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"Something I still don't get," said Ron, a half hour later. "How did Malfoy know? I mean, I saw your eyes; they stayed blue. And you weren't showing your teeth, so..." He trailed off, scratching his head. I sighed.
"There's a sign," I said. "It's like, you recognize mermaids by their hair, teeth, and fins? Well, you recognize, um, us, by our ears." Ron gave me a Look.
"Your ears?" he said. I grinned.
"Yeah, that's why I usually never wear my hair up or out of my face," I said. "That day in Diagon Alley, I don't know what was wrong with me. I should have been more cautious. Hey, I'm surprised you guys didn't recognize me then," I told Fred, George, and Hermione.
"Well, we weren't exactly on the lookout for seregaur, were we?" Fred pointed out.
"Yes, it was sort of at the back of my mind," said Hermione. "If I had been thinking of it, I probably would have recognized you, but I've only read about them in books." They all nodded.
"Well, what's the matter with your ears?" Ron asked, peering at me. "Can I see?" I smiled shyly.
"Well, I don't know..." I probed the floor with my toe. "I'm a bit self- conscious about them, to tell the truth..."
"Pleeeeeeease?" said Ron. He gave me a pleading face. I let out a breath.
"Oh, all right," I said. I shoved my hair behind my ears irritably. "See, I have this little habit of taking my annoyances out on my hair. I put it behind my ears when we were leaving Malfoy, and he saw, and..." I shrugged.
"Whoa," breathed Ron. He poked my ear. Again, I couldn't see myself, but if I could, I knew I would see long ears that came to a sharp point.
"Ow!" I said, jerking away from him. "Jeez," I said, rubbing it. I smiled good-naturedly, though. "Well, they add character, I guess."
"Hey, when you hear something far away, do they prick up?" asked George teasingly. I smiled sarcastically.
"Well, why don't you leave, go really far away, then act like a maniac and be really loud, and I'll tell you if they do, hm?" I told him. Everyone laughed. Hermione glanced at her watch.
"We'd better get our robes on," she said. "It's late, we'll be there any minute." I nodded, then frowned.
"What about our tru-," I started to ask.
"They're right there," she said, pointing to a corner. The trunks were packed up against the corner, and almost invisible. We yanked our own down and opened them. I pulled out my robes. They were much better than the ones at the Academy. They were black, long, swishing down to the floor, with long sleeves and the Hogwarts emblem printed on the breast. I took off my sweater and threw the robes on over my normal clothes. I took out my cloak and set it on my seat, replacing it with the sweater. I closed my trunk and shoved it back against the wall. Everyone was straightening their robes just as the train started to slow down. I leaned over and peered out the window. HOGSMEADE STATION, read a big sign. I sat down, moving my cloak into my lap.
"Hogsmeade?" I said quizzically. "That's the village or something, right? My stepdad signed a form so I could go there."
"Yeah, it's really great," said Ron eagerly. "Honeydukes, and the post, and the...the....shrieking shack..." I saw Ron's ears turn pink.
"What?" I said, frowning. "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing," said Harry hastily. "Tell you later..." The train came to a complete stop, and we left the compartment.
I hugged my cloak close to me as I stared up at the magnificent castle. There were so many turrets and towers I couldn't count them all. My hearing tuned in to a high-pitched cackling, and I was startled out of my wits by a louder, closer laugh.
"Hee hee, sorry," said George, grinning. "Your ears. They....they...pricked up..." He went into the castle still snorting. I shook my head.
"Quite a ride, wasn't it?" said Hermione, cheeks pink from the cold. I smoothed my hair down nervously, and smiled.
"It was amazing," I agreed. We had ridden from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in, how to put it, horse-less carriages. The ride wasn't very smooth, but the seats were soft and your backside sunk into them when you sat down.
"I think this is the first year we've arrived and it hasn't been raining," remarked Harry, looking up. Instinctively, I threw my weight against the two of them, shoving them aside and almost knocking them over. Two seconds later, a shower of water hit the spot where we had just been standing. I looked up sharply at the cackling, belonging to a ghost sticking his translucent and leering face out of a fourth story window. I glared up at it, but removed my arm from its protective place stuck out in front of Harry and Hermione.
"What the bloody...?" came Ron's voice. "What was that?"
"Peeves," said Harry and Hermione in unison. "Don't worry, you'll get used to him," Harry added to me. I nodded, but my attention was elsewhere. Malfoy was coming up the stairs, the two gorillas in his wake. He caught sight of me and smiled evilly. I ran my tongue along the inside of my cheek and grinned back. His smile flickered, and he looked back to assure himself his bodyguards were still there. He blinked at me, pausing, but then rushed into the castle. I chuckled.
"Eurgh, would you please put those away?" said Ron, shuddering. "No offense, but they're a bit creepy." I flashed him one last toothy grin with my fangs, then changed back. I looked up again.
"Ah, maybe we should get inside," I remarked, sniffing slightly. "I think Harry's going to be proven wrong after all." Surely enough, we had barely gotten through the humongous oak doors when it started to pour. There was a clap of thunder and we all jumped involuntarily.
"Ooh, let's get to the Great Hall," said Hermione, shuddering. "Lots of people in there." I followed them cautiously down a passageway with suits of armor and paintings scattered here and there. We reached another set of smaller double doors, and shoved them open. I looked around, completely in awe. There were candles floating midair above four long tables that ran down the length of the room. There was one table, elevated, set in front of the rest. I took off my cloak slowly and draped it on the crook of my elbow. I looked up at the ceiling and gasped. It was the sky. I could see the rain, and some lightning, and clouds that looked fat with water. I turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were wearing identical looks of amusement as they surveyed me.
