Hogwarts
Those two days passed fast enough. A lot of packing was done and it was fairly tiring, more on the mental and emotional part than in the physical one. I did have time to write to my old friends and colleagues from Beauxbatons tho, telling them about this year's changes, how I was going to be a Hogwarts professor from now on, it was a little bit emotional and I was going to miss them dearly, but I was sure they were going to understand the situation quite fine, even if I had to hide some of the details about the reasons behind my new workplace. And even if I was bussy to the brim, I could write a letter to Isabel explaining everything.
“Dear Liz:
I'm sorry I couldn't explain everything back at the library. You can't be sure where the prying eyes are. The United Kingdom Minister of Magic came to my home a couple of days ago, apparently the DADA´s professor spot is free and they want me for it, I couldn't say no. But literally, I couldn't say no, the Minister obliged me to go to Hogwarts because apparently there is something fucked up in the whole country, someone murdering half blood people and muggle borns.
Be careful honey, it is only happening in the UK but we cant be completely sure. Tell this to your husband too, be safe the both of you, yeah?
I love you tons and will miss you lots, I will write to you soon enough.
Mía”
I couldn't sleep more than four hours that night, I was super nervous. Still thinking that I didn't like how things were coming, but I had time to dream about how my new life was going to be, I wanted to take all the good from it regardless of the dark issue going on. I was choosen to work at Hogwarts and that was cool as fuck.
When I apparated in Scotland with three of my cases I wasn't expecting Mr. Collins waiting for me right in front of the Inn, next to him there was another man, a handsome one. He was slightly taller than me, his hair was messy and curly, brown eyes and a thousand dollar smile. Suddenly I was happy to be in Scotland.
- Hello Miss López, we were waiting for you. - He took a step towards me, he seemed serious. - This man here is Mattheo Riddle, he will be your colleague at Hogwarts so I wanted the two of you to meet beforehand. - Mr. Collins was behaving more professionally than how he did back at my home.
- Hello Mr. Collins, and nice to meet you Mr. Riddle, I´m Mía López. I´m glad you took the time to come and introduce yourself today. - I tried to say as neutral as possible but I noticed how my voice became slightly high. That happened to me when I was nervous and intimidated. And could you blame me?
- As I said Mía, he came because I wanted you two to meet. - oh so Mr. Collins and I were already on the first name stage. But why the rudeness? - We will be going now so you can accommodate in the Inn for your stay these couple of days until it's your time to go to the school. Please have a nice night, and just let me know if you fancy some company any of these days to spend in this city, there are really beautiful places that you should visit with someone. - What? Was he insinuating or something?
- Oh, I don't think that will be necessary Mr. Collins, but thank you for the offer. I am sure that with all of the work that comes with being the minister you will be busy these days. - I knew I sounded a little bit disgusted, even if I tried not to. Then I looked at Mattheo and he had a funny smirk, he was having fun while I was as uncomfortable as anyone would be in my place.
- Even if I came here because Mr. Collins asked me to, I'm glad I did. It was the greatest of all pleasures to meet you, Mía. We will see each other at Hogwarts without a doubt. - He smirked and I wanted to die, but obviously I didn't die I just blushed, which was a hundred times worse than dying. - Anyways, I can come here in the evening of the 29th if you want me to, and help you apparate all your cases at Hogwarts, I'm already staying there so it's no trouble. - He said that looking at Mr. Collins and smiling at him with superiority, I knew what he was trying to do: piss him off.
- Oh Mattheo that would be so sweet of you, sure. Thank you so much for offering. Please the two of you have a pleasant night. - I tried to follow Mattheo's game, smiling only at him and talking all sweet just at that moment, ignoring the other man purposely. I could see Mr. Collins´s face frowning.
- Good night Miss López. Have fun in Scotland, I will write to you soon. - Mr. Collins didn't know how to be discreet about his displeasement.
Then I entered the Inn trying to suppress my playful smile. At that moment I genuinely thought that Mattheo and I were going to be friends, he knew that I was feeling upset at the interaction so he tried to change it into a playful one. I liked him enough so far to at least try to know him better, as friends of course. But if he always behaved like that in front of Mr. Collins I guess that gave me the clear reason why he didn't trust Mattheo, it was more that he couldn't stand him and his antics.
That night I went to sleep before dinner, I was exhausted and I knew these couple of days I was staying in Scotland were going to be full of activities and tourism. I loved to travel and discover new cities, and there were a lot of new things to see at Edinburgh before going to Hogwarts and starting the new course, nine months full of children and teenagers to teach how to defend themselves against dark magic and wizards. I was starting to feel excited for it, meeting Mattheo made my worries dissipate a little bit.
Those days were indeed full of activities. I was able to visit a lot of places, museums, and even Loch Ness one evening. Scotland was one of the most beautiful places I've been to, full of grasslands and castles, I mean Spain and France were full of nature too, but it was a little bit different, it gave another kind of vibe and I found it peaceful. I was able to eat a lot of typical food at little local restaurants, meet some kind old people and enjoy silence all at once in the little span of time I had. I even had time to read the book that Isabel sold me, and she was right, it had all I needed. It explained in detail the Second Magic War and all the witches and wizards implicated, and a brief history of Hogwarts. I felt more prepared thanks to that, but for now it was time to get out of the Inn and wait for Mattheo to start my new journey at Hogwarts.
- I was waiting for you, Mía. Took you long enough, uhm? - Fuck, he was wearing all black clothes and I was having a little bit of a meltdown, not gonna lie.
- Oh, sorry I didn't know you were already here. - I took all of my cases and tried to get closer but he beat me to it. He took my cases and signaled for me to take his arm so he could apparate both of us at Hogwarts.
