Chapter Six, The Sorting
As Jayce watched the sun slowly dim out the window the reality of him leaving home started to set in even further, he was going to be away for a long time. The orange ball's blinding rays penetrated through the black trees of the forest as the train climbed itself up a steep mountain. Tamara got herself immersed in a tiny book called Simple Healing Charms while Jayce kept his head back against the seat, watching the scenery outside.
Though the train kept moving forward it felt like they've been staying completely still for the past few hours.
"How much longer?" Jayce asked, watching a lake reflect under the orange horizon.
Tamara put down her book, "No idea, I haven't seen a conductor in ages."
"Maybe your brothers know, we could ask them," Jayce said, adjusting himself in his seat. He wanted to at least get a few laps around the carriage.
"I don't know. Jean doesn't like it when I interrupt his reading and I have no idea where Francois is right now."
"Come on," Jayce pleaded, "We're just gonna ask Jean a quick question. It'll only take a second."
Tamara sighed, "Well, you can go, but I'm just gonna stay here."
"Suit yourself," Jayce said, climbing out of the row of seats.
His legs felt heavy after hours of sitting as he walked down the carriage of the train. Jayce was overwhelmed by the sight of many unfamiliar faces. He wasn't sure how to differentiate between anyone as his vision became blurry from trying to remember the appearance of Jean. While continuing his trek down the carriage Jayce tried to keep himself steady as he noticed the train was traveling through many rough patches.
He grabbed onto seats, trying to remain what balance he had, even accidentally touching the hand of a fellow student, which was received with awkward stares. Jayce gave a nervous laugh, quickly swiping his hand away before continuing towards the end of the carriage. As he was about to open the door to the next car he was greeted by a voice.
"Well, hello there, young man!" it called out.
Jayce flinched, turning around to see a man in a candy striped suit sporting a large handlebar mustache. He was standing behind a small cart which had displays of all different kinds of snack foods. Chunks of individually wrapped fudge and long gummy candy of many different colors. Nestled in the glass display cases were rows and rows of different confectionaries such as Chocolate Dragon Bars and Peanut Butter Pukwudgie Biscuits.
"Is there anything you would like from here?" the man smiled.
Jayce was mesmerized by the display, but the one thing that did catch his attention was a box that said Cindy's Cinnamon Spheres of Inferno, Breathe Like Your Inner Dragon. It had a painted picture of a slim redheaded woman sensually breathing fire. The woman on the package winked each time she breathed flames.
"Sorry, sir," Jayce replied, "I don't have any money at the moment."
The man scoffed, "You're a first year aren't you?"
Jayce nodded.
"Well," the man continued, "First years get one product on the house. It's a little welcoming gift to Ilvermorny. What would you like?"
Jayce looked over the selection once again before deciding on the cinnamon spheres.
"Great choice," he said, "Just be careful. When not chewed properly they can cause third degree burns."
Jayce narrowed his eyebrows in concern, "Uh, thanks. I'll try not to."
He put the candy in his back pocket while the man continued to cater to other students. Jayce continued to the end of the carriage where he reached a wooden door. He hesitated at first not knowing if traveling between train carriages was allowed, but there was no sign saying there wasn't.
As he opened it Jayce stepped into a tiny vestibule of loud, rattling metal, the only light being supported by an oil lantern hanging from the ceiling. Though the ground was less sturdy than in the carriages he was able to make it across while keeping careful balance.
The neighboring carriage looked identical to the one Jayce was sitting in for many hours, this time there were many more older kids than the one he was in. Many students sat and excitedly talked while a few had fallen asleep with their heads leaning against the window. He searched the entire compartment, looking for a familiar face like Jean, but there were so many kids.
Just as he was about to exit into the last carriage there was the sound of a large THUD. Jayce quickly turned around, he noticed a small boy in blue robes laying on the ground, squirming like a fish out of water. His ankles were bound together to what seemed to be a rope of pinkish-red light, as if a spell had been cast upon him. On each side of the poor boy were students laughing at his misfortune, causing his cheeks to go pink. All of the students were older, at least third year and above except for one. He had dark chestnut hair and amber eyes, almost like a bird of prey.
