Emma [On hold]

Emma

Chapter one

Out of Sight

“She’s always been a little...Odd.” said Mrs. Greene to the peculiar bearded man. The pair walked down the corridor; Albus Dumbledore was helplessly aware of the peeling paint and cracked walls. The old timber floor was dusty and rotting, but the worst part about the orphanage probably had to be the smell of rotting fish that was seeping up from the kitchen.

“We’re all a little odd.” He said simply, and Mrs. Greene grimaced at him, clearly thinking he was a little odd. The Professor smiled in spite of her, and she avoided his gaze as she continued to speak.

“The other children stay away from her... She’s an outsider.” Mrs. Greene stopped at the girl’s door. “Now I don’t know what you know about the girl, but she’s no looker. She’s plain; except for her eyes...they’re the most unusual eyes...” The woman smirked as though something was funny as she continued. “And she ain’t too bright either. She just kind of sits there and fiddles with that darn locket of hers.” The woman sighed frustratedly and opened the door.

Mrs. Greene walked straight over to when the girl sat on her bed, and whispered something in her ear, before walking back to Dumbledore.

“She’s all yours.” Mrs. Green told him, casting a disgusted look back into the room before walking along the corridor and down the stairs.

“I am Professor Dumbledore.” The man said, sitting in the chair across from the girl.

She didn’t face him.

“That’s a weird name,” Said the girl, still looking away. “Oh! I said that out loud didn’t I?”

“I’m afraid so.” Said Professor Dumbledore, smiling uncertainly.

“I’m always doing that. I think two things at once and the wrong one comes out! I was meant to say ‘I’m Emma Young.’” She muttered something under her breath that sounded oddly like ‘I’m so stupid.’

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Mrs Greene didn’t say why you were here...” Emma said, as though inviting him to speak. Although she still looked away from him.

“I work at a school called Hogwarts. I have come to offer you a place at my school — your new school, if you would like to come.”

“Is it...umm, this might sound weird...Would it be suited for me?” Emma asked, sounding very apprehensive.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I do not understand what you mean.”

“Oh,” Emma said in shock. “She didn’t tell you, did she? That – that - cow!” Emma made a noise of frustration. She didn’t like to call people names, and hardly ever did so. Mrs. Greene was the exception.

“What didn’t she tell me?” Dumbledore asked, very concerned.

“I’m blind.” Emma said, and Dumbledore’s mouth popped open in shock.

It made sense why she wasn’t facing him, but disgustedly, he realised how appalling Mrs. Greene was about it.

“I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.” He said, trying to keep his voice polite while attempting to bury his new found detest for Mrs. Greene.

“So it doesn’t freak you out?” Emma said happily. “Most people think it’s weird. Especially when I don’t face them...I’m not facing you am I?”

“No, but it doesn’t matter.”

“It does to everyone else.” She paused. “Is this better?” she said, turning and coming face-to-face with him.