Winnow (On Hold)

Chapter Two

Orientation

Riley ogled at the buildings that stood tall before her. The contrast between the modernized buildings and the one that had yet to be touched by a new component was completely breathtaking. The first three buildings on the left of the wide cobblestone path were so grand, they could have only been the main school buildings. The furthest to the left and right of the three main buildings were quite wide and identical. The first four or five floors were covered in big windows and golden reflective mirrors. The next few floors were offset from the first few, which made it look like the building had been cut through with a knife. The offset floors had large windows as well, but they were fewer and further between than the first few floors. The style of the first five floors continued up from the offset floors before becoming offset once more on the top.

The biggest building was in the centre and it looked like a big castle with many grey metal spires. It was clearly made out of marble and different types of stone which fit the aesthetic of the time. Riley couldn't wait to finally get inside and explore.

"September 1st, as in the first day of the end of my life." Riley heard an Australian accent make a sarcastic comment. She snickered and looked around to see who had said it. It turned out to be a girl who had long black hair that was tied into a big messy bun. She seemed to be speaking to other people, which got rid of any confidence Riley had mustered to speak to her. She decided instead to take in more of her surroundings instead of starting risky conversations with strangers. There was a large courtyard with a marble fountain in the centre in front of the main building. The giant circular fountain was adorned with warlocks and sorcerers riding dragons who spit water in beautiful patterns. Around the fountain were marble benches, which were lined with gold. From the fountain, paths emerged on four sides, leading out to the perimeter of the courtyard which had a similar path going all the way around.

It seemed that Riley wasn't the only one sight seeing. Most of the new first years were spending their first few minutes mesmerized by the beautiful architecture. The chatter was loud and the air was thick with tension and excitement from students who were ready to get their year started. The silver bullet train sped off, giving Riley less than a second to peer at her reflection in the panels once more before it was gone.

In front of the crowd, there was a flash that left Indigo smoke in its wake. Suddenly, where there wasn't a person before, a woman now stood. She had on a pointy black hat and her nose was wartier than the average mortal.

"Hello, my pretties!" The woman greeted the crowd with a smile that looked to hide malicious intent. Riley was taken aback by how stereotypical the witch standing in front of the crowd was. Her jaw dropped slightly before looking to Preston who mimicked her face. "Just kidding," the witch at the front stated in a seemingly normal and sweet voice. Before Riley's very eyes the woman's nose shrank and the warts disappeared, until the nose looked like one of an actual human being. The witch hat disappeared off of her head and he hair thick black hair fell around the midpoint of her tanned neck. She was short and clad in a white collared sleeveless shirt which was tucked into a floral skirt. "I'm professor Yana. I teach the Magic in Music course for first years, and the Blending Into the Regular Life course for fourth years. I'm also the one who will be coordinating your orientation day," professor Yana exclaimed excitedly. Riley turned to Preston quickly, knowing she'd forget to mention it if she didn't speak now.

"You knew that she was going to do that, didn't you?"

"Of course I did. I pretended to be surprised so I could watch your first time reaction. I wasn't going to ruin your experience, what type of guy do you think I am," he whispered while resting his hand on his chest, acting as if he took offence to Riley believing that he would have ruined the illusion if it was fake.