It wasn't until Simon left the Mage's office that he really felt whole again. He struggled to balance his new textbooks as he tried to unfold the map of Watford the Mage had given him. Taking only a few steps before spilling all his books onto the floor of the hall. Simon glance around the hall and felt his heart drop as one of the doors to his left opened. Out came a women Simon didn't know, she was much younger than Professor Althea so much so that Simon wasn't sure if she was a student or a teacher. "Are you all right?" the women asked knelling down and beginning to gather up Simon's books.
"Yes, I'm fine" Simon said dropping on the floor to help her.
"That's wonderful" she said smiling at him. Her brown hair was incredibly long, coming down past her waist and actually touching the floor as she kneeled down.
"Umm, who're you" Simon asked internally cringing at how dumb he must sound.
The women didn't seem to mind, "I'm Professor Gatewood" she said. She handed Simon's books back to him then stood up. "I'm assuming you're a first year" said Professor Gatewood.
Simon nodded vigorously, "Sorry to cause you any trouble" he blurted.
"It's no trouble at all. What's your name?" she questioned.
"I'm Simon, it's a pleasure to meet you" Simon replied, he wanted to shake her hand but feared dropping all his books again.
She laughed lightly, "You don't have to be so nervous Simon, everyone is a little clumsy".
"Yeah but I'm really clumsy" Simon whined worrying slighted about the Professor's reaction. Professor Gatewood laughed loudly and Simon found himself smiling a little.
"Have you found who your roommate is yet" Gatewood asked. Simon nodded, fumbling slightly with his books but he managed to pull the piece of cloth out of his bag and pass it over to the Professor. "Oh yes, I believe I know where Mr. Pitch's room is" Professor Gatewood said.
"Thank god" Simon exclaimed with a sigh then flushed slightly. "I'm almost as directionally challenged as I am clumsy" he said chuckling nervously. Professor Gatewood laughed along with him.
"Don't worry, I'll get you where you need to go" Professor Gatewood promised. Simon nodded. smiling nervously.
"What do you teach?" He asked eager to learn more about magic.
"Elemental Magic" The Professor said plainly, "it may not be the most entertaining class but its still very important".
"I'm sure its important" Simon exclaimed.
Professor Gatewood smiled gently, "You're enthusiastic, I look forward to having you in my class" she said. Simon beamed back at her. Professor Gatewood stopped in front of a door, "Here we are" she said joyfully.
"Thank you for all your help. Can't wait to see you in Elemental Magic" Simon said and Professor Gatewood smiled brightly.
"Until then Simon" she said as she began to walk away.
"Bye" Simon called at her retreating form. Standing alone in the hallway Simon began to feel his nerves creeping up again. He paused, staring at the door in front of him. Slowly he pushed it open and walked inside. In the room, sitting onto of the bed on the left was a boy about Simon's age. He had slick black hair and was reading a large book. The boy looked up at Simon with dark gray eyes and staring as if he was sizing him up. "Simon Oliver Snow, I presume" said the boy. Simon nodded silently.
"Uh you must be Tyr—" Simon began.
The boy interrupted harshly, "Don't you dare say it". Simon's eyes widened at the sharpness of the boy's tone. The boy snapped his book closed and set it on the bed, "Atrocious name, isn't it" he said.
"It's not that bad" Simon said immediately. The boy stared at him with an eyebrow raised, challenging his statement. "Okay maybe it is that bad" Simon added smiling weakly.
The boy stood up and walked over to Simon with an outstretched hand. Simon grasped his hand weakly and shook. "Just call me Baz" the boy said.
"Simon Snow" Simon replied automatically.
"I know" Baz said without hesitation.
"Um" Simon started, fidgeting anxiously. Baz's sharp gaze cut into him making Simon even more nervous and lose his train of thought. He glanced back upwards and met Baz's eyes, blushing horribly.
"I've never seen a boy blush like you" Baz commented.
Simon felt his cheeks burn even more, in a combination of embarrassment and anger. Simon never tolerated being teased and no stupid wizard boy is going to change that. "How's that any of your business" Simon snapped.
"Just an observation" Baz replied with infuriating disinterest.
Simon crossed his arms over his chest, "Well maybe you observe something else" he snapped. Baz stepped closer with a smug smile plastered on his face.
"Or maybe I should just figure you out. You awfully simple, shouldn't take long" Baz drawled patronizingly. His gray eyes slowly traveled over Simon's body.
"I'll show you simple" Simon yelled. He cringed inwardly at his pathetic comeback.
Baz's smile seemed to grow even wider, "I believe you already are, Snow".
Despite the insult Simon was more taken aback by the use of his last name. "Don't call me that" he said in a small voice. Baz's smile fell off his face and he finally looked away for a moment.
"What's wrong with your surname?" Baz asked. His voice lacked any condensation or contempt; it was almost curious. Suddenly Simon's shoes became the most interesting thing in the room to him.
"It's uh not actually my name. The people at the orphanage gave the name to me because I was brought there on the day of blizzard" Simon admitted softly. As soon as the words left his mouth Simon desperately wanted to take them back. This wasn't something he needed everyone at this new school knowing so soon.
"How on earth is that a bad thing" Baz said after a moment of silence, "That name is yours no else has any meaning for it but you". Simon honestly didn't understand what Baz meant but the softness in his voice and the fact that he wouldn't meet his eyes made it seem like a deeply personal admission. Baz's face seemed different in that moment. His eyes were filled with some emotion Simon didn't recognize and it made him actually look like a kid. Finally Baz looked up and whatever emotion that was in his eyes had disappeared and was replaced with mild amusement. The change was so sudden Simon wondered if it was faked.
Before Simon could ponder his roommates behavior, Baz let out a small chuckle catching Simon completely off guard. "Makes sense that pathetic Mage would choose to bring in a charity case like you" Baz said with a devilish smirk. Simon clenched his fists and reddened in anger. He'd heard those words, charity case, all too often in his childhood and every time it happened it filled him with the same blind anger. Without thinking, Simon rushed forward and shoved Baz hard making the other boy stumble backwards. Simon could see Baz's eyes widen in surprise for only a second before he regained his composer. With narrowed eyes, Baz stalked forward. The dark haired boy opened his mouth, probably to say something cruel or demeaning. However before he could get a single word out the two boys were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