"Well...?" said Harry, raising an eyebrow. I grinned.
"Well...it's not like home at all," I said with a sigh. "But I think I could get used to it." I looked at the roof again, and broke the facade. "I can't BELIEVE this ceiling!" I squeaked. "How on earth...?" Hermione cleared her throat professionally, and I saw Ron roll his eyes.
"They bewitch it to look like the sky outside," she said knowledgeably. "It even shows the weather, see? Rain? I read about it in-"
"Hogwarts, A History," said Harry and Ron simultaneously. They all looked at each other, and we laughed. I shook my head, smiling, and turned to survey the other students. I saw a rather severe looking teacher walking toward me. She gave me a small smile that, from the look I got from Harry, wasn't a very common thing to see on that face. She was tall, thin, with glasses, and a few frown lines. She wore her black hair in a knot at the top of her head, and bulky dark green robes.
"Ms. Porter?" she said inquiringly. I nodded. She put her hand out. "I'm Professor McGonagall. I teach Transfiguration, and I'm the head of Gryffindor house. Professor Dumbledore would like to delay your Sorting until after the feast, if you don't mind. He likes to be present, and we are sure you don't want to be sorted with the first years." She arched an eyebrow questioningly. Sorting? Gryffindor? I had no idea what she was talking about. I nodded, trying not to be an idiot. She smiled and looked around. A stern facade overcame her face, covering what I thought was amusement.
"I see you've found some friends already?" she said. I could have sworn her mouth was twitching. "Oh, yes, that's right," she amended. "You stayed with Potter this summer. Now I remember. Were the, ah, Dursleys, was it? Were the Dursleys welcome to you?"
"Yes, yes they were," I said automatically. "Though they weren't exactly all smiles and sunshine to Harry," I blurted. My cheeks reddened. "Oops," I muttered, mentally smacking myself.
"Yes, we know about Potter's living situation," said McGonagall sternly. I thought I saw something move in her face though. Pity? "Well, I just wanted to say...welcome to Hogwarts!" And with that, she rushed out of the hall. I raised an eyebrow at the three, and they grinned.
"McGonagall," said Ron, like a wizened old codger. "Ah, yes, head of our house." I frowned.
"Oh yeah," I said, remembering. "What was she talking about, a Sorting? And, Gryffindor, or something?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes, there are four houses at Hogwarts," she began, in a tone I was beginning to get used to. I thought after a few months my eyes would begin to glaze over like Harry and Ron's were now. "Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she recited. I couldn't help but snicker.
"Hufflepuff," I said amusedly. Hermione ignored it.
"Every incoming student is sorted into one of these houses, basically based on their personalities," she said. She reminded me of Professor McGonagall. "Harry, Ron, and I, and basically everyone you've met so far, are in Gryffindor."
"And McGonagall's the head teacher of Gryffindor?" I asked, feeling skeptical. Hermione nodded.
"She's a good teacher," she said, a bit protectively. She started to go on, but I stopped her.
"I'm sure she is," I said soothingly. I smiled sourly. "Slytherin doesn't sound so good. Lemme guess. Malfoy's in there, eh?" Ron was about to answer, but was cut off.
"Please, take your seats, students!" said a deep voice from the front of the hall. I followed Harry and the others, glancing at the owner of the voice. It was an old wizard, with a white beard down to his middle and hair the same to his back. He wore deep blue robes and semi-circle glasses. This is definitely Dumbledore, I thought. I wasn't sure, but I could swear he had just winked at me. I smiled back, and followed Harry. I was receiving some strange looks from students, and flattened my hair over my ears nervously.
"D'you think Malfoy's told everyone?" I asked. Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded simultaneously.
"All his friends, at least," said Ron. He looked like he had just eaten something nasty. "Perhaps not everyone yet." Harry gave me a comforting look.
"No worries, Charlie," he said reassuringly. "Doesn't matter to those of us who know you." He grinned, and I smiled back thankfully. We finally found a section of the bench long enough for four people. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan plopped down across from us. They looked reproachful.
"We've just passed Malfoy," said George hesitantly. "He was talking about...you know." I nodded.
"Yeah, well," I replied, shrugging. "Who cares, right?" They all nodded quickly. I sensed the Hall getting quiet, and glanced at Dumbledore. He stood up, and a hushed silence went around the room. He put his hands up to quiet the few snickering students. I glanced at them and was not surprised to see Malfoy among them. I ignored him and gave my attention to Dumbledore. I was expecting him to give some extravagant speech, but he just sat down, and fixed his gaze on the double doors. I raised an eyebrow, but followed his glance and waited. Suddenly, the doors burst open and a line of little kids in Hogwarts robes filed in, Professor McGonagall at the front. Some of them looked a bit wet.
"First years," Hermione whispered into my ear. I watched McGonagall place something old and ratty on a stool in the front of the hall. "They put the Sorting Hat on, and it places them in whichever house they're supposed to be in." I nodded interestedly. Well, that was a bit different.
"At SAWW, we had only two 'houses'," I told them quietly. "We had to say something, a spell, and smoke would come out of the tips of our wands, and spell out the name of which house we were supposed to be in. It was really cool-looking." I watched as several first-years tried on the hat, and it actually shouted out the names of different houses. No new Gryffindors so far. At around the fifteenth name, 'Mulholland, Christine', the hat's shrill voice shrieked, "GRYFFINDOR!" The whole table exploded in applause and sounds of excitement. Christine joined the table modestly. I chatted intermittently with everyone through the Sorting, until the last name was called. Dumbledore stood up, and all the applause died.
