Chapter 2: First Years' Orientation
August came and went. The whole month, Connor was trying to learn everything he could about the magical world. He began to read all of his textbooks to see what he was going to be learning, and Angie had even bought him some more books on Magical Activities, the U.S. Government of Magic, and other things about the Magical World today.
He learned about the Wizarding Sports like Quidditch and Broom Racing. Quidditch was a sport on Brooms with three different kinds of balls that were used. He thought it was pretty interesting and hoped one day he could play and be on a team, though he didn't know what position he would be good at. And broom racing was just that, broom racing.
Connor also learned a lot more about Angie. She was a pure-blood Wizard, meaning both her parents were magical. There were other categories of a witch or wizard. There was a half-blood which meant that one parent was a witch or wizard while the other was a muggle, and then there was a Muggle-born. That meant that both parents were muggles, and their children were born with magical cores, magically. Connor didn't know what he really was because he didn't know his parents, but Angie told him that sometimes muggle parents would be scared of their magical children and abandon them. So, Angie suspected that Connor was a muggle-born, but Connor, on the other hand, didn't feel like one. He knew he was more.
But there was one thing Connor didn't know. Where was the Salem magic school? The day before he was supposed to leave for school, Connor left his room in his pajamas, when he heard a thump from up the stairs. Connor walked up to the stairs and looked up. He hadn't heard a thump since he got there; he had never even been up to the third floor. He had just been so busy with learning about the magical world; he forgot there was even a third floor.
Connor began to walk up the steps when...
"Connor! Are you up!" called the voice of his guardian, Angie, from the bottom of the stairs. Connor looked up to the third floor and promised he would go up there one day, then ran down the steps and to the top of the stairs, and saw the patient waiting Angie wiping her hands with a towel. "Oh, you are," she said with a smile. "Well, breakfast is ready if you want to eat."
"Okay," Connor replied with a nod, and began walking down the stairs, glancing up towards the third floor. He left the stairs and entered the kitchen where he sat at the end of the table, just as Angie set down a plate of bacon, potato, and eggs down in front of him. "Thank you," he murmured, and grabbed the ketchup, putting it on everything but the bacon.
"So, are you ready for school?" Angie asked, sitting next to Connor with her own plate of food.
Connor swallowed some egg and nodded. "Yes, i think so," he said. "But I haven't asked. Where is the school?"
"Oh, it's near the city, Salem," Angie answered, mixing her eggs and potatoes. "It's right on the coast, and a Magical forest separates the Salem city and school. But only Magical people can see the School, and when Muggles enter the forest, they exit where they come in, because of Magic. That way the muggles won't find the school.
"What if they do make it through?" Connor asked, taking a bite of his bacon.
"Well, if they actually made it through, there is a muggle repellant charm on the school," Angie answered. "That makes the muggles want to turn around and leave as if they forgotten something at home and they needed to fetch it, but once they left, they forget all about coming back."
"Oh, ok," Connor said. "How am I getting to the school?"
"I'm going to drive you there," Angie answered. "It's not that very far from Boston, maybe like an hour drive, depending on the traffic."
"And the other kids?" Connor said. "Are they driven there too?"
"Yes, some are," Angie spoke. "But there are other ways to get to the school. Children who are old enough and are good with concealing charms can fly to school. Some portkey in, or floo in."
"Floo and Portkey?" Connor repeated confusingly.
"Oh, a Portkey is an object enchanted to instantly bring anyone touching it to a specific location," Angie explained.
"What does a Portkey look like?"
"Most of the time, it looks like an everyday object that would not draw the attention of a muggle."
"And what is Floo," Connor asked, sipping his orange juice.
"Well, to Floo in using the Floo Network which is a mode of transportation in the wizarding world in which a witch or wizard goes from one place to another by means of Floo powder and a fireplace," Angie explained. "To access the network, one must toss a handful of Floo Powder into a fireplace, walk into the heatless, emerald green fire, and declare the desired destination."
"Into the fire?" Connor said with a gulp. "Does it hurt to transport like this?"
"No, not really," Angie replied, and began to eat her breakfast while Connor contemplated on the idea of traveling by Floo.
Connor awoke up on September first, around 6:30. Today was the day Connor was going to the Salem's Witches and Wizards Institute of Magic and he had to be there at nine. He had dressed in a red t-shirt, blue jeans, red converse, and wore his black arrowhead necklace. He walked around his room, double checking he had everything in his, back pack, duffle bag, and suitcase, which he did, and then checked on his night owl, Nightwish, to make sure he was safe and sound tucked securely in his cage.
Once Connor was done rechecking everything, he lifted his duffle bag over his shoulder and grabbed his suitcase and owl, and brought everything down the stairs and sat them by the front door.
"Well Good morning," Angie said jovially, walking down the stairs.
"Morning," Connor replied and yawned. "What time is it?" he asked.
Angie looked at her watch. "Five after Seven," she answered. "Are you ready for school? Do you have everything?" Connor nodded. "Okay, well, let's have some breakfast and then be on our way." Connor nodded again and followed Angie into the kitchen.
