Love found in malice

Chapter 4: Headmaster Dippet

The door to the headmasters office opens before I have a chance to open it myself. There stands who I assume is Headmaster Dippet. He wears long colorful robes with small ovular spectacles attached to the front pocket. His hair and beard are pearly white, both of which are cut short. His skin is wrinkled with a slight tan. Looking at him, he doesn't seem like the kind of man who believes in formalities. His entire appearance reeks the giddiness of a child  but in a man's body. I want to laugh but suppress it instead. He smiles at me displaying his pearly white teeth.

"Hello my child! Who might you be?" Headmaster Dippet exclaims.

"My name is Hermione Racerene Granger sir"

"It is very nice to meet you Hermione, I'm headmaster Armando Dippet. But your more than welcome to call me Armando" he says. "What brings you to my office today?"

" I've been sent here to Hogwarts by my parents. Grindelwald is getting closer and closer each day to where I live in Denmark. I've been told that Hogwarts is the safest place to be. I'm in need of shelter for the time being and wonder if you could accommodate me?" I say.

"I see why not. It isn't everyday someone comes to the school seeking shelter" he says looking at me. "However, there is no free rides at Hogwarts. If you wish to stay here you must partake in classes"

"Thank you so much sir! You have no idea how much this means to me" I say.

"No worries my dear child. I must ask though have you ever attended wizarding school before?"

"Yes sir I have. I was a 6th year student at Durmstrang Institute. I was forced to leave of course due to fear of Grindelwald attacking. As you may know he did attend Durmstrang back in the day" I say.

"Your father may have been right," says Headmaster Dippet. "I suspect he'll be closing in on them soon in an attempt to gain young followers".

"I completely agree sir".

The noise of the office door startles me as a young man in his thirties walks in. Eyes the color of the ocean is the first thing I notice. Then, his carmel colored hair atop his head and upon his face.

"Who might this be?" he addresses Headmaster Dippet.

"This Professor Dumbledore, is one of our new 6th year students, Hermione Granger" he says, placing a hand on my shoulder. Wait did he just say Professor Dumbledore? This is certainly an entirely different person, the only resemblance is the ocean blue eyes.

"It is very nice to meet you Miss Granger" he says politely. "Where may I ask are you from?"

"I come from a small town in Denmark called Mariager sir" I say

"That is a very small town" he says. "Did you know Mariager is referred to as the town of deceit" he says catching me off guard.

"Actually sir that is Ebeltoft. Mariager is referred to as the town of roses" I say, glad I had actually done some research prior.

"My apologies Miss Granger your right,I had gotten the two confused" he says smiling finally.

"It's okay sir everyone confuses the two" I say. He just nods in response and turns to Headmaster Dippet pulling him aside.

I decide to look around the office instead of prying on their conversation. It is the same room as Dumbledore's years later but has silly objects scattered around it reminding me of George and Fred's joke shop. Many colors are displayed throughout the room making it seem as though a rainbow had exploded in the room. It is extremely bright in here making the space cheerful and inviting. is much brighter giving an uplifting mood to the space. I'm taken out of my thoughts by Headmaster Dippet's voice.

"Mrs. Granger, the school will be delivering your school books and robes to your room as well as any other materials you may need for the time being. As for your schedule 6th year students are required to take all of our core classes; Herbology, Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Potions and Transfiguration. This leaves one extra class for a subject in the field you plan to go into. Do you have any idea of what career you would This year is very important because you will be studying for the N.E.W.T. exams for next year" Dippet says, smiling brightly at me.

"Do you have any idea of what you might want to do after school?" Professor Dumbledore asks.

"I've always wanted to work in the ministry but I don't have a specific field in mind" I say truthfully. I may be in the past but I still wish to learn as much as possible.

"Interesting" Professor Dumbledore says. "You must take Herbology, Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Potions and Transfiguration which leaves you with one extra class slot".

"If it is possible my old headmaster allowed me to take extra courses and I wish to continue doing so. I'm interested in Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Alchemy" I say.

"That is a lot of work Mrs. Granger. I'm not sure if you'll be able to handle the workload" Headmaster Dippet says.

"Trust me sir, if there is anything I'm really good at it's multitasking and studying." I say

"I see no reason to not allow her the extra course load Dippet. She must know her strengths enough to ask to take extra classes. We've only known one student to ever ask this and they are doing extremely well" Professor Dumbledore says.

"Your right" Dippet says, "If you find after classes start the work is too hard you may drop a class" he says, averting his attention to me.

"Of course sir, but I think I'll be alright" I say, appreciating the concern.

"Now we just need to figure out what house to place you in" Dippet says. "Luckily for you, you have come on the first day of school which happens to be my favorite. I'll ask you to follow the first year students to dinner tonight. You'll be taking part in the sorting ceremony". I remember when I had been sorted into Gryffindor. I was so nervous I felt like I might have fainted. Now I have to do it all over again. My only concern is that I won't be placed in the house I want, Slytherin.

"Certainly sir, I've always wanted to take part in the ceremony. I've heard great things about it" I say.

"Yes, yes it is quite fascinating" Dippet says. "Professor would you escort Mrs. Granger to the location of the first year students" he asks Dumbledore.

"It would be my pleasure".

"Goodbye Mrs. Granger, I'll see you at the ceremony" Dippet says waving Dumbledore and myself off.

As Professor Dumbledore and I leave the office and make our way towards the great hall he doesn't say a word to me. There's an awkward silence over the two of us as we walk through several corridors finally reaching our destination. A massive slated wooden door with black hinges and giant round brass door handles, marks the entrance to the great hall. The plainness of the door gives no indication of the wonder behind it.

Huddled together in-front of the door is a horde of first year students accompanied by Ogg the groundskeeper. Each student stands their with an anxious and nervous expression on their face in turn making me nervous as well.

"This is where I leave you" Professor Dumbledore says.

"Thank you sir for escorting me" I say appreciatively. I do know my way around the castle but what makes me wary is knowing Tom Riddle is roaming the halls.

"Of course, I look forward to seeing what house you're placed in," he says.

"Me too" I say, worried about that too.

"I must go take my seat but I'll be seeing you shortly," he says, leaving to go to the Professors table at the head of the Great Hall. The second he leaves, I turn to all the first year students noticing they've all lined up for their big entrance. I scurry in line just as Ogg opens the massive door revealing the large room. My stomach flips as my palms begin to sweat. I cross my fingers silently pleading that this goes well and begin moving forward with the crowd.