Chapter 1: The Year Begins.
Von pushed a shiny copper piece into the meaty palm of the carriage driver. The man, who looked pinched to begin with, seemed to shrivel into himself a little more as he scowled at the measly tip. But considering the unnecessarily bumpy ride and the shoddy service, Von was not inclined to be guilt tripped into a larger tip. The driver seemed to sense this and gave the boy one last dirty look before hopping unto his carriage (though it was more like an overlarge cart) and speeding away. Von sighed and reached for his single piece of luggage, a small green thing that bulged at the sides. He had just barely managed to get it closed, and was now worried about it possibly bursting at the seams. The carriage had dropped him off at the edge of a path and up ahead was a gate; silver, and all together too delicate looking as far as gates went. A Large painted sign hung from the bars.
AVE`LUNSAR
"In the moonstar reflection, see yourself as you truly
are."
At the sight of all this, instant nostalgia and a sense of welcome filled Von, washing away his grumpiness, as well as the foreboding feelings he was having about the upcoming year.
This place was happiness, his home away from hell and a senile uncle who had him on lock and key.
And it'll be great this year too, even without Tom.
Children his age, some younger, a few older, where arriving at the gates by every means imaginable. The arrival grounds of the school was thick with people; many poured from the pristine white Lunsar train, some came in carriages, both of the wheeled and the winged sort, and still more were appearing suddenly in thick clouds of red smoke.
But the most spectacular arrival was just pulling in above; a large carriage that was as white as the aforementioned train, pulled by eight white pegasi with flowing manes and silver hooves that pawed the air.
This spectacular thing carried the newest students to be accepted to the Lunsar School of magic.
The school made sure that all the first years got to campus in a timely, safe, if not spectacular fashion. After your first year you were basically on your own, even if it meant bewitching your bicycle to fly a few hundred miles or so.
Von cut a path through the madness; he just wanted to get to his room and take a long nap before the opening dinner at sunset.
Ahead was the school itself, a great white Victorian mansion with a brick porch that wound around nearly the entire girth of the school. The surrounding grounds were like an overgrown garden, with little cultivated ponds, fountains and strategically planted trees here and there. The only clear direct path to the school was the one he was on now and at the moment clear wasn't the word he'd use to describe it.
It was a gorgeous summer day, but with his current mood and lack of sleep Von was not interested in admiring anything, no matter how pretty.
"Von!"
It was Megara, waving at him from a short distance away. She came running towards him, her tightly curled dark hair flying. Her full lips were split into a wide grin, and she had her arms flung out to the sides in a very silly fashion.
Von dropped his suitcase and scooped her up for a hug as she flew into his arms. She was light, and several inches shorter than him; he lifted her easily off the ground.
"Hi-Hi! Im sorry I didn't write as much this summer, had a bit of a problem with the mail! How are you?"
Megara gazed up at him with warm fondness. She was one of the two people he considered his best friends at this school. With her smooth dark skin and large, lovely honey brown eyes, she was incredibly striking, and all the boys were crazy for her. The only problem was that the very beautiful Megara also had a very beautiful girlfriend, and the fact that two of the prettiest girls at the school were dating each other drove most of the male population here mad.
"It's ok, Meg. I was so busy slaving this summer that I probably wouldn't have found time to write back."
"Your uncle?"
"Yeah." His cheerful mood ebbed just a bit. "But it was an ok summer really."
Megara frowned but did not press the subject. He looked down at her.
"So what's with the pants?" He asked. She was wearing what appeared to be the standard male student uniform, only with a slightly female twist. She tugged at her white and silver striped tie absently.
"Oh, just wanted to try something new. Listen, I can see that you're tired." She said, ruffling his hair playfully. "I'll let you go for now, but we'll catch up later after the ceremony. Oh! There's been a change of plans!"
"What?"
She winked at him and turned to walk away. "You'll see!" She called over her shoulders, walking quickly towards a few people she knew.
Shrugging, Von continued on towards the house. Inside was a lot less congested.
The Lunsar mansion was just as big inside as it appeared to be from the outside. Right now he was standing in the foyer, which was like a small family house itself. To the left and to the right, were pairs of winding stairs. Von automatically turned to the left. After a several fights and a few hallway turns, he was in the Draconus wing. The color scheme here was mainly a scarlet gold, silver, and various types of red. The thick maroon carpet matched the window drapes. Pictures of every species of dragon imaginable lined the long hallway walls, as well as the constellations and stars associated with the house. These were the most important.
The first two doors of the hallway (one to his left and the other to his right) were marked first~fourth year boys, first~fourth year girls. These were the suites that the younger girls and boys shared: They consisted of a common room and about ten adjoining bedrooms. As Von remembered, the inside of these suites were really pretty big, because they housed about forty young students.
