Chapter Four: Star of Term Feast
I made my way down to the Great Hall, passing the main entrance and instead going to stand over by Professor McGonagall who was waiting for the first years to finish crossing the lake.
"I trust you are ready for your introduction Isabella?" As she and I were the only ones in the corridor at the moment, Professor McGonagall whom I've come to see as an aunt turned and checked my appearance. Brushing my hair back, making sure my uniform was straight, and brushing off invisible lint.
"Yes Auntie Min…" I gave her a smirk and crossed my arms, I hadn't at all bothered with the robe.
"Tsk…I can't believe this is your last year with us….though it will be interesting to see how you do in class with your classmates." She gave me a smile and her usual gaze.
"I promise not to bite anyone in your class Auntie Min…Snape's class however I make no promises." I felt her half glare at me before shrugging her shoulders.
"He knows how to make a blood replenishing potion well enough…I do however still worry about you. You know if you ever need anything my door is open." I nodded and took a deep breath as the first year boats approached.
"Thanks Auntie Min…I'll make sure to bring more tea…" She gave me a nod and I took a few steps away from her as the frightened first years climbed up the stairs and she commenced her usual speech. I watched their eager if somewhat frightened faces and had to avert my eyes when I saw a little girl who reminded me very much of myself when I was eleven. My hand reached up for comfort and rubbed at the soft fabric around my neck, I couldn't hold it against them. It wasn't their fault I had been attacked, I'm still not entirely sure whose idea or fault it was. The Wynters were the ones who actually stopped it and offered to help me, the only one in my family who actually knew I wasn't dead, if not turned was an old uncle of mine who went to them after my family was told rouge vampires had been seen with me in tow.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat bringing me out of my reverie, and gave a small nod as she led the first years in. I followed behind and felt my stomach clench at the sight of the full Hall. My presence somewhat behind the first years of course caught everyone's attention as they waited for the sorting to begin. I stayed standing next to Professor McGonagall as she put the sorting hat and stool away before Professor Dumbledore started his welcome speech.
[Dumbledore's 3rd year Start of Term speech as in the movie]
Welcome!
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things
to say, before we become befuddled
by our excellent feast. I myself
am particularly looking forward to
the flaming kiwi cups, which,
while somewhat treacherous for
those of us with facial hair..."
McGonagall cleared her throat. [I stifled a laugh as she gave me a side glare..]
"Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to
welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who
has kindly consented to fill the
post of Defense Against the Dark
Arts. Good luck to you, Professor.
As some of you may know, Professor
Kettleburn, our Care of Magical
Creatures teacher for many years,
has decided to retire in order to
spend more time with his remaining
limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted
to announce that his place will be
filled by none other than our own
Rubeus Hagrid!
On a more disquieting
note, Hogwarts - at the request
of the Ministry of Magic - will,
until further notice, play host to
the Dementors of Azkaban.
The Dementors will be stationed at
the entrances to the grounds. While
they are under strict orders not to
enter the castle itself, you will on
occasion see them as you go about
your daily activities. Under no
circumstances are you to approach
them. It is not in the nature of
a Dementor to be forgiving.
*And on a much lighter and brighter note, I would like to extend a warm Hogwarts welcome to our first exchange student in many a year. As you can all see she is no first year, Isabella Wynters will be joining the 7th year class here at Hogwarts and I would like our students to welcome her readily. As you have seen she has the honor of not only being one of our few exchange students as well as being the only one in the history of Hogwarts to be found to be un-sortable. That being said, while she does not specifically have a House which she belongs to, does not earn any House points, and does not have any specific seating during meal times, she is still a Hogwarts student and should be welcomed and treated as such."
I raised an eyebrow and offered a small smile and nod to the Headmaster as he waved me towards the tables. I could see Ayden sitting with the Slytherins and I made my way her way until I noticed who was sitting across from her, I had no desire to look at Malfoy's face while I ate. She rolled her eyes and glared at him. Luckily for me Oliver and the twins were sitting behind her at the Gryffindor table.
"Mind if I crash your table for a bit lads?" I hadn't finished my question when Oliver scooted over for me.
"Scoot over Angelina…" his thick accent washed over me making the hair at the nape of my neck stand on end as I settled in between him and another student. The feast began in earnest and I turned slightly, as I felt Ayden's eyes on me.
"I can't believe you left me with this over here…" Ayden rolled her eyes and I could see her eye start to twitch.
"Hey he's in your house not mine…" I smirked as she turned around to eat and I did the same.
"I thought you said you'd been to Hogwarts before…" My fork slowed down halfway to my mouth as Oliver turned to me. I blinked and raised an eyebrow, setting my features in what Ayden has come to deem the poker face.
"I have…but I am transferring from private lessons to the general population you know….pass the rolls would you Fred?" I pointed to the bowl between the twins.