"Welcome, welcome, to all our new students," his voice rang throughout the Hall. "Enjoy this year's feast. I will join you in a few minutes," he paused. Then, looking directly at me, "I must take care of some new business. And now, a few words..." He beamed around at everyone. "Star pillow." I raised an eyebrow, but forgot it once I saw all the food. It just, appeared after his last word. The gold plates were filled with English cuisine. Some of it looked less than appetizing, but I shrugged it off. I felt someone's gaze pulling for my attention, and glanced back up at Dumbledore. He was making his way to the double doors to leave the Hall. He motioned to me. I glanced longingly at the table of food, but stood up and quickly walked to meet him. When I reached Dumbledore, he smiled widely at me.
"It is a pleasure to have you here, Ms. Porter," he said kindly. I shook his hand.
"Pleased to meet you," I murmured. His eyes twinkled. Professor McGonagall appeared at his side.
"I am sorry to taunt you with all this wonderful food," he said, acknowledging her presence with a nod. "But you must be Sorted first. Do not worry, it won't take long, as you observed." He raised a white eyebrow at me. I nodded. "Well, then. Please follow me." I obeyed. He led me back down the corridor halfway, coming up next to a large gargoyle statue. "Circus peanuts." The statue moved aside, revealing a spiral stairway. I followed him down the steps, McGonagall right behind me. We finally emerged into a splendid office, furnished with cherrywood and gold. I looked up and saw portraits of who must have been the school's previous headmasters. One of the pictures snored loudly, and another winked at me. I blinked, slightly unnerved as I always was at the moving pictures. I hadn't grown up in the wizarding world, and I still wasn't used to all the things it had to offer.
"Minerva? The Sorting Hat, if you will?" said Dumbledore pleasantly. McGonagall handed the slightly dirty hat to him. He motioned for me to take a seat in an armchair. I did so, and he placed the bulky thing on my head, preventing my sight. I felt like an idiot. But then, there was a voice that seemed to be coming from the hat.
"Hm. Never had a born half-witch before," it said shrewdly. "I can see, you get along well with people, but there's still that vicious spirit inside you. I don't believe you've shown it to anyone, hm? That spirit could be used for good, you know. It would give you courage. Gryffindor seems like the best for you. But that other half is tugging at me. A seregaur, eh? Hm...they are generally said to be Dark...Slytherin would do well too..." I raised an eyebrow. "...but you have that GOOD in you...yes, I do believe I know. GRYFFINDOR!" Dumbledore removed the hat, looking pleased. He said something to McGonagall, but my ears were still ringing, and I didn't hear it. McGonagall placed the hat on top of a shelf and, for her usual placid disposition, positively beamed at me. I remembered that she was the head of Gryffindor house.
"I've told Professor McGonagall about you," he said, eyes sparkling. "The other teachers as well. I don't like to keep secrets from the students, or their parents, but I think it would be best if you didn't tell everyone about your heritage." He gave me a slightly stern look, and I squirmed.
"Actually, sir," I said uncomfortably. "I believe one of the other student's fathers told them about me. He recognized what I am. And from what I've been told about him, he'd waste no time in telling his friends." I must have looked worried, because McGonagall clucked her tongue disbelievingly.
"I don't think any of our students would spread something like that," she said. "Who was this person?"
"Draco Malfoy," I said promptly. I saw McGonagall's nostrils flare, but all she said was, "Oh."
"Not to worry, my dear," said Dumbledore happily. "No worries at all. Now, shall we get back to the feast?" I smiled, not really feeling it, and followed him out. He turned one last time. "By the way, dear. Do you have any favorite foods? Desserts?" I looked at him, surprised.
"Uh, yeah," I said. Talk about random, I thought. "Apple pie?" He nodded, winking, and we left.
The hall was completely silent as I opened the door. Everyone stared at me, some looking slightly afraid. I met gazes with Harry and questioned him silently. He nodded. Well. Malfoy HAD told everyone already. I surveyed everyone with a sort of defiant bravery, and walked right over to the Gryffindor table, sitting between Harry and Hermione, across from Fred and George. Everyone was still silent. George caught my eye, put his index fingers by his head like pointy ears, bared his teeth, and crossed his eyes. I burst out laughing, from nerves and because he looked extremely funny. The whole table erupted in cheers, startling me. The Hall resumed loud conversation. I let out a deep breath.
"Thanks," I said to George. He waved me off and shoved a plate of chicken across the table. I loaded my plate with things I recognized, avoiding things I didn't, like what Ron had helpfully identified as 'steak-and- kidney pie'. I had been late, and dessert platters were already beginning to appear. I ate my fill of regular food, but quickly moved on to dessert. I honestly wasn't that hungry, but the snickers coming from the Slytherin table made me crave comfort food. I wrinkled my nose at everything.
"Ah, what's that?" I asked warily, pointing at a bowl of orange gook.
"Pumpkin pudding," said Ron thickly, through a mouthful of something. I raised my eyebrows and moved on.
"Ooh, that's unusual," said Hermione. I craned my neck to see what she was looking at. "We don't usually have-"
"Apple pie," I said softly. It looked piping hot, like it had just come out of the oven. Lee Jordan passed it down the table.
"Ouch, here," he said, and resumed conversation with another student. I cut myself a piece slowly.
"What the-" came Ron's voice. "Ice cream? How strange, look. Just plain vanilla." He shrugged, shoved it aside, and reached for a slice of chocolate fudge cake. I took a scoop of the ice cream from its bowl and plopped it onto my pie, a smile slowly growing on my face. I looked toward the head table. Dumbledore beamed at me, and I chuckled to myself, giving him a little wave.
