Author's Notes: This chapter took a while just because I actually had to pay attention in my classes, sorry for the delay. Enjoy!
Pastures New
Chapter 4: The Arrival
Elizabeth did not come down for dinner; in fact, Minerva did not see her again until the next morning at seven o'clock when she came down for breakfast.
"Good morning, Miss Parker." Minerva said when the young girl sat down across the table from her. "I hope you slept well. Do you have everything packed and ready to go?"
"Good morning, Professor. And yes, I have everything packed." Tom stopped and took Elizabeth's breakfast request before he bowed and walked away. "I'm sorry for not coming down last night, I'm afraid I fell asleep after I got done packing." Elizabeth gave her a small smile and only met Minerva's eyes for a brief second before she looked down once more. Minerva could tell that Elizabeth was not being honest. After working with teenagers for the past fourteen years, as Minerva had done, she could see the subtle hints that there was more to the story than what she was being told. But that was not the reason she doubted her. As she looked her over Minerva could not help but notice the dark circles under Elizabeth's slightly puffy eyes. Minerva would have bet that Elizabeth had not gotten much sleep last night, and she might have even spent some of the time crying.
Their meal was a quiet one with Minerva reading the Daily Prophet and Elizabeth lost in her own thoughts as she pushed the food on her plate around with her fork. After a while they decided that it was time to go to King's Cross Station. Minerva was worried that Elizabeth did not seem to be eating very much and decided to keep a close eye on her throughout the day.
… … … … …
At first the train ride seemed to take longer than what Minerva was used to. Both Animagi spent their time either reading from books that they had brought along or staring out the window, watching as they passed the world by. Soon large cities led to small towns, and then to farmlands and pastures as they traveled north.
At some point in their journey a conversation about the latest article in Transfiguration Weekly was initiated. It turned into a discussion that covered a wide gamut of topics. Before they realized it, they had arrived at Hogsmead Station and it was now dusk.
… … …
The carriage ride to the castle was bumpy but not uncomfortable. While Minerva exited the carriage, Elizabeth took the time to study what had been pulling it. It was a winged beast with scaly skin and large blood red eyes.
"You can see it." Minerva realized as she looked between Elizabeth and the creature.
"A threstle, right?" Elizabeth asked, not looking away. "I've read about them, but I've never really seen one. Well," she continued turning away from it, "I mean, they didn't live in our woods," she finished lamely.
Minerva nodded, "Let's go on in. Dinner should be starting soon."
… … …
Elizabeth found it hard not to gasp and star open mouthed as they entered Hogwarts. Moving portraits and ornate tapestries lined the tall stonewalls.
"You can leave you trunk here, it will be taken up for you. After dinner I will show you to your room. When the rest students arrive your things will be move to which ever House you are sorted into." Minerva explained.
Elizabeth nodded as she took her shrunken trunk out of the pocket of her jeans and restored it to its original size. When she looked back up, Minerva had transfigured her muggle clothes into proper wizarding robes of emerald green. Elizabeth returned her new wand to the back right pocket of her blue jeans and followed Minerva into the Great Hall.
They walked down the length of the Hall towards the High Table. Seated in the center was a man with a long silver beard that still held strands of auburn and long hair to match.
"Ah," said the man who was now standing to meet them, "Professor McGonagall, good to see you back. How was your trip; no trouble, I hope?" His smile widen as he took her small hand in both of his as a greeting.
"No problems at all, Headmaster." She replied with a small smile. "I would like to introduce you to our new student," she motioned to Elizabeth who came to stand beside her. "Albus Dumbledore this is Elizabeth Parker; Miss Parker, Professor Dumbledore."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Parker," Albus said taking her hand.
Elizabeth couldn't help but give a small smile at his twinkling blue eyes behind his half moon spectacles. "It is nice to meet you as well, Headmaster. I can't tell you how happy I as to be here."
Before long a few more people started to file into the Hall. After everyone was seated, Albus stood and introduced Elizabeth to some of the staff members that had already arrived. Elizabeth sat between Minerva, the Transfiguration Professor, Head of Gryffendor, and the Deputy Headmistress, and Professor Sylvia Sprout, Herbology Professor and Head of Hufflepuff. Next to her sat the new Flying Instructor, Xiomara Hooch, who had short spiky hair and bright yellow hawk-like eyes. And on the end sat the school Nurse, Poppy Pomfry.
On the left side of the Headmaster sat a short man by the name of Professor Filius Flitwick. This was Professor Flitwick's first year teaching Charms at Hogwarts, but had spent the last four years teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. He was also the Head of Ravenclaw. Next to Professor Flitwick was an old man with plain black robes. He seemed to have a permanent scowl etched into his weathered face as he spoke with a young woman on his left. She was attractive, but not beautiful; her long blond hair was pulled into a loose ponytail down her back. Albus introduced them both; the old man was Professor Aries Strauss, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin. The young woman beside him was his apprentice, Professor Marcenia Demos, who was going to take over his position when he retired and at the end of the school year.