Half an hour later, Connor was putting his luggage in the trunk of Angie's car. Once he finished, he walked over into the passenger's seat and waited for Angie. Seconds later, Angie exited the house, locked the door, and entered her car seconds later.
"Are you ready?" Angie asked, putting the key in the ignition. Connor nodded, and the car was ignited.
Fifteen minutes later, Connor was leaving the city of Boston and on to the open roads, which was actually not that open as there were cars everywhere, going to and from Boston. Connor looked out his window and watched as they passed some open fields, some forests, gas stations, a fast food restaurant or two, etc.
And about an hour later, Connor and Angie were entering the city of Salem, Massachusetts. "Nearly there, Connor," Angie spoke. Connor nodded and looked out the window as more and more houses and buildings came into his eyesight. About fifteen more minutes, Angie was nearing the other side of the city, where Connor looked through the windshield where he saw a forest was coming into view.
"Is that it? The forest?" Connor asked, pointing out.
Angie nodded. "Yes," she answered. "That's the Taboo Forest." Once they reached the forest, Angie turned the car and drove along the edge of the forest. A few minutes later, they slowed down where a small entrance into a road going through the forest. "Here we are," Angie spoke, turning into the small road, where Connor felt something strange, and following it.
Connor looked out his window and watched the passing trees, and suddenly, something ran past through the trees in a blur, surprising Connor, who looked back trying to see what it was. Angie glanced at her adopted son and gave a knowing smile.
Minutes later, Angie drove out of the forest, and Connor was amazed at what he saw. He looked on at the massive castle-like building in the middle, three stories high and with many other different kinds of buildings surrounding the massive building. On the right side and the back of the school was the coast. While to the left were large fields of green and the trees, like a park. All ended at the edge of the forest.
Angie drove along the trail, where Connor noticed that there were a few more cars behind him, and a couple in front of him. Minutes later, Angie stopped at the front of the school where there was a massive crowd of children and parents, including the teachers and staff greeting all.
"Well, here we are," Angie spoke, turning her car off and taking off her seatbelt. Connor smiled and too, took off his seatbelt, and both exited the car. Once he left the car, Connor could hear all the chatter, shouts, and laughter. He saw all the different kinds of children, ages eleven to seventeen, walking around and talking with their friends, their parents all talking to other parents or the staff of Salem.
Connor grabbed his pack and threw it over his shoulders when he heard the trunk of the car open. While Angie got his duffle bags, Connor pulled out his owl from the backseat. Once they were finished, the two began maneuvering through the crowds, trying to get into the front door of the main building.
Angie and Connor followed some more first years and their parents and entered the main building, which Connor noticed by a sign, was the building that held the Main Offices, Auditorium, Rec Center, and the Cafeteria. Angie led Connor over to an area at the end of the hallway that held a line of 5 tables, and each table had a line of people behind them. Each table had a sign with a certain amount of letters of the Alphabet on it. The first table had A through E, the second had F through J, the third had K through O, the fourth had P through T, and the last table was U through Z.
Angie dropped Connor's biggest thing by the big pile of suitcases, bags, and animals, and then led Connor to the line behind the table with F-J. Connor looked back at his things and the pile.
"Are we going to leave them there?" He asked, and then looked up at Angie.
"Oh, don't worry," Angie spoke, digging through her purse. "Once all the first years are registered, accounted for, and their rooms are given, the Caretakers will take them and put them where they need to be."
Connor nodded as the two moved up the line. After a few more minutes in line, they were in the front, and Angie moved up to the desk, Connor following shyly.
The person at the desk was a man; he wore a white dress shirt with a dark blue and black vest, black slacks, and wore glasses. He had short, wavy brown hair, green eyes, and scuffle on his chin. He held a green pen, while there were five clipboards with information on them.
"Good morning," the man greeted with a nod. "And who are we registering today?"
"Hi, good morning," Angie greeted back, and waved Connor next to her. "This is Connor Gabe, and he will be the one starting today."
"Ah, yes, of course," the man said with a smile, and then picked up the second clipboard to his left and began to look through it. "Ah, here we are. Connor Gabe, First Years' Washington Hall, Room 211." Angie nodded as she was handed a slip of paper with the name of the hall and room number, and then held her a longer slip of paper, half the size of a normal sized paper. "And this is Connor's daily class schedule, and the name of his teachers and their buildings and room numbers." Angie nodded.
"Thank you for your help," Angie said, accepting the schedule that Connor was curiously trying to get a look at.
"You are very welcome," the man said, looked at Connor, and winked at him. Connor gave a smile back and followed Angie away from the lines and tables.
"Alright," Angie said, and then led Connor over to a huge doorway. Connor looked inside to see it was a very large cafeteria that held many tables, each table had eight seats, and most of them were mostly filled with students, most of the chatting all to their friends, and others, about Connor's age, sitting quietly, looking at one another shyly and curiously. There was also no kitchen to be seen, but at the back wall there was the longest table Connor had ever seen, that could fit a hundred people and a door at the left end. But as Connor looked around the cafeteria, he only saw students around his age to the age of 18, there were no parents or adults anywhere.
"Where are the adults, and the parents?" Connor asked, turning to Angie who kneeled next to him.
