An Odd Wizarding Student

A Fateful Train Ride

Boarding at King's Cross station was a complete nightmare. Some stupid first years crashed their carts and one of their suitcases went flying and hit me. I'm ok but I have a nasty bruise on my side where I hit the ground and on my head where the suitcase landed. The train wasn't much better since there were no empty seats and everyone I asked to sit with turned me down. The last cart was my only hope of a seat after I had tried every other and as I neared I heard a gruff voice talking passionately. "I'm tellin' ya Severus they gonna 'ave me head on a platter if I don' figure out sommat to do 'bout this nasty blight runnin' through the pumpkins!" He was saying as I walked by but quickly stopped speaking when he saw me. "Um.... could I uh...." I stuttered badly as I stared at my shoes and tried to remember how to speak. Before me was a massive man with a scraggly beard and hands that could easily cover my whole face. He dwarfed the greasy haired and cross looking man sitting across from him. "Do yeh need anythin' girlie?" The massive man said with a smile. I blushed and before I could say anything else the normal sized man scooted over and said something I'll never forget. "You're our Odd Wizarding Student aren't you? Since you seem to be incapable of speech and look like you need a seat I assume all the other carts were full?" His voice didn't sound kind but I took the offer and tried to heave my heavy trunk onto the luggage rack. This was met by a snicker from the rather rude black haired man and a sympathetic smile from the giant who stood and loaded my luggage onto the rack as if lifting a simple feather. I smiled and sat next to the black haired man. "An' what might yer name be little miss?" I blushed at the way he was smiling at my hunched figure and mumbled my unfortunate name.  "I'm Doe Holland..." I saw the black haired man stiffen at the name. "Well 'ello Doe! I'm Hagrid and I'm the grounds keeper at Hogwarts." I smiled a bit and started to relax. "And I," said the black haired man "am Severus Snape but you shall know me as Professor Snape. I teach potions and am Head of House for Slytherin." He offers no warm smile as Hagrid did and stares down at me as if trying to read my mind. "Y-You look pretty young to be Head of House..." My voice is small but they hear. Hagrid beams down on us. "He is! Severus 'as only been at Hogwarts fer three years now an' he is already a House Head. I'm astounded meself." Snape glares at Hagrid and I can't help but giggle which turns Professor Snape's glare onto me. I can't stop giggling and soon Hagrid is fighting laughter, too. "What is so funny??" Snape demands when he sees Hagrid's grin. "Its jus' how easily she handles you. Its like yeh're wrapped 'round her finger!" I blush at that and see Snape do the same thing. "She- I'm not- Its just-" He fumbles with his words and I start to giggle again. Professor Snape shuts his mouth with a snap and glares out the window, his face red with embarrassment as me and Hagrid laughed. 