When everyone seemed stuffed, the food just disappeared, leaving the gold plates sparkling clean. Dumbledore stood up, face glowing.
"And now, before you go off to your dorms, I have a few announcements," he said. He had everyone's rapt attention. "First of all, some of you may be wondering why 'dress robes' were listed in your letters." A few girls giggled, and Hermione had a suspicious look on her face. "No, I'm afraid that due to the results of last year's Tri-Wizard Tournament..." A wave of whispers washed over the Hall. "...it will not be happening this year, or anytime in the near future. But, since last year's Yule Ball was so successful, we have decided to hold it again this year." The hall burst into cheers and excited voices. Dumbledore raised his hands and everyone went silent once more. "Yes, yes, I know you are all excited. On to more important business. Now, as you may already have heard, we have a new student. She has transferred from an American school, and is in her fifth year. Charlotte Porter, would you stand up please?" I did so, cheeks flaming. Dumbledore nodded, and I sat back down quickly. "I know there are rumors going around about Ms. Porter. This does not happen often, but now I will tell you the true story. Ms. Porter is a seregaur." A few random gasps echoed throughout the hall. I heard people mutter confused questions amongst their tables. ("A what?")
"Jeez, as if they hadn't heard already," I muttered contemptuously.
"Quiet!" Dumbledore's voice rang clearly throughout the room. "Despite the reputation seregaur have, I am happy to say that it is only a stereotype. Ms. Porter is no more dangerous than you or the person sitting next to you." He smiled at me. I returned it weakly but gratefully. Some people were giving me curious looks. "The last thing I have to talk about is your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I don't believe he has arrived yet..." For the first time I noticed an empty seat at the table. "Ah, there he is! Everyone please welcome, Professor Gilmore!" By this time, I was no longer listening, because of the man walking up to the Head table. "Mr. Gilmore is also from the States. He worked for the ministry there and I do believe this is his first teaching job. Well, that is all! Off to bed with you, then! Classes tomorrow!" I sat there while everyone filed out of the room and toward their dorms. As people passed me they shot curious glances my way. A few people were staring at the side of my head, hoping for a glance of my ears. Finally, I stood up and walked with Harry, still staring at the man, who was now shaking Dumbledore's hand. Gilmore. Robert Gilmore. Widowed eleven years from his wife Emily Porter. My stepfather.
You know what this means, said a little voice in my head. Yeah, I knew what it meant. It meant that my lies were coming back to bite me in the butt. My stepfather was going to find out that I had gone to wizarding school for the past four years, and was enrolled at Hogwarts for three more. A thought hit me in the stomach. Wait, he's a teacher. If he's a teacher, then he knows about the wizarding world. He's not a Muggle. Wizard. He's a wizard. Everything was going into place. Everything was starting to make sense, in a nerve-wracking, stressful, I-want-to-barf kind of way.
"Well, look who it is," came a cold sneering voice from behind me. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I all turned to face Malfoy. He was accompanied by a few more people, all with the same malicious look on their faces. A curly- haired blonde had attached herself on his arm. "Look, look, look." His eyes were glinting. My nostrils flared uncontrollably as I momentarily forgot my recent family revelations.
"Oh, hullo, Malfoy," I said, letting a sharp tone into my voice. "I'm surprised you can see at all with your head so far up your-"
"Charlotte!" whispered Hermione sharply, face aghast. I looked at her apologetically.
"Let's go," muttered Malfoy haughtily. He made pointy ears with his index fingers as he passed. I grinned widely at him, and he did what I could only call 'scampering'.
"Ooh, put them away!" said Ron, shuddering. I changed my teeth back and continued to walk to the dorm.
"So how does this whole dorm thing work?" I asked. "At Salem we had these doors, and like, the other house thought it was a bathroom or something, but when we said a password outside the door, it sort of turned into our dorm." Harry nodded.
"Yeah, well, ours is behind a portrait," he explained. "You tell the lady the password, and she swings the picture forward, and it's a doorway."
"Well, that makes sense," I said absently. We were among the last to reach what I assumed was the 'portrait-hole'. Students were still filing through it. There was a silence as I once more absorbed myself in my thoughts about my stepfather. How could this be? He worked for a DRILL company, not the U.S. Ministry of Magic. This was absurd, ridiculous. Absolutely crazy.
"Charlie?" said Harry suddenly. I started.
"Hm?" I said. I felt a bit dizzy.
"Are you all right?" he asked, giving me a wary look. "You look a bit preoccupied." I waved a hand at him as we finally got through the portrait hole.
"Oh, I'm fine," I said. He raised an eyebrow at me. I sat down in a big armchair in the common room, thinking for a few moments. I looked up, resigned. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sitting around, waiting for me to speak. "Robert Gilmore is my stepfather," I said bluntly. Hermione's mouth turned into a big O, but Harry looked dimly confused, and Ron looked completely bewildered.
"Who's Robert-" Ron started to ask.
"Shut up Ron," said Hermione. She looked at me sympathetically. "I thought you told us he didn't know that you were a witch?"
"He doesn't," I said wearily. "And I didn't know he was a wizard. He was the boss at the DRILL COMPANY!" I said loudly. I glanced around sheepishly. "Sorry," I said to some scared-looking first years. "I had no idea. He still doesn't know about me. He thinks I'm at boarding school." I paced around the room, feeling restless. "This is weird."
"Hey, Charlie!" came a familiar voice. I turned, still agitated, to face Fred and George.