"Connor," Angie started. "I know we've only been together for a few weeks, and I wish we could spend a lot more time together of the summer. But this is where I leave you." Connor looked back into the cafeteria and then back to Angie. "Don't worry, this is one of the safest places in the world, and no one will hurt you. All you have to do is listen carefully, listen to your teachers carefully, learn all you can learn, and take notes." Connor nodded as Angie handed him his two pieces of papers of his room and schedule. "Don't lose these until you have them memorized, ok?"
Connor nodded, pocketing the pieces of paper, then turned and faced into the cafeteria. "Once you are all situated, they will tell you what to do, and give you a tour, and tell you the rules, and so on," Angie spoke in his ear, and then gave Connor a little push. "Go on, it's okay."
Connor slowly entered the cafeteria, and a few feet in, he turned around, and waved goodbye to Angie who looked to be tearing up. She waved goodbye, and before she cried openly, she disappeared but not before giving Connor one last encouraging smile. Connor inhaled and turned back to the cafeteria. He walked through, light spreading from the large windows on two sides of the cafeteria, listening to ongoing conversations, while looking for an empty table.
"Did you hear? We have a new Head Principal! I heard he's really mean!"
"No way! I heard he was scarred badly in the face or something!"
"I heard he was in that one war, you know, the last great war!?"
"Hey, did you see Randy McQuade yet? He looks hot!"
"I am so ready to try out for the Quidditch season this year! I'm going for the Fighting Patriots!
"Fighting Patriots? What about the Silver Wolves?"
"Silver Wolves!? That's the worst team on this campus; I'd rather be on the Raging Badgers, than the Silver Wolves! At least they win some games."
After a couple of minutes of walking through the cafeteria, Connor found a few empty tables to the far right of the cafeteria. He randomly chose a table, tossed his backpack on top of it, and sat in one of the seats. He was getting pretty comfortable when a few girls walked up to his table, all a few years older than him. Each wore the same kind of outfit, shirts or blouses, skirts, and sandals, but there were all in a different color. One girl wore all pink, one blue, and the third one was purple. But the each had a different hair color, red, blonde, and black.
"I'm sorry," the girl with red hair who wore pink said to Connor. "But this table is reserved," she said with a wide cheery yet threatening smile.
"Funny, I don't see your name on it," spoke a voice from behind Connor who looked behind him and so did the girls, whose eyes widened in shock. Connor's didn't widen in shock as he only saw a normal boy, about 13 years old, black hair, tanned skin, brown eyes, and average build, and he wore a blue striped shirt and jeans. The boy then sat down at the table, a seat away from Connor's right, and all three girls looked at him in disgust.
"Never mind," the redhead spoke, grimacing with the other two girls. "You can have to table." And the three girls left to another table.
"You're welcome, kid," the boy said, standing up. Connor looked up at the older boy with a puzzled expression. "The name's Frankie Lopez, Third Year," he said, holding out his hand.
"Connor Gabe," Connor replied, shaking his hand.
Frankie nodded. "Rule 1, kid," he started. "Don't ever let people try to take away what you already have." And with that, Frankie let go of Connor's hand and walked away.
Connor sat down and waited, watching as the kids passed by his table, not caring if any want sat next to him. He was already used to not being liked, since he wasn't his whole life. A few more minutes passed by, and Connor jumped in fright when a large green backpack slammed on the table.
"Oh, my bad," said a voice who then moved to two seats to Connor's left. Connor looked at the boy who was his age. He was dark skinned, a bit taller than Connor, blue eyes, dark hair, skinny, and wore a black t-shirt with a white spider on the chest, black pants, and white tennis shoes.
"Is this seat taken?" the dark skinned boy asked. Connor shook his head, and the dark skinned boy sat down. "And who are you?" he asked.
"Connor Gabe," Connor answered, staring at the dark skinned boy's bag that was bulging.
"Connor," the boy replied with a nod. "I'm Jimmy, Jimmy Washington," he greeted, and then noticed Connor staring at his bag. "Ah." Jimmy pulled his bag to him and zipped it open, and once it was open, a few yellow packaged chocolate candy bars fell out of the bag. "Yeah, I wasn't sure they had candy here, so I brought a few of my own."
Connor softly snorted. A few was an understatement. Jimmy's bag was practically overflowing with chocolate and other candies. "Here, have one," Jimmy said, tossing it over to Connor who caught it easily. "Nice catch."
"Thanks," Connor said, pocketing the candy bar for later.
"So, are you a first year too?" Jimmy asked, zipping up his backpack. Connor nodded. "Me too. I'm a Half-blood, My mom's a witch, and my dad's a muggle. It was quite a shock when he found out there was magic. But that was when I was like two. What about you? What's your parents' blood status?"
"My adopted mother is a pure-blood," Connor answered, and Jimmy went quiet.
"Oh," he said.
"Yeah," Connor said. "But I'm a muggle-born, or at least I think I am."
"Well, that all depends doesn't it?" spoke a voice. Jimmy and Connor's heads turned to see a girl sitting at the table, a seat away from Connor who recognized her from the wand shop, as she was wearing a green flower dress this time, and her hair was down, past her shoulders.
"Depends on what?" Connor asked, as the girl sat down.
