Hey everybody! Since school is out, I finally get to spend time on my stories! So, I decided to work on the next chapter of this story. I edited the first chapter a little bit, just changing a few things. Well enough of me, enjoy the chapter! (Disclaimer in prologue)
Chapter 1: First Glimpse of a New World
Done, Susanna thought to herself as she threw the dirty dishrag into the water-filled bucket next to her. She wiped off some sweat that was falling down her forehead from waxing and cleaning all the wooden floors in the Angel Care Orphanage. It had taken her almost two hours, with little time to spare to get ready for Professor McGonagall to pick her up. Susanna had sped through her chores and jobs from the time Professor McGonagall left the orphanage to finishing the floor to make sure Mrs. Forester had no reason to keep her from going. Susanna rubbed her dirty hands on her jeans, not really caring about the other streaks of dirt across the material.
"Susanna," Mrs. Forester called the girl as she walked forward, her heels stopping in front of the bucket. Susanna hesitantly looked up at the orphanage's owner who was staring at her down with no emotion or care in her eyes. She made sure a hand was clutching the bucket so it couldn't be kicked away very easily. "Have you finished your chores?"
"Yes, ma'am," Susanna answered, hoping the older lady wouldn't think of anything else to do. "I've cleaned and waxed the floors, dusted all the furniture, cleaned the fireplace, put up all the toys and clothes, and everything else on the list." Susanna did not feel like listing every assignment on the ongoing list. It always seemed to get longer every day. Mrs. Forester's mouth continued to be in a straight line, not moving at all. "Is there anything else you want me to do?"
"Well, I would give you more to do, but you have school supplies to get. It cheers me that it means you will be getting out of my hair sooner, so you may visit Mrs. Dewberry before Ms. McGonagall arrives," Mrs. Forester seemed to stare a hole through Susanna before walking away. A small smile crept on Susanna's face as she walked to the storage closet and dropped the bucket in it. She made her way back to her small room in the back with a small bounce in her step.
Her room was placed in the very back of the orphanage, small and cramped with a tiny leak in the ceiling. Every piece of the furniture was old and hand-me-down, like some of her clothes. Susanna sat in front of the cracked, dirty mirror and made sure her face had no dirt and soot marks across her cheeks. As she continued examining her face, sleepiness began shutting her eyes. Susanna forced them open, not wanting to fall asleep before Professor McGonagall arrived. Susanna retied her shoes before walking out of her room, passing many rooms filled with talkative children.
Mrs. Dewberry was a kind, older lady whose house was a few minutes from the orphanage. She was the only friend Susanna had at her home, ever since Susanna had accidentally fallen into her flowers and torn many up. She treated Susanna with kindness and respect, almost in a grandmotherly way, since the young girl didn't have anyone else to lookout for her. Mrs. Dewberry began inviting Susanna over to meals and tea, and other occasions just to talk. It became a regular routine with a few years, and Susanna felt like she could tell the older lady anything.
Susanna made her way outside the orphanage and made large strides to the older Victorian looking apartment. She jogged up the steps and rang the doorbell. Within thirty seconds of the ring, an older lady with a few wrinkles, darker red hair, and brown eyes smiled at the young girl on the doorstep. "Hello, Susanna, you're early today, what a nice surprise," Mrs. Dewberry greeted the girl, a loving smile reaching the corners of her slightly wrinkled face. She moved a bit out of the doorway to let Susanna inside. "Come on in." Susanna gladly walked inside, letting her feet take her to the living room.
Susanna glanced at all the pictures positioned on top of mantels, dressers, and shelves that showed childhood to present events filled with many people. Her eyes would always linger on the pictures of Mrs. Dewberry and her husband, who had died in a car accident about two years before she met Susanna. Other photographs were of her two children who lived in other cities, but Susanna had never met them. She looked away from the photos to sit in the cherry red loveseat.
"So, Susanna, what brings you here today?" Mr. Dewberry asked, sitting across from the girl.
"Well, I finished all my chores and Mrs. Forester said I could come before Ms. McGonagall arrived to take me somewhere to get school supplies," Susanna answered, anticipation building up from excitement of the seeing the wizarding world. She wanted to tell Mrs. Dewberry where she would be going to school and the secret she found out about herself, but something was telling her that she couldn't tell anyone she was a witch. Susanna noticed Mrs. Dewberry's eyes widen a bit when she mentioned Mrs. McGonagall's name, but it quickly disappeared before she could ask about it.
"Will you be going away for the school year?" Mrs. Dewberry continued asking, sad a girl who she loved like a daughter would be gone for months.
"Yes ma'am, from September to June," Susanna informed. Suddenly, the grandfather clock across from her rang its large bells. Susanna's mouth dropped, realizing she was supposed to be back at the orphanage waiting for Ms. McGonagall. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Dewberry, but I'm supposed to back at the orphanage." She gave her a quick hug before dashing back to Angel Care. She opened the door to see Mrs. Forester glaring at her with Ms. McGonagall standing next to her.
