A Second Chance

4.

Bonita woke up to an empty dorm room and, upon further inspection, an empty common room.

She hadn't had the opportunity to meet her dorm mates, nor become acquainted with the rest of her House, before she went to bed last night.

Last night.

Bonita felt her face heat up with embarrassment. How could she have raised her voice to him like that? Demanded that he apologize to a student who had hazed her just seconds prior? She must have been out of her mind. In her past, she had never dared to speak to someone who had higher authority to her in such a way. Yet she had done it to two separate people.

First to Dumbledore, laying out her all to him the way she did, being practically demanding once she realized her situation. Though, he seemed all too happy to accommodate her and then some.

And then Snape! Bonita couldn't believe herself. She was still shaking with nerves when she hurriedly left the herd of children last night. She scolded their teacher. HER teacher! She demanded he apologize to the Harris girl. And he did!

Bonita remembered being frozen in place in a dumbstruck daze as she watched his back disappear behind the common room door. He hadn't even tried to refuse. Just accepted and apologized. Albeit, his tone was sour and curt, but he did it. She would have to mark that one on a calendar.

As she stood down the steps from the great hall, Bonita couldn't help but wonder what last night's events would do for her. This was a school and, as she learned last night, rumors were bound to happen no matter what.

She stopped. Why should she care about some kids and their rumors. There was more at stake than her reputation. She needed to focus. Was being at Hogwarts exciting and was she easily carried away by such excitement? Yes, yes she was. But, she needed to stick to her plan of learning everything she could to become stronger.

With a deep breath she steadied herself and took her first step into the great hall. Immediately, she regretted it. Dumbledore took notice of her first and proceeded to tap his cutlery against his glass goblet. The chime echoed through the large room and the students silenced, their chatter brought to a slow stop as they all turned their heads and bodies to look at their headmaster.

Dumbledore smiled at his students warmly as he peered over his halfmoon spectacles, his dark grey eyes sweeping over the sea of kids.

"Good morning everyone, good morning. Please, I know it is still early but allow me to start the morning off with a quick and, as I am sure you will all agree, exciting bit of news." He said, his voice carrying across the masses. "If you will all, please, turn your attention to the entrance of the Great Hall."

Bonita watched with wide eyes as everyone spun in their seats to look at her. Their eyes snapping to her as she stood frozen at the scene before her. It was almost horrifying, like something straight from a horror movie. Bonita felt like a rabbit in the midst of many ravenous wolves.

"I would like to introduce to you all, Bonita Lunelli." Dumbledore continued. "She ran into some trouble but she is here with us now. I hope you all make her feel welcome."

The students erupted into a lengthy applause while she just stood there, unsure really of what to do, so she curtsied.

When the clapping settled down and silence fell over the Great Hall once more, Dumbledore spoke up again.

"Would you mind coming up here for a moment,Bonita?" He motioned with his hand, beckoning her to the front of the room.

Bonita glared at the old greyed wizard. He was putting her in the spotlight, first day, with that unnecessary introduction and now he even wanted her to stand somewhere where she would be even more of a spectacle.