"No robes," Aly said, packing her books into her bag. "Interesting. I've never gone without robes, except for the summers, of course."
Darien smiled. "It's a bit less weight, you'll see. It's a bit more convenient."
"I hope so," Aly answered. She turned to the others. "Ready to go?"
They were standing in the living room, shoes on, ready to head down to Ellis for the first day. Aly closed her bag shut up and looked around the room.
Char snapped his bag shut. "I think so. I've got the books, quills, ink, parchment...posters..."
"Darien opened the door. Aly inhaled the warm August air.
"Alright," Amanda sighed, standing up. "How long does it take to get there?"
"It doesn't take you less than a few seconds," Darien grinned. "All you need to do is apparate."
"Really?" Damien asked. "That's all?"
"Seeing as how you lot are seventh years and all. If you were under that, you'd have to walk the old fashioned way. Or fly. It doesn't really matter. This whole community is full of witches and wizards."
Aly smiled. "Where to?"
"Ellis Academy, of course," Darien said, motioning outside. "There's not other place like it."
They stepped outside and Aly turned to face her dad on the porch.
He kissed her forehead. "Have fun, alright? Remember, it's not Hogwarts. You're completely safe. Enjoy it."
"Alright," Aly mumbled, hugging him. "See you."
He smiled and they walked down the steps. Darien shut the door behind them. Aly sighed and turned to the others who were waiting.
"Alright, then. One the spot, one, two..."
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Aly blinked, looking around. "He wasn't kidding."
She turned her head to the left and watched with amazement as other students apparated around her with loud pops. She looked around and found herself standing outside a pair of doors. They were inside the school, for sure.
Amanda smiled. "That was pretty quick. Ten times faster than walking, I'd reckon."
"Aly! Over here!"
Aly looked over her shoulder and grinned at Joy, who was standing with Julian and David. "Come on," she said.
Char growled.
"He's gotten the message by now, Char. Calm down," Aly muttered, weaving her way through the crowd of seventh years. They approached David, Julian, and Joy.
"Hey," she smiled. "I like it."
"Easy, isn't it?" David grinned. "I love being able to apparate. Six whole years of walking is enough for me."
Char laughed.
"Welcome to Ellis, mate," Julian said, sticking out his hand. Char looked at Aly quickly, and then smiled at Julian, shaking his hand.
"So...how long do we stay out here?" Hayden asked, looking around the brick building.
David answered. "Until everyone gets here. Of course, they'd know if some people weren't showing up, but they can magically count if..."
Suddenly the giant doors opened with a boom, startling the others.
"There it goes," Julian said cheerfully. "Let's go!"
The crowd of students made their way through the doors, whispering excitedly. They walked into a hall with two extremely long tables. Aly gasped at the ceiling, which was intricately painted with nature. The carpet was plush and comfortable, and felt like velvet. They followed the other three to a table and sat down on the benches. Aly sat between Char and David. The tables were covered in soft, blue tablecloth and there were dishes rimmed with gold on them. The doors shut again, startling Aly.
"Where're the others?" she hissed to David.
"We do the feasts by grade," he muttered. "Seventh years only, this year."
Suddenly the whole congregation started clapping. Aly joined in, confused.
A woman in blue robes had apparated onto the podium and smiled at them all. She had brown hair with long streaks of gray, and sparkling brown eyes. More teachers started apparating to the seats at the table behind her.
Aly watched in amazement as they all appeared behind her.
The woman smiled. "Welcome!" she announced. "To another year. Your last, I'm sad to say." The clapping faded away. "I am Professor Ammadon. I am the Headmistress here at Ellis, for those who do not know."
Her piercing gaze suddenly turned to Aly. "I am talking, of course, about our new students this year. Aly Trevelyan..."
Audible gasp.
"Char and Damien Boyle, Amanda Straum and Hayden Taylor."
All eyes turned to them and Aly felt her face heat up. She determinedly kept her eyes on the chandelier above Professor Ammadon's head.
"I didn't know he had a daughter," one boy said, looking at Aly. She flushed.
"A lot of people didn't," she muttered.
"Yes, well...there are more appropriate times for conversation," Professor Ammadon grinned. "For now, tuck in and talk with your friends."
Food appeared on the plates and conversation immediately started.
Aly reached for some mussels. She noticed a steam cauldron of soup. It smelled delicious.
"What's that?" she asked David.
"Scotch Broth. Mutton, vegetables, beef broth. Great stuff," he answered. Aly shrugged and poured some of it into her bowl. She blew on it to cool it down and took a sip. Delicious.
"How do you like Ellis so far?" Joy asked Damien cheerfully.
"It's nice," he admitted, looking around. "A bit more sophisticated than Hogwarts, but still..."
"Who're the teachers?" Char asked, eating some shrimp.
"Well...Professor Douglas is over there...He teaches Transfiguration..."
She was pointing to a young man with thick black hair and brown eyes. He wore glasses, and he was laughing with a woman next to him.
"Dolan...She teaches Charms..."
She was the woman next to Professor Douglas, who had light blond hair that was obviously graying, and blue eyes.
"Abernethy, he teaches Potions. He's my favorite." He was middle aged, and had thinning brown hair and brown eyes.
"Wow. A nice Potions teacher, that's rich," Char snorted.
"I'm serious," Joy said. "He's really funny."
"Dalziel...She teaches History. That class is boring."
"I never liked history," Julian added. "I've heard she's strict."
"Too bad," Amanda shrugged. "Me and strict teachers never got along."
"And Professor Ammadon teaches Ancient Runes."
"And she's the Headmistress?" Hayden asked, his eyebrows rising.
"Yep," Joy said, returning to her food. "I don't know how she does it."
Aly looked over at Professor Ammadon, impressed.