After McGonagall left, Madam Pomfrey came in and removed by feeding tube. She kept begging me to eat something, but I couldn't. Even though I don't remember the last time I ate something, looking at the food they brought me and the idea of eating the unfamiliar food has my stomach rolling in waves. She then offered to help me take a shower, but I refused. After the nurse gave up trying to get me to eat and, she left the tray on the nightstand with a sigh and left. 

I lay down on my side, facing the food. I have been counting. It has been almost an hour since she left. I slowly pull the multiple layers of blankets off me and walk on my shaky legs to the blue and white patterned tiled bathroom. I carefully closed the door behind me, scared it would creak and wake someone. The light turns on when the door closes. I look at myself in the mirror. My green-blue eyes have dark purple bruises under them. My hair is knotted and has lost its once-bright shine. I turn to the shower and turn the knob till it is on a lukewarm setting. I reach behind me and slowly pull the strings of the blue-gray hospital gown until it comes apart. I take it off, then fold it and lay it on the marble counter next to the pajamas Madam Pomfrey had left. I look at my body in the mirror hanging over the ornate sink. I look sick. My body is skinny, too skinny. My legs are the size of sticks, wobbling from the weight of my body. I had always thought my skin seemed pale and sickly, but I now know that was wildly untrue to my skin. My skin is as white as paper, with a blue undertone from my veins showing through. My ribs stuck out unnaturally.  Where I had started to develop a small amount of breast tissue during my time of eating well at a foster family before going back to the girl's home, the area is now flat-like, making me look younger than I was. 

 A tear slowly falls down my face. I turn around and enter the shower. I scrub my body with the bar of chemical-smelling hospital soap. I wash my hair too often to keep count before slathering it in the conditioner. I reach out to hold onto the shower wall as my head spins. This is the longest time I have stood up in months. I slowly sink onto the cold shower floor. I run the hairbrush through my knotted and matted hair. My arms eventually get too tired to be able to pull the bristles through my hair. I drop the brush onto the floor, landing with an echoing thud. I pull my legs up to my chest, and my arms clutch around them; my head falls to my knees, no longer having the strength to hold my head up. 

I lose track of time, but I know it has been a while since the water has gone freezing. There has been banging at the door, but I have ignored it. I hear the door open loudly, the shower curtain is pulled open, and I am hit with cold air. The water is turned off, and a white towel is wrapped around me. I slowly stand up with the help of two hands. McGonagall helps me dress in silence. She sits me on the closed toilet seat. She opens a drawer under the vanity and brings out a bottle. She puts some of the product in my hair and then slowly runs the brush through my matted hair with more patience and tenderness than I had for myself. The receptive movement has my eyes fluttering closed.

When my eyes open again, my hair is dry and in its naturally curly state, and she coats my hair in some type of oil. She slowly walks me out of the bathroom and back to the hospital bed.

"Goodnight, Miss Noir, and please, while I know you must be tempted, but don't go wondering," she warns before she leaves again.

I curl up on my side and bring the blankets to my chin. My eyes start to drift close, I could save stinking out for another day.

+++

"Miss Noir," whispers a soft voice.

My eyes flutter open and I see the professor standing over me. She is dressed in purple velvet robes with a jeweled broach adorning her black pointy hat. 

"I have left clothes in the bathroom, hurry up and get dressed," she orders. 

I walk to the bathroom and change, careful to not look in the mirror. I use the toothbrush that had been set out for me, then splash some water on my face. When I walk out of the bathroom McGonagall pats the spot on the bed next to her and I do as I'm told. I feel her spray my hair with some water then pull it into pigtails at the base of my neck. 

"Miss Noir, I wanted to explain the wizarding world to you a little bit more before we leave. The wizarding world includes all types of people and those people use magic, with that there may be things that you see that don't make complete since to you right now and may seem scary  or wrong. It is not because it is a bad thing, it is just new to you and it may take time to get used to." 

I nod, not really understanding her words, but going along anyways. I slip on the pair of black mary janes that had been left at the foot of the bed for me, then follow the professor out of the hospital wing. 

She leads up to a tall room with multiple sets of intertwining staircases. She leads me down one, then suddenly stops as the stairs start to move. I start to tumble from the sudden movement, but all she does is put her arm in front of me to keep me from falling off the stairs. After the staircase reconnects she continues walking till we enter an office with cages of with strange and unusual animals lining the walls. 

