Chapter 3
O.K, I am reheeeeeeeeeely
sorry this chapter took so long to post, I've had lots of exams, so I've been
busy 'revising' *cackles knowingly*,
Thanks to all you wonderful reviewers, you add a touch of sunshine to my life.
(aren't I sad?) Now remember R/R or die. Enjoy!
***
He stood in amazement as the rain poured down on
his sodden shoulders, and he let his trunk drop onto the soaking
grass.
Harry stood in total awe,
at the amazing, impregnable fortress which stood in front of him. He had never
seen a building so large and impressive in all his life. While still in his
silent reverie, Harry was pulled forcefully out of his daze, when a deep,
guttural voice barked from behind him "New recruits!"
Harry glanced over his
shoulder to see around thirteen other boys with a look of amazement on their
faces similar to his own. They all glanced at him with a hidden curiosity, and
followed the voice of the unknown figure who had called them. Harry followed
suit.
A huge, ominous looking
man, around the same size of Hagrid, with a mop of dishevelled brown hair, and
with the same beetle black eyes, addressed his waiting audience of fifteen
bedraggled 16 year old boys, and grunted in an authoritive, almost fractious
voice.
"Welcome to the Academy." He boomed to the rapt attention of the eager
crowd. "I hope you are all aware that this is a college of excellence." He
paused, clearing his throat, and then continuing, more slowly. "Any foul
behaviour will result in expulsion. We expect the utmost effort, and work from
our students." Harry gulped, knowing his reputation for trouble. The enormous
speaker continued, in a more positive voice. "You will now enter the castle. We
will join in the hall for lunch after an hour's tour, to let you get the feel
for your surroundings."
With that, he cast a quick
waterproof spell on all the drenched students, relieving them from the constant
drumming of the pelting rain on their shoulders, (leaving them feeling very
sheepish at not having thought of that themselves.) and began striding away,
towards the portentous castle, with his flock of black robed and nervous sheep
behind him.
***
It took around five
minutes to walk across the lawns to the castle, but then there was an invisible
moat to cross ( the moat only appears to people who know it is there, so the
students were forewarned) which took a subsequent five minutes, on enchanted
boats that needed no oars, and floated across the water like graceful swans.
Harry was paired in a boat
with a boy with shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair with red streaks, whom
he instantly liked. The boy had the lightest blue eyes, they were almost
see-through. He reminded him oddly of Ron. Harry allowed himself an internal
smile as he thought of Ron back at Hogwarts castle. However, the smile quickly dissolved
when he remembered Hermione, and touched his hand to the pocket where the
mysterious parcel lay dormant.
Harry smiled at his boat
partner, and the boy smiled back at him, with just the trace of curiosity
behind his mysterious eyes, at the scar which lay openly on Harry's forehead.
The boats docked on a kind
of jetty of the river, and the new students leapt clumsily out of the
precarious boats. They allowed themselves to be led again by the giant man, who
finally took them to the vast wall of the castle. 'Appareo!' he boomed at the
wall, and a huge door appeared. The students looked on, amazed. 'Come' said
their guide, effortlessly pushing open the solid door.
Once inside the castle,
the sight which met the students' eyes was truly incredible. They all went into
various stages of shock, and one, particularly hypersensitive young man even
fainted. Harry could see why. The Hall they were standing in was like that of a
cathedral. The walls went so high you could barely see the ceiling. But what
you could see of it was infinitely beautiful. Intricate patterns of angels,
demons and other magical creatures were depicted upon the walls, and were all
enchanted to move, and show a story. A person could have sat and watched those
walls for all eternity, but they had only five minutes before they were
addressed by the guide once more.
From what seemed like
nowhere, around twenty authoritive looking young men appeared. They looked like
the equivalent of prefects for Hogwarts. They wore badges, and their robes were
trimmed with silver. The guide spoke, averting the boys' attention from these
new arrivals.
"These young men" the
giant spoke, looking at them with obvious pride. "Will show you briefly around
the castle, until we will join in the hall for lunch. No classes will be
performed today; however you will be placed in your respective 'forms' with
teachers who will be your tutors and mentors for the duration of the course."
The man finished, clapped his hands twice in a row, and to everyone's
astonishment all the luggage of the boys disappeared to an unknown destination.
Harry felt slightly
bereaved without his familiar case, but he quickly shrugged the feeling as the
hesitant crowd began to grudgingly move off.
***
O.K, O.K, I just want everyone
to know that this is not finished! However, I just sort of got stuck, and I'd
like some feedback before I continue, and finish the chapter. I will finish it,
but I have a fatal condition, I believe they call 'writer's block'. Please
review it. 2 reviews and I'll finish.