Choices: Part 1

Chapter 9

I stay in the bathroom for the rest of the class, not moving a muscle until I hear the bell ring. Remembering that I am supposed to see Professor Weasley, I grudgingly get up and head out. The hallways are packed with students eager to enjoy the rest of the day. Sunlight streams through the windows and I feel a light warm breeze coming in. I feel cold inside. That woman – me – has chilled me to the bone. Those glowing red eyes seem to follow me everywhere I turn. Even though I couldn't hear her laugh, I imagined it was something high pitched and manic. Is that going to happen to me? I wonder. Does that mean I will never go home? Be stuck here and somehow turn evil? Who did I kill? More than anything I want to find Professor Fig and tell him what I saw. Maybe Professor Weasley can point me to where his office is.

I make it to the third floor in a daze and, after asking a Hufflepuff walking by, I find her office and knock lightly on the door. I hear her call out "Enter!" and I come in, shutting the door behind me. Professor Weasley, wearing dark red robes, is sitting behind a long wooden desk, bookcases high behind her. She motions for me to take a seat in one of the red chairs in front of her desk.

"Good afternoon, Miss O'Dooling. How was your first day?" She asks.

"It was good." I say.

"Excellent. Seem to be catching up, alright?" She probes.

I nod. "Professor Fig made sure I was up to speed before I came here."

"I'm glad. As the Deputy Headmistress, I want to make sure all my students are not struggling in their classes. Especially in...this case where you are starting right in the middle of your education. I may be the head of Gryffindor, but my door is always open if you ever need guidance." She says.

"Thank you, Professor Weasley." I say.

"And also, there is another matter I needed to discuss with you." She adds.

My stomach drops. "Oh?" I say.

"I did want to speak to you about your – trip – with Professor Fig." She says.

"Seems out of character for a dragon to attack a carriage like it did yours," She continues, "Unless provoked, dragons tend to keep to themselves."

"Oh – I had no idea. Makes me wonder why it attacked us then." I say, gripping my skirt under the desk.

"Precisely my point. Now I spoke to Professor Fig and he assured me that you were in no danger, but I wanted to ask you myself." She states.

"Me?" I ask.

Professor Weasley fold her hands on her desk and nods. "Is there anything you wish to tell about the incident? I assure you that you are safe here and we will help you with anything – or anyone – that is putting you at risk."

The woman in the crystal ball crosses my mind. How can you protect me from myself? I shake my head quickly and force a smile.

"No, not more than what Professor Fig has probably told you." I lie.

Professor Weasley eyes me suspiciously, but then nods. "Very well. You can enjoy the rest of your day, then. I will see you in Transfiguration class tomorrow."

Obviously dismissing me, I stand and head for the door. Before I leave, I turn around. "Oh, Professor Weasley?"

She looks up from a letter on her desk. "Yes?"

"Do you happen to know where I can find Professor Fig? I'm – still missing some things and he said he would be on the lookout for them." I lie.

Professor Weasley eyes me suspiciously again but says "His office is on the 5th floor, at the end of the hallway to your left."