Blackthorn Academy - 1 - In progress

9 - Starting Ceremony

The train arrived to a stop inside the tunnel, the doors opening. Excitedly, the students pulled on their robes, then stepped out onto the Arrival Platform. The platform was loud with all the Academy students' voices, but then suddenly came to a hush as an announcement spoke out.

"Good afternoon everyone. For Second to Eighth years, please continue up to the Grand Hall, following your Faculty House Heads. For First Years, please wait for the other years to leave. The Student House Heads will sort First Years into their houses at the edge of Nightshade Grove. The Starting ceremony will begin soon. Thank you." A calm and deep voice spoke.

William watched people laugh with the friends and walked in groups. Jealousy crept up into his mind, for he was thinking of ways he could become close with the others. He was hoping to be friends with Liam, Rory and Finley, as they seemed the coolest. Oliver was smart and kind, but didn't seem cool enough. William wanted to be a cool kid.

"Woah, theres so many people." Liam noticed, speaking up to Oliver. Oliver was a head taller than him, but also much scrawnier. Liam had broader shoulders already, and a stockier build. Oliver was tall, skinny and scrawny.

Finley was almost a mix of them both. He was tall, not as tall as Oliver, but only half a head shorter than him. He had broad shoulders, but not too broad. He was lean.

Rory was inspecting her nails as everyone else left, leaving all the First Years together. She looked around at everyone, looking for people with the cherry-red and black ties. 

Finley elbowed Rory, leaning down to whisper

"Bloody hell, maybe they should have your last name. They seem rather Moody." He nodded over to a few students with their arms folded, glaring at anyone within a few metres. 

"For real. What house are they in?" She stared at their gold and black ties.

"Dunno, I'm gonna ask Oliver." He then left Rory, as she looked for other houses, trying to find a clue for the names.

"Alright there?" A voice Rory didn't recognise spoke from next to her. She turned to the person who had just spoke, not realising they were there.

"Oh yeah, sorry, didn't notice you were there." She turned to the boy who was slightly taller than William, but shorter than Liam. He had smooth black hair and dark brown eyes, as well as a massive smile painted across his face.

"Oh thats alright. I'm Luke, what about yourself?" He spoke in a very joyful tone, almost too happy.

"Rory." She responded, unsure on why Luke was so happy.

"Are you looking forward to starting?" He was friendly, but it still made Rory suspicious.

"Sure." Before remembering her manners to ask him back, he spoke up again.

"I'm looking forward as well. Oh, looks like we're in the same house! My twin, Selene, is also in Emberflame!" He looked so happy, and Rory realised that if his twin was going to be just as happy as him, she might have to put tape on their mouth so they would shut up.

"That's pretty cool." Rory didn't really know what to say, but didn't want to make him unhappy.

"There, that her over there." Sure enough, there was a girl roughly the same height as Luke, making her way over. Her dark-brown eyes were narrowed, and her hair was in two dutch-braids. Behind her was another girl, with shoulder length ginger curls, and super green eyes. She looked nervous and had her eyes cast down to the ground as she followed Selene.

"G'day, I'm Rory." She introduced once they approached.

"Oh, uh I'm uh Florence." The girl with green eyes stammered, pink slightly highlighting her pale skin.