The fifth, sixth, seventh and eight years all got their own rooms. The space was a lot smaller, but the privacy, as most would agree, was priceless.
And placed at strategic positions throughout the wing, were two Draconus prefects, Katie Dower and Winston Hill.
There were three other wings like this throughout the mansion with the exact same setup, the only differences being the color scheme; Purples and silver for Lupus, Blues and silver for Centaurus, Whites and silver for Equus.
Von walked the length of the hall with his eyes half closed. He finally reached his room door.
"Finally, a bed!" He said as he flung open the door, throwing his suitcase into the nearest corner. He opened a window to air the place out, then stood, hands on hips, surveying what her considered to be his personal domain.
This small square room, with its arched window canopied bed and large oak wardrobe, was all his. Near the bed there was a locked door, a closet, where he kept all the school supplies he didn't dare take home for the summer. Pictures and poster's covered the wall space...and on his dresser there were a dozen 'no-wilt' roses that Megara had given him some years ago.
"Hmm, nice to be home." Wasting no time, he removed the shirt he was wearing, and stuck his finger through the ratty hole under the armpit. "Suppose I should do a little shopping."
But that would mean using his uncle's money. And even though the man had loads of it, Von still vowed not to be dependent on it or him.
He threw the shirt unto the floor and flopped unto his bed.
And before he could even think longer on his uncle or his need for clothes, Von fell instantly to sleep.
"You must leave here." His father stood before him, tall, cold, dispassionate, features set in perfect blankness.
"What? I don't understand." Von was still wearing a festive cone hat on his head. A moment ago he had been eating cake and laughing with friends, when his father called him from the main dinning hall.
"After today, after this party is over, you will be leaving to live with your uncle."
"But father, why.."
Von bolted upright in bed. He was breathing hard and his hair hung limp and sweaty. Outside, the sun was sinking below the horizon.
Damn. That was some nap. And that dream...I haven't had it for years...why now.
His body felt limp, as if he had just run several miles, and a throbbing headache was forming.
"Great way to start the year. Lumus." A spherical light appeared and floated through the air, adding a soft glow to the room. Von stripped off the rest of his clothing and opted to skip the shower. Who did he have to smell nice for anyway? He quickly pulled on his best pair of black pants and whitest shirt. A Gray vest trimmed with gold followed that. Socks, shoes, and walla.he was ready.
Well, his full length mirror seemed to disagree with that. The boy that stared back at him was extremely untidy, with too long hair falling into his eyes, shirt un-tucked, vest askew..
"Whatever." Von mumbled, Tucking in his shirt in and doing his best to straighten his clothing. He threw his gold and silver striped tie around his neck; he was going to be late for both the ceremony and the feast.
"So are you coming or not?"
Von spun on his heels to face the voice. He couldn't believe it.
"Tom!"
Von and Tom created quite a commotion in the hallway, as they hugged and punched and berated each other with questions. One boy opened his door and gave them a dirty look.
"What, wait so how are you here? The transfer."
"My parents changed their minds.said they didn't want to uproot the family.something like that.whatever their reasons, I could really care less..as long as I'm here, back at Lunsar, Woo!"
They both laughed at the luck of it all.
"Well I'm glad you're back, and we are about to be late for the ceremony."
"Im ready, I came to get you."
As usual, Tom was impeccably dressed and annoyingly handsome. His strawberry blond hair, cut to a decent length, looked as if it had never known a bad hair day. Everything was in place, and he had even remembered his dark jacket, with the golden Draconus house sigil stitched into the left breast pocket.
"Ok pretty boy, give me a minute, please." Von ran back into his room and grabbed his jacket, and with a flick of his had extinguished the light.
As they ran through hallways and down stairs, they didn't see any other students. "Great, we must be really very late."
They arrived at the doors of the main dinning hall a little disheveled and very out of breath.
"Nope, just made it," Tom said with his usual confidence.
They had. The first years had yet to arrive and everyone must have just taken their seats.
The Grande Hall was a sea of color and light. White tablecloth's covered the long tables which had been set with crystal glasses, china plates, silver dinnerware and elegant white candles. Above, two crystal chandeliers provide the main source of light and gave a beautiful sparkle. The only bits of color in the room were on the student uniforms. House Equus in their silver and white simply blended into the starry ethereal atmosphere.
As Von and Tom made their way to the Draconus table, Megara waved, winked and blew kissed at them from her seat.
Tom's eyes lingered on Meg. "Are her and Silvia really an item?"
"I'm afraid so, my friend," Von replied, amused by the exaggerated, agonized look that crossed Tom's face.
