"So let me get this straight." Caspian paced in front of the fireplace, avoiding Weem's patient yet stalking eyes. "This is a school for magical folk in America. But it's not Ilvermorny."
"Magical folk is one way of putting it, but correct."
"But not only that, Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic. The MACUSA. Harry fuckin Potter? None of that rings a bell."
"Watch your language, but yes."
"And you're sure the year's 2023? I didn't just accidentally stumble forward decades in a time when the entire wizarding world as I knew it ceases to have ever existed?"
"Yes, it's the end of January 2023, Mr. Lee"
Caspian sank into a plush chair as he stared helplessly at Weems' mahogany desk. This was worse than a nightmare. It was like someone Obliviated his whole reality and left the world void of life. Of magic. He never realized it before, but he could feel the magic pulse through the very soil he stood on. The people he was surrounded by. Now, it was like he was a lone buoy of colour floating ceaselessly in an ocean of melancholic darkness.
Ok, perhaps he was being a tad dramatic, but he was in all senses of the word, lost.
"I know this is a lot to take in Caspian. I'm not quite sure of you're predicament myself. But I assure you I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this and to keep you safe while we do so." Weems said, pouring them both a glass of water.
She seems to be the headmistress of the school. Her patient yet stern demeanor was eerily reminiscent of McGonagall.
After a prolonged pause, Caspian drew his eyes up to hers. "I should say thank you...shouldn't I?"
"That would be the appropriate reaction when one offers their assistance, yes."
"Thanks, but why are you helping me?"
Weem's blinked as if he just asked her why the sky was blue. "You're different." She gestures to him with a gloved hand. "You have abilities that make living in the human world…ill-fitting. That is the ideals this school was founded upon. Now, your gifts by even our standards, are considered nothing short of extraordinary. The world hasn't seen a sorcerer-"
"Wizard." He corrects.
"Wizard…in ages. There's been plenty of frauds throughout the years most notably Harry Houdini. He turned out to be nothing more than a very advanced shifter with a knack for rilling up a crowd. The last legitimate wizard was Merlin."
"Merlin?" Caspian implored incredulously. "So he exists here but not Dumbledore? Bloody hell what is this place…" He sank further into his chair, rubbing at his eyes till he saw stars.
Weem's sighed, crossing her legs. "Anyhow my turn to recap no? So where you're from..." She gestured vaguely at him. "Wherever it is you from, you touched a key and you felt a tug in your navel like it was being pulled out." Weems drew a pen and notepad from her desk.
"Yes, I've experienced something like it before. When I used a Portke- Errr… a device that lets me travel instantaneously. But this was exponentially more painful in comparison."
"And you landed in the middle of the forest just outside of town." Weems flips through a beige file on her desk. "These accounts say they saw a strange boy in robes, wandering around town attempting to walk through walls, enter fireplaces, and…" She shot him a skeptical glance. "Stood in various toilet bowls while flushing them…before giving up and walking away. That's when you witnessed an out-of-control car and you somehow suspended it in mid-air before it could crash."
"Yeah, you pretty much hit the mooncalf on the head."
"And you used this to do so, a wand." She inspects his wand, using it to gesture to Caspian's robes. "What you're wearing is your school uniform where there are more witches and wizards like yourself. Hogwarts was it?"
Caspian inwardly cringed at being at the end of a want tip."Speaking of, can I have my wand back, you know where I come from it's incredibly rude to withhold someone's wand. It's like stripping a muggle-um non-magical folk, of their..what was it? Smartphones?"
"Of course, but just because of your…unusual position, doesn't mean I'll allow any more leeway than the next student. That means no funny business with it. I'm sure you come from a respectable school, so funny business should have the same definition?" Weems inquired placing the wand carefully into his awaiting hand.
Caspian snatched it up, instantly feeling the connection of his phoenix feather. His magic rilled to life, extending past his fingertips and into the grooves of the hawthorn wood.
He breathed it in, smiling to himself. "Yeah yeah, no enlarging anyone's bogies, turning anyone into canaries, tying people's tongues, and pulling students' innards inside out. The usual stuff."
He may have lied about the last part to incite a reaction from the woman, but it appears everything else was sufficiently gobsmacking. Weem's mouth parted in horror, her eyes briefly darting as if coming up with safety measures for everything he mentioned.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Caspian snorted. "Well, I can show you."
