Chapter 2: Exodus
Ok, my first fanfic.
Takes place during the Prisoner of Azkaban. Dumbledore goes to America to bring back a student with a past that connects her to him and Harry Potter. But she does not want to be there nor be apart of the wizarding world.
Flames are welcome as constructive criticism. Any other will be used for… hell I'll just throw them back at you.
Disclaimer: Come on. Do I even have to say it? Looks over to see a group of lawyers frowning nodding, holding their briefcases Fine, I do not own the characters of Harry Potter, they all belong to the (and I'm jealous) to the talented J.K. Rowlings. Looks over to see the old lawyers nod again You know common sense wise, I wouldn't even be writing this story if I did own it. Maria however is mine and so is Sera.
This might be a little more movieverse than bookverse
Exodus
Maria had never been gladder to step off that plane at Heathrow airport. There was a reason why she didn't fly much. Airplanes…hell heights made her nervous. She looked around. She was few thousand miles across the ocean from her home and she was here to stay for awhile. The first two weeks of her summer vacation had been spent at Hogwarts. Apparently she had to receive a crash course of 2 years of witchcraft in two weeks. That was the time she agreed on with Dumbledore. He wanted at least a month but she wouldn't have it. It was around that time that her father came home. Never had she been glad to see his anger when he saw Dumbledore. Between his anger and Dumbledore's rationalization, she managed to compromise for at least 2 weeks. There and back again. She does not want to do this. No one took any notice of the petite twelve year old walking through the airport until she went through customs
"Hello there," the customs agent began.
"Hello," Maria said quietly. She gave him her passport as well as a letter that she made Dumbledore sign.
"Whew, that's a nice long name. I see you're here to visit your grandfather," the customs agent said. "Do you know for how long?"
Maria took a deep breath. She had to be convincing, not that she was doing anything illegal. "My grandfather is sick. He requested that I stay with him for the good part of the year, as an old man's wish."
The customs agent peered at her to see if she was lying. Once he concluded that she was being truthful, he gave her back her documents and smiled. "Welcome to the United Kingdom, Ms. Medina."
"Thank you." Maria managed to lug her luggage out of customs before she realized she had no idea where to go. When she went to the school, she went by some weird route where all she had to touch an old boot and poof there she was. Well, not exactly poof, more like spinning. But this time she wanted to come through this route, somehow it felt more normal.
"Maria Medina," a voice said from behind her. Maria froze, but did not turn around. She stayed where she was.
The owner of the voice walked before her. He was a tall man wearing cloths that looked worn out. Surprisingly he was quite young with blue eyes and light brown hair that was flecked with gray. "Are you Maria Medina?"
Maria still did not say anything. He looked like he meant no harm. But Maria knew from past experiences that looks can be deceiving.
He gave her a warm smile, "The least you can do is answer a simple question."
Maria looked him dead in the eye. "Children are often taught not to talk to strangers."
"Of course," the man responded. "Forgive me. My name is Remus Lupin. I was asked by Professor Dumbledore to escort you to Hogwarts."
Maria looked skeptical. She was almost believing him. But still… "Whats's the secret codeword?"
"There is no secret codeword," Lupin answered simply. "You are being honestly mistrustful. However, I will tell you that I am not really a stranger. I let you tug at my face and hair when you were a baby."
"I wouldn't remember if I was a baby." Maria countered.
"True," Lupin nodded. "But it would be easier to trust me than to simply stand here and wonder what you are going to do."
Maria though for a moment, "You have a point," she finally said. She gathered her bags and proceeded to follow him.
"Do you need any help," Lupin started to ask. Maria shook her head and pushed her luggage out the door where Lupin started to wave down a cab.
"Don't wizards usually travel by broomsticks, Mr.Lupin?" Maria asked nonchalantly.
Lupin gave a little laugh. "Contrary to the majority of the wizarding world, I do know how to function in the muggle world."
"Muggles," Maria looked down. "That's what you call non-magic people. It sounds nasty."
Lupin paused and looked at her. "I never thought of it that way."
"You wouldn't" Maria answered.
Lupin gently put his hands on her shoulder. "Maria, I know that this comes as a rather unpleasant surprise especially after 12 years in the dark. But you were born into the magic world…
"I'm dead to this world remember," Maria interrupted. "Or did Dumbledore not tell you that I am to remain incognito, that I'm not supposed to tell people that me and Dumbledore are related. They're not supposed to know that I actually survived."
"Your grandfather told you everything?" Lupin asked surprised. "I'm surprised that that he would reveal so much when you are young."
"I made him reconsider keeping things from me. After ignoring me for 12 years, I wanted to know the truth with a little side of clarity." Maria did not look at him.
"How much do you know?"
Maria shifted her balance. "Well, I wasn't surprised when I was told that Serafina and my father had a one night stand. Serafina got knocked up. Nine months later, I pop out. Oh Serafina married again so I have a stepfather somewhere. Umm…that bad guy whom everyone's afraid to say his name.. what was it, oh yeah, Voldemort, shows up murders Serafina, tries to kill me or figures I'm already dead."
