be Sorted, or would you prefer to remain independent for the remainder of your time with us?"
You blinked. "Well, sir, I don't know," you said quietly, looking up at him with eyebrows pinched.
Professor Dumbledore looked at you over his glasses. "Is there anything troubling you, Miss Y/n?"
You looked down. "I don't want to bother anybody, sir," you said. "But I also don't think that it would make sense for me to be alone. I don't want to stand out more than I will already, sir."
He leaned back and seemed pleased. "Ah. In that case, follow me to my office, and we shall discuss where to put you."