The Hawk

I looked up at Justin, who's mouth was shut tight.

"Who else is here?" I asked.

"No one," Trezie was standing next to us. "I wish Classia was here, more than ever. She knew."

"What?" I asked. "Where is she?"

"She went to the Fairrae House. You switch houses every year. Well, only if you can master the first house you're in. Then you move on, but otherwise, you're stuck in that house forever," Trezie told me, as grim as Justin was.

I found Trezie's hand and gripped it. "This's scary."

Trezie squeezed it, and grabbed Justin's elbow. She steered us away from the busy Hall, and into the silent hallway.

"What do we do now, Justin? You always knew something," Trezie snapped angrily.

Justin looked taken back, and then shot a sharp glace at her. "What about yourself? You NEVER knew a way. It's your turn."

"Guys, please stop," I said. "We're all stressed. Let's just breathe, and then worry about it, k?"

They snapped me a look. I looked at them.

"Hey, let's not get too picky now," I said.

"Fine," they said in union. I stared at them, wondering how they could say 'fine' together, even after a fight.

They walked away, and I stayed where I was. I couldn't make up my mind about who I could trust: Anyone or just Trezie and Justin. Classia seemed to like them very much, but would they care for me to show me I could trust them?

I walked slowly back to the room and watched them panic. They all seemed to scared to do much. I understood why.

Walking away, I decided to go back to the dormitories. I found the girls' one, and the door let me in without asking a question. I went to our room, and without looking around, I sat. There was something wrong about this place. Something that you want to shiver, shake, bend, cry.

Or was it me?

"No one should die." I whispered. "Even I never would think... Think of doing that."

I laid down and fell asleep after a few moments.

*****************************************************************************************

I sat up, and looked around. Three girls lay in their bed around me. They were all breathing slowly, and I laid my head back down.

I looked over at Trezie, who was breathing deeply, then lightly, the barely. She let out a groan, and I wondered if I should wake her up. It seemed odd laying there, barely remembering what had happened that day.

I couldn't sleep not matter how hard I tried for the next few minutes. I decided to get up and go sit by the fire place. I tried to be quiet while getting out of the room, but ended up giving up and slamming the door shut.

In the main room, to my surprise, all the boys were sleeping soundly. Snores made it hard to hear anything else going on in the room.

I looked around, and saw Justin laying on his side, eyes staring wide at the fire across the room from me. I silently walked around the room to where he was, and sat down by him.

"Why are you guys," I puts emphises on the word 'guys', "here?"

Justin sat up and looked at me. "Kassias? What happened to you? Trezie was so worried!" He hissed.

"I went to lay down," I said. I looked at him, waiting for an answer.

"We're here because," Justin breathed in. "Something is quite wrong. It wasn't like this last year. Not a bit."

I nodded, taking it in. What a horrible first year. But then, what did the fifth years- like Justin- think of this?

"Gosh, Kassias. This is so weird. Everything seems so odd."

I nodded to that too. "I'll.... I'll be back, I have to go breathe." I got up and was at the door before he could protest.

I pushed the handle leading out of the dormitories down and then rushed out. Slamming it behind me, I bent to cry. It was weird, but also unfair. It was my first day, and I couldn't help anyone because didn't know how.

I ran for the outdoors, tears flying onto the floor as I was going too fast to let them drip down my face.

"KASSIAS!"

I stopped and turned, frightened, and ready to run if needed. My leg muscles were tightened with fear.

A hawk, pale green, with eyes as red as fire, stood before me. It's eyes were hard upon me, and it's wing were opened. It closed it's long wings a bowed.

"Your sister sends message that she is coming, and to go out into the garden. She says that you must hurry and get Trezie and Justin, and do not get anyone else. Hurry."

After it said the last few words with it's deep voice, like a windstorm's voice, it vanished. I stared at the place it left had left at.

