Passing Through Barriers

Chapter Two

I blinked my eyes a few times to bring them back into focus, only to meet three sets of eyes, emerald green, sparkling blue and cinnamon brown, staring right back into mine.

"Where am I?" I asked pushing myself up on the bed I had been lying on.

"The Hospital Wing," said Hermione.

"I passed out, didn't I?" My face reddened as I spoke.

"Yeah," said Ron. "Madame Pomfrey, she's the matron here, told us it was from the shock of everything. Seeing Hagrid must've just been the final straw."

"Is Hagrid that really tall man I saw?"

Harry nodded. "Don't let his size scare you. Hagrid wouldn't hurt a fly."

I smiled weakly, still feeling a little out of it. It had been a long day, and it wasn't even near being over yet. All four of our heads turned as the door clicked open. A man who looked every inch the way Disney made Merlin out to be walked over toward us and took a place standing by Harry.

"I see you've come around Miss Mayerson," he paused looking around at the trio around me. "I also see that you have already met Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr. Potter." He indicated each as he spoke their name. "I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I'm sure you have many questions to ask, but I'll ask you to hold them until I'm done."

I nodded.

"You, Miss Mayerson, are what we call a Muggle-born witch. That means that your parents have no magical powers, yet you do. You might like to speak with Miss Granger, as she is one as well. Your parents were surprised and slightly afraid when they received letters from some of the most prestigious American wizarding schools asking for your enrollment. Some schools aren't quite as persistent as are we." He glanced at Harry who reddened slightly. I made a note-to-self to ask about that later. "Needless to say, they destroyed the letters feeling that they were doing the best thing for you at the time. I have spoken to them at their hotel in London - they've been there since they realized you were gone and received Harry's owl. I managed to convince them to let you enroll here for the year. I believe that I can get you up to the level of the other seventh year students attending here with private tutoring sessions from me. You're parents agreed that it's time you became what you are meant to be." He paused looking from me to the other three. "Questions?"

"That all seems pretty self explanatory," I said carefully," but you're sure you can tutor me what seems to be an awful lot of information in so little amount of time?"

"Yes. I perceive you to be a very bright girl, and your new found friends I'm sure would be more than happy to assist you."

"Sure," said Ron. "I mean, Hermione here's the smartest person of our year."

She blushed and nodded.

"We'll help however we can, Megan," Harry said reassuringly.

"What about the fact that I'm an American?"

"I have a connection at the Ministry of Magic that pulled some strings for me. He managed to get a visa for you, like foreign exchange students have, to please anyone who should have need to see it. Once you graduate here you must either go back to the United States or file for citizenship here." He paused. "I know that this is a lot to take in, but I really do believe you are up to the challenge. Naturally, the choice is up to you," Dumbledore said.

I looked from Harry to Hermione to Ron and then back to Dumbledore. Maybe all of this is why I felt like I never belonged in high school. This was my chance to find where it was I belonged.

I looked Dumbledore straight in his twinkling blue eyes. "I'll do it."

**********

Dumbledore left soon after, leaving Miss Pomfrey to give me a clean bill of health. She verified what Ron had said in that all the shock of the new things happening had gotten to me and to take it easy the next few days. I even managed to avoid her giving me something called Pepper-Up. The look on Hermione's face when she mentioned it to me was enough to discourage me from taking any.

As we walked toward the Great Hall, my new found friends surrounded me and filled me in as quickly and detailed as they could what was going to happen when we got there.

"The first thing is the Sorting Ceremony," said Hermione. "All the first years, or in your case, new students, put on what is known as the Sorting Hat which puts you into one of the four houses located here at the school. They are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin." She added the last with a bit of distaste.

"The three of us are in Gryffindor," Ron threw in. "Maybe you'll be put in the same house too. I think she's pretty brave and courageous for doing this in the first place. I think if it were me I would have said 'No thanks, I'll go back to my old life thank you very much.'"

I smiled at Ron. "Thanks." He beamed back at me.

"Yes," Harry agreed. "After you're sorted into your House, you sit at your House table. Professor Dumbledore will make a few remarks; we'll sing the school song and then eat. The food will just appear in all the dishes and plates, just to let you know ahead of time."

I nodded. "Anything else?"

"After we eat, Dumbledore will just make a few reminders as to places we can and can't go and then you'll follow the rest of your Housemates to your dormitory. If you make it into our House just stick with us, we'll help you out," Hermione said as we all rounded the last corner to see the other first years awaiting the Sorting Ceremony.

"You don't suppose they held up the whole thing just for me?" I said, looking toward the group of students in front of me, my cheeks slightly pink with embarrassment.

"Looks that way," Ron replied. "Ah, don't worry about it, though. Harry and I missed the whole feast one year. Remind me to tell you that story later."

I smiled, feeling better already. Just then, a woman who I had determined to be one of the professors approached us.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, you may all go take your seats. Now that Miss Mayerson is here we can begin." The three nodded and all giving me encouraging smiles, walked into the Great Hall. "Under the circumstances, Miss Mayerson, you will be going first and then the first year students." She directed with a wave of her hand toward the door and the beginning of the line of students.

