Alastor watched, heart pounding, as the hulking creature lumbered forward. Its shadowy form was too indistinct to make out details, but its sheer size sent shivers down his spine. Then, abruptly, the creature stopped. Two figures emerged from the trees, their voices raised in exasperation.
"Cypher!" a woman's voice boomed. "Don't you know how long we've searched for you? We told you to wait a moment, and then you vanished!"
Alastor's gaze darted between the woman and the cloaked figure beside her. The man, who Alastor instinctively knew was Cypher, turned his head slightly. A pale scar, like a jagged lightning bolt, bisected his eye, and his gaze held a coldness that sent a fresh wave of chills down Alastor's spine. Was it just the scar, or was there something else about Cypher that made him feel so uneasy?
Before Alastor could dwell on it any longer, Monty nudged him back to reality. "Alright, so I got you some robes," he panted, clearly out of breath. "And I'll give you your wand later. Where'd you put your Kneazle anyway?"
Alastor blinked, momentarily confused. "He's... in my amulet?"
Monty's jaw dropped. "What?! Kneazles don't get tired! Well, maybe if they're... awakening their powers or something..." Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Awakening powers? You mean like tired?"
"By a spirit animal, it's different!" Monty insisted. Alastor looked at Cypher, his curiosity piqued. He turned back to Monty. "Who is that?"
Monty's eyes widened. "Uh, it's better if you don't know right now. We got everything ready, though! I bought you some new study books."
Alastor groaned. "Study books?"
"Well, yeah, it's a school, silly! Now, get ready!" Monty took his own wand and muttered an incantation in a language Alastor didn't recognize. The air shimmered, and a swirling portal of vibrant colors opened before them.
Monty then tapped his amulet, muttering another unknown phrase. A magnificent hawk with vibrant crimson feathers emerged, its keen eyes surveying their surroundings.
"Are you ready?" Monty asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Alastor opened his mouth to protest, but before he could get a word out, Monty chuckled and spoke a final, foreign-sounding phrase. The hawk spread its wings, and with a powerful beat, lifted them both into the air. Alastor, unprepared for the sudden flight, yelped in surprise as the world shrunk beneath him. He clung to Monty for dear life, his newfound knowledge about spirit animals and magical schools swirling in his head.
The Journey Begins
The wind whipped through Alastor's hair as he soared through the sky, clinging desperately to Monty's back. The crimson hawk, its powerful wings cutting through the air, propelled them forward at an alarming speed. Below, the bustling marketplace and the towering buildings of the city dwindled into miniature versions of themselves. Alastor had never flown before, and the sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Where are we going!?" Alastor shrieked, his voice lost in the rushing wind.
Monty, his face flushed with excitement, glanced back with a wide grin but only yelled instructions: "Left! Right! Stay stunned!" The hawk responded flawlessly, following Monty's frantic directions.
High above the ground, Monty finally managed a full sentence. "We're going to Aldermere!"
Suddenly, a streak of blue flashed through the air beside them. It was Elias, his own magnificent griffin keeping pace with the crimson hawk.
"Whoa! What a cool animal!" Elias shouted over the wind, his voice barely audible.
Alastor, momentarily distracted, yelled back, "Yours is pretty cool too!"
They flew side-by-side for a moment, the wind whipping at their faces and making conversation nearly impossible. Alastor, frustrated, reached up and tried to smooth down his hair, only to have the wind mess it up even more.
"My hair is a mess!" he screamed, more to himself than to Elias.
Elias, ever the jokester, replied, "Your hair is always a mess!"
Monty, rolling his eyes, finally interjected. "Why are you guys screaming? Just because we're in the air doesn't mean we have to yell!"
Alastor, exasperated, shouted back, "We can barely hear each other!"
Monty sheepishly admitted, "Oh, right. I forgot you don't know the communication spell yet. I'll teach it to you later."
As they soared through the air, a sudden gust of wind roared past Alastor. It felt like a giant hand had shoved him, and his stomach lurched. Panic seized him as his grip on the crimson hawk's back loosened. With a choked cry, he tumbled sideways, the world tilting alarmingly beneath him.
