The University of Magic. Year 1

3. Enrolling

Sam watched the runes that shimmered and pulsed around their vehicle closely. Trying to decipher some sort of meaning to their shifting patterns as tube swooped down to land in the centre of the vast city of Birmingham. The teens alighted, finding themselves in New Street station. The sheer quantity of people was almost dizzying. They climbed the winding stairs at the end of the platform, grateful for the change in colour scheme that meant they were climbing grey rather than transparent steps. The station 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 walkways. He found the last door of the maze of a building, and they were out, onto busy cobbled streets.

The 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 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, welcome even.

They climbed into one of the waiting 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 chairs.
They disembarked next to the university sports pitches, and headed for the centre of campus.

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

They stared at the vast University, 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 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 onto to 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 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. 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.