"On what your heritage is," the girl said, folding her arms on the table, a bag over her shoulder. "I'm not sure, but you could be Hispanic, Brazilian, or something, Dominic Republican?"
"How many heritages do you know about?" Jimmy asked, opening a yellow packaged candy bar.
"Oh, I know 'em all," the girl replied smugly, and then looked at Connor. "Well?"
"Native American," Connor answered with a straight face, as Jimmy and the girl's eyes widened.
"Native American?" Jimmy repeated in surprise. "What the heck are you doing here?!"
"What do you mean?" Connor asked, curiously.
"I mean, there is a school for Natives and Natives only," Jimmy answered, snacking on his candy bar. "Why aren't you going there?" Connor only shrugged as he didn't have the answer to that one. Jimmy turned to the girl. "And who are you?"
"Annie Cooper," the girl answered, and then turned to Connor. "And as for your blood status, you're a pure-blood. All Native Americans are Magical; they always have been and always will be."
"How do you know these things?" Jimmy asked.
"I'm pureblood," Annie answered. "I was raised to know other pure-bloods and stuff." Connor nodded and there was an awkward silence. Before anyone could chose a subject to talk about, the cafeteria doors closed, and the door by the long table opened, and entered the longest line of adults Connor had ever seen, all wearing suits and nice dresses, all of different colors, which Connor guessed they were the teachers.
Connor, Lucy, and Jimmy watched all the teachers walk along the table and the first person stopped at the farthest chair and sat, the other teachers following his lead. Connor then counted and found out there seemed there were a lot of different teachers. Once all the adults filed in, they sat down, except one woman, who wore a black dress suit, with dark brown hair with some grey strands, hazel eyes, and looked to be middle-aged.
"Settle down, children, settle down!" she said in a loud and stern voice, and everyone quieted down. "Now to the first years, Welcome to Salem's Witches and Wizards School of Magic! And to the returning students, Welcome back!" And there was a loud applause, and the woman took out her wand. "Now, would you all stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance," she said, waving her wand and the American flag appeared behind the teachers, hanging against the wall.
And then at once, everyone stood and began to speak:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one Nation, under Magic,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."
"Thank you," the woman said, and everyone sat back down, but her. "Now," she said, and waved her arm in a wide arc, and the tables were filled with silverware, empty plates, bowls, glasses, and pitchers. "Let's have lunch!" And right after she said that, the plates and bowls were filled with many varieties of lunch food like squared sandwiches, chips, fruits, burgers and fries, soups, and salads; and the pitchers were filled with water, lemonade, and iced tea.
"Wow!" Jimmy said as him and Connor stared at the food, in awe at how it appeared. Connor didn't wait another minute as he began to fill his plate with some food and poured himself some lemonade and began to eat himself some lunch as well as the other kids and teachers began to do, all while chatting with their friends and what not.
"I wonder what's in store for us next." Jimmy asked, biting him into a hamburger.
"Well," Annie said as she swallowed her food. "We're supposed to be spoke about the school rules, and our teachers, and then we have a tour, they show us our rooms, and at the end of the day, we have the feast, where we have to get dressed and we are introduced to the new head principle, you know, the guy who runs the place."
"Which one is he?" Jimmy asked, pointing at the teacher's with a spoon. Connor looked up at that long table and waited for Lucy's answer.
"He's not here at the moment," Annie answered, not looking at the table.
"Probably off, fighting off a pack a werewolves," Jimmy spoke, stuffing a few fries in his mouth, and then turned to Connor. "Did you know that he fought off a horde of vampires all on his own," he said, accidentally spitting food in Connor's face. "Or that he took on three trolls with a squad of men, but only he survived and killed all three trolls, or that he fought off a giant within 5 minutes..."
"Okay, I get it," Connor interrupted, wiping his face with one hand. "He's an awesome guy."
"Awesome? He's amazing!" Jimmy corrected, eating more fries, and this continued for another ten minutes about amazing stories of the new Head Principal.
Once lunch was finished, the woman in the black dress suit stood up again. "Now that everyone has been fed, everyone who is not a first year, may be dismissed." And at that, nearly all of the Students began to leave, and so did most of the teachers, leaving nearly a hundred first years, and 9 teachers.
"Good, good," the woman spoke. "Now, why don't you all move up to these front tables, if you please." Every first year stood up and moved to the front tables. Connor, Lucy, and Jimmy stuck together, sitting at a middle table with two more girls, and three more boys.
"Let's start off with introducing myself, and your teachers who will be teaching you this year," the woman in the black started to speak. "I am Mrs. Arianna Ashton, and I am the Vice Principal of the school. Now the teachers will introduce them, themselves," she finished then sat down.
A man stood, wearing a brown suit and tie. He had a balding head with brown hair on the sides, wore glasses, and had a boring look to his face. "I am Mr. Donald Green, and I will be teaching you American Magical History," he said, and then stood back up.
Another man stood, wearing a blue suit. He had short black hair, brown eyes, tan skin, and a handsome face. "Hola, students," he said in a slight Spanish accent. "I am Mr. Benjamin Ramirez, and I will be teaching you Defensive Magic," he said and then sat down.