"Something I still don't get," said Ron, a half hour later. "How did Malfoy know? I mean, I saw your eyes; they stayed blue. And you weren't showing your teeth, so..." He trailed off, scratching his head. I sighed.
"There's a sign," I said. "It's like, you recognize mermaids by their hair, teeth, and fins? Well, you recognize, um, us, by our ears." Ron gave me a Look.
"Your ears?" he said. I grinned.
"Yeah, that's why I usually never wear my hair up or out of my face," I said. "That day in Diagon Alley, I don't know what was wrong with me. I should have been more cautious. Hey, I'm surprised you guys didn't recognize me then," I told Fred, George, and Hermione.
"Well, we weren't exactly on the lookout for seregaur, were we?" Fred pointed out.
"Yes, it was sort of at the back of my mind," said Hermione. "If I had been thinking of it, I probably would have recognized you, but I've only read about them in books." They all nodded.
"Well, what's the matter with your ears?" Ron asked, peering at me. "Can I see?" I smiled shyly.
"Well, I don't know..." I probed the floor with my toe. "I'm a bit self- conscious about them, to tell the truth..."
"Pleeeeeeease?" said Ron. He gave me a pleading face. I let out a breath.
"Oh, all right," I said. I shoved my hair behind my ears irritably. "See, I have this little habit of taking my annoyances out on my hair. I put it behind my ears when we were leaving Malfoy, and he saw, and..." I shrugged.
"Whoa," breathed Ron. He poked my ear. Again, I couldn't see myself, but if I could, I knew I would see long ears that came to a sharp point.
"Ow!" I said, jerking away from him. "Jeez," I said, rubbing it. I smiled good-naturedly, though. "Well, they add character, I guess."
"Hey, when you hear something far away, do they prick up?" asked George teasingly. I smiled sarcastically.
"Well, why don't you leave, go really far away, then act like a maniac and be really loud, and I'll tell you if they do, hm?" I told him. Everyone laughed. Hermione glanced at her watch.
"We'd better get our robes on," she said. "It's late, we'll be there any minute." I nodded, then frowned.
"What about our tru-," I started to ask.
"They're right there," she said, pointing to a corner. The trunks were packed up against the corner, and almost invisible. We yanked our own down and opened them. I pulled out my robes. They were much better than the ones at the Academy. They were black, long, swishing down to the floor, with long sleeves and the Hogwarts emblem printed on the breast. I took off my sweater and threw the robes on over my normal clothes. I took out my cloak and set it on my seat, replacing it with the sweater. I closed my trunk and shoved it back against the wall. Everyone was straightening their robes just as the train started to slow down. I leaned over and peered out the window. HOGSMEADE STATION, read a big sign. I sat down, moving my cloak into my lap.
"Hogsmeade?" I said quizzically. "That's the village or something, right? My stepdad signed a form so I could go there."
"Yeah, it's really great," said Ron eagerly. "Honeydukes, and the post, and the...the....shrieking shack..." I saw Ron's ears turn pink.
"What?" I said, frowning. "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing," said Harry hastily. "Tell you later..." The train came to a complete stop, and we left the compartment.
I hugged my cloak close to me as I stared up at the magnificent castle. There were so many turrets and towers I couldn't count them all. My hearing tuned in to a high-pitched cackling, and I was startled out of my wits by a louder, closer laugh.
"Hee hee, sorry," said George, grinning. "Your ears. They....they...pricked up..." He went into the castle still snorting. I shook my head.
"Quite a ride, wasn't it?" said Hermione, cheeks pink from the cold. I smoothed my hair down nervously, and smiled.
"It was amazing," I agreed. We had ridden from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in, how to put it, horse-less carriages. The ride wasn't very smooth, but the seats were soft and your backside sunk into them when you sat down.
"I think this is the first year we've arrived and it hasn't been raining," remarked Harry, looking up. Instinctively, I threw my weight against the two of them, shoving them aside and almost knocking them over. Two seconds later, a shower of water hit the spot where we had just been standing. I looked up sharply at the cackling, belonging to a ghost sticking his translucent and leering face out of a fourth story window. I glared up at it, but removed my arm from its protective place stuck out in front of Harry and Hermione.
"What the bloody...?" came Ron's voice. "What was that?"
"Peeves," said Harry and Hermione in unison. "Don't worry, you'll get used to him," Harry added to me. I nodded, but my attention was elsewhere. Malfoy was coming up the stairs, the two gorillas in his wake. He caught sight of me and smiled evilly. I ran my tongue along the inside of my cheek and grinned back. His smile flickered, and he looked back to assure himself his bodyguards were still there. He blinked at me, pausing, but then rushed into the castle. I chuckled.
"Eurgh, would you please put those away?" said Ron, shuddering. "No offense, but they're a bit creepy." I flashed him one last toothy grin with my fangs, then changed back. I looked up again.
"Ah, maybe we should get inside," I remarked, sniffing slightly. "I think Harry's going to be proven wrong after all." Surely enough, we had barely gotten through the humongous oak doors when it started to pour. There was a clap of thunder and we all jumped involuntarily.
"Ooh, let's get to the Great Hall," said Hermione, shuddering. "Lots of people in there." I followed them cautiously down a passageway with suits of armor and paintings scattered here and there. We reached another set of smaller double doors, and shoved them open. I looked around, completely in awe. There were candles floating midair above four long tables that ran down the length of the room. There was one table, elevated, set in front of the rest. I took off my cloak slowly and draped it on the crook of my elbow. I looked up at the ceiling and gasped. It was the sky. I could see the rain, and some lightning, and clouds that looked fat with water. I turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were wearing identical looks of amusement as they surveyed me.
