Witchery

by Jessimyre

Years after the events of the British Wizarding War, Dudley Dursley took it upon himself to move his new young family across the globe away from the magical world in an attempt to protect them. Imagine his surprise a decade later when a stranger arrives on his doorstep, with a letter of acceptance for his daughter to the Australian school of magic...

2. Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER:
I do not own, nor am I affiliated with the Harry Potter/Wizarding World universe. This is purely fan fiction, written for fun. All original and canon characters, events and places are owned by J K Rowling.

The Australian school, places and characters are of my own invention.

Witchery

Chapter 2 - Rocky Road

Iris was awake at the crack of dawn on January 27th. Excitement swirled through her from the moment she opened her eyes and she knew there was no way she would get back to sleep again. She reached over the the well read acceptance letter on her night stand and cast her eyes over it for the forty-third time.

NYAMBI SCHOOL OF ENCHANTMENT

Headmistress: Esmerelda Brocklehurst
(Order of Merlin; First Class, Order of Merlin; Second Class, Star of Bloomsfield 1982, Supreme Augur of the Aus. Wizarding Justice Commission)

Dear Ms Dursley,

We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to Nyambi School of Enchantment. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and Equipment for your Year 7 Classes.

First term begins on February 1st.

Orientation for muggo-borns will be at 9am on January 27th. Please assemble at London Court in Perth, at 9am promptly.

Yours Sincerely,

Rueben Daku
Deputy Headmaster

Iris then turned to the second sheet of parchment that had been in her letter. This was her booklist, and to Iris' mind a great deal more interesting to read.

NYAMBI SCHOOL OF ENCHANTMENT
YEAR 7 REQUIREMENTS

Uniform:
Year 7 students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robe (Navy)
2. One plain broad brimmed hat (Navy) for day wear - please note, students will not be allowed out of doors during the summer months without a hat
3. One pair of protective gloves (Saltie Croc-hide or Dragon hide)
4. One winter cloak (Navy, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothing should carry name tags
Students are encouraged to bring several sets of casual clothing for after school hours and weekends.

Set Books
All students are required to have a copy of the following:
- The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1); by Miranda Goshawk
- The Magical History of Australia Part 1; by Waru Jiemba
- Theory of Magic; by Sinead O'Hara
- Elementary Transfiguration; by Minerva McGonagall
- Properties Of Magical Plants; by Nigel Band
- Brewing for Novices; by Jacinta Fernihough
- Harper's Guide to Astronomy; by Peter Harper
- An Early Guide to Defensive Magic; by Celine Taylor

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 12)
1 Set of glass or crystal Potion vials
1 70mm Telescope
1 set of scales
5 standard quills
3 A4 notebooks
1 200 page sheaf of blank A4 parchment
2 bottles of black ink
1 bottle of red ink
1 set of coloured pencils

Students may also bring an owl, OR a popglider OR a reptile (grade 1 or 2 species only)

GUARDIANS ARE REMINDED THAT YEAR 7's MAY NOT HAVE THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS AT SCHOOL

A thick, tight ball of sheer excitement twisted and swirled inside Iris' belly. She had to struggle hard not to leap out of bed and dance around the house singing at the top of her voice. Today, she would meet some of her teachers. Today she would meet some of her classmates, muggo-borns like her. She would get her equipment and she would get a real magic wand!

Unable to settle, Iris got up, dressed herself carefully paying special attention to the impression she wanted to give. You only get one chance to make a good impression, Iris' mother had always told her. Her mop of thick curls was standing around her head in a dreadful tangle as though she was touching a static globe. Frowning at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Iris set to taming her unruly mop.

After some time and a good deal of frustration, hair products and fussing Iris finally had her hair falling around her shoulders in some semblance of normalcy. She opted for a simple Alice band and made her way back to her room. She made her bed, then sat on it, fidgeting terribly. The sun made its slow crawl over the horizon and magpies sang in the new day outside her window.

Eventually her parents got up and her father began making breakfast. Iris skipped out to the kitchen to join them but couldn't keep still.

"Oh for goodness sake Iris, stop bouncing around like a blowfly in a bottle and set the table." her mother eventually said exasperated. Taj was up by then, so Iris set the table, and they all ate together.

Iris was not above noticing how quiet her father was, though. Usually he liked to read the newspaper, making comments and reading parts out to them as he did each morning. Today, he hadn't even unfurled the paper and ate rather mechanically, eyes fixed on the wall opposite and his mind far, far away.

Nadia glanced at her husband trying not to show too much concern. Taj hadn't noticed anything amiss and was chattering excitedly about their upcoming visit to Rocky Road, asking questions and answering himself. Nobody else needed to say anything.

Iris kept half an eye on her father all morning. He had already changed his mind about Iris going to school, and even going to the orientation half a dozen times. Iris was trying very hard not to be too frustrated with his inability to make a decision, often biting her tongue so as not to burst out in irritation that it was her life and she wanted to go more than anything. She couldn't really understand what was upsetting him so much. The story about the werewolf was a bit scary but that was a long time ago. It was also in a whole other country. It wasn't here and it wasn't now.