I walked into the Great Hall and I could feel every pair of eyes in the room boring into me from every direction. I caught Harry and Hermione's eyes as I walked by and Ron pointed to the empty seat beside him and gave me a thumbs-up as if to say he was saving it for me. I felt calmer and walked with more confidence to the end of the room where I stopped in front of a stool with what had to be the Sorting Hat seated upon it. Professor McGonagall sidestepped me to face the students.

"As most of you know, we have a new student in addition to the regular first years and being that she is older, she will be sorted first." She then turned and lifted the Hat off the stool. "Sit, Megan," she said gently.

I sat down and she set the Hat on my head.

"Well, I understand you're here under some interesting circumstances," came a voice from inside the Hat.

I jumped and I could hear snickers coming from my right side. I had a suspicion from the way Hermione had said Slytherin that it might have been them.

"Very interesting indeed." It had to be the Hat. "You're right," the Hat replied to my thoughts. "You'll fit it well here, I can see. But where to put you?" He began to ponder aloud. "Slytherin is certainly not for you and you aren't destined for Hufflepuff either. You are a smart one so Ravenclaw is a possibility, but I do believe you are better sorted for Gryffindor. You are quite brave to be here in the first place, I do agree with young Mr. Weasley, though don't tell him I said so. Wouldn't want him to get a big head." There was a momentary pause before it announced its choice. "GRYFFINDOR!"

A huge uproar went throughout the room, the majority of noise coming from Gryffindor table. Harry, Hermione and Ron were especially jubilant as I walked back to the table and took the seat that Ron had "saved" for me. I beamed at the three of them and turned to watch the remainder of the Sorting Ceremony.

**********

"Come with me, Megan," Hermione waved her hand for me to follow her (the boys have gone off to greet their dorm mates) after almost getting lost in the crowd. She was something called a Prefect, which helped the newer students as well as helped to patrol and keep the students in line.

"You'll be in the same dormitory as me," she told me. "Do be careful of any of the staircases as they do like to change from time to time." She pointed upward as one swiveled to attach itself in a new place. "There are also ghosts, each House has one, but you have to watchful for Peeves the Poltergeist. He'd like nothing better than to do something dreadfully awful to you." We came to a stop in front of a large portrait of a huge woman. She turned and glanced around at the students behind her. "I'm only going to tell you the password once, and if it ever changes you will be informed. It is "treacle tart."

The portrait swung open revealing a hole to climb through. Hermione went through first and I followed her through. I stood and waited with her until all the students had climbed through. "You're dormitories are marked. Girls are to my left and boys to my right. Go and get settled in and I wish you well in your endeavors here at Hogwarts." All the students scattered off in different directions, heading to their dorms or else where.

I glanced around the room and noticed Harry and Ron coming over out of the corner of my eye. "This place is spectacular," I said gesturing to the room. "The whole place. It's better than anything I ever dreamed."

"I know exactly what that feels like," Harry said. "It's like that for me too. I was orphaned when I was young and I never really felt like I belonged with the relatives I had to stay with. But this place, this place feels like home."

I nodded. "Yes, that's it. It has quite the homey feel."

"Well," Ron said with a yawn. "Harry and I came over to say goodnight. It's been a long day, though I think especially for you Megan." He put a hand on my shoulder. "Goodnight and get some rest, guys." Harry nodded and added similar sentiments.

"Goodnight," Hermione and I chorused. We stood and watched their retreating forms disappear up the staircase to their dorm.

We walked up the stairs to our own dorm to find that our dorm mates were already up there. The two girls who I quickly learned were Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil came rushing over to introduce themselves. We chatted for a little while, but I soon had to excuse myself to bed. Ron was right. It had been a long day. Hermione had just managed to tell me which bed was mine, before Lavender and Parvati had come over. I noticed things lying scattered in the area on and around my bed.

"Hermione?" Her face appeared over the top of her trunk. "You have to see this." She walked over to see what I was talking about.

"Dumbledore must have managed to get some of your clothes and the like from your parents." She noticed a paper lying upon my pillow. "There, maybe that will tell you."

I picked it up and read it out loud to her.

Miss Mayerson,

Your parents were kind enough to provide me with some of your clothes and favored possessions that you had brought along with you on your holiday. If you should require anymore items from home, they will send them upon their return to the United States.

You and I will be traveling tomorrow to Diagon Alley in London to get your supplies. Unfortunately, the local town of Hogsmeade does not have all that we require. Go with Miss Granger to breakfast and bring all that you will need for the day. We will leave immediately afterward.

Have a good night's rest.

Albus Dumbledore

I looked to Hermione. "Better do as the man says. Tomorrow's going to be a long day for you too." She turned to go back to her bed.

"Hermione," I paused as she turned back to look at me. "Thanks for all you've done for me. I don't think I would have gotten through the day without you, Harry or Ron."

She smiled. "You're welcome. Anytime." She turned halfway back. "Goodnight."

"Night." I changed into my nightclothes and climbed between the sheets of my bed. I remembered thinking before I closed my eyes that this was the beginning of a new part of my life that I couldn't wait to start, with my new friends right beside me.