Chapter 3: Thunderbird

Kade looked back at the four carvings, back at the crowd, and then back towards Professor Ainsley. The crowd began to whisper to one another. Lade stood there, having no idea what he should do or what house he know belonged to.

"That's quite an honor," someone spoke. Kade snapped to his right, seeing a man leaning inside an archway. The man was dressed in a three-piece no-maj suit. He had black greying hair, and two different colored eyes, one blue and the other was grey as it had been scarred. Kade narrowed his eyes at the myterious man. The man stepped forward. "The last person I remember who had received this honor was the great late Seraphina Piquerey in the late 1800's. And later she became the President of MACUSA." There was a gasp of whispers. The mysterious man walked over to Kade and slowly circled around him. "But what does that mean for you?" he rhetorically asked.

Kade gulped. "What does it mean?" he asked.

"Only you can figure that out for yourself," The man answered.

Kade nodded but he was still a bit confused as to which house was his. "So which house do I really belong to?" he asked, looking at the man.

"Well." The man stood next to Kade, looking at the four house carvings. "That is up to you, Kade Lowell." He held out a hand towards the four carvings. "Now, ask yourself. Which house calls to you?"

Kade looked at each of the carvings. He felt nothing for Pukwudgie, Wampus, or Horned Serpent. But when he stared at the Thunderbird carving, something inside of Kade had awoken. Like a thunderstorm inside of his magical core. "Thunderbird," he muttered.

"A little louder, son."

"I chose Thunderbird!" Kade nearly yelled. A second later, the upper classmen of Thunderbird roared with applause. Kade smiled widely and turned to the Mysterious man who nodded at him. Kade nodded back, turning towardsthe staircase to join his new classmates.

The mysterious man turned back to Ainsley. "Professor Ainsley, you may proceed with the sorting," he said and then took his leave, letting the sorting to continue. Kade watched the sorting go on. He was happy to see Miles was also put into Thunderbird. He was equally surprised as Mako when she too was thrown into Thunderbird and not into the house that she wanted to be in. Finally, the sorting was over.

Professor Ainsley turned to the students. "Now that the sorting has come to a close," he began. "It is now time for the opening feast!" He walked over to the crowd of Illvermorny students and lead them into a Grand Hall. Kade and te rest of the first years looked around in awe. The Grand Hall was a enormous dining hall. It consisted of five elongated different colored tables; four vertical and one horizontal at the front of the large room which consisted of the staff of the school. Two seats happened to be empty at the staff table. Obviously one of the seats belonged to Professor Ainsley, but the other empty seat was in the dead center of the table. Whose seat did it belong to?

Once the students began to enter the Grand Hall, they began to separate to their respective house tables. Kade followed the group of Thunderbirds to the far left table or an golden oak color. Kade sat down around the center of the table, noticing that the table was filled with empty plates, bowls, glasses, and other dishes. Miles sat to Kade's left, Finn to his right, and diagonally to his left was Mako.

"Ahem! Attnetion Students!" Someone spoke from the Staff table as the students finally finished sitting down. Kade and his new friends turned to the Professor who stood up from her seat. She was tall, slim, middle-aged, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a triangular face. "Welcome First Years! As for everyone else, Welcome Back! Most of you know me as your No-Maj Studies Professor. As for you first years, I am your deputy Headmistress, Professor Arianna Ashton." There was a short applause. Arianna raised her hands. "Let the feast begin!" Kade looked in front of him as food sprang to life and appeared on all the dishes on the table. A second later, Kade began to pile food onto his plate, as well did his new friends.

"So, Finn," Miles began, fork and knife in hand. "What do your parents do?"

Finn took a drink of lemonade, "My mom studies magical herbs and plants from the Atlantic Ocean," he answered. "As for my father, no matter how skilled at magic he is, he runs a bakery."

"Really?" Kade said.

Finn nodded. "Yeah, it's a family business," he began to explain. "Third generation I believe. He loves it, but I don't know if I'm going to follow. I'd like to see what's out there." Miles and Kade nodded in understanding. "What about you, Miles?"

