Chương 8: Chapter 8 - Arrival
"Hey, can I sit here?" said the girl urgently, trying not to waste time.
Alder looked at the Charlie, seeing him shrug, he said "Yeah, go ahead.".
"Thanks." The girl placed her luggage and sat down next to Alder.
"I'm Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks. Please call me Tonks." said Tonks. When she said her name, the color of her hair changed to mousy brown for a second and turned back.
Charlie's eyes widened and pointed to her hair. "Yo…Your Hair…It changed colors." said Charlie.
Tonks was not sure how to explain, it was her first day at school. She had long noticed she was different than others and it was rarely welcomed.
"Now, now, don't point at someone like that. I guess you should be a Metamorphmagus. A great skill I would say." said Alder first to Charlie, then to Tonks.
Tonks was surprised and nodded quickly. "Yeah, you do know a lot. Mother said it's a rare ability."
"I think so, at least I don't know anyone other than you who has it. I'm Alder by the way, Alder Gray. And this is Charlie, Charles Weasley." Alder said softly and extended his arm to Tonks.
Tonks hurriedly shook his hand. She was so excited that she almost fell from the couch. She had some concerns that people might judge her but she was pleasantly surprised that how easy it was to meet someone.
Charlie scratched his cheek, he had no idea what does the word Metamorphmagus mean. He also shook hands with her thoughtfully.
He looked at Alder and said "But how exactly is changing hair color a great skill?" and also turned to Tonks briefly "Don't get me wrong, your hair looks good.".
Tonks muttered thanks; of course she knew her skill very well and thought demonstrating some of her tricks but since the question was not asked to her, she said nothing more.
"Oh, but it is not only changing hair color. Metamorphmagus can change his or her appearance by sheer will, without any potions or spells. I can think of many situations that it would be helpful." said Alder calmly. He looked at Tonks and said with a slight smile "You don't need to prove anything if you're uncomfortable, I think Charlie just asked out of curiosity. ".
"Yeah Tonks, don't worry about it." said Charlie supporting Alder.
"No that's okay; I have actually some good ones. Check this out." said Tonks smirking. Her face stretched forward and hairs appeared on it. Her hair turned yellow-gold. It didn't take too long till a majestic lion head appeared with a human body. It was quite the sight.
Charlie gasped. "Bloody hell! It's awesome."
"Yeah, and she even changed her head to a male lion, fascinating." said Alder with a smile. Charlie was too excited to care for him but Tonks rolled her eyes at his words, almost saying that's what you're impressed with, huh.
This time her whole body started to change. Her long face retreated and the color of her hair changed to black. Her shoulders widened and got taller a little bit. A second Alder appeared next to the original one, making a peace sign.
Original Alder just chuckled but Charlie was almost too stunned to speak. "You…You can even change to people?" said finally.
Fake Alder smirked and nodded proudly.
"Can I learn it too?" said Charlie excitedly.
"No, it's an ability gained by birth." said Tonks shaking her head.
Seeing Charlie's shoulders slumped, Alder said nothing to him. Instead he turned to Tonks who changed her appearance back to normal. "So Tonks, we can be considered friends right?"
Tonks was puzzled why he asked this but replied anyway "Well, yeah. At least I would like that.".
"Then shouldn't we all you Nymphadora? Calling you by your family name feels distant." said Alder. He knew Tonks didn't like her first name but didn't quite know why.
Tonks almost shuddered hearing someone call her Nymphadora. "Don't call me that. My mother was a fool for naming like that. Nympha means bride in latin, I don't want to be known by being a bride to someone." Tonks were quite disturbed just by thinking that.
"You are right it has such a meaning, but Nymph is a female nature spirit in Greek mythology. And Dora means gift. It can mean you are a gift to your parents, or you have a gift which nobody else has." said Alder calmly.
"I guess my father mentioned that some time…" Tonks thought hard; she was so disturbed with the name, she listened her family half-heartedly. But in the end she compromised and let his father call her Dora. Hearing Alder's explanation her anger towards her mother lessened mostly but it didn't change the fact that it also meant bride.
"Then you can call me Dora…" said Tonks softly.
…
The rest of the journey went smoothly for the most of the part. Charlie showed off his Chocolate Frog Card knowledge to them. He was familiar with many things due to his brother Bill. Also when Charlie was buying some Chocolate Frogs, Alder was almost sure the Slytherin Prefect sent a disgusted look towards Tonks.
When they were about to arrive to their destination they changed their Hogwarts uniforms. They left the cabins in turns in order to give some privacy.
The sky was completely dark when they have arrived. They left the train to the Hogsmeade Station and heard Hagrid calling them.
"First years! First years come to me!" Hagrid was shouting with his deep voice.
First years flocked around Hagrid at once. They followed him to a lake; some were questioning what were they going to do separated from students on the way. But all the noise quietened down with the sight of a vast castle with many turrets and towers. Its windows were sparkling and stood tall on a high mountain across the lake.
Hagrid told them to form groups of four before pointing to a fleet of little boats. Hagrid took a boat just for himself and waited others to be seated.
Alder, Tonks and Charlie took their seats on an empty boat, started waiting for the fourth person.
In a minute, a girl separated from her friends group, waved a goodbye to the four remaining.
She came before the boat and asked "Are you guys expected anyone?".
"No, come, come." said Tonks, excited to see a possible female friend.
The girl smiled slightly and sat with them.
The girl was Victoria Max. She had some friends before arriving at Hogwarts, their families had known each other for a long time.
Hagrid looked around him and seeing everyone has taken a seat, he said "Alright then. Forward!".
The fleet moved slowly, while everyone was admiring the view of the castle, Alder's mind was somewhere else.
A screen was floating before him.
-Main Quest Triggered-
-Main Quest - Hogwarts –
-Description: You have enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You have taken the first step on your journey.-
--Chapter 1 – First Year –
---Description: The first year of your education is started. Attend to your classes and complete your examinations at the end of the year. This quest has different requirements and rewards for each of them. ---
--- Attend your classes.
Completion Rate: 0/504.
Reward: 50 Experience for each class you have attended.
Complete Astronomy exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Mind.
Complete Charms exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Magic, 2 Charm Talent Points.
Complete Defense Against the Dark Arts exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Magic, 2 Jinx, Hex and Curse Talent Points.
Complete Transfiguration exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Magic, 2 Transfiguration Talent Points.
Complete Potions exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Mind, 2 Potions Mastery Talent Points.
Complete Herbology exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Mind, 2 Herbology Talent Points.
Complete History of Magic exam.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Mind,1 Free Talent Point.
Complete Flying course.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Body, 2 Flying Mastery Talent Points.
Complete Magical Theory course.
Reward: 1000 Experience, 1 Stat Point for Mind, 1 Free Talent Point.---
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