"Well...?" said Harry, raising an eyebrow. I grinned.
"Well...it's not like home at all," I said with a sigh. "But I think I could get used to it." I looked at the roof again, and broke the facade. "I can't BELIEVE this ceiling!" I squeaked. "How on earth...?" Hermione cleared her throat professionally, and I saw Ron roll his eyes.
"They bewitch it to look like the sky outside," she said knowledgeably. "It even shows the weather, see? Rain? I read about it in-"
"Hogwarts, A History," said Harry and Ron simultaneously. They all looked at each other, and we laughed. I shook my head, smiling, and turned to survey the other students. I saw a rather severe looking teacher walking toward me. She gave me a small smile that, from the look I got from Harry, wasn't a very common thing to see on that face. She was tall, thin, with glasses, and a few frown lines. She wore her black hair in a knot at the top of her head, and bulky dark green robes.
"Ms. Porter?" she said inquiringly. I nodded. She put her hand out. "I'm Professor McGonagall. I teach Transfiguration, and I'm the head of Gryffindor house. Professor Dumbledore would like to delay your Sorting until after the feast, if you don't mind. He likes to be present, and we are sure you don't want to be sorted with the first years." She arched an eyebrow questioningly. Sorting? Gryffindor? I had no idea what she was talking about. I nodded, trying not to be an idiot. She smiled and looked around. A stern facade overcame her face, covering what I thought was amusement.
"I see you've found some friends already?" she said. I could have sworn her mouth was twitching. "Oh, yes, that's right," she amended. "You stayed with Potter this summer. Now I remember. Were the, ah, Dursleys, was it? Were the Dursleys welcome to you?"
"Yes, yes they were," I said automatically. "Though they weren't exactly all smiles and sunshine to Harry," I blurted. My cheeks reddened. "Oops," I muttered, mentally smacking myself.
"Yes, we know about Potter's living situation," said McGonagall sternly. I thought I saw something move in her face though. Pity? "Well, I just wanted to say...welcome to Hogwarts!" And with that, she rushed out of the hall. I raised an eyebrow at the three, and they grinned.
"McGonagall," said Ron, like a wizened old codger. "Ah, yes, head of our house." I frowned.
"Oh yeah," I said, remembering. "What was she talking about, a Sorting? And, Gryffindor, or something?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes, there are four houses at Hogwarts," she began, in a tone I was beginning to get used to. I thought after a few months my eyes would begin to glaze over like Harry and Ron's were now. "Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she recited. I couldn't help but snicker.
"Hufflepuff," I said amusedly. Hermione ignored it.
"Every incoming student is sorted into one of these houses, basically based on their personalities," she said. She reminded me of Professor McGonagall. "Harry, Ron, and I, and basically everyone you've met so far, are in Gryffindor."
"And McGonagall's the head teacher of Gryffindor?" I asked, feeling skeptical. Hermione nodded.
"She's a good teacher," she said, a bit protectively. She started to go on, but I stopped her.
"I'm sure she is," I said soothingly. I smiled sourly. "Slytherin doesn't sound so good. Lemme guess. Malfoy's in there, eh?" Ron was about to answer, but was cut off.
"Please, take your seats, students!" said a deep voice from the front of the hall. I followed Harry and the others, glancing at the owner of the voice. It was an old wizard, with a white beard down to his middle and hair the same to his back. He wore deep blue robes and semi-circle glasses. This is definitely Dumbledore, I thought. I wasn't sure, but I could swear he had just winked at me. I smiled back, and followed Harry. I was receiving some strange looks from students, and flattened my hair over my ears nervously.
"D'you think Malfoy's told everyone?" I asked. Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded simultaneously.
"All his friends, at least," said Ron. He looked like he had just eaten something nasty. "Perhaps not everyone yet." Harry gave me a comforting look.
"No worries, Charlie," he said reassuringly. "Doesn't matter to those of us who know you." He grinned, and I smiled back thankfully. We finally found a section of the bench long enough for four people. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan plopped down across from us. They looked reproachful.
"We've just passed Malfoy," said George hesitantly. "He was talking about...you know." I nodded.
"Yeah, well," I replied, shrugging. "Who cares, right?" They all nodded quickly. I sensed the Hall getting quiet, and glanced at Dumbledore. He stood up, and a hushed silence went around the room. He put his hands up to quiet the few snickering students. I glanced at them and was not surprised to see Malfoy among them. I ignored him and gave my attention to Dumbledore. I was expecting him to give some extravagant speech, but he just sat down, and fixed his gaze on the double doors. I raised an eyebrow, but followed his glance and waited. Suddenly, the doors burst open and a line of little kids in Hogwarts robes filed in, Professor McGonagall at the front. Some of them looked a bit wet.
"First years," Hermione whispered into my ear. I watched McGonagall place something old and ratty on a stool in the front of the hall. "They put the Sorting Hat on, and it places them in whichever house they're supposed to be in." I nodded interestedly. Well, that was a bit different.
"At SAWW, we had only two 'houses'," I told them quietly. "We had to say something, a spell, and smoke would come out of the tips of our wands, and spell out the name of which house we were supposed to be in. It was really cool-looking." I watched as several first-years tried on the hat, and it actually shouted out the names of different houses. No new Gryffindors so far. At around the fifteenth name, 'Mulholland, Christine', the hat's shrill voice shrieked, "GRYFFINDOR!" The whole table exploded in applause and sounds of excitement. Christine joined the table modestly. I chatted intermittently with everyone through the Sorting, until the last name was called. Dumbledore stood up, and all the applause died.
