The feast was lovely of course, with every type of food that Elynn could want set out before her. She ate all that she wanted and yet the food never seemed quite gone. Her housemates chatted around her, but she contented herself with just listening to them and eating her food quietly.
When everyone was finished, Grandfather told everyone to follow their Head Boy or Girl to their house common rooms. He motioned however, for Elynn to follow him. She stood and nervously followed him out of a back door, hoping no one would notice. No one did and she found herself alone with her grandfather in a hall. He didn't speak, but simply led her to a large golden griffin. He spoke a few words to it then stepped onto the rising spiral staircase that began to rise from the floor, motioning for her to do the same. When the griffin stopped moving, she climbed the few remaining steps and followed her grandfather into his study, covered with pictures of famous wizards and witches and filled with books on every subject. His desk was covered in papers and Volx was perched beside it. Grandfather stopped in front of his desk and turned to face her looking stern. Elynn wondered what it was she could have done in the few hours that she had been at Hogwarts that would make him look at her like that. Suddenly, he opened his arms,
"Well, don't just stand there! Come give your old grandfather a hug!" Elynn smiled and ran to him, giving him the biggest hug she could muster. He enveloped her in his robes and hugged her back, "Welcome, Elynn." He whispered.
"It's good to see you, Grandfather." She whispered snuggling closer into his robes. They smelled like old books and parchment, her favorite smell in the whole world. He released her and took a seat behind his desk, gesturing to another on the other side.
"Please take a seat, my dear. We have much to discuss." Elynn did as she was told and waited patiently for Grandfather to continue. He leaned back in his chair and put his fingertips together, as if he was contemplating how to go on, "You did of course receive a notice of the rules with your letter from Hogwarts, did you not?"
Elynn nodded, "Of course, Grandfather."
"And you read over them thoroughly, I assume."
"I committed them to memory." Elynn replied, proudly.
Grandfather nodded, "Good, very good. Now I'm going to warn you that you will have to abide by them as any other student here. There will be no getting out of trouble on my account, do you understand?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Elynn replied as if it were the only answer she could possibly give.
Grandfather smiled, "Good! I had hoped you hadn't come here looking for a free ride." Elynn giggled at this ridiculous notion, "Now on to more important things. You have, I expect already met with some opposition to your…unusual position."
"You mean my name?" Elynn asked frankly, remembering the boys from the train and the children in the hall.
"Yes. Now don't misunderstand me, Elynn. The name of Dumbledore is a good name and highly regarded. It should be treated with respect. However, it will also create some… harsh feelings in a few and not just students. You will most likely be treated more harshly by some of your teachers as well. I don't say this to frighten you, but to prepare you so you are not overly shocked tomorrow in class if you are treated somewhat… differently. Do you understand?"
Elynn nodded and swallowed, "I… I'll do my best."
Dumbledore once again grinned at his granddaughter and her willingness to cooperate; "One more thing and then I'll let you return to your dormitory. I have a request to ask of you. Please, Elynn, by whatever means necessary, try to make friends. I know that it is difficult for you and especially now, in this school, but believe me when I say that friends are vital to survival here. Without them it will be much more difficult to deal with the pressure that simply being here will put on you. I don't want to see you hurt." He added kindly.
Elynn smiled at him, "Don't worry about me, Grandfather. I'll be alright, you'll see."
"I'm sure you will. Oh but look at the time! Off to bed with you! Classes start tomorrow, bright and shiny!" He rose and showed her to the door, "Wait! I'd forgotten, you don't know your way yet or your password. Here a moment and let me call someone." Grandfather quickly stepped out the door, leaving Elynn alone with Volx, the sorting hat and the moving pictures, which really weren't moving at the moment. Most of them had fallen asleep and those that hadn't were busily scratching away at some paper or reading some book. Elynn contented herself with glancing over the titles on the books on Grandfather's bookshelf.
"The Care and Feeding of Griffins, The Legend of the Two-Headed Unicorn, The Life of Marcus Folco…" Elynn stopped on this one, "Folco," She whispered thoughtfully, "I've heard that name before…" She took the book down and opened it to the first page. There was a picture of a man sporting long, flamboyant red robes and wearing a rather cheesy smile. He had shoulder length blonde hair and the most peculiar green eyes… "Of course! Lucus Folco!" Elynn exclaimed. The man looked exactly like an older version of the boy who had knocked her down! She began to turn the page, but at that moment Grandfather arrived. She quickly stuck the book back on the bookshelf and hurried to meet him at the door. If he had noticed her with his book, he didn't say anything. Right after him, appeared a dirty blonde haired boy with glasses. He was an inch or two taller than her, but he still seemed to look down his nose at her. Elynn squirmed a little.
"Elynn, this is Derek Loferly. He's a second-year Ravenclaw. I've employed him to show you to your house common room and tell you the password. Derek this is Elynn." The boy, Derek, looked her up and down then stuck out his hand. Elynn took it and gave it a firm shake, which he did not return.
"Nice to meet you." She said kindly.
"Nice to meet you." He replied, with what Elynn interpreted as a touch of coolness. She just assumed that she was reading too much into it and smiled. After all, Grandfather didn't seem to notice. He simply smiled and showed them out the door.
"Well, pleasant dreams! Good luck in classes tomorrow!"
"Good night, Grandfather!" Elynn said waving as she descended the stairs. He waved back, and then firmly shut the door behind him. Suddenly, Elynn felt very alone.
"Come on then." Derek said from the bottom of the stairs with what, Elynn was now sure was coldness. She hurried down the stairs as quickly as possible, not wanting to make her guide angry. When she reached the bottom, the boy turned and quickly head down the hall. Elynn tried to follow, but his legs were longer than hers and she found herself slowly falling behind.
"Um, Derek?" She asked timidly, her breath coming a little faster now; from the jogging she had to do to keep up. Derek didn't seem to notice her so she tried again, "Derek?" She asked, a little louder this time. He whipped around and stopped in the middle of the hall. Elynn almost ran into him.
"What?" He asked viciously. Elynn suddenly realized she was trembling. His eyes had changed from just cold to ice. What could she have done?
"You were going too fast." She replied timidly, "I… I couldn't keep up."
Derek glared at her, "Does it look like that is my problem? Do you think that since you're the Headmaster's granddaughter, you can just order me about, have things just as you like them, is that it? Well, look, if you don't want my help fine! You can find your way to the common room on your own! And good luck with the password! You'll never figure it out!" He exclaimed these last few words as he turned on his heel and started to walk even faster down the hall. Elynn was now in a panic and she began to run down the hall after him.
"Wait! Please wait! I didn't mean to do whatever I did! Please…" But that last word was to open air. Derek had disappeared. Elynn didn't know what to do. She walked around the halls for a while, she didn't know how long. In despair, she finally just leaned against the wall and sank down to the floor. She put her head down into the crook of her arms and began to sob.