They had to walk for a little while to get to the castle. Johnathan explained that the castle was warded, so you couldn't Apparate right into it. Harry supposed that made a lot of sense for security reasons. She didn't mind at all. She was actually feeling a little overwhelmed and savored the chance to clear her head in the fresh air a little bit.
Everything was so amazing! She had cast an actual spell, and now she was going to attend a magic school. And... she was certain she had heard Johnathan mention her parents to himself when he first got a good look at her. Was her mother a witch?
Was her mother... alive, maybe? Would a witch, who apparently lived in 'our world' die in a car crash? Harry didn't really know what to think, especially since there were things Johnathan said she'd have explained to her later.
Harry thought about her mom a lot. She had the faintest memories of her. They were what gave Harry the ability to know what love was. Because if she was honest with herself... truly, deeply honest... she knew the Dursleys didn't love her. Not even a little bit. But her mother had clearly loved her dearly and Harry loved her mother too.
Harry looked up when she saw a witch running out from the castle to greet them. She was dressed in green velvety robes and had a tall black hat. She was old and had a stern expression, but seemed to Harry to be a perfect person. A real witch, even with a witch's hat!
"Who - " The woman began to ask. She cut herself off when she saw Harry, carrying the same expression Johnathan had.
Harry spoke up first this time. "I'm Harriet Potter. I received my letter from Hogwarts in the mail, but I think something went wrong. I didn't know about magic before it - not really. Are you Professor McGonagal?"
"A good guess, Ms. Potter - I am."
Harry squealed in joy, startling the two adults slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry," She said, "I'm just so happy - Professor, I started thinking of you like a fairy godmother. I - "
Harry blushed and looked down. She wouldn't have said any more, but the two adults both waited silently for her to finish, so she felt she had to.
"I've always had a bit of a fantasy, like I'm some kind of Cinderella. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia... they really aren't very kind to me. I suppose... they feel forced to take care of me. I know that they spoil my cousin Dudley rotten. I don't know... I just always dreamed that someday someone would sweep me away from all that. I'm just... so happy."
Harry's eyes started to tear up again. Crybaby. She called herself. What was wrong with her? One emotion one minute, another in the next.
She was certainly crying now - how embarrassing her tears were just made it worse. Johnathan looked uncomfortable - but Professor McGonagal suddenly and unexpectedly hugged her. Harry hadn't expected it from the stern-looking woman. Her tears stopped very quickly. A hug - it was a wonderful thing.
"No more of that now. Let's get you inside - I'd like to hear more about the Dursleys."
The way she said Dursley - Harry got the idea she knew them and didn't like what she knew.
Professor McGonagal took her to a small office. The adults walked with big footsteps in quick pace - Harry was so focused on keeping up she could barely admire the surroundings. What she did see amazed her - moving staircases, living paintings, and incredible architecture, like something out of a storybook.
Almost immediately after they sat down in the spartan office, a tiny creature appeared. It was rather ugly, Harry couldn't help noting, but just a little cute at the same time, and clearly friendly, since it left them tea and sandwiches before disappearing away.
"What was that?" Harry asked.
"A house-elf," Johnathan said, "They take care of wizards like us - house-elves are, for some reason, fond of work. They... I wouldn't say they're very bright, but they're very kind. Be sure you never mistreat them."
Harry nodded. She wouldn't dream of it.
After that, Johnathan introduced himself and explained to the professor how he'd come to meet Harry. Harry, in turn, explained about the letter and how she had unknowingly cast magic.
They didn't say anything during her story, but Harry caught the two adults sharing unhappy glances. She wondered if maybe she had done something wrong, but decided not and pushed it away from her mind.
"Before we move on, I'd like to revisit something. You live... in a cupboard, under the stairs, Ms. Potter?" Professor McGonagal asked.
Harry nodded.
"Is there no room for you anywhere else?"
Harry bit her lip. She didn't want to seem like she was complaining, but she didn't want to lie to the nice people she'd met either. She'd lied too much today anyway.
"Well, there is, sort of. There's a spare room in the house that Dudley uses for his toys. I don't mind being under the stairs. I don't have a lot of stuff anyway, so it isn't an issue."
Harry felt proud for being truthful without whinging.
"And why did you have to hide the letter from your relatives?" Johnathan asked.
"They might have gotten angry. I... sort of figured out that my uncle was hiding the letters from me. I don't think they want me to go - Uncle Vernon especially hates all things magic. When I was really pretty little, I did... 'accidental magic'. I didn't know what it was back then, but it made my uncle very, very angry. He hit me when he saw it and I didn't get dinner for a week."
