The Rightful Heir of Slytherin (Year 6 - Book 1)

Ch14: Our First Class (1)

Emilia tried very hard to get me not to buy the overpriced necklace. She really did. She failed.

***

Valentina: So today's the day, isn't it?

Me: You mean for our first class?

Valentina: Yeah.

Me: You don't sound excited.

Valentina: It'll be hard to keep my true nature a secret from the other students.

Me: I'm sure they already know.

Valentina: Still...

Me: Just behave and you'll be fine. We'll be fine.

She sighs but our little conversation is quickly interrupted as Madam Pomfrey walks back into the room. This will be our last check-up before being fully released to stay in the dormitory. Even she's emotional about it. We might have started off on rocky terms but we've grown rather fond of one another over the last couple of weeks. 

Pomfrey: Remember you can come back to visit-

Me: We will.

Pomfrey: Take care of yourselves, now.

She offers a gentle smile before pulling us into a warm hug. As she squeezes us tightly, however, she whispers into both our ears.

Pomfrey: If I ever hear about you not taking care of yourselves...

She doesn't finish but we both tense up just thinking about the many ways that sentence could end. 

Pomfrey: Now then, off to class with you! Don't want to be late on your first day.

Me: Thanks for everything, Madam Pomfrey.

She smiles and I plant a kiss on her cheek before running out into the hall. Valentina's slow to follow but I don't wait for her, instead running at top speed until I'm screeching to a halt before our first class. After calming my racing heart and fixing my clothes, I enter.

Bagnold: Oh, look. She's finally here.

Me: Minister?

Bagnold: Now, now, dear. Aren't we far too close for such formalities?

Right...she did "adopt" us after all. I suppose that means she wants me to call her-

Me: Mother, what are you doing here?

She squeals upon hearing the words leave my mouth and for a split second, my eyes play tricks on me as I see my own mother in her stead. It is vivid but short-lived. 

Dumbledore: Minister, as much as we know you wish to fawn over the daughters you never had-

She gives him the deadliest glare I've ever witnessed but he simply continues as though undisturbed.

Dumbledore: We'll be late if we stay any longer. 

Valentina: Where are we going?

Valentina's sudden appearance causes all of us to jump. Bagnold scolds her about it but it seems we're really late for something because the scolding doesn't last long before being replaced by her pulling both of us along.

Bagnold: Can you apparate back to my office from here?

Me: Apparate?

Dumbledore: She means the magic you used to jump into and around Hogwarts at will. 

Me: I know but it isn't apparition...

Bagnold eyes me as though I'd just said something peculiar but rather than try to explain myself, I simply take out my wand. Dumbledore joins the others in resting a hand on my shoulders. 

Me: Take me to-

I pause as I think of how I wish to phrase the command. On the one hand, I could always just call her "The Minister" or something similar but I might as well start getting used to calling her by what she really wants. It'll make life much easier, that's for sure.

Me: Take me to mother's office.

Unable to contain herself, Bagnold squeals once more but this time she's cut off by the blinding light erupting from my wand. When it clears, we're standing in her office.

Bagnold: So it's true.

Me: What is?

She paces about the room for a bit before responding.

Bagnold: There are wards around both Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic to prevent people from simply entering unauthorised. These wards were thought to block all forms of transportation magic not using the methods authorised for entry yet clearly this isn't the case as you've just moved between the two without any effort, completely bypassing all security measures in the process.

Me: I doubt it is an issue though, right?

Bagnold: It is an issue!

Me: I-

Bagnold: Promise me you'll keep the knowledge to yourself.

Me: I promise.

Bagnold: You too, Valentina!

Valentina: I promise.

Bagnold: Good. Now then. I had initially wanted to bring you here to begin your apparition class but it seems that class won't be necessary.

Me: Were you going to be our teacher?

Moody: No, princess. That'd be me.

Turning, I find Alastor standing by the door. Seeing him forces me to smile and as I skip over to pull him into a hug, he straightens. 

Me: You could have visited!

Moody: I wasn't the one who vanished without a trace.

Bagnold: He's right. You gave us all quite the scare. We were getting ready to turn the world upside down when Dumbledore mentioned that he found you in his office.

I sheepishly avoid their eyes, looking down to the ground but I only earn more teasing from Alastor.

Bagnold: Cassandra...

Me: Hmmm?

I look up to find the three standing tall together.

Bagnold: I want you to teach all three of us that spell.