Finally, finally it was time to go, the Dursley family got into their car and Iris fidgeted in her seat, unable to keep still throughout the whole journey. Dudley found parking, and the four of them walked up to London Court. Iris had been here before, shopping with her mother. The old-fashioned archway was clean and white, the large clock showing it was 8:55am as Dudley stopped dead, starting at it.

"I don't think this is a good idea." he stated.

"Dad!" Iris wailed. They were so close! "Dad we're here now, please lets just go. I want to meet other people like me. Please Dad." she begged. Taj started begging too, he wanted to see more wizards and more magic. The adults both hushed the children, eyeing passers-by warily.

Dudley stood for a long minute, struggling with the reality of his situation. Knowing he ought to go forward and do the orientation but hating the need, hating that his sweet little girl was going to face, in his mind at least, so much danger and he would not be able to protect or help her.

Eventually, Dudley heaved a big sigh and set his shoulders, and marched into London Court. The family walked through the archway under the big clock.

London Court was too narrow for cars but afforded a pleasant, cobbled walk for pedestrians. Awnings over perfectly normal shop fronts provided a little shade, and quite a few shoppers were wandering contentedly up the street already. Iris was looking for any indication of magic but saw none. There was a shoe shop, clothing shops, a book shop and a jewellery store.

"Well, where are we supposed to go?" Nadia asked, glancing up and down the street. The whole family stopped and looked around.

"Wait, I see Mr Daku!" Iris said suddenly, pointing a little further up the street.

"Where?" Dudley asked, shading his eyes, "I don't see him."

"Just there. Come on!" Taj yelled suddenly, spotting the Deputy Head. Grabbing his father's hand, he dragged him up the street a little way to where Reuben Daku, dusty hat and electric blue streaked beard stood, bouncing happily on the balls of his feet surrounded by a group of people. He smiled and waved them over as they approached the group.

Iris beamed at a young girl nearby who returned a shy smile. There must have been at least thirty or so other kids, not counting Iris and her brother, and their families as well.

"Just waiting on two more..." Reuben said cheerily, looking up and down the street. "Ah! Here we go." as two more families approached, looking ucertaim. Reuben Daku drew his wand surreptitiously, waved it in a complicated gesture, muttering under his breath. Iris felt something like the faintest of cool breezes fan out from him. Magic, she realised with a shiver of delight.

"OK everyone, come along now! You must keep close together as you won't be able to get through the doorway to Rocky Road unless you're with me." he spoke up over the group. The other shoppers didn't pay any attention to the group and continued strolling past as though they were invisible. Maybe that was what the spell was for, Iris guessed. Reuben spun on his heel and marched briskly up the street a short way, then turned to a service door that had a large Warning sign on it. He tapped the doorknob twice with his wand and then opened it.

"In there?" Nadia asked, aghast, "It's just a dark little room filled with electrical stuff." Iris frowned, confused - she saw a bright, sunny street through the doorway with people moving back and forth and a glimpse of many coloured shopfronts. She glanced at both parents who seemed worried.

"It's OK Mum," they heard a boy ahead of them say, "There's another street through there."

Reuben Daku winked at the assembled group and stepped through the doorway. Some of the parents gasped. Before any of them could turn away, the boy who had spoken took a firm grip of his father's hand and forcibly dragged him through the doorway. There were more gasps from the parents and one or two of the older siblings but all the children Iris' own age grinned and moved forward.

It seemed that only those with magical abilities could see what was beyond the door, the muggos could only see the dark little room with the electrical board. Following their children apprehensively, Dudley and Nadia squeezed through the doorway and then as they emerged into Rocky Road, their mouths dropped open.

The group were standing in another narrow street, with the summer sun beating down on them. The street was packed with people, the sounds of happy chatter were all up and down the street. The awnings over these shops were bright and in some cases, quite garish. Right in front of them, opposite the door back out to London Court was a florist, with windows ablaze with colour and light. Some of the flowers on display outside were moving of their own accord and turned to face them.

Wizards and witches in a rainbow of coloured robes walked by, some smiling kindly at the group of newcomers, some rushing by intent on their errands and some paying them no heed whatsoever. Hanging signs indicated shop names (Fortescue's Flowers, Edgar's Book Emporium and Twill's Tailormade Robes were the ones Iris could see close by). A shadow passed overhead and looking up, Iris could see somebody on an actual old-fashioned broom flying over their heads, level with the third story windows. Taj goggled, and he wasn't the only one. There was just so much to see!

"This way!" Reuben Daku strode off and the group hurried along to keep pace with him, moving aside to allow oddly dressed people to pass them. Iris turned her head this way and that, trying to see everything at once.

A man walked past them heading in the opposite direction with what looked like a miniature dragon on a leash, twin spirals of smoke drifting up from its nostrils. Another man rushing past them impatiently was carrying a fairly large, dark wooden box under one arm. Yet another was coming out of a shop as they passed, squinting at a small jar of some strange looking liquid sloshing about inside it. A group of gaily dressed witched with long pointy hats and wide brims waved cheerily as they passed their table outside a cafe and everywhere there were families, with children in tow, glancing at lists or calling to hurry one-another up.