They sat just in time. Up ahead Headmaster Engleton was standing at the teachers table, which was slightly elevated above the rest of the hall. He tapped his fork on his glass. The sound, amplified by magic, carried through the air and was instantly followed by silence.
"Equus, Draconus, Lupus and Centaurus." Engleton paused for a moment, allowing his grave brown eyes to travel across the assembly. "May I present to you, your newest classmates."
Right on cue, the doors of the Grande Hall swung open and Professor Willow stalked in, followed by a group of about forty first years who hurried after her like frightened ducklings.
Von smiled. He remembered his first year and the formal presentation, how intimidated he had been by the grandeur of Ave'Lunsar and afraid that he would simply just not live up to standards.
Willow directed the first years to stand before the dais, and then swept off to her own seat next to the standing Engleton.
The headmaster was an intimidating man, all broad shoulders and tall stature. His hair was still a rich brown, except for at the temples; there it was beginning to grey.
But still he had a warm smile for the students, who became visibly relaxed.
"Welcome students, to Ave'Lunsar, school of witchcraft, wizardry and all things supernatural. Now, I'm sure you're all very hungry, and maybe even a little tired, so we will proceed directly to the sorting." Engleton pointed his arm at the area directly in front of the students. "Constulatus Apparate".
The first years, already a bit wide-eyed, became even more so as a dark mist began to form in front of them. It thickened, swooping up into a column, spreading and widening and becoming three dimensional. Tiny flickers of light began to appear in the mist.
Soon, it was as if a patch of the starry night sky had been cut out and relocated in the Grande Hall. The mist, known better as the Constulatus, began to rotate slowly.
Then came a strangely alien voice; it was male and female, young and old, all at once.
Equus, the star born
True of heart and spirit
Lupus, moonchild
Loyal dark strength
Centaurus, bound to earth
Thirst for knowledge and unknowns
Draconus, sun child
Courage without limits
Ancient secrets kept
by those who once were,
and who are no more
Now buried in the riddle of stars
In the moonlight reflection
See yourself as you truly are.
Richard Colbine.
Feeling extremely nervous and unlucky, the first boy stepped up to the Constulatus.
Closer.come closer.step inside.
As the first year entered the misty dark sphere, the stars of the Constulatus instantly began to swirl and rotate. Several of these stars arranged themselves clearly for all to see.
Lupus.
House Lupus clapped and cheered for Richard, who looked relieved as he made his was over to their table. A Lupus prefect handed him a purple and silver striped tie, several house badges and a pin depicting a snarling black wolf with silver eyes.
A smallish girl with long curly blond hair had stepped into the Constulatus.
Centaurus.
As the sorting continued, Von, Tom and a fellow Draconus named Calvin began to place wagers on certain first years and their designated house.
"Now, she looks every bit the Equus," Said Calvin of a pretty raven haired girl.
The Constulatus stars formed a unicorn.
Equus.
"See! What did I tell you?"
Both Von and Tom gave up when it became clear that Calvin's clairvoyant gift was getting the better of them.
"Finally," Tom said as the last first year was placed in Lupus. "I'm damned near starved,"
Engleton stood and Tom groaned.
He gave his usual speech about what it meant to be a house member, unity, brotherhood..and then went into a long bit about the school and its rules.
"Your prefects will give you more detailed information later tonight, at your first house meeting, which for this month will only include the first years."
Von's stomach was starting to make funny noises.
".and now I'm sure we can all agree that some dinner would be nice."
Everyone cheered heartily at that.
Von had is fork in hand even before the platter of roasted chicken appeared on the table before him.
For awhile all he could think about was the chicken and mashed potatoes on his plate and the cherry pie he'd be eating in a few.
Calvin was going on about his summer, which every year involved at least one beautiful girl and about ten different winged animals.
"Really, Calvin, you ought to stop exaggerating so much," said Claire, who never needed an excuse to frown upon anyone or anything.
Fifteen minutes into dinner, Megara came scurrying over to the Draconus table. She knelt between Tom and Von.
"I have some interesting news."
"Good lord, Meg, one day back and you've already managed to dig up some 'news'." said Tom.
Megara shot daggers at him with her eyes but continued anyway. "Three, three students who remained in residence this summer disappeared..
"Yeah, they probably went home.."
"Tom! Are you going to let me speak or not?"
"Sorry, sorry."
"As I was saying..they vanished completely with out a trace. Connie Patterson knew one of the girls. Isn't that weird? No one just ups and disappears like that."
"True, but you never know.it might not be what it seems. Can't just jump to."
"Well, I was only pointing it out," Megara said, annoyed at the reactions of both boys. "Well I guess I have nothing left to say to you two.I'll just let you find everything out on your own.oh, and by the way, Von," Megara turned to face him. Her eyes looked concerned. "I thought you should know, that Cecilia is seeing some Lupus boy. He's not very."
