The University of Magic. Year 1

3. Enrolling

Sam

The group stared in fascination at the huge sparkling city beneath them. The oddly shaped central station, glistening in splendour, grew larger and larger until they swooped in. Through one of its waiting, arched entrances.

Sam watched the runes that shimmered and pulsed around their vehicle closely. Trying and failing to decipher any sort of meaning to their shifting patterns. Silently, their pod drew to a stop on the platform.
The teens alighted onto the platform sidewalk. The sheer quantity of people around them now was almost dizzying.  They allowed themselves to be swept along with the crowds up the broad, militant grey staircase to exit the platform.  The strange building was so vast it felt more like an airport than a train station. Sam felt his friends' need for guidance through the unknown turbulence of this crowded station. He did his best to be the steadfast friend they needed him to be, but even he hesitated a few times as he guided them through the vast, crowded walkways.  He found the last door of the maze of a building, and they were out, onto busy cobbled streets.

This parallel world had already been a bit disorienting in their own town when it had felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Now it felt completely foreign. The people were still dressed in ball gowns and fancy suits, but there were just so many of them. Everyone seemed to pass them in an enormous hurry.  Sam lead them to the stop where they had caught the horse and carriage the last time. This time, the banner above it read 'welcome, new students.'  The whole group felt deeply reassured by the presence of that banner.  They were at the right stop. They were wanted, welcomed even.

They climbed into one of the waiting, golden carriages. The horse set off with a jolt, and galloped towards the University. The city of Birmingham sped by in a blur. They soon settled in to the rhythm of the horse's gait, relaxing comfortably into their plush, blue sofa chair.  John pulled a large bar of Cadbury's out from the front of his bag. Lucy giggled at the sight. It felt like smuggling. Did chocolate even exist in this strange world?  A warm feeling spread over the group as they shared the sweet treat.
They disembarked next to the university sports pitches. The breeze felt a little brisk after the comfort of the carriage ride. They were grateful they'd visited the University before and knew which way to go to reach the centre of the University campus.

Brightly coloured marques covered the emerald green grass around the red brick clock tower.

They stared at the vast University grounds, wide eyed with wonder.  All around them students and their families chattered excitedly. Some meandering slowly, engaged in conversation. Some busily hurrying, seeming to know exactly where they were going.

For once, Sam was clueless on which direction they ought, now, to be headed in. Jack subconsciously took the lead, his excitement carrying the whole group into the first brightly coloured marquee.
It was filled with rectangular tables, that guided throngs of people into a remarkably orderly procession.
They joined the line of people. The first table they came to was staffed by a thin man wearing tan brown scholarly robes. He beckoned them over and asked them a few questions. Then gave each of them a small partially filled in form to carry with them. He found their names and details on a spreadsheet in front of him, and marked each name with a little tick.

Behind the next table stood a similarly dressed lady. She took some more details and informed them that within this marquee they had to let the university know their choices on; accommodation, payment method, and elemental discipline. The group exchanged a few worried glances at the magnitude of some of the decisions they were about to make. They hoped more information might be forthcoming before they were 'bound' by any more agreements they didn't fully understand.

The next table was covered in papers and numbers detailing the various payment options. The man behind it patiently explained that there were three main ways of paying. Upfront in cash, via monthly instalments, or through 5 years of servitude to the university following completion of the course.
The group stepped back to let another student through as they discussed their options. Sam felt a little silly for assuming the whole thing would somehow be free. The student now in front of them paid upfront. As they watched the exchange take place, it became clear that the currency here was precious metals and gem stones.
Elvira's group did not own that sort of currency. Watching the value of the materials handed over, they became aware that even John's wealthy father could not have bought entrance for the group. Not that that would have been an option.