Off the Pitch

Chapter 1: The New Student

"Hey – um, excuse me?" 

I hesitated as I tapped some random boy on the shoulder. He was tall and had bright orange hair. I noticed his robes were quite worn out and slightly too small on him. 

The boy turned around looking baffled. 

"Yes?" 

"I'm kind of lost, and I need to find professor McGonagall..." 

"No problem, I will show –" 

"Not so fast, brother", someone said behind him. 

The red-head turned around and sneered. 

"Good luck with that", he said to me, rolling his eyes. 

"Percy Weasley", the boy who had just arrived reached out his hand and introduced himself flamboyantly. He also had bright orange hair, but looked slightly older than the first boy. "And you must be –" 

"Amelia", I said, shaking his hand. "Amelia Urquart." 

"Right, pleasure to meet you", he said formally and continued with pride in his voice: "Professor McGonagall has asked me to escort you into her office, so if you will follow me–" 

"Not so fast, brother", the first boy interrupted with an impressive impersonation of his brother. He then turned to me and bowed slightly before grabbing my hand. 

"I am honored to finally meet you, milady", he said with an excessively formal voice. "Fred Weasley, your highness." 

I laughed, shook his hand and curtsied. Percy wasn't amused; he gave disapproving glances to his brother. 

Percy cleared his throat and said: "Shall we go now, miss Urquhart?" 

"Goodbye, milady", Fred said and winked. 

I flashed him a smile and left with Percy. He led me over dozens of staircases, some of which changed direction mid-way through, and through multiple paintings and secret doors. 

Finally, we arrived in front of a wooden door. Percy knocked sharply, and the door opened by itself. 

"Ah, I've been waiting for you", professor McGonagall said from behind her desk. "Thank you Mr. Weasley, you may go now." 

Percy puffed up his chest, nodded and left the room. 

Professor McGonagall got up from her seat. She was a tall, elderly witch with a strict impression on her face. She looked like someone you wouldn't want to acerbate. She took a few steps closer to me and – hugged me. 

"It's good to see you, grandmother", I said as I returned the hug. 

She pulled away, holding my shoulders and looking straight into my eyes. 

"How is your grandfather doing?" she asked. 

"He's fine", I said with a sad smile on my face. "Alone, I guess, but healthy." 

"And you, my dear?" 

I sighed. 

"I'm..." I started, not knowing what to say. 

McGonagall looked worried as she observed me. 

"I'm okay", I lied. The older witch didn't look convinced. She had always had the ability to look straight through me – there was no point in lying to her. 

"Fine, I'm not okay", I admitted. "But I can manage, I promise." 

"I know", she said and gave me a slight smile.