Ch. 6 First Day Nerves and Howlers
Kira woke startled by the brightness of the morning. She woke up in a bit of a daze, with yesterday a blur and confusion surrounding where she was. Aana had already left the room, with her bed neatly made. Kira sat up, slowly regaining her memory and slowly realizing what an interesting day she was about to have. Her first class was at 9:00am and it was 7:30, so she decided to go have some breakfast.
Kira walked into the great hall and easily spotted Aana's dark hair at the Hufflepuff table. She had been waiting for Kira to come anyway, and quickly waved her over.
"Good morning Kira. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. That was actually the best I've slept in a long time. But I was exhausted. Good morning to you," Kira replied with a smile. She wasn't generally what you would call a "morning person" but Aana's kindness put her in a wonderful mood. She sat down beside of Aana and began discussing her schedule. "Aana, do you think you could show me around later today?"
"Absolutely!" Aana replied. "Most of our classes for today are actually in similar locations, so that's taken care of. But after class today I would love to show you around." Aana smiled and peace ran through Kira. Aana was so willing to help. So self sacrificing. Kira had never met anyone she respected more. "So your..." Aana was about to say something when the look on Kira's face made her stop. Kira's eyes were fixed on the tawny owl that had just flown in the window. Her family's owl. With a bright red howler in his beak. The owl dropped the letter and flew off leaving Kira in absolute terror. "I can't open it!" People were starting to stare, and the howler looked as if it was about to burst! "Umm Kira?..." Aana said softly... You'd better open it quick. It will only get worse." Kira slowly opened the envelope and braced herself for what would inevitably follow.
"KIRA ARAZA KUROI!" her fathers voice began. "WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU THINKING? YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A STRANGE GIRL BUT HUFFLEPUFF? OF ALL THE HOUSES... HUFFLEPUFF!? YOU HAVE DISGRACED OUR ENTIRE FAMILY! YOUR POOR MOTHER IS BESIDE HERSELF WONDERING WHERE SHE WENT WRONG AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE CERTAIN THAT YOU ARE NOT A KUROI! DONT BOTHER EVER SHOWING YOUR FACE HERE AGAIN! AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED YOU ARE DEAD TO US! HAVE FUN WITH YOUR NEW MUDBLOOD FRIENDS, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL PROVIDE A HOME FOR YOU! DISGUSTING!" With that, the letter burst into flames and Kira ran out of the room devastated.
As if first days of school were not hard enough, Kira was now homeless. There was no way she would ever be able to pay attention in class. She didn't want to see anyone in the dormitories, so she ran to the bathroom and locked herself in a stall for hours. Her first class went by, and Aana noticed she had not shown up and went to search for her. When she finally found her, Kira was an absolute mess. She was sobbing so hard she was close to hyperventilation, her eyes were so red and swollen from crying that she was barely recognizable and her hair was a mess from the way she ran earlier. "Kira," Aana said softly, and stepping toward her. Kira wrapped her arms around her new mentor and sobbed even harder. Aana just held her head as she weeped. There was nothing she could say to console her. Aana's parents hadn't been happy about her decision to come to Hogwarts, but at least they hadn't thrown her out. "Shhh," Aana tried, "it will be ok." But she knew that was a promise she couldn't make. When Kira finally stopped crying enough to speak, she looked up at Aana and said, "what am I going to do?"
"Let's go find Professor Sprout. I'm sure she can help us. Plus it's nearly lunchtime. You need to eat. Come on, let's get you cleaned up first."
Aana led Kira over to the bathroom sink and handed her a hairbrush from her purse. Kira washed her face, and fixed her hair as best as she could and agreed to go with Aana to find Professor Sprout.
They started toward the herbology lab when they were cut off by Professor Mcgonnagal. "Kira dear, I heard about the incident at breakfast and wanted you to know I understand your absence. However, this will be the last time of course. Truancy is highly frowned upon and will result in loss of points for your house. Under the circumstances... I'll let this one slide."
"Thank you Professor," Aana answered for her. "We are off to see Professor Sprout if you..."
"Yes dear do carry on. Oh and Kira, I want you to know how proud I am of you. It took a lot of courage to do what you did. But please, carry on. And I will see you tomorrow." She said the last bit with certainty.
Her comment threw Kira off a bit. Proud of her for defying her family? Or maybe for being herself... She wasn't sure. All she knew was she no longer had a family apparently.
They arrived at Professor Sprouts office and did not even have to knock when she burst out from her office and seized Kira in a hug.
"Great... Now I've went from feared to pitied..." Kira thought.
"Oh dear I'm so glad you came. What can I do to help you? Have you anywhere to go? Well we mustn't think of that right now it's only the start of the term. But will you have enough money to get you through the term? Why I'm sure we will help you out, not to worry at all." Kira didn't have any time to answer any of the questions Professor Sprout rattled off, but they made her worry even more. No home, no money, and no family. Kira was completely abandoned. "Now, put all of that out of your mind. We Hufflepuffs are very giving," she said with a smile. "You won't have one need that will be unmet for your time here dear don't you worry. Pity your family is choosing to miss out on such a wonderful daughter."
"Professor, could I have a word?" It was finally Aana's turn to speak. "Alone?" She pointed her eyes toward Kira.
"Certainly, Kira help yourself to some of the tea on my desk, it's lavender, should calm your nerves a bit. We will just be a moment." And they stepped outside.
"Professor, how can I offer any comfort to her when she has lost everything? I don't know what to say or what to do! I just feel like I'm useless and honestly she's a basket case. Maybe she should take some time in the hospital wing or something because..." Aana was abruptly cut off by Professor Sprout, "Now, now. I won't have the both of you two in a mess. You are wise beyond your words and have one of the kindest hearts I know Aana. Don't worry about solving all of Kira's problems, just be a friend for her in her time of need. She hasn't lost everything as long as she still has you. Do you have any more classes today?"
"Just one, but it's advanced potions with Professor Snape."
"Even more reason for you to miss for now, the Slytherin house is in a mess over this as well. Kira has been destined for their house since birth and they're taking quite an offense to her absence. Seeing it as a betrayal. And sadly, you are connected to this mess now too. I'm writing you an excuse for the rest of the day, one for Kira as well. Take her somewhere just the two of you and get her calmed down. She must go to classes tomorrow."
"But what if..?"
"I'll handle everything. This is clearly your purpose for the year. Class is extremely important, but never see success as greater than friendship."
And with that, Professor Sprout opened the door and went back inside. Aana followed her in and noticed Kira was much more calm and looking better. She wondered what exactly was in the tea...
"Ok Kira," Aana started, "let's go."