Veiera High

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Introduction: The Houses

Tila nanlamig ang aking katawan at ang aking mga kamay ay namamawis.

We were locked in a staring contest. I have never felt this way before from all the encounters I had. I have never been anxious that as if my courage were shaken.

I closed my fists. Her smile became a laugh. A laugh of confidence and triumph. A laugh enough for distaste to creep in my system.

She stopped from laughing and then she pulled a creepy smile. "I know you might have a lot question right now, but might as well we enter the school now. I can call off the the dogs but I can't do anything with the wild animals living in this forest plus the mosquitos." She said while smiling at me and she then turned to the driver, "Take Keith to the hospital immediately." she ordered.

"May we?" she said motioning her hand to the path.

"Let's address your concerns and queries inside with a fragrant cup of tea." I walked past by her and Silvana followed. "She's a Sierra?!" She whispered. "That's why grandfather sent us here? How come they haven't told us?" I glared at her to shut her up because right now, I also have the very same question.

We entered a small gate made of wood which was already covered with vines, grasses, mosses and plants I'm not familiar with. It is perfectly concealed as it blended with the nature. Kung hindi mo hahawiin ang mga vines ay hindi mo aakalaing may gate rito.

And there my grandfather's words rang, the school is concealed to protect the lives of the society's preeminent children. And I guess, they trully meant the word 'concealed'.

Matapos ang ilang minutong paglalakad sa dilim habang nakayuko at naghahawi ng mga damo at kung anong mga halaman sa wakas ay sumilay na rin ang liwanag.

Pagkalabas ko ay nasilaw ang aking mga mata sa sinag ng araw. When my eyes adjusted, I couldn't believe what was standing in front of me.

A huge gate in gold with thick high walls were standing tall before my eyes. The gate is carved like a trunk and branches of a tree and above it is an arc of an intertwined branches with a signage,

VEIERA HIGH

Veiera High. I repeatedly read it in my mind. Don't tell me I'm about to enter a school of magic where I am to learn about charms and spells and this woman will now tell us that we are actually from an old family of wizards and witches. I rolled my eyes at that thought. This is hilarious.

Because what's happening right now is exactly what you could read in fantasy books!

From the gate I could clearly see the tall european buildings inside. Oh. Should I welcome myself to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, Philippine branch?

With a gate and buildings this tall how come we did not noticed it? As if the woman who introduced herself as Minerva could read my mind, she answered the question lingering in my head. "We used some kind of magic for the school to be hidden as if invisible." She made a hand gesture as if trying to do magic. I scoffed.

"That's arts for you. With great engineers and architects as well as artisans and painters, we are able to conceal the school as if it's magic. You may haven't noticed it earlier when we were outside but these wall are surrounded by another walls made of artificial trees...the gate where we entered as well, those plants and vines are all fake." She winked. And as if her wink was a cue, the gigantic gate opened.

"Now, I formally welcome you to Veiera High, the school that will protect your precious life." She again smiled. Hindi ba siya nangangawit kangingiti? I now find that smile of hers irritating not to mention the way how she speaks like a fairy godmother in princesses films.