Chapter 5
Back to Hogwarts
On the morning of September the First, Harry was shaken awake by a bleary- eyed Hermione at a very early hour. Harry was none too eager about being woken up.
"Yes, yes, I know it's early, Harry...but we must be early just in case there's traffic," Hermione explained. Both of them dressed, packed up their things, and made their way out to the Granger's car, and were soon on their way to King's Cross Station.
Each of the Hogwarts students performed the usual, though quite magical arrival at Platform 9 ¾, and awaited their boarding of the gleaming scarlet locomotive and grand cars that made up the Hogwarts Express. Soon, all the luggage was aboard, and they aboard the train and on their way. They found an unoccupied compartment, and was soon they were a trio again, just as soon as Ron made his arrival.
As soon as they were all settled in, Harry told Ron something he'd been burning to tell him all week long. "Oh! I forgot to tell you something, mate," he said.
"Really? What?" Ron asked.
"I'm the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain," Harry declared.
"Good one, Harry! That's awesome," Ron said, but Harry heard the barest hint of envy in his friend's voice.
Just as soon as the train began to move, they all started to talk about school, allowing Harry and Hermione to tell Ron how many OWL´s they had each gotten.
"Well, I got six myself," Ron said.
"Same here, mate," Harry declared, and in the very same subjects to boot. They were interrupted by the appearance of the lady with the food trolley. They each bought something from the her cart to bide them over the trip to Hogwarts, then took the opportunity to don their school robes (Hermione and Ron then had to affix their Prefect badges last of all). The trip seemed shorter than usual---though they had their much dreaded and not wholly unexpected confrontation with Malfoy and his toadies Crabbe and Goyle---but soon they arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As they stepped off the train with their luggage, they heard Hagrid's booming voice calling the First years to him, at least until they boarded their carriage, which was pulled by a team a thestrals.
"Hey, Harry? What do those horse thingies look like anyway?" Ron asked, curious yet anxious about the beasts that invisibly pulled their carriage.
"Well, they look a lot like some skeletal horse, really...oh, one's with wings. Mustn't forget the wings," Harry said helpfully. Ron didn't ask for any further description of the beast, his freckles standing out upon his now pale face.
Once they stopped up at the castle front door, Harry grinned in spite of himself. He was finally home again, or so it always seemed. They left their luggage in the designated place, and made their way toward the main entrance to the castle proper. On their way up the stairs, the three saw Professor McGonnagal waiting somewhat patiently for the students arrival.
"Good morning, Professor," Harry, Ron and Hermione said one after another.
"Good morning, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter," McGonnagal replied, with a very small smile.
"Did you see that?" Ron asked incredulously. "She actually smiled! At us, mind you!"
"I'm sure she's just being sociable, Ron. Really, what's all the fuss?" Hermione told him.
They quickly found their places at the Gryffindor table, greeting old friends, renewing old acquaintances. Once they were all settled in, they looked up toward the teacher's table.
"Psst! Look at that woman! The one sitting between Dumbledore and Madam Hooch," Hermione hissed, pointing discretely at the table.
"Oy! Think that might be our new Dark Arts teacher?" Ron asked, curious.
The woman who was rather plain-looking, had long curly black hair that reached nearly to her waist. She wore a decorative bat in her hair, as well as a black necklace that sported a bat pendant hanging down off of the chain. She was garbed all in black, and eerily reminded the three of a female version of Professor Snape.
"Well, it certainly does looks like it," Harry told them both, when Dumbledore started to talk with the new woman.
Their conjecture over the mysterious woman's identity was temporarily suspended when Professor McGonnagal arrived with the new First years in tow. The crowd quieted to a respective, anticipatory silence as the nervous new students gathered about the slight, proud Transfiguration Professor. The Sorting Hat began its usual song about Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. When it had finished, everybody cheered before McGonnagal could utter a word. Once it was quiet again, she began her ritual.
"First years, when I call your name, you will step forward and sit. I shall place this hat upon your head, and it will tell you which house you've been sorted into," Professor McGonnagal intoned. She unrolled a scroll, and began to call out names, one after another.
Harry clapped along with everyone else at the table at the arrival of each new Gryffindor, but got quite a shock when the Deputy Headmistress reached the H´s.
