The school was huge. I could tell that even seeing it in the
afternoon distance.
All right, anyone who has seen a British castle will tell me "of course, idiot, it's a castle." But I had glanced idly over glossy pictures in books of European castles and never had they prepared me for the sheer size of such a building. Granted, it was also magical; my own senses were fairly buzzing, so that could explain how such a magnitude could be achieved. My heart sank. I was going to look like a right fool trying to find my way around that place.
I heard a clip-clopping, like horses, and we turned to see a team of ghastly looking horses pulling a carriage towards us. Usagi shrank and I...I wanted to do the same thing, and it took all my priestess discipline to fight the urge. They seemed edged in some light, and looked...carnivorous. Like European dragons bred with horses, and a little dinosaur mixed in. But they pulled as docilely as any domestic horse and stopped in front of us to let us in.
We were let off at the foot of a long set of stone stairs leading up to a heavy wood door that was decorated with what I assumed was the school's coat of arms, or perhaps its seal, or something. A shield was quartered, and each section had its own animal: a badger, a raven, a rampant lion, and a snake. Said book of castles had also displayed some European families' coats of arms, but this was like none I had seen. At the sound of their clopping, I gave one more quick nervous glance at the strange horses, who were unmindful of us. Before starting up the steps, I smoothed down my clothes – black stockings, a mid-thigh charcoal pleated skirt, a crisp white blouse, and mary-janes – and made Usagi do the same.
Halfway up the steps, the doors swung open and we were greeted by a severe looking woman. She put me in mind of Luna, with her prim feline ways. Her bun of black hair looked too tight, and she wore spectacles (they couldn't possibly be termed 'glasses') of a small rectangular nature. I liked her already, even if she was wearing robes of a decidedly lurid emerald nature. To use the American term, she looked like she didn't deal or take bull-crap.
"Princess Serenity, Princess Mars, I am Professor McGonagall. Welcome to Hogwarts." She extended a hand to each of us in turn, and I was won over by her warm business-like attitude. No nonsense with this one, I knew, but she seemed genuinely glad to have us.
Usagi piped up in her friendly way, "Oh, please, we are Usagi Tsukino and Rei Hino. There are no titles for us in these forms."
Most people would have raised an eyebrow at the word forms. Professor McGonagall must have been filled in with our stories and particulars before- hand, because she took it in stride and gestured us up the rest of the steps.
"I am the deputy headmistress, head of Gryffindor house, and the Transfigurations professor. You'll be staying in the Gryffindor Tower for this year, unless you find it unsuitable, of course, and then other accommodations will be provided."
"I'm sure we'll be fine. Your hospitality has already been generous in letting us stay this year." Gryffindor house? Transfigurations?
"Headmaster Dumbledore is anxious that the children learn as much as they can, and from as many sources. We both hope that we will learn from each other, as we're teaching you." She led us through a passageway that went past a door into a feasting hall. Several students were there, eating lunch. They paid us no attention, for which I was glad, but I couldn't help following Usagi's example and poking my nose around the corner to stare at the wide range of ages and faces.
"Now," she added. "I'm sure you're both tired and want to rest before tonight. I will take you to your rooms. Luggage has already been sent, by your friend who is a time-turner, I believe. Shall I have the house-elves bring up tea as well?"
We didn't know what house-elves were, but Usagi smiled broadly again. "That would be wonderful."
All right, anyone who has seen a British castle will tell me "of course, idiot, it's a castle." But I had glanced idly over glossy pictures in books of European castles and never had they prepared me for the sheer size of such a building. Granted, it was also magical; my own senses were fairly buzzing, so that could explain how such a magnitude could be achieved. My heart sank. I was going to look like a right fool trying to find my way around that place.
I heard a clip-clopping, like horses, and we turned to see a team of ghastly looking horses pulling a carriage towards us. Usagi shrank and I...I wanted to do the same thing, and it took all my priestess discipline to fight the urge. They seemed edged in some light, and looked...carnivorous. Like European dragons bred with horses, and a little dinosaur mixed in. But they pulled as docilely as any domestic horse and stopped in front of us to let us in.
We were let off at the foot of a long set of stone stairs leading up to a heavy wood door that was decorated with what I assumed was the school's coat of arms, or perhaps its seal, or something. A shield was quartered, and each section had its own animal: a badger, a raven, a rampant lion, and a snake. Said book of castles had also displayed some European families' coats of arms, but this was like none I had seen. At the sound of their clopping, I gave one more quick nervous glance at the strange horses, who were unmindful of us. Before starting up the steps, I smoothed down my clothes – black stockings, a mid-thigh charcoal pleated skirt, a crisp white blouse, and mary-janes – and made Usagi do the same.
Halfway up the steps, the doors swung open and we were greeted by a severe looking woman. She put me in mind of Luna, with her prim feline ways. Her bun of black hair looked too tight, and she wore spectacles (they couldn't possibly be termed 'glasses') of a small rectangular nature. I liked her already, even if she was wearing robes of a decidedly lurid emerald nature. To use the American term, she looked like she didn't deal or take bull-crap.
"Princess Serenity, Princess Mars, I am Professor McGonagall. Welcome to Hogwarts." She extended a hand to each of us in turn, and I was won over by her warm business-like attitude. No nonsense with this one, I knew, but she seemed genuinely glad to have us.
Usagi piped up in her friendly way, "Oh, please, we are Usagi Tsukino and Rei Hino. There are no titles for us in these forms."
Most people would have raised an eyebrow at the word forms. Professor McGonagall must have been filled in with our stories and particulars before- hand, because she took it in stride and gestured us up the rest of the steps.
"I am the deputy headmistress, head of Gryffindor house, and the Transfigurations professor. You'll be staying in the Gryffindor Tower for this year, unless you find it unsuitable, of course, and then other accommodations will be provided."
"I'm sure we'll be fine. Your hospitality has already been generous in letting us stay this year." Gryffindor house? Transfigurations?
"Headmaster Dumbledore is anxious that the children learn as much as they can, and from as many sources. We both hope that we will learn from each other, as we're teaching you." She led us through a passageway that went past a door into a feasting hall. Several students were there, eating lunch. They paid us no attention, for which I was glad, but I couldn't help following Usagi's example and poking my nose around the corner to stare at the wide range of ages and faces.
"Now," she added. "I'm sure you're both tired and want to rest before tonight. I will take you to your rooms. Luggage has already been sent, by your friend who is a time-turner, I believe. Shall I have the house-elves bring up tea as well?"
We didn't know what house-elves were, but Usagi smiled broadly again. "That would be wonderful."