The Hag's reply was sharper, shadowed by a hint of her normal voice.
"And what is your need for that?"
"May I or may I not?" The adopter demanded forcefully.
"Oh, er, yes, I suppose, er, okay…"
Privately, Deiji thought that the Hag only agreed because if word got out that the Hag did not agree to this, she would surely stop receiving "donations."
However, the woman was not done.
"I would like it if the two girls I am adopting today took me there?"
This was, to the Hag, likely an outrageous demand, and possibly against her better judgment, however she agreed, to general astonishment.
—
"My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Deiji did her best to nod politely. Lilac seemed to manage a lot better. "Hello, and welcome to our orphanage, Professor. If you would permit a question…?"
Professor Minerva McGonagall, noticing that Lilac expected a reply, said hastily, "Of course, say whatever you wish. You are in my hands now, no need to be overly polite."
Lilac looked as relieved as Deiji felt. "What is the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Professor McGonagall smiled and replied, "I was getting to that. See, the two of you are witches."
Deiji couldn't stop herself from blurting out, "That's what the Hag— er— Mrs. Williams keeps saying."
Very patiently, Professor McGonagall replied, "Not that kind of witch. Or, yes, that kind of witch, but it's not a bad thing! Do you two do things, or do things happen to you that aren't really normal? Things that happen when you're angry, or sad? Or any other strong emotion? I could tell that the unkind 'mistress' of yours would certainly cause some agony…"
Deiji's mind flashed back to a very recent memory, barely a few hours old, of Rose being whipped for something she didn't do. Her skin color, for goodness's sake!
Deiji was petrified, afraid to move, cannot move, would not move, as Rose was hit again and again. Anger overcame her mind and she let the blankness take over. One tooth of the Cat fell away, crumbling to dust. Another. Yet another, another, another… and the Cat was bare! Just a handle left.
Had she done that? Was this her fault? It couldn't be, though… she couldn't just do that! Perhaps it was the Hag, hitting Rose too hard…? But the Hag, as an unreasonable person in general, might suspect her.
Afraid, Deiji took off for Arithmetic before the Hag could notice her.
And she realized one more thing.
"I can talk to snakes."
At nearly the same time, Lilac said, "I can make blue mist."
Professor McGonagall said to Deiji first: "Some witches and wizards can do that. You're what's called a Parselmouth. They used to be bad luck or something, but now they are valued members of the wizarding community." But then, turning to Lilac, she adopted a face of shock while she said, "How can you do that, Lilac?"
Lilac thought for a moment before replying, "Ma'am— er, I mean, Professor McGonagall, I said a few Latin words, and it just happened, I can't explain it! But it only worked the first time."
Professor McGonagall was intrigued. "So, was there anything different the first time?"
Lilac was puzzled. "I guess I was in the cafeteria and not my dorm…?"
The woman shook her head. "Like, with your emotion. What were you thinking, or imagining, the first time?"
By this time, they had reached the dorm. Deiji reached for the door handle and pushed it open.
"Hmm… I was imagining being adopted the first time, and not the others. But surely that wouldn't make a difference?"
"It makes all the— you live here?!" Professor McGonagall had noticed the dormitory.
"Yes." Deiji pretty much hissed, scowling.
Lilac nudged Deiji.
"I mean, yes ma'am."
"How many times do I have to— oh, very well. I will answer your first question. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the school that you will go to to hone your magical abilities. I will explain more later. Now, Lilac, don't try to make the mist again until one of your professors train you to. You have just done your first spell, and that could be very dangerous if unattended."
"Are all spells Latin?" Deiji couldn't stop herself from saying.
Professor McGonagall frowned. "I must ask, what's Latin? You keep mentioning it."
"Nevermind," Deiji muttered, while Lilac said, "It's a language, just like English or French. But it's dead, nobody uses it anymore."
—
The thing called a "Portkey" was extremely thrilling and slightly scary, but now they were in Professor McGonagall's house.