I then remembered what I was told to do and ran to get Justin and Trezie. While racing down the hallway, I saw two figures coming towards me.

"Kassia! What on earth happened?" Trezie grabbed my shoulders and looked worriedly at me.

"Hurry! Please, we have to go!" I said, grabbing their hands and leading them to the gardens.

I led them to a fountain where you could see everything in the garden. The other two were screaming at me.

"Kassias, please," Trezie called at me. "Tell me what going on!"

"Kassias, we do not have time for games!" Justin said.

The moment I set foot on the fountain and turned to find my sister, she was right before me. Her short, red hair stood out in the moonlight.

"Kassia!" she grabbed me, and hugged me close. "Oh, goodness! You're alive!"

I pulled back, and fell into the fountain. I came to the surface, laughing.

"Classia!" I said, stepping out and looking down at myself. I was drenched, and my stockings were at my ankles.

"Oh! Kassia!" she beamed at me. "It's so good to see you! Do you know how long it's been? A full moon-cycle in Fairrae times. Oh, how little time I have to say this, but: You must get out of here. According to my teacher, there are traitors in your house--"

"We know," Trezie cut in. "The Lay killed our head already. When should we leave?"

"Now," Classia said to us. "There is no time, and you must not take anyone with you. Like I said, there are traitors, and not all of them are in likely places."

We all nodded. Classia smiled, and started to fade.

"Good! I wish all of you luck," she said, and disapeared.

"Hurry," Trezie said, and started walking toward a gate at the other end of the garden.

Justn and I stared to followed, but lagged just a little behind.

"Welcome to the group," Justin said. "Of the FSCFH."

I gave him a quized look.

"Fairrae School of Cances but Fair Hope."

I nodded an smiled. That made sense.

The Lay

"Come on, girls," Mum called from downstairs.

My sister and I walked out of our rooms, and stared at each other.

"Ready?" she asked.

"I think so. Do we need clothes?" I asked.

"They provide everything. Remember?" she said.

I nodded, and we walked downstairs. I was careful; I didn't want to show how scared I was.

My sister and I were going to a school where they helped Fairraes, banshees, wizards, witches, whishes, and elves. All had magical powers, and all needed help learning how to control their own powers.

My sister had gone a year before, and she had come home for only two months before we had to leave.

I climbed into the small car, and watched as mum and dad climbed in, and as mum hit the gas and we were off. I closed my eyes, wishing that I didn't have to leave. My sister had feared this day, and she had told me that it was a 'crack-house', where they treated you as a prisoner more than they did a special person.

I watched as we pulled up to the Union Station in Chicago, and as my mum opened my door. My steps were gentle as I stepped out, and I looked at mum and dad's car, now empty as they drove off.

"Come on, they won't care what happens to us," my sister said.

I grabbed my sister's hand and let her drag me off. We went to the trains and I looked at them. I wondered which one we were taking when Classia, my sister, dragged me to a garbage can.

"Head first," she said.

"What?" I asked.

"Head first! Hurry!" she said, and I jumped in.

I was in a house, full of young children with smiles, but most of them had scared faces on. A boy, who must have been as old as my sister, came up to us.

"Classia, they added on a house," he said.

"What?" my sister looked scared. "Justin, what house?"

"You know all the 'bad' kids? That's the house. The Torment House."

"Please be joking," my sister pleaded.

"Not. Lissiana said that everyone was doomed. Crack-House, that's what all the teachers are in," Justin said. "Best behave this year."

"Who's he?" I asked my sister.

"This is Justin, head of the news in the school. It's a childs' organazation, and we have two other groups school-wide," my sister said.

"Pleasant to meet you," Justin said with a wide smile. "You are?"

"Kassia," I said. I smiled back.

"Well, Kassia, just be aware that Sir P. and Lady M. are the only good people in the school. Be safe," he said. He walked off to greet some new comers.

"What are the other groups?" I asked.