"You're late, Susanna," Mrs. Forester harshly reminded her. Susanna could tell Mrs. Forester was thinking it was jeopardizing her chances of getting the girl off her hands.
"I'm sorry, Ms. McGonagall, I lost track of time," Susanna apologized to the other older lady, lowering her head a bit. The professor smiled at her, showing no anger at her lateness. Susanna felt some relief set in, looking back up.
"It's perfectly fine, but we must be off now," Ms. McGonagall instructed, leading Susanna back to the front door. Susanna turned to go, but not before Mrs. Forester yanked her arm back to her. She leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"You better not mess things up," Mrs. Forester warned, venom seeping all through her voice. Susanna kept her cool before nodding her heads and walking out the door. It slammed behind her as Susanna caught up to Ms. McGonagall. She was surprised that no pedestrians were staring at the older lady's choice of wardrobe. She was lead down the streets, into an abandoned alley. The eleven-year-old became confused at the location.
"Where are we going?" Susanna asked, looking all around her. Ms. McGonagall just stretched her arm out, not saying a word.
"I will show you one way of magical transportation to get to our location. It's too much of a walk for these legs from here," Ms. McGonagall instructed, pointing to her outstretched arm. "Hold on, and be warned, it is rough for a first-timer." Susanna was a little scared, but still trusted. She slowly placed her skinny, pale hand on the arm. Suddenly, the air picked up its speed, twisting around her. She was sure her insides were being twisted and churned, and was sure she would bring her breakfast back up. Her head began pounding in her skull, and Susanna knew she was going to pass out. The feelings quickly went away, and Susanna closed her eyes to ignore the reactions.
"You did well for a first-timer; ones I have taken have either thrown up or passed out. You can open your eyes," Ms. McGonagall told Susanna, who was still sure something was about to come up. McGonagall just smiled at her antics, happy she now got to experience the world she really came from. She hesitantly opened her eyelids. Definitely magic, she thought to herself as she was surprised at her new location.
She was in a large pub and restaurant that was unfamiliar to her, since Mrs. Forester would take her along on trips so she could clean everything. The pub was very large, filled with many wooden tables, chairs, and stools. What caught Susanna's eyes was that the moving furniture and utensils all around her, some floating in mid-air. The patrons throughout the pub were not reacting to the floating and moving objects, and Susanna could see some others moving wooden sticks around causing some of the objects to move. Wizards and witches must use wands, she realized after watching many of wizards wave the sticks around. She moved her attention from the wands to the walls. There were photographs, newspaper, and magazine articles all over the walls, and the subjects seemed to be moving, instead of staying still like normal. Susanna starred at the photographs, her mouth opening at the sights. This will definitely take some getting used to, she thought to herself as she tried to find the name of the pub.
"Where are we, Professor McGonagall?" Susanna asked, turning to ask the professor. Ms. McGonagall seemed to not hear her as she looked around the pub for someone.
"You're in the Leaky Cauldron, girl," a sly voice answered behind her. Susanna slowly turned around, and her eyes widen at the sight. It was a short, hunchback man wearing all black that highlighted his snow white bald head. His black, beady eyes seemed to stare holes through Susanna, and she tried to look everywhere but straight at the man.
"Hello, Tom," Professor McGonagall greeted the man, who was occupied with the peanuts in his bony hands. "We are just making our way to Diagon Alley."
"Well, go on then," Tom told the two as he walked away to the pub. Susanna made sure to not look him in the eyes as he walked by her. Such a pleasant fellow, she thought to herself as McGonagall led her out of the pub to a brick wall. Susanna became confused as they just stood there. She began rocking back and forth on her heels as McGonagall took out her wand and began touching the bricks in a counterclockwise direction. Suddenly, the bricks began rumbling and soon they began moving back into the wall. The bricks started moving in different directions, folding on top of each other. They were moving in opposite directions, creating an opening for the two. Susanna's jaw dropped again, and she figured the surprises were going to keep on coming.
In front of her, a long alley filled with shops lined the street. Magical objects hovered, floated, and lay across many shelves in the store windows. Things from flying broomsticks, cauldrons, books, robes, and other supplies were being sold all around. Susanna was in amazement of the new world she was being introduced to. There were many families walking along the alley, walking in and out of the shops. Susanna felt like a lost puppy standing there, unsure of what to do. Professor McGonagall gently placed a hand on the eleven year old's shoulder and led her of the way of the crowd.
"Now, do you have the first-year supply list with you?" McGonagall kindly asked Susanna, and she quickly reached into her pocket for the list. She had always carried her Hogwarts letter and supply list with her at all times to make sure that no one at the orphanage could find out about it. All they knew was Susanna was going to a boarding school for a few months, and that was all Susanna figured they needed to know. She knew the list by heart but decided to go over it to make sure.
UNIFORM
First- year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"I need to get a wand first," Susanna told the professor, but she was sure the professor knew exactly what was on the list.
"Well, we will go to Gringotts to retrieve some money," McGonagall replied. Susanna's face fell at the mention of a bank and more specifically money.
