MUGGLE STUDIES -YEAR ONE
CHAPTER 2:
A FIRST FOR FEASTS
Esther vacated the carriage and heaved her luggage off, thankful for the handle to drag it along as she stared up at the stone entrance tot he great castle. Swarms of black robed students passed her by with pointy hats. She could have mistook it for some muggle private schools if it wasn't so – 'magicky'.
She could almost feel it tingle on her skin, though perhaps that was the cold, Esther wondered if she would have time to change. Where was she supposed to go again? What about her luggage – damn. Better just follow the minions, and follow she did. The entrance lead to a set of large wooden double doors that opened with a slow yet majestic groan. Esther's breath caught in her throat and she joined the chorus of first years going "oooooh and ahhhhh"
The great hall was definitely great, the largest room Esther had ever been to, it was more of a cathedral complete with large windows and a high ceiling. Four long wooden tables stretched out its length and at the farthest end stood the teachers table, made obvious only by Dumbledore – in his finest lavender suddenly standing and gesturing to Esther.
"Ah professor Bloom, welcome," he waved his hand at the empty seat next to him." Please come join us while everyone gets settled."
Esther waved and began to drag her luggage behind her suddenly a tad self conscious.
They have robes, real robes. That bird with the glasses is wearing emerald, and I'm wearing a large black cardi from primark. Bugger, bugger, bugger-
That's when she noticed the candles. High above in the ceiling hidden amongst magical clouds where hundreds and hundreds of candles floating in the air. Esther wondered briefly what their electric bill would be like running those all day then realised duh, magic. Then she wondered whose job it was to light the blasted things.
She walked around the table, the whole hall abuzz with chattering behind her. She stood her luggage next to one of the large stone columns and took her place next to Dumbledore, who patted her kindly on the back as she sat down. Esther smiled politely and said a quick hello or a nod to the other teachers at the table. My colleagues she though with a strange feeling. Definitely not the usual job she took.
Dumbledore leant softly to her shoulder. "Everything alright my dear? Journey good?"
Esther nodded
"Yeah, it was fine thanks, bit of a hiccup in the morning but you know, made it in one piece-"
There was a loud resounding knock at the double doors to the hall, Esther wondered when they had closed. Dumbledore stood regally and said in a clear voice.
"Enter."
The hall became quiet and all the student heads turned as the doors opened.
The emerald lady entered with a flock of first years behind her who followed timidly and full of wonder. I must look like that half the time, you're not alone kids! Esther spotted Roland looking terrified and resisted the urge to wave. Mustn't have favorites...in public anyway.
The children were brought to the front of the teachers table where an old, moth ridden wizard hat was laid on a small stool. All was quiet for a moment and Esther was about to ask if 'something was broken?' when the mound of fabric came to life. It's folds mumbled as lips and a cheery yet powerful voice emanated within.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
(Oh My God -It's Singing!)
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
A rough looking man with a dirty brown janitors coat hobbled up to the table and whispered something in Esther's neighbors ear. She looked out of the corner of her eye. The man next to her looked sullen, his brow cast in a frown his black, lanky hair just came under his chin and he suddenly rose in a flurry of black cape as he followed the janitor man quickly and quietly through a side door. Now he looks more like a sorcerer...
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
The hall erupted in applause with some eye rolling from the older years, they must be used to this by now Esther thought, but she felt it was nice – weird – but nice. Even she had to applaud a singing hat.
The Emerald Lady spoke with a crisp Scottish accent, the kind you'd rather die then contradict. She reminded Esther of a great aunt she used to have who smelled of cats and gave bitter tasting sweets every visit. She explained to the first years they would approach one by one to try the hat who would then sort them to the appropriate house and then table. Esther watched amazed as colorful banners suddenly unfurled at the head of each of the four tables. A lion, Badger, Eagle and Snake.
This is so cool...Esther couldn't help but smile.
The first girl to try the hat was a nervous looking blonde with puffy rosy cheeks. Annable Stounch -
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat gave a mighty roar and the Hufflepuff table cheered.
Hufflepuff – just and loyal right? Of course some muggle schools had 'houses' for different classes but nothing like this-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Wait, what? They sort fast – the tall for her age red haired girl looked relieved and made her way to the Gryffindor table, she sat next to a pair of red haired twins who clapped her on the back. She seemed to be looking for someone -another relative, it was obvious they were family even without the hair-
"RAVENCLAW!"
God damnit! Who was that? Tall boy, brunette -glasses – nerd. Esther looked at the Ravenclaw table who clapped but wasn't as bawdy as the other two. A table of nerds. Nothing wrong with that, smart lot but definitely nerds-
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Mutha -wait, Roland?"
Roland rose from the chair and made his way over to the slytherin table who applauded and made room for him, he glanced back at the teachers table and found Esther smiling at him. She gave him a thumbs up of encouragement and she smiled back shyly.
Sweet kid, slytherin...that's the 'real' friends one, isn't that what the hat said? Never though I would say that...or think it-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Seriously?!
The rollcall went on and Esther finally kept up, the wizard who had sat next to her still had not returned, maybe there was like a magic issue – cauldrons overflowing, trolls in the dungeons, that sort of thing. Esther giggled to herself; yeah, TROLL IN THE DUNGEON! Lol.