"Hooch, Amelia," McGonnagal called out. A girl made her way forward through her peers, and when she turned about, they all saw she was a younger replica of the intimidating Madame Hooch, from the short grey hair that went in every direction it wanted, to a pair of sharp yellow eyes reminiscent of a hawk's.
The hat was placed upon her young head, and after a while, the hat bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR!" All the Gryffindors cheered for Amelia, their newest member. Harry overheard Madam Hooch at the teacher's table say, "My oldest daughter, you understand. Very proud of her, very proud indeed."
Amelia took the vacant seat next to Harry, and Ron asked her, "Hello! Are you related to Madam Hooch?"
"Why, yes. She´s my mother, you see," Amelia told them all, and her yellow eyes twinkled.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonnagal had gotten to the M´s. For some reason, Harry looked over to the Slytherin table and spotted Draco Malfoy, who was smiling for some reason. The reason for his happiness became abundantly clear as Harry heard Professor McGonnagal call out the next name, "Malfoy, Opaleye."
A slight girl with the trademark Malfoy platinum blond hair moved majestically forward, her silver eyes catching those of her brother's.
Malfoy has a sister? Harry thought in wonder and suspicion. Well, that much was obvious since Opaleye Malfoy smiled at her brother. As if to make that even more clear, the Sorting Hat had just barely touched the crown of her head, when it declared, "SLYTHERIN!".
McGonnagal read the next name, and finally looked down upon her list. For some odd reason, the normally taciturn Scot smiled, just before declaring the very next name, "McGonnagal, Mariah." As the Professor had said that name, the burr of her Scottish ancestry trilled over the "r" in Mariah.
The entire hall went silent for a moment.
Ron wiggled a finger in his ear. "Did she just say 'McGonnagal', or am I hearing things?" Ron asked in shock.
A tall girl made her way up to the stool, and turned around, which then caused Hermione to gasp in surprise. The girl's face was pretty, but it was clear that she was a McGonnagal. It was as if they were all seeing Professor McGonnagal, just as she would of appeared at eleven years old.
"Oh my goodness!" Hermione whispered, shocked. Much like her contemporary, Opaleye Malfoy, the Sorting Hat had no more than touched Mariah's head, when it declared her, "GRYFFINDOR!". The cheer that exploded from the Gryffindor table was tremendous, nearly as loud as when Harry had been selected into Gryffindor.
Mariah blushed slightly, but appeared to take the cheering in stride. She made her way down the table, shaking hands and smiling, until she found the empty seat beside Ron, and sat down.
"So, you're McGonnagal´s daugther, is that right?" Ron asked, blinking in surprise.
"Oh no! My mother's Aunt Min´s sister," Mariah explained.
"Aunt Min," Ron said, amused by the nickname for the strict deputy headmistress.
"I should´nt call her that here," Hermione sagely advised her beau. "I rather imagine she'd give you a detention you'd long remember for humiliating her in front of the students, Ron."
Dumbledore, waiting until the hubbub died down, stood up, and said, "I have a few words to say to you all this year, but thankfully, first you shall have your feast. Bon appetit!"
"So, Amelia... what's Madam Hooch's first name?" Ron wanted to know.
"Xiomara," answered a harsh voice behind them. Ron looked back and choked on a Cockroach Cluster as he saw Madam Hooch, arms crossed, standing just behind him.
Proffesor McGonnagal was beside her friend the Broomstick instructor, smiling down at her niece. "Oh, hello, Aunt Minerva! What may I do for you?" Mariah asked politely.
"Thank you, Mariah dear, but nothing for me. I just wanted to inform you that I have contacted your mother, who would like to congratulate you on becoming a Gryffindor."
"Will you tell her thank you, Aunt Minerva? Oh, and let her know that I love her too?" Mariah asked.
Professor McGonnagal nodded. "Of course, I shall. Now, enjoy yourself, dear." She headed off to resume her spot beside Dumbledor at the Head table.
"Amelia," Madam Hooch said and looked upon her daughter, her golden eyes shining. "I couldn't be prouder of you, my daughter," she said and hugged her daughter fiercely.
"Mom! Can´t... breathe," Amelia managed to gasp.
"Xiomara, do let go off that poor girl," McGonnagal chided her friend.
Madam Hooch almost reluctantly let go of her daughter, managing a small, "Sorry, love."