But Von had ceased to listen. The food lost its flavor and turned to dry cardboard in his mouth.
Instinctively, his eyes traveled to the Lupus table.
Cecilia, as if sensing his attention, happened to turn his way at that moment. Her cold green eyes met his and a small cruel smile curved the corners of her thin red lips. She lifted her glass and made him a mock toast.
Von looked away quickly. His insides felt like lead. His palms were sweaty and his heart was about to hammer itself into a million broken pieces.
"Von," Meg gently laid a hand on his arm. "You'll be ok..she's nothing."
"No, I'm fine. Really Megara."
But that was a lie and they all knew it.
There was brief moment of silence as both Megara and Tom allowed him to collect himself.
"Tom."
"Yeah, Von?"
"Still got that spell that turns water to wine?"
Tomas smiled brilliantly. "You know I do."
"Von, alcohol is not the answer." Megara said, trying to interject.
"Vinare."
Too late. He had said the words and now three crystal glasses were filled with a strong red wine. Von reached for his and finished it in one gulp.
"Come, Megara..this is good stuff," Coaxed Tom.
Megara stood, tossed her hair and stalked away from the table. Von finished her glass. By the time dinner was over, both Tom and Von were well beyond tipsy. The students had begun to socialize, walking from house table to house table, greeting old friends and sharing summer tales. Tomas had cornered an older seventh year Centaurus, and was flirting outrageously. The girl looked completely bored, her arms crossed, she managed a weak smile now and then.
Von was sitting by himself, sipping the last glass of wine Tom had allowed him.
He was watching Cecilia. She floated about the room on the arm of some sandy haired lupus, who had a bland look about him.
She was tall, with jet black hair and a pair of wickedly bright green eyes. Her fair skin was slightly freckled. He couldn't see the freckles, not now, but he remembered them. Everyone. The boy said something and Cecilia laughed aloud, tossing her head so that the light reflected from her shiny dark hair.
Von's hand clenched tightly about the delicate glass, and he didn't notice Megara as she came over to sit by him.
"I know, it's hard." She said, taking the half empty glass from his hands. "But you really have to get her out of your system, Von. That girls a viper; she's no good."
He allowed Megara to run her fingers through his hair. It felt good, sending tingles down his spine, and he closed his eyes and tried to let the pain wash away.
"I know, Meg. But.god.I hate her, I do, and then I remember."
"Don't worry. This too shall pass."
His head was spinning. "I think I drank way too much.Im gonna head upstairs and sleep this off." "Definitely. Do you want me to walk up with you?" Von laughed. "I think you should go rescue your girlfriend from our good friend the Tom-cat." Megara spun in her chair. Tom had given up on the Centaurus, and was now grinning at Silvia, who sat listening to him go on and on about something. She had a wide, forced smile on her face.
"Ugh! That fink."
Megara stormed over to where they stood, her hands balled into fists at her side.
Von left the Grande Hall, taking slow careful steps. The hallways and stairwells were completely deserted, and would be until dinner was over. He prayed he didn't slip on a set of steps and hit his head; by the time anyone found him, it would be too late.
As he neared the Draconus wing, a hand reached from a shadowed corner and grabbed him by the arm. In his intoxicated state he was easily over powered, and the person flung him against a wall.
"Cecilia," Von said, breathless.
Her cat like green eyes crinkled with a smile.
"Nice to see you again, Von." She moved closer, pressing her body against his. Her long nails dug into his arm, and her breath came like a caress against his throat.
"What do you want." He tried to make his voice hard, but his head was still spinning and he was beginning to feel nauseous.
"Oh.just to see how my favorite dragon has been." She kissed him, pressing her lips hard against his, forcing his mouth open.
Von found himself responding to the kiss. The alcohol and the warmth of her were making him heady.
But.
No. you can't do this. She.
A small part of him that was still rational gained control for a brief moment.
It was enough.
Von shoved Cecilia hard, causing her collide with the opposite wall. She giggled, catching herself before she could fall.
"Ooo, I always like it when you're rough."
'Listen, Cecilia." He caught and pinned her by the shoulders. "I don't know what game your playing at, but don't make me apart of it." His face was inches from hers, his voice low and dangerous. "I was younger then, in many ways. I let you manipulate me. But if you even think."
He backed away from her and they glared at one another in silence.
"Just stay away, Cecilia. I'm not the sweet malleable lump of clay you used to know. Don't give me a reason to wipe that nasty smirk from your face.
Turning quickly, and trying not to stumble, Von stalked away before he could hear or see her reaction.
He needed his bed.
