Hogwarts and the New Headmaster

10. The Final Test

10. THE FINAL TEST

Fog spilled out past the doors and poured into the corridor, gathering and swirling around everyone's feet. The deep rumble of thunder reverberated through the doorway, and a light breeze, heavy with the scent of rain, brushed past Viridis's cheek. For a few frightening seconds, he feared the final test was to be held outside.

With a swirl of his cape, Feathergill pushed past the rest of the group and strode into the room. Ceridwen and Bythesea followed him a few seconds later. With his heart threatening to leap into his throat, Viridis edged forward until he had a clear view of the through the doors.

It was the same testing room as before, but now a large grey cloud filled the upper third of the chamber, obscuring most of the domed ceiling. It slowly rotated about its center as if stirred by an invisible hand. Tendrils of mist trailed down from the cloud, some of them long enough to reach the uppermost row of seats ringing the room. The cloud caught the light of the torches and reflected it back, bathing the room in an unsettling orange glow. Occasional flashes of light within the cloud preceded peals of thunder.

Viridis tore his eyes away from the cloud and examined the rest of the room. The stands were jammed packed with spectators, their furious whispers combining into a noise not unlike the buzzing of bees. In the center of the room stood a large square platform constructed from stone blocks. It was ten feet high and perhaps thirty feet on each side. Stairs led to the top on all four sides. Steed waited beside the platform, a wooden staff in his left hand. He raised his other hand and the room grew quiet, save for the occasional low rumble from the cloud.

"I wish to welcome the candidates to the final competition for the position of headmaster," he said, his voice solemn. "The four of you have proven yourselves to be exceptional witches and wizards, and we are honored by your participation."

The cloud emitted another series of rumbles and Steed paused until it quieted down. Viridis took the opportunity to search for familiar faces in the stands. He spotted Dawn and Cory almost immediately, thanks in large part to the neon green robe Cory had chosen to wear.

"The selection of the Hogwarts headmaster is a ritual as old as the school itself," Steed continued, sweeping his arm dramatically around the room. "In this chamber, many previous headmasters have been chosen. Tonight, we perform the ritual once more."

He bowed to the four candidates. "Would you please ascend the stairs? One to a side, please."

No one moved at first, each peering at the platform as if deciding whether one of the sides might be more advantageous than the others.

"Come, come," Steed said, his voice tinged with impatience. "All four sides are the same. Please choose one."

Viridis moved first, picking the stairs closest to Dawn. She waved and flashed him an encouraging smile as he walked by. He returned the smile, trying to appear confident, even though his legs wobbled so much he nearly toppled off the stairs.

The top of the platform was empty except for four metal braziers, one on each side. Lumps of charcoal lay within their bowls, cold and dark. A thick layer of black sand covered the entire platform, crunching beneath his feet as he stepped off the stairs.

Bythesea had chosen the stairs to Viridis's right while Ceridwen chose the one on his left. Viridis's heart hammered in his chest as Feathergill appeared on the side directly opposite him. He prayed this competition wasn't going to be some sort of four-on-four wizard's duel.

Steed rapped the staff against the stone floor three times in succession, the dull thuds startlingly loud in the silence. The cloud thundered in response.