All of us grouped up in front of the main table. The professors stood up, honoring the marking ceremony while the principals walked to stand before us. Golden trays made of shimmering glitter fly next to the Aveus principal and keep hovering in the air. Small dark red wooden boxes which laid on the trays undisturbed suddenly opened by itself. Principal Idarin waves his hand above the first box. We weren't informed of any standing order beforehand, so everyone is pushing away people to be at front. It is useless though because one of the boxes starts glowing, get's lifted from the tray by magic and flies towards Principal Haydos who doesn't waste time and calls for the first student.
I am so tired I overheard the name and just paced from one foot to another to keep me awake. Reilly's nudging elbow into my side brought me back from zoning out and I lean closer to her to whisper-ask what she wants. Reilly only points lazily to the front and when I follow her finger, my eyes meet with Principal Haydos who nods as an invitation for me to join him. Great, of course I had to be the first one! I groan in annoyance to be put on spotlight like this, but this also means I can leave early.
As I walk up to the podium, I hear Saxa curse me. I only roll my eyes because it's not like I chose to be first. I decided to ignore her, hoping she won't do anything to tarnish her reputation she meticulously created during the ball. Luckily, she seems to be only mad, not going to attack or anything. Moreover she is smirking about something but I brush it off.
When I arrive, Principal Haydos is already holding the necklace with Zeus mark. He welcomes me officially into the community as he puts the necklace around my neck and clips it. It's still glowing but when I touch it, the light gets absorbed into my fingers and travels trough my whole body. Principal announces me as Kaitlin Holland, Zeus descendant to the whole room and people clap. Obviously, there are exceptions to those who are congratulating me. I don't mind them not wishing me well like others. Some on the other hand surprise me when I see them clapping, like Cohen who looks smug and intrigued for some reason.
Principal Haydos says a few more welcoming words, only for me to hear this time and then I am asked to return to the ball. The plan is to leave the moment they open the door, but on my way from the podium, I stop by Reilly and ask her if she wants to go back to room with me or stay longer. She is immediately concerned about me and I know she will go full mother-mode if I say I am tired, so my excuse is that I don't want to be around Draco right now. Reilly understands why and doesn't ask further, instead she tells me to wait here with her and then she will decide after we return to our table.
Next to get marked after me is Saxa, so I figured that's why she didn't make a scene. Even more because of what she had planned. The full golden dress wasn't enough and she had to make a bigger statement with her mark. The principals and professors don't look very happy about it, but it is not forbidden to have different type of jewelry, if it contains the mark, same like the toga tradition, so they can't really say anything. Everyone noticed the weird atmosphere and face expressions, making the people in the room expectant of what is going on. And we all learned it pretty fast, when instead of extending her hand or moving her hair out of the way, Saxa slightly bows and Principal Haydos places something on her head. Saxa straightens up, turns around for everyone to see what she had up her sleeve. People gasp and forget to clap after Principal Haydos announces her, because we are all busy staring at the shining crown sitting on top of her head.
Heavy silence filled the room that I could hear my own heartbeat. Saxa leaves the podium with a victorious smirk on her face despite no one congratulating her. The silence is then broken by the professors whispering, same as people in the room. It is all mashed up, but I could hear some of the words, same as my own thoughts: what the hell, is that even allowed? But then I also snort because I think of how stupid it will look during school hours. We are supposed to wear the mark all the time after receiving it and she will have to walk like that to every class. Unfortunately, Saxa heard my suppressed laugh.
YOU ARE READING
Hallor Chronicles
FantasiHave you ever thought when you were little that you could have magical powers? Maybe you did but then you grew up and you forgot about it. But what if I told you that there are people with these special gifts? They could be you, or me, or your class...
