Little Orphan Girl

The Little Orphan Girl

It was cold this year. Much colder than she ever remembered. But then, Minnie couldn't remember many winters; she was only ten years old. She blew on her hands in a vain attempt to keep them warm, and wished again that she knew how to light a fire. She trudged along the snowy sidewalk, intent on finding an alcove to sleep in tonight. She just had to get out of the biting wind.

Minnie raised her eyes just briefly to watch where she was going, and caught a glimpse of a twinkling light in the trees to her left. Curious, she wandered towards it, her breath coming out in short puffs of warm air.

As she stepped into the tree line, she remembered she had an appointment that she had to be at. Wait. Minnie shook her head. She was homeless and appointmentless. Why would she think about something like that? Continuing on, her mind tried to trick her into going somewhere else. Stubbornly, she trudged on.

The sun was starting to set, and a cold winter chill set into the forest where Minnie was walking. Her feet were numb, and more than once, she stumbled and fell into the deep snow. Her meager clothes were soaked, and she was shivering uncontrollably.

She kept looking about fearfully. The forest was making strange and frightening noises. At one point, Minnie cried out in terror as a wail ripped though the forest. It sounded like someone was dying. She hurried her pace, not knowing where she was headed save away from that sound. Again she tripped and this time, her hands raked across something hard. Crying out in pain, Minnie sat down and looked at her hands.

They were raw and bleeding. She picked up and handful of snow, and sucking her breath in between her teeth, she washed her hands with it. She then stood up and continued on her trek.

Minnie was getting tired. Trudging though the snow, she felt weighed down. Each step was becoming harder and harder to make. Finally, she reached the far edge of the forest and popped out, stumbling. She looked behind her, confused. It was almost like breaking through a barrier of some sort. Her legs were wobbling, and she was starving. Sinking to the ground, she wondered who would care if she was gone. Tears, unnoticed by Minnie, were frozen on her face.

She knew what day it was. It was Christmas Eve. Families were together in nice warm homes, and eating nice warm food. Leaning up against a tree, Minnie allowed her eyes to close. She thought about how nice it would be if she were able to eat something warm. Would the warmth explode in her tummy, warming her all over? Would her taste buds tingle at food properly prepared, rather than scavenged from the refuse bins? Her stomach growled noisily, and she pulled her knees up to her chest.

Minnie sobbed softly as she laid her cheek on her knees.

"I want a family." She sniffled. "I want someone to love me. I want a home and warm clothes." Her eyes drifted shut.

*****

A pair of strong arms wrapped around the frozen child and gently carried her inside. The child's body still shuddered with breath, so her rescuer wasn't too late.

All talking stopped as the unlikely pair came through the front entrance, the child was clutched tightly against her rescuer's chest. Rushing through the foyer, they raced up the stairs and down the long, crowded hallway to the hospital wing. All talking stopped as the young professor raced past concern evident on his face. A couple of curious students tried to follow, but when the hospital wing door closed firmly, they shrugged and wandered away.

The nurse looked up and frowned.

"Professor Dumbledore, you can't keep bringing children in here that you find on the street! Isn't that a Muggle child?"

"Dora, this child is frozen and near death. She wandered through the Forest on her own. Surely that says something?"

Dora nodded and hurried over to Minnie. She shooed Professor Dumbledore away from the bed and started working on warming the child up. As she waved her wand over the tiny form, a small spark of magic countered the healing charm. Dora looked at the professor confused.

"Is she trying to prevent the healing?"

"I don't think so, Dora. It's more likely that her natural magic is preventing any more harm coming to her." His brows furrowed. "I guess this also tell you she's not a Muggle."

Dora merely nodded and attempted to heal the child again. This time, there was no trouble. Once Dora was finished the charms, she wrapped the child up in warm blankets.

"All we can do now is wait. I would suggest you speak to the Headmaster about her, Albus."

She turned to look at the professor, only to find him already gone.

"I hate it when he does that."

*****

Minnie's feet hurt. The sharp stinging pain easily cut through her groggy mind, forcing her into awareness. She opened her eyes slowly, and her gaze encountered white walls, white sheets, and a lady down the aisle with a white dress. She turned her head and looked into the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. Her eyes widened, as his twinkled.

"Is this Heaven?"

"No child, it's not. You are at Hogwarts."

"What's a Hogwarts?"

"It's a school, child. Now, we have some hot cocoa for you, if you would like it. You also have nice warm clothes on, so hopefully that will make you feel better." He handed Minnie a mug of steaming chocolate. "Can I ask you some questions while you drink that?"

Minnie looked at him warily. She gave a one-shoulder shrug.

"What's your name? My name is Albus Dumbledore. I'm a professor here."

Minnie swallowed the mouthful of chocolate. "I'm Minnie. Minnie McGonagall. At least, that's what they told me."

"Who?"

"The man who left me on the street. He wasn't my father. Real fathers don't leave their kids on the street." Minnie's mouth was set in a firm line. Her eyes were fire, daring Dumbledore to say anything different.

Dumbledore smiled gently at her. "You're right, Minnie. They don't. Is Minnie short for something?"

She grimaced. "Minerva." She glared at him. "But don't you dare call me that."

"You can be assured that I won't." He looked over his glasses at her. "How did you get through the forest?"

"I walked. What kind of a question is that?" Minnie was beginning to think this was an asylum of some sort. After all, if it wasn't, why was it so protected by the trees? "Where am I really? Is this a crazy hospital?"

Dumbledore laughed. "No Minnie. I assure you it's a school. What do you know about your parents?"

"Nothing. I don't remember them at all." She looked into the now empty chocolate cup. She was getting rather sleepy all of a sudden. She stifled a yawn.

Dumbledore patted her hand gently. "Why don't you get some sleep? There will be some hot food waiting for you when you wake up again, OK?"

Minnie nodded and allowed herself to drift off. She liked this man. He was nicer than any of the others she had ever met.

*****

When Minnie opened her eyes again, it was dark outside. The flickering of the torches sent crazy images dancing on the wall. She nestled further under the covers, eyes wide with fear. Darkness was never a street child's friend. A soft chuckle startled her, and she bolted to the far side of the bed, ready for flight.

"I didn't mean to scare you, Minnie." Dumbledore's voice gently caressed her ears, soothing her jangled nerves. "I spoke with the headmaster here, and he has agreed to let you stay in one of the dormitories over the Christmas break. Would you like to sleep in a nice warm bed tonight?"

Minnie looked at him warily. "What do you want in return? I don't do the things most girls do."

Dumbledore looked shocked. "Of course not! You are only a child! All I want in return is for you to have a nice sleep." He cocked his head and looked at her. "After all, you will be coming back here next fall."

Minnie looked at him. "I am? How would you know?"

"Young Minnie, that is something that you will learn very quickly here. This is a school, we know lots of things." He held out his hand. "Now, come. There is a bed waiting for you, and there are a couple of girls slightly older than you that are looking forward to you bunking with them."

As Minnie shyly put her hand in Dumbledore's she was struck by how nice he was. He didn't want anything in return, just her friendship. She vowed at that point that she would be his friend forever and ever.