A woman in a dark green dress suit stood. She had blonde hair, green eyes, and a delicate face. "Hello, I am Ms. Winifred Burkle, and I will be teaching you Charms," she said, and then sat down.
A third man stood, wearing a dark blue suit and light blue tie, light brown hair, hazel eyes, and an aged face, but he grinned nonetheless. "Hello Young friends, I am Mr. William Astric, and I will be teaching you the stars and planets in Astronomy, and I know for a fact that you will you like my class, as it will be fun and entertaining. I will -"
"William, that's enough!" Mrs. Ashton spoke quickly, as the children laughed.
"Oh, of course, Arianna," Mr. Astric said, and sat down, waving at the students.
A second woman then stood, wearing a black dress suit, with short red hair, green eyes, and a young pretty face. "Hi, I'm Ms. Juliet O'Hara, I will be your Herbology teacher," she said in a cheery way, then sat down with a smile.
A third woman stood, wearing a green pants suit, black hair, pale skin, grey eyes, and a middle-aged face of Chinese descent. "Good Afternoon," she spoke straightly. "I am Ms. Mai Ling, and I will be teaching you the art of Potions," she said, then sat down.
A fourth woman wearing a black pants suit, blonde hair, peach skin, blue eyes, middle-age, and a pretty face stood up. "I am Mrs. Judy Cooper, and I will be teaching you Transfiguration," she said, and then took a seat while Connor and Jimmy glanced at Annie who looked straight ahead blankly.
And finally, the last man stood up, wearing a black suit and tie, middle-aged or older, depending on his white hair, and aged face, with blue eyes. "Hello," he spoke in a low gruff voice. "And I am Coach Rudolph Atkins, and I am your Flying coach, P.E. Coach, etc." he said, then sat down, and Mrs. Ashton stood up.
"These will be your teachers over the course of the year," Mrs. Ashton spoke, waving at the teachers. "Now, let's go over some rules," she said, beginning to pace. "Now, we go by a point system here. If you break the rules, you will lose points, and the amount of points lost will vary on the rule you break, and what bad deed you have done. And you will gain points for doing good deeds and participating in class and sports. Only the teachers, Principal and Vice Principal, Caretakers, the Prefects, and the Head Boy and Girl can give and take away points. They can also give detentions and punishments, but only the Homeroom teacher usually has the final say in the disciplinary matters.
"Now, some rules," Mrs. Ashton said. "Obviously, respectful Academic behavior is to be followed at all times, if not you will be expelled. Another obvious rule, no drugs, alcohol etc. is permitted on the grounds." Mrs. Ashton looked around at the first years. "You must have all books and equipment for every lesson. No exceptions, if not, you will be dismissed from the classroom unless your classmates are very generous.
"Every lesson must be done within the Mandatory Classes and every student must take every Mandatory class necessary, and one Optional class. Each first year attends 8 classes, 4 classes a day, each and all lessons must be completed. If failing to do so, they will result in failing and repeating the term or just repeating the class their next year on weekends.
"No muggle electronics are permitted on the grounds. They won't work anyway. If you wish to play around with muggle equipment, there's a rec center down the hallway filled with muggle electronics," Mrs. Ashton said, pointing her hand towards the cafeteria doors. "As you get a few years older, there is an Island off the coast, with a small popular village, called Roanoke Island. Only 3rd years and above may visit this Island on certain weekends, but only if you have the form given to you to be signed by a parent or guardian. But you don't have to worry about that now.
"Now, to bedtime," Mrs. Ashton spoke, connecting her hands behind her back. "Bedtime for 1st-4th years is 10pm, and each student must be in their common rooms at 8pm unless they have Astronomy Class. Bedtime for 5th-7th years is 12am, and each student must be in their common rooms at 10pm unless they have Astronomy Class. Any student out of bed after hours will be severely punished, given detention, or expelled depending on what they were doing after hours."
"Now, outside of classes and on the weekends, no magic of any kind, anywhere, only in the classrooms and the magical training hall, but there is no dueling or fighting in the magical training hall.
"As for the Taboo Forest, it is forbidden to all students. Any student caught in the forest will be suspended or expelled, depending on what you were doing in the forest in the first place."
"Jeez, these rules sound a bit harsh," Jimmy murmured to Connor.
Mrs. Ashton continued her talking, "Enforcement of rules outside of class mainly falls to the caretaker, with the assistance of the prefects. Now, onto sports!"
"Finally, something interesting," Connor heard Jimmy mutter.
"We provide three kinds of sports here at the Salem Institute," Mrs. Ashton spoke. "There is Broom Racing, which of course, speaks for itself. Signing up for this sport begins in two weeks, and you will need to speak to your Coach who will let you pick a Racing team to try out for. There are ten teams and this sport is for all ages. There will be a race every two weeks.
"Onto Quidditch, a sport played on brooms with three different kinds of balls. Once again, speak to your coach for the same reason as Broom Racing. Signing up will start in three weeks. We have 16 teams of the campus of all ages, and we have our Full School team that will be playing against the other three schools in the country, four times a year. As for the in-campus games, there will be a game every 2 weeks. Broom Racing and Quidditch alternates a week."