"Really, Mother. It´s all right," Amelia assured her, rubbing her chest slightly.
After nearly everyone had had his or her fill, Dumbledore stood up again, all the food vanishing in the blink of an eye. Dumbledore began, "First, I would like to welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts. I will then make my remarks about the upcoming school year. Then I shall introduce you to our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Profesor Batilda Bat. And then, I shall dismiss you to your own Houses and such."
Everyone cheered the Headmaster, who liked to keep speeches to the bare minimum, which was appreciated by all.
"Psst. Look at Snape," Hermione whispered, shielding her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from laughing.
Snape was looking---rather dreamily, it appeared---at Profesor Bat, before he realized he had been staring and began applauding like some sort of maniac.
"What is it with Snape?" Ron asked, shaking his head. "Has he gone mental on us finally?"
"Sorry, mate. Haven't a clue," Harry said.
Dumbledore continued with the usual instructions about no one being allowed into the Forbidden Forest, and that magic in the hallways was strictly forbidden. He also informed them that those who wanted to play on the Quidditch teams had to talk with Madame Hooch, their head of their respective Houses or the House Captains. And with that being said, he told them all good night.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Potthead, Weasel and the Mudblood," an unctuous voice observed. "Ah, hello, Malfoy. Something we can do for you?" Harry asked, knowing well enough not to beat the stuffing out of him---no matter how inviting that idea might be---both because Malfoy was a prefect, and because he knew Malfoy couldn't do them any harm because of the hall being full of teachers.
Ron frowned, noticing Draco's sister, Opaleye, hoving just behind her brother. "Oh, yes... you haven't meet my sister Opaleye yet."
"She's your sister then?" Hermione asked, knowing full well that was true.
"Why, yes," Opaleye said in the same smarmy tone of voice her brother regularly used. "Not that it matters, Mudblood."
Having scored what they deemed a Pyrrhic victory, the two Malfoy's turned on their heels and left the hall, Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
The trio decided to follow suit, and made their way up to the Gryffindor Common room, where they gave the Pink Lady the password (Panthera Leo), allowing them in. The three then said their good nights, Harry leaving so that Ron and Hermione could share a kiss before finally going to bed.
Back to Hogwarts
On the morning of September the First, Harry was shaken awake by a bleary- eyed Hermione at a very early hour. Harry was none too eager about being woken up.
"Yes, yes, I know it's early, Harry...but we must be early just in case there's traffic," Hermione explained. Both of them dressed, packed up their things, and made their way out to the Granger's car, and were soon on their way to King's Cross Station.
Each of the Hogwarts students performed the usual, though quite magical arrival at Platform 9 ¾, and awaited their boarding of the gleaming scarlet locomotive and grand cars that made up the Hogwarts Express. Soon, all the luggage was aboard, and they aboard the train and on their way. They found an unoccupied compartment, and was soon they were a trio again, just as soon as Ron made his arrival.
As soon as they were all settled in, Harry told Ron something he'd been burning to tell him all week long. "Oh! I forgot to tell you something, mate," he said.
"Really? What?" Ron asked.
"I'm the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain," Harry declared.
"Good one, Harry! That's awesome," Ron said, but Harry heard the barest hint of envy in his friend's voice.
Just as soon as the train began to move, they all started to talk about school, allowing Harry and Hermione to tell Ron how many OWL´s they had each gotten.
"Well, I got six myself," Ron said.
"Same here, mate," Harry declared, and in the very same subjects to boot. They were interrupted by the appearance of the lady with the food trolley. They each bought something from the her cart to bide them over the trip to Hogwarts, then took the opportunity to don their school robes (Hermione and Ron then had to affix their Prefect badges last of all). The trip seemed shorter than usual---though they had their much dreaded and not wholly unexpected confrontation with Malfoy and his toadies Crabbe and Goyle---but soon they arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As they stepped off the train with their luggage, they heard Hagrid's booming voice calling the First years to him, at least until they boarded their carriage, which was pulled by a team a thestrals.
"Hey, Harry? What do those horse thingies look like anyway?" Ron asked, curious yet anxious about the beasts that invisibly pulled their carriage.
"Well, they look a lot like some skeletal horse, really...oh, one's with wings. Mustn't forget the wings," Harry said helpfully. Ron didn't ask for any further description of the beast, his freckles standing out upon his now pale face.
