As I stood outside the school, taking in the sight of the old, stone buildings and towering spires, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.
The school looked like something out of a fairy tale, with its ancient architecture and mysterious aura. It reminded me of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.
Quite large for a small community if I must say, unless they accepted intakes from other communities. As a matter of fact, I think they do. I can remember Peter saying distinctively last night that the school was one of the best in the witches society, or realm. Whichever.
The walls of the buildings were weathered and worn, covered in ivy and moss that gave them a magical, otherworldly appearance. The windows were tall and narrow, like something you might see in a castle, and the doors were carved from solid wood, with intricate designs that hinted at the school’s long history.
Despite the grandeur of the buildings, there was also a sense of familiarity to them, like I had been here before in a dream or a distant memory. It was as if the school itself was alive, pulsing with a hidden energy that called out to me.
But as I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of cars in the parking lot. Well, I had expected that. But I had also expected to see broomsticks lined up in neat rows, ready for students to fly off into the sky, but instead, there was only an empty expanse of asphalt.
However, there was one modern touch that caught my eye-the sight of students and teachers alike, all with mobile phones in their hands. It was a strange juxtaposition, this mix of ancient magic and modern technology, but it somehow seemed to work. Good, I had mine at least.
As I continued to appraise the environment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something special about this place, something that set it apart from any other school I had ever seen. It was as if the very air was charged with magic, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to seek it out.
Or was it the magic calling to me? Was I really magical?
I shifted on my feet. Time will tell.
And as I stood there, contemplating my next movement, bathed in the golden light of the morning sun, I knew that my adventure was just beginning.
With a sense of rising excitement and anticipation, I took a step forward, ready to explore this strange and wondrous place that would soon become a second place.
Chin up.
My chin went up, resonating with the mental command, as I strolled into the hallways, aware of the stares I was garnering already. It reminded me so much of my last day in the school back at the pack, the time when I had decided to take Naomi’s advice.
But I knew that this time around that the attention grabber was the mask. It was a new phenomenon here. At least Laura had warned me about this before sending me off. Peter had told me to utilize the attention strategically.
He had said it with a wink. I’m still not sure what that wink connotes, especially since Laura has shouted his name in unbelief the next second. But I guess that time will tell.
I went in the direction that Peter had given me, that would lead to the principal’s office, so that I could get my timetable and other supplies; straight ahead, then two bends, first left, then right.
The hallways were massive and simmering with magic as the building itself.
Wheew. I wondered if I would ever learn magic.
Laura had mentioned that the last time she had bothered to check, magic classes were held every Wednesday and Fridays. For newbies though.
It seemed to be different from the pros. Every day, she had pointed out.
Wednesdays and Fridays. I could do that.
Six minutes, and a couple of seconds later, I was in front of the Principal’s office. And through my walk here, I hadn’t gotten any hellos or seen any familiar faces; just the stares, the blank stares, like I had just dropped in from another planet.
I wished Diana attended here. At least she would have buttered me up before we parted ways.
She had tried though before she left for her training, but the feeling was almost over now. One thing stayed though.
“Don’t let them put you down, even for once. Don’t let them. Let there be no repeat. They shove you, shove them back. Magic or no magic. I can teach you some tricks if you want.”
She had actually managed to teach me two before Laura had called her away to be on her way to school. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to use those tricks.
I smiled, clutching the hands of my backpack before dropping a knock on the hard-oak brown door.
“Come in.”
I inhaled deeply, then stepped into the office.
Not bad. I mused, sauntering confidently to the front of the desk.
“Good morning sir,” I greeted the principal, who was hunched over some documents, nodding gratefully when he pointed to one of the chairs in the front of the desk without looking at me.
After taking a seat, it took another five minutes, before he looked away from the myriad of documents and looked at me.
“Dora Akwoods??”
I nodded, clutching my hands tight on my laps, keeping an aloof countenance as I watched the man study the entire length of me visible to him, his eyes dwelling more on the mask which felt almost absent in my face. Laura had really outdone herself. I loved it, every feel of it.
“Your uncle had explained your condition to me…”
I didn’t know of any condition. Peter hadn’t mentioned this part, but I nodded all the same.
“Peter is a very good friend of mine, and so I will take his words that you are not trouble, even though my daughter told me otherwise.”