"Miss Noir, the type of transportation we will be using is called the floo network. You will take some green powder that I have here and step into the fireplace. You will say very clearly your wanted destination then throw the powder onto the ground. You will then be at your desired place and you will step out and wait for me to the side. Any questions?" she finishes

I shake my head no then take a handful of the green powder from the bag she holds out to me. I enter the fireplace and look at her expectantly.

"You are going to say Diagon Alley very clearly, then let go of the powder," she instructs.

"Diagon Alley," I announce then let go of the powder as instructed. 

Green light flashes and my body feels incredibly warm, but then it is quickly over. I stand in shock, then quickly step out of the fireplace, remembering the professor's words. Just as I turn around green flames burst in the fireplace then quickly extinguish and she appears. 

"Ok, come on then. We don't have time to lose," she hurries. 

I follow her out of a small store and into a very crowded street. Buildings of all colors, sizes, and designs line the street, some look so old they are about to fall over and some look incredibly new and well taken care of. Signs and window displays move, that would not normally move. Pictures are like videos playing. 

Adults, normally with funny hats, guide excited kids in and out of stores. Older kids run excitedly to their friends and away from their parents, agreeing to meet back up with them at a certain time. Some parents are wearing normal clothes and look around completely confused.

I am led into a store with a sign that reads Florish and Blotts. The store had a green exterior and books filled the windows.

McGonagall leads me over to a shelf and pulls out a book, "This book is needed for the class I teach, Transfiguration. The class is as it sounds, you learn to transfigure objects into other objects," she explains.

We continue, the professor giving descriptions of the classes as she gets the needed supplies checking it off the list, and then handing them back to me. 

She leads me to a table with multiple feathers placed under a glass screen. Some feathers are basic, some have metal detail decorating the bottom, some are plain black or white and some are bright pink or blue. McGonagall looks at me expectantly.

"What?" I ask

"Well, which one do you like?" she responds exasperated.

"What are they for?" I question

"Surely you know what a quill is child, they are for writing. You will need some for school, along with a couple of ink quells," she explains

"Why can't I just use a pen, why must I go back into history?" I try to understand.

"I don't know child, the wizarding world can be behind sometime, just pick a quill," she begs.

I look over my options for some time before I finally point to a quill that has a black feather and silver detailing. This has been the first thing I have picked out for myself since my last foster home. 

The professor orders the guy behind the counter to bring five of the quills out of the case. 

She walks to the counter and starts to pay when I stop her.

"May I get one more thing please?" I ask

"One, but be quick," she announces

I run over to a bookshelf and grab a book labeled "Narnia" and a book mark with gold foiling. I run back to the cashier and place it on the counter. The professor's eyes squint disapprovingly at my not sticking to her "one thing rule" but doesn't say anything as she pays for the items. 

"Thank you," I tell her as we walk to the door.

She doesn't say anything, but I can see the smallest, tiniest upturn of her lips in response. 

"Hello Professor," a girl with brown bushy hair greets excitingly

"Hello Miss Granger, I hope you and your parents aren't having trouble finding your supplies. This is Miss Noir, she will be in the same year as you," she explains

I give her a small smile and her eyes get caught on the book in my hands.

"I loved "Narnia" you must tell me your thoughts when you finish reading it, I need someone to talk to about it," the girl begs.

I nod my head, a little awkwardly, not having had a a lot of experience of speaking to kids my age. 

We exit the store and led to a gothic-style building. When we enter I am hit with the smell of food. I stop in place causing McGonagall to turn around when she notices I'm not following.

"Please Miss Noir, you really must eat," she begs

"Ok," I agree.

She sighs in relief then brings us to a table and she orders for us.

"What's your first name?" I ask nosely

"Minerva, and why did you feel the need to know that?" she questions

"Mcccc-Gonnnn-agalllll," I draw out. "It's so long," I explain smiling cheekily.

She rolls her eyes and continues eating. We sit in silence for a minute, me thinking intensely. 

"I like Minny," I announce.

She pauses her fork hanging in mid-air as she was about to take a bite, but then sits it down after she hears my words.

"What, do you think Minny is better too?" I ask

"I had an old student that used to call me that," she explains. "You remind me of him."

"Really! I knew it was a perfect fit."

Hello loves, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This has been my favorite chapter to write so far. I'm planning on having the next chapter out soon, it shouldn't take as long this time as I have it already planned out. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!