Exceptional

Chapter Three

Everything was hazy. The sun was shining, the sky was a beautiful light azure blue with soft fluffy clouds peacefully drifting across the sky. My headphones playing whatever music was on my playlist as I watched the world go by through the window on the train to a new life. I laughed. My sister was about my age when she moved to Norfolk to go work at a Horse Sanctuary somewhere near Caister.

Now she's somewhere in Gloucestershire with her partner, his family and their newborn son Remus. Yes his names Remus. Not after Remus and Romulus the founders of Rome or whatever, Remus Lupin the character from Harry Potter... yes my entire family is Harry Potter mad! I'm pretty sure they're going to raise him a Gryffindor and if he's anything like my sister he'll be Potter mad. I'm a Hufflepuff myself and extremely proud to be! I like how people underrate Hufflepuff, it makes it all the more fun as they don't see what's coming for them if they mess with me or my friends. I looked out the window again. Yep it's definitely Norfolk... everything's so flat!

I live on the outskirts of Manchester right next to the Pennines so I'm used to hills and moors and rain rain rain, but here it's sunshine, flat grassy fields and near the coast. I love the ocean and it's crisp salty air. It reminds me of family holidays to the caravan on Hailing Island and learning to swim. I reach for my bag to get my drink and I remember the box with the jewellery I got in my box. Well since I'm on my way I might as well put them on.

I open the small black velvet box to find the most beautiful pair of gold earrings that looked like beautiful flowers, each petal having tiny lace like patterns also made from gold. There was a necklace that had the same flower which was attached to a delicate gold chain. I took out my old earrings and placed the gorgeous new ones in and then put the necklace in. I went back to the box and picked up the bracelet, like the necklace it was a delicate gold chain however the flower was like a charm which left me wondering would there be other charms to put on in the future.

I adjusted to fit my wrist and was about to close the box when I spotted yet another golden flower. I lifted it to see it was a ring. Then I remembered there was no ring written on the leaflet. I got it out of my bag to look at it again. It talked about a necklace, earrings and bracelet but no ring. Despite having no idea why I'd have it I placed the ring on my second to last finger on my right hand, placed my old earring in the box and put it in my bag. "We will be arriving at Dereham Station in 3 minutes," the intercom from the train said. Well that's my stop.

I grabbed my handbag, put on my leather jacket and got my small suitcase from the storage area on top of me. When I got off the train I was on an old platform that looked like it had been there for years. I dug out the piece of paper from my denim shorts pocket with the phone number of the taxi. "Hello?" I heard a man answer. "Errmm... hi I was given this number to call when I arrived at Dereham station.." I replied cautiously. I heard the man chuckle slightly, "so you're going to St Dorothy's, go sit in the coffee shop in Morrisons outside of the station, ill be there to pick you up in half an hour and I'll call you on this number when I'm here."

I said okay and bye and he hung up. Well at least he seems nice. I left the station and as the man said there was Morrisons so in I popped and ordered a black Americano. Yes black... milk is disgusting in coffee! After around 30 minutes I got a call from the man, he stayed on the phone to me as to prove I was definitely the one I was talking to which made me laugh. I got into his black Range Rover and watched the world go by. "Lovely weather today isn't it?" He asked trying to make conversation.

"It's going to rain soon," I replied rather bluntly. He laughed, "and what makes you so sure, the forecast says it's going to be sunny all day!" I looked up to the sky. "I'm not sure, I just have a feeling," I said taking a breath to think, "I don't think it'll rain much... just a light shower maybe... but rain is still rain." Shrugging off the weird look he gave me. "I'm not sure why but I'm often right about that kind of thing for some reason," I said with a smile. Around 20 minutes passed and as I have said we had bumped into a light shower. I tried not to look smug but the man looked completely baffled. And as quick as the rain came it left, leaving a beautiful rainbow hanging in the sky.

Eventually, after 10 minutes driving down a long road surrounded by hedges and trees we arrived at a massive building with huge gates. It was like something out of a fairytale with large white walls, large pillars and freshly cut green grass. I imagined there would be loads of pupils walking around the grounds however the place was completely empty. Well kept and tidy but empty. I looked at the gate to find a intercom system. As I pushed the button I saw the camera on it. I wonder who was watching.

It made a beeping noise so I said, "h..hello? The weird machine let out another beep before letting out the reply of, "Welcome to St Dorothy's, how can I help you?" Great a receptionist at least I'm not talking to a box that doesn't even work. "Emm... hi... I'm Amelia Blackwood, I was given a letter saying I had been given a scholarship?" I stood there looking rather sheepish waiting for another reply.

"Miss Blackwood, I can see you are wearing the required jewellery we sent you and I'm very glad you have come to join us at St Dorothy's, I shall open the gate now, the headmistress is waiting for you in the entrance." She replied... wow she sounds posh.... please tell me the whole Academy isn't posh... I can't deal with posh! I mean I'm as Northern working class as you get with weird Mancunian/Yorkshire accent because I live right on the border between them.... literally all I have to do is walk over the hill and I'm in Yorkshire. The large gates gradually opened leaving me, my favourite Cath Kidston bag and my small light blue suitcase to cautiously stroll towards my new life.

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"She's on her way headmistress," Samantha said turning her face to see Miss Felicity standing tall waiting for the very intriguing young lady walking up the gravel path to come and realise her potential. This Amelia Blackwood had no idea of the deep power that courses through her veins... a power that she will have to learn to use and control with her fellow students. For this school may seem a boarding school for the well off and extremely lucky when in reality... behind its facade... this is a school of magic...