Wolf Princess Chapter 10
This caught most of their attention.
"Impossible," said Snape, sneering, "the Gods have been extinct for years. The Wolf Goddess can't be alive."
"I assure you my mother is very much alive as are my brothers," I said, glaring.
"She's telling the truth," said Remus. "I've seen them myself. She and others of her kind have been kept well hidden as the years have gone by."
"That's quite interesting," said Dumbledore, a thoughtful expression on his face. Dumbledore then turned his gaze back at me. "Numa, are you interested in learning magic?"
Nodding, I said "Yes, I do."
"Then we must figure out what to do with you," said Dumbledore. "How old are you, My Dear?"
"I'm nineteen winters old," I answered.
"That's disappointing," said Dumbledore. "If you were just a few years younger we couldn't enrolled you with the student. We'll have to make a different arrangement for you."
"Professor Dumbledore," said McGonagall, drawing the attention to her, "why not give her private lessons? That way she'd still be taught the curriculum she would need."
"I think it is a fine idea," agreed Dumbledore, "but will this interfere with any of your lesson plans?"
Dumbledore said that last part while gazing around at his teachers.
McGonagall said "I have no problem with it at all. I can easily fit her into my schedule."
"As can I," agreed Remus.
The other professors voiced their agreement to this arrangement except one.
"Severus," said Dumbledore, drawing him into the fold.
Professor Snape looked around at his colleagues and shrugged.
"Doesn't seem like I have a choice," he said. "Although I highly doubt that she'll show ant kind of potential for a savage."
Hearing the insulting last remark I narrowed my eyes and let out a small growl. It wasn't that loud, but it was enough to be heard by them.
Smirking, Snape said "I rest my case."
"Severus, that's enough," reprimanded Dumbledore.
Professor Snape shut his mouth, but Dumbledore scolding him didn't knock the smug expression off of his face.
I was very tempted to take my knife out on the guy, but I held myself back. Instead I just let out another tiny growl.
"We'll have to get you your equipment, a wand, and your books," said Professor Sprout.
At the word "books" a thought came to mind to one of the professors.
Professor Flitwick asked "Speaking of books, Numa, can you read?"
"Um…," I said, a hint of red in my cheeks, "no, I can't."
"That's unfortunate," said Flitwick, sympathetically.
"It's a dilemma," admitted Dumbledore. "Well have to fit it into your lesson plan and have your letters taught to you before anything else. Reading is very crucial, My Dear, you must learn it."
I quickly nodded in consent showing that I understood what he was telling me.
"Another thing that has to be done is to get you some descent garments to wear," said Professor McGonagall.
Surprised and confused, I said "What's wrong with what I have on?"
"Your body is nearly completely exposed," said McGonagall, gesturing at my form with disapproval. "It isn't at all proper at this school."
"Not meaning any disrespect, but I'm fine wearing just what I have," I said, polite yet firm.
Suddenly a voice that didn't belong to any of the professors spoke out around us, saying "Completely disrespectful. In my day and age children would never have go unpunished."
I looked around for the source of the voice, but couldn't see anyone else in the room with the group. I felt a light tap on the shoulder and turned to see who had done it. As soon as I gave him my attention Remus pointed to a spot on one of the walls above us.
Until now I hadn't noticed the images on the walls like the ones I had seen as I have moved through the halls. They had been very quiet until now and had been watching, listening to what was going on in front of them. The people in them were very elderly. Some were looking disapprovingly down at me while others were just staring in curiosity. The women especially were bearing scandalized expressions on their faces looking at my state of attire. Some of the males even had a bit of pink on their faces.
With Remus's guidance I was able to figure out which one of them had spoken out at me. It was a male portrait by the book of things and one of the eldest among them. There was a bored expression on his face and an unpleasant look about him.
I immediately didn't like him.
In the past I was taught to always respect my elders by my mother, but in this case I was more than willing to make an exception this time.
Eyes narrowed into slits, I said "I don't see how I act is any concern of yours, especially one who has been long dead."
At my words the guys wyes narrowed and his face turned red in anger.
"Such insolence," he said, seething.
"That's enough of that, Phineas," said Dumbledore, firmly.
The one called Phineas shut his mouth, but by the look on his face he was still boiling inside from what I said.
"Numa, this is Phineas Nigellas, one of the many past Headmasters and Headmistresses of this school," said Dumbledore, "along with every other one on these walls."