Once they stopped up at the castle front door, Harry grinned in spite of himself. He was finally home again, or so it always seemed. They left their luggage in the designated place, and made their way toward the main entrance to the castle proper. On their way up the stairs, the three saw Professor McGonnagal waiting somewhat patiently for the students arrival.
"Good morning, Professor," Harry, Ron and Hermione said one after another.
"Good morning, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter," McGonnagal replied, with a very small smile.
"Did you see that?" Ron asked incredulously. "She actually smiled! At us, mind you!"
"I'm sure she's just being sociable, Ron. Really, what's all the fuss?" Hermione told him.
They quickly found their places at the Gryffindor table, greeting old friends, renewing old acquaintances. Once they were all settled in, they looked up toward the teacher's table.
"Psst! Look at that woman! The one sitting between Dumbledore and Madam Hooch," Hermione hissed, pointing discretely at the table.
"Oy! Think that might be our new Dark Arts teacher?" Ron asked, curious.
The woman who was rather plain-looking, had long curly black hair that reached nearly to her waist. She wore a decorative bat in her hair, as well as a black necklace that sported a bat pendant hanging down off of the chain. She was garbed all in black, and eerily reminded the three of a female version of Professor Snape.
"Well, it certainly does looks like it," Harry told them both, when Dumbledore started to talk with the new woman.
Their conjecture over the mysterious woman's identity was temporarily suspended when Professor McGonnagal arrived with the new First years in tow. The crowd quieted to a respective, anticipatory silence as the nervous new students gathered about the slight, proud Transfiguration Professor. The Sorting Hat began its usual song about Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. When it had finished, everybody cheered before McGonnagal could utter a word. Once it was quiet again, she began her ritual.
"First years, when I call your name, you will step forward and sit. I shall place this hat upon your head, and it will tell you which house you've been sorted into," Professor McGonnagal intoned. She unrolled a scroll, and began to call out names, one after another.
Harry clapped along with everyone else at the table at the arrival of each new Gryffindor, but got quite a shock when the Deputy Headmistress reached the H´s.
"Hooch, Amelia," McGonnagal called out. A girl made her way forward through her peers, and when she turned about, they all saw she was a younger replica of the intimidating Madame Hooch, from the short grey hair that went in every direction it wanted, to a pair of sharp yellow eyes reminiscent of a hawk's.
The hat was placed upon her young head, and after a while, the hat bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR!" All the Gryffindors cheered for Amelia, their newest member. Harry overheard Madam Hooch at the teacher's table say, "My oldest daughter, you understand. Very proud of her, very proud indeed."
Amelia took the vacant seat next to Harry, and Ron asked her, "Hello! Are you related to Madam Hooch?"
"Why, yes. She´s my mother, you see," Amelia told them all, and her yellow eyes twinkled.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonnagal had gotten to the M´s. For some reason, Harry looked over to the Slytherin table and spotted Draco Malfoy, who was smiling for some reason. The reason for his happiness became abundantly clear as Harry heard Professor McGonnagal call out the next name, "Malfoy, Opaleye."
A slight girl with the trademark Malfoy platinum blond hair moved majestically forward, her silver eyes catching those of her brother's.
Malfoy has a sister? Harry thought in wonder and suspicion. Well, that much was obvious since Opaleye Malfoy smiled at her brother. As if to make that even more clear, the Sorting Hat had just barely touched the crown of her head, when it declared, "SLYTHERIN!".
McGonnagal read the next name, and finally looked down upon her list. For some odd reason, the normally taciturn Scot smiled, just before declaring the very next name, "McGonnagal, Mariah." As the Professor had said that name, the burr of her Scottish ancestry trilled over the "r" in Mariah.
The entire hall went silent for a moment.
Ron wiggled a finger in his ear. "Did she just say 'McGonnagal', or am I hearing things?" Ron asked in shock.
A tall girl made her way up to the stool, and turned around, which then caused Hermione to gasp in surprise. The girl's face was pretty, but it was clear that she was a McGonnagal. It was as if they were all seeing Professor McGonnagal, just as she would of appeared at eleven years old.
"Oh my goodness!" Hermione whispered, shocked. Much like her contemporary, Opaleye Malfoy, the Sorting Hat had no more than touched Mariah's head, when it declared her, "GRYFFINDOR!". The cheer that exploded from the Gryffindor table was tremendous, nearly as loud as when Harry had been selected into Gryffindor.