"Welcome, welcome, to all our new students," his voice rang throughout the Hall. "Enjoy this year's feast. I will join you in a few minutes," he paused. Then, looking directly at me, "I must take care of some new business. And now, a few words..." He beamed around at everyone. "Star pillow." I raised an eyebrow, but forgot it once I saw all the food. It just, appeared after his last word. The gold plates were filled with English cuisine. Some of it looked less than appetizing, but I shrugged it off. I felt someone's gaze pulling for my attention, and glanced back up at Dumbledore. He was making his way to the double doors to leave the Hall. He motioned to me. I glanced longingly at the table of food, but stood up and quickly walked to meet him. When I reached Dumbledore, he smiled widely at me.
"It is a pleasure to have you here, Ms. Porter," he said kindly. I shook his hand.
"Pleased to meet you," I murmured. His eyes twinkled. Professor McGonagall appeared at his side.
"I am sorry to taunt you with all this wonderful food," he said, acknowledging her presence with a nod. "But you must be Sorted first. Do not worry, it won't take long, as you observed." He raised a white eyebrow at me. I nodded. "Well, then. Please follow me." I obeyed. He led me back down the corridor halfway, coming up next to a large gargoyle statue. "Circus peanuts." The statue moved aside, revealing a spiral stairway. I followed him down the steps, McGonagall right behind me. We finally emerged into a splendid office, furnished with cherrywood and gold. I looked up and saw portraits of who must have been the school's previous headmasters. One of the pictures snored loudly, and another winked at me. I blinked, slightly unnerved as I always was at the moving pictures. I hadn't grown up in the wizarding world, and I still wasn't used to all the things it had to offer.
"Minerva? The Sorting Hat, if you will?" said Dumbledore pleasantly. McGonagall handed the slightly dirty hat to him. He motioned for me to take a seat in an armchair. I did so, and he placed the bulky thing on my head, preventing my sight. I felt like an idiot. But then, there was a voice that seemed to be coming from the hat.
"Hm. Never had a born half-witch before," it said shrewdly. "I can see, you get along well with people, but there's still that vicious spirit inside you. I don't believe you've shown it to anyone, hm? That spirit could be used for good, you know. It would give you courage. Gryffindor seems like the best for you. But that other half is tugging at me. A seregaur, eh? Hm...they are generally said to be Dark...Slytherin would do well too..." I raised an eyebrow. "...but you have that GOOD in you...yes, I do believe I know. GRYFFINDOR!" Dumbledore removed the hat, looking pleased. He said something to McGonagall, but my ears were still ringing, and I didn't hear it. McGonagall placed the hat on top of a shelf and, for her usual placid disposition, positively beamed at me. I remembered that she was the head of Gryffindor house.
"I've told Professor McGonagall about you," he said, eyes sparkling. "The other teachers as well. I don't like to keep secrets from the students, or their parents, but I think it would be best if you didn't tell everyone about your heritage." He gave me a slightly stern look, and I squirmed.
"Actually, sir," I said uncomfortably. "I believe one of the other student's fathers told them about me. He recognized what I am. And from what I've been told about him, he'd waste no time in telling his friends." I must have looked worried, because McGonagall clucked her tongue disbelievingly.
"I don't think any of our students would spread something like that," she said. "Who was this person?"
"Draco Malfoy," I said promptly. I saw McGonagall's nostrils flare, but all she said was, "Oh."
"Not to worry, my dear," said Dumbledore happily. "No worries at all. Now, shall we get back to the feast?" I smiled, not really feeling it, and followed him out. He turned one last time. "By the way, dear. Do you have any favorite foods? Desserts?" I looked at him, surprised.
"Uh, yeah," I said. Talk about random, I thought. "Apple pie?" He nodded, winking, and we left.
The hall was completely silent as I opened the door. Everyone stared at me, some looking slightly afraid. I met gazes with Harry and questioned him silently. He nodded. Well. Malfoy HAD told everyone already. I surveyed everyone with a sort of defiant bravery, and walked right over to the Gryffindor table, sitting between Harry and Hermione, across from Fred and George. Everyone was still silent. George caught my eye, put his index fingers by his head like pointy ears, bared his teeth, and crossed his eyes. I burst out laughing, from nerves and because he looked extremely funny. The whole table erupted in cheers, startling me. The Hall resumed loud conversation. I let out a deep breath.
"Thanks," I said to George. He waved me off and shoved a plate of chicken across the table. I loaded my plate with things I recognized, avoiding things I didn't, like what Ron had helpfully identified as 'steak-and- kidney pie'. I had been late, and dessert platters were already beginning to appear. I ate my fill of regular food, but quickly moved on to dessert. I honestly wasn't that hungry, but the snickers coming from the Slytherin table made me crave comfort food. I wrinkled my nose at everything.
"Ah, what's that?" I asked warily, pointing at a bowl of orange gook.
"Pumpkin pudding," said Ron thickly, through a mouthful of something. I raised my eyebrows and moved on.
"Ooh, that's unusual," said Hermione. I craned my neck to see what she was looking at. "We don't usually have-"
"Apple pie," I said softly. It looked piping hot, like it had just come out of the oven. Lee Jordan passed it down the table.
"Ouch, here," he said, and resumed conversation with another student. I cut myself a piece slowly.
"What the-" came Ron's voice. "Ice cream? How strange, look. Just plain vanilla." He shrugged, shoved it aside, and reached for a slice of chocolate fudge cake. I took a scoop of the ice cream from its bowl and plopped it onto my pie, a smile slowly growing on my face. I looked toward the head table. Dumbledore beamed at me, and I chuckled to myself, giving him a little wave.
