The Letters to No One - Romione

Chapter 20

'Gryffindors are brave and daring; Ravenclaws are wise and open minded; Hufflepuffs are kind and loyal.' Ron imitated the sorting hat as he explained the houses to Hermione. 'And Slytherin is where they but all the bad guys.' Ron added.

'I'm sure they're not that bad,' Hermione replied.

'Hermione, they basically all have Death Eaters for parents.'

'Death Eaters?' Hermione questioned.

'I'll explain later,' Ron said, having completely forgotten that there was so much that Hermione still didn't know about the wizarding world. The two had climbed off the train almost as soon as it had stopped. Ron waited on the platform peering over the crowds in an attempt to find Harry and the others before getting into one of the carriages.

'Ahh Miss Granger, how lovely to finally meet you,' An old woman said pushing her way through the crowds towards them. She was wearing a long black cloak with a matching hat and a pair of glasses balanced precariously on the edge of her nose.

'Don't worry Professor McGonagall I'll look after her,' Ron said.

'That's all very well Mr Weasley, but I have orders from Dumbledore himself to escort Miss Granger to the castle for the sorting.' McGonagall replied. Hermione quickly realised that she was not somebody to mess with. 'Come with me Miss Granger.'

'I'll see you later,' Hermione said to Ron in an attempt to reassure him that everything would be alright as she turned and began to follow Professor McGonagall. Hermione's stomach was in knots as she followed the teacher through a pair of large, enchanted gates towards one single carriage that was waiting for them.

'What's that?' Hermione asked noticing the large, skeleton like creature that was stood by the carriage. It stretched out it's large wings, creating a large gust of wind as it flapped them.

'I wasn't sure whether or not you would be able to see them?' McGonagall replied.

'Why wouldn't I be able to see them. Is it because I'm muggle born?' She asked.

'No, no dear, not at all. You're a witch and that's all that matters, don't let anybody else tell you differently.' McGonagall said as she climbed into the carriage, beckoning to Hermione to follow her. Hermione climbed inside the carriage, which was a lot bigger on he inside than it had looked on the outside. She took a seat opposite McGonagall as the carriage began to move.

'So what are they?' Hermione asked again after a moment's silence.

'They're called thestrals, and they can only be seen by those who have seen death.'

'Oh,' Hermione replied not knowing what else to say.

'Most people can't see them, but I see that you're not that lucky.' McGonagall said with a stern look on her face. Hermione wondered if she would ever see this woman smile.

'Have there been any others like me?' Hermione asked as the carriage continued to travel up the long, winding drive. Hermione was sure that she could see something ahead in the distance and wondered how close they were to arriving.

'Like you how?' McGonagall asked.

'That didn't start in first year,' Hermione said quietly, but McGonagall still heard her.

'Very few,' she replied. 'Although it does happen every once in a while. Look we're almost here.' McGonagall pointed in the distance where a large castle was now completely visible. It looked so beautiful in the moonlight that Hermione gasped, not believing what she had been missing for the past four years of her life.