"And lastly, there are the Magical Trials!" Mrs. Ashton said, and everyone who looked bored, sat up straight, listening intently. "The Magical Trials are a test of wit, strength, and courage! Of course, all ages are permitted to try out. To sign up for them, which will start next month, you will need to go to your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and you will be separated by the score of the quizzes given to you for your first practice, and then you will be put in your mixed chosen group with 9, and a leader will be chosen to lead his or her team to victory.
"Throughout the year, students participating in the Magical Trials will be put into the three long games, a game of Wit, a game of Strength, and a game of Courage. At the end of the year, a last game will be held holding all the trials and only one teammate of each group will participate and whoever finishes the trial with top scores will win. More will be explained when you sign up, the point system, rules, etc."
Mrs. Ashton sighed and looking out towards the children who looked back. "Now, a tour!" she said, then opened her arms and waving them up. "Please stand and follow me outside." All the students stood up and grabbed their bags, and Mrs. Ashton led them and the teachers out of the cafeteria and out of the building.
"Now, as you know, this building we exited is the Grand Hall," Mrs. Ashton said to the first years when they were outside. "It holds the Main Offices, the Auditorium, Rec Center, and the Cafeteria. Now, follow me," she said, and the led the children to the left of the Grand Hall where there were four, five-story buildings. The all looked similar, and castle like, built with red bricks and stone. Ashton stopped and turned towards the children, where Connor, Jimmy, and Annie were in the front. "These are your living dorms.
"The Washington Dorm is for you, the First years, and the Second years," Mrs. Ashton continued. "The Jefferson Dorm is for the Third and Fourth years. The Lincoln Dorm is for the Fifth and the Sixth years, and the Roosevelt Dorm is for the Seventh Years only. You're all allowed into all dorms, but you will have to be back in your Dorm by your curfew. And your dorm, you will have a roommate, and he will be your roommate for the whole year, and you can turn in an application next year for who you'd like to room with, but you do have to be the same sex. We allow no boy and girl rooms, and if a girl or a boy are caught in the opposite sex's room overnight, they will be suspended. These 4 dorms were named after the four founding Fathers of America, 2 were muggles, and 2 were Wizards.
"Now, your dorm, the Washington Dorm, does have its own Student Center where you can relax, study, eat snacks, etc." Mrs. Ashton spoke, watching the first years. "This way," she said, then led the children between the dorms, and stopped at a few large Greenhouse buildings. "These are the Herbology Greenhouses where you will learn Herbology with hands on experience. You will be working in Greenhouse 1 with the Seconds Years, as that's where the less lethal and nice plants are." Jimmy and Connor glanced at one another with wide eyes as well as everyone else looking at one another, murmuring at one another, and then looked back at Ashton who began to walk.
Mrs. Ashton then led the first years to a 4 story tall building, and she turned to the first years. "This is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hall, or the FDR Hall, named after the Great Wizard President who led both Muggles and the Magical world through World War 2, but sadly he died, and his muggle successor took his place. Okay, in the classes of the FDR Hall is where you will learn your Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration, and a few electives like Wandlore, Medical Magic, and Elemental Magic." Ashton finished then led the first years away, but not before Connor noticed a sign in front of the building that said 'We have nothing to Fear, but fear itself.'
Mrs. Ashton led the first years to the smaller three story building, next to the FDR Hall. "This is the Columbus Building, named after Christopher Columbus. Here, you will learn your American Magical History, and the electives, Ancient Studies, Studies of Muggles, History of Magic, and Seer Magic." Mrs. Ashton then led them to a second four-story building, behind the Grand Hall. "This is the Galileo-Newton Hall, named after a couple of Intelligent Wizards who studied the Magic of Magic. This is where you will learn Potions, Astronomy, and the electives, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Apparition, and Alchemy."
Mrs. Ashton then led the first years past the Columbus building where Connor could said some kind of large Stadium off in the distance, near a cliff, and diagonally away from the stadium, but not too far from the group, was another large field, enclosed with a wooden fence, and with a Large Barn-like building, and next to that, another two-story building. Ashton turned towards the first years.
"You see the stadium there in the distance?" She spoke. "Yes, well that is your Quidditch stadium where Quidditch practices and games will take place throughout the year. And over there, at the empty field with the Barn and the Truman Hall, is where you will learn Care of Magical Creatures. The field is for your hands on experience, where you will take care some of the world's magical creatures, but not until you are older."
A boy with black hair, pale skin, grey eyes, who wore shorts, a black shirt with a picture of a yellow bat on it, raised his hand. "Miss, if we sign up for the Broom Racing and Magical Trials, where will the practice for them?" he asked.
"This way," Mrs. Ashton said, and then led the first years to a building behind FDR Hall. It was a squared two-story building. "This is the Murphy Training Hall, where you will train for the Magical Trials in the Second Floor, and on the first floor is where you are to train your magic if you wish it so, which is highly recommended. Now," Mrs. Ashton said, clapping her hands together. "That will conclude our tour. So, I suggest you go and find your dorm room, and if you would like some help, we have the prefects there behind you to help you out."
The first years looked behind them and saw a small group of 15 to 17 year olds standing there, wearing a small rectangle badge and they gave a wave to the first years.