Jayce almost went in to defend him until he felt someone push his shoulder. He looked up to see Jean walking towards the catastrophe.
"What is this?" Jean asked, "Francois, did you do this?" he asked, pointing at a boy who looked similar to him.
Francois nodded his head, turning towards the window.
"Is this how you really treat new students, by casting leg-locker curses on them? I thought we at Ilvermorny were better than that. It's outrageous, I expect better from you all."
Jean took out his wand and pointed it at the boy, saying the words "Locomotor Vita."
The ring around the boy's ankles quickly dissipated before Jean helped him up.
"You okay?" Jean asked him.
The boy nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Don't worry about it, leg-locker curses are harmless. It's falling to the ground that hurts you the most."
The boy was about to walk away before almost running into Jayce.
"Oh, sorry, " the boy said.
"No problem," Jayce responded, "Those are some huge idiots, eh?"
The boy shrugged, "I guess so."
"What's your name?" Jayce asked.
"Ryan Chen, it's my first year. I don't know anyone here."
"I'm Jayce, and I know how it feels. I didn't even know about magic until a few weeks ago."
"Me too," Ryan replied, "I still don't know if I believe in it."
Jayce nodded, patting Ryan on the back, "You should probably go to the front carriage, at least there's more students our age there."
"I didn't know the seats were separated by age, I always sat in the back of the bus, no one ever really bothered me there. People at my old school thought I was a freak, even after the boils incident."
"Boils incident?" Jayce asked intrigued.
"Yeah, it was one of my first prominent cases of accidental magic that I've performed, it's one of the reasons why I ended up here. I was sitting in the back of the bus like I usually did and some idiot named Wesley Horton decided to come up to me to start trouble. He was making fun of my face and the fact that I had no friends, and it was upsetting me."
"I can imagine," Jayce agreed.
"Anyway, it was upsetting me to the point where I felt anger, intense anger, and all of the sudden his skin started breaking out into these boils, and they weren't like any normal boils. They were big and purple, filled with green pus. They pulsated and leaked, and the smell. It was horrible!"
Both Jayce and Ryan let out a little laugh.
"I'm sure that surprised him," Jayce said.
"Yeah, but I never saw him again after that. Later that night at home a strange person knocked on our door and told my parents of me being a wizard."
"Wow, what did they think?"
"At first they didn't believe him, but then he turned our dog pink and that was that. He took me to Brimstone Corner and I got my supplies."
"Brimstone Corner?"
"Yeah, it's where wizards go and buy a bunch of things. It's amazing, there were flying broom shops, wand stores, didn't you go there?"
"No," Jayce responded, "I went to Dragon's Promenade, it was similar to where you went. It's in New York City, where's Brimstone Corner?"
"Los Angeles. I guess they take students to the nearest shopping centers they can."
"So where are you from?"
"Seattle Washington. You?"
"Salem Massachusetts."
"Oh, wow! That's where the witch trials happened," Ryan said.
"You've heard of them too?" Jayce said.
"Yeah, they're a pretty big historical event, even in no-maj history."
"I'm sure," Jayce said, looking around.
"What are you trying to find?" Ryan asked.
"Someone named Jean, he was the one that broke the spell on your feet. I wanted to ask him how much longer the train ride was."
"Well, maybe you don't have to ask him," Ryan added.
"Why not?"
"Look out the window."
Jayce turned his head, while many of the older students didn't bother to look, the few first years piled up towards the window. Some of the older kids scowled as kids pushed to get a better look.
The train emerged from the forest. Engulfed in a silver moon on top of a mountain was a gigantic castle, something out of a fairy tale. Dozens of towers pointed to the night sky while hundreds of windows spread across the granite exterior, many with lights glowing out of. Everyone was so awestruck that they barely heard the announcement across the carriage.
"Attention students, we will be arriving at Ilvermorny Station in five minutes. Please wear your appropriate school hats and robes as you'll all be attending the sorting and start of the year feast. All other belongings will be delivered to your assigned dormitories."
"Jayce, you don't even have your robes on yet," Ryan said, he quickly went back to where he was sitting to grab his turquoise hat.
"Follow me," Jayce said.
