Northwoods School of Magic-Year One

Northwoods School of Magic-Year One

Hermione Granger looked up from her book as the carriage taking her to Northwoods School came through the iron gates that separated it from the world. The beauty of the area around the school immediately struck her. Mountains rose high on all four sides of the school. A pine forest lined the edge of one side of the large field in front of the school. A river flowed lazily from a lake on the opposite side of the school across the field, under a bridge in the road, and into the forest where it soon disappeared in the gloom.

Finally Hermione's attention was brought to the school in the center of all this. A building that would look too large and out of place anywhere else in America it seemed to fit here. It had the look of a European castle but in a startling different way than Hogwarts. It didn't have the look of something that muggles would or could build. Hermione thought she would enjoy teaching here. As the carriage stopped in front of the large wooden doors that appeared to be the only way into the castle. To the side of them was a large brass plaque with these words on it:

Northwoods School

Founded 1672

Hermione decided it might be beneficial if she learned a little about her new school before she dove into teaching. Also she found things like the history of a school very fascinating and she was sure this one had many secrets.

* * *

Hermione was busy preparing for her first Transfiguration lesson. It made her much less nervous. Planning and organizing work was something she had always been good at. As long as she kept everything in order she knew she could handle teaching. She planned on giving a lot of homework over the year so she knew she would make enemies of some of the students but she hoped they would learn that you couldn't take shortcuts in learning magic. Some teachers may have seemed nicer but hopefully the students would learn more in her classes than others.

Her class schedule said that her first class was some Fifth Years. She hoped they would enjoy her class. She didn't have any first years until a couple days which made her happy because she got to practice teaching and maybe even get some pointers before teaching kids who didn't have any knowledge to fall back on. She really hoped they liked her.

The sun was setting and soon the students would be arriving taking away any feeling of solitude and peace around the castle. Hermione wondered what kind of welcoming was given to the students. She also wondered how the kids were put in houses. She had found out there were four named after the four founders of the school, like Hogwarts. Well she would find out tonight.

* * *

The train ride had been longer than Janine has thought it would be. She had laughed and talked all the way up here, but still the train ride was long. She was glad to be going to a place where she could eat and then sleep, even if it was in the middle of nowhere. She had lived in New York City her whole life, the hustle and bustle of people and constant noise was normal to her, this relatively quiet and empty place felt incredibly empty.

Willow stood next to Janine feeling out of place. A lot of the other students came from magical families but Willow, and her twin sister Lise, didn't. At least Lise was going to be here, too. Lise though had made friends when they went school shopping and Willow hadn't. Willow wished Erica was here. Erica was her best friend in the muggle world and wasn't magical at all. Even if she had only known Janine for the train ride it was nice to know that someone wanted to be her friend.

Micky and Mike were happy that they had made new friends. Willow had already helped them out by telling them that a prank they had been planning wouldn't work at the school because of the protections put around the castle. She said she had read about them in a book about the school. Janine was totally cool. She had started talking as soon as the train started moving and had barely stopped since. Janine was a lot more outgoing than Willow but they were each cool in their own ways.

* * *

All the first years at Northwoods were taken to the school by a fleet of flying boats. The boats picked them up at the station and took them to one of the high towers. Janine, Micky, Mike, and Willow were speechless as they saw the castle for the first time (this may have had something to do with being in a small boat several hundred feet above the ground.)

After landing on the tower the first years were brought into a small room, the only problem was it already had people in it. The room was filled with ghosts. Some students were frightened, but the ghosts left before the students entered the room.

As nervous chattering started, the nice looking man who had brought them down from the tower said, "I'm Professor MaCarthy the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I head the Pendragon house. I'm going to bring you out on the stage in the Main Hall and when I call your name please step forward."

The students walked out nervously and stood nervously towards the back of the stage. In the front of the stage was a large piece of wood with four carved animals on it. Suddenly it began to sing.

All four animals:

We animals four represent

The houses of this establishment

It is we who decide

Where your true loyalty lies.

Eagle:

Perhaps you'll come to Eaglefeather

Home of wit and learning

You have found your home

When the gears are turning.

Dragon:

Or stay in Pendragon

Where the brave dwell

Stick with us

And you're sure to well.

Rabbit:

Maybe you belong in Lopolo

Home of the true

If you are loyal

Then this house is for you.

Rat:

Is Songshime for you?

If you are cunning

And ambitious

To our house you shall be running.

Hermione sat at the staff table interested in the activity occurring on the stage. Being put into houses by an intelligent piece of carved wood. Well it was original. It would be fascinating to look up and see what kind of charm would cause the wood to be able to think that would be a good question to ask the Charms teacher.

"Black, Lise," Professor MaCarthy called out.

"Pendragon," The Choosing Board called back.

"Black, Willow"

"Eaglefeather"

"Cooper, Penelope"

"Pendragon"

The board appeared to talk to some of the people being chosen but on others it immediately called out the house. Some people on stage looked like they thought the Board was going to kill them or something. Maybe they were just nervous about the possibility of being in a bad house or becoming a disgrace to their family.

"Kirshner, Donald"

"Songshime"

"Masters, Micky"

"Pendragon"

"Mitchen, Charles"

"Eaglefeather"

"Stafford, Peter"

"Lopolo"

"Tan, Joy"

"Eaglefeather"

"Weasley, Janine"

"Pendragon"

"Whitford, Michael"

"Pendragon"

"Williams, Jasmine"

"Eaglefeather"

"Zanoni, Stephanie"

"Songshime"

After the Choosing was over the Headmaster said, "Hello, students, old and new, we are very glad you're here. Enjoy the feast!"

The food at the banquet was delicious and to Janine, Mike, and Micky the banquet was a lot of fun because they got to be together. Willow was uncomfortable at the Eaglefeather table. She had trouble making friends but a girl did introduce herself so Willow had to back. After that she had two new friends. "Jazz and Joy, the incredible JJ." They were going to be interesting new friends.

A/N: Sorry about the wait. Pretend more people were Chosen because I couldn't think of a lot of names. Most of the people I did list will show up again. If you want to comment about the song, you can. Just remember it took me a long time to write and yes I know it stinks but songs are really hard. You don't need to say anything about it. Also thanks to all those helpful people who gave me House suggestions or ideas. I didn't actually use any of the names but they all helped me. Thanks again to Draca and J. To The Bloody Baron: I don't live in Georgia. Strange coincidence, huh. Please RRE (Read, review, and enjoy.) Bye, Slaybelle.