Harry looked up very quickly, "B-but even though they don't want me to go, I still want to! I really, really want to go to Hogwarts! I can't imagine there's anything I want more! Can I attend without parental permission? Oh, please!"
Johnathan was very pale. Professor McGonagal looked livid, like a junk yard dog about to start barking. Harry was ashamed of herself. She wasn't sure what had made them angry, but hated herself for messing up already.
"I promise you, Ms. Potter, regardless of what your relatives think, you will attend our school. I will make sure of that personally. There is nothing to be afraid of, Ms. Potter, I assure you."
Did she look afraid? Harry took what the professor said to heart and tried to smile.
"Tonight, you will stay in the castle with me, Ms. Potter. I will be in touch with your... relatives." Professor McGonagal said the word distastefully.
Harry was elated. How wonderful!
"Johnathan, thank you for helping out Ms. Potter. I can take things for here. I'm sure the school would like to reward you for doing a large part of the job we should have done for us, so expect my owl."
Johnathan reached up as if to tip a hat he forgot he wasn't wearing and said a goodbye to Harry. Before he left, he stuffed several sandwiches into his pockets - that made Harry giggle.
When he left, the room was momentarily quiet.
"Ms. Potter. We need to take you shopping for your school things, but before that, there are some things I need to explain to you. You didn't know about magic at all... what have the Dursleys told you about your parents?"
"They said they died in a car crash. They were drunk when it happened. It was very good of my aunt and uncle to take in an orphan like me." Harry said.
Professor McGonagal shook her head. "That was a lie." Are they not dead? "Your parents were heroes, Harry. War heroes, to be precise. Years ago, there was an uprising in our world, founded on hatred and led by a very evil, very powerful man. Few could stand against him - this wizard was one of the most powerful in our world."
Harry was entranced in the story, on the edge of her seat. So what had happened?
Professor McGonagal continued, "He was so feared that even today, years after his defeat, many fear to speak his name. That name was... Voldemort. He is called You-know-who. It is important you know his true name and in many cases say it, but I recommend you take care in where you say the awful name. To some people, it is thoughtless and rude. Many died fighting against him in this war.
"For an unknown reason, Voldemort targeted your parents in particular. They were forced into hiding, with you, where we thought you were safe. But in the end, he found them. He killed them both." Harry gasped, horrified, "But you survived. More than that, you somehow injured You-know-who. Killed him even, many think. That's made you more or less a hero in our world. We call you the Girl-Who-Lived. It is a sad tale, but it meant the fall of Voldemort. The safety of our world."
Harry was shocked. "I... I see. That's..."
The professor nodded, "Yes, it's not a happy story, but it's important to know. His followers, called Death-eaters, were many. Maybe even more than there were on our side, the side of the Light. At the end of the war, many escaped punishment for their crimes. These people might hate you and even try to act against you. You must be careful."
Harry nodded. She was feeling a little frightened, but did manage to assure herself with thoughts of storybooks. There was always an enemy. And a battle. In the end, the good side prevailed. So long as she was cautious and careful and brave, she'd be okay.
"I am sorry that you had to hear that. And I know, sometimes I can be blunt, but I think it's better you hear it all at once. If you would excuse me for a moment, I'll let the others know what has happened, then I'll take you to Diagon Alley - a wizarding marketplace, more or less. We can purchase your school supplies."
"I don't have any money." Harry said, her voice a little weak.
The professor didn't smile, but her face was gentle and friendly, "I know that your parents left a fund for you, just for this reason. And even if they did not, Hogwarts has money set aside for students who need help."
Harry smiled as a thank you.
She felt a little uncomfortable all alone in the office. She ate some sandwiches and drank some tea and stared out the window, but all over felt a little strange. She was happy, elated, to know that she was a witch about to be attending a magic school where she'd learn spells, potions, and amazing things. But she was also sad. Discomfited. The death of her parents...
When Professor McGonagal returned, they left in the same way Johnathan had taken her to Hogwarts.
Arriving in the alley, all unhappy thoughts went, for now, right out of Harry's head. There was magic everywhere! Wizards and witches walked the streets in brightly colored robes. Magical creatures accompanied them. In the windows where incredible devices and objects. In one, she even saw broomsticks - she couldn't wait until she rode broomsticks!
Professor McGonagal actually smiled a little at Harry's face.
"Though it's very exciting, we should first start with your wardrobe - those clothes don't fit you very well. I'll make a receipt and charge it to your account directly." Professor McGonagal appeared fully prepared and organized.