The two boys went back into the carriage where Jayce was originally sitting, he spotted Tamara who was adjusting the strap on her robe.
"Tamara!" Jayce said catching up to her.
"Jayce, you've been gone for a little while. Did you find Jean?"
"Yeah, but that's a whole different story. This is Ryan, by the way. Ryan, Tamara."
They shook hands and briefly exchanged conversation before the train came to a halt. Students all huddled into the middle of the carriage, desperately trying to get off. Jayce got lost from Tamara and Ryan through the shuffle of people and somehow made it off at the back exit.
Though it was still technically summer the air was crispy and cold that night. Luckily before Jayce got off the train he was able to dress in his robes and hat, which slightly helped against the bitter temperatures. He was surrounded by a sea of high quality turquoise fabric.
The train station sat below dense evergreen trees with the castle no longer in sight. Many older students started walking off the platform as it's been assumed they've done many times before. Jayce was about to follow them until he heard a voice.
"First years come with me! If you're a first year student please come with me!"
Jayce turned around to see a man in a dark red suit holding a lantern in his hand. He wore a black top hat which sprouted long dreadlocks that reached down to his hips.
All of the first years huddled together, nervous as to why they were singled out compared to the rest of the students.
"Good evening, students," he said in a thick drawl, "I'm Professor Royal, your transfiguration teacher, but as of right now it's my job to guide you. Please stay in a single file line as we make our way up the castle. These woods are dangerous, okay?"
A random kid raised his hand, "Umm, sir, what do you mean by dangerous?"
"Well," Professor Royal pondered, "I could talk all night about the nogtails, but those are nothing compared to the Hidebehind."
The boy gulped with his eyes wide open, unbeknownst to Jayce how dangerous those creatures were.
Professor Royal gestured to the students to follow him and they all went down a tiny path into the blackened forest. It was a slim path that was only made for a single person, so it was no wonder why Professor Royal wanted them to stand in a single file line.
The forest was quiet, no birds or wind yet the air had a cold bite to it. It could've been the perfect opportunity for students to continue conversation, but everyone stayed perfectly silent. The only noise that could be heard were the occasional leaves and branches being snapped under people's shoes.
The path slowly turned into cobblestone as they got closer to the face of a cliff. On top of the rocky wall was the same castle they saw out the train window, this time it felt bigger and more intimidating. It was like a large deity flaunting its presence on the mere mortals of mankind.
The students all walked up a marbled staircase which was carved into the side cliff. The staircase headed onto a sleek white bridge looking over a chasm. Jayce didn't know where Ilvermorny was located, but he was pretty sure no cliffs or mountains of this size existed anywhere on the east coast. Below the bridge were sharp rocks and a long icy blue river with a violent current. Setting all intrusive thoughts aside he sure didn't want to think about falling over the edge. Jayce heard the faint sound of a kid vomiting over the edge.
"Probably some no-maj," said a boy laughing at the sick student. Jayce instantly recognized him as the first year boy laughing at Ryan's curse.
Professor Royal and the students stopped once they reached a giant wooden door. Kids stood confused, not knowing if things were still being set up for their arrival, or if they were simply forgotten.
As the moon rose higher the air got colder, and the wind from a distant waterfall didn't help with that either. They all waited, not making a single sound as they stood in front of the door.
Suddenly there was a low pitched crack, the two doors simultaneously opened with gentle force. The faces of Professor Royal and first years were engulfed by the warmness and yellow light which seeped into the cold air. Royal gestured the students through the doors.
The students entered into what was a large atrium made of stone. Jayce couldn't help but look in awe at the structure. It was bigger than his elementary school back home. A large skylight stood above them, showing the night sky in the most beautiful way that Jayce had never experienced before. Along the top of the walls was a circular balcony containing the rest of the student body. They were all watching the first years below them. In front of them were four wooden statues.
The first statue depicted a snake while the next one depicted a bird. In the middle of the statues was a wooden door. On the other side was some kind of six-legged cat and the final statue was what Jayce remembered as a pukwudgie.
Professor Royal stayed by the door, and all of the upperclassmen were socializing while first years stayed absolutely silent. Jayce remembered Tamara talking about a sorting, but had no idea how it would work. He didn't even bother asking Tamara about the process.