"Wait-"
Before she could stop him, he tapped his water glass.
"Verte Vinum."
From the bottom up, his water quickly turned to a blood-red wine. He flashed a cheeky grin, twirling his wand in his hands.
"Too on the nose?" He cocked an eyebrow, watching in amusement as Weems caught her breath. Caspian snatched the glass, but she caught his hand.
"Give me that." She grounded out in a clipped tone, dragging the wine to the far side of her desk. "I don't know the drinking age where you're from, but here 16 is 5 years too young. And you can add turning water into wine to your long list of no funny business."
"You're not gonna let that go to waste right? I pride myself on my wine transfiguration. Been told it tastes like a fine 1990 Nebillio red."
When Weem's lips only pursed into a stern line, Caspian sighed, running his hand through his hair. "It's in my best interest to keep my magic to a minimum. I've never been to a place where...there was so little of it. And…" He pauses, searching for the right words. "I know it doesn't work like this, and it's stupid to dwell on but, I'm…scared that I'll use mine up ." He said in a boyish murmur, suddenly feeling very small.
Weem's emerald eyes softened ever so slightly. "Alright, well. I'll ask around the outcast community about wizards. I have some promising connections in Cairo that may be able to shed some light on your current situation."
"People will have questions. If this school is anything like mine, word travels fast."
Weems folded her hands. "Say you're a woodland elf transfer from overseas. We don't get many elves here so the buzz would make sense. But there's nothing to explain the car incident..."
Caspian mulled it over for a second. "Well, I can play up the wrong place wrong time narrative. I can tell that the sheriff has a keen dislike for your students. Perhaps if something unusual appears to have happened, it wouldn't be so far-fetched that they blame the closest outcast. "
Weems narrowed her eyes. "Clever too..." she muttered, almost like keeping a mental note to herself.
Caspian sighed. She was exactly like Headmistress McGonagall. She could sniff out potential trouble makers like a hound. He feels honoured if not a little annoyed that he was already garnering a rapport with the headmistress. He should've laid off the theatrics.
"You best not let Sherrif Galpin hear about that change of story. Our relationship with the town is…strained as is." Her eyes dart from his. "Anyhow, let's get you settled in. I'll have someone escort you to your shared dorm. Due to an incident last term, a bed has opened up in the boy's hall. There you'll find a change of clothes and fresh toiletries. I'll let you know a date when we could head into town for more personal supplies."
Caspian took it as his time to leave, but he paused at the heavy oak doors, turning back around.
"Thank you, professor…" He bobbed his head awkwardly. "For helping me."
"You're very much welcome." Weems nods back curtly.
He was just about to open the door when her voice came up again. "And Caspian?"
Caspian turned over his shoulder, surprised to see her smiling geuninly at him.
"Welcome to Nevermore Academy."
"And here's the south entrance leading to the forest…. So that concludes our tour of the school. Please make sure to tip your tour guide on the way out." Xavier tilts his head, cracking a small sarcastic smile. "So, any questions?"
"Um yeah, why purple?" Caspian fingered the sleeves of his blazer. "And why stripes?". He thought he looked terrible in violet, or indigo depending on the light. He much preferred his Slytherin green.
Xavier let out a dry chuckle. "Well, the stripes I can only imagine were an aesthetic choice. Purple on the other hand — in art at least — symbolizes nobility, power, mystery, and magic."
Caspian shivered. "Right."
After their half-awake introduction last night — Caspian is still sure Xavier thought he dreamt the whole thing because when morning came, he jumped at his voice — he decided that Xavier Thorpe would make an alright dorm mate. Friendly enough that he would probably let him borrow his toothpaste but not as friendly as to expect the same from him back. He was reserved, opting to stay in his own world that participates in theirs. But most importantly, he didn't linger. If anything, he looks mildly annoyed that he had to show the newcomer around. Speaking of, this knock-off Ilvermory wasn't nearly as grand as Hogwarts. The entires grounds was just a wing of Hogwarts. But he supposes there's a certain charm to Nevermore's young history.
"So ya got any other questions because…I got a few of my own." Olive-colored eyes stared at him expectantly.
Caspian inhaled through his nostrils. "I'm sure you do."
"Where you from Caspian?"
"Originally overseas from a little island nation. My father moved around a lot for work so Nevermore is just one stop in the road. Don't be surprised if I don't stay long."
