Riddle

Chapter Three

Professor McGonagall motioned for Ivy to follow her. As Ivy left the compartment she glanced back at Neville and gave a small, terrified smile. Neville waved encouragingly.
She was led to a similar compartment as the one she had just been in at the front of the train which looked to be reserved for staff. Professor McGonagall took the seat opposite her.
"Miss Green, I am Professor McGonagall, I teach at Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry which is where this train is headed. If you could please explain to me how you came to be on this train."

It was not phrased as a question. Ivy felt intimidated by her Scottish accent and perfect posture. She tried to sit a little straighter.

"Um...well...I don't really know how I got onto the train. I was looking after the younger kids while Matron was chasing Jimmy-"

Professor McGonagall lifted a hand, Ivy paused.
"Matron?"
"Yes...umm...well she runs the orphanage,"

Ivy prayed that Professor McGonagall would catch on and not ask her about why she was in an orphanage. She only nodded and motioned for Ivy to continue.
"Um...yes...we were sitting by platforms 9 and 10 and I went to lean against the wall but I fell through instead. There were all these people moving about and getting on a train and I didn't really think-"
"You mean to say that you discovered a new platform and just decided to get on the train there?"

Ivy gulped. That was exactly what she was saying.
'Yes Professor,'

Professor McGonagall sighed and nodded. Ivy wondered if this was the strangest thing she had heard.
"Have you heard of the wizarding community before?"

Ivy shook her head,

"Magic? Of any kind"

"Only in the stories I read to the younger kids."
"Do you know anything about your family?"
"No."

Ivy didn't elaborate. No need to tell anyone that she had just been left on the Matrons doorstep. People could figure that out for themselves.
"Is Green your parents last name?"

Ivy could feel her anger beginning to rise. She hated questions about things she didn't know and her parents was a big question mark.
"I don't know. Why must you ask about my parents?" She groaned.

Professor McGonagall sighed. Ivy felt mad. She did not want to come across as a whiny little kid .
"I know it may be upsetting but I assure you it is necessary."

Ivy noticed that she didn't say how it was necessary.
"What's going to happen to me?" She asked quietly.
"This is the most unusual circumstance and will be treated carefully. No harm shall come to you."

She smiled kindly at Ivy who didn't feel the least bit comforted. Professor McGonagall left leaving Ivy on her own to wait. The sound of the train chugging it's way into the unknown.

Ivy felt the train slowing down. She opened her eyes squinting out into the darkness outside the window. She could make out a small building surrounded in mist and trees. There were several old-fashioned lamps with hanging baskets overflowing with flowers that looked ghostly in the evening light. Ivy was unsure of what to do. Should she wait for someone to come get her? She hated not knowing. It made her feel weak, vulnerable, her fingers nervously plaited the ends of her red scarf as she waited. Maybe they had all forgotten about her.
After five minutes the compartment door slid open and Ivy saw Neville standing in the doorway.
"Come on, the carriages will be leaving soon."

Ivy grabbed her bag and followed Neville onto the platform. From this side the platform was backed by a massive lake shrouded in mist. Ivy could see a castle rising above the mist in the distance surrounded by mountains. Neville grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the view. They crossed over a bridge to get to the other side of the tracks where the little building stood. Beyond the building there were several black carriages pulled magnificent winged skeletal beasts. Ivy stared into their bright eyes that seemed to smoulder. Ivy turned to see Neville looking at her.
"You can see them too?" He asked.

She frowned,
"Can't everyone?"

Neville shook his head,
"Not many."
"Well they are missing out then. They are beautiful. What are they?"

Neville shrugged
"I don't know. Didn't want to ask either in case they thought I was crazy!"

Ivy laughed. She didn't understand not wanting to know something. She rarely cared what people thought of her.
"It's alright," Luna's dreamy voice came from inside the carriage. "You're not going mad or anything. I can see them too."
"Can you?" Harry said looking worried.

Neville held the door for Ivy as she climbed in. Harry, Luna, Ginny and the other two from the compartment where there. Neville pulled the door shut behind them as Luna said,
"Oh, yes I've been able to see them ever since my first day here." She nodded proudly, "don't worry you're just as sane as I am."
Neville and Ivy tried not to laugh at the look of increased worry on Harry's face.
"What are they called?" Ivy managed to ask Luna.
"Thestrals-"
"You can see them too?" Harry looked slightly frantic.
"Yeah but remember I'm a muggle who managed to find a world full of wizards and witches by accident so you know..." Harry nodded resigned to his fate as a crazy person.
"Don't worry Harry, I can see then too," Neville said, "and there is nothing odd about me."

He took his plant out as if to prove the point. Ivy and Neville started laughing while Luna looked on mystified to what was so funny.
Harry smiled
"Knock it off guys," they managed to regain control of themselves and only a few giggles escaped.
The girl from earlier turned to Ivy,
'I don't think that we have been properly introduced, I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley." She indicated to the red-haired boy.
"I can introduce myself!"

He waved at Ivy.
"Don't be over dramatic Ronald!"

Hermione sighed while Ron looked outraged,
"Over dramatic! Me! Never!"
Neville and Ivy burst out laughing again and this time Harry and Luna joined in.