The Barry Johnson Walter Series Book One: The Beginning

Chapter 6: Zarcurus

Chapter 6: Zarcurus

The train ride took six hours to get to Zarcurnville, the village where the train would stop and let all the students off. Waiting for students in their second year and higher were carriages waiting to take them to Zarcurus. As Barry stepped off the train he looked around hoping to see a glimpse of the castle but was unsuccessful.

“First years over here, all first years over here,” a female voice was saying loudly. Barry, Alec, and Ginny spotted a woman standing near a carriage that was larger than the rest. The three all smiled at her as they got into the carriage. The carriage had about forty-one seats in it.

It was halfway fill so Barry and his two friends were able to get seats in the middle of the carriage. Barry craned his neck and looked out one of the carriages windows but still couldn’t see Zarcurus anywhere.

As soon as the carriage was full, the lady standing outside of it got in and closed the door. The carriage then started to move and the lady began to speak. “Hi everyone, my name is Madam Stone. I am the Caretaker and Ground Keeper of Zarcurus. As many of you can tell you cannot see the castle, and that is because it is protected by numerous spells and charms to keep it protected.

“If you all were to look out the windows now, you would catch sight of the castle,” she said and everyone in the carriage looked out a window catching site of the castle.

“Zarcurus is large, seven story high building supported by magic,” she went on. “There are many towers and turrets, and deep dungeons where you will attend most of your classes. Now I have said all I need to.”

The carriage came to a stop and Madam Stone opened the carriage door and stepped out. “If you would care to step out, you may now enter the castle,” Stone said as first years started exiting the carriage.

As soon as Barry stepped out of the carriage he remembered his trunk and possessions. “I forgot my things on the train,” he said to Alec and Ginny.

“They are magically put into your dormitory after you are sorted into a house,” Ginny told him, rolling her eyes at him. Everyone started walking through the oak doors into the castle.

“Oh right,” Barry admitted embarrassed. He had forgotten that little detail, because he got caught up in the moment.

“I feel weird in my school uniform,” Alec said interrupting Barry ad Ginny's conversation.

“Maybe you just need to get used to it,” Barry said as he noticed they were almost the last ones left outside. “I think we better g in.” he said to his friends.

Just as they were about to walk into the castle one of the other students outside spoke to Barry. “So your parents are the well-known Auror's?” he asked as Barry, Alec and Ginny all turned around at the same time.

“Yes they are,” Barry said as he noticed there was three students. Barry assumed it was the one in the middle that spoke. He was slender boy with blonde hair and muddy-brown eyes. Barry didn’t pay much attention to either of the students on either of his sides.

“Your family must be very wealthy then?” he asked. “I also come from a wealthy family. My name is Midler, Eric Midler. We can become great friends and I can also introduce you to people who you should be hanging out with instead.” he said tossing a dirt look to Alec and Ginny.

Barry noticed this and opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He remembered what Romulus had just told him mere hours ago. Romulus' voice came into Barry's mind. “Barry people at Zarcurus may treat you differently because of who your parents are and what they've done, and I want you to ignore them. Some may be friendly towards you but others may not. And choose your friends wisely, okay? Oh and also some may be friendly at first but my act differently then they should.”

He didn’t want to go making enemies his first day of term and throughout his Zarcurus years. But he wasn't going to let his best friends get talked about like that either. Then out of nowhere a smile crept onto Barry's face.

Thanks, but I can choose my friends myself and believe they are the people I should be hanging around, not someone who can try to choose my friends for me,” he said. The look Midler's face was anything but jolly.

He was about to say something when a voice spoke up from behind them. “Hurry up, before you fall behind everyone else,” Madam Stone said as Barry, Alec and Ginny all turned around. Midler and his two friends walked right past Barry, Alec and Ginny.

Barry, Alec, and Ginny all looked at each other and then took their first step into Zarcurus together.