"My father is an Auror," Miles easily let out. "And my mom runs a small Apothecary outside our home. She mixes great potions and stuff at an affordable price."

"What about you, Kade?" Finn asked.

"My mother is an Auror," Kade answered, taking a bite of dinner.

"What about your father?"

Kade shrugged. "Never met him," he replied. "And my mom doesn't talk much about him. Even when I ask, she just changes the subject."

"Do you know anything about him?" Finn curiously asked.

"All I know is that he is a Native American wizard and that he was a great one at that," Kade confirmed.

"If you're Native American, how come you're not going to your father's school?" Make asked, entering the conversation.

Kade looked up at her in confusion. "I am going to my father's school?" he said unsurely. "What do you mean?" he asked Mako.

"The Native American Wizarding Community has their own school. It's located in the Southwest of our country," explained Mako. "Exclusively only for Native Americans, near a Native American Village."

"So we have two schools?" Miles exclaimed. "I had no idea." Neither did Kade who was just as confused. His father went to a different school than his mother. He just assumed that Illvermorny was where both his parents went and met, but turns out they went to different schools. So, where and how did his parents meet, then?

"We actually have four schools," Mako added. "The other two schools are Salem's School for Witches, and the Northwest School of Wizardy and Witchcraft for the people who live on the west coast, too far to travel to Illvermorny."

"I didn't know," Kade spoke up, talking about his father's school. "My mom didn't tell me. Maybe it's because I'm not a full blooded Native American."

"You're not?" Finn blurted out. Kade shook his head. "I mean, you look like it to me." The night continued on with small chats of favorite subjects to Quadpot to Quidditch, etc. The whole night was fun for Kade, and it had yet to be over.

"Ahem!" Professor Ashton cleared her throat to get the students' attention. "May I have your attention please?" The chattering quieted down and all eyes turned to the standing Professor. "I have a few announcements before you are to be dismissed. First years, please take note, that the surrounding forest is forbidden to enter for all who do not have a Professor's permission. Magic is not allowed outside of the classrooms or inside the common rooms or hallways. We do have special classrooms with proper chaperons if you would like to practice your magic, But! only the magic that has been assigned to you by your Professors. Thirdly, I will be happy to announce that this year we will be hosting a National Quadpot Tournament." There were many excited whispers and gasps. "If you would like to participate, Tryouts will be held at the beginning of next month. Please confirm your information with your Head of House. All ages are allowed to tryout and participate, however, if you are on the Quadpot National Team, then you cannot participate in your House's Quadpot or Quidditch teams. If you would like to participate in these teams, you pay confer with your House Captains of the teams."

Kade sat up. Quadpot seemed something interesting that he wanted to do. Maybe he should tryout. "Alright, that is all of the announcements for today. First years, let me once again welcome you all to Illvermorny. We hope you enjoy your stay and fall in love with our school!" Voices began to rile up and students began to stand up and leave. "First years, please report to your Head of House!" Professor Ashton finished.

Kade stood up with his friends and began to leave with his friends, exiting the Grand Hall. "First year Thunderbirds, over here please!" Kade, Miles, Finn, and Mako, bringing up the rear, walked up to the Professor who was calling out to the young Thunderbirds. It turned out to be Professor Ainsely. "Hello Again!" Ainsley greeted to the young children when they gathered around him. "If you already forgot, I am Professor Ainsley. And I will be taking you to your Thunderbird Common Room. If you please, follow me!" Ainsley turned and beagn to lead the first years away from the Grand Hall.

Kade looked down and saw that his shoe was untied. He knelt down to tie his shoe as the crowd continued forward. He stood up, feeling eyes were watching him. He slowly turned around seeing a doow that was open, leading outside. Kade could see a figure standing there in the dark and could see eyes, one blue, the other grey.

"Kade!"

Kade snapped around to see Finn called and waving to him over. Kade jogged up to catch up with the crowd.

