Chapter 4 A train journey and a toad

Maira woke up early on September 1st eager to get to London and the train station. She made sure that everything was packed neatly in her trunk and all that she would need for the train journey was in her schoolbag. She would not bring her trunk on the train since it already was at Hogwarts. Lastly she packed a uniform in the schoolbag; she would change on the train so no muggles would see her. Feeling content with her preparation she moved towards her dad's room to wake him up. He was stilling sleeping as she entered the room.

"Dad," she said shaking him. Her father groaned as he began stirring.

"What time is it?" he muttered and as he opened his eyes to look at her.

"5.45" Maira answered promptly. Matthew groaned again, of course she wouldn't be able to sleep. His body protesting craving more sleep, he sat up and grabbed his dressing gown from the chair next to the bed.

"How about some tea," he said and started to rise. Maira nodded and ran out to the kitchenette Matthew following in a more subdued pace. He had a feeling that it would be a long morning.

#

Half past ten Maira finally arrived to Kings Cross station with her father. She had wanted to leave at seven already but Matthew had told her no and when she started whining he had told her that they didn't need to leave at all. Maira answered by retreating to her room to sulk. It only lasted for 10 minutes though, before she was back itching to go. Matthew had droned 5 cups of tea so far in hope of coping with her excitement. He couldn't blame her it was an exciting day, but he could help feeling a pain of sorrow. Maira had gotten so big and she was ready for new adventures. She wouldn't have time for him.

"Dad, come on!" Maira whined dragging his hand. Chuckling Matthew cleared the barrier to platform nine and three quarters with his daughter.

"Let's find you a compartment," he said as his daughter starred in awe at the scarlet train. She found an empty compartment in the end of the train and her dad followed her in to make sure it was okay. She was soon joined by Neville Longbottom, she didn't know him very well but they had meet a few times and Maira felt more comfortable with a familiar face. As the clock neared 10 she started to feel scare. Making at decision she ventured out on the platform and throw her arms around her dad, who was talking to Neville's grandmother.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Matthew asked noticing his daughter's tears.
"I'm leaving and I'll stay in a dorm," Maira said tears falling freely on her face. Matthew crouched down and gently wiped her tears.

"We'll see one another tonight; I'll be there at the staff table. Okay?" Maira nodded and Matthew continued. "You can always come to our quarters and your room. It's not going anywhere." He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Now smile, get on the train and find some new friends," he said pushing her towards the train.

"Promise you'll be there," Maira asked as she got on the train.

"I promise, I love you!" Matthew said as the train started to leave the station. Maira hung out the window waving to her father until he disappeared. When she closed the window she noticed a bushy haired girl had joined them in the compartment.

"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger and you are?" she asked holding out her hand. Maira took her hand and shook it.

"Maira McGonagall," she said sitting down again.

"I'm muggleborn, I was really surprised to learn about Hogwarts but I can't wait to learn. I've already read all my books of course and a few others I picked up for reference." Maira starred at Hermione she wasn't she sure that she even breathed as she talked. Apparently Hermione didn't expect an answer instead she started telling her and Neville all about Hogwarts that she had read in Hogwarts a history. Maira looked bewildered at Neville that appeared intimidated by Hermione. The arrival of Fred and George that whisked her away was a welcome distraction.

"We thought you could do with a bit of saving," George said as they moved down the train.

"She talks a lot that one," Fred added.

"Tell me about it," Maira muttered, she felt a bit guilty to leave Neville with her but she didn't think she would be able to listen to her all the way to Hogwarts. Fred and George lead her to the compartment were Ron sat and opened the door.

"Here you go madam," Fred said with a bow.

"If you require our assistant we shall be in the middle of the train," George added with a bow of his own before the twins left. Maira sat down next to Ron dropping her bag on the floor.

"Hi!"

"Hi, thought I would see you at the platform" Ron said shrugging.

"We arrived early!" Noticing the other boy Maira smiled. "I'm Maira McGonagall," she said with a smile.

"I'm Harry Potter, we met in Diagon alley, right?" he said smiling

"Yes, we did." Maira said making herself comfortable.

"So what house do you think you will be in," Ron asked.

"Gryffindor, I hope. Don't know how I'll be able to face granny otherwise," Maira said. Harry looked confused and Maira felt that she needed to explain.