The older students talking quickly ceased once there was the sound of a loud SNAP. An older man with a white goatee stood in front of the statues. He was short and wore black robes with gold stars on them, accompanied by a flat hat. He had opal blue eyes which were tough to see due to his over-exaggerated smile.
"Welcome, first years," said the man, not breaking his smile. It was starting to make Jayce feel a bit uncomfortable, "Also, welcome back all other students to Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
The student body stayed silent. Jayce was expecting everyone to applaud, but no one did.
"I am Professor Agilbert Fontaine, the headmaster of this lovely establishment. I would like to welcome you all to the start of the year, but before you can mingle with your classmates we have a very important ceremony to start."
A couple of first years whispered among themselves, not knowing what was to come.
"As you can see," Professor Fontaine continued, "In front of me are four statues. These statues represent your attributes, values, and your potential as young witches and wizards."
No one said anything, the headmaster cleared his throat.
"These are the houses of Ilvermorny. The houses of Ilvermorny are who you will have classes with and at what certain time. We do not discriminate against any house as each house has produced many great witches and wizards."
"The four houses are Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Wampus, and Pukwudgie. The Horned Serpent represents scholars. If you have a need to excel in all your classes I'd suggest Horned Serpent for you. Thunderbird represents adventurers. Sometimes you may feel like you're lost, but you'll always find a way out. Wampus represents warriors. Wampus always try to do what's right, even when against the utmost adversary. Finally last, but not least is Pukwudgie. A Pukwudgie cares and always thinks of what's best for those around them."
Jayce was expecting another applause, but the room still stayed silent.
Professor Fontaine snapped his fingers, causing a long scroll to appear out of thin air.
"When your name is called, you will stand on that knot in the middle of the room. Whichever statue moves is the house you will be sorted into. Once you're sorted you must go up the stairs and join your fellow house on the balcony. As the sorting ceremony has ended we will go to the dining hall for the start of the year feast."
Professor Fontaine read the first name off the list, "Abdullah Haashid."
A small boy from the back walked up, rubbing his knuckles together as to ease the nervousness. He stood quietly on the knot in the middle of the room and waited for a few seconds. Suddenly the Pukwudgie statue moved, as if gesturing to him.
A group of upperclassmen applauded as the boy went through the door in between statues to join his fellow housemates.
"Anderson Olivia."
A blonde girl walked up confidently, some students even cheering her on. It took less than a second before the Thunderbird statue flapped its wings. She smiled as she went up the stairs, the entirety of Thunderbird was cheering.
Two more students went up after her, both sorted into Pukwudgie. A girl named Michelle Baan was the first to be sorted into Wampus.
"Badette Tamara," Professor Fontaine said.
Jayce gasped, watching her walk what seemed nonchalantly up to the knot. Once of the Pukwugie's, probably either Jean or Francois started a cheer.
"Puk-wud-gie! Puk-wud-gie!" They kept cheering over and over again.
Tamara stood on the knot, waiting for what seemed tradition to accept her fate, but none of the statues budged. The Pukwudgies' cheering died down after a few seconds of the statues not moving. Professor Fontaine still had a smile on his face while some of the upperclassmen became concerned. Some first year students started whispering to each other again, wondering if the statues broke or if she was unfit for any house.
Suddenly, like a crack of lightning the Wampus cat let out a loud roar, causing all the Pukwudgies to be shocked as the Wampus' erupted into applause. Tamara stood there, not knowing what to say before she was gestured to join her fellow students.
Jayce looked up and saw that the Pukwudgie's were still in shock, he could even spot Jean and Francois from the crowd as they had the most biggest expressions.
Many students went by. Some took long and others barely lasted a second with their sorting. Jayce's attention was starting to drift away until he heard a familiar name.
"Chen, Ryan," said Professor Fontaine.
Jayce looked back to see Ryan, more terrified than ever slowly making his way to the knot. He kept hesitating, which caused stirring in the crowd. A bunch of students started jeering, trying to pressure Ryan into going on the knot.
"Hurry up, we're starving!" said one kid.