Xavier nodded, seemingly taking the information. "About you…flipping a car in Jericho the other day? What's that all about? Or were you hoping I hadn't noticed all the whispers and stares we were getting?"
Caspian sighed a practiced sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No, I didn't flip any car or whatever you heard. I was on my way to Nevermore when a car's brakes suddenly gave out and it spun over a rather larger bump. The family was safe, but of course, they blame the closest freak for what happened."
Xavier scanned and searched his face, more intently than Caspian was expecting. "I don't blame the normie folks, with what happened last year and all."
"What exactly happened last year?" Caspian was eager to jump on the first chance of a subject change. "I keep hearing about last term and last year. I guess it has something to do with that conveniently empty bed I'm now sleeping in?"
"It's a long story, I'll tell you at dinner. Speaking of, let's head back before the good stuff is taken." Xavier gestured forward.
"Got any other advice for a newcomer such as myself?" Caspian asked after some time.
His roommate let out an amused snort. "Well, you know what they say, high school is what you make of it. So have any ambitions this year? Valid Victorian? Best athlete? Best artist, though I think I have you beat in that department."
Caspian recalls the various drawings and paintings he had scattered on his desk. "I'm just trying to lay low and get my education, I have no intentions of standing out."
Just as he said that they passed a group of giggling girls as they not so discreetly tried to catch a glimpse of the two.
"You seem to be doing a shit job at that. But something tells me you aren't a rule follower, are you?"
"I don't plan on breaking any curfews or going late-night skinny dipping if that's what you're asking." Caspian narrowed his eyes at him. "You'll have to find another partner in crime Thorpe."
"We'll see about that. Nevermore, the people here. Tend to bring out the… adventurous in you for lack of a better term."
Caspian couldn't help but scoff. "Believe me, I have a feeling I won't be here long enough for that to happen."
"Is it always this packed?"
"Only during the winter months. Most people take their food outside."
Caspian suspiciously eyed the bustling eating hall from behind a corner. It was like someone looked at the great hall, wrote down every detail of it, and did the exact opposite. At the front of the large circular room was a buffet with various foods, all muggle American from what he could smell. Scattered about were circular tables filled with purple and black striped blazers. The chatter practically vibrated the air around him as he scanned the sea of students.
"Still hungry?" Xavier asked, standing patiently in the open entryway.
"Depends, do you guys have corndogs? I've never had a corndog but I'm always hearing about them."
Xavier opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly someone approached him.
"Xavier! Is it true you're dorm mate is the new guy?" It was a girl's voice and she sounded very eager to learn about him. Caspian tilted his head curiously, opting to stay hidden.
"Well hello to you. Oh, my vacation to Alaska was good, thanks for asking." From his concealed angle, he saw the boy roll his eyes.
"I already knew about Alaska." The girl whined.
"Fair point, so where's Wednesday? I thought you said she'd be coming today?"
"I told her to come for dinner. I guess she hasn't shown up yet. But stop changing the subject! Tell me what is the new guy like? I heard he's kinda intense and has this presence. Is it true he threw a car at Tyler's dad? Or did he try to kill the normies? HUH is he actually Weem's bastard child from abroad? Wait, don't tell me...he's an animal shifter. Yoko says so and she's usually right about these things."
Xavier darted his eyes to the side before clearing his throat. "Why don't you ask him yourself, Enid."
Caspian stepped from around the corner, leaning against it casually. He mischievously eyed the mortified blond girl. She let out a small squeak, a mixture of unbridled embarrassment and surprise. She was a shorter than him by a head, her icy blonde hair transitioning to vibrant blue and pink tips that barely grazed her shoulders. She donned a pink wool coat and a creme beret. Eccentric wardrobe choices that don't adhere to uniform at all. She had remarkable pale blue eyes with a burst of matcha green around her irises. Her fair face blanched considerably, and her glossy lips twisted into an awkward, strained smile that made it look like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.
Caspian's grin grew wider, putting his finger on his lip in faux thought. "Huh, let's see…. No…No… definitely not…and a tentative haven't tried it yet. Thorpe tell me, if I turn into a fish one night can I count on you to save me?"
"I dunno depends on the mood," Xavier dug his hands in his pockets as he watched on amused.
Enid stood frozen in place, before seemingly snapping out of her trance. "I'm E-Enid. Enid Sinclair, it's nice to meet you." She said as calmly as possible, avoiding his eyes as she offered her hand.
