The Werewolf's Daughter

4: The brightest witch of our age

Dumbledore's speech felt like it was going on forever. Eventually Maya heard him saying 'And finally, I would like to note two new appointments this year. The first is for Professor Lupin, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and second is Professor Rubeus Hagrid, who will be taking over the post of Care of Magical Creatures teacher.'

Suddenly, most of the hall erupted in cheers. Clearly Hagrid, who Maya was very fond of, was a very popular person. Except with the Slytherin table who looked completely sour. Especially the blonde-haired boy that had been staring at Maya.

The Great Hall began to quieten down, and Dumbledore let everyone move on to their food. As soon as everyone started to chatter amongst themselves, Maya found herself looking at the smiling girl across from her. 'I'm Hermione Granger.' she said, holding out her hand. 'Welcome to Hogwarts and to Gryffindor. I noticed you had already met Ron and this is Harry Potter.' Hermione nodded to the dark-haired boy sat next to her.

'I'm Maya Jones.' she said to them both.

'Is that a slight American accent I hear?' Hermione asked.

'I lived there from the age of 5 until just a few weeks ago; I suppose I did pick up a slight accent' Maya said, blushing. She noticed however that Hermione was still smiling at her warmly – she wasn't making fun of her.

'What was it like living in America? Professor McGonagall said you attended Ilvermorny?'

'America is ok, not for me though. I've only been here 2 weeks, and I already prefer it. Ilvermorny is ok too, but it's very clique; a lot of rich Americans that think they're better than everyone else, in the same place, is not fun!'

Hermione laughed 'Well, Hogwarts isn't as bad as that, but there are some kids from certain families that can be a bit uppity. Most people are nice though!' she added quickly, seeing the look on Maya's face. 'I'm muggleborn, Harry's half-blood and Ron's a pure-blood – we've been best friends since 1st year.' She added, to emphasise her point that most people are nice.

Maya smiled back at Hermione, who then turned to Ron and Harry to see them speaking about Hogsmeade. 'Harry, what do you mean you can't go?' Ron was asking.

'My uncle didn't sign my permission slip; Fudge refused and so did McGonagall.' Harry responded. 'I can't go at all. McGonagall said it might be for the best anyway – God knows why.'

They were interrupted by someone asking Harry 'Did you really blow up your aunt?'

Ron laughed but Hermione looked annoyed. 'It's not funny Ronald! Harry could have been expelled!'

'I didn't mean it Hermione – it's not like I got my wand out and did it on purpose'.

Maya giggled. 'Wait, you blew someone up?'

Harry laughed 'Yeah, like a balloon! I live with muggles and they're awful – my uncle's sister was visiting, and she is worse than them. She said a lot about my parents when she didn't even know them and I lost control.'

'Oh, what was she saying?' Maya asked.

'Well, she knows nothing about me being magical. So, my aunt and uncle told her the same story they told me until I was 11 – that my parents died in a car crash. She called my dad a drunk and a loser.'

'Oh, I didn't know your parents died – I'm sorry. My mother died when I was 5 and I don't know who my father is!' Maya spilled out; somehow this boy made her want to tell her whole story.

'Wait, don't you know who he is Maya?' Ron asked, incredulous.

'Sorry, no, should I?' Maya asked.

'This is THE Harry Potter…you know, the boy who lived?'

'Sorry, I'm not following.'

'Wow were you brought up under a bridge?' Ron asked, rudely.

'Ronald! Stop being rude; Maya hasn't even lived here for the last 8 years, she was 5 when she left the country!' Hermione scolded him.

'Sorry, I just find it hard to believe someone doesn't know Harry Potter.' Maya apologised, looking at Harry.

'Please don't be sorry' Harry said, 'It's quite nice to have someone that doesn't know me at all!'

Maya grinned at Harry and went back to eating her pudding. Once everyone was finished eating, Dumbledore dismissed them for bed.

Hermione and Maya talked all the way up the common room 'Caput Draconis' Hermione said, and the portrait swung forward; they went straight up to the girl's dormitories and started to get ready for bed. Maya was in the bathroom when she heard Hermione speaking to someone.

'Yes, she is new, well done for noticing Lavender.' Maya could hear the sarcasm dripping in Hermione's voice.

'Well I don't like her, she's weird.'

'You haven't even spoken to her Lavender, have you never heard the phrase don't judge a book by its cover? Is the issue more the fact that boys noticed her and not you?' Hermione asked.

'Well at least I get looked at for the right reasons; I would rather be looked at for my looks then be known as the brightest witch of our age!' Lavender spat.

As she walked in to the room, a girl flounced into the bathroom. Maya assumed that was Lavender. Another girl was in the room, she murmured a 'hi' to Maya and then walked out.

'Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil – both nice girls but Lavender is a bit up herself, as you probably heard.' Hermione explained.

Maya just nodded and got in to bed. Hermione did the same. 'Hermione, what did you mean when you said the boys noticed me?'

'Oh, come on Maya, you didn't see most of the boys staring at you in the Great Hall?' Hermione asked.

'I.. I didn't notice' Maya stammered.

'Well I did, and I think Lavender did too!' Hermione giggled. 'It's fine, she needs her head shrunk a bit anyway!'

Maya giggled. 'G'night Hermione' she whispered.

'Night Maya.'