"He's probably a Pukwudgie," said a Thunderbird student, which caused an inter-house argument. It was like a chain reaction, which started with two students shouting which suddenly turned into a few dozen. Their sneers and offensive remarks amplified under the atrium's acoustics. It was getting so out of control that Professor Royal took his wand out, emitting loud popping fireworks.
"Alright," Professor Fontaine said, still not breaking his smile, "I appreciate you Professor Royal for calming down the students. I know we're excited to feast, but we must finish sorting the first years. Please be patient. Ryan, is it?"
Professor Fontaine lowered his eyes to Ryan, who was still scared to come forward.
"It's okay, Ryan," Professor Fontaine said, "Whatever house you're in I'm sure you'll excel beautifully."
Ryan still hesitated.
"It doesn't hurt, I promise," Professor Fontaine reassured him.
Ryan saw that the entire student body was looking at him. With a gulp of courage he made his way to the knot. The statues looked over him, like he was prey to a wild animal. Ryan stood shaking, expecting one of the idle figures to swallow him whole.
The wampus cat roared, causing the door in front of him to open. Many students looked astounded at the result of the scared boy's sorting. It took a bit of perseverance for him to be able to go up the stairs.
"Wampus?" whispered a first year.
"He was shaking in his boots, how could he be a Wampus?"
"Favors warriors my ass," said an older Wampus student.
"Conners, Serenity," said Professor Fontaine, continuing the ceremony.
A small girl with beaded hair made her way to the knot, she was placed in Horned Serpent.
As the sorting went on Jayce started to lose the sense of whimsicalness of when he first entered the building. For the first time since entering the magical word he was bored. His legs started hurting and he was getting hungry. He hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"Daley, Chester."
Jayce's head perked up when he saw which boy headed towards the knot. It was the same chestnut haired first year that was laughing at Ryan when he had a leg locker curse put on him, and the same one who laughed at the sick student on the bridge.
Jayce felt a warmth of anger, looking at his pompous stride as he made his way to the knot. It seemed like his foot was an atom away from touching the knot until the Thunderbird flapped its wings. The students from the balcony applauded wildly as he went through the door.
Jayce's anger was starting to fade once Chester was no longer in the crowd. A girl after him named Diah Listari was sorted into Wampus. A few more students went up and were sorted until the next name caught Jayce's attention.
"Grafton, Jayce."
Jayce paused his breath, it was finally his turn. He didn't think his name would show up on the list at all. There was silence, all eyes focused on him as he made his way to the middle of the knot.
There was a chilling breeze, a breeze unknown to Jayce whether it was coming from outside or if he had made it up. The statues even looked more menacing now that he was looking at them face to face. His breathing became shallow and his eyes stayed open, not even daring to blink.
Jayce never thought about what house he would be in. He didn't really know what the houses were until he met Tamara on the train. Speaking of which he barely knew anyone at this school besides Tamara and Ryan, and they got sorted into the same house.
Jayce decided that the house he wanted to be in was Wampus. He stared at the statue of the six-legged cat, but it didn't budge. He was, however, sensing something from one of the other statues. The Thunderbird statue. Even though it wasn't looking at him Jayce could tell it was sensing his presence.
Please don't, Jayce said in his head, hoping the message would come across to the statue.
It was like a pressure in his gut. Along his back he felt another presence. It was warm and powerful, almost like falling into a heated blanket. Jayce wasn't sure how to make out these feelings, he didn't even know how much time had passed. Had it been minutes? Seconds? Hours possibly? Only the people watching him would know.
I can't, Jayce thought to the thunderbird statue. Even though he still felt its presence in his gut, the warmness that was engulfing him from behind was even more powerful. It wrapped around his wrists and ankles, almost as if pulling him away from the thunderbird statue.
Who are you? Jayce communicated again. He knew he wouldn't get any answer, but the feeling that was overwhelming him. The warmth and comfort. It was almost like he could just collapse and fall asleep. It was almost similar to getting his wand. Jayce felt a bond, an unbreakable bond, and there was no force in the observable universe that could break it.
As the warmth grew, the presence that was in his gut started to feel sickly. Jayce thought he was going to vomit for a moment, but the warm feeling was easing him away.
This is what I want, I was meant to be here. Jayce closed his eyes, this time in what he imagined in complete bliss. Everything he worried about from when his name was called to standing on the knot had gone away.
