Chapter 5 A hat and four houses
Maira could hear the buzzing from the great hall before the doors opened, as professor McGonagall led the first years in to the great hall the buzzing began to die down. At the front of the great hall just below the teachers table a stool was placed and the first years were made to stand next to it. On the stool Minerva placed a battered old wizard's hat. The hall fell silent as all turn the attention to the hat. Suddenly the brim opened and the hat started singing. Its song was about the four houses of Hogwarts and its own role in the sorting. As the song and the following applause died down, professor McGonagall spoke.
"As I call your name you will sit down and place the hat on your head," she rolled out a roll of parchment. "Abbot, Hannah!" A blond girl stepped up to the stool and placed the hat on her head after a while it opened its brim and called out: "Huffelpuff!" One of the tables cheered and Hannah went over to join them. And so the sorting began name after the name was called and Maira waited patiently for her turn. She clapped as Neville was sorted into Gryffindor and finally it was her turn.
"McGonagall, Maira!" Maira walked up to the stool and placed the hat on her head. The hat was so big that it fell over her eyes and she couldn't see the hall around her.
"Hm," a voice suddenly said. "You're clever, a great mind suited for Rawenclaw but you lack the interest in school work. There is bravery too. Yes I see it now a true Gryffindor." The hat had shouted the last part and Maira took off the hat and walked towards Gryffindor table. She sat down next to Neville and Hermione, who also had been sorted into Gryffindor. She was in Gryffindor, just like she wanted. Maira searched along the teacher's table to find her dad; catching his eye he smiled at her to let her know he was happy. The sorting dragged on; she joined her new housemates in welcoming several new members to Gryffindor, Dean, Parvati, Harry and at last Ron. When the sorting finally was over, professor Dumbledore rose.
"I only have two words for you" he said his eyes twinkling. "Tuck in!" The table were suddenly filled with food and the chattered started once again the hall as the students feasted the start of school.
#
Maira had pulled the curtains to her four poster bed trying to sleep. It was quiet in the dorm, they were only four girls in there in total and the others were already asleep. But Maira couldn't she wanted her own bed and her own room. It was the first time in eleven years that dad hadn't been there to say good night. The thought of her dad started the tears that she had hold back for the last 10 minutes. With tears streaming down her face Maira abandoned her bed and left the dormitory quietly. The common room was empty thankfully and Maira left through the portrait hole. She hurried along in the hallways almost sprinting until she reached the portrait that hid the doorway to her dad's quarters. Sobbing out the password she stumbled into the living room. Her dad was still up, sitting in the sofa drinking tea and reading a book. As she entered he looked up and seeing her tears he was there in an instant engulfing her in a big hug.
"It's alright sweetie, what's the matter?" Matthew got no response from his daughter instead she sobbed harder and Matthew pulled her over to the sofa so they could sit down. Pulling her on to his lap he rocked her gently. They stayed like that for ten minutes before Maira's tears finally started to dry up.
"What's wrong?" Matthew asked concerned.
"Nothing," she whispered, she felt silly now seeking out her dad crying like a toddler.
"It's okay to fell home sick, many do," Matthew guessing what was troubling her. Maira looked up at him and he smiled back.
"It's been a long day and many new things have happened," he said.
"The bed felt wrong and I couldn't sleep," Maira said.
"I'm sure the bed will feel better soon, you just have to get use to it." Matthew wiped the tears from her face. "Do you want me to walk you to your common room?" Maira nodded and Matthew lifted her off his lap and offered his hand. They met her grandmother outside the common room; she had just stepped out the portrait hole.
"Maira, there you are," she said with a tired smile. "I'm afraid you've worried Miss Granger who noticed you were gone."
"Maira felt a little homesick," Matthew said as Maira hid behind his back. She wasn't sure that her grandmother would approve of her wandering the halls after curfew. But Minerva just smiled at her.
"That's perfectly normal, I think you will feel better in the morning," she said patting her shoulder as she left.
"Good night sweetie, I'll see you tomorrow," Matthew said giving her a finally hug.
"Good night dad," Maira said before climbing in through the portrait hole. When she entered the dormitory Hermione was awake.
"Maira where have you been?" she whispered.
"I'll tell you tomorrow," Maira said getting in to her bed. "Good night!" She closed her curtains and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
#
Maira woke early the next morning despite the late bedtime the night before. No one else was awake in the dormitory and she took advantage of the silence to get ready. As she emerged from the bathroom Hermione was dressed and waiting for her.
"Morning," Maira yawned as she pulled her hair up in a ponytail.
"Good morning, do you want to go to breakfast," Hermione asked getting up. Maira nodded and followed the other girl out of the dormitory. The common room was almost empty only a few older students linger there. It was still early just a little after seven o'clock, but breakfast started at six every day for the early rises. Since classes didn't start until nine most students didn't eat breakfast until eight. Hermione stopped when they had exit from the portrait hole. Deep in thought she stood silent for a while before she looked up and started walking to the left.
"I don't know where you are going, but the Great Hall is in the opposite direction," Maira said trying not to laugh.
"Are you sure, I could have sworn it was this way," Hermione looked flustered.
