Confusion?

Chapter Three

Hermione started getting fitted for robes too. It was then that she noticed that Catharine's robes had the Hogwarts crest on it. Hermione had never seen this girl before. Hermione thought the girl beside her looked much too old to be a first year. She introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger."

"Catharine Mc Donald. Do you go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, I've just been made a Prefect! I'm in fifth year and I'm ..." Hermione was cut off by Catharine.

"I'm in fifth year too!"

"Really? I've never seen you before. Are you a transfer student?"

"Yes, form Candsburry."

"Candsburry?"

"It's a remote wizarding community outside of the Muggle town Glasgow."

"I thought Hogsmeade was the only wizarding community left in Britain."

"No, since Candsburry is so small, most maps don't show its location. You could probably fit the whole school into this tiny fucking shop!"

Kenneth, located across the store from the girls, was appalled by Catharine's use of such language.

"I'm telling," he taunted.

"Is that your little brother?" giggled Hermione.

"Sadly, yes, the little twerp is."

As if on cue, Catharine's parents walked in and asked if they were fighting.

"No," said Catharine

"Mum, Catharine said a swear word!"

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," said Catharine

"It better not. Are you almost done?" said Catharine's mother sternly.

The witch who was fitting Kenneth smiled, gave his robes-in-the-making a little tap with her wand, stating," All done."

"You are done too," said the wizard, who was fitting Catharine.

"You too," said Hermione's fitter as she gave Hermione's robes a tap,

The three children walked to the register. Catharine's parents paid five galleons and six sickles for the two sets of robes. Hermione gave Madam Malkin some gold too.

Catharine's parents asked Catharine to introduce her friend.

"This is Hermione."

"Pleased to meet you, Hermione," said Catharine's father as he shook her hand.

"Does Hermione have a last name?" asked Catharine's mother.

"Hermione Anne Granger," replied Hermione.

"Hmm... Granger I'll have to put a face to that name," said Catharine's mum, with an extremely artificial smile.

"Where are your parents, Hermione Granger?" continued Catharine's mother.

"I'm here with my friends, the Weasleys, and..." Catharine's father interrupted her.

"The Weasleys? You don't mean Arthur Weasley? He was my best chum back when I was a boy!"

"Yes, Arthur Weasley, but he is busy with work. He works for the Ministry now," replied Hermione.

"Oh really? That is quite interesting. Could you please pass the message on to him that Sam Mc Donald is back in town?"

Catharine's father said this very quickly. His wife shot him a disapproving look that he didn't see.

"I sure will. Catharine, would you like to come with me and meet some of my friends?" asked Hermione.

"Absolutely! Can I, Dad?"

"Of course. . . but don't forget my message for good ol' Arthur."

***

"This is Fred, George, Ron, Angelina, Ginny and Harry."

They all waved and said hello.

"Hi, I'm Catharine Mc Donald. I'll be starting at Hogwarts this year."

"We've got to go. I think I just saw Lee. Come on, George and Angelina. Happy to meet you Catharine," said Fred.

"See you at Hogwarts," said Angelina, as they walked away..

"Why don't we have some ice cream and Catharine can tell us all about herself?" suggested Ginny.

"Sounds good." said Ron

***

"So, there are four houses Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Heckellpuck?" asked Catharine, sounding a bit confused.

"No, it's Hufflepuff," said Harry, correcting her.

Catharine didn't like Harry very much. He seemed too self-assured, she noticed, surveying him up and down. She observed that he had a very odd looking scar! "Hey, Harry, what's that on your forehead?" Catharine queried. Harry lifted his fringe and...

"Oh my god! You're Harry Potter! You're Harry Potter! You're the Harry Potter!" Catharine exclaimed a little too loudly.

Just then, who should emerge from the shadows? None other than Rita Skeeter "Oh, Harry, you must tell me all about your summer!"

"I thought Hermione captured you in beetle form!" shouted Ron sternly.

"She escaped when I was vacationing in France," Hermione admitted quietly.

"You let her escape? How could you let her escape?" demanded Ron.

"It was an accident, Ron," said Ginny. "Leave Hermione alone."

"It's all okay, 'Mione!" said Harry, hating to see his friends fight. "I'll gladly answer a few questions for you, Ms. Skeeter."

"Splendid!" she said.

***