Dinner passed uneventfully. The staff talked with one another about how they had spent their Summer Holiday. Elizabeth noticed that Professors Strauss and Demos didn't join in with the others unless they were spoken to directly, and then they promptly turned back to their own discussion.
Elizabeth was very quiet as well, and only spoke when she was asked a question or for her opinion. She was content to just listen to the people around her. After dinner the Slytherins went straight to the dungeons while everyone else proceeded to the Staff Room to continue their discussion.
Elizabeth, however, found herself walking with Minerva and Albus on their way to the Guest Wing.
"These rooms aren't used very often Miss Parker, but they should be comfortable none-the-less," explained the Headmaster. They turned down a long corridor with tall portraits hung every ten feet on the walls. They stopped about halfway down in front of a portrait of a young girl with a very sour expression on her face.
"Good evening, Miss Bart. How are you?" Albus asked as pleasantly as possible.
"I would be a whole lot better if I could go see my friends, but nooo. I've got to stay here and baby-sit a first year," she exclaimed.
"Lilly, that is no way to behave, especially towards a new student. It will only be for a week, and nothing says you can't go visit with Miss Annabelle and Miss Delia." Albus did his best to assure the little girl but they could see that she wasn't in the mood as she crossed her arms in front of her and turned her back on the group. "Very well, Lilly. 'Elizabeth Parker.'"
Elizabeth looked between Albus, Minerva, and the portrait of Lilly.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Lilly said as if she were bored. Her portrait swung open to reveal a passageway into a small Sitting Room. The two professors walked in first, followed closely by Elizabeth.
"We'll leave you to get settled in; it's been a long day. Your trunk should be in your bedroom, which should be through there," Minerva said pointing towards a door beside the glowing hearth. "Tomorrow morning I'll take you on a quick tour of the castle so you don't have to worry about getting lost in the next week. After that we can sit down and talk about the up coming school year." Elizabeth nodded, a slight smile tugged on the corner of her mouth. "Breakfast is at eight, so I'll be down to get you around then."
Elizabeth nodded once more, "Thank you Professor, Headmaster."
They turned to go but Albus stopped, "If you would like to change your password just speak with Miss Bart. She's more agreeable than she would like to admit. And also, if you want anything from the kitchens, a midnight snack perhaps, just ask the coffee table."
If Elizabeth was confused by this statement, she did not show it. "Thank you Headmaster, I'll remember that."
They bid each other good night and Elizabeth crossed her rooms to the door by the fireplace. Opening it she found a large comfortable looking bed and her trunk near a tall wardrobe. Through another door she found the bathroom with a tub the size of a small swimming pool. She stepped back into the bedroom and decided to unpack a few of her things.
… … … … …
"Your very concerned about her, aren't you my Dear?" Albus asked his wife of ten years, as she got ready for bed.
"Did you notice her eyes, Albus? They just look so sad and empty, even when she smiles. Well, if you can call that a smile," she said from her dressing table as she brushed out her waist length raven hair.
"I noticed, my Dear. Maybe I should try owling her previous Headmistress again, that Professor Catherine Ellis," he thought out loud.
She sighed, "Albus, that woman has done nothing but ignore us. Maybe we could talk with one of her professors at Milgram Thorton Academy or even Salem Western University. Her professors would probably know more about her than her previous Headmistress."
"I will owl them first thing in the morning, my Dear." Albus watched her as she began to get lost in her thoughts. "Come to bed, Love. You've had a long day and your mind is starting to wander," he chuckled.
She glared at him for a moment but it did not faze him in the least. She set down her brush, crossed the room to their bed, and climbed in. Albus wrapped his arms around her protectively and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Have I told that I love you lately?" She asked.
Albus thought for a moment, "Hmmm, you did about five minutes ago, but I wouldn't object to hearing it again," he replied with a playful grin.
"I love you, Albus. I love you more than anything in this world." She whispered sincerely.
"And you are my heart. I love you, Minerva." He said with twinkling eyes. They shared a long kiss before falling asleep wrapped up in each other's arms.
… … … … …
After Elizabeth took a quick bath (it surprised her when the large bath tub filled up in no time) she sat at the vanity and brushed out her long dark brown hair once she had dried it with a flick of her wand. Looking in the mirror she noticed how baggy her pajamas were on her. When she first got them they were a size larger than she actually wore so they would be more comfortable, but now they hung very loose on her small frame.
She read from an old book of poems, most of which she knew by heart, until she found she could not hold her head up any longer. She placed the book carefully on the nightstand beside her bed next to her wand. She placed a silencing charm around the room before turning out the light and falling into a restless sleep.