"Positive!" Maira said as she started walking. Hermione stood still for a while before she followed Maira. Maira who couldn't care less if Hermione followed her or not just keep walking. To Hermione's surprise they arrived in the great hall a few minutes later. The hall was sparsely populated and just a handful of teachers had arrived. Maira looked up at the staff table but neither her dad nor grandmother had arrived yet. Sighing she sat down next to Hermione half way down the Gryffindor table. Maira poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and grabbed a piece of toast buttering it.
"So where were you last night?" Hermione asked as she laid some eggs on her plate.
"I couldn't sleep so I took a walk," Maira shrugged. Hermione looked at her terrified.
"We are not supposed to leave the common room after curfew, besides you could have gotten lost," Hermione said her tone disbelieving.
"Hermione get off your high hippogriffs," Maira groaned. "Nothing happened. I missed my home," she added.
"Oh, next time you could talk to me," Hermione offered tentatively. Maira smiled, abandoning her breakfast she rose.
"Come on, I like to show you something," she said.
"But breakfast," Hermione protested but rose at the same time.
"We'll be back with plenty of time," Maira said leading the other girl out of the great hall. She led Hermione down the halls and up the stairs, with determination. Hermione had a hard time keeping up with the other girl. Maira suddenly stopped outside a portrait of an old sullen looking wizard. The wizard starred at them yawning at the same time.
"Snowball," Maira said and to Hermione's amazement the portrait swung open, and comfy living room could be seen.
"After you," Maira said gesturing for Hermione to enter. She did just that Maira right behind closing the portrait as she went in.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked looking around the living room amazed.
"The ancient runes professor's living quarters," Maira said helping herself to a biscuit from the kitchen. "Do you want one," she asked holding out the jar to the other girl.
"Are you mad?" Hermione shrilled. "You can't just break in to a professor's quarters, stealing their biscuits. We'll be expelled for sure." Hermione moaned.
"Relax, live a little," Maira said suppressing her laugh she couldn't help to play her a bit. To be honest she sort of liked Hermione but this was too good of an opportunity to not use. Matthew walked out from his bedroom and stopped as he noticed the two girls in the living room. Maira hurried to stuff the whole biscuit in her mouth and hiding the jar behind her back.
"Maira, put that jar back, it's 7.30 in the morning! Have you've even had breakfast yet." Maira blushed from the rebuke.
"I had a bit of toast," she tried to tell him but found it hard with the biscuit in the mouth.
"I am so sorry professor. I didn't mean to break in, but Maira led me her and she seems to lack an understanding of the rules," Hermione squeaked and looked fearfully at the professor. "Please don't expel me!" Matthew starred at the frighten girl and tried to follow what she said. As he comprehended what Hermione actually said he looked sternly at Maira to get her to speak up.
"Fine, I was only having a bit of fun," she muttered. "Hermione met my dad professor Matthew McGonagall. Dad this is Hermione we share a dormitory." Hermione starred at Maira trying to gasp what she just had said.
"Nice to meet you Hermione," Matthew said holding out his hand. Spying his daughter trying to sneak another biscuit he nailed her with a stern look. "Maira I'm not telling you again leave the biscuits alone." Grumbling Maira left the kitchenette and joined Hermione and her dad in the living room. Hermione seemed to shock to say anything and Maira actually felt rather sorry for the girl at the same time it had been really fun.
"Why don't I walk you girls down to breakfast Matthew said, ushering the girls towards the exit.
"That be nice, professor," Hermione finally manage to say and was the first to leave the quarters red as a tomato in the face. Maira was just about the follow but was hold back by her dad. Maira gulped as her father glared at her.
"Dad, I was only pulling her wand a bit," she offered squirming under his glance.
"That wasn't very nice, was it?" Matthew asked.
"Dad," Maira whined, he was being completely unfair in her opinion.
"I expect you to apologize to that poor girl, she looked absolutely terrified to be here."
"I will," Maira said dutiful looking at her father.
"And detention tonight, at six I think," Matthew added.
"Dad it's the first day," Maira said starring at him.
"Yes I believe you might have set a new record," he said smiling slightly gesturing for her to start walking. As she turned around and started walking he swatted her backside.
"Ouch, dad," she exclaimed but received no response from him. Hermione was waiting just outside the portrait, the wizard on the portrait starring angrily at her.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to frighten you," Maira said looking earnestly at the other girl.
"It's okay, I can see the fun," Hermione said smiling. "So can you find the way back to breakfast?" Maira laughed and led the way, Matthew standing forgotten behind them. Chuckling he followed the two girls to the great hall.
"So your dad works here," asked as they once again were seated in the great hall eating breakfast.
"Yes, all my life," Maira shrugged around a spoonful of porridge.
"Does he live here all the time?" Hermione continued.
"Yes, we moved in when I was two weeks old."
"Wait I minute McGonagall! Are you related to the other professor McGonagall too," Hermione exclaimed finally adding together the facts.
"Yes, my grandmother," Maira said smiling. Hermione might make a good friend she thought as her grandmother started making her way along the table handing out schedules.