The walls were white, the lighting warm, and a mixture of old-fashioned and modern furniture and decorations were scattered throughout the home. There were four hangings in the living room: one red and gold with a lion in the center, one yellow and black with a badger, one blue and bronze with an eagle (why bronze? thought Deiji. Blue and bronze don't match), and finally, an emerald green and silver one with a snake. The last hanging caught Deiji's eye, so she couldn't help but ask about it.
"That's the hanging for Slytherin," replied the professor. "Slytherin is a House. There are four Houses at Hogwarts, each representing a different trait: Gryffindor is for bravery," she pointed at the red one, "Hufflepuff for loyalty and kindness," the yellow one was Hufflepuff, "Ravenclaw for wisdom," this was the eagle hanging, "and Slytherin for ambition and cunning."
Outwardly, Deiji thought that ambition and cunning were not as important as the others, but deep inside, she was interested. She was certainly ambitious, and more cunning than anyone she knew.
The woman continued, "Both of you will be Sorted into your Houses. You just have to put a hat on your head, and it will put you in a House. The hat can understand your thoughts, and based on what's in your head, it'll put you in a House. It's not hard, or scary. The only negative thing, really, is the hat is likely going to be three sizes too big for you, but that's in an attempt to accommodate everyone's head.
"Your House is something of a family at Hogwarts. You will live in your House dormitory, eat at your House table, and spend free time in your House common room. It is stressed, however, that you should make friends from different Houses. If you wish to meet with those friends, you may choose to do so in the Great Hall, where we will be holding feasts, banquets, all of those things. Your victories will earn you House points, but any rule-breaking will lose you House points. The House with the most points at the end will earn the House Cup, which is a great honor. I hope you will both be a credit to the House that becomes yours.
"You are expected to study hard and learn as much as you can. Oh, and don't be frightened by the ghosts and whatnot, they're all quite friendly. And beware of Peeves, he's the real troublemaker. You'll know when you see him. And also, there's a sport called Quidditch…"
—
Deiji flopped down on the bed next to Lilac, who was already lying down and admiring the blanket.
Upon noticing Deiji's presence, Lilac shuddered.
"I never want to play Quidditch," she remarked.
This surprised Deiji, because she, at least, was extremely interested in the thought of being able to fly on brooms and throw metal levitating balls around.
"Honestly, Lilac, it didn't sound that scary. I mean, at least I would want to play it. Ah, I wonder what position I would try out for when we get to Howgorts!"
Lilac chuckled.
"Hogwarts, Deiji. And besides, I would rather put more energy into studying than flying on a dusty broomstick being constantly endangered by flying Bludgers and opposing wizards. How dangerous is that?"
"Relax, Lilac, no one's forcing you. I'm just saying-"
Professor McGonagall entered the bedroom.
"Time for lunch, Deiji, Lilac, I had prepared a meal for you- unfortunately, I am not as wealthy as I was before. The vast majority of my wealth goes to Hogwarts to support it. So unfortunately, I will not be able to buy you any luxurious school supplies for your upcoming semester."
Lilac replied hastily, "No, don't worry, it's fine, it's fine."
Deiji didn't expect a glimmering mansion embedded with gold flakes and diamonds, but she was slightly disappointed because she thought she could finally be free of the bind poverty had put on them.
For lunch, there was solid food that tasted better than the cold mush they were used to. There was some warm porridge, a cheese sandwich, sliced apples, and a small bowl of salad. Deiji and Lilac wolfed them down in about a minute or so, and patted their content stomachs.
"Lilac, I don't think we've ever had such a wonderful meal, do you think?"
Lilac was too stuffed to respond.
—
Two entire weeks passed by in a fascinating blur. Casual conversations about magic (it sounded awesome), going into amusement parks (that was fun but Lilac didn't seem to like it very much), getting haircuts (Lilac cut her hair into a short bob and Deiji kept her hair as it was), eating energizing meals (three meals per day, would you believe it!) all went by fast.