"He left you for dead." Lupin finished. "The whole magical world thinks Ariadne Dumbledore is dead. Your grandfather feels to reveal you now, it may be either Voldemort or his supporters that will try to finish the job. It is for your safety that you remain Maria Medina."
Maria stepped away from his grasp. "It would have been safer for me to stay where I was." She stated. "Instead, Dumbledore brings me into the middle of all this, he's practically shouting that I'm alive."
"This is the best way to ensure your safety." Lupin countered. "The perfect place to hide is right where your enemies can see you."
Maria's face darkened. "Ok… you do realize that what you said made absolutely no sense and since when do I have enemies?" Remus was silent so she continued. "Alright you know what, forget it, let's just get a cab Mr. Lupin.
Lupin managed to procure them a cab. Once they were settled inside, "You know, I am one of your professors at the school." Lupin said.
"Am I supposed to call you Professor Lupin?" Maria said softly without looking at him. She was gazing out the window, at the sight of central London. Had the circumstances been different, she might have enjoyed this view. She could feel Lupin watching her.
"While in class yes, in front of other students, yes. But for now, you can call me Remus." Lupin answered.
Maria finally turned to look at him. She felt a little worn out and didn't have the energy to be sarcastic. Besides, she was starting to not to feel hostile anymore. She gave him a tired half-smile. "Ok, Remus." And turned away to rest her head on the glass.
Remus felt a little relieved when she smiled. He had to admit, the girl sitting next to him was a far cry from the baby who laughed freely, gave him big hugs and wet kisses, who ran to sit on his lap whenever she saw him. No, that baby was truly gone. In her place was a rather unsettling young girl who looked as if she no longer laughed freely or gave any other emotion than hostility freely. He cocked his head and saw that she had her eyes closed. But she was not relaxed and her body still looked as if she was still alert. I see nothing of Sera in her. He noted rather disappointed. Sera was pale, tall and willowy. She loved to laugh. Her golden blond hair used to fall into waves down her back. Her bright blue eyes held a sparkle whenever she laughed. Sera was beautiful both inside and out. She would turn heads wherever she went. Her death was a horrible loss. She was his closest friend and confidant. She was always there for him even when she discovered his darkest secrets. No, he did not see her in this small black-haired child.
"Why are you looking at me?" Maria said not opening her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I was just wondering if you were all right." Remus said.
Maria opened her eyes and gave him look. "Combination of jet lag and insomnia, it's about 3 in the morning back in Jersey. I'm usually asleep or watching television, or outside eating ice cream."
"Do you have everything you need for school?" Remus asked feeling the need to keep her awake for just a little longer.
Maria nodded. "A Professor McGonagall took me shopping. All my witch materials are already in school. There was no way I could take them home. What Professor are you?
"Defense against the Dark Arts." Remus answered. "Why can't you bring your things home?"
"I come from a fundamental Roman Catholic Latin American family," Maria answered her voice steady. Her hand moved to her neck where Remus noticed for the first time, a gold necklace with a gold crucifix and a gold engraving of a pentagram hanging from it. "In the Bible, in the book of Deuteronomy, it reads, so they say, There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." Chapter 18.
"That's harsh." Remus said.
"That's the Catholic Church." Maria simply stated. "That's how I was raised."
"Is that what you believe."
"There are so many versions of the word of God out there that I just come to the conclusion that the Bible is open for interpretation." Maria said. "But there are some things I still hold on to." She fingered her crucifix.
The cab pulled up in front a train station.
"Where are we?" Maria asked as they got out of the cab with their belongings.
"Kings Cross, we leave from platform 9 and ¾." Remus answered.
"Platform 9 and whatquarter?" Maria said. She shook her head. "Nevermind, things are just going to get weirder."
Remus chuckled. Once they were inside. He noticed Maria started to gaze longingly at the cafes. "Hungry" he asked.
"More like caffeine deprived. We have time, right" Maria didn't wait for an answer and made her way to the nearest Starbucks with Remus following. "Tall double shot vanilla latte and a butter croissant." She told the cashier.
Remus looked at her incredulously. "You're not even thirteen yet and you're drinking coffee?"
"Yes." Maria got her coffee and her croissant. "What's your point?"
Remus shrugged. "Nothing. Are we set?" Maria nodded
Once they started to move towards the platforms and once they got between platform 9 and 10 Maria started to look around. "So where's platform 9 and whatquarter."
Remus smiled. "Just wait" He looked around. "All right, just follow my lead." He casually strolled to the wall between the two platforms and leaned on it with Maria following. Suddenly Maria stumbled losing her balance she had gone through wall! Her eyes widened. She had gone completely through a wall. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express. There were other kids also with their families boarding the train.
"Right." Maria heard Remus say. "She turned to see him give her a little smile. "We should settle ourselves."
Maria nodded and followed him to the train.
See the little blue button on the left hand corner. Click and review please. Otherwise I won't know how my writing is. You won't do that to a fellow writer will you?
/Puppy-dog face/
Some side notes: I have nothing against any religion. I am merely toying with the idea that the belief system Maria was raised on which is Roman Catholic and the society she was actually born into will eventually clash and cause her some serious conflicts in later chapters. Trying to balance both worlds is no easy feat.
Next chapter: Listen to the Rain
An American girl meets the trio.
