4. Roomies
"Well, come on mister Baba, i'll show you to your room now." Achebe stops to wave Darion past the temple to an open spot on the grounds. An out of place grassy circle. "Well here you go, the temporary dorms. This is where you will stay until the spirits have determined what house you will be assigned to." Achebe walks through an invisible veil. Achebe leaves a hand stretched out beckoning Darion through. Darion walks into the veil without grabbing Achebe's hand. On the other side a new york style brownstone highrise fusion lords over Achebe and Darion."Yep, im convinced this is Wakanda, or a really bad dream" Darion neck craned upwards to observe the giant building. The towers constructed in brownstone show all of the house animals at the top corners of the tower and on each wall shows the faces of the founders of Uagadou. Achebe explains to Darion that all the rooms are chosen by the student and that because there are an infinite number of rooms students can choose whatever room they want. Achebe walks Darion through the ever moving halls. Darion jumps back as he looks at the wall and a shadowy version of himself with a mask on, walks beside him. "What the hell is that. Is it looking at me?" Darion stares, gently grabbing Achebe's shirt. "Relax, did I forget to mention that the temporary dorms are a living construct?" Achebe laughs then waves then bows to the shadow. "Lesson time. The temporary dorms were not always alive, at first it was just a magically created tower with a charm that kept it locked from students with a house or, if it was possible, non-students. About 90 years ago a student who had yet to be housed by the spirits but was well practiced in magic, was trying to tip his chances to get into a specific house. He tried to conjure the spirits and plead to them, instead he conjured one spirit that shouldn't have been here, as it was the spirit of a dark wizard that tried to kill the founders of Uagadou. The child was taken into the spirit realm, to be taken to Kuzimu, hell for tampering with the spirits. Instead he was given the chance to make it right, The child absorbed the dark wizards spirit taking his knowledge. Understanding that he still needed to make it right, he promised to protect any students in this building and so he was absorbed into every brick and binding clay. Every new student that walks into these halls is greeted by the building acknowledging that they are protected."
Achebe nudges Darion. Darion looks curiously to the shadow and give a head nod acknowledging the shadow. The shadow bows and as it lifts its head to look at Darion 4 smaller shadows float along the walls in the shape of the animals the 4 houses represent. The lion-like shadow steps from the wall taking a darkened form like a lion covered in shade. It walks around Darion 3 times sniffing him on every pass then lays at his feet. The form of a Cassowary stepped out of the wall second and walked up to Darions side then walked behind him sniffing near Darions ankles then sniffed Darions head then lowered its body and sat next to Darion. Achebe stepped back as the large shadowy form of a Snake slithered from the wall. Its shaded form slithered up Darions leg up his back and around his neck. It then rested on top of Darions shoulders. Darion's shunts back as the booming sound of an elephant fills the halls. The hallway is darkened and a rumbling distracts Darion from the other animals but they do not acknowledge it. The hallway lightens and the form of an elephant walks down the hallway, stopping at Darion filling the hallway. The large shaded beast stares at Darion for a moment then stretches one leg out and bows to Darion. "Well that's interesting" Achebe steps back further and fold his arms. "Are you going to elaborate, or just keep me guessing" The shaded representations of the house animals faded away. "Pretty sure that hasn't happened before. Its like dorms are endorsing you with the spirits. Ill have to talk to Professor Akua, for now lets get you into a room."
Achebe opens a door a few steps from Darion. "Do i need some keys or something, and who do i talk to about getting my luggage magically teleported here." Achebe laughs at Darion "Sorry, you actually have to walk your stuff back here. I'm just kidding, it's already here". Achebe points to the back of the room. "What are you talking about, the room isn't -" Darion turns around to see the luggage is sitting on the bed. "Yep, magic", Darion turns back around and observes the room as it changes. The walls mimic Darions room. His poster of the Tutshill Tornados and the World Quidditch League poster on the other wall. Also 4 posters of the founders of Uagadou sit on the wall. A floating broom materializes on the corner of the room. "Wait, wait. How does the dorm know what my room looks like''? Darion runs over to the broom tracing his had across the etchings and the tightly woven broom head, waxed bristles, and smooth handle. "Ahh the McLaren of Brooms. Hawthorn wood handle, Tungsten Coil, and Thestral feather bristles. This thing will get you anywhere in the world in five minutes." Achebe winks at Darion "I have to see professor Akua about the weird thing that happened in the hallway. Ill be back tomorrow morning. The time lag should hit you soon, you'll either get super tired and pass out or you'll be up until 5am. I suggest you stay in the room considering your lack of magical ability. Goodnight mister Baba." Achebe walks out and closes the door behind him.
