Alicia and Charity followed Dumbledore to his office, stopping at a stone gargoyle where Dumbledore gave his password of "Caramel." Charity watched in amazement as stairs appeared leading the three awaiting people up to the head's personal office. Dumbledore opened his door to allow Alicia and Charity entrance, and Charity stared around the circular room with broad smile. The room was unbelievable. There was so much stuff to look at Charity felt she could be in there for hours and still not have seen everything.
Dumbledore indicated for Alicia and Charity to take seats in the squishy armchairs in front of his desk, while he slid in behind his desk to a high back chair. Dumbledore offered Charity a book entitled 'Hogwarts, A History' and said, "Charity if you could please read this during holiday, I think you will have a good understanding of Hogwarts. This is all you need to know about Hogwarts; however, I will inform you of a little now.
"First there is the sorting ceremony; this is particularly significant because while you are here your house will be like your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend time off in your house common room. Hogwarts has four houses called Gryffindor, Hufflepuf, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has it's own noble history, and each has produced phenomenal wizards and witches.
"While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will warrant you house points while any rule breaking will cost you house points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup; a celebrated honor," Dumbledore paused, "now the only thing to do is find out which house you'll be in."
Dumbledore raised his wand and said, "Accio hat." The sorting hat whizzed across the room and into his hands. Dumbledore positioned the hat on Charity's head, and it sprang to life in her ear voicing, "Hum complicated. You possess many traits of a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuf. Your astuteness and talent are remarkable; however, you are honest and dependable. Oh but there's courage here and the comprehension of what it means to be truly courageous. Better be Gryffindor," the hat bellowed. Charity removed the hat with a smile since this was the house her mother was in.
"I ought to have known," spoke Dumbledore kindheartedly. "All right now that that is completed let's talk about the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. May I have your transfer papers and final exam results?"
Charity dug in her bag to retrieve her papers before handing them to Professor Dumbledore.
"You are going to have to clarify the marking procedure to me," Dumbledore recommended while he pondered the papers.
Charity smiled and said, "A's are the top, B's are above average, C's are average, D's are below average, and F's are failing."
"I see and what is the highest percentage you could get on each test?"
"100."
"Fair enough. Then from what I can see we will accept this as your written segment of the O.W.L.s; therefore, all you'll need to do is the practical segment," Dumbledore said.
Dumbledore looked back down at the exam results exceedingly happy with what he was seeing.
Astronomy: 99
Arithmacy: 100
Care of Magical Creatures: 100
Charms: 97
DADA: 100
Herbology: 97
History of Magic: 93
Muggle Studies: 100
Potions: 98
Transfigurations: 99
"Professor McGonangall is your head of house, but she has not returned from St. Mungos so far, so you'll have to meet her later on.
"I would like you to stay here for the remainder of the week and depart on the train with the rest of the students. This will give you time to meet the students in your year and house. I would also like for you to revise today and tomorrow and take the exams on Wednesday. Let me compile a timetable for you," Dumbledore said calmly.
Wednesday
Breakfast: 8-9
Care of Magical Creatures: 9:00-9:45am (outside by the forest)
Charms: 10:15-10:45am (chamber off the great hall)
DADA: 11:15-12:00pm (chamber off the great hall)
Lunch: 12-1
Herbology: 1:15-2:00pm (outside greenhouse three)
Potions: 2:30-3:30pm (potions room in dungeon)
Transfigurations: 4:00-4:45pm (chamber off the great hall)
Dinner: 5-6
Astronomy: 11-12:30am (Astronomy Tower)
"I will leave it to you to come up with your own revision timetable, and I will arrange for your trunk to make it here. Now let us locate a Gryffindor to show you all-around," Dumbledore said while standing up.
As they stood to leave Alicia said, "I think you can handle yourself from now, I'll just go back home and pack your trunk. I'll see you when you get home dear." She kissed her daughters forehead while Dumbledore touched the same portkey they used to get to Hogwarts with his wand and said, "portus."
"We'll try the hospital wing first. If Hermione Granger is still there then we'll see if Harry is available. She might know where we could find him," Dumbledore said while leading Charity out of his office.
"Why is Hermione, did you say, in the hospital wing?" Charity asked.
Dumbledore smiled and spoke quietly, "She went on an adventure with some of her friends. I'll let her explain more if she wishes."
Charity nodded with a smile as they walked into the infirmary. When they entered they saw Ron sitting on his bed eating chocolate frogs and Hermione on her bed reading the Daily Prophet.
"Ninying ew arminy? (Anything new Hermione?)" Ron questioned with an extremely full mouth.
"Really Ron would it hurt you to take smaller bites?" Hermione retorted taking her eyes off the paper and noticing the headmaster with a girl watching them.
"Professor, hi."
"Good morning, I hope you two are recovering," Dumbledore expressed while looking at them from over the top of his glasses.
"Never better," Ron said after swallowing his mouthful.
Ron and Hermione were now looking from Dumbledore to Charity with questioning eyes. Dumbledore looked at Charity then back to Hermione and asked, "Has Madam Pompfree given you any idea when she might release you Ms. Granger?"
"It looks like Wednesday Sir," Hermione replied.
"I see. This is Charity Appleby. She just transferred here from America. She has been sorted into Gryffindor, and I sought after someone to show her around. You were my first preference, Miss Granger.
"She also will be taking the practical segment of the O.W.L. exams. We are using her final exams from her previous school as her written segment.
"Well if you're stuck here maybe Harry might donate some time today. Have either of you seen him?" inquired Dumbledore.
Just as Dumbledore finished asking the question Harry walked through the door to visit his friends, stopping just beside the headmaster and Charity.
"Professor," he nodded, "and Charity we meet for a second time it seems," he declared with a considerable smile.
Ron and Hermione exchanged looks of utter shock to see Harry smiling, while Dumbledore looked from Harry to Charity with an approving grin.
"Hi, I guess we never had a suitable introduction. I'm Charity Appleby." She said as she put out her hand. Harry accepted her hand in his, giving it a sensitive squeeze.
'There's something about her I can't put my finger on. I have to get to know her. All the pain and hatred I've felt in the last couple of days seems to lift when I'm in her presence. I actually feel like smiling. Like I could be happy again. It's been so long. I wonder if it even exists inside me anymore!' Harry thought while shaking Charity's hand.
"It's nice to meet you Charity, I'm Harry Potter," he said smiling kindly.
"It's nice to meet you too Harry, and I think you're about to be asked to be my tour guide," Charity said and looked up to Dumbledore.
"Harry, Charity has been sorted into Gryffindor, and Ms. Granger is here until possibly Wednesday. Would you have some time to show her around, and perhaps assist her in preparing for her O.W.L. practical exams?" Dumbledore requested calmly.
"It would be my honor," Harry replied smoothly with a broad smile.
"Good, I'll leave you four to get acquainted," Dumbledore said.
At the door Professor Dumbledore turned back to the four teenagers. "Ms. Granger may Ms. Appleby use your bed until Wednesday, and then we will arrange another quarter after that?" Dumbledore asked.
"Absolutely."
"Very good. Charity your trunk will be delivered to the Griffendor Tower when it arrives, and I'll see you Wednesday outside for your Care of Magical Creatures exam. Good day to you all," Dumbledore said before turning and walking out the door.
