Living Two Lives| Chapter 2
September 1995- First Day of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The summer after Dumbledore asked you to join the Order was excruciatingly drawn out. You informed your parents of Dumbledore's offer to become an apprentice under Pomona Sprout to eventually be qualified to teach Herbology when you finished your three year waiting period. Your mother was ecstatic that you had managed to find an internship right out of school but your father questioned why Dumbledore offered you Herbology. You scored an O on almost all of your O.W.L.s as well as you N.E.W.T.s so coming up with a convincing lie was simple enough.
"So I can start working at Hogwarts as soon as possible. Rumor has it Professor Sprout is considering an early retirement." Your father didn't question you after that. He knew that your grades were superb and that was the one thing that you knew he was proud of.
That summer you studied both herbology and potions textbooks to get yourself familiarized with the most common flora and fungi as well as their uses. You read up on Winogrand's Wondrous Water Plants, Flesh-Eating Trees of the World, and Advanced Potion Making. You had originally wanted to become the Potions professor at Hogwarts but quickly gave that dream up after you had realized that Professor Snape wasn't going to retire anytime soon. Herbology and Potions work together often so you were happy to make the compromise.
The morning had finally arrived! Your suitcase had already been packed for days in anticipation for your departure. Mother came to your bedroom to see you off, you thought your father was going to show up to at least say good-bye but he was, apparently, 'taking care of some very serious business that could not wait.' Your mother kissed you on the cheek and asked you to write whenever you got a chance. You agreed and brought her in for a tight hug, she wasn't a bad mother or even a bad person but your father ran a very tight ship which made your mother less affectionate towards you at times. You could see in her eyes when you pulled away that she was so proud of you. You picked up your suitcase and disapparated to Hogwarts.
You weren't particularly adept with apparating which became apparent as you landed with a thud on the hard stone of Dumbledore's balcony. That was the only place in all of Hogwarts that wasn't restricted to teachers.
When you arrived you were slightly nauseous as you felt your head spinning. Once everything came back into focus you turned around to find Dumbledore sitting at his desk talking to Professor McGonagall. She instantly stood and made a beeline towards you and brought you in for a big huge.
"I'm so happy it's you! Of all the students Albus could have picked, he picked the best of the best!" Heat rose from your chest and you felt your face go bright red. Teachers weren't supposed to give students magnificent praise whilst they attended, they found that it discourages those who were mediocre.
Albus rose from his velvet throne and joined you and McGonagall on the balcony. He explained your role in class and gave you a mock schedule. Professor McGonagall showed you to your new living quarters. You followed her down to the dungeons, she stopped in front of a door about 20 feet from the entrance of the Slytherin Common Room.
"Dumbledore thought it would be best to keep you in familiar and comfortable territory"
The door gave a faint squeak as you pushed it open, it seemed as if it hadn't been occupied for some time. It was a very simple layout, no bigger than a studio flat. There was no need for a kitchen since most meals were eaten in the Great Hall, so the room consisted of a quaint living area, a bathroom, a closet and in the far corner you saw a queen bed and night table.
"Feel free to rearrange things to your liking. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to stop by my office." McGonagall turned to leave but stopped just shy of the threshold. She closed the door and turned to face you. "I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that Albus chose you to join the Order."
You didn't know what to say, if you had known about Professor McGonagall being a part of the Order you would have felt much more comfortable on your journey down to the dungeons. The look on your face must have said everything your mouth couldn't.
"Don't worry your secret's safe. There are more members here than you know."
"Thank you so much Professor."
"Please call me Minerva. We are co-workers now after all! I'll see you at dinner. I would love to catch up if you would like to sit with me after the sorting ceremony!"
"I would love to! Thank you so much Prof...Minerva." Saying her real name was strange but you knew you would get over it soon.
She flashed a smile before leaving you to unpack your things. Her smile was extremely comforting, she had a sort of maternal gleam in her eye and you couldn't help but stare. Your entire summer was filled with high strung emotions and family arguments about you not fulfilling the family dynasty, but her smile made all of those feelings fade away.
You put your suitcase on the bed and began to put away your clothes, you didn't bring much other than clothes and some toiletries. There was a small fireplace and a bookshelf in the living corner area of your room. During the first trip to Hogsmeade you will make a point of getting some books and trinkets to fill up the shelf. After everything was put away you sat in one of the nice armchairs across from the fireplace. Tears started to well up in your eyes and at first you didn't understand why until you finally realized. You were home.
