She mumbled "hullo" and handed him the note.
"Mmmm!!" Whether in contemplation of the note or appreciation of whatever candy he'd just bitten into (Erin suspected strongly that it was a jumping jelly), Erin could not say. Dumbledore took another bite, then he offered her one, from a bowl. "I don't know why she didn't send you right to McGonagall straight off; I imagine the Professor will want to speak to you after this, anyway."
"Wh-why?" Erin asked hesitantly.
"Well, according to this," he waved the note around, getting a little jelly on it, "You are already quite the acrobat. Yes… rather impressive. A Hortak Spiral? Your first day? My girl, I think you've found your calling!" he glanced over at Erin, who glowed. "Now, you have an extra period. Yes, very good, now you have a bit of free time, eh? Unless you'd like to take Arithmancy?" She looked at him questioningly. "Studying ancient runes, and interpreting… no, that really is too much for one year." Erin tried not to look disappointed. "Have no fear; you can take it next year!" he chuckled. "This year, actually, I have been told to give you priority in Divination. Now, off to Minerva with you!" he handed her back the note. She smiled to herself as she left.
"Ron!" she hadn't expected Ron to wait for her, but she was quite grateful that he had. "Say, I need to talk to McGonagall. Where is she, do you think?"
Luckily, Ron knew; Ginny had a class with her. He sped her to the doorway, and then stopped.
"Well," he said breathlessly, "go on!" She opened the door. McGonagall was assigning homework, and suddenly Erin was a bit less unhappy that McGonagall taught a class Erin would never take. A foot long essay, their first day! As the other students were leaving, she approached McGonagall, and handed her the note.
"Dumbledore said to show you this." She explained, more comfortable with a woman she knew. Minerva scanned the letter, then looked down at Erin.
"My goodness, child!" she muttered, to herself it seemed. "A Hortak Spiral? My, my. I'll speak to Oliver at once. We could use a Chaser, I think… my goodn-… a Hortak Spiral!"
Unfortunately, Erin had little time to spare, else she would be late for Herbology, but McGonagall patted her on the back, shook her hand, and had patted her head before Erin managed to escape. Herbology, taught by a stout, friendly woman who seemed perfectly placed as head of Hufflepuff, went fairly smoothly (they had to learn about the Hominifix seeds, which when mature secreted stuff that could be slapped on the skin and heal minor wounds, then planted them). Potions was much worse than she had thought; the Professor (Snape) held class in a dungeon, and his writing was so small that she nearly put in Grungin powder instead of a Griffin feather, only saved from doing this by Ginny, who was not her partner but was keeping an eye out. Snape seemed very nasty, but Erin couldn't help but wonder – he seemed so bitter, as if life had made him the way he was. She thought she'd forgive him if he bothered her (and, partway though class, she'd had her chance when Snape had made a rather nasty comment about muggles not belonging, and how she would've failed if it hadn't been for her friends). At least I have friends, she thought. Look at Snape. He barely seems to know the meaning of the word.
"Honestly, I can't believe they still let him teach. All the things he says about Gryffindors…" muttered Ginny as they left. Erin thought it best not to say anything one way or the other. Someone snickered. Erin turned around.
"My father thinks Snape is the only one here who's got it figured out. After all, who could possibly favor a house that lets in a muggle? She should be somewhere else leading a bland, magic-less existence, not here, associating with those above her kind." he sent her a withering glance.
"Oh, I don't know if I'd say that," she plastered on a devilishly innocent smile. "I mean sure, Harry's famous, but Snape has said that fame isn't everything. I suppose the rest of us," she gave Malfoy's shoulder a sympathetic pat, pretending not to notice his flinch of revulsion, "can only strive to be like the Boy Who Lived. Don't worry," she gave him a be-brave smile. "I'm sure you'll get there eventually." She turned to her friends, murmuring about telling Harry, and how surprised he'd be.
Not half as surprised as dumbfounded Draco. Malfoy looked furious and stormed off. Once he was gone, Ginny couldn't hold it in any longer, and gave a howl of laughter. Feeling utterly satisfied with herself, Erin indulged in a smirk of her own.