Darion jumps on top of the broom and practices his waw pitch and roll before getting off to see the shadowy silhouette of the dorm standing on the ashen wood of the door to the hallway. "Uhh, you don't speak do you? I mean I don't know sign language." Darion pulls a chair from the desk behind him. The shadow manifests a chair and sits down. It points to the desk behind Darion. Darion looks back and walks to the desk and opens up the top left drawer. "Rune Dictionary. Fuck i forgot to ask about books" Darion slams his table on the desk. The shadow puts its finger to its lips and wags its finger with the other hand. "Do you not like cursing, or do you just want me to shut up?" Darion opens the book. The shadow points to the desk again, Darion opens up the second drawer on the left and takes out the yellow and dark green filigreed notebook out of the second drawer and puts it on the table. The book opens up and in cursive writes out. HELLO, MY NAME IS ABRIJA. IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU DARION. The letters change from Xhosa to English as Darion reads the letters. "Thank you, its nice to meet you as well. Why are you helping me?" BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY FAR BEHIND THE REST OF THE STUDENTS EVEN IN THIS DORMARTORY. I WILL GIVE YOU THE BASICS SO THAT YOU HAVE A CHANCE IN THE CLASSES. "Well, I didn't know I was gonna get roasted. I get that I'm behind and I appreciate you help."
Darion opens up the school book. Words appear on the note book again. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUNES YOU NEED TO KNOW, RUNES WILL HELP WITH SPELL CRAFT AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF MAGIC. THE FIRST IS BERKANO THIS IS THE RUNE OF THE MOTHER, ITS PRIMARY FUNCTION IN SPELL CRAFT IS HEALING AND THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH. Darion writes the notes on the page across from Abrija's teachings. "Healing spells. You said craft, there are already known healing spells. Why would i write more? ''. Words appear on the page again bigger and sharper. SO YOU KNOW EVERY HEALING SPELL!? YOU KNOW THAT ALL HEALINGS SPELLS COVER A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF HEALTH! PLEASE TELL ME. Darion looks back at the shaded figure with crossed arms leg soundlessly tapping the ground. "Ok, I get it, but tell me how do i write a spell?" Darion turns back around to see more words forming on the paper. YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THE ART OF CREATING A SPELL. FIRST YOU NEED TO STUDY THESE RUNES. RAIDHO, THIS RUNE IS MOST ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEMENT BUT HAS ALSO BEEN KNOWN TO BE USED IN SPELLS ASSOCIATED WITH FINDING ITEMS. REMEMBER MAGIC IS ABOUT INTENTIONS, YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT INTENTIONS ALONG WITH THE RIGHT COMPONENTS TO THE SPELL. Five knocks on the door. Darion stands up cautiously. "Hello" Darion moves to the right of the door. "Hey, we were gonna go to a party in the desert where all the unhoused students are going. Do you want to come?" Shuffling is heard behind the door. Darion looks at the notebook. YOU SHOULD REALLY STUDY UP, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE THE SPIRITS TO CHOOSE YOUR HOUSE FOR YOU. I WILL NOT STOP YOU. Darion stands up and goes to the door. "Yea i'm coming!"
Darion gets up and runs to the door. The Door slams and words appear on the door. ALOHAMORA, THIS IS A USEFUL SPELL TO UNLOCKING DOORS, USE IT AND THEN GO HAVE FUN. "Alohamora" Darion says the words haphazardly and nothing happens. Darion punches the door, "Alohamora" Darion says the words more seriously and nothing happens. Words appear again, MAGIC IS ABOUT INTENT AND KNOWLEDGE, TRY TO IMAGINE THE MECHANISMS OF THE LOCK, IMAGINE THEM TURNING AND UNLOCKING. Darion sighs heavily as the shadow figure stands to the side of the door. "Alohamora" Darion pointing his hand at the door lock his first two strangers outstretched. Nothing happens. Knocks from the other side of the door. "Hey what are you doing, its not a Jay-Z white and black party just wear what your wearing" the bois chuckle from the other side of the door. "Gimme a second the door is jammed", Darion leans over to the shadow figure now folding its arms. "Please, ill practice when I get back. I cant miss this party", Darion whispers the the shadow figure. The door clicks and unlocks. "Thank you ill be back tonight and we can practice then". Darion throws the door open and runs out to see the boys slowly walking down the hall. The three boys stand tall, easily six foot six, Identical triplets each wearing running shorts and a shirt of a different color and quidditch team. The speak in different accents but all at the same time creating a cacophony of voice that sounds like more than 3. "Ello, my name is Eddritch" speaking in a clearly british accent. "Mholo, my name is Thando. It is nice to meet you" with a more familiar African accent. "Sup, names James. Lets get to this party". Clearly an American accent, sounds like he's from California. The boys all fist bump him, "You took that long to put on that, we thought you were gonna come out in a 3 piece suite or something." The boys laugh and grab Darion by the shoulders shoving him down the hall. The shadow follows the boys. Eddritch turns to see the shadow. "Oi, looks like a tail gayhter, the dorm has takin a lyking to ya. Kinda creepy innit"? Darion turns around to see the shadow seemingly watching him. "Lets go, i don't need a baby sitter". The door to the Dorm closes in front of the boys. Darion walks up to the door "Alohamora" The door unlocks and opens, the boys walk out holding back giggles. Darion walks away with the triplets then looks back at the dormitory building. The door closes and no shadow stands in wait.