The wind whipped past his ears, a deafening howl that stole his breath. A horrifying image of the ground rushing up to meet him flashed in his mind. But then, a blur of brown fur shot past him. A startled yelp escaped his lips, but before he could scream, a furry weight slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs.
Disoriented and dizzy, Alastor blinked, his vision adjusting to the chaos. He realized he was no longer falling. He was clinging desperately to the back of a small, brown creature with sharp eyes and a bushy tail. It was his Kneazle! The little creature, usually content to nap in Alastor's amulet, had somehow freed itself and come to his rescue. Relief washed over him, warm and sweet, chasing away the terror that had gripped him moments before.
He buried his face in the Kneazle's soft fur, letting out a shaky sigh. He clung on for dear life, his heart still hammering in his chest. A moment later, Elias swooped down beside them, his face a mix of concern and amusement.
"Whoa, Alastor! You need to get a better grip on that thing!" he shouted, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Alastor, his voice hitched with lingering fear, looked up at Elias. "Yeah, at least I didn't almost fall three times," he yelled back, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Elias chuckled. "At least you didn't actually fall!"
They continued their journey, the incident adding a layer of nervous excitement to their flight. Finally, Aldermere Academy came into view, a magnificent castle perched atop a rolling green hill. Its spires pierced the sky, and its windows glittered like scattered jewels.
A Warm Welcome
As they landed on the academy grounds, a woman with a kind, wrinkled face and warm brown eyes stood waiting for them. This was Headmistress Lyra, known for her welcoming nature and firm leadership.
The spirit animals gracefully lowered themselves, allowing Alastor and Elias to dismount. Headmistress Lyra approached them with a gentle smile.
"Well, Monty, it seems you've changed your mind, haven't you?" she said, her voice as warm as her smile.
Monty, ever the jokester, scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Not exactly, Headmistress. I didn't do this because you asked, but because Alastor shouldn't be lonely without Elias."
Headmistress Lyra chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, I appreciate you still allowing him to join. You could have said no."
"And let him stay the entire day with a grumpy face?" Monty countered, feigning horror. "I'd rather have him here, causing a little chaos."
Headmistress Lyra's smile widened. "Alright, alright, I hear you. But there's one small thing. I need to speak with all the parents for a moment. The students can wait here."
Monty nodded. "Sure thing, Headmistress." He then turned to Alastor, kneeling down to his eye level. "Alright, Alastor, you wait here with Elias, got it? Don't wander off or get into any trouble."
Alastor and Elias nodded in agreement. Alastor, curious about his new friend, asked, "Where are your parents?"
Elias shrugged. "They're here somewhere at the academy, but when I saw you guys arrive, I begged them to let me fly with you. Dad wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but Mom convinced him to let us meet up later. So, here I am!"
"Awesome!" Alastor exclaimed, relieved to have some company in this new and overwhelming environment.
They scanned the area, spotting other students around their age. Alastor noticed a girl with striking light green hair, her features alight with excitement.
Elias leaned in and whispered, "I think her powers are probably nature-based."
Alastor's eyebrows shot up. "Witches can have nature powers too? I thought that was just for like, fairies or something."
Elias chuckled. "It's common among witches, but not as common for wizards. Witches tend to use nature magic when they can't quite handle wands yet."
Alastor found that fascinating. "Cool! There's so much to learn here."
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd. A young man with a pale scar bisecting his eye entered the landing zone, a woman with a concerned expression by his side. Alastor recognized him from the marketplace earlier – it was Cypher.
But what really startled Alastor was the reaction of the crowd. Everyone stood stock still, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and respect. Alastor and Elias exchanged confused glances, completely clueless about why everyone was shaking so heavily.
Alastor's gaze darted around the bustling landing zone, searching for any sign of his parents. In the corner, shrouded in the dim glow of a nearby pillar, a lone figure hunched over, his posture stiff and tense. Alastor nudged Elias, whispering, "Look at there."
Elias followed Alastor's gaze. The figure was a man, his features hidden in the shadows of a worn cloak. He seemed to be studying the crowd with an intensity that sent shivers down Elias's spine.
"Who is he?" Elias whispered back, his voice laced with a hint of unease.