"Caspian Lee." He shook it, admiring the multicolored nails that brandished her fingers.
"For the record... I don't believe you're actually Weem's long-lost son it was just something that was going around... I think one of the stoners may have mentioned...it" Enid started, suddenly staring right into his eyes before her voice gave out. He was caught off guard by how expressive they could be.
"Consider myself charmed Sinclair. I don't think I've heard of those ones yet. Don't tell me you're the creative mind behind those rumors?"
"More like the one spreading it," Xavier mumbled.
"Anyways!" She cut in with a hiss, her swimmingly large eyes turning to plead at Xavier who only shrugged. "It was nice meeting you..." Enid began to slowly back away. "and I hope you don't turn into a fish tonight…" She paused in her retreat, wincing as if her words physically hurt her before stiffly scurrying off.
"I actually think she might die of embarrassment." Xavier mused from beside him as they watched her slump in her seat.
"I dunno," Caspian heard himself say. "It was kind of endearing ." He let his eyes linger on the back of her head.
Enid Sinclair. Intersting.
Caspian felt Xavier side-eye him for a moment. "Enid's cool, but she has a habit of spreading drama. Well, if you consider running Nevermore's full-time gossip blog as a 'habit'."
"Nobodies perfect Thorpe."
"Can't compete with such a compelling argument... And to answer your previous question, yes we do have corndogs."
The walk to the buffet area was uncomfortable, to say the least. The chattering hall was reduced to hushed whispers. It felt like every pair of eyes was watching them grab their food. It wasn't all bad, when Caspian reached for the suspicious-looking stew, the whole room gasped so he promptly retracted his hand. It was probably for the best he decided.
Only did the chatter start up again when they sat down at one of the further tables against a wall. Caspian and Xavier sat in an awkward silence as they nibbled on their food. He couldn't tell if it was just because they just met or if Xavier truly was the quiet type, but Caspian didn't think he could bask in this awkwardness much longer. Being the newcomer sucks.
He was halfway through his corndog, which was halfway decent in his opinion, when they were interrupted.
"Hey Xavier, how was Alaska?"
Xavier glanced up from his bowl of soup, nodding in acknowledgment. "It was good. Went salmon fishing but Dad had to leave early for work, so I just stayed inside for most of it. You?"
"Spent my whole break avoiding my mom, but I did get my driver's license."
"I don't envy you. It's cool now but just wait until people start using you as their personal Uber."
"…Xavier, I don't think you've introduced me to your new friend yet."
Xavier sighed, dropping his spoon. "Caspian Lee this is Bianca Barclay, Bianca, Caspian."
Caspian smiled at the girl. Her umber brown skin seemed to glow in the soft light as she flashed a pristine smile back. Her eyes were a luminous silvery blue, like the ocean on one of those holiday postcards. It drew him in. Not in the same way as Enid has, rather, it was trance-like. She stood tall and proud, flanked by two mildly interested-looking girls. One with sunglasses and long black pinstripe hair. The other with short chestnut hair and piercing blue eyes.
"It's nice to meet you Caspian. I hope Xavier here made a good first impression of Nevermore?" She said glancing at Xavier a second longer than necessary.
"We'll," Caspian gestured. "I'm not running for the hills yet so safe to say he did an alright job."
"Good well, there are tons of extracurricular activities and clubs you can join to really get the full experience. I host the fencing and Pitch slaps clubs myself. You should sign up."
"Clubs…extracurriculars…" Caspian inhaled through gritted teeth. "Not really my thing. Thanks though."
Bianca nodded. "Well, if you ever change your mind just let me know."
An awkward silence befell the unlikely group.
"So, what are you exactly?" She started before the silence grew too loud.
Caspian arched a brow. "I beg your pardon."
"Like what type of outcast are you? Scales, Furs, Fangs? Something in between like this guy." Bianca gestured a thumb at Xavier who only scoffed in return.
Caspian vaguely recalls the rundown he was given on the social hierarchy of Nevermore. Furs are werewolves, feisty and rugged. Fangs are vampires, quiet and always judging. Scales are aquatic types and are devilishly charming and stoners are the ones with the beanies.
"Oh…" Caspian said dumbly. "I'm a woodland elf." he cringed as the words left his mouth. He curses Weems for not giving him a more proper-sounding alias.
