Chapter I: Do these kids look familiar to you?
I own my OCs, Orothrim Academy and any strange, twisted plot that may emerge. I don't own anything else. This applies to all chapters.
Odd-numbered chapters are in Alex's POV, even-numbered ones are in Zoe's POV.
'Alex, this school is a new start. I want you to promise me tat you'll stay out of trouble here.' Dad adjusted the rearview mirror so he could send me a stern glace. 'OK? No more pranks, no more bottle-rockets, no more hair-dye attacks…'
'Whatever,' I muttered. Mum turned round, looking concerned.
'Alex, I know it's been tough for you, since Graham died, but-'
I turned up the volume on my iPod and tried to drown her out, staring out the window as the rocky scenery swept by.
Yep, the inevitable had happened. Mum and Dad had finally decided to pack me off to some weird wee boarding school, practically in the Highlands, to give a "fresh start". Honestly, you get framed for one little hamster attack, and your parents decide you're a budding psychopath. And it wasn't even me – I'm allergic to hamsters, for crying out loud. I definitely didn't dye the school one pink.
At least Zoe, my best friend since nursery, was going too. But still, judging from the school's website, it seemed like a pretty dreary place. The only upside was that there were no uniforms. Goodbye, hideous blazers! It's been fun.
We pulled up outside a weird medieval-y place that looked like a Hogwarts extension. The parking lot was maybe half full of cars, as well as an assortment of other odd vehicles. There was a steady stream of pupils and parents entering through a pair of huge oak doors.
I flicked through the information booklet we'd printed out from their website. 'Wait. Zoe and I are going to be in first year?'
'It's how the school works, Alex. All new students are put in first year, regardless of their age. Apparently it makes the lessons more interesting.' Dad parked the car next to a parking space that was filled with broomsticks.
'Still! Sounds messed up to me.'
'Alexandra, you were very lucky to get a scholarship to Orothrim Academy. Now stop whingeing.' I rolled my eyes.
We got out of the car, and I waved at a blonde girl who was heading in our direction.
'Zoe! Long time no see.'
Zoe grinned. 'Hey, 'Lex.'
I grabbed my suitcase and backpack from the boot, just as Zoe's mum came over.
'Hello, Alex. Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?'
'Yeah…' I glanced up at the cloudless sky. Most unusual for Scotland, even in August.
Mum started to get out of the car. 'I'll come in with you and help you unpack.' 'I'll be fine.'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes! I snapped. Mum sighed.
'Well, at least let me walk you to the entrance. You need to be signed off by a parent or guardian, it says so on the website.'
All five of us climbed the set of stone stairs that led inside, Zoe and I lugging our suitcases with us. The entrance hall was swarming with students and adults, but something seemed odd.
'Zoe, do the other people here seem weird to you?'
'Hmm? Yeah, a bit… Sort of … familiar, almost….'
'Names, please?' We were approached by an official-looking person holding a clipboard.
'Alex Price.'
'Zoe Campbell.'
The clipboard guy looked down his sheet of paper and ticked something off. 'Go up those stairs until you get to Common Room 5. The girls' dormitories are off to the left of the common room. If you have any weapons, please hand them over to the prefects.' He pointed at two older students.
'W-weapons?' Mum asked, looking worried. Zoe and I grinned at each other. Suddenly this school was looking up.
'Yes. Can't have any injuries on the first day. But don't worry, pupils are allowed full access to the armoury, and you can register for a shelf there. Now, Mrs Price, is it? Sign here.' Mum signed an official-looking piece of paper, which the clipboard guy clipped to his clipboard. Zoe's mum did the same.
'Here are your locker keys.' He handed me and Zoe both a key and then walked over to another clump of incoming students.
'We'll be fine from here,' I assured Mum.
'Are you sure? I admit, I'm starting to have second thoughts about this school...'
'It's fine,' I told her. Mum and Dad frowned slightly and hugged me.
'Well, have a nice term.'
'I won't.'
We headed up a flight of stairs that would not have looked out of place in Edinburgh castle, and eventually reached the common room.
Common Room 5 was a large, spacious room with sofas, armchairs and beanbags dotted about. There was a fireplace at one end and a TV at the other. One entire wall was made up of lockers. There were also several bookshelves and what looked like a trophy cabinet on the other walls. Two staircases disappeared off the left and right-hand side of the room. 'I guess we go up there,' Zoe said, pointing at the left-hand staircase. I nodded.
The girls' dormitory was fairly empty. Of the three other girls there, one was approximately the same height as a hobbit and another was unsuccessfully trying to hide a sword under her bed. The third looked familiar.
'Is that…?' Zoe whispered. I shook my head slowly.
'It can't be.'
The dark-haired woman looked up. 'Mae govannen,' she said.
''Sup.'
'I am Arwen Undomiel, queen of Gondor.'
'No frickin' way!' Zoe blurted. Arwen raised an eyebrow. 'Um, I'm Zoe.'
'I'm Alex.' The other two occupants of the dormitory came over to introduce themselves.
'I'm Holly Short,' the short one said.
'I am Arya,' the girl with the sword added.
'This is… surreal,' Zoe murmured as we plonked our stuff down on two of the free beds. I nodded.
'What are the odds? You get sent off to a boarding school that happens to be full of your favourite book characters?'
Just then, the dormitory doors opened and a flood of other girls came in, all chattering excitedly in groups. I caught a few snatches of conversation before they all stopped and stared at the other groups in amazement.
'It was really quite simple, he just used a Summoning charm and it flew right into the –'
'No, I have, like, no idea who these kids are –'
'So how is Roran doing?'
'Uncle said he had a plan for us, but I didn't think he meant this-'
'What in the name of Davy Jones' Locker?'
'This is really surreal.'
'Zoe?'
'Yes?'
'Stop saying "surreal".'
''K.'
After unpacking, we headed down through the common room and into the entrance hall again. There was still a huge crowd there, but it had spilt into smaller groups, each moving purposefully in one direction or another. The first years – there were maybe 50 of us – stayed in a small clump at the foot of the huge staircase.
'Holy cheese puffs, there's Legolas!' Zoe whisper-shrieked.
'And Boromir, and Haldir, and KILI and Fili… wait, you died.' I frowned, looking over at the pair. Haldir, overhearing my comment, grinned. 'Oh, the authoress liked our characters far too much for us to stay dead,' he explained.
'What's he talking about?' Everyone looked blank.
Then there was an awful; crackling feedback noise and an oddly familiar voice came on over the intercom, saying, 'will all students please report to the great hall now.'
