Chapter 3
Dawn was unable to even blink as she gaped at the spectacle before her. The castle was like those of dreams and fairytales. Surrounding the castle were rolling lawns of luscious grass, reaching down on one side to a huge lake. Beyond the lake was a vast forest, which gave Dawn chills even from here. They followed the path up to the gigantic front doors, and mounted the stone steps. From this point, Dawn turned, gazing down across the lawn and the lake to where a small hut sat, smoke rising from its chimney.
"Come." McGonogall said again, and led her through the doors into the equally spectacular entrance hall off which led a magnificent marble staircase, as well as several other passages. McGonogall headed for the stairs, and beckoned for Dawn to follow. It was only now that Dawn realised all her shopping as well as her suitcase were floating obediently behind McGonogall. Dawn shook her head slightly and followed McGonogall up the stairs, through passages and doors, some which didn't seem to be doors until McGonogall convinced them they were and they moved aside. After another such instance, Dawn beheld a tightly spiralling staircase onto which she and McGonogall stepped. It immediately began to move, carrying them to the door above. The luggage waited at the bottom.
"Headmaster? It's me." McGonogall stated as she knocked on the door.
"Yes, yes, come in." answered a voice that was both deep and soft at once. They obeyed, and were asked to take a seat opposite the tall, white haired man. "Miss Summers." He smiled, looking at her over the top of his glasses. "I am Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster." Dawn smiled and nodded, shaking his offered hand. Minerva here is my deputy as well as the transfiguration teacher. She and the other teachers will do everything they can to help you catch up before term begins." Dawn nodded again. She found it very hard to think of anything to say to this man, from whom she could feel power emanating. "Minerva will also show you where you will be staying until term begins. I'm afraid there is only one other student here at the moment, and as you will not be sorted into your own house until just before the other students return, I think it would be best if you were to stay in the same area as him, yes?" Dawn noticed McGonogall stiffen slightly, but nodded,
"Yes, that'll be great." She smiled, thinking god how dumb must he think I am!
"Excellent, excellent. Oh, and in your free time you may venture anywhere in the school except the forest, which is strictly forbidden."
"Ok." She answered. McGonogall stood, and Dawn took this as a cue to do the same. She shook Dumbledore's hand once more and they left. McGonogall led Dawn through the corridors again, the luggage leaping from the floor to follow them. Occasionally Dawn heard a bump as a package bumped into something. They took the marble staircase back down to the entrance hall, McGonogall's expression getting worse as they proceeded into one of the passages which lead down into darker ones, lined with torches. Eventually they reached a painting, in front of which McGonogall stopped.
"This is the Slytherin common room." She told Dawn stiffly. "I am not supposed to go in here, so I'll leave you now. Your lessons will begin tomorrow; your fellow student will fill you in on meal times, and show you to your room. Do you have any questions?"
"Just one. What's sorting?"
"Ah." A smile broke McGonogall's frown, "New students have to try on the sorting hat, which tells them which school house they will join, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Your house is like your family while you are here. You will have lessons with them, you share a common room and dormitories, and you share a table at meals."
"Cool." Dawn said. "Oh, and this other guy… is he my age, or..?"
"He will be in the fifth year, just like you." Dawn nodded, and McGonogall sighed quietly. "The password is 'Boomslang'- make yourself at home." Then she turned on her heel and was gone. Dawn turned to the painting, and frowned,
"Boomslang?" she said, unsure of what she was supposed to do, and the painting swung forward revealing a large hole in the wall. "Oh." She exclaimed and climbed through. When she realise that the luggage wasn't floating anymore, she went back to get it.
"Can I help?" a voice asked from behind her. She jumped a little, then turned to see a platinum blond boy, with an outstretched hand. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I'm Draco Malfoy."