Dumbledore rose from his chair once the last child had been seated and waved his hands gently, the hall fell into silence once more. Wow Esther thought, teachers don't get that kind of respect in a comprehensive, then again muggle teachers cant turn you into a frog...
"Settle down, settle down For some of you this will be your first year here at Hogwarts and for others I say – welcome home." The old man's twinkle in his eyes made his smile warmer.
"A few announcements before we begin tonight's feast! First –" Dumbledore gestured to the opposite end of the table from where Esther sat.
"As most of you know, we have filled the position of defense against the dark arts teacher, you will now be taught by-"
There was an awkward scrap of a chair as someone stood to attention at the other end. Esther craned her head to see.
"Now, now Professor, I'm sure I don't need any introduction." The owner of the voice could only be described as a fop in periwinkle, he winked at the students who emanated hushed whispers of gossip and awe.
"Be that as it may," came Dumbledore's voice, subtly less amused. "This is Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."
"Thank you headmaster and may I say-"
"AND this.."Dumbleddore said quickly, interrupting the fop and gesturing now to Esther.
"Is professor Esther Bloom who will be taking over the teaching of muggle studies."
There was a pause, shit. Esther got up quickly, almost tipping over her goblet.
She waved at the students and put on her best 'how ya'll doing' smile.
"Hello everyone, I look forward to getting to know you all this year!"
She nodded and sat down again.
Dumbledore's smile returned
"Now if you'll excuse myself and Professor McGonagal where have some matters to discuss, he looked pointedly at the emerald lady -McGonagal.
"Enjoy the feast." He finished and with that food appeared on every surface in the hall. Roasted meets glazed vegetables, and the smell. My God, Esther s mouth watered as she gazed around, she did not know where to begin. So caught up with the magic and food she barely registered Dumbledore and McGonagal slip out of the same door as the black wizard and janitor had previously.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The students chatted happily with mouths half full, even Roland was engaged in conversation with his fellow slytherin first years. That's good Esther thought, she was worried he was going to be one of those quiet kids with no friends. She suddenly realised she was alone too. Both seats vacated next to her. Looking to her right she saw another professor at the end of the table seemingly in the same predicament. The woman had wild sandy blonde hair and big glasses that reminded Esther of Mr Mole from the wind and the willows live version. Resolved, Esther picked up her plate and moved to sit next to her new colleague.
"Hullo" She said happily enough as she sat down.
The woman regarded her lazily, It somehow reminded Esther of someone who was drunk, were their wine goblets she didn't know about? Hers only contained water dammit!
"Hello my dear...I am Professor Trelawney..." The woman extended a frail hand as though she expected Esther to kiss it. Esther took and shaked firmly
"Nice to meet you I am-"
"Professor Bloom yes, I have been expecting you."
"Yes, well I suppose Dumbledore would hav-"
"I saw it in the tea leaves."
Esther blinked.
"I'm sorry what-"
"The tea leaves told of your arrival, yes, quite expected. And your a muggle..."
"Yes I-"
"- I saw that too in my crystal ball."
"Your fucking with me right?"
"Excuse me my dear?" Trelawney looked taken aback at Esthers language. Shit.
"I mean, your kidding with the muggle yeah? Tea leaves and crystal balls, your having me on-"
"My dear, I don't expect you to appreciate the mystical arts of divination-"
"Division?"
"DIVINATION – Fortune telling, prophecy, the study of the stars-" The woman actually began waving her hand at the ceiling as though she could see the future painted on the bloody wall.
Had to be Drunk or high, had to be.
Esther nodded politely.
"Right, yes, well I am new to all this so-"
The woman patted her hand condescendingly
"That's quite alright dear, you'll get the hang of it."
The woman paused and looked deeply into Esther's eyes still holding tightly to her hand. Esther tried to pull away suddenly freaked.
"I'm so sorry my dear..." the strange woman's voice now a sullen whisper.
"About...?" Esther was hesitant to ask.
"I'm afraid I see...death!"
"...O-kaaay." Esther pulled her hand free form the obviously crazy woman.
"Well you've given me a lot to think about I'm just going to sit over there and enjoy my meal, it was nice to meet you." Esther spoke in a rapid mumble as she extradited herself from the situation.
Fuck that she thought, are they all nutters like that? She sat back down in her original seat and took a fascinated interest in her food until the feast was over.
Sometime later Dumbledore re-entered the hall and called another silence.
"I am pleased to see you have all enjoyed yourselves, but for now it is time for bed. Tomorrow classes begin and the very best of luck this year to you all. Goodnight!"
And with that the children were dismissed. Esther sat back and rubbed her now full stomach absent mindedly, aside from the creepy gypsy teacher, it had been the best meal she'd had in years. She was stuffed.
A gentle hand pulled her from her thoughts.
"Esther my dear, A few professors are retiring to the staff room for a night cap if you I wish to join."
Booze?
"Yes please..." Esther said with a happy smile. As the children followed their prefects to their houses, Esther and her luggage followed her fellow professors to the staff room.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N: I want to say a quick thank you to everyone who has read this so far and returned for more. Particular thanks to my first reviewer: DeenaTweety, thank you for your kind words and encouragement – this one's for you :)