"You should already have received a piece of paper with the name of your building and room number," Mrs. Ashton continued. "If you already have lost it, you will have to go to your prefect assigned to your house who will have that information. And after you find your room and get yourself situated, I suggest take the time to look around the campus and find your classrooms. You will find the room numbers on your Schedule. Your Schedule also has which classes you will attend in numbered order. Classes start at about 8 o'clock sharp and will finish around 4, unless you have Quidditch, Broom Racing, or Magical Trials practice. Now, there is a feast tonight, so do not forget to dress in your finest clothes, Dismissed."
And then all the first years, began to scatter, some moving towards the prefects, and others going their own way. Connor had begun to move his own way, walking towards the Dorm Halls.
"Hey, Connor! Wait up, man!" Jimmy called after Connor, running up to catch up to him. "So, what room are you in?" he asked, slowing down and walking next to Connor.
"Room 211," Connor answered from memory. "What about you?"
"Uh," Jimmy said as he began to rummaging through his pockets, pulling out candy wrappers until he pulled out two pieces of paper. "Ah, here. Oh, sweet. What do you know? I'm in the same room!" He said, showing Connor the paper which happened to have the same room number as Connor. "Looks like we're roommates!"
"Yeah, I guess it does," Connor said.
"So, let's compare our classes!" Jimmy said, holding up his schedule. Connor nodded and pulled out his schedule and read it thoroughly for the first time.
Period/Course...Teacher...Room...Time
Day A
Breakfast.../.../...6:00 am - 7:45 am
1. Transfiguration...Mrs. Judy Cooper...FDR 202...8:00 am - 9:20 am
2 .Charms...Ms. Winifred Burkle...FDR 110...9:30 am - 10:45 am
Lunch.../.../...11:00 am - 12:30 pm
3. Potions...Ms. Mai Ling...GN 200...12:35 pm – 1:15 pm
4. Herbology...Ms. Juliet O'Hara...TH 215...1:25 pm – 2:30 pm
5. Athletics Practice.../.../...4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Dinner.../.../...6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Day B
Breakfast.../.../...6:00 a.m. - 7:45 am
1. Astronomy...Mr. William Astric...GN 214...8:00 am - 9:20 am – 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm
2. American Magical History...Mr. Donald Green...Col 112... 9:30 am - 10:45 am
Lunch.../.../...11:00 am - 12:30 pm
3. Defense Against Dark Arts/Home Room...Mr. Benjamin Ramirez... 12:35 pm – 1:15 pm
4. Athletics/P.E...Mr. Rudolph Atkins...Training Hall... 1:25 pm – 2:30 pm
5. Athletics Practice.../.../...4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Dinner.../.../...6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Connor read it twice and then handed his schedule to Jimmy so he could compare classes. "Let's see," he said, looking at the two schedules. "Ah, we have Charms, Potions, Defense, and P.E. together. Awesome! 4 classes with my new best friend!" Jimmy said, throwing his arm around Connor's shoulders. "And we're dorm mates, too."
A few minutes later, Jimmy and Connor entered the Washington Dorm Hall. "Now where to?" Jimmy asked as him and Connor stopped in the lobby of the Hall, looking a little like a Hotel lobby. Other first years and Second years were walking in and out, and around, some hanging out in the lobby.
"What room are you in?" asked a voice. Jimmy and Connor turned around to see an older student standing behind them, wavy-blonde hair to his neck, hazel eyes, peach skin, wearing a red shirt, jeans, and black shoes. He also had a small square badge on his shirt.
"Who are you?" Jimmy asked.
"I'm the prefect assigned to your house," he said, and held out his hand. "Alan Snyder." Connor shook his hand first, and then Jimmy. "Now, what rooms are you guys in?"
"211," Connor answered.
Alan nodded, "And you?" he asked Jimmy.
"Same," Jimmy answered.
"Alright, you will be on the second floor," Alan said, and then pointed to the right. "Take those stairs, and the first room will be 200, and they are in order. You will find your room 11 rooms down."
Jimmy and Connor nodded. "Thanks," Connor thanked, and then the two first years began walking towards the stairs and then walked up to the second floor. They entered a blue carpeted and dark blue hallway, with many doors on each side, also blue, and with numbers on them, starting with a 2.
Connor started walking, noticing the first door on his right was a 200. The two boys then walked down the hall and then stopped at 211. Connor grabbed the doorknob which warmed up at his touch, and opened it up. Once the door was open, Jimmy and Connor looked inside. It was a nice sized room. There were two comfortable looking twin beds with blue sheeting and covers, two closet cupboards with a couple of drawers each on the door side of the wall in the corners of the room, two desks and chairs at the end of the beds, a window at the back wall, and a couple of plush chairs near a small fireplace near the left side of the door.
Connor's and Jimmy's suitcases and bags were already on their beds; Connor on the right and Jimmy on the left, waiting for them to be unpacked. Jimmy and Connor walked over to their beds, dropping their smaller bags, and began to unpack their clothes and schools supplies.
"So, are you going to try out any of the sports?" Jimmy asked, tossing some clothes into a drawer. "I thought I'd try out for Quidditch and Broom Racing, but the Magical Trials? Nah, they seem like they be tough. What about you?"