The clothing shop was called Madam Malkins. Harry was fitted for school robes, for a single set of dress robes, and for a small amount of casual wear. She was allowed to pick as she liked, but followed all of Professor McGonagal's advice to a tee, buying not very much and making sure what she did buy was inexpensive and relatively plain - comfort was valued most highly. Unique and special items were noted in Harry's mind - dragon hide gloves and boots! How cool.
Next, to a luggage shop. She purchased a large, mundane trunk that would hold all her things and a satchel to carry for class everyday. She forced Professor McGonagal to promise to teach her how to cast enlarging and weightless charms later, as she was enthralled by those far more expensive magical items.
She purchased a beginner's potion kit, the books in her letter, a telescope, and some basic supplies, like quills and parchment.
At the wand shop, Professor McGonagal stood with erect posture and very close to Harry. She fixed the shop-keeper with a stern eye and watched carefully as Harry tried out wands.
She ended up with a wand made of holly wood with a phoenix feather core. She had no idea what that meant, but was very pleased none-the-less. She was so eager to try it out, but the professor made her put it in her wrist holster and wait until later.
"And would you like a pet as well, Ms. Potter? You don't need an owl - the school has ones you can use - but many students enjoy having a familiar."
Harry considered. Oh~, she would love a pet. Wouldn't that be so much fun? A cute cat or a magic owl... but in the end she shook her head.
"No, I don't think so. I'd like to have a pet someday, but I don't think I want to take the responsibility to care for one right now. There's so much for me to learn about this incredible new world - it wouldn't be right for me to have a pet when I know I'm going to be so busy. Next year, I think, I would love to have a cat."
The professor nodded approvingly and together, they Apparated back to the castle. Harry was exhausted - there had been so much excitement today!
Once back, Professor McGonagal led Harry down to the kitchens - the professor was too busy to stay and eat with her, but assured Harry she would return after Harry had finished her meal in the company of the house elves.
Harry was very impressed with the little creatures. They were kind and very full of energy. Best of all, they seemed so happy to have Harry with them. The dinner they made for her was amazing - a lamb pie, vinegar'd vegetables, rolls of bread, pumpkin juice, and a gigantic slice of chocolate cake (her favorite) for dessert! Harry hadn't eaten that much for a long time - maybe ever. She made sure to thank the house elves enthusiastically and they were clearly happy with her praise.
After quite a while, Professor McGonagal returned. There was a very old man with her - he had a sheepish, ashamed look on his face. Professor McGonagal seemed to be very angry with him.
Still though, the old man looked very important. Harry brushed off her shirt and shook to greet them, even bowing her head a little bit.
"Ms. Potter, this is Headmaster Dumbledore."
Dumbledore held out his hand for her to shake. Harry did so happily. She remembered his name from her letter - Professor Dumbledore had many titles.
"I am so pleased to finally meet you, Harriet." Dumbledore said to her, truly looking like he was.
Harry was a little embarrassed he'd used her first name when Professor McGonagal used her last, but a little happy about it too.
"It's good to meet you too, Headmaster." Harry said.
McGonagal spoke next, "The Headmaster has agreed to an idea of mine. You obviously need a place to stay and aside from in the dorms, we don't have any free beds. I'd hate to set you up on a couch somewhere, and while we could put you into one of the dorms, I feel it would prejudice you against the other Houses - you see, here at Hogwarts, students are each assigned a 'House' when they first come to the school. This House will dictate where you room in the castle, where your common areas are, and your class schedule. The different Houses compete with each other in a sport and in classes. They also are an example of the traits you value, each House having different valued traits."
"The four Houses," Professor Dumbledore said, "Are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Your par-"
Professor McGonagal cut him off, in Harry's eyes a little rudely. "Gryffindor stands for bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry. Ravenclaw stands for intelligence, knowledge, and wit. Hufflepuff stands for hard work, patience, loyalty, and fair play. Slytherin stands for ambition, cunning, and resourefulness. Whichever House you end up in is acceptable - you should be in whichever House suits you." The professor gave Dumbledore a bit of glare - Harry wondered what the kind-looking old man had done.
"And you want me to choose which one I'll be in." Harry said.
"Not exactly," Said Dumbledore, producing a curious hat from his robes, "We have a special ceremony to do that. Normally - " He gave Professor McGonagal a somewhat withering look, "All students are sorted, using the Sorting Hat, at the same time at the start of the year, but your professor would prefer we did this now."
"You simply wear the hat and it will assign you a House. The hat speaks to you in your mind - you need not worry, as it won't betray any of your secrets, but it will look directly into your memories."
That was a little off-putting, but Harry nodded and accepted the hat from Dumbledore. There were even magical, thought-reading hats in the world. Harry didn't know what to think.
Standing there, a little awkwardly, Harry put the hat on her head.