Bianca quirked a brow. "An elf? I've never met one before. Do elves freeze time?"
"You too Bianca, seriously?" Xavier sighed, pausing in his sketching to glare at the girl.
Bianca merely shrugged, clasping her hands. "I'm curious Xavier.
Caspian let out a patient breath. "I don't blame you. But I'm afraid the story is quite bland compared to the rumors. I was just… at the wrong place at the wrong time. The car lost control, fingers were pointed to the closest outcast and bam. Suddenly I'm a Russian spy with telekinetic abilities or something equally absurd."
Bianca eyed him for a second before leaning against the table with a sigh. "I didn't say I believed those rumors anyway. What is it they say? There's nothing as boring as the truth?" She muses.
Caspian suppressed a snort. The truth would probably blow her socks off but he nodded in agreement. "What type of outcast are you?"
The girl paused, carefully eyeing him. "A Siren."
He had no idea what that was. "Cool, what do you do?" he picked at his forgotten corn dog.
Another pause, from the corners of his eyes he can see her bite her bottom lip. "I can sing a song that can make anyone do what I want them to. But I keep in locked with a necklace."
Caspian slowed his chewing, staring at her incredulously. His Slytherin mind went to work instantly. The prospects of a built-in Imperio curse - without the whole damning yourself with dark magic part - were not lost on him. "Wow… that's actually kind of brilliant."
"Yeah, until you're on the receiving end of it," Xavier mumbled sourly. Caspian shot both of them a skeptical glare.
"Don't mind him," Bianca bristled, pushing off the table. "He's just pissy that his little muse has been ignoring him all break and hasn't even shown up to greet him yet."
"You've seen Wednesday?" His roommate perked up.
Caspian looked at Xavier. Again with that name.
"We exchanged timetables in the halls. I have Latin II with her tomorrow. Anyway, it appears I've overstayed my welcome. It was nice hearing the real side of the story for once, I hope we have classes together Caspian. And Xavier… don't be a stranger." As quickly as she arrived Bianca Barclay left, towing her two friends behind her. Friends they either forgot to introduce or didn't care to.
Caspian polished his corn dog off before turning to Xavier. "Who's Wednesday? Is she the only one who bothers sitting with you?" He jested, gesturing to their rather sparse table.
Xavier scowled. "Have a problem with my lack of popularity points?" it wasn't lost on Caspian how defensive he suddenly got at the mention of her name.
"Quite the contrary," Caspian leaned against the wall before he propped his feet up. "I enjoy the extra legroom."
Caspian plucked a green apple from his tray, fidgeting with it.
His first day at Nevermore wasn't terrible. He enjoyed the scenery and the company was entertaining enough. He'll admit, he's a little nervous about classes tomorrow. If magic, as he knew it, didn't exist, then there's a real possibility of other major differences. Language could be different, and math equations might be written backward. For Merlin's sake, 90% of what he learned in Hogwarts was likely unless here.
Caspian unfolded his timetable, skimming it over. Botany, English literature, Fencing, Werewolf anatomy…Witchcraft and sorcery. He snorts, Weems, seems to have a sense of humor. Caspian looked in disdain at the time slots allocated for extracurriculars. It seemed he'd in fact had to join at least one club here, a shame truly. He planned to utilize Nevermore's surprisingly extensive gyms and training facilities. He'll happily admit that was something it had over Hogwarts. He recalled the many mornings he spent meticulously bewitching various books into makeshift weights. He worked his body close to failure in the middle of their sleeping quarters.
Caspian still felt a few lingering stares at him as he mentally planned out the coming days. He sighed biting his bottom lip. He knew the best way to get rid of unwanted stares, but he still had to build up the mental fortitude to do it. Closing his eyes and counting backward from 30, he shot his gaze up, landing on the first intrusive pair he could find. As expected, they quickly spun around after being caught. . People love judging but hate confrontation. Caspian was glad that factoid of social interaction still rang true here.He repeated this as many times as he needed, his confidence growing by the second. When the last set of eyes finally diverted sheepishly, he took a satisfactory bite of his apple.
Maybe Xavier was right after all, he should try to make the most of his time at Nevermore. Who knows what'll happen or who he'll meet. It might just be worth his while.
"So," Caspian placed his apple down, leaning in. "Tell me...what in the living hell happened last term?"