Donner and Thalia: The Anastasia Academy (Episode 5)

Chapter Three

3.

Lenny was a bit nervous, a bit excited, and then a little more nervous. It was his first class at this prestigious institution. He took solace in that it was a subject he was able to show such proficiency in that he was able to test out of beginners Alchemy and head right to the advanced class, a class for second seasons. Tough, that brought its own intimidations, what right did a first season have attending a second season's class? Every first season wizard is said to test into at least one advanced class, if he really was a Wizard worthy of the Academy that is. Gods, why did this have to be his first class? He would have liked the opportunity to cut his teeth on something simple, like Botany. He was good at botany, Vibrus always said so. Besides, you couldn't test out of the first season botany class anyway, why couldn't that be his first class?

Where should I sit? He thought. Vibrus told him where you sit in an Academy class was particularly crucial for the image you wanted to show your Professors. If he were confident, he would take a seat right in front, ready to be called on and answer questions. He was prepared to answer questions about Alchemy, questions suited to a first-season that is, but he was in a second season class. There were the middle rows, the safe bet, for students just here to study and earn their Wizarding degree and do the work necessary to find a career. Then there was the puzzle of the back row. Vibrus said that the back row had two kinds of Wizards, those that thought themselves so skilled and knowledgeable that the very idea they had to attend class was a joke, and those that actually were so skilled and knowledgeable that having to attend class was a joke. Lenny was standing by the door as the other students filed in. The middle was being taken up quite fast as Wizards took their seats, front or back, front or back, time was running out.

My potions have been used in the field. How many Wizards here can say that? Lenny thought, front row, he was going for it. Lenny rushed down the stairs of the class and grabbed a seat right in the middle of the front row. He turned to the right and introduced himself. "Wizard Leonard, first-season" he said, holding out his hand. Wizards traditionally only used their first names in greetings to each other. Family or title or station did not matter. Everyone here was a Wizard, that's all that mattered. "Wizard Enrique," the second season held out a hand for Lenny to shake, "You're going to love the professor, you're lucky to get into this class, slots fill fast," he said.

"I sent my pigeon as soon as I could, couldn't believe I actually tested into it," Lenny said.

"The Professor is famous, once cured King John himself from a case of Queen's Sores with one of her potions, they called what she did a miracle,"

"She?" Lenny was a bit taken aback, every professor he had seen walking the halls of the Academy was a man, and every student he met was a boy. Wizarding was not a profession usually held by women.

They all sat, ready to learn, prepared to study, just waiting on their professor. A moment, then another moment passed, "Where is she?" Lenny asked, leaning to Wizard Enrique.

"She's coming, just you wait," Enrique smiled.

Suddenly, a flash, a bang, a ring of fireworks around the room. The few other first seasons jumped at the grand display.

"Welcome, boys, to the miracle of Alchemy!" She called out from the front of the class, appearing out of smoke and sparks. Her long hair a unique blueish hue and hanging off her shoulder, she was wearing a pointed witch's hat atop her head. As the smoke cleared, Lenny saw what she was wearing. A red corset with black lace, knee-high boots over stockings that showed just shy of an inch of thigh before her black and red skirt. She held her arms up in a grand entrance, clad in elbow high black leather gloves.

"I sneaked in while you were all choosing your seats, can anyone tell me the spell I used?" she asked.

Most of the second seasons raised their hands, but the professor was looking for a new voice, as she always did, she looked to Lenny, a new student, his hand raised.