"I don't have any money to buy the supplies," Susanna shamefully told the professor. McGonagall smiled at her actions, realizing the girl had a lot to learn.
"Not ordinary muggle money, special wizard money. I have a feeling you will be surprised," McGonagall tried to encourage as she led Susanna down the alley, past many families and eager, young wizards and witches.
Susanna starred in awe of the large, snow white building, with many crooked columns and beams. But, the building looked as sturdy as could be. 'Gringotts Wizarding Bank' was written above the large doors as many people entered and exited the building. Susanna slowly made her way up the steps and through the doors. The inside had a large ceiling with chocolate brown walls, marble floors, and long wooden counters. The eleven-year-old was surprised at the little creatures stamping, checking books, and many other banking things.
"What are those things?" Susanna asked the professor.
"Goblins, not the most friendly creatures to associate with," McGonagall answered, drawing Susanna a little closer to her so she wouldn't wonder off. The two walked to the end of the counters, where a goblin was watching them approach.
"Name?" the goblin asked in a really monotone voice, starring the two down with beady eyes. Susanna was growing more and more nervous. The goblin seemed to be growing irritated with having no answer. "Name please."
"Susanna Leigh Gates," the eleven-year-old answered in a nervous, stuttered tone. The goblin sighed and took out a small, golden key. He handed it out to Susanna, and she hesitantly took it.
"Make sure not to lose it," McGonagall reminded Susanna, placing the key in her jeans' pocket. The goblin hopped off of his counter and walked around to meet the two. Susanna was really surprised at how short he was but tried not to show it.
"Follow me, please," the goblin instructed the two ladies as he began walking down a long hall. They stopped at a black cart, and McGonagall guided Susanna to her seat. The goblin sat down in the driver seat, which had an old, metal wheel in front of it. "Fasten the seat belts." Susanna quickly fastened the seat belt and held on tight to the handlebars when the cart suddenly took off at high speeds. It moved along the track smoothly and quickly, passing many stops. Before she knew it, the cart had stopped in front of a vault.
"Vault 758," the goblin announced to the two others before getting off the cart. Susanna quickly followed, wondering what the vault would reveal. The three stopped in front of large, black door that was designed in many intricate patterns. "Key please?" the goblin asked, holding his hand out for Susanna. She quickly told out the small, golden key and placed it in the goblin's hand. The goblin took the key and drove it into a small lock. Susanna could hear the mechanisms moving around in the door, and it suddenly opened up. Susanna was surprised at the vast amount of gold coins in the middle, forming a tall cone. All around it where other types of coins, in different colors and sizes.
"Wow," was all Susanna could say at the sight, surprised that she was left the vast amount in front of her. "I was left all this?"
"Yes, now you can take some to buy your supplies," McGonagall added, handing Susanna a small sack. Susanna took many coins from the different types. "Let's go buy your wand." Susanna followed the professor as they walked down the alley to a shop called Ollivander's Wand Shop. Susanna slowly walked up the steps and into the shop. The walls were covered with small boxes covered hundreds of shelves. The shopkeeper was an elderly man with snow white hair and a kind face. He was putting away a box when he spotted the professor and the eleven-year-old.
"Why, hello there Professor McGonagall, what a pleasure to see you," the man greeted, smiling brightly.
"A pleasure to see you too," the professor agreed.
"What brings you to my shop?" the shopkeeper asked the teacher, moving the boxes around his desk.
"I've brought Susanna Gates to get her supplies for Hogwarts," the teacher answered. Ollivander's gaze landed on the eleven-year-old, and his smiled widen at the girl.
"Hello, Susanna, I'm Ollivander, the owner of this shop," Ollivander greeted again. "Now, you're looking for a wand, step over here please." Susanna moved to the side of the desk while the shopkeeper gathered a few boxes and placed them on the desk. He withdrew a foot long wand that was pure black with a gray handle. "Try this one." Susanna held it in her hands, but she knew something did not feel right. "Now, give it a little flick." Susanna flicked it in her hands, but as soon as she did, many of the boxes flew from the shelves onto the floor. Ollivander quietly laughed, having seen the sight many times that day.
He took the wand from Susanna's hand and placed it in its box before withdrawing another one. "Try this one again." Susanna grasped the wand and felt a surge move through her body, gathering near the wand. Suddenly, the wind began picking up, swirling around the girl. Ollivander's face lightened up, smiling at the girl. "Now there's a match. 10 inch, silver lime with a dragon heartstring, and a perfect match for you." Susanna quickly paid the shopkeeper, and the professor and future student walked throughout the alley. Susanna's wonder and amazement grew for the magical, wizarding world, excitement for what was in store.
Glad you made it down here! Hopefully it was okay! Click on the review button and tell me what you thought! Thanks to BookKailei and LaLa-036 for reviewing the last chapter, Nes4597 for favoriting the story, and klant, XxX Fred Weasley's Wife XxX, BookKailei, and LaLa-036 for adding the story to story alerts. Well, that's all I have to say, so see you on whatever I update next!