Deiji plopped down on the black sofa next to Lilac, fingering the fringes of her skirt and counting the days until the first of September. There were still 18 days (not counting the day they were to arrive at Hogwarts)! Deiji was too impatient to wait that long to go to school. But still, they needed to get their supplies at Diagon Alley. Wait.
She was hearing her thoughts aloud.
Supplies at Diagon Alley.
Supplies at Diagon Alley.
"...supplies at Diagon Alley. You can go today."
It was Professor McGonagall, stalking up to them like a tabby cat in the darkness.
When Deiji didn't respond, Lilac prodded her and said, "The mistress… er, Professor, said that we can go today to get our supplies for school!"
Deiji nodded absent-mindedly. She was still thinking about the marvelous adventure coming up ahead at Hogwarts.
—
Deiji and Lilac gasped in unison as the brick wall parted, opening out to a bustling street full of witches and wizards.
Deiji's head automatically swiveled towards a small shop with a broomstick displayed near the window.
People of all ages and sizes dressed up in wizard's robes pressed their faces against the glass, murmuring and exclaiming in delight.
"It's about time they released it to the public." She heard one voice say.
"Firebolt Nine? Already?"
"Hmmm…. they should invent something newer. Firebolt Ten, maybe!"
They were dragged away from the shop and given a piece of faded yellow paper each.
"Now, you can't have your own broom as a first-year, but maybe next year. Here, these are the things you'll be shopping for."
Deiji flipped hers around. It read:
First-year students will require:
Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times
Books
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal vials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
1 basic potions ingredients kit
Parchment
Quills
Inks
Students may also bring one of the following pets: Toad, cat, owl, rat, or pygmy puff.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
Deiji's eyes widened at the extreme amount of materials on the list. Each one carefully printed in emerald green ink, the list was a headache to look at. However, her heart sank at the last sentence. Deiji was already quite informed about how first-years weren't allowed to play Quidditch (or at least be permitted onto the team), but she thought that she might be able to buy a broomstick to fly around the castle for fun. But now…
Deiji sighed and focused on the main points. It is not a time for dwelling on rules, Deiji! She chastised herself.
"Lilac, where should we go first…?"
Professor McGonagall pulled them by the backs of their jackets and chuckled.
"First, we go to Gringotts to retrieve the money, children. I have warned you, it's not a lot…"
"It's fine, Professor!" Lilac interjected.
"And another warning? It's going to be a bumpy ride."
—
Minutes later, the three of them were speeding through a roller-coaster of dusty, dark tracks miles underground. Deiji exited the cart thrilled and excited, while the other two looked like sick was something more accurate to describe them.
The goblin took out a key and unlocked the door to "Vault 952."
Locks jiggled and wrangled apart and the door swung open.
Deiji had to shield her eyes from the magnificent reflection shining into her eyes. Heaps and heaps of gold, silver, and bronze coins scattered across the floor. More money than she had ever seen in one place! And it all belonged to one person!
"It's a bit messy," the Professor admitted.
"Messy?! You're crazy rich!" exclaimed Deiji.
"No, no, this isn't a lot, now… here, take this." Professor McGonagall held up a small leather bag and started filling it with gold, silver and bronze coins. When she finished, she gave it to Lilac.
"Lilac, dear, would you mind holding that for us? Thanks. Now," the woman turned to face Deiji and Lilac. "The gold ones are called Galleons. They're worth quite a bit. These silver ones are Sickles. There are seventeen Sickles to a Galleon. Got that?"
Deiji frowned. Why seventeen? But she did understand.
"Those are the Knuts. They're bronze colored, and there are twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle."
Deiji and Lilac let out a collective murmur about odd numbers. The Professor didn't hear a thing, or pretended not to, anyway.
Professor McGonagall led the other two witches into the rusty cart. Without warning, the cart jerked and sped uphill into darkness, into light.
—
Deiji blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight. She stepped forward, taking in the scene. A wizarding village! An entire street!