Ainsley led the group down a hallway towards a large lobby with four staircases. Ainsely stopped and turned towards the first years as other various students walked up their respective staircases. "These staircases lead up to each of the common rooms," Ainsley began to say. Kade looked at the staircases. There were two staircases at the back of the area, which ascended upwards, but leading to opposite directions. On the left side of the lobby was a staircase leading westward and a staircase to the right leaded eastward. "Our staircase in the third staircase, this way," Ainsely explained, and led the first years to the back right staircase. Ainsley led the thunderbirds up two flights of stairs, and turning into a hallway, leading them down, passing a few doors.

As Kade followed the group, he took in the scenery. This hallway was filled with a line of armor statues and many different kind of moving portraits. Blue and cranberry colored Banners had from below the ceilings as well as school flags embroidered with the school crest. Ainsely led the Thunderbirds to another staircase, walking up two flights, and into another another hallway towards another staircase. "We're almost there," Ainsely spoke, and then led the kids up four flights of stairs, and finally into a hallway. He led them to the end of the hallway where a large oak door with a golden doorhandle sat. A carving of a Thunderbird was on the front of the door. "Here we are!" Ainsley said, turning to the first years once they were at the front of the door. "Now, only a true Thunderbird can open this door. Now, would anyone of you like to try?" the Professor asked, looking at each of the students. All the students looked at one another, when one small hand was raised. It was a boy that had been sorted before Kade. His name was Isaac Ezras.

The short, curly brown haired, brown eyed boy stepped forward towards the door. Everyone watched as he walked up to the door. He reached up and grabbed the doorknob. the first years watched as the knob gave off a golden glow and the Thunderbird on the door gave our a soft caw. Isaac smiled as he turned the doorknob and opened the door.

"Good job," Ainsley praised.

"What happens if someone who isn't a true Thunderbird tries to open the door?" someone from the group asked.

"Well, then they are met with a doorknob that will magically burn their hand," Ainsely answered. "But don't worry, it's not too painful, and I doubt it will happen to any of you, I'm sure!" he added with a smile. "Let's take a peak, shall we?" he suggested, moving next to Isaac and opening the door wider. He stepped aside and waved over to the first years who then began to file in.

Kade and the others entered through the door, into a large alcove, passing through it. They entered a large den room that was already occupied by the older students. It was a beautiful room decorated in various colors of gold and honey. At the back of the room was a large fireplace, which was currently crackling away and providing heat to the room. In front of it was a dark golden enormous, semi-circular couch that lack as if it could fit a dozen students easily. there were other chairs and couches in various places of the room, all looking quite plush and comfortable. There were a couple of study tables which sat next to a couple of bookshelves that was full of books. One either side of the fireplace were sets of stairs that led upwards.

"Welcome to your common room, Thunderbirds!" Ainsley announced with a big smile as the first years looked around in awe. "The stairs up to the right lead to the boys dormitories, and the girls are to the left. The first door you come across is for you, the first years. You are not allowed into one another's dorms. We do no allow boys in the girls dorms, vice versa. Now." Ainsley waved his hand, and a stack of papers appeared in his hand. "Starting tomorrow, you will start your classes. You will be taking eight classes altogether. 7 required classes and including one class of your choosing." He began to hand out the papers. "This is a list of classes that are not required but you may take for extra credit, though as you get older, and choose your career path, some of these classes will become required. So, I say to you, choose wisely! Once a class is chosen, that is your class until third year when you can change it."

Kade accepted his list of classes, and read them:

1. Xylomancy/Divination -
2. Ancient Runes - Persophone Jones
3. Arithmancy - Thaddeus James
4. No-Maj Studies - Arianna Ashton
5. Care of Magical Creatures - Darwin Marvel
6. Magical Transportation - Peter Willings
7. Alchemy/Elemental Magic - Zachariah Osborn
8. Ancient Magical Studies - Jonah Levia
9. Medical Magic - Anna Thistles
10. Wandlore - Bernard Wesley

"Remember to choose one wisely," Ainsley repeated as he watched the first years pull out pencils or pens to make their choose for their elective class. "Once you have chosen your class, hand the slip back to me where I will add them to your schedules. Which you will receive tomorrow at breakfast."

