stages of denial

ch 2

"isabel is it?" a large man greeted her cheerfully.

"are you hagrid?" isabels eyes darted up and down him fearfully as he towered over her.

"proud to be! how are john and meredith?" his smile was large and plastered on his face.

"they're good, yeah, they said you would help me, to the school?" her eyes looked up at him questionably.

"that I will, dumbledore is expecting you before the feast." his large hands grasped the handle of her luggage, taking it happily in his arms.

"dumbledore, that's the one in charge?" her fear had faded from the tall man, as his kindness took over his looks.

"my dear, you really have been kept in the dark!" hagrid shook his head.

"time to go now, don't want to keep one thousand hungry kids waiting on you, that's how you'll make enemies, especially weasley, that boy knows how to eat." a loud chuckle left his lips, his hand reaching out to her.

isabel studied his hand skeptically before slowly placing hers in his and closing her eyes.

—

"righto, here we are!" hagrid took a few steps forward, placing her luggage near a pile of suitcases.

"wow." isabel stood in complete shock, turning in every direction to take in all that surrounded her.

"beautiful isn't it, i just love this place." hagrid turned to her with his large smile still stapled to his face.

"is that, normal?" isabel's head titled in curiousity, watching the characters in the pictures pace back and fourth, wondering if she had simply gone mad at this point.

"that's the most normal thing here!" hagrid let out a laugh.

"come now, they're waiting." hagrid rushed out, leading her into what was known as, the great hall.

as hagrid pushed the doors open, professors and students shot their attention to them.

isabel tucked herself behind hagrid, taking glimpses as they moved forward.

whispers filled the room, though too hushed to make out what was being said.

"Hagrid!" An elderly man greeted him happily.

"Dumbledore, always good to see you." Hagrid stepped to the side, revealing Isabel to his eyes.

"Ah, Isabel, we finally meet." Dumbledore stepped down from his higher position, offering his hand to her.

"Nice to meet you, sir." isabel managed to stutter out, completely baffled by all the eyes that were watching her every move. slowly she reached out for his hand.

isabel had never in her life seen the clothes that were worn throughout the whole building, robes with markings on each one.

"Stay right here." dumbledore spoke softly, stepping in front of a large platform.

"If I could have your attention please, students and professors I would like to welcome one of our newest students, Isabel, let us give her a warm welcome."

at his request most of the students started to applaud, though those with green on their robes stared and glared at the girl that stood before them.

"Isabel, there's something we must do first before you take a seat." Dumbledore still spoke to everyone, though directed at her.

"We have four houses, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, the hat will decided what house you belong to." Dumbledore grabbed a brown wrinkled hat at the end of the table, carefully setting it on top of the girls head.