Riddle

Chapter Four

Ivy sat in the carriage not really listening to the others chat. She instead looked out into the darkness beyond the sphere of light the carriage produced.

They passed through a gate; two winged boars leered at Ivy from atop the stone pillars. She shuddered. Ivy peered up the winding road they trundle down. Through the trees she could make out a castle. There were windows lit here and there showing some signs of life. There were turrets on turrets and spindly looking towers coming of the main building. It looked like a explosion to Ivy. An architectural marvel.

"What are you smiling at?" Neville was staring at her, his eyes curious.
"Just the oddness of this. There is a castle out there that simply cannot be possible!" She waved her hand simply, "I must be crazy!"
"You don't believe that this is real,"
Ivy turned to Luna.
"Would you?" Luna looked up from her magazine,
"It doesn't really matter does it. It happens anyways."

Ivy stared at her.
"Well that's comforting," said Ron.

He looked at Luna like she was a ghost.
"Don't worry Ivy I'm sure Dumbledore will know exactly what to do with you." Hermione stated.

Ivy didn't see how that was comforting. Neville glared at Hermione,
"She is not a situation that needs to be dealt with!" Hermione looked taken aback, "stop treating her like she is a problem that Dumbledore will just magically fix. She is a human being!"
"All right, all right, blimey Neville you okay?" Harry sounded worried.

The carriage came to a halt and Neville turned angrily to Ivy.
"Yeah I'm fine. Come on Ivy," He climbed out and offered a hand to Ivy, "I'll take her to see Dumbledore. See you all in the feast."

He sounded miserable. Ivy took his hand and tried to climb elegantly out the carriage. She slipped on the first step and tumbled into Neville's arms. Blushing furiously, she rightened herself. Neville itched the back of his neck as Ron laughed at them.
"I figured it out!" He said gleefully. Neville shut the door before he could say anymore.
"Shall we?" He offered Ivy his arm. Ivy laughed and reached for his arm like she was a lady from the 1600's.
"We shall." She nodded her head, eyes laughing as Neville led her to the castle.

Light spilled from an oak door at the top of the stone steps. Ivy was careful not to trip. She didn't want Neville to think of her as super clumsy. He led her through the arching doorway.

Ivy gasped. Neville guided her through the crowds of students who like Neville were dressed in black robes. Ivy could see silvery shadows floating above the student's heads. Everyone was crossing the flagged stone floor towards another arched door.

Neville pulled her past the crowds. The moved past the doorway, Ivy could see a room filled with people beyond, and dragged her up a set of stairs. Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.

"The headmaster is in here." She pointed to a wooden door to her left. Neville stepped forward but McGonagall held up a hand.
"Just Ivy Mr. Longbottom."

Neville looked sour but nodded to Ivy.
"I'll wait for you here," He offered.
"No you will not! Off to the feast with you!" McGonagall ordered.

She smiled as Neville retreated. He gave her a thumbs up as he scurried away to the hall. Ivy smiled and opened the door.

The room beyond was filled with stone arches. A man with a long silver beard stood facing a window that looked out upon the lake Ivy had seen when she had gotten off the train. She cautiously approached him.

He wore billowing purple robes with yellow detailing. He seemed quietly jolly with half-moon spectacles perched on the bridge if his long-crooked nose. He turned to Ivy.
"Ah Miss. Green, the one who got through the barrier." He smiled at her kindly. "No need to look so scared my dear. You must have gotten through for a reason." He looked at her like she was a puzzle.
"A reason?"