Alastor shook his head. "I don't know, but I'm going to check it out."
Before Elias could protest, Alastor was already weaving through the crowd. Elias sighed, muttering a curse under his breath. Monty had specifically warned them to stay out of trouble. But something about the man's posture, the way he seemed to vibrate with nervous energy, piqued Alastor's curiosity. Elias knew arguing wouldn't do any good, so he resigned himself to following his impulsive friend.
They closed the distance quickly, their footsteps muffled by the chatter of the crowd. Just as they were about to reach the man, he abruptly straightened and darted away, his cloak billowing behind him.
A startled gasp escaped Elias's lips. "Wait!" Alastor yelled, breaking into a sprint. Elias grimaced and followed suit, his lungs burning with exertion. The mysterious man maintained his lead, weaving through the crowd like a phantom, his form seeming to blur at the edges. They pushed themselves further, adrenaline coursing through their veins, but the man was simply too fast.
Finally, cornered by a dead end, the man spun around, his face contorted in a mixture of fear and defiance. He wore a heavy silver ring, its intricate design catching the light for a fleeting moment.
"What do you want from me!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. Alastor, slightly out of breath, raised his hands in a placating gesture.
"We… we don't want anything," he stammered. "We were just curious. Who are you?"
The man's eyes flickered with suspicion. He pointed the ring at Alastor, a faint hum emanating from the stone set within it.
"Leave me alone!" he snarled. "Everyone here just wants a piece of me. I did nothing this time, I swear!"
Elias stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "We… we weren't sent by anyone, really. Just believe us."
The man calmed down, lowering his hands and the ring's hum subsiding. He muttered the activation phrase ("By the forgotten oath") and then, in a blink, vanished into thin air. Alastor and Elias exchanged bewildered glances.
"That was…" Alastor started, but was interrupted by the sight of Monty storming towards them, arms crossed and a fierce scowl on his face. Behind him, Elias's parents stood with expressions ranging from worry to amusement.
"Monty, calm down," Elias's dad said, rolling his eyes. "They're just kids. They get curious, remember?"
Monty sputtered, "But I told them to stay put! What if they got hurt?"
"No, it was actually a good parenting tactic, honey," Elias's mom said with a sly grin. "Gives you that whole 'boss vibe' you know?"
Monty's stern expression faltered, replaced by a blush. "Oh, uh, thanks? Parenting is… hard."
Elias and Alastor watched the exchange, dumbfounded. Monty cleared his throat, regaining some composure. "Alright, alright. You two are in BIG trouble."
Alastor lowered his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Dad."
Elias echoed his sentiment. "Yeah, I'm sorry, Mom and Dad."
Monty's reprimand hung in the air, just about to land, when a booming voice filled the bustling landing zone. It belonged to none other than Headmistress Amara, a woman whose fiery red hair seemed to rival the setting sun behind her.
"Students!" she boomed, her voice echoing through the vast hall. "Welcome to Aldermere, a school for witches and wizards!" A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, a mixture of awe and excitement. Headmistress Amara grinned, a hint of mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"Patience, younglings," she chuckled. "The sorting will take place shortly, but first, let's allow you to settle into your temporary dorms. Mingle, make friends, and feel free to explore the common areas within your designated sections."
A murmur of excitement filled the air, students practically buzzing with anticipation. This was it. The moment they'd all been waiting for: the sorting ceremony that would determine their house for the rest of their magical education.
"Now," Headmistress Amara continued, her voice regaining its commanding tone, "a gentle reminder: Aldermere boasts four noble houses, each with its own strengths and values." She gestured towards a massive tapestry that spanned one entire wall. It depicted four majestic creatures, each symbolizing a house.
"This magnificent tapestry," Headmistress Amara explained, "is imbued with ancient magic. It gazes into your very soul, seeking the house that best aligns with your magical core." A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, nervous excitement crackling in the air.
"Step forward, one by one," Headmistress Amara instructed. "Meet the tapestry's gaze, and allow it to reveal your destiny."