His bliss was immediately interrupted by a loud vibrating roar. The statue of the wampus, with all its glory, amplified the room by many decibels. Students in the upper balconies applauded as the wooden door in front of Jayce opened. He was a bit upset that the bliss was gone, but at the same time relieved that he got into the same house with the only two people he knew.
Coming up onto the balcony he joined Ryan and Tamara along with the rest of the wampus students and they continued watching the sorting below. At this point Jayce didn't even know what time it was. Student after student went on with their sorting, but to Jayce it seemed like there was no end.
When the last first year Genie Zahler was sorted into Pukwudgie the sorting ceremony finally came to a close. Professor Fontaine forced his hands together with one thunderous clap and the list of student's names disappeared.
"Professor Royal," Fontaine said, "If you could be so kind please lead the students to the dining, I'm sure they've all had a long journey."
Royal nodded his head and walked his way up to the balcony. He took out his wand and waved it at least three times, creating an odd-like shape to which Jayce couldn't decipher. The wall that was holding the balcony suddenly seemed to have faded out of existence, leaving a long widened hallway with a large door at the end.
The entire hallway was plastered in green marble which reflected heavily against the torches on the side of the walls. In between each torch was a painting. The paintings were of several different people.
One painting had a man in robes made of animal furs and another one was two people. They were both Native American and it seemed to depict them as mother and daughter.
Jayce nearly flinched when he heard a "Welcome to Ilvermorny" in a soft, pillowy voice from his left.
He quickly turned, noticing a painting that contained a young woman with a large hoop dress and a bonnet. In one arm she was holding a child and with her other hand was waving at Jayce.
The doors at the end of the hall opened, sliding into the walls like an elevator. Inside was a large stone atrium, lit with wooden chandeliers and long rows of tables. Each row of the tables had a golden tapestry above it. It was a Wampus, Thunderbird, Horned Serpent, and Pukwudgie.
"I thought they didn't discriminate against houses," said one first year student.
"They didn't say anything about segregating them," Responded an older Horned Serpent student.
"Students, please take your seats at the tables corresponding to your house, Professor Fontaine will have a few more words."
A few students groaned, obviously in hunger, and Jayce actually agreed with them. He quickly found Ryan and Tamara and sat next to them. He looked down at his plate and cutlery which seemed to have been made of bronze. Next to each plate was a wooden goblet filled with water. Jayce tried taking a drink, hoping it would stifle his hunger but it was to no avail.
Before any of the students could talk there was a sudden lurch under each student's seats. Many of the younger students reacted, but many of the older students didn't even pay attention. The lurch happened again and the table and benches started moving. Forming into what was long vertical rows into a circle within a circle within a circle.
Jayce held tight onto the table, it felt like a very smooth carnival ride. The Wampus table was the circle in the middle while the Thunderbirds were in front and the Pukwudgies were behind them. Horned Serpents were the last circle.
In the middle of the circles a stone podium formed. Just when Jayce thought it was done the circles broke off into a half circle, facing the podium. Professor Fontaine walked into the room, his smile softened from when he was doing the sorting.
Professor Fontaine took short strides, but quickly made himself front and center to the students. He took out his wand.
"Sonorous," Professor Fontaine's voice amplified the entire room. It bounced heavily off the stone walls so hard that Jayce could feel his eardrums in the back of his skull, "Before we can begin the start of the year feast I have some announcement and rules to explain. Tomorrow morning chess, potions, and dueling club will have sign up sheets on the front door. If you want to try out for your house's Quodpot team please talk to Coach Burke. As for rules, the biggest one are that no unauthorized magic will be used in school. Anyone caught performing any charms and jinxes will be given detention. Second rule is if you're a fourth year or under. You must be in your dormitory at eight o'clock during the week. On Saturdays and Sundays that goes to ten o'clock. For fifth years and above you can stay out until midnight throughout the entire week. I know your BAT and ARK exams can be very difficult."
There were a few moments of silence until Professor Fontaine spoke up again, "And one last very important rule. Never travel off school property without a teacher. I'm sure you've already been reminded of the dangerous things that lurk around here. Well I'm sure that's all I have to mention. You may now begin your feast."
