Blackthorn Academy - 1 - In progress

12 - Just like a hawk

Everyone in Emberflame followed Seraphina and Ignatius to the house tower. They trudged down what seemed like endless corridors and hallways, until they came to a stop infront of a massive, red door. It was wooden and stained with the same cherry-red as literally everything in Emberflame and silver patterns and small gold details were carved into it. A line of 8 carved ebony flames the size of a standard plate were in a vertical line to the side. A large, braided handle stood out next to the flames.

"Ok everyone, just the same as all the other years. Eighth years, please begin. Wardens, please wait with Sera and I with the First Years." Ignatius instructed, stepping away from the door.

The line of Eighth years slowly disappeared into the tower, as they each placed their hand up on the highest flame. 

"It's the way for each individual to enter the tower, and not for any other houses to enter." Sera explained, indicating the flames.

Each of the other years filed through, the lower the year, the lower down the line their entrance flame was.

Finally, it was the first year's turns. 

"So you put your hand up to the lowest flame, then pull the door open. Close it behind you, then walk up the stairs until you find the first year common room. Don't worry, it will be labeled." Ignatius hastily added the last sentence, seeing the doubt on their faces.

A Warden by the name of Samantha Morge went first, showing them, then they all followed the procedure.

The wooden flame felt cold beneath Oliver's fingertips as he placed his palm up to the door. It clicked, and he pulled the door open, the disappeared into the stone stairwell, quickly walking up the stairs until he reached the sign by the door of the First Year's main common room. Quietly, he pushed the door open, breathing in the sight of the room. 

The common room was warm from the heat during the day. The walls were painted white, and hung up on them were many photos. Underneath the photos was a fire, waiting to be used for the colder seasons. There were a few leather armchairs and 1 couch, placed with fluffy red pillows.

The floors were covered in plush, patterned rugs that added a touch of softness. A big book shelf was behind the armchairs against half of one of the walls, lined with books and golden trophies.  There were massive windows, framed with gold and crimson curtains, offering the view of the sun setting over a huge lake, the outer rimmed with athletic tracks.

The common room was decorated with house banners and symbols, showcasing the house's emblem: a stylised flame. Artwork from past achievements of the Emberflame house added a sense of pride and inspiration. 

Oliver stared around the room in awe and complete silence.

"It's stunning, isn't it?" Liam said softly beside Oliver.

He nodded and released his breath that he didn't realise he was holding.

Rory, Florence and Selene got a dorm to share. There were two spare canopy beds, which they pushed against the wall, scattering the pillows across, like a massive couch. The cherry-red fabric was tied back against the wooden posts. 

Rory sat on her new bed, the one furthest from the door and closest to the wall. Her trunk lay next to the bed, on the floor. She decorated her bedside cabinet with a picture of her parents when they were younger, possibly Eighth years, and another picture of the 3 of them when Rory was smaller, 3 years old. Charlotte Walker had been murdered a year later. James Moody went missing around the same time.

Florence was decorating the wall above her head with delicate drawings of flowers and plants, pictures of her cat Mika and pictures of watercolored animals. She placed a vase with intricate designs on the nightstand, telling herself that tomorrow she would collect some flowers for it.

Selene was stacking her magazines on the floor, and sipping from her water bottle. She was glad she was in a small dorm, and not with the other 5 girls she had seen at Platform 1. Not that they were bad or anything, well, the 3 blonde ones were. The other 2, whom she felt bad for, were now in their clutches. Just like a hawk.

There were 3 boy dorm rooms for the First years in Emberflame. All with the same layouts but a totally different atmosphere.

For one, the room with Luke, Liam, Oliver, Finley and William was the most lively and hyper from the lost. The dorm room was a whirlwind of energy and excitement. Five  soon-to-be 11-year-old boys, each brimming with enthusiasm, filled the space with their boundless energy. The room was a chaotic mix of colourful posters, scattered belongings, and a few hastily made beds. Each boy had his own way of showing his excitement—Finley and Liam were pirates again, standing on their beds, messing up the covers. Oliver was sitting on his bed with his legs crossed, leaning against the wall, William was watching the 2 boys and Luke was trying, and failing, to stack some cards on his desk. It was a lively, joyful mess, a perfect reflection of their youthful exuberance.

The other two rooms with the other boys weren't filled with as much as the other room. One of the rooms had two boys with short tempers, one boy who seemed alright but soft, and two other boys who were already nasty. The two pranced about their dorm, acting as if they owned the place. Every so often, one of the other two boys would snap, and the last boy kept suggesting to get a teacher to sort out "the problems." Like that was ever going to happen.

The last room was dull, their room facing the back of the castle. Each boy was on their own bed, their trunks unpacked. Neither was sure on what to start a conversation, all having their own passions and thoughts.