The Girl Who Disappeared (Harry Potter Fan-fiction)

*Chapter 4*

Hagrid was right outside, directing the students on where to go.

"Hello Harry, Maurelle." Hagrid said.

"Hello Hagrid" They both said.

Ron was stunned to see Hagrid's height. Hagrid then motion everyone to follow him to the boats.

Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads, "C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seems to be a steep and narrow path.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec" Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here"

There was a loud "oooh" as they were amused by the view.

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid yelled, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry, Ron were followed into their boat by Neville and Hermione.

"Oh, uhm" Harry said.

"Don't worry, I can find another. I'll meet you there" Maurelle waved. This is the first time they'd been separated, and Harry was nervous.

She was desperately searching for an open spot; she saw Draco and his goon take the whole boat to themselves. She wanted to avoid them and tried to find another, but there was no other choice.

"Well...well...well" Draco said as Maurelle got on their boat, "look who decided to join us"

"In case you aren't aware, which I assume that's the case, everywhere else is full" Maurelle said as she sat next to him.

Crabbe and Goyle were still intimidated by her.

"If you dare so try anything on me...don't forget we're on top of the lake. I wouldn't think twice about dunking your head in there and hope you get eaten" Maurelle said.

"No need to be so hostile. In fact, you'll find us to be better company than that Weasley and that mudblood" he said.

"Mudblood?" Maurelle said.

"Huh, so not only are you unaware of families, but blood status as well. What a disappointment." he said.

"Will you just go on and explain" Maurelle said.

"My family, and I guess the Weasley's if you will, are pureblood families. No trace of those muggles in our line. Then you have those disgusting half-bloods, no need to explain that I'm sure you can figure that one out. And the muggle-borns...no pureblood, just dirty muggle blood. That's mudblood" he said.

"So you're judging people based on blood? How insensitive can you be? You may be of pureblood, but that doesn't determine strength. A half-blood or muggle-born can easily become stronger than any pureblood" she said.

Draco laughed, "As if"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff, they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.