"Oh…right…so if you're not part of a house…where do you sleep?" My leg started to shake as I realized I was under quite a bit of scrutiny. The question had been asked by Angelina but everyone within earshot was leaning in to hear my answer.
"I have my own quarters…" I tried to focus on my plate, not that there was a lot on it and for the most part I was just pushing most of the food around pretending to eat. Suddenly I just wanted to go back to my room; I do not enjoy being questioned.
"Bloody brilliant I bet you don't have any trouble trying to get into the bathroom in the morning…" George nudged his brother right at the same moment as Fred was trying to drink his pumpkin juice, causing him to miss his mouth entirely.
"It has to be great to study…" I looked up at the new voice eyebrow raised as I looked into the eyes of a younger Gryffindor; her bushy hair looked familiar though.
"Only you would automatically think of the study benefits of having your own chambers Hermione…." George half coughed out a slight look of disgust on his face, more from having pumpkin juice lodged in his nasal cavity I'm sure, since his eyes showed amusement at Hermione's assessment. She in turn blushed lightly as she shrugged looking back at me.
"It certainly has its advantages…" I nodded at her, not quite giving her a smile before going back to picking at my dinner. It didn't take long before they went back to their usual conversations, giving me the opportunity to look around the Great Hall. The students were busy catching up and the teachers seemed busy discussing serious events from the looks on their faces, yes the perfect time for me to slip out. I pushed my plate away from me, reaching for a few sweet pastries and wrapping them up in my napkin, tucking it into my pocket. I looked over my shoulder to try and catch Ayden's eye, when I felt a hand wrap around my wrist under the table. My heartbeat shot up at the sudden jolt that passed through me, looking up to see Oliver looking at me intently.
"Going somewhere?" His voice was low as he leaned into me, the rest of the table busy eating and gossiping not paying any mind to either of us, which was a good thing as I felt the blood rush to my face in a blush at the sudden intimacy.
"Why the sudden interest?" The words left my mouth as my eyebrow raised and my face settled into its usual façade. I felt my mouth twitch as I couldn't help but smirk as it was his turn to blush, letting go of my wrist slowly. I slipped my legs over the bench, the sudden shift causing my hair to cascade and block the rest of the table from seeing my face fully as for some odd reason I winked at Oliver. Ayden noticing my shift pushed back her own plate and was more than eager and happy to get away from Malfoy who kept trying to engage her in conversation, I'm impressed that she hasn't hexed him yet.
"I…just…" I had never heard Ayden tell me Oliver had a stuttering problem, I tilted my head amusedly watching him closely.
"You can come with us if you'd like…if you're done with dinner that is…" Great I'm willingly inviting someone other than Ayden to my room, must have been something in the pumpkin juice.
"Heads up Snape alert…" Ayden's hurried whisper caught our attention, Oliver tensed and was about to turn around to look at the head table when I grabbed his arm.
"Don't, it will only give him reason to be suspicious…ugh now we need a devious way out…" I noticed Ayden making a big deal out of eating her food at her table relenting to answering some of Malfoy's questions. Of course whether he knew it or not Malfoy was in fact about to provide reason for Ayden to leave her seat early, as it was common for them to end up fighting.
I turned my attention back to Oliver who was watching me rather intently, odd usually I'd have felt it before. We looked at each other for a moment before a smirk crawled onto my face a brilliant idea coming to mind.
"Wot?" Oliver looked kind of cute with the deer in headlights look on his face, especially mid bite.
"Mind helping me then?" He nodded and leaned in while I whispered my idea to him, Ayden apparently sensing I'd most likely need her to leave first. She picked a fight at just that moment allowing me to explain to Oliver what I'd need him to do. The escalating fight of course ending with Ayden and Malfoy being sent to their dorms, as I watched Professor Snape lead Ayden and Malfoy out each by an arm, a trouble look spread on my face.
"Are you all right Isabella?" George's voice sounded worried as Fred and Hermione commented on how much paler I looked.
"I…just….." I shook my head and slumped over, my body going limp against Oliver who caught me.
"Oh! I think she's fainted! We should get her to the infirmary…" I could hear Hermione's voice above the sudden murmurs and remained limp even with Oliver and if I'm not mistaken Angelina's attempts to wake me.
"I think you're right Hermione…" I felt my heart rate jump again as I felt Oliver's arm pick me up bridal style, though my body remained limp someone tucked my body closer to his chest before he carried me out of the Great Hall.
"Where are you going Mr. Wood?" I felt Oliver turn to face Professor McGonagall and can almost detect the amusement in her tone.
"Our new student fainted I think it's best for her to see Madame Pomfrey." I felt her presence hover closer, before she pulled away and I felt Oliver shift again.
"Very well, I'll trust you'll stay with her to make sure she is all right then, carry on Mr. Wood." I tried hard not to smirk or laugh at her tone. Oliver didn't linger this time walking briskly out of the Great Hall and turning down the corridor towards the Infirmary.