We parted ways when we arrived at the castle and I quickly followed the rest of the students to the Great Hall. They were sitting by house at four long tables and since I still had no house so I just sat at the very end of the Slytherin table. I see both Snape and Hagrid at the long table in the front of the room inspecting the first years as they're sorted into their houses. I wish I knew what house I'm really in but I'm too scared to go up and see so I stay put. Once the first years are sorted and everyone has settled down I look up from my shoes and see Professor Snape scanning the tables intently. I shrink a bit and wonder what he's looking for when his gaze happens to land on me. I can see the tension leave his shoulders and I blush a bit. Why was he looking for me? He then turns to the old looking man with a silver beard next to him and whispers something. The man nods to him and Snape stands, grabs the Sorting Hat, and walks off. I try to relax despite his sudden errand but can't. After a few moments He appears behind me and grabs my shoulder. "Will you come with me Miss Holland?" I whimper a bit but follow him away from the Great Hall and down into the dungeons. We pass what looks like the entrance to the Slytherin common room and continue on until he takes a sharp turn down a hallway. A giant picture frame hangs on the wall and he mumbles a word to it and it swings open. Beyond is a dark room with a rather small bed pushed into a corner and papers covering one wall almost completely. Upon closer inspection, I realize the papers are covered in drawings of a beautiful woman. She is profiled in some, and in others she is posing, and in one eye-catching photo she is drawn as a candid shot as she is laughing. I marvel at these then turn to see the wall next to this one is covered in shelves containing pickled and preserved creatures. I see some small impish figures floating in green liquid and in another jar I see what looks like an oversized eyeball. I become entranced in the wonder of the jars and their contents before hearing Snape clear his throat noisily and remember him. I blush badly and tear my eyes away from the jars and hurry to apologize. "I-I'm so sorry Professor... I didn't mean to-" He cuts me off there. "It isn't an issue. Now sit and we'll get started." He points to the chair that is pulled up next to the desk from which the drawings are emanating from. I sit curiously and before I can say anything he plops the Sorting Hat on my head and I hear a tiny voice in my ear. "Aha! You're not like my other charges. You are far older and much quieter. Hufflepuff maybe? No you don't seem the type... You seem to be the most fitted for SLYTHERIN!" The hat screamed this last part and Snape pulled the hat off of my head. I could tell he was trying not to smile but not succeeding very well. "Very good Doe. You shall be in my house. I'll show you to your room right now." He then gets up and exits his room, holding the painting open for me to hop through. I follow him down the hallway just a bit then he turns down another hallway and I see a beautiful painting of a giant snake in a garden. The snake hisses as we draw closer and starts to uncoil itself. "This girl lives here. You are to protect her at all costs. Understood?" The snake nods and the picture swings open. The room beyond is astounding. The ceiling is painted with rolling waves and moves in a way that makes me feel like I'm on a boat. A big four poster bed stands in the middle of one wall and a wardrobe stands next to it. Everything is carved in waves or like shells and the light blue and green walls add to the affect of being in the ocean. I smile a ton and look over at Professor Snape who has been watching me from the doorway. "Does it please you?" I nod fast and gaze up at the rolling ceiling. "Its beautiful." He smiles warmly. "This is your room. Since you're an OWS (Odd Wizarding Student) you get this room. Everyone else will be kept in the Slytherin dorms. You must share a bathroom but that is it. You are aloud to miss classes when you must and you can always come to me if you need something. I am your Head of House and I will tolerate bending the rules to fit your situation. I have been informed of your predicament and understand that you need to keep your stress and anger levels down for the safety of others. If you need anything, anything at all, just come to me and I will help you."  I nod solemnly and see the laughter in his eyes. I smile and he walks back to the painting. "The rest of the house should be getting back right about now. I must take my leave." His normal scowl is back and he swings the painting open and exits. Strangely, I feel myself missing him. I just met the guy, why should I miss him as soon as he steps out of the room? I'm quickly distracted by the beauty of the room and the pictures on the walls. One is a wolf with silver fur and shocking green eyes. Another is a raven as black as pitch and a third is a pale blonde girl swinging calmly from a willow tree. She turns and looks at me when I flop down on my bed and I'm startled by her brilliant red eyes. "You're the new keep then?" Her voice is low and mellow and I relax a bit. "Yes, I'm Doe." She just stares at me and out of the corner of my eye I see the wolf and crow doing the same thing. "M-Might I ask..." I try hesitantly "What y-your name is?" The girl stares at me and her expression doesn't change at all. Just as I think she won't answer I hear her creamy voice. "You may call me Sybbyl." I nod slowly. "Nice to meet you Sybbyl." The wolf and crow exchange a look and I decide to give up. I walk to the giant bed and throw myself onto its fluffy heaven happily. I giggle a bit and smile when I see the winking stars engraved in golden thread on the comforter. A knock sounds at my door and a man comes in with my suitcase. "Good evening, Miss." I nod to him and he places my worn old case by the wardrobe. "Your name is Doe, correct?" I nod once more and watch as he reaches into his pocket. "I have something from Hagrid for you." He pulls out a folded piece of paper and hands it to me. There is sloppy handwriting on the front reading "To Doe H." I smile and thank the man and he leaves. I notice the wolf and crow eyeing him warily and feel a bit more secure here. I tear open the letter a second later, excited that someone would write me. 

"Deerest Doe, 

I noticed you dont have much supplies for scool when I saw that you didnt have a second bag or a trunk. Have you been to Diagon Alley yet? They have the best supplys for scool so I'd be willing to take you if you want. Do you have any money? I guess you dont since you didnt get anything sweet when the trolly came round. You seem like the tipe to like sweets. I'll make some fudge for you if you want.   Let me know about Diagon Alley. 

Yours deerest, Rubeas Hagrid

P.S. You can visit anytime you like. My house is on the grounds near the Forbidden Forrest. "

Unsure how to answer, I tossed the note on a desk and went in search of a quill and parchment. Finding parchment was easy but I don't remember picking up a quill anytime recent. I find the solution in the drawers of the desk which seemed to read my mind and present me with a beautiful ivory fountain pen. It was already filled with dark blue ink and I started scribbling my reply to Hagrid. 

"Dearest Hagrid,

I have not been to Diagon Alley and don't have any wizarding money to speak of. I would love to share some fudge with you, though, if you have the time. You seem like a great friend to have and I'd like to share a recipe for Key Lime pie with you, if thats something you'd like to try. I don't have a kitchen in my room so I would have to borrow yours to make it. It's so kind of you to not alienate me even though I'm dangerous and I thank you deeply.

Sincerely yours, Doe Holland"

Now I'm faced with the problem of sending the letter so I scrawl his name on the outside of the paper, fold it, and head out the door. The snake throws me a questioning glance and I explain, "I'll be back in a bit. Going to ask Professor Snape something." The snake watches me down the hall and I turn into Snape's room. I'm scared to bother him but I want to know how to send this letter so I knock on the edge of the painting. It swings open and Snape's scowl meets me. I shrink as soon as I see it. "Miss Holland? Can I help you?" His scowl immediately softens and I hold the letter out to him. "I-I would like t-t-to know how I c-could get this to Hagrid..." I speak quickly but feel Snape's caring gaze and it calms me. "Don't you have an owl?" I shake my head and stare at my shoes. "I don't have any wizarding money, sir. I could not buy much more than parchment." He looks astounded and takes the letter from me. "You can use my owl for now but I will see about getting you one of your own soon. I am very glad this came up so early. He gives the note to a pitch black owl which flies off into the night. "Now that that's taken care of, you must get to sleep. It's a big day tomorrow." He ruffles my hair and I laugh a bit. He shoves me out of the painting gently. "Off to bed with you." I hurry to my room and jump into my bed happily. I'm grinning widely and lay down after undressing and putting on a simple white nightgown. Sleep comes easily that night but my dreams are troubled. I don't know it yet, but a storm is coming. A very very bad storm.