Chapter 4

Professor Bagden

   Haley, Tristan, and Saren left the train among a throng of students. There seemed to be many students there for a gifted school. But then she thought they might be from different countries, like Tristan. After they got off, they made their way to horse-drawn carriages, and went up to the castle but not before they let Saren loose. She flew through the dark, chilly twilight hour with the other owls. She blended into the night as if she were made out of the sky itself. They climbed into the carriage, the only passengers the whole ride. It was wide, four people could probably fit in, but they sat as far apart as possible from each other. The road was windy and long, and every time they made a turn, Haley and Tristan would slightly touch, but they would move away again. Haley noticed that he would move away astonishingly fast and also noticed that he was utterly warm.

   When they got out, they headed towards two giant doors and entered a long hall. In the middle stood a woman. A tall, middle-aged, woman with her hair pinned in a peculiar fashion. She looked like the kind of person who would throw you into the sea without even batting a lash if you pushed it.

   The older students got through the throng of first years and headed down a corridor on their left. They made their long way down to the end and went through another pair of doors, giant and wooden, and the smell of delicious food wafted its way to the new students.

            “Welcome to Garsworth. I am Professor Bagden. I am one of the many professors here at this fine school. But you, you students are here because of your smarts, knowledge in battle, quick thinking, and other abilities…” yay, don’t even mention us separately. “…You all are also here to improve your skills and to exchange knowledge, lend a hand, and possibly make new friends. Rules on behavioral conducts are posted on a bulletin board in your common rooms in your dorms. Times, schedules, and activities will be on the large table in your common rooms. You will be divided into three different dorms, to improve your skill. You will have the opportunity to attend classes together from students around the world. This is a chance to exchange friendship between different nationalities. Do please try and not be afraid to meet new people.

            “Now, there are 54 of you, your houses will contain 16 students. Older students will lead you to where you need to go. Before the feast, make sure to find someone who can lead you to your respective dorms. Gloftsen is the dorm for knowledge in battle; as in how well you combat, Mortpitch is the dorm for alchemy and Lordsman dorm is for other abilities. Such as fire breathing, telepathy, and yada, yada, yada.” Another time?

            “Now, to your left is the grand dining hall, where you will eat and ‘mingle’,” at this, Professor Bagden made quotation marks with her fingers. “As you already know, or not, this isn’t a regular school. I know it’s a gifted school, which by the way, I expect that you guys act more maturely than most children your age. But, it’s also an eight-year school. Like in, you will be attending this school for eight years unless your being transferred or been transferred. Amazingly, gifted students get expelled as well. No skin off my nose, but until then, or not, start making some new friends or forever be a loner.” At this, the students couldn’t stop giggling.

            “On behalf of the staff and Headmaster Winglum, or Professor Winglum, whatever makes your broomstick fly, have a good year. Classes start in a week, next Monday, and enjoy the feast.” She led them down the corridor and through the double doors into a candlelit-filled room. The older student’s voices and the delicious smell of food reached their ears and noses as if longing to escape the doors barring their way.

            “Also on another note, if you didn’t already know,” Professor Bagden turned around. “This castle is protected by magic so non-magic people doesn’t find it. Your devices and such have stopped working the minute you reached station. However, you should have already noticed that by now. So, from now on, you’ll be using ink pens and candles,” Professor Bagden added briskly.