And a shower. A long, cold shower.
Von pushed a shiny copper piece into the meaty palm of the carriage driver. The man, who looked pinched to begin with, seemed to shrivel into himself a little more as he scowled at the measly tip. But considering the unnecessarily bumpy ride and the shoddy service, Von was not inclined to be guilt tripped into a larger tip. The driver seemed to sense this and gave the boy one last dirty look before hopping unto his carriage (though it was more like an overlarge cart) and speeding away. Von sighed and reached for his single piece of luggage, a small green thing that bulged at the sides. He had just barely managed to get it closed, and was now worried about it possibly bursting at the seams. The carriage had dropped him off at the edge of a path and up ahead was a gate; silver, and all together too delicate looking as far as gates went. A Large painted sign hung from the bars.
AVE`LUNSAR
"In the moonstar reflection, see yourself as you truly
are."
At the sight of all this, instant nostalgia and a sense of welcome filled Von, washing away his grumpiness, as well as the foreboding feelings he was having about the upcoming year.
This place was happiness, his home away from hell and a senile uncle who had him on lock and key.
And it'll be great this year too, even without Tom.
Children his age, some younger, a few older, where arriving at the gates by every means imaginable. The arrival grounds of the school was thick with people; many poured from the pristine white Lunsar train, some came in carriages, both of the wheeled and the winged sort, and still more were appearing suddenly in thick clouds of red smoke.
But the most spectacular arrival was just pulling in above; a large carriage that was as white as the aforementioned train, pulled by eight white pegasi with flowing manes and silver hooves that pawed the air.
This spectacular thing carried the newest students to be accepted to the Lunsar School of magic.
The school made sure that all the first years got to campus in a timely, safe, if not spectacular fashion. After your first year you were basically on your own, even if it meant bewitching your bicycle to fly a few hundred miles or so.
Von cut a path through the madness; he just wanted to get to his room and take a long nap before the opening dinner at sunset.
Ahead was the school itself, a great white Victorian mansion with a brick porch that wound around nearly the entire girth of the school. The surrounding grounds were like an overgrown garden, with little cultivated ponds, fountains and strategically planted trees here and there. The only clear direct path to the school was the one he was on now and at the moment clear wasn't the word he'd use to describe it.
It was a gorgeous summer day, but with his current mood and lack of sleep Von was not interested in admiring anything, no matter how pretty.
"Von!"
It was Megara, waving at him from a short distance away. She came running towards him, her tightly curled dark hair flying. Her full lips were split into a wide grin, and she had her arms flung out to the sides in a very silly fashion.
Von dropped his suitcase and scooped her up for a hug as she flew into his arms. She was light, and several inches shorter than him; he lifted her easily off the ground.
"Hi-Hi! Im sorry I didn't write as much this summer, had a bit of a problem with the mail! How are you?"
Megara gazed up at him with warm fondness. She was one of the two people he considered his best friends at this school. With her smooth dark skin and large, lovely honey brown eyes, she was incredibly striking, and all the boys were crazy for her. The only problem was that the very beautiful Megara also had a very beautiful girlfriend, and the fact that two of the prettiest girls at the school were dating each other drove most of the male population here mad.
"It's ok, Meg. I was so busy slaving this summer that I probably wouldn't have found time to write back."
"Your uncle?"
"Yeah." His cheerful mood ebbed just a bit. "But it was an ok summer really."
Megara frowned but did not press the subject. He looked down at her.
"So what's with the pants?" He asked. She was wearing what appeared to be the standard male student uniform, only with a slightly female twist. She tugged at her white and silver striped tie absently.
"Oh, just wanted to try something new. Listen, I can see that you're tired." She said, ruffling his hair playfully. "I'll let you go for now, but we'll catch up later after the ceremony. Oh! There's been a change of plans!"
"What?"
She winked at him and turned to walk away. "You'll see!" She called over her shoulders, walking quickly towards a few people she knew.
Shrugging, Von continued on towards the house. Inside was a lot less congested.
The Lunsar mansion was just as big inside as it appeared to be from the outside. Right now he was standing in the foyer, which was like a small family house itself. To the left and to the right, were pairs of winding stairs. Von automatically turned to the left. After a several fights and a few hallway turns, he was in the Draconus wing. The color scheme here was mainly a scarlet gold, silver, and various types of red. The thick maroon carpet matched the window drapes. Pictures of every species of dragon imaginable lined the long hallway walls, as well as the constellations and stars associated with the house. These were the most important.
The first two doors of the hallway (one to his left and the other to his right) were marked first~fourth year boys, first~fourth year girls. These were the suites that the younger girls and boys shared: They consisted of a common room and about ten adjoining bedrooms. As Von remembered, the inside of these suites were really pretty big, because they housed about forty young students.