A hush fell over the room as the first student, a girl with fiery red hair that mirrored the Headmistress's, tentatively approached the tapestry. She stood before it, a flicker of nervousness in her eyes. The tapestry seemed to shimmer, its woven threads swirling around her form. Then, with a burst of crimson light, a section depicting a ferocious dragon detached and fluttered down.
"The tapestry has spoken!" boomed a booming voice. "Ignis!" The crowd roared in approval as the girl, beaming with pride, joined a group of students wearing crimson robes adorned with a fiery dragon sigil.
One by one, students stepped forward, meeting the tapestry's gaze. Some winced as the magic swirled around them, while others held their heads high, anticipation etching lines on their faces.
As a young boy approached, the tapestry pulsed with an ethereal light. Then, a section depicting a wise raven perched on an open book detached and glowed brightly.
"The tapestry has spoken!" the booming voice echoed. "Corvus!" Cheers erupted from a section of students wearing black and grey robes adorned with a raven sigil. The boy grinned and joined his new housemates, his nerves replaced by excitement.
Elias watched, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. He glanced at Alastor, who seemed strangely calm, a knowing glint in his eyes. Finally, it was Elias's turn. He took a deep breath and walked towards the tapestry, his heart pounding in his chest.
He met the gaze of the woven creatures, their eyes seeming to pierce his very soul. The tapestry shimmered, and then, with a flash of blue light, a section depicting a majestic griffin with outstretched wings detached and landed softly in his hands.
"The tapestry has spoken!" the voice boomed. "Aegis!" A cheer erupted from the Aegis section. Elias spotted his dad, Monty, beaming with pride amidst a group of students wearing blue and silver robes. Relief and excitement flooded Elias as he joined his new house.
Alastor, his turn next, approached the tapestry with a confident stride. He met its gaze head-on, a flicker of curiosity dancing in his eyes. The tapestry pulsed with an ethereal light, and then, the section depicting a wise raven perched on an open book detached and glowed brightly.
"The tapestry has spoken!" the voice echoed. "Corvus!" Alastor grinned, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes, as he joined the Corvus students, their black and grey robes adorned with a raven sigil.
Alastor, his raven fragment clutched like a lucky charm, walked over to Elias, who was surrounded by a growing crowd of students decked out in blue and silver robes. Alastor felt a pang of nervousness. These new housemates seemed… intense.
"Hey," Alastor said, his voice a touch higher than usual. "See you later, I guess."
Elias, his griffin fragment held high with a grin, met Alastor's gaze. "Yeah, see you around. This whole house thing is kinda confusing, right? Like, what exactly is an Aegis?"
Alastor chuckled, relieved that Elias felt the same way. "Beats me. But hey, at least they don't seem to bore easily." He cast a sidelong glance at the Aegis students, who were already sparring playfully with practice wands.
Just then, a tall woman with a sharp haircut and piercing blue eyes approached Alastor. Her smile seemed a little too practiced. "Corvus, huh?" she said, her voice clipped. "That's a prestigious house. We have a long history, you know. Full of… interesting minds." She glanced at the Aegis students with a raised eyebrow. "Unlike some others who might be a bit more… boisterous."
A ripple of laughter spread through the blue and silver crowd, some sending Alastor curious looks. He felt a blush creep up his neck. This Professor Hawthorne, according to her name tag, was laying it on a bit thick.
Professor Hawthorne raised her wand and tapped a nearby door twice. "Now, listen up," she said, her voice turning serious. "The entrance to the Corvus common room is a bit… particular. You tap your wand twice on the door and say your name clearly. It's a simple security charm, you see. Some houses, well, let's just say they don't always get along."
One of the students, a boy with a bored expression, piped up, "Like Umbra, right?"
The laughter died instantly. Professor Hawthorne's smile vanished, replaced by a frown that could curdle milk. "Umbra is a topic we will not discuss," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "Understood?"
The students, sensing the sudden shift in mood, all mumbled a nervous "yes." Alastor could have sworn he saw a flicker of fear in Professor Hawthorne's eyes for a brief moment. The whole thing felt… weird.
Alastor exchanged a confused glance with Elias before both boys headed towards their respective common rooms. The weight of Professor Hawthorne's words hung heavy in the air, along with the strange name – Umbra. Alastor couldn't help but wonder what secrets this mysterious house held, and why it seemed to be such a forbidden topic.