I gave respectful nods to every Headmaster and Headmistress that was gazing down at me. Some of them were even returned in kind to me. The only one called Phineas was the only headmaster I didn't give one to clearly showing my dislike of him. Phineas turned red again. But remained silent.
A few seconds later Professor Sprout brought p a subject that no one had really mentioned up until she said it.
"Headmaster, don't you think we should make up a cover story for her," she asked. "Once term starts and the students come in people may get curious and start asking questions. What would we tell them?"
"The truth, of course," said Dumbledore, not hesitating.
"But, Albus," said Professor McGonagall, "once work of this gets out about her there will be ones who'd want her to leave."
"If that is so then we'll have to think of a role for her here," concluded Dumbledore.
The Headmaster and the Professors began to try and think of roles that might be suitable and perfect for me at the school.
"What about Assistant Caretaker," said Professor Flitwick. "The castle is quite large and might be taken care of better with more than one person looking after it."
The other Professors looked at Professor Flitwick as if he lost his mind.
"That would never work out," said Professor McGonagall. "You know how Argus is. Even if we try to force the girl on him he won't accept her. He'll just push her away saying that the castle only is best taken care of under his supervision."
"You have to admit though that assumption is quite true," said Professor Sprout. "The castle has always been well taken care of under his watch."
"Then where else are we going to put her," asked Professor Flitwick.
"Well we could give her an apprenticeship," said Remus, thinking it over.
"And what do you suppose we apprentice her in," said Professor Snape, smirking. "The child has had no kind of education at all in the ways of magic. An apprenticeship in one of our classes would completely be useless and a waste of time. No, having her working as a second Caretaker would be the best solution to this dilemma."
The Headmaster had a thoughtful expression on his face and some of the Professors shared looks. They did have to admit that what Severus said did make sense to them somewhat.
I stood there listening to the group as they were deciding my fate. I wasn't very comfortable with how they were talking about me like they were. I listened carefully as they talked about putting me in a position as a Caretaker. The more I listened the more I continued to dislike the idea of it. None of the skills I had would at all be good at what they wanted me to do.
Fortunately setting me up as a Caretaker wasn't the only thing they wanted to set me up as.
Hagrid was thinking things over and like the others was trying to figure out a solution. Suddenly an idea came to mind that just might work.
"She…," said Hagrid, uncertain.
At Hagrid's hesitation all focus in the room now turned to him. Hagrid lowered his head separating his gaze from everyone else.
"What was that, Hagrid," asked Professor McGonagall.
Hagrid didn't answer the Deputy Headmistress. He nervously shifted from foot to foot.
"Go on, Hagrid," Said Dumbledore, kindly, "tell us what's on your mind."
A bit more confident after this Dumbledore's words Hagrid told all of us what he was thinking of.
"Well…," said Hagrid, looking to Dumbledore who nodded for him to go on, "perhaps she could work with me."
There was a bit of surprise brought on by the suggestion Hagrid just gave out.
"Please elaborate for us, Hagrid," said Dumbledore.
Hagrid said "Numa has lives inside of the Forbidden Forest most of her life and because of that she has to know about most of the creatures that live in there. With the knowledge she has it could be useful to care of Magical Creatures."
"Are you sure than you'd want that, Hagrid," asked Professor Sprout. "This is going to be your first time handling the class on your own, won't she be a hindrance to them and you?"
Hagrid said "I don't see any problem with her giving me a helping hand."
"Before we come to a decision on this matter perhaps we should ask Numa what she thinks about this," said Professor McGonagall.
All attention now turned over to me.
Authors Note:
Will Numa take it or won't she?
Hope you guys liked this one. ;)
Also, the anniversary for the terrible tragedy of day of 9/11 year's ago just occurred.
I was a very young child when that happened. All I can remember that day was my mother picking me and my little sister up from grade school. At home my sister and I learned what happened in New York City. My father came home soon after fearful that we were all going to be attacked. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I know for a fact I'll never forget it. I doubt anyone will.
For those reading this right now I know we can't all be together, but I ask that you share a moment of silence and prayer, no matter your religion, out of respect for the people who died that day and those alive who are still suffering from being there that day. And those of you who may be either going to a restaurant or a bar please raise a glass in a toast for those survivors and fallen.