The fifth, sixth, seventh and eight years all got their own rooms. The space was a lot smaller, but the privacy, as most would agree, was priceless.
And placed at strategic positions throughout the wing, were two Draconus prefects, Katie Dower and Winston Hill.
There were three other wings like this throughout the mansion with the exact same setup, the only differences being the color scheme; Purples and silver for Lupus, Blues and silver for Centaurus, Whites and silver for Equus.
Von walked the length of the hall with his eyes half closed. He finally reached his room door.
"Finally, a bed!" He said as he flung open the door, throwing his suitcase into the nearest corner. He opened a window to air the place out, then stood, hands on hips, surveying what her considered to be his personal domain.
This small square room, with its arched window canopied bed and large oak wardrobe, was all his. Near the bed there was a locked door, a closet, where he kept all the school supplies he didn't dare take home for the summer. Pictures and poster's covered the wall space...and on his dresser there were a dozen 'no-wilt' roses that Megara had given him some years ago.
"Hmm, nice to be home." Wasting no time, he removed the shirt he was wearing, and stuck his finger through the ratty hole under the armpit. "Suppose I should do a little shopping."
But that would mean using his uncle's money. And even though the man had loads of it, Von still vowed not to be dependent on it or him.
He threw the shirt unto the floor and flopped unto his bed.
And before he could even think longer on his uncle or his need for clothes, Von fell instantly to sleep.
"You must leave here." His father stood before him, tall, cold, dispassionate, features set in perfect blankness.
"What? I don't understand." Von was still wearing a festive cone hat on his head. A moment ago he had been eating cake and laughing with friends, when his father called him from the main dinning hall.
"After today, after this party is over, you will be leaving to live with your uncle."
"But father, why.."
Von bolted upright in bed. He was breathing hard and his hair hung limp and sweaty. Outside, the sun was sinking below the horizon.
Damn. That was some nap. And that dream...I haven't had it for years...why now.
His body felt limp, as if he had just run several miles, and a throbbing headache was forming.
"Great way to start the year. Lumus." A spherical light appeared and floated through the air, adding a soft glow to the room. Von stripped off the rest of his clothing and opted to skip the shower. Who did he have to smell nice for anyway? He quickly pulled on his best pair of black pants and whitest shirt. A Gray vest trimmed with gold followed that. Socks, shoes, and walla.he was ready.
Well, his full length mirror seemed to disagree with that. The boy that stared back at him was extremely untidy, with too long hair falling into his eyes, shirt un-tucked, vest askew..
"Whatever." Von mumbled, Tucking in his shirt in and doing his best to straighten his clothing. He threw his gold and silver striped tie around his neck; he was going to be late for both the ceremony and the feast.
"So are you coming or not?"
Von spun on his heels to face the voice. He couldn't believe it.
"Tom!"
Von and Tom created quite a commotion in the hallway, as they hugged and punched and berated each other with questions. One boy opened his door and gave them a dirty look.
"What, wait so how are you here? The transfer."
"My parents changed their minds.said they didn't want to uproot the family.something like that.whatever their reasons, I could really care less..as long as I'm here, back at Lunsar, Woo!"
They both laughed at the luck of it all.
"Well I'm glad you're back, and we are about to be late for the ceremony."
"Im ready, I came to get you."
As usual, Tom was impeccably dressed and annoyingly handsome. His strawberry blond hair, cut to a decent length, looked as if it had never known a bad hair day. Everything was in place, and he had even remembered his dark jacket, with the golden Draconus house sigil stitched into the left breast pocket.
"Ok pretty boy, give me a minute, please." Von ran back into his room and grabbed his jacket, and with a flick of his had extinguished the light.
As they ran through hallways and down stairs, they didn't see any other students. "Great, we must be really very late."
They arrived at the doors of the main dinning hall a little disheveled and very out of breath.
"Nope, just made it," Tom said with his usual confidence.
They had. The first years had yet to arrive and everyone must have just taken their seats.
The Grande Hall was a sea of color and light. White tablecloth's covered the long tables which had been set with crystal glasses, china plates, silver dinnerware and elegant white candles. Above, two crystal chandeliers provide the main source of light and gave a beautiful sparkle. The only bits of color in the room were on the student uniforms. House Equus in their silver and white simply blended into the starry ethereal atmosphere.
As Von and Tom made their way to the Draconus table, Megara waved, winked and blew kissed at them from her seat.
Tom's eyes lingered on Meg. "Are her and Silvia really an item?"
"I'm afraid so, my friend," Von replied, amused by the exaggerated, agonized look that crossed Tom's face.