- Hold me tight Miss López, it's a complicated apparition. - Oh yes, I was going to hold him as tight as he wanted.
We apparated at what I supposed was the main entry door, it was huge and made of wood, a little medieval tho, I think is this place´s charm. Mattheo guided me through the castle, the Great Hall, the locations of all four houses, what was going to be my class, his class (for some reason even if it wasn't necessary), and finally the professor´s tower. It was guarded by a spell so only professors could enter, it had a little bit of a hall, a tiny dining room, some living rooms, and finally our rooms. Mine was huge, literally bigger than my house back in Spain, I had a huge bed, huge wardrobe, huge bathroom, huge bathtub… I already liked this place.
- I will leave you alone for a couple of hours so you can settle in, I will come and get you when dinner is ready if you want? We all have dinner together in the little dining room, it would be great if you go so you can meet the rest of the professors. - He offered a little smile and the biggest puppy eyes I have ever seen.
- Sure, I would love to meet the rest of us! Thank you so much for everything, Mattheo, you are being really nice. - I tried to give him a small smile in return, he was behaving like a gentleman so I was trying to be as sweet and good behaved as possible but it was difficult given the circumstances: he made me mad nervous.
I was left alone in my new room. I wanted to take all of my cases, organize my books on the shelves (which was going to be the hardest part of all because of the incredible amount of books I took), put all of my clothes and robes inside the wardrobe, and maybe take a bath… I definitely wanted to try that enormous bathtub, and it could help me to relieve the tension and nervousness of the trip.
I thought about putting a small amount of makeup on once I was dressing, just a tiny amount so I would look a little bit better. I wasn't trying to impress anyone, just not to scare them with my tired face. I only used a little bit of concealer and powder, to try to cover my huge eyebags. I was then a little bit tanner than I usually was in winter because all of the sun I was exposed to in the horribly hot and warm Spanish summer, so my freckles were all over my face, couldn't hide them, didn't want to either. My clothes were black and red, with a garnet red robe above. It was still August but the temperature was chillier than I was used to at this time of the year. I was sure that winter was going to be difficult for me here.
When Mattheo came looking for me I was ready and trying to organize some of the photos I took with me, photos of my friends and family, so that room could feel a little bit more like home. He didn't change his clothes, which I was grateful for. Imagine if he had put something more elegant, I would have combusted at that moment.
We walked slowly, talking about some students that he found interesting, how he loved to teach and tried to make it enjoyable to every single one of his students. He said almost all of Hogwarts potions professors had been strict and rude in the past, and he wanted to change that. I had this idea that being a good teacher that thought mostly on the wellbeing of their students made someone the type of person I wanted to be surrounded by.
When we arrived at the tiny dining room, there were like a dozen of professors already seated that stood up to greet me, most of them were old enough to be my grandparents, but some were definitely around my age. The director came in front of me. She was really old but had a really peaceful and adorable face.
- Oh Miss López, I'm glad you made it on time for dinner, I was a little bit worried that Matheo couldn't bring you in time, he tends to be clueless at times. - She smiled at him, and he did the same in return. Her smile was full of fondness, his smile was playful. I was sure both of them had a good friendship - I'm Minerva McGonagall, but just call me Minerva, honey. Hogwarts is deeply sad because of the death of our dear Albert, but we are lucky to count with you this year. Please have a seat and meet the rest. - I couldn't stop smiling at her through all her speech, she was so sweet and motherlike.
I sat next to Mattheo, he guided me there saying that it was mandatory for the Potions and DADA professors to sit side by side. It was more than okay for me so I didn't say anything, he was charming enough.
- Hello Mía, nice to meet you! I´m Neville Longbottom, Herbology professor, it's really nice to have another person that isn't nearly their retirement.- He said that with a serious face and I was taken aback for a few seconds until he started laughing. One of the other professors heard him and hit him in the shoulder. - I'm kidding, I'm kidding! It's nice to have you here Mía, I hope you can make Hogwarts your home and you feel as happy as you should here!
Everyone greeted me with such loving and great care that I could already feel like I found my place, where I was supposed to be. That night I met a lot of people, I heard a lot of gossip, even some secret stuff about two of them being a secret couple, I had an amazing time. It was different from Beauxbatons, more familiar.
When I arrived at my room a couple of hours later I felt like it had been the nicer and most amazing day I had for a really long time. I was exhausted and I couldn't wait to fall asleep, but I definitely wanted to treasure this day for the years to come. I was finishing my nightly skin care routine when I heard a knock on my door. I debated with myself whether I should open the door or not because I was already in my sleeping clothes, but when they knocked again I decided to open it.
- I know it's late, sorry. - Mattheo was there in his sleeping clothes, whispering. - I just wanted to know if everything went well, I saw you laughing and happy, I just want to be sure. - Wasn't he the cutest?
- Everything was amazing Mattheo, I couldn't have been happier, everyone is too nice and lovely, including you. Thank you really, I don't have words for everything that all of you did for me today, you made me feel welcomed. - He then came a little closer to me.
- I'm glad Mía, I'll see you tomorrow then at breakfast, sleep well. - He then proceeded to wink. Wink, yes. He winked at me. I felt like my heart did a thing, or maybe was my stomach. Nah I was sure it was something between my legs.
- Good night, Mattheo. - I whispered, I was afraid to talk louder and say something stupid or sound nervous. I wanted him to be my friend, I didn't need any heartache, heartbreak or romance, nope.
When I was finally cozy in my bed I couldn't fall asleep, I felt too many good emotions at the same time and they didn't let me rest. I was feeling a little nostalgic too, but I was sure back then that things this year were going to be interesting, likely for the best.