The tables quickly reverted back into four long horizontal shapes and not a second later food appeared on the table. It was a mixture of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, venison, and green beans. There were even more foods that seemed exotic to Jayce such as roasted duck, stewed rabbit, fried pork, and coconut rice with red peas.
Jayce knew he was hungry, but seeing the food right in front of him almost made him devour the entire table. He restrained himself and started helping himself to mashed potatoes and turkey. Ryan was also helping himself, but Tamara didn't move a muscle.
"Aren't you hungry, Tamara?" Jayce asked.
She was staring straight ahead at the Pukwudgie table where her two brothers were enjoying themselves.
"Tamara," Jayce said again, pushing her shoulder.
"What?" she stammered, suddenly looking at Jayce.
"Is everything okay?"
She sighed, looking sullen, "Not really. How did I get sorted into Wampus? My family has been in Pukwudgie ever since they've been in the new world."
"What's there to be sad about? From what I've heard so far people look down on Pukwudgie," Jayce said.
Tamara tried to not look offended, "People just don't understand the concept of it. They think that because Pukwudgie favors healers that they're not good at magic, but healing is one of the most complex forms of magic to ever exist. The only magic people ever care about is the stuff that hurts people."
"Stuff that hurts people?" Ryan asked, worried.
"Yeah," Tamara said, "Stuff like dueling or hexing. That's all people think of when it comes to magic. No one likes to talk about its beauty and fundamental properties in ways that it contributes to us."
"What do you mean?" Jayce asked.
"Have you ever wondered where magic came from? Apparently most wizard historians don't bother even looking into it. It's one question that I've had ever since I learned how to read."
Jayce never thought of that topic himself. Just being introduced to magic he never thought whether magic was something natural or something man-made.
"It seems interesting," Ryan said, tossing a grape into his mouth, "How could wizards be so ignorant to a thing which they always take advantage of?"
"Yeah," said Jayce, "growing up my mind was always bombarded with questions. Why is the sky blue? Why do tigers have stripes? Not one wizard questioned the origin of magic? That's insane."
As the three of them were talking they were suddenly interested by a sudden FLASH. Jayce quickly wiped his blinded vision to see an older boy and girl, both with bubbly smiles on their faces. The boy was holding a rickety old camera while the girl held a notepad.
"What's going on?" Jayce asked.
"We're taking start-of-the-year photos for the school newspaper," said the girl.
"School newspaper?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, Ilvermorny Illustrated," said the boy with the camera, "It's nice to see three newly sorted Wampus' engaging in conversation. I'm sure the three of you will be great friends."
Jayce felt a bit of uneasiness from that event.
After finishing his second plate Jayce couldn't eat another bite. He felt his breathing get slower and his eyes get heavy. The next thing he wanted to do was sleep. Professor Fontaine didn't bother turning the tables back into a half circle.
"After a long train ride and a full stomach I'm sure you're all waiting to get to your rooms," Professor Fontaine said, "First years, your student leaders will help you find your rooms while I'm pretty sure all other students know the way. I wish you all a good night and good luck with future classes."
One of the student leaders was a sixth year Thunderbird named Felicity Anderson took a group of first years and urged them to follow behind her. Jayce tried to keep close to Ryan and Tamara. He didn't want to get separated from them like on the train.
As they walked through the many halls of Ilvermorny it was starting to set in how big the school was. Sure the sorting atrium and dining hall were huge, but those were just two rooms. There were random doors and hallways, even stairways which lead to barren walls. Jayce was unsure how he would be able to find any of his classes or the dining hall again.
The group of students exited from a hallway into a large circular seating area. There were an array of couches, soft chairs, desks, and bookshelves all scattered about. In one corner was a large fireplace glowing bright orange with flames while the entire wall was covered in doors.
"This is the dormitory tower," said Felicity, "It is seven stories high. Since you're first years you go on the first floor. Each year you will go to the next floor until you reach the top. There are two students assigned to a dormitory. Your names are on each door. Girls are on the left and boys are on the right. It should be straightforward from here. Let me know if you have any questions."