"What are you going to choose?" Finn asked Kade who shrugged. There were a few good choices. "Hey,what did you choose?" Finn asked someone else. Kade looked up to see Miles and Make had turned in their slips.

"I chose Ancient Runes," Mako answered when she came back to the group. "I'm interested in Runes."

"I went with Care of Magical Creatures," Miles answered.

"Alright!" Finn answered, circling his answer. "Care of Magical Creatures it is!" he then turned his slip into Ainsely. Kade looked down at the list. Magical Creatures would be a good class, but Alchemy was calling to him. He was curious, so he circled Alchemy. He stood up, walked over to Ainsley and handed him his slip. Ainsley rose an eyebrow.

"Alchemy huh," He said with a nod. "Not a lot of people take that, but maybe it will change since the Professor is new," he told Kade who nodded. Soon, all the slips were turned in. "Alright you lot," Ainsley said, straightening the slips of papers. "A few more announcements. This is your house, and while you are here, it will become something like your family; your brothers and sisters if I may. Now, at the end of every year, a House Cup is awarded to the house with the most points, which is a great honor. House points are rewards to those who strive for triumphs and good deeds. But there is also a down side. Any rule breaking or bad deeds from any of you will cause you to lose house points. Each house has its own noble history and has produced outstanding Witches and Wizards. Maybe some of you will add to that." He exclaimed looking seriously at each of the Thunderbird First Years. "Have a good rest of your night. Breakfast is at as early as six and over at eight. Don't sleep too late or you might miss the entertaining first day of class! Goodnight!" And with that, Ainsley turned and left the first years who began to scatter around the common room.

Kade watched the first year dispersing. There were a total of ten first years; five boys and five girls. The boys were him, Miles, Finn, Isaac Ezras, and Jason Lee. The girls were Mako, Clara Oswin, Maggie Greene, Zoe Sheppard, and Cecilia Zamara.

Kade yawned, deciding that he should go and get to bed, since he'd like to get up early. He began making his way towards the dormitories. He only waved to Mako who was also going to bed, as Miles and Finn were talking to one another animatedly. Kade walked up the stairs to the right of the fireplace, and entering the first door he came across. He entered the dorm and looked around. It was an oval shaped room, with five beds lining against the left of the door. Across the beds were cupboards and two doors which turned out to lead to bathrooms and showers. Kade walked over to the first bed, where his things had been laid next to. He examined his area. There was a small night table next to his bed which held a lamp. His bed was covered with golden blankets and white sheets. He sat on it and it turned out to be very comfortable. He kicked his shoes off, and lied down on his new bed. It was only minutes later that Kade had fallen asleep.

He was in a small atrium. Torches sat on pillars, encircling around the room. Kade slowly entered this atrium. It was mostly empty except for the pedestal that sat in the center of the room. Something was on top of that pedestal. As Kade moved closer, he saw that an ancient looking goblet sitting in the center. A second later, Kade was standing right in front of the Goblet which he saw was filled with blue liquid. He reached out to grab it. But suddenly, an arm snatched his arm. Kade snapped his head to see who had grabbed his arm. It was a Native American man who was looking sternly down at him. He shook his head, and pushed Kade's arm away.

Kade stared at the man. There was something familiar about him, but he couldn't place it. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the was a searing caw. It was extremely loud that Kade had to close his eyes and cover his ears. Once it was over, Kade opened his eyes to see that the mysterious man was gone. He sighed, turning back to the goblet and stared at it. Suddenly, he felt warm breath on the back of his neck. Kade turned around to become face to face with a large bird like creature. It gave out a loud whistling caw -

Kade instantly sat up from his bed. That call sounded so real that his ears were actually ringing. He touched his right ear, suddenly feeling something wet and warm. He pulled his hand back to see a bit of blood on it. He stared at in confusion. How was this even possible? Why was his ear bleeding? What was that dream about? Was it even a dream?