"My grandmother is Gryffindor head of house."

"Your grandmother works at Hogwarts? Your dad work there too right" Harry asked with wonder.

"Yes they both do, Granny teaches transfiguration," Maira said with a dramatic sigh."I'll never get away with anything." They boys laughed and Maira pretended to pout.

"You plan to get in trouble," Ron laughed.

"Well I was recruited by your brothers last year," Maira laughed.

"Yes because they thought you were a good look out. How many detentions did they receive 20?" Maira stuck her tongue out at Ron.

"How long have you two known one another," Harry asked.

"All my life unfortunately," Maira groaned.

"Mum is Maira's godmother," Ron added. Maira watched the landscape fly by outside the window and felt excited. Soon they would be there.

"So you must know a lot of magic then growing up in the wizard world?" Harry asked a crestfallen look on his face.

"Not really, you're not allowed to use magic before you start Hogwarts" Ron said shrugging.

"You only get your wand after you accepted anyway," Maira said. "Besides there are always loads of muggleborns and the always catch up.

"George gave me a spell to turn Scabbers yellow," Ron suddenly said. "Do you want to see?" Both Harry and Maira nodded and Ron grabbed his wand turn it towards Scabbers and cleared his throat. Before he had a chance to say anything the door to the compartment opened and Hermione stepped in.

"How you seen a toad a boy called Neville has lost his?" she said looking around the compartment. "Oh you're doing magic let's see!" Maira felt sorry for Ron as he stumbled through the spell that obviously was made up. Hermione however frowned.

"Are you sure that's a real spell, it's not very good. I tried a few myself and they always worked for me," she said and demonstrated that by repairing Harry's glasses. She left soon after introducing herself to Ron and Harry and being told that they hadn't seen a toad.

"Are you sure that's a real spell, I'm going to kill George," Ron groaned.

"There just pulling your wand," Maira said trying to comfort Ron. Ron shrugged and looked crestfallen.'

"Okay so this all knowing Hermione can do a few spells. I tried a spell too," Maira said trying to cheer the boys up. "I may have started a small fire in my room." Ron laughed loudly while Harry looked concern.

"A fire?" he said starring at her.

"Dad came right that moment and put it out, so nothing really happened. He was quiet angry and confiscated my wand, I only got it back this morning," Maira scowled. It had been highly unfair of her father to confiscate the wand Maira thought. Not to mention the cleaning and sorting of the bookshelves. It had taken her the better part of a week to finish that.

"You're lucky mum would have killed me," Ron laughed. Maira punched him in the arm before retrieving a quidditch magazine from her bag. Sitting back she started reading cancelling out the boys' discussion of Hogwarts.

#

They arrived just at the night began falling outside and leaving their luggage behind, it would be delivered to the castle, they disembarked from the train on to the platform.

"Firs' years this way," Hagrid was calling holding a lantern in the end of the platform. Maira stayed in the back as the first years gathered around Hagrid. Harry and Ron were standing next to the giant talking to him. As all the first years had gathered Hagrid lead them down to the water. Dozens of boats were waiting for them each lit with a lantern in the front causing the lake to reflect the tiny lights.

"Four to each boat," Hagrid called taking up a whole boat by himself. Maira choose a boat and was soon joined by Hermione and a pair of twins. When everyone had been seated in the boats they started moving slowly across the lake. It didn't take long before the first years got their first look at the castle. Maira looked the castle that had always been her home and still felt the same wonder as the other first years. She had seen the castle thousands of times, but it was something special to see in the dark across the lake. The big doors were opened by her grandmother, dressed in emerald she looked strictly at the new students.
"Thank you Hagrid, she said. "First years follow me!" She led them into a small room near the great hall. After telling them she would be back shortly Minerva left the first years alone in the room. Instantly the students started talking to each other a soft buzzing filling the room.

"So what do you think will happen?" Ron asked.

"Don't know, dad never told me" Maira shrugged focusing on studying the other students that would be her classmates. A shriek suddenly could be heard and turning around Maira saw several ghosts come in through the wall. She turned again ghosts were nothing exciting. Minerva returned moments later telling the first years to line up and follow her. Maira's stomach was full of butterflies as she followed Professor McGonagall to the sorting ceremony.