I don't think they understood. I couldn't blame them really, not knowing if I had no family, that I may very well have come from nothing at all. I didn't understand it very well myself, but I was quite sure that falling from the sky the way I did wasn't entirely natural around here.
We didn't linger long. Albus and I finished our drinks, Arabelle explained what the disk was - a galleon, some form of currency used in trade for goods and services. We chatted for a few moments about the wizarding world, the idea that some people were magical and others weren't, how the two worlds were kept separate. I wondered why this was, but all too soon Albus announced it was time for us to depart.
Walking back out into the street I noticed it had grown dark, the stars gleaming alongside a crescent moon. Albus held out his arm, which I took without question. I felt I could trust him. He was incredibly kind.
"This may feel a bit odd," he said. "We are going to apparate to the front gates. It's the fastest mode of travel, but first timers often feel sickly afterwards for a few moments. Are you ready?"
"I am," I affirmed. With a loud pop I felt myself flying, my form squeezing as if I was being forced through a small tube. It was an odd sensation that was over almost as quickly as it started. My feet hit the ground abruptly and I stumbled, but I felt fine otherwise. Albus steadied me for a moment, smiling slightly when he realized I would be alright. "I'm good," I told him. "I feel okay."
"Perhaps you've done this before," he commented, and I considered that. Could I really rule out that I had simply lost my memories after all? That I may have lived a whole life before appearing in the forest?
The wrought iron gates before us opened with a wave of Albus' hand. Two stone pillars flanked us, and atop were statues of boars with wings spread as though ready for flight. A bit farther along was a giant stone castle, windows gleaming with light. The stairs up to the castle seemed to go on forever, and my excitement mounted as I took in the many towers and spires that adorned the magnificent building. It was large enough that I was sure I would get lost in its depths without a guide.
We passed through a stone courtyard to reach a large set of double doors perhaps as tall as a house. Inside was a hallway with even higher cathedral ceilings. A large staircase branched to the right and left before us, tall candelabras with tens of dozens of candles lit the area, and suits of armor lined the walls. Pictures of various sizes and framings decorated the walls from floor to ceiling sporting moving occupants. Above the staircase was stained glass designed with some sort of crest. In the middle was a large "H", and the crest itself was split in four, each bearing an animal - a lion, a snake, a badger, and a raven. The words "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus" on the ribbon arching below the crest registered immediately in my mind.
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon?" I queried, looking up at Albus, who was at least a foot taller than me. His blue eyes twinkled at me merrily.
"Good advice, don't you think?" I couldn't help but smile.
A relatively young woman was descending the staircase from the right, donning green robes and a pointed hat. I could tell her hair was dark, although it was tugged back into a tight bun and mostly hidden. Her eyes were a rich blue, gleaming with curiosity and concern as she took us in.
"Albus, I received your message moments ago. Who is this?"
"This is Emry, Minerva" Albus replied, unconcerned. His calm seemed to put her at ease as she looked at me and I gave her a small smile. Though hesitant, she returned it. "It appears she is lost, as are her memories. Until we can sort out her situation I should like for her to stay here. The students aren't due for another few weeks. Would you mind finding her an available room and, perhaps, some new clothes?"
"Of course," Minerva replied. "Has she been to see Poppy? Or to St. Mungo's?"
"We'll see to that in the morning," Albus assured her. "For now I feel some food and rest should suffice."
I looked up at Albus again to find his gaze returned from beneath the half-moon spectacles propped on his long nose. "Thank you again. I appreciate your help."
"Of course. Minerva will take good care of you. Now off you trot, I'll have the kitchens send something fitting."
With a nod, Minerva beckoned me to follow. Our walk through the castle was a long one, silent, though it wasn't uncomfortable. I was startled to find our path being etched into my mind as we continued on, as though I couldn't forget it. Some of the photographs peered at us curiously as we passed, and I gave a few small waves. A pretty ballerina returned the gesture, making me smile once more. It was large and empty, but this place felt safe. Like a sanctuary of sorts, I suppose.
We climbed many staircases, traversed down many halls, and I came to realize the end of our journey was near the top of one of the many towers if the spiraling staircase was anything to go by. A wooden door, gilded with gold, was where we finally came to a stop.