The group turned suddenly, and filed into a bright yellow doorway that had the number 45 above it and as Iris and her family followed the others in, she noticed a brass plaque on the door stating "Muggo Relations Office." They walked down a deceptively wide, cool hall lined with pictures she didn't have time to look at but at one point she was sure she caught one moving out of the corner of her eye. The hall opened into a small reception area and waiting room. Without stopping, Reuben nodded to the bored looking brunette witch behind the reception desk and then pushed through the double doors opposite, revealing a large room.

The group of parents and children gathered just inside the doors where Reuben had stopped, looking around in amazement. The room was huge, more of a hall really. Iris couldn't work out how such a massive space fit into the seemingly small building judging by its outside appearance. The room was carpeted and there were many windows high up allowing light to flood the space. The ceiling was at least 3 stories above them and other people were here already. There were tables here and there, and a few small groups of comfortable looking armchairs grouped around them. Potted plants and a few large and beautiful paintings added to the feeling of comfort and welcome to the room.

"Alright everyone, please allow me to introduce some of my colleagues at Nyambi." Reuben announced, moving a hand to indicate a small group of witches and wizards standing smilingly to his left. "Julian Giovanni; the Defensive Magic teacher, Betty Kitur; the Herbology teacher, Quentin Leuff; the Transfiguration teacher and Esmerelda Brocklehurst; our Headmistress." each nodded or waved when their name was announced.

"We invite you to introduce yourselves, ask any questions you may have and take some time to read some of the information material we have provided for you." Reuben indicated a large table to their right, laden with leaflets and brochures.

"I would also like to introduce the tutors that are available for private tutoring should you prefer to homeschool your children. Here we have Gaspode Trent, Milly Lowry, Xarissa Helmcleaver, Dafydd Jones, Rachna Eldeiss, Harold Flynn, Raith Yates and Florence Bubble." Reuben indicated a group of people standing further toward the back of the room, each standing by a small table with various papers and books on them.

"We have an hour or two here, if there is anything we can help you with please just let us know." Mr Daku finished before moving over to join the other Nyambi teachers, greeting them cheerfully.

At first, the slightly startled group of parents just peered around, murmured among themselves and shuffling hesitantly. But after a few minutes, they began to disperse. The Dursley family hung back, Dudley being the most hesitant. Iris glanced at him uneasily, worried her father may have changed his mind yet again and would refuse to talk to anyone. To her relief, he walked to the table of leaflets first and began looking through some of the information there.

"Goodness, they have a chess club." Nadia murmured, picking up a leaflet with a picture of part of a chessboard on it. "That's so normal." Dudley was skimming through one about flying lessons and Taj grabbed one with the picture of a dragon on the front. Two other families joined them, pawing through the information available and smiling politely when they met the Dursley's eyes.

Eventually, Iris' parents felt comfortable enough to move off and begin talking to people. Nadia made her way over to the teachers, and looked to be introducing herself and Dudley to the Headmistress. Iris and Taj drifted away from their parents and struck up conversations with some of the other potential students and their siblings.

"Hey, I'm Arin. Arin Rothschild" a smiling youth with short dark hair and large brown eyes stuck out a hand. Iris and Vinny shook hands, giving their names in return.

"My name is Rosalie Smith." a girl with a load of freckles and deeply tanned skin introduced herself. "How crazy is this?" she asked. "Did you guys know anything about being magic?"

"No, we found out when Mr Daku came to visit last week." Iris replied.

"Me too!" Rosalie said, excited.

"I knew, my Mum's a witch." Arin told them, "Dad is a muggo so we came to orientation for his sake more than anything else. Mum wasn't sure I even was magical for a long time."

Chattering excitedly, Iris was thrilled to meet some of her new classmates. They all seemed very friendly and just as excited about learning magic as she was. Even so, she kept half an eye on her parents as they moved around the room chatting to the teachers and then to the one halfway normal looking tutor. She could tell her parents were avoiding talking to the tutor with the bald head and shiny metallic tattoos, the tutor who had a tail flicking out from under her cloak and the enormous man in the corner who had to kneel to be close to everyone else's heights.

The one thing Iris did notice, was that there seemed to be a handful of students from other countries present. After she'd met Katut, a small smiling boy from Indonesia, she began to read some of the leaflets she had picked up from the information table. It seemed that Nyambi was the only one of two magical schools in the southern hemisphere (the other was in the Amazon in South America) and often attracted students from other countries including New Zealand, Indonesia and Mauritius.

Finally, Dudley and Nadia came back to find their children. Iris stood waiting with baited breath, her fingers crossed behind her back as she waited for their decision. Her parents glanced at one another and then turned back to her.

"OK, you can go." Dudley muttered gruffly, "But if we get one hint, one whiff of you being in danger we will bring you straight home."

Iris squealed and jumped up and down on the spot. A few heads turned their way and she settled down, grinning widely. She threw her arms around her Dad, hugging him for all she was worth.

"Thank you Daddy!"

"Well, while we're here we may as well get all your books and things." Nadia said, glancing about. "Let's get on with it."