Reflections - Mattheo Riddle

The First Night Back

There was a great clattering and banging all around them; Dumbledore had obviously just dismissed the school, because everyone was standing up ready to leave the Hall. Kirra jumped up, looking flustered.

"Shoot, Ernie! we're supposed to show the first years where to go!"

"Oh yeah," said Ernie, who hadn't said much to the Potter girl since their second year when he had yelled at her and accused her of being the Heir and causing the attacks. 

Kirra looked down at the first years, putting a kind smile on her face, "Come on first years, we will show you where to go!"

"Up Up!" Ernie told them all quickly

"Don't be so demanding," Kirra scolded

"Well, they are dordling. . . ."

"I know, but you should be nice, they are just nervious. . . . First years!" Kirra called commandingly along the table. "This way, please!"

A group of new students walked shyly up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, all of them trying hard not to lead the group. They did indeed seem very small, though its not like Kirra could comment on that, considering she wasn't all that much taller than them. 

Some of the kids looked nervous as they followed the Potter, while some looked excited and intrigued. Kirra did her best to ignore all the eyes on her. 

"See you later," she said to JJ and Max and then lead the kids through the halls, doing everything she could to ignore more whispering, staring, and pointing as she passed. She kept her eyes fixed ahead as she wove her way through the crowd in the entrance hall, and down to the Hufflepuff basement, talking to the kids as they walked, explaining the rules and where things were. 

She wasnt surprised that the other students were staring at her. Of course everyone was staring at her: She had emerged from the Triwizard maze two months ago, dead as a doorknob before turning into a dragon, and claiming to have seen Lord Voldemort return to power. 

There had not been time last term to explain herself before everyone went home, even if she had felt up to giving the whole school a detailed account of the terrible events in that graveyard.

She had reached the entrance of the Hufflepuff common room and had come to a halt in front of the barrels, showing the first years how to get in and explaining that they would get sprayed with Vinegar if they did the password wrong

The Huffle common room looked as welcoming as ever, a cozy circular room full of plants and seats, blankets and a natural warm glow. A fire was crackling merrily in the grate and a few people were warming their hands before going up to their dormitories.

"alright first years, girls on the left and boys on the right, your stuff should already be in your rooms! Enjoy the rest of your night and dont be scared to ask your fellow housemates for help or anything, im sure they would all be more than happy to help," Kirra smiled warmly. 

Ernie and Kirra stood there for another half hour, helping the first years however they could before they were all finally settled nicely in their new dorm rooms. Kirra went to go to leave so she could go to bed, she decided not to go to the Slytherin dorm tonight incase any of he first years needed anything throughout the night. 

"Hey Potter..." Kirra turned to him, her brows slightly furrowed as she waited for him to continue, "I uhh... I don't really understand everything that happened last year and I dont really believe the whole return of the dark lord thing-"

Kirra opened her mouth to say something but he kept going

"But im glad you're okay," he continued, "plus the whole dragon thing was pretty cool... and I'm sorry about Cedric, I know he was your friend and I cant imagine how you feel after dying and seeing your friend die."