Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Numa.
Wolf Princess Chapter 17
Inside the castle the Headmaster and his array of teachers are preparing themselves for the evening meal at this late time of day.
Surprisingly the rest of the Hogwarts staff had arrived a lot sooner than had been first anticipated. Now they are arranging themselves at the main head table with the ones that came earlier than them. As each of them arrived on scene they had been informed about the newest addition among their number and the history behind her.
Right now the only ones absent from the table were Firenze and myself. That is about to change. Just as the food was about to be set down Firenze came trotting in through the main doors. Firenze moved up tot eh table taking his usual position, settling down at one end of it.
Smiling, Dumbledore said "Good evening, Firenze."
"Good evening, Headmaster," responded Firenze in a monotone voice.
"Remus notified us that you'd be taking Miss Numa on a tour instead of him. How did it go," inquired Dumbledore.
"It went just fine," Said Firenze. "I think she enjoyed it very much."
"Why isn't she with you," demanded Snape. "You were supposed to be keeping a watchful eye on her."
"I am not her keeper," said Firenze, eyes hard, offended in her place. "Numa is not a defenseless child. She knows very well how to look after herself correctly. She merely wanted to stay outside a bit longer so I let her."
"But she only just arrived this morning," added Professor McGonagall. "She might not be able to navigate her way back to this hall. How do you know that she won't get lost?"
"For as long as I've known her, Numa has always had a good memory at her disposal. She needs something like that in order to find her way around in the forest or else she would forever be lost."
Madam Hooch said "Speaking of the girl, do you know how much longer she'll be gone? Some of us are really starting to get hungry"
Firenze informed "I don't know. She didn't really give me a time limit."
"Since we don't know when she'll be returning should we begin eating," Asked Charity Burbage, Muggle Studies Professor.
Some of the other Professor voiced their agreement to this, also.
"Yes, yes," said the Headmaster, "I don't want the good to get cold."
As if on his command food appeared on the table and plates for everyone sitting at the table. The House-Elves must've been listening to know when to give out the food.
As soon as the dishes of entrees appeared in front of them they immediately began to dig into their meal. Not long after this had begun they were all interrupted.
The doors opened wide and many of them looked up from their plates along with ceasing their conversations to see who had entered the Great Hall.
Turns out I had managed to make a pretty good catch not long after starting my hunt that resulted in killing a nice fat rabbit. As I stepped inside the room I got right into noticing some brand new faces added to the ones I already met. Just by scanning them I can tell that many of these new faces appear even more scandalized of my appearance than Professor McGonagall had been and were quite disapproving of it.
Reciting Firenze's words I prepared myself for what was to come. I straightened my posture, head held up high with a smile brimming on my face. Very few people at the table reciprocated hat smile.
The Headmaster grinned at me as I came closer to their group.
"A, Miss Numa," he said, eyes twinkling, "we've been waiting for you. I trust you enjoyed your tour of the castle?"
"Very much, Sir," I said, politely.
Professor Dumbledore then introduced me to the newest faces at the table. The introductions were short and quick yet quite civil. With each person I was introduced to I nodded to them and they did so as well. Their colleagues must have already notified these guys about me, but they were still shocked.
Kindly, Remus said "We were just going to start our dinner. Would you like to join us?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Then please have a seat," said Dumbledore. "You really must be famished."
Nodding I quickly searched for a place where I could sit down. Firenze saves me from having such a headache. Already sensing my confusion he gestures to an empty spot beside him that was open. The smiled in gratitude I made my way round the table and over to that area. Firenze pulled out the chair for me and I settled down.
Leaning forward in his own chair, Professor McGonagall said "We know that our food is much different than what you've had in the forest, but we hope you'll enjoy it anyway."
I roved my eyes over the food spread everywhere and saw that she was on the mark. Except for an extremely small amount of fruits and meats I was able to identify nothing there that I'm familiar with.
"I appreciate that," I said. "I'll be eating something of my own tonight." Before any of them could object I justified myself. "I have some meat with me and I don't want it to spoil and go to waste."
"Very well," said Professor Dumbledore.
Without any further protests I lifted the rabbit I had caught over the table and dropped it with a bang on the wood. Their attention was so focused on me that no one first noticed the dead rabbit hanging by the legs my hand.
Well they certainly noticed it now.
Authors Note:
Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July!
Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D