Myrtle2

When there was no use waving anymore, Myrtle, Toni and Victor retreated back to the compartment they had claimed as their own. They were shocked to find so many people in it. As they looked closer, they saw that the people were their friends from last year. Benjamin Yamada, a fellow Gryffindor was best friends with both girls. He was half Chinese, half Japanese and was also very fond of mischief. Paul Finnigan and Matthew Thomas were in the compartment as well. They were not Gryffindors like their fathers had been, they were in Hufflepuff, but the girls were still good friends with them both.

“Hallo Myrtle, Hallo Toni, How were your holidays?” Inquired Ben “I’ve just got back from Japan and if anybody offers me tea, I’ll shove my wand up their nose!”

Myrtle burst out laughing. Her Dad had told her about the time he, Ron and her mother had defeated a troll. The troll was finally conquered when Harry shoved his wand up its nose.

“What’s so funny?” everyone asked at once.

Myrtle told them the story and soon they were in stitches of laughter. Paul and Matthew were thumping each other on the back. Victor was snorting so loudly he sounded like a Hungarian Horntail. Antoinette and Ben both had tears streaming down their face and Myrtle was rolling around the floor of the compartment somewhere near the door. It hit her in the back, as it was banged open.

Nicholas Crabbe and Thomas Goyle had entered the compartment. Their entrance was not hard to miss. These two were possibly the biggest oafs in the entire school. Their shoulders looked as though they had bowling balls strapped to them and their arms hung like those of gorillas. Crabbe and Goyle were not a pleasant site. They came in and stood, as if waiting for everyone to bow before them. Crabbe was holding a piece of parchment in his left hand.

“What are you doing in here banana brains?” said Myrtle, getting to her feet. “Get out, we don’t care what you have to say.”

“We just wanted to tell you about a letter we just got off Lucretia. Lucretia Malfoy. She said that she’s having a wonderful time at Durmstrang without all you Mudbloods, Durmstrang being for Pure Bloods only. She also said that one day Myrtle, her Dad’s going to eat yours for breakfast along with all of your filthy Muggle-Loving family.” Crabbe said gruffly.

Myrtle took out her wand. She didn’t know what she was going to do with it, but it was better out than in. She drew it out, pointing it directly at Goyle’s big ugly nose.

“I’ll get you Goyle! You tell that little Lucretia tramp that my Dad’s ten thousand times the man hers is. You tell her that one day I’ll rip her to pieces with my bare hands. You tell her….”

“I think we’ve had just about enough threats for today Miss Potter. Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, please leave this compartment immediately and if I hear anymore reports about you disturbing the peace, you’ll have me to reckon with.”

With that, Crabbe and Goyle fled. Myrtle looked closer at the woman who had just entered their compartment. She had never seen her before. Myrtle must have looked extremely befuddled because the woman started to speak again.

“Alethea Mancini, pleased to meet you Myrtle.” Said the woman, outstretching her hand. “I will be taking over from Professor Cecil as Potions Mistress. I trust that I will have no outbursts like that in my classes Myrtle, you will have to control your temper no matter how annoying Crabbe and Goyle are. I have heard many bad reports about them and I am anxious to get them licked.” Professor Mancini finished with a large grin on her face.

“Yes Professor Mancini.” Said Myrtle. Her face breaking into a grin as well. “How did you know who I was Professor?” Myrtle asked.

“Myrtle, what a silly question. Just looking at you tells me that you are Harry’s daughter. Look at your eyes girl, they don’t turn up very often do they, emerald green eyes? And besides, your father has talked non-stop about you since he first found out that I was appointed here. We used to see a lot of each other when he was playing Quidditch for the Montrose Magpies. I was there to help the Medi-Wizards with potions and as your father always seemed to be getting hurt, I was always there giving potions. When he retired from Quidditch and went into the Ministry, we still kept in touch, in case he ever needed my help with something. Does that answer your question dear?”

“Of course Professor. Thank you very much. I can’t wait for my first potions lesson.” Exclaimed Myrtle.

“Why don’t you all hurry up and put your robes on. This train is a lot faster than it used to be. We’ll be there in no time.”

Still smiling, Professor Mancini left the compartment. Everybody rustled around in their trunks, taking out their black school robes and putting them on over their Muggle clothes.

“Blimey,” said Victor “I thought you said that the Potions Mistress was really mean Toni? She isn’t. She seems really nice.”

“Well, I didn’t know we were getting a new one. I don’t think anybody did. Professor Black’s strange that way. Works in funny ways, doesn’t let anybody in on what he’s doing.”