They sat just in time. Up ahead Headmaster Engleton was standing at the teachers table, which was slightly elevated above the rest of the hall. He tapped his fork on his glass. The sound, amplified by magic, carried through the air and was instantly followed by silence.
"Equus, Draconus, Lupus and Centaurus." Engleton paused for a moment, allowing his grave brown eyes to travel across the assembly. "May I present to you, your newest classmates."
Right on cue, the doors of the Grande Hall swung open and Professor Willow stalked in, followed by a group of about forty first years who hurried after her like frightened ducklings.
Von smiled. He remembered his first year and the formal presentation, how intimidated he had been by the grandeur of Ave'Lunsar and afraid that he would simply just not live up to standards.
Willow directed the first years to stand before the dais, and then swept off to her own seat next to the standing Engleton.
The headmaster was an intimidating man, all broad shoulders and tall stature. His hair was still a rich brown, except for at the temples; there it was beginning to grey.
But still he had a warm smile for the students, who became visibly relaxed.
"Welcome students, to Ave'Lunsar, school of witchcraft, wizardry and all things supernatural. Now, I'm sure you're all very hungry, and maybe even a little tired, so we will proceed directly to the sorting." Engleton pointed his arm at the area directly in front of the students. "Constulatus Apparate".
The first years, already a bit wide-eyed, became even more so as a dark mist began to form in front of them. It thickened, swooping up into a column, spreading and widening and becoming three dimensional. Tiny flickers of light began to appear in the mist.
Soon, it was as if a patch of the starry night sky had been cut out and relocated in the Grande Hall. The mist, known better as the Constulatus, began to rotate slowly.
Then came a strangely alien voice; it was male and female, young and old, all at once.
Equus, the star born
True of heart and spirit
Lupus, moonchild
Loyal dark strength
Centaurus, bound to earth
Thirst for knowledge and unknowns
Draconus, sun child
Courage without limits
Ancient secrets kept
by those who once were,
and who are no more
Now buried in the riddle of stars
In the moonlight reflection
See yourself as you truly are.
Richard Colbine.
Feeling extremely nervous and unlucky, the first boy stepped up to the Constulatus.
Closer.come closer.step inside.
As the first year entered the misty dark sphere, the stars of the Constulatus instantly began to swirl and rotate. Several of these stars arranged themselves clearly for all to see.
Lupus.
House Lupus clapped and cheered for Richard, who looked relieved as he made his was over to their table. A Lupus prefect handed him a purple and silver striped tie, several house badges and a pin depicting a snarling black wolf with silver eyes.
A smallish girl with long curly blond hair had stepped into the Constulatus.
Centaurus.
As the sorting continued, Von, Tom and a fellow Draconus named Calvin began to place wagers on certain first years and their designated house.
"Now, she looks every bit the Equus," Said Calvin of a pretty raven haired girl.
The Constulatus stars formed a unicorn.
Equus.
"See! What did I tell you?"
Both Von and Tom gave up when it became clear that Calvin's clairvoyant gift was getting the better of them.
"Finally," Tom said as the last first year was placed in Lupus. "I'm damned near starved,"
Engleton stood and Tom groaned.
He gave his usual speech about what it meant to be a house member, unity, brotherhood..and then went into a long bit about the school and its rules.
"Your prefects will give you more detailed information later tonight, at your first house meeting, which for this month will only include the first years."
Von's stomach was starting to make funny noises.
".and now I'm sure we can all agree that some dinner would be nice."
Everyone cheered heartily at that.
Von had is fork in hand even before the platter of roasted chicken appeared on the table before him.
For awhile all he could think about was the chicken and mashed potatoes on his plate and the cherry pie he'd be eating in a few.
Calvin was going on about his summer, which every year involved at least one beautiful girl and about ten different winged animals.
"Really, Calvin, you ought to stop exaggerating so much," said Claire, who never needed an excuse to frown upon anyone or anything.
Fifteen minutes into dinner, Megara came scurrying over to the Draconus table. She knelt between Tom and Von.
"I have some interesting news."
"Good lord, Meg, one day back and you've already managed to dig up some 'news'." said Tom.
Megara shot daggers at him with her eyes but continued anyway. "Three, three students who remained in residence this summer disappeared..
"Yeah, they probably went home.."
"Tom! Are you going to let me speak or not?"
"Sorry, sorry."
"As I was saying..they vanished completely with out a trace. Connie Patterson knew one of the girls. Isn't that weird? No one just ups and disappears like that."
"True, but you never know.it might not be what it seems. Can't just jump to."
"Well, I was only pointing it out," Megara said, annoyed at the reactions of both boys. "Well I guess I have nothing left to say to you two.I'll just let you find everything out on your own.oh, and by the way, Von," Megara turned to face him. Her eyes looked concerned. "I thought you should know, that Cecilia is seeing some Lupus boy. He's not very."
