Tired of walking home, feeling so sleepy that I am not going to cook for the night. I pulled the folded mat rested along the wall since morning. I spread it on the cow dung paved floor. The mat of korai grass was bought seven years back. Torn edges, with loosely woven strips. The floor was a little wet and cool due to the summer rain in March. I covered the old wooden rack of my dresses with an old torn banner found on a main-road platform.
I'm wearing a black Patiala, a full handed grey T-top that covers half of my thigh, with a plain black shawl that I bought for ₹65. This house is totally (10×11) sq. feet with a water tap outside and roofed with woven coconut leaves. It has no bathroom built. As I am obliged to bathe outside, I made a small room like structure without a roof using woven palm leaves.
I am Shruthakeerthy, a 13-year-old girl, just completed my annual assessments for grade 8. Until I was 7, I grew in an orphanage. Five months after my known-to-be birthday, an old woman fostered me. Due to the distance of my school, she offered me to live here, which was used five years back by her.
A kind lady she is, one of the purest souls I have ever known. I laid on the mat, covered myself with a jute sack and closed my eyes. Aaden said that he'll pick me up by tomorrow morning at eight-thirty. I got up and started to get the things ready. I packed a set of dresses, some needed things and all books of my favourite novel series. Suddenly the lights went off, I moved to the next step to make sure everything is fine. My whole body stiffened, never in my life I have felt so cold. I hugged my bag.
I didn't feel like I was standing in my home. The smell of the place was different, but it was still dark all around. I started to shiver in cold, after a few minutes I composed myself then started looking around. It was still dark all around. I wore my bag. I started walking in a random direction which I thought could have a path. As though I go I got a little brightness, I started hearing murmuring sounds. I looked at the walls, it had paintings. Not one, no two there were several paintings. They are moving. The Paintings are moving! Wait! How in heaven could paintings move? Is it a wizarding world or something?
The more I explore the more it seems like magic. As I walked the darkness engulfed me I could not see anything again. I continued walking, suddenly I hit something. I am sure that is not a wall, it's soft warm. I stumbled back, "Lumos." said a deep masculine voice. It felt as if the voice is making the place even colder. The grip tightened on my bag strap. I lifted my head took to see the person. I can't believe my eyes, "Mr Rickman!" I gasped.
"Who are you?" he inquired. I stood still, "Who. Are. You." he repeated. "WHO. ARE. YOU." his voice raised a bit louder than before. Yes! Yeah! This is the wizarding world. I had no words, stunned. Never in my life, have I expected to see him. "What are you doing here in Hogwarts? Whom you are?" he asked. Hogwarts? Then is this Professor Snape? Am I daydreaming? No way, it is night now. Night dreaming? Maybe, everyone does it. "My patience is not for you to measure. Answer. WHO ARE YOU?" It seems I am testing his patience. "WHO! ARE! YOU!" he repeated. "Albus, Albus," I murmured. "What?" "Albus Dumbledore!" I exclaimed. Yes, Meeting the Headmaster is the correct option. "I know that you are not Albus Dumbledore" He asserted.
"Severus Snape!" the words escaped without my knowledge. "That's my name and I am asking for yours." Professor Snape said as he pointed the wand towards me. "A-a-Albus A-alus, Albus, Albus Dumbledore. I waa-want to meet Albus Dumbledore." I shuttered. I feel so cold that struggle to complete my words. He thought for a minute, he waved his wand. With a creeper made circle along with my hold, I felt a bit warmer than before. He started walking forward, I followed him back. Is he trapping me like a guilty? Even if it is so, no issues. It is a pride to be trapped by Professor Snape.
He led me to the gargoyle of The Head Master's office. I couldn't control my excitement anymore "Lemon drop!" I exclaimed. Professor Snape gave me a surprised look. He pointed the wand towards me and pushed me to the wall. It hurts but I didn't expose it. "Who are you?" he threatened. "I have to meet the Head Master," I said. He pulled me by a string of the creeper to the gargoyle. I followed him, Head Master's office looks the same as in movies. Still, it was a great experience of seeing it live.
