Chapter 3
Uncle Albus,
Greetings. Gran and I were very pleased to hear from you. Your offer of a teaching position in Defense Against the Dark Arts was very generous and quite the compliment. After much thought, I agree to accept the position for this school year. I am looking forward to working with you and your staff and I am willing to assist you in any way I can. I will be arriving within the week. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Miss Narnia Fairling
The countryside outside the window scurried by as the Hogwarts Express came closer to its destination. Narnia could hardly believe that the days had gone by so quickly since receiving the letter from her uncle. Her life had changed that quickly. "How unsettling," she thought.
Other than the engine, the train was fairly quiet. Few people were aboard today and this allowed Narnia some time to her thoughts. She was excited about what awaited her. She pictured her students, the castle that she had heard so much about from her Gran, wondered what her uncle would be like, and thought about, with apprehension, what role she may be asked to play in the fight against Voldemort.
Narnia reached down into her bag to grab a book for some light reading. Opening the flap, her eyes immediately sighted her journal. She took a deep breath. She had seen him again in her dreams only two nights ago. Again, he was in the forest, with the two men, and he had reached out for her. As before, she couldn't help him. The dream ended in the same way, with Narnia sitting straight up in bed, her body drenched. With a feeling of defeat, she sat up and turned her gaze back out the window to look at the green grass and blue sky. She felt even further from him now. With so much to focus on, she knew this must not distract her. She had to give all of herself to the task that lay ahead. She resumed her gaze out the compartment window and allowed her mind to fall into a numbing trance.
Narnia stepped off the Hogwarts Express to find a chill in the air and wrapping her robe a little tighter around her, she drew in a deep breath and lifted her head to the let the sun warm her face.
"'hoy, Professor Fairling?"
Narnia turned to acknowledge the person speaking to her, only to find her gaze wandering upwards.
"Rubeus Hagrid, Professor. Professor Dumbledore sends his apologies an' plans t' meet yer up in the castle."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Narnia replied and stretched out her hand. "Narnia Fairling. Pleased to meet you."
Hagrid enveloped his hand around hers and gave a firm shake. "I'll be takin' yer things up t' the castle. The carriage here'll b' takin' ya. Professor McGonagall will b' at the entrance hall, waitin' ter show ya 'round."
"Thanks again." Narnia climbed into the carriage and as she sat down, the carriage broke into a steady gate, carrying her towards Hogwarts. There was something different about the air here, something exciting and inviting. Curious, she slid closer to the windows. She had heard of Hogwarts her entire life and now, finally, she was going to experience it for herself. As the carriage made a turn, the castle came into full view. Narnia drew breath deep into her lungs and slowly exhaled in amazement at the sight before her. She had never seen anything like it in her life. The castle seemed alive, a being unto itself. The setting sun gave its final offering of golden light, causing the stone walls to have a faint glow about them. Candlelight flickered in windows playfully. It was more than had ever been described to her, more than ever could be. She knew that her time here would be an experience she'd not soon forget.
Narnia was so taken with Hogwarts that she failed to notice the carriage coming to a stop. The door opened and quickly coming to her senses, she picked up her things and stepped out on to the castle grounds.
Narnia made her way into the castle, amazed at what she was seeing. Appearing from a hallway to her right came a tall witch dressed in emerald green robes, with her hair drawn back into a bun. Her appearance was strict, but kindness showed in her countenance.
"Professor Fairling, I'm Minerva McGonagall. How wonderful to meet you at last."
"And you as well, Professor," stated Narnia as she shook the teacher's hand.
"I trust that your trip has went well and that you have been well tended to?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, of course. Everything and everyone has been quite wonderful."
"Good. Professor Dumbledore sends his apologies. He has had to see to some matters that could not wait and will be down to see you as soon as they are settled. I will be more than happy to show you to your chambers. I know it has been quite a journey for you and you may want to settle in before dinner."
As she explored her quarters, Narnia wondered what else would be in store for her. She had seen so much already and she hadn't even spent a full day at Hogwarts. Narnia had spent most of her life surrounded by Muggles. She knew few wizards and witches, all of whom she met while at college. At the university, it was okay to be different and the atmosphere allowed Narnia to be herself and to meet other people like her. However, she had never really been this immersed into the magical world and it was going to take some getting used to.
Narnia had come to her room expecting to spend the time until dinner unpacking, but to her surprise, it had already been done for her. She took a quick look around to locate where all of her belongings had been placed and decided to freshen up a bit before going down to the Great Hall. She had a few minutes to begin a letter to her grandmother. "But where to begin," she thought. There was so much to tell already and the evening wasn't over. "Maybe after dinner."
Just as Narnia was putting her quill and parchment away, there was a knock at her door. Opening the door, she knew she was seeing her uncle for the first time.