When everyone seemed stuffed, the food just disappeared, leaving the gold plates sparkling clean. Dumbledore stood up, face glowing.
"And now, before you go off to your dorms, I have a few announcements," he said. He had everyone's rapt attention. "First of all, some of you may be wondering why 'dress robes' were listed in your letters." A few girls giggled, and Hermione had a suspicious look on her face. "No, I'm afraid that due to the results of last year's Tri-Wizard Tournament..." A wave of whispers washed over the Hall. "...it will not be happening this year, or anytime in the near future. But, since last year's Yule Ball was so successful, we have decided to hold it again this year." The hall burst into cheers and excited voices. Dumbledore raised his hands and everyone went silent once more. "Yes, yes, I know you are all excited. On to more important business. Now, as you may already have heard, we have a new student. She has transferred from an American school, and is in her fifth year. Charlotte Porter, would you stand up please?" I did so, cheeks flaming. Dumbledore nodded, and I sat back down quickly. "I know there are rumors going around about Ms. Porter. This does not happen often, but now I will tell you the true story. Ms. Porter is a seregaur." A few random gasps echoed throughout the hall. I heard people mutter confused questions amongst their tables. ("A what?")
"Jeez, as if they hadn't heard already," I muttered contemptuously.
"Quiet!" Dumbledore's voice rang clearly throughout the room. "Despite the reputation seregaur have, I am happy to say that it is only a stereotype. Ms. Porter is no more dangerous than you or the person sitting next to you." He smiled at me. I returned it weakly but gratefully. Some people were giving me curious looks. "The last thing I have to talk about is your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I don't believe he has arrived yet..." For the first time I noticed an empty seat at the table. "Ah, there he is! Everyone please welcome, Professor Gilmore!" By this time, I was no longer listening, because of the man walking up to the Head table. "Mr. Gilmore is also from the States. He worked for the ministry there and I do believe this is his first teaching job. Well, that is all! Off to bed with you, then! Classes tomorrow!" I sat there while everyone filed out of the room and toward their dorms. As people passed me they shot curious glances my way. A few people were staring at the side of my head, hoping for a glance of my ears. Finally, I stood up and walked with Harry, still staring at the man, who was now shaking Dumbledore's hand. Gilmore. Robert Gilmore. Widowed eleven years from his wife Emily Porter. My stepfather.
You know what this means, said a little voice in my head. Yeah, I knew what it meant. It meant that my lies were coming back to bite me in the butt. My stepfather was going to find out that I had gone to wizarding school for the past four years, and was enrolled at Hogwarts for three more. A thought hit me in the stomach. Wait, he's a teacher. If he's a teacher, then he knows about the wizarding world. He's not a Muggle. Wizard. He's a wizard. Everything was going into place. Everything was starting to make sense, in a nerve-wracking, stressful, I-want-to-barf kind of way.
"Well, look who it is," came a cold sneering voice from behind me. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I all turned to face Malfoy. He was accompanied by a few more people, all with the same malicious look on their faces. A curly- haired blonde had attached herself on his arm. "Look, look, look." His eyes were glinting. My nostrils flared uncontrollably as I momentarily forgot my recent family revelations.
"Oh, hullo, Malfoy," I said, letting a sharp tone into my voice. "I'm surprised you can see at all with your head so far up your-"
"Charlotte!" whispered Hermione sharply, face aghast. I looked at her apologetically.
"Let's go," muttered Malfoy haughtily. He made pointy ears with his index fingers as he passed. I grinned widely at him, and he did what I could only call 'scampering'.
"Ooh, put them away!" said Ron, shuddering. I changed my teeth back and continued to walk to the dorm.
"So how does this whole dorm thing work?" I asked. "At Salem we had these doors, and like, the other house thought it was a bathroom or something, but when we said a password outside the door, it sort of turned into our dorm." Harry nodded.
"Yeah, well, ours is behind a portrait," he explained. "You tell the lady the password, and she swings the picture forward, and it's a doorway."
"Well, that makes sense," I said absently. We were among the last to reach what I assumed was the 'portrait-hole'. Students were still filing through it. There was a silence as I once more absorbed myself in my thoughts about my stepfather. How could this be? He worked for a DRILL company, not the U.S. Ministry of Magic. This was absurd, ridiculous. Absolutely crazy.
"Charlie?" said Harry suddenly. I started.
"Hm?" I said. I felt a bit dizzy.
"Are you all right?" he asked, giving me a wary look. "You look a bit preoccupied." I waved a hand at him as we finally got through the portrait hole.
"Oh, I'm fine," I said. He raised an eyebrow at me. I sat down in a big armchair in the common room, thinking for a few moments. I looked up, resigned. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all sitting around, waiting for me to speak. "Robert Gilmore is my stepfather," I said bluntly. Hermione's mouth turned into a big O, but Harry looked dimly confused, and Ron looked completely bewildered.
"Who's Robert-" Ron started to ask.
"Shut up Ron," said Hermione. She looked at me sympathetically. "I thought you told us he didn't know that you were a witch?"
"He doesn't," I said wearily. "And I didn't know he was a wizard. He was the boss at the DRILL COMPANY!" I said loudly. I glanced around sheepishly. "Sorry," I said to some scared-looking first years. "I had no idea. He still doesn't know about me. He thinks I'm at boarding school." I paced around the room, feeling restless. "This is weird."
"Hey, Charlie!" came a familiar voice. I turned, still agitated, to face Fred and George.