"Hmm. Bit early for the first years, isn't it? I see, I see." Said a strange voice.
That's the hat. Harry thought to herself.
"Yes, thickhead, I am the hat, here to sort you - a difficult problem."
Harry blushed. She was a little embarrassed. What if she thought of something bad? Oh no, there she goes...
The hat laughed loudly inside her mind as together they watched an image of Harry stealing chocolate cake from the school cafeteria in Surrey - something she still felt very guilty about and had never admitted to anyone.
"You're dishonest..." Said the hat.
No! Thought Harry. Well... yes, she supposed she was. She hated herself for that and many other things. Storybooks always said lying was bad, and stealing too. She certainly wasn't a very good person. That meant Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were out, she supposed. How sad.
"Not necessarily," Said the hat, "Hm... you're a thinker. Introverted, not exactly shy... Not always the brightest perse, but very good in school, with a love of reading. You'd fit well in Ravenclaw."
I like the sound of Ravenclaw. Harry thought.
"Oh, we aren't done yet," Said the hat, "You might be a better fit in Slytherin. You could do great things in Slytherin..."
Harry pursed her lips, "I don't know. They're all good traits." Oops! She'd said that out loud.
The hat seemed to have heard her anyway. "Yes. No House is truly greater than the others, because everyone is different, and what's important is finding where you belong, not necessarily what is the greatest for you."
Is this... well, very important? Is it something I'm sure to regret later? Harry asked, thinking directly.
"I assure you, Harry. Any House you choose will be for you a good fit and I think you and I have both already made up our minds."
The way the hat said that, it made it sound like what she decided was also important. She didn't have time to ask about that - the hat shouted (literally shouted) "RAVENCLAW!" into the faces of her future professors.
Dumbledore had a strangely annoyed look. McGonagal seemed momentarily disappointed, but then looked happy. Strange. In any case, they took the hat off her head, Dumbledore wished her a goodnight and left with a sweep of robes, and Professor McGonagal led her to 'Ravenclaw Tower'.
"Ms. Potter, the teachers all know the locations of all the houses, but to the students, they are mostly unknown. We prefer to keep it this way - tradition. And one more thing you should be aware of," Professor McGonagal stopped in front of a peculiar knocker on a wall, "The door to the tower will only open if you answer a riddle or question it presents you. A somewhat obtuse system, but it promotes learning and intelligence. Knock here and it will speak to you."
Curious. Harry nodded and raised the knocker, gently banging it to make a sound. She shrieked (just a little) when it moved under her hand.
It spoke in a melodious voice, "Zeno fires an arrow. If everything when it occupies an equal space is at rest, and if that which is in locomotion is always occupying such a space at any moment, the flying arrow is therefore motionless. If the arrow does not move at any instant during its flight, when does it move?"
Professor McGonagal made a noise, but Harry ignored her.
"Mm-mm." She said, "Your premise contains a fallacy: the idea that motion is measured in meters. Motion is meters-per-second. That is, within an instant the arrow will move zero meters, but an instant is zero seconds. The arrow must move from the start of its flight to end."
And like the magic that it was, the wall opened up before them.
What was inside was beautiful. The room was decorated in blue and bronze with big, noise-absorbing curtains over the walls. There were desks, plush chairs, all kinds of wonderful places to be. A statue of a beautiful woman wearing a striking tiara. The most incredible part was the ceiling: it was painted with all the stars of the night sky in perfectly accurate arrangement. Amazing.
For some reason, Professor McGonagal had appeared momentarily shocked, but she recovered quickly and led Harry upstairs. The things they had purchased in Diagon Alley were somehow already there, even Harry's robes.
"We forget to get you a set to sleep in," McGonagal said.
"I can sleep in my day-clothes, that's just fine," Harry said, in awe of the private space that would be hers. Her bed was enormous and there was a personal desk next to it. There were only three other such spaces in the room - three roommates. How wonderful!
"Showers are through the back." The professor said, indicating, "I imagine you would like to take one before you sleep. In the mean time, I'll fetch you a pair of my old ones - I can shrink them to your size for tonight. Do you remember how to get to the kitchens and my office from here?"
Harry nodded. Of course she did, it wasn't much to remember. Strangely, McGonagal seemed a little impressed.
"Good. In the morning, you should have your breakfast there and then go find me afterwards. Make sure that you get enough sleep, we're in no hurry."
Harry nodded and said good night, then in a fit of rashness hugged the professor before she could go.
"Thank you," She said, her eyes tearing up as usual. Embarrassed of herself, Harry turned and ran to the showers before Professor McGonagal could say anything.
All in all, it had been a very magical day and Harry felt the first of many such magical days.