Alastor, his raven fragment tucked safely in his pocket, approached Elias amidst a growing crowd of blue and silver-clad students. They seemed intense, their conversations buzzing with plans for training and strategy. Alastor swallowed nervously. "Hey," he mumbled, "See you later, I guess."
Elias, proudly displaying his griffin fragment, grinned at Alastor. "Yeah, see you around. This whole house thing is kinda confusing, right? What exactly is an Aegis?"
Alastor chuckled, relieved to see some confusion mirrored on Elias's face. "Beats me. But at least they seem enthusiastic." He cast a sidelong glance at the Aegis students, now practicing intricate wand movements.
Just then, a tall woman with a sharp haircut and piercing blue eyes approached Alastor. Her smile seemed a little too practiced. "Corvus, huh?" she said, her voice clipped. "A house with a rich history, you know. We attract… curious minds." She flicked her gaze towards the Aegis group, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Unlike some who might be a bit more… action-oriented."
A wave of laughter rippled through the blue and silver crowd. Alastor felt a blush creep up his neck. This Professor Hawthorne, according to her name tag, wasn't exactly subtle.
Professor Hawthorne raised her wand and tapped a nearby ornately carved wooden door twice. "Now, listen up, first years," she said, her voice turning serious. "The entrance to the Corvus Hall is a bit… particular. You tap your wand twice on the door and clearly state your name. It's just a security measure, you see. After all, not all houses see eye to eye."
One of the students, a bored-looking boy, piped up, "Like Umbra, right?"
The laughter died instantly. Professor Hawthorne's smile vanished, replaced by a frown that seemed to hold a hidden worry. "Umbra is a topic we will not discuss," she said, her voice low and firm. "Understood?"
The students, sensing the shift in mood, mumbled a nervous chorus of "yes." Alastor couldn't help but notice a flicker of unease cross Professor Hawthorne's face for a brief moment. The whole thing felt… strange.
Alastor exchanged a confused glance with Elias before they both headed towards their respective halls. The weight of Professor Hawthorne's words hung heavy in the air, along with the enigmatic name – Umbra. Alastor couldn't help but wonder what secrets this mysterious house held.
As he reached a large oak door leading to the Corvus Hall, Alastor remembered Professor Hawthorne's instructions. He tapped his wand twice and clearly stated his name. A soft click echoed, and the door creaked open.
A gasp escaped his lips as he stepped through the doorway. The hall was a magnificent space, filled with plush armchairs, towering bookshelves overflowing with ancient tomes, and a crackling fireplace casting a warm glow on everything. Students in black and grey robes milled about, some engaged in lively debates, others lost in concentration over open books.
Alastor stood mesmerized, taking in the sights and sounds. Suddenly, a spark shot across the room, a small orb of light floating towards him. He instinctively reached out, and the light dissolved, revealing a tiny, faceted crystal in his palm.
Before he could question it, Professor Hawthorne materialized beside him, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Good job, Alastor," she said. "You've just found the entrance to the Unrestricted Units. But those are for another time. Now, let me show you to your dorm and introduce you to your dorm mates. Enjoy yourselves, students. Lessons start tomorrow, and you'll receive a crystal schedule that will guide you to your classes. Don't worry, these classes are mixed with students from other houses."
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the group. Alastor, however, couldn't help but think about the curious crystal in his hand and the forbidden topic of Umbra. His curiosity, already piqued, was now burning brightly.
Professor Hawthorne's voice, sharp and commanding, echoed through the hall. "Alright, Corvus first years, listen up! The dorms are open, each named after a famous scholar or historical figure associated with knowledge and curiosity." A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes. "Finding your dorm is a bit of a… test. Consider it a taste of things to come at Corvus."
Before the students could even process her words, Professor Hawthorne tapped her wand twice on the grand oak door, and it swung open with a groan. A wave of excitement and nervous energy surged through the crowd. Before Professor Hawthorne could finish her sentence, the students were off, a blur of black and grey robes sprinting towards the ornately carved wooden doors lining the hall.