All the students started scattering around the seating area trying to find their dorm. Jayce looked around and saw that Tamara was sharing a dorm with Olivia Anderson and Ryan was sharing a dorm with a redheaded kid which he didn't remember the name of.
He kept staring at each door and before making an entire circle across the room he spotted his name J. Grafton, but the worst part was that it was under another name, C. Daly.
No, Jayce thought to himself. Out of all the people he could have been roommates with he had to be paired with that idiot. After seeing him bully Ryan and make snide comments about a kid getting sick on the bridge Jayce wanted nothing to do with him. He sighed and held his head down opening the door.
The dorm was very fancy, more fancy than any other boarding school or college dorm. The room came with two beds and on the side of each bed was a bookcase, desk, and private bathroom. Jayce could already see Chester took the left side. He didn't want to look up but suddenly heard a cheerful hoot.
"Herman," Jayce said walking over to the headboard which Herman was perched on.
Herman ruffled his feathers, nudging his face into Jayce's hand as he petted him.
"That crow better not be staying in here," said Chester, frustratingly unpacking, "I can't believe I actually have to share a room with somebody like you."
"What?" Jayce said confused and slightly offended.
"What do you mean 'what?' I saw you with that worm on the train. You can't really be defending someone like that."
Jayce knew he was referring to Ryan.
"His name is Ryan, and what did he ever do to you?" Jayce said, getting more defensive, "He's new here just like you."
"He's nowhere near like me, have you seen him? He's afraid of all things magic. He probably thought that the Wampus statue was going to eat him. He doesn't belong here and he knows it."
Jayce started to get more angry, "He belongs here just as much as the both of us."
Chester laughed, "You're a funny guy, Jayce isn't it? Your 'friend' is a worm. He probably didn't know about this place until he got the acceptance letter. I've heard of other worms in the past. They grow up in no-maj families and once they learn about magic they get too overwhelmed. After that they're sent to a mental institution for the rest of their life back in the no-maj world where nobody believes their experiences."
Jayce was fuming from his ears, "Well, if Ryan is a worm so am I. I also grew up with no-maj, why not target me?"
Chester sighed, "I can tell you're different Jayce. But since you're here I should probably try to make friends with you, maybe. Your stupid bird may have to be an exception."
Jayce was surprised, but still angry.
Chester continued, "I know this whole magic thing is new to you as well, but I see you excelling at this place. You have something in you that I can't explain, and I want to help you with it. If you associate yourself with the right people it can be done."
Jayce was confused with what he was saying, but didn't want to escalate it any further.
"Just so you know you're crazy, and why would I associate with you. Ryan's my friend."
"You've just met Ryan today, how does that make him your friend?"
Jayce didn't know how to answer that question, mainly because Chester was right in that sense.
Jayce went to his trunk which was at the end of his bed. He opened it up to take out a small plastic ziploc bag which held his toothbrush and toothpaste.
"What is that?" Chester said, staring at Jayce's ziploc bag.
"A toothbrush," Jayce said.
"Tooth-brush? Chester repeated, emphasizing both syllables.
"What's your deal?"
"Be glad you came here, I can't imagine cleaning my teeth with such a barbaric no-maj device."
"Shut up," Jayce said quietly before leaving for his bathroom.
Jayce and Chester didn't talk for the rest of the night. As Jayce got into more comfortable clothes he went through his school stuff to grab a sheet of notebook paper and a pencil. Ed said that owls could send mail so it was time to test the theory.
Dear Mom, Dad, Greg, and Ed,
So far school is fine. I got sorted into a house called Wampus. I don't really know how to explain it on paper, but I'm sure Ed will be willing to tell you all about it. The rooms are nice and the food is good. I'm excited to start classes tomorrow and tell you all about it. Can't wait to see you at Christmas.
Love Jayce.
Jayce folded the paper in half while Herman jumped excitedly.
"Make sure to get a letter back, you sure you know where to go?" Jayce asked Herman.
Herman hooted before Jayce undid that latch of the dorm window, allowing Herman to fly into the night. Jayce watched as Herman flew further and further away, until the tiny speck that was an owl was no more.
He closed the window and got into bed. Even though it was his first night away from home he didn't have any bother trying to fall asleep.