Mariah blushed slightly, but appeared to take the cheering in stride. She made her way down the table, shaking hands and smiling, until she found the empty seat beside Ron, and sat down.
"So, you're McGonnagal´s daugther, is that right?" Ron asked, blinking in surprise.
"Oh no! My mother's Aunt Min´s sister," Mariah explained.
"Aunt Min," Ron said, amused by the nickname for the strict deputy headmistress.
"I should´nt call her that here," Hermione sagely advised her beau. "I rather imagine she'd give you a detention you'd long remember for humiliating her in front of the students, Ron."
Dumbledore, waiting until the hubbub died down, stood up, and said, "I have a few words to say to you all this year, but thankfully, first you shall have your feast. Bon appetit!"
"So, Amelia... what's Madam Hooch's first name?" Ron wanted to know.
"Xiomara," answered a harsh voice behind them. Ron looked back and choked on a Cockroach Cluster as he saw Madam Hooch, arms crossed, standing just behind him.
Proffesor McGonnagal was beside her friend the Broomstick instructor, smiling down at her niece. "Oh, hello, Aunt Minerva! What may I do for you?" Mariah asked politely.
"Thank you, Mariah dear, but nothing for me. I just wanted to inform you that I have contacted your mother, who would like to congratulate you on becoming a Gryffindor."
"Will you tell her thank you, Aunt Minerva? Oh, and let her know that I love her too?" Mariah asked.
Professor McGonnagal nodded. "Of course, I shall. Now, enjoy yourself, dear." She headed off to resume her spot beside Dumbledor at the Head table.
"Amelia," Madam Hooch said and looked upon her daughter, her golden eyes shining. "I couldn't be prouder of you, my daughter," she said and hugged her daughter fiercely.
"Mom! Can´t... breathe," Amelia managed to gasp.
"Xiomara, do let go off that poor girl," McGonnagal chided her friend.
Madam Hooch almost reluctantly let go of her daughter, managing a small, "Sorry, love."
"Really, Mother. It´s all right," Amelia assured her, rubbing her chest slightly.
After nearly everyone had had his or her fill, Dumbledore stood up again, all the food vanishing in the blink of an eye. Dumbledore began, "First, I would like to welcome you all to another year at Hogwarts. I will then make my remarks about the upcoming school year. Then I shall introduce you to our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Profesor Batilda Bat. And then, I shall dismiss you to your own Houses and such."
Everyone cheered the Headmaster, who liked to keep speeches to the bare minimum, which was appreciated by all.
"Psst. Look at Snape," Hermione whispered, shielding her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from laughing.
Snape was looking---rather dreamily, it appeared---at Profesor Bat, before he realized he had been staring and began applauding like some sort of maniac.
"What is it with Snape?" Ron asked, shaking his head. "Has he gone mental on us finally?"
"Sorry, mate. Haven't a clue," Harry said.
Dumbledore continued with the usual instructions about no one being allowed into the Forbidden Forest, and that magic in the hallways was strictly forbidden. He also informed them that those who wanted to play on the Quidditch teams had to talk with Madame Hooch, their head of their respective Houses or the House Captains. And with that being said, he told them all good night.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Potthead, Weasel and the Mudblood," an unctuous voice observed. "Ah, hello, Malfoy. Something we can do for you?" Harry asked, knowing well enough not to beat the stuffing out of him---no matter how inviting that idea might be---both because Malfoy was a prefect, and because he knew Malfoy couldn't do them any harm because of the hall being full of teachers.
Ron frowned, noticing Draco's sister, Opaleye, hoving just behind her brother. "Oh, yes... you haven't meet my sister Opaleye yet."
"She's your sister then?" Hermione asked, knowing full well that was true.
"Why, yes," Opaleye said in the same smarmy tone of voice her brother regularly used. "Not that it matters, Mudblood."
Having scored what they deemed a Pyrrhic victory, the two Malfoy's turned on their heels and left the hall, Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
The trio decided to follow suit, and made their way up to the Gryffindor Common room, where they gave the Pink Lady the password (Panthera Leo), allowing them in. The three then said their good nights, Harry leaving so that Ron and Hermione could share a kiss before finally going to bed.