Chapter 2
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The ICE train goes about 200 mph. It's a smooth ride and very comfy inside. Just as Paula predicted, we got there at about 2:00. The group got off at the station in the vast empire. Paula was wearing her purple sleeveless top with the bare midriff and purple skirt that caressed her feet. She looked beautiful in the sun next to my usual black.
We walked a little to the carriages. To my surprise, they were using the two big carriages. Half of us went in one; the other half in the other. A small girl sat next to me, looking very nervous. She looked at me and nearly gave a double take.
"Um.. Um… Hi. I'm Nicole. How are you today Miss Cowell?"
I raised my eyebrows. How could she know about the deep magic of my Narnia? I quickly hid my surprise and said, "Alright. How about you?"
"I'm fine."
The threstrals started off at a smooth canter. In a span of 5 or 6 minutes, we were in the grounds where the Narnian flag was flying. A red dragon breathing fire on a black background. In the beginning, there was nothing but blackness (explaining the background). The dragon shows us Narnians are a strong empire. The black eye, (of the dragon), is the stare of Death. It is inescapable. It can swallow you up if you let it.
Most in my carriage were looking around. I joined in half-heartedly. The Whomping Willow was lashing about in the sun and the Black Lake was shining, except for the Giant Squid tentacle breaking the glassy surface.
The 41 person group got out and followed Paula, Dani and I to the front doors of Hogwarts. The flutter in my stomach returned. Here I was at last. We went inside and a blast of warm air hit my face. Looking around the Main Lobby (it's what I call it); I saw all too familiar doors. Paula did a head count and gave them a few instructions. While she was doing that, I was looking at their faces. Most, including Nicole's, looked in awe. Some looked intimidated. I don't blame them. The castle was very big and very tricky. Once the instructions were finished, I swept up the stairway to my tower. Paula and the group were behind me to go to their rooms.
"They will be on the 4th floor. Be warned that the staircases do move. The rooms have a special way to get in; you need a password. They will be given…"
Their voices faded as they turned right and I kept walking to the brown door up ahead. A bronze dragon hung over the door-one of my prized possessions. I entered the dim-lighted antechamber. There was just a wood table, a stool, and a Narnian flag on one wall. Opposite me were stairs. I stalked up those stairs in a spiral; my footsteps faint. Flags of different nations that I went to on my travels hung on the walls. My bare feet finally hit a rug at the top. I lit a candle and saw a table across from me, still littered with papers. Next to it, a Narnian flag was on its stand. Chains hung down from the ceiling in the right corner while a wardrobe with black cloaks, dresses and other things stood, untouched. The skeleton of the former emperor of Charn on a palate was plastered on the wall. I lit a fire in the fireplace behind my desk, giving the room an eerie glow and warmth. I sat at my desk and smiled. I was home.