"I think I would like to try out for Quidditch and the Magical Trials," Connor replied, hanging up some shirts in his closet.
"Good luck with that," Jimmy replied, tossing his shirts into the closet. "Can't wait till classes start tomorrow! It's going to be great and fun! I'm going to learn all I can."
For hours, Jimmy and Connor hung out in their room until it was time for the feast, and they were putting on their nicest clothes. Connor put his tie around his collar and then stopped and stared at it. He didn't know how to work a tie, he wasn't paying attention when the tailor did it, and now he didn't know how.
"Uh, Jimmy? How do you tie a tie?" Connor asked, and turned towards his roommate only to find out that Jimmy too was staring at his black tie in confusion. He had a regular black suit on but with no shoes or jacket.
"I have no idea," Jimmy spoke, randomly twisting the ends of his tie. "My dad was teaching me, but I was too busy watching cartoons. They're very distracting." There was a knock on the door.
"Can you get it?" Connor asked, fiddling with his tie.
"But you're closer to the door!" Jimmy replied, and then turned to Connor only to realize that he was by the window. "Oh, never mind," Jimmy sighed, and walked over to the door and opened it to reveal a pretty looking Lucy. She was wearing a dark blue dress, with a blue cardigan, and light blue dress shoes. Her hair was in a ponytail.
"Hey, I thought we lost you. How'd you find us?" Jimmy asked. Annie pointed to the door. Jimmy looked at it where it showed Jimmy and Connor's names written on it. "Cool. Hey, Connor! Did you know our names are on the door?"
"No," Connor said, turning to Jimmy and Lucy. "Hi," he greeted to Lucy. "You don't happen to know how to tie a tie, do you?"
"Actually, I do," Annie answered with a smile and walked over to Connor to fix his tie.
"Thanks," Connor said when Annie helped him. He then moved over to put on his vest.
"What about me?" Jimmy asked, as his tie was in a knot. Annie giggled and then helped Jimmy with his tie while Connor pulled on his jacket.
"What time is it?" Connor asked.
"We have 15 minutes," Annie answered finishing up with Jimmy's tie, and then turned to Connor. "So I suggest we go now."
Connor nodded. "Alright," he said and then began to leave with Annie by his side. "Come on, Jim."
"Wait," Jimmy said, quickly slipping on his shoes, grabbed his jacket, and then ran after Connor and Lucy. "Guys, come on!"
Minutes later, Connor, Lucy, and Jimmy entered the Grand Hall cafeteria that was nearly full with students all looking nice in suits and dresses, all talking to their friends, new and old. The trio found an empty table full of empty dishes and silverware, and took a seat. Connor looked around and then at the head teacher's table where most of the teachers were already there talking to one another.
At six o'clock, everyone was seated, including all the teachers, but there was a seat in the middle of the teacher's head table, right in the middle.
"Alright, settle down, settle down!" Mrs. Ashton spoke, quieting the students while waving her arms. All the students then went quiet. "Now, Head Principal Osborn is a little late and said to go ahead and start the feast as he will be joining us shortly. Now, let's begin the feast!" And once again, the empty dished were filled with food or drink.
"I wonder why the Principal is going to be late," Annie said, pouring herself some lemonade.
"Probably fighting off a troll or something," Jimmy replied, already digging into his food. "What do you think Connor?" Connor shrugged, and Jimmy continued to talk about the awesome rumors about the Head Principal, as well as everyone else.
After dinner, Mrs. Ashton stood up once again. "I am sorry to inform you that Principal Osborn didn't join us this evening as he was really busy. So, I will give you a few announcements. Classes do start tomorrow, so please try not to be late. And all students will be wise to remember the Forest is out of bounds for those who don't want to be in serious trouble.
"And finally, this year, there is a small building behind the Dorm Halls, next to the Salem Cliff. It is also out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to get lost forever." Connor glanced around as everyone looked at one another in confusion. "You are dismissed," Mrs. Ashton said, and everyone got up and began to leave.
Connor stood up and began to leave the cafeteria with Annie and Jimmy. "I wonder why Osborn didn't show up." Annie wondered.
"I'm pretty sure he was busy doing something important," Jimmy said as the trio exited the Grand Hall and into the night lit sky, Magical balls of light were lighting the sidewalks that led to other buildings. Connor stopped to tie his shoe while Annie and Jimmy stopped a few feet away, waiting for him, and talking about the Principal.
While tying his shoe, Connor looked up and saw a Shadow of a man standing in the shadows, watching the children as they walked towards their dorms. All he saw was a red light in his hand, smoke coming off of it, and Connor knew it was a cigar. "Connor, what would be cooler, killing a Cyclops or a Minotaur?" Jimmy asked, gaining the Native's attention.
Connor turned to Jimmy and shrugged as he didn't care at the moment. He turned back towards where the man was standing only to see that he was gone. He stood up and continued with his new friends back to his dorm.
A/N: Holy smokes. Allotta stuff in this one. And there's more, and this story is coming along nicely. If you're reading this, I hope you like it. If you have questions, please ask and I will answer you.