But Von had ceased to listen. The food lost its flavor and turned to dry cardboard in his mouth.
Instinctively, his eyes traveled to the Lupus table.
Cecilia, as if sensing his attention, happened to turn his way at that moment. Her cold green eyes met his and a small cruel smile curved the corners of her thin red lips. She lifted her glass and made him a mock toast.
Von looked away quickly. His insides felt like lead. His palms were sweaty and his heart was about to hammer itself into a million broken pieces.
"Von," Meg gently laid a hand on his arm. "You'll be ok..she's nothing."
"No, I'm fine. Really Megara."
But that was a lie and they all knew it.
There was brief moment of silence as both Megara and Tom allowed him to collect himself.
"Tom."
"Yeah, Von?"
"Still got that spell that turns water to wine?"
Tomas smiled brilliantly. "You know I do."
"Von, alcohol is not the answer." Megara said, trying to interject.
"Vinare."
Too late. He had said the words and now three crystal glasses were filled with a strong red wine. Von reached for his and finished it in one gulp.
"Come, Megara..this is good stuff," Coaxed Tom.
Megara stood, tossed her hair and stalked away from the table. Von finished her glass. By the time dinner was over, both Tom and Von were well beyond tipsy. The students had begun to socialize, walking from house table to house table, greeting old friends and sharing summer tales. Tomas had cornered an older seventh year Centaurus, and was flirting outrageously. The girl looked completely bored, her arms crossed, she managed a weak smile now and then.
Von was sitting by himself, sipping the last glass of wine Tom had allowed him.
He was watching Cecilia. She floated about the room on the arm of some sandy haired lupus, who had a bland look about him.
She was tall, with jet black hair and a pair of wickedly bright green eyes. Her fair skin was slightly freckled. He couldn't see the freckles, not now, but he remembered them. Everyone. The boy said something and Cecilia laughed aloud, tossing her head so that the light reflected from her shiny dark hair.
Von's hand clenched tightly about the delicate glass, and he didn't notice Megara as she came over to sit by him.
"I know, it's hard." She said, taking the half empty glass from his hands. "But you really have to get her out of your system, Von. That girls a viper; she's no good."
He allowed Megara to run her fingers through his hair. It felt good, sending tingles down his spine, and he closed his eyes and tried to let the pain wash away.
"I know, Meg. But.god.I hate her, I do, and then I remember."
"Don't worry. This too shall pass."
His head was spinning. "I think I drank way too much.Im gonna head upstairs and sleep this off." "Definitely. Do you want me to walk up with you?" Von laughed. "I think you should go rescue your girlfriend from our good friend the Tom-cat." Megara spun in her chair. Tom had given up on the Centaurus, and was now grinning at Silvia, who sat listening to him go on and on about something. She had a wide, forced smile on her face.
"Ugh! That fink."
Megara stormed over to where they stood, her hands balled into fists at her side.
Von left the Grande Hall, taking slow careful steps. The hallways and stairwells were completely deserted, and would be until dinner was over. He prayed he didn't slip on a set of steps and hit his head; by the time anyone found him, it would be too late.
As he neared the Draconus wing, a hand reached from a shadowed corner and grabbed him by the arm. In his intoxicated state he was easily over powered, and the person flung him against a wall.
"Cecilia," Von said, breathless.
Her cat like green eyes crinkled with a smile.
"Nice to see you again, Von." She moved closer, pressing her body against his. Her long nails dug into his arm, and her breath came like a caress against his throat.
"What do you want." He tried to make his voice hard, but his head was still spinning and he was beginning to feel nauseous.
"Oh.just to see how my favorite dragon has been." She kissed him, pressing her lips hard against his, forcing his mouth open.
Von found himself responding to the kiss. The alcohol and the warmth of her were making him heady.
But.
No. you can't do this. She.
A small part of him that was still rational gained control for a brief moment.
It was enough.
Von shoved Cecilia hard, causing her collide with the opposite wall. She giggled, catching herself before she could fall.
"Ooo, I always like it when you're rough."
'Listen, Cecilia." He caught and pinned her by the shoulders. "I don't know what game your playing at, but don't make me apart of it." His face was inches from hers, his voice low and dangerous. "I was younger then, in many ways. I let you manipulate me. But if you even think."
He backed away from her and they glared at one another in silence.
"Just stay away, Cecilia. I'm not the sweet malleable lump of clay you used to know. Don't give me a reason to wipe that nasty smirk from your face.
Turning quickly, and trying not to stumble, Von stalked away before he could hear or see her reaction.
He needed his bed.
And a shower. A long, cold shower.