Kaia Black

04

  The train ride was long and it resulted in my legs feeling slightly numb but I enjoyed spending time with the Weasley twins and their friends. I inhaled the fresh air once I stepped outside the train and together with the others we stepped into one of the carriages. I grinned seeing the beautiful thestrals pulling the carriages. I had seen them before in Bulgaria but not from up close. I couldn't help myself but pet them. They were much like horses but they had a skeletal body and enormous wings.

  "What are you doing?" George asked, standing behind me. I looked over my shoulder and raised my eyebrows in question. The others gave me weird looks too and that's when I realised they couldn't see them. I completely forgot about it until then. 

  "Thestrals, they're pulling the carriages." I explained and plopped down in between the Weasley twins . 

  "Nothing's pulling the carriages, it's pulling itself by an enchantment." Angelina explained like I was a lunatic. I shook my head "No, it's just— not everyone can see them." 

  "Why? Why can you see them and we don't?" 

  I sighed and nervously fiddled with my fingers before quietly answering "Because only those who've seen death can see them." 

  "Oh." was all Angelina said as she and the rest of them stared at me with apologetic looks. I instantly regretted ever mentioning it and tried escaping the situation by looking at the landscapes around me. 

  We neared the castle and it was unlike anything I had expected. It was enormous and had so much character. I could only guess how incredible it was going to look like from inside. Every brick in the wall held another story. 

  I followed the twins into the great hall. There were four long tables full with students. The stares I got were evident but I didn't mind and simply took a seat in between the Weasley twins at the Gryffindor table, they were like my own human shield.

  My eyes caught Harry's, he sat not far away from us with Hermione and Ron as usual. We shared a smilingly look and I instantly felt more at ease. The golden trio always seemed to be together but I admired it. I knew from the stories Fred and George told me that they had been through a lot together. 

  "Good evening, children." my eyes wandered to Dumbledore who spoke in front of everyone. His eyes beamed with kindness but he seemed tired looking. I could only guess it was the ministry who gave him a hard time. 

  "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back professor Grubbly-plank who'll be taking care of magical creatures while professor Hagrid is on temporary leave." 

  I couldn't help but notice how close George was sitting next to me, our legs were touching and it made me slightly nervous but I didn't want him to move away.

  "We also wish to welcome our new defence against the dark arts teacher professor Dolores Umbridge." 

  I felt the urge to gag looking at the middle aged woman completely dressed in bright pink clothes. 

  "Yikes." said the twins in unison, both grimacing at the sight of the woman. I covered my mouth to mute a giggle. 

  "And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. Now, as usual, our caretaker, mr Filch has asked me to remind you—"

  The rudest thing happened when Umbridge cleared her throat to get everyone's attention even Dumbledore seemed gobsmacked by it. She raised from her seat and her heels clicked on the floor as she stepped closer.

  Her high pitched voice made me want to claw at my ears "Thank you, headmaster for those kind words of welcome and how lovely to see all your bright faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

  "That's likely." Fred and George said in unison. Once again I could barely stop myself from laughing. George bumped his shoulder against mine and smirked.

  "The ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school." 

  "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected and prune practices that ought to be prohibited."

  "Thank you, professor Umbridge, that was really most illuminating."

  Illuminating? It made me nauseous to hear the woman speak. I couldn't focus much the rest of the night, my eyes felt heavy with exhaustion. 

  I was relieved when we got to the Gryffindor common room. I didn't stay too long and headed for the dormitories. I told the others goodnight and shared a look with George just a little longer than with the others. 

  Apparently I had been assigned to share a room with Angelina, I was relieved I wouldn't have to share it with a complete stranger. I just hoped I wouldn't scare her off with my terror nightmares.