"This room isn't often used. I'll have to fix it up a bit to suit your needs," Minerva told me, pulling out a smooth stick from her robes. I looked on curiously as she opened the door to reveal a dusty room with a high, cone-shaped ceiling and several windows. Furniture and boxes lay stacked about, covered with white sheets. Minerva waved the stick, murmuring what I would later learn were spells.
Evanesce was the first word she uttered, and before my eyes the white cloths covering everything disappeared. Lanuae Magicae popped the boxes and other miscellaneous items out of existence, at least as far as I knew. With a soft Reparo the cloth curtains covering the windows ruffled themselves to perfection. Tergeo and Scourgify resulted in freshly scrubbed floors and windows. Before my eyes, furniture appeared by name when coupled with Inanimatus conjurus - a bed, desk, bedside table, small dresser, and a trunk. I watched, transfixed by the motions of the stick she held, the words echoing in my mind as the room became a livable space in a matter of minutes.
When Minerva was done she returned the wooden stick to her robes and looked to me, eyes softening, perhaps at my expression of wonder. I couldn't help but smile, stepping further into the room. My fingers grazed the wooden footboard of a neatly made bed with folded white linen. It was as real as it appeared. For a moment I couldn't find my words.
"In the morning I will come fetch you. Breakfast will be served in the Great Hall, and your supper should arrive shortly. In the meantime, if you need the washroom it can be found across the hall as you may want to wash up. Suitable clothes will be in your trunk."
"Thank you," I noticed my eyes were burning. Something about her made my heart squeeze, the warmth in her eyes betraying her otherwise rather stoic expression. "Your magic is beautiful. I had no idea what it really meant until now - magic I mean," I hurried to add. Minerva's small smile reappeared.
"Well, I'd better leave you to it," she said, turning for the doorway. "Goodnight, Miss Emry."
"Goodnight."
With that I was alone, left to explore my new surroundings. Intending to start with the washroom I opened the trunk at the foot of the bed to find a few changes of clothes, a fluffy towel, and a small satchel of toiletries.
The washroom was small. Against the far wall was a bathtub, and along the left wall a sink and toilet. I made quick work of drawing a bath and cleaning up, shedding the rags that I'd been wearing since my arrival and ridding myself of the dirt I'd accumulated on my trek to Hogsmeade. I was moving through the motions as though I'd done them before, though admittedly the odd knobs used to fill the bathtub had me stumped for a moment. After washing I examined the clothing I'd brought with me and I settled for the soft pull-over and shorts which were a deep burgundy embroidered with gold.
Had Minerva called these into existence the same way I had been? Perhaps it had been waiting elsewhere and was simply transported? It felt a little silly to think that clothes, furniture and I could all have such an odd thing in common, but it comforted me. Magic certainly seemed a path to finding the answers I sought.
Deciding to ask Albus about this another day, I donned the new garb and walked back to my room where I found a plate of hot food waiting. Had I just missed the person who had brought it up? Mashed potatoes, a few slices of ham, and a small variety of steamed vegetables comprised the meal. I took my time, marveling over the different tastes and textures.
I didn't sleep that night. I didn't even feel tired. My skin glowed in the moonlight, illuminating the sill on which I chose to perch for most of the night, watching the stars travel across the sky. A million questions danced in my head, and I found my chest bubbling with something I'd never felt before. I wondered… would I be told to leave when no family could be found to claim me? How much time did I have to learn all I could from this place, these people? Everyone I had met today had been so kind.
Perhaps Albus would let me visit Viola so I could give her proper thanks for all her help. Had she not been so kind I wouldn't be here, or at least I didn't think so. Certainly, she didn't have to help me. Did she have a family? I gathered they were special people with whom someone belonged, or Albus and Arabelle wouldn't have been so adamant a family should inevitably collect me.
I wasn't sure I wanted them to.
A/N: I may not have a regular upload schedule, but this project means more to me than any of you might comprehend. I struggled with the idea of publishing anything earlier than I intended. It's a very personal project that spans more realities than just the one familiar here. This is an epic - a journey that tumbles beyond the boundaries of space and time, identity and belief, perception and the unknown. If you have a moment, challenge the narrative, ask questions, poke holes, and please, if you've the care, let me know what you think. Perspective is the greatest gift you could give me. In return I hope what I write changes your world.
