George Weasley // Stuck with me

2.Bouncing Knees and Shaky Hands

The carriage ride was quiet.  Everyone reminiscing on the years previous, the memories of happier and worse times.  Filing out McKenna said a soft thank you to the thestral as she stroked it's cheek before continuing on.  Wiping her palms on her trousers she followed the sea of people making their way into the grand hall.  It was taking everything she had not to cry.  Everything had been restored and redecorated, the tables looked shiny and new, the candles floating softly overhead, and the sky enchanted on the ceiling.  Standing at the front of the hall in a green dress looking absolutely regal stood McGonagall.  Now the headmistress of Hogwarts after the events of the earlier this year.  She smiled at all the students returning a slight glisten in her eyes.  well at least I'm not the only person that feels emotional right now  McKenna thought.

"Take your seats please at your house tables, I am sure the new first years are anxiously awaiting outside.  This includes you returning pupils."  McGonagall stated before sending Filch to check and see if Hagrid was ready with the new students.  Sitting next to Hermione across from Harry, McKenna felt her nerves beginning to grow.  She didn't know how it was going to happen or how soon but she knew what she was here for.  Even though she knew the process was going to be magic, irrational thoughts seep through anything rational and poison logical thinking.  She didn't realize she was bouncing her leg until Hermione put a hand on it.  Making eye contact Hermione gave her a soft concerned look

 "Are you alright?" she asked.

  "If I'm being totally honest I'm actually kind of nervous. but I'll be okay.  It's like first year jitters all over again right?" McKenna answered with a small chuckle.  Hermione smiled and breathed out a laugh before nodding her head

 "Alright then if you're sure." Hermione drew her hand away and McKenna subtly started shaking her foot again.  She looked over to Harry and Ron as they looked around and marveled at how well the hall looked.  Smiling she was glad to see Harry okay as he animatedly talked to Ron about the new suits of armor that lined the halls wondering where they came from. 

The chatter in the hall immediately quieted down as the doors opened and Hagrid strode into the hall followed by a group of shuffling first years.  McKenna smiled as she remembered walking through that door for the first time. 

 She was so nervous holding onto to Harry's hand making sure he didn't get lost or separated from her.  Quickly glancing around she began to relax seeing the welcoming atmosphere of the hall.  She hadn't let go of Harry's hand until he was called to get sorted.

For the first time in awhile she felt a new feeling, it felt healing almost as she watched the first years nervously walking up to the battered worn sorting hat.  She realized her leg had stopped shaking although her hands were still quite sweaty.  Wiping her hands again on her dark jeans she watched the final first year be sorted into Ravenclaw.  

"Now I will keep this brief as I know all of us are ravenous and eagerly await the wonderful dinner that has been prepared.  In the words of Albus Dumbledore- Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"  McGonagall exclaimed with a smile. 

 "Now dig in!"  At a wave of her hands mountains of food appeared on the table.  

The smells were overwhelming, nauseating almost.  McKenna didn't realize how hungry she really was until she could smell the mashed potatoes, chicken, different casseroles, and meat pies.  Ron was already digging in alternating between shoving in mashed potatoes and tearing apart a chicken leg.  

"hey McKenna, remember when we first got here and ate so much that we had to go see Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked.  McKenna nodded her head chuckling.  It was sad really, the Potters didn't know whether the meals were always as nice as the beginning of the year feast so they aimed to eat as much as they could just in case it disappeared.  The Dursley's were always abusive towards the children, taking away meals as punishments.  So the next morning after the feast at breakfast they each ate 3 plates of food.  Their tiny bodies were not used to so much rich food they threw up... all of it.  From then on they were reassured by Ron and Hermione that the food wasn't going anywhere and that in fact it was a normal occurrence that they always had that much food available to them.