= Wands High =

Chapter 41 - 22 May 1998, Friday

- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to your first weekend for this school year in the Fuchsenwald Lodge – Darius Isley said, as they followed him through the wide open wooden gates of the resort above the town. The man unhooked two keys from the chain in his hand, handing them to Orianna who was closest. It was 6.30 Friday evening and they had just arrived. – Pick two people in charge of these, you're in lodge 12.

The young Flying teacher turned around and stepped back so he could look at all nine of them with his usual smile.

- Most of you know the rules but it's my job to refresh your memory so please keep your pouty faces to yourselves and I'll be done in a minute. You've got this part of the resort to yourselves to do your collective magic, pun intended. As usual, a teacher will be checking with you twice a day but aside from that you're free to make use of your time however you find fit. Only difference this year is that there will be a teacher here during nights as well – because of the situation in the school, the Principal was unyielding about it. Luckily for you, it will be me and I'm not that old that I don't remember the point of these weekends. And if you don't leave the resort grounds after 10 pm – which I strongly advise against because both you and I will get into serious trouble – you won't be seeing me around much. Let me remind you to be careful with whatever you've brought to make the weekend more fun and that all damage costs will be billed to your parents. More importantly, we all want to have you back at school on Monday in one piece, right? – the teacher raised an eyebrow looking at Aaron, War of Elements' guitarist, and Chris.

- Come on, man, don't look at me like that – Aaron grinned. – It was a stupid challenge, I admit, but at least no one got hurt and Chris only ended up trashing his own broom, no private or school property, or any of his bones for that matter. And aside from the landing, you gotta admit it was some good flying.

- Technically, it was Griffin's old racing broom – Orianna muttered under her breath, giggling.

- Yeah, and he may still be a little pissed at me for that – Chris added, laughing as well.

- Oooh, this place comes with stories, huh? – Jessie grinned. Slade shook his head.

- I'm sure that however proud I try to be about it, this one here will tell you the whole story with all unnecessary details so why waste my breath and spoil her fun? – he said nodding towards Orianna who was still giggling quietly. – After all, like a good friend she laughed her butt off before catching enough breath to even ask if I was okay.

- Hey, that's what friends do in such cases, panic immediately and run all over the place – the blue-haired girl responded. – Best friends laugh their butts off first, and then do what they have to do to save your stupid butt. Let's not forget who helped you fix the poor broom afterwards. And after all, it's not everyday that you get to witness a six foot guy on a broom doing his best not to...

- Ahem – Isley cleared his throat drawing their attention again. – Still here, guys. And as funny as your face was when you had to get down from that tree, Christopher, let's keep the stunts for my class this time, okay? Better concentrate on your work, your respective Arts teachers will be expecting your report cards on Monday. Last but not least, as the rulebook says, all resident students of age are responsible for the groups so Mr. Robinson, Mr. Slade, Mr. Padavona – congratulations and welcome to the other side – Isley grinned in a friendly manner. – It's not that much fun here sometimes but at least you get to boss people around. Anyway, I think that's all. You know how to call for a teacher if you need to. All your big gear is already delivered in the main room of the lodge. The keeper is at his place on the other side of the resort as usual if you need assistance with something, and I'll be staying in lodge 15. That's all, any questions?