Uncle Albus,
Greetings. Gran and I were very pleased to hear from you. Your offer of a teaching position in Defense Against the Dark Arts was very generous and quite the compliment. After much thought, I agree to accept the position for this school year. I am looking forward to working with you and your staff and I am willing to assist you in any way I can. I will be arriving within the week. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Miss Narnia Fairling
The countryside outside the window scurried by as the Hogwarts Express came closer to its destination. Narnia could hardly believe that the days had gone by so quickly since receiving the letter from her uncle. Her life had changed that quickly. "How unsettling," she thought.
Other than the engine, the train was fairly quiet. Few people were aboard today and this allowed Narnia some time to her thoughts. She was excited about what awaited her. She pictured her students, the castle that she had heard so much about from her Gran, wondered what her uncle would be like, and thought about, with apprehension, what role she may be asked to play in the fight against Voldemort.
Narnia reached down into her bag to grab a book for some light reading. Opening the flap, her eyes immediately sighted her journal. She took a deep breath. She had seen him again in her dreams only two nights ago. Again, he was in the forest, with the two men, and he had reached out for her. As before, she couldn't help him. The dream ended in the same way, with Narnia sitting straight up in bed, her body drenched. With a feeling of defeat, she sat up and turned her gaze back out the window to look at the green grass and blue sky. She felt even further from him now. With so much to focus on, she knew this must not distract her. She had to give all of herself to the task that lay ahead. She resumed her gaze out the compartment window and allowed her mind to fall into a numbing trance.
Narnia stepped off the Hogwarts Express to find a chill in the air and wrapping her robe a little tighter around her, she drew in a deep breath and lifted her head to the let the sun warm her face.
"'hoy, Professor Fairling?"
Narnia turned to acknowledge the person speaking to her, only to find her gaze wandering upwards.
"Rubeus Hagrid, Professor. Professor Dumbledore sends his apologies an' plans t' meet yer up in the castle."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Narnia replied and stretched out her hand. "Narnia Fairling. Pleased to meet you."
Hagrid enveloped his hand around hers and gave a firm shake. "I'll be takin' yer things up t' the castle. The carriage here'll b' takin' ya. Professor McGonagall will b' at the entrance hall, waitin' ter show ya 'round."
"Thanks again." Narnia climbed into the carriage and as she sat down, the carriage broke into a steady gate, carrying her towards Hogwarts. There was something different about the air here, something exciting and inviting. Curious, she slid closer to the windows. She had heard of Hogwarts her entire life and now, finally, she was going to experience it for herself. As the carriage made a turn, the castle came into full view. Narnia drew breath deep into her lungs and slowly exhaled in amazement at the sight before her. She had never seen anything like it in her life. The castle seemed alive, a being unto itself. The setting sun gave its final offering of golden light, causing the stone walls to have a faint glow about them. Candlelight flickered in windows playfully. It was more than had ever been described to her, more than ever could be. She knew that her time here would be an experience she'd not soon forget.
Narnia was so taken with Hogwarts that she failed to notice the carriage coming to a stop. The door opened and quickly coming to her senses, she picked up her things and stepped out on to the castle grounds.
Narnia made her way into the castle, amazed at what she was seeing. Appearing from a hallway to her right came a tall witch dressed in emerald green robes, with her hair drawn back into a bun. Her appearance was strict, but kindness showed in her countenance.
"Professor Fairling, I'm Minerva McGonagall. How wonderful to meet you at last."
"And you as well, Professor," stated Narnia as she shook the teacher's hand.
"I trust that your trip has went well and that you have been well tended to?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, of course. Everything and everyone has been quite wonderful."
"Good. Professor Dumbledore sends his apologies. He has had to see to some matters that could not wait and will be down to see you as soon as they are settled. I will be more than happy to show you to your chambers. I know it has been quite a journey for you and you may want to settle in before dinner."
As she explored her quarters, Narnia wondered what else would be in store for her. She had seen so much already and she hadn't even spent a full day at Hogwarts. Narnia had spent most of her life surrounded by Muggles. She knew few wizards and witches, all of whom she met while at college. At the university, it was okay to be different and the atmosphere allowed Narnia to be herself and to meet other people like her. However, she had never really been this immersed into the magical world and it was going to take some getting used to.
Narnia had come to her room expecting to spend the time until dinner unpacking, but to her surprise, it had already been done for her. She took a quick look around to locate where all of her belongings had been placed and decided to freshen up a bit before going down to the Great Hall. She had a few minutes to begin a letter to her grandmother. "But where to begin," she thought. There was so much to tell already and the evening wasn't over. "Maybe after dinner."
Just as Narnia was putting her quill and parchment away, there was a knock at her door. Opening the door, she knew she was seeing her uncle for the first time.