I can hear my heart beating steadily in my ears, the voices around me drowning out into white noise. Hufflepuff? Nibbling on my lower lip, I pray to the gods and save an offering for a later time, for when I could have some privacy.
Hufflepuff? It wasn't ideal by any means, it wasn't the house that I wanted but I suppose it'll have to do, my plans would just have to be adjusted.
Sighing, I push food around my plate as I look up, making eye contact with a pair of molten grey eyes. He smiles kindly at me, offering his hand, "Hullo, name is Cedric Diggory, fifth year and prefect for Hufflepuff." I stare at his hand for a moment, almost a second too long as he begins to retract his hand, I lift my own and shake his firmly before releasing.
"Pleasure, name's Analuisa." I nod at him before taking a small bite of my food, the richness overflowing my tastebuds.
"Same to ya. Are you excited to join us here? Did you attend a different school previously?" He asks curiously, his tone conveying nothing but kindness.
"You could say that. I wasn't officially taught in an educational setting like Hogwarts, but I had a few tutors here and there." Waving my hand in the air, trying to show that it's nothing. "I am excited for Hogwarts, I heard about the school recently and my... uh... familial ties to it, so I wanted to come see what the hype was about." I shrug, smiling awkwardly at him.
He smiles back awkwardly, understanding the meaning behind my words. "Yeah, I getcha. I'm sorry, but the Headmaster mentioned you were a fifth year, right?"
"Mhmm, got it in one. So we'll be having the same classes, right? Being in the same year and house and all?" I lean towards him, brushing my hair out of my face, "Do you mind helping me around and teaching me about Hogwarts? Especially educationally. My previously learning methods weren't necessarily... conventional." I smile a little at the memories of fighting monsters and learning about the Hecate cabin.
"Sure! I was just about to offer my services actually! As a prefect we're supposed to show the new students where they'll be living, every house is different, but in Hufflepuff we also like to make sure that the students make it to their first class of each subject alright." He runs his hand through his hair, messing it up a little. "It's my first year as a prefect, so I'm nervous and excited to show them everything about Hogwarts. I remember my first day like it was yesterday." A whimsical smile on his face.
"Perfect, thanks dude! I appreciate it."
"Anytime! If you're ready, we're about to get ready to show the first years the dorm area."
I pat my newly embroidered robes to check that my offering was securely away, nodding shortly afterwards. Cedric stands first, waving goodbye to what looks like his friends, I follow after him, watching as he stands by the newly joined Puffs. "Hello everyone! My name is Cedric Diggory, I'm a fifth year Hufflepuff and a prefect, and tonight I'll be showing you to the dorm areas. I'll be leading you as we walk through the halls and taking up the rear behind us will be Maria Dominguez, another fellow fifth year." He waves to her as she walks up and stands next to him, a girl with short, curly blonde hair.
"Now, if you're all ready we can get situated in entrance to the Great Hall before heading to the dorm." He smiles warmly at the students, soothing some of the jitters that had overcome their tiny bodies.
I can't help but smile as well, the relationship between prefects and students reminding me of the counselors and campers. My smile melts slowly from my face as I think of the siblings that I left behind, mourning and rebuilding. Hecate senses my change and mood and pokes her head out from beneath my robes, flicking her tongue out against my ear, trying to provide comfort. I turn my head to conceal her in my hair, raising a hand pretending to push my hair behind my ear, and instead softly rubbing her scales in thanks.
As my thought process sours, the first years stand from the table and Cedric takes that as our cue to head outside, beginning to talk soothingly to some nervous students. I pull back from the front, giving more space for the little ones to ask questions and listen. We pause briefly in the entrance, Cedric explaining the directions and where the halls lead to before taking us away. He leads at a steady pace, slowing down to point out identifying landmarks for getting to classes and helpful portraits for the future. The kids are all in awe, their worries forgotten as they take in the beauty of magic, the presence flowing in and around their bodies, fueling them.
I let Hogwarts's music flow through me, humming slightly as it tangles with my magic. With a soft caress it leaves, leaving me with the ghost of a touch. Sighing, i keep an ear open listening to Cedric as the sound of pounding feet begin to follow us to the moving staircases. It appears as though the other houses have followed us in our journey to our dorms.
"Que tal?" A soothing voice asks me from behind. Shocked a little from the Spanish in an isolated school I turn around and see that Maria is speaking to me, a soft smile on her face as we walk slowly behind the children. "Te sorprendí?"
"Sí, es que no esperaba el español aquí en escocía, sabes?" Lifting my hand and waving it around.
"Hmm entendió, es que por el nombre pensé que tal vez hablabas español," she shrugs at me, pushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure which you prefer, but I just wanted to see if you spoke spanish. Sometimes I lose it and by the time I go home for winter it feels like i have to learn it all over again, ya know?"
I him in agreement, understanding but never having experienced it, "I see, well, feel free to speak Spanish with me then! No hay muchas hablantes aquí?"
She tsks and sighs, "No, no en realidad, hay unos que saben un poquito, pero los únicos otros que han aprendido la lengua es Cedric y unos gemelos de Gryffindor."
"How boring, this place needs some more variety in culture. Although i can't say much, I speak Spanish, but only because of friends who taught me." We've fallen behind the others a little, but with their short legs we're able to easily catch up.
"Ah! Well at least you appreciate it..." She hesitates for a moment, her pace slowing down again. Glancing at the children and the portraits she looks at me, quietly asking, "Mira, no me quiero meter, pero tengo una pregunta... Dijieron que tu apellido era Black.. eras hija del que se escapó?"
My eyebrows shoot up at the blatant question, I wasn't expecting anyone to ask yet after finding out, but Maria seems genuine, and was asking more out of concern it appears. I look at the children, glee on their faces intertwined with drowsiness after the long day on the train.
"Sí, sí soy su hija," I looked her in the eyes. "It's complicated."
A/N: Hey y'all, hope you enjoy the chapter!
I feel like I'm doing a lot of build-up and not necessarily going into depth concerning explanations. Lemme know whatcha think!
signed,
oterol