"The Fox-Trots, and the Flower-Dancers. The only girls only, and boys only groups. And there is the D.'s Academy," my sister looked up, as if looking into her head.

"D.'s Academy?" I asked.

"Dancer's Academy. You'd like that. Irish, lyrical, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, you know.... Dance," she said.

"Ah." I whispered.

The door of the house burst open.

"Everyone out and into the car!" a rude and demanding voice said.

Everyone ran into a line and didn't talk as they went into the truck. Many people that were smiling stopped smiling, and they now realized that Justin was not joking.

"Stay near me, Kassia," my sister said.

We went into a very large truck, and I grabbed my sister's hand and did not let go. She squeezed it and smiled at me.

As soon as the door to the back of the truck closed, I stared in front of me, trying to see in the darkness when Justin's voice rang through the air:

"Please, do not try to buckle up, no screaming, talking, but please sing. Do not light matches, NO smoking, and enjoy your stay! OW! What was that about?!"

"Justin," a girl sang, "SHUT UP!"

"NO SHOUTING!" a person near me hissed.

We felt a lurch as the truck started to move. I felt a cold hand touch mine, and I tried to look for the person who had grabbed mine. I squeezed the hand and said,

"Who's hand am I squeezing?" I asked.

"Mine!" a girl next to me whispered.

"Oh," I looked at her, and it was if she was glowing, she was so pale.

"SSSHHH!" the truck seemed to hiss.

Everyone was quiet, and when we reached the stopping point, we knew because we felt a rather painful lurch, (it took everyone a few moments to get untangled) and the large door opened again.

"GET OUT!" the voice barked, and we were all quick to get to get out.

My feet touched the ground and I let go of my sister's hand. A terrible castle came into view, and we all stared.

"GET GOING! INTO THE CASTLE AND INTO THE HALL!" the ma'm that was barking these orders was rather large, and had red eyes.

Justin was suddenly nexy to my sister, holding her trembling hand. "Please, don't go back, Classia, please!"

"I-I won't!" she squeeked. "I have to stay for Kassia."

I smiled at her, and let go of her hand. No one was moving, and someone had to lead them. As soon as the m'am looked away, I shouted:

"Hurry! Everyone, grab hands and go!"

A small group grabbed my hands and pulled me up the mountain.

A girl as old as my sister yelled at me, "You'll get in trouble, kid! Don't try being a hero until they can't get you!"

I ran with them, laughing as I realized that I was stupid. It was rather funny, because I didn't belong to the school, quite yet.

We reached the doors, panting. The girls, including the pale girl, opened the door and the oldest led us into the Hall.

It was dark, gloomy, and cobwebs covered the celing.

"They change their locations every year. There are wizards out there that want to kill these people, which I wouldn't mind. But once you go through the portal, try getting out. Trezie," the oldest said.

The pale girl spoke up, quietly, "Nel, please call me that."

A red-head said next, "Avan."

A girl with short black hair said next, "Hollia."

And then I said, "Kassia."

Trezie smiled. "Maybe we'll be in the same house! I'd love that! More kids' to look out for, though...."

I smiled back. "No worries, we'll make it, right?"

She smiled back. "Maybe. Hurry, we've got to get into seats."

We chose a table in the back. I watched as the other children came pouring in.

Many of them were in groups. Some were alone, some were crying. It was scary, but we had to hold our guts together.

Had to.



Teachers came up after all the students had founds seats. They were all wearing very black cloaks and dresses or suits. The scariest was one with dark brown hair and black eyes. He seemed to be looking at students as if wondering how he would torture them.

The rest of the teachers seemed to have his expression, only they were looking ahead. They walked to the center of the room, and the woman that led them to the front addressed the room.

"Children, please, behave as another year welcomes us."

Trezie snorted, "You mean YOU."

Hollia nodded in agreement.

"Now, our staff this year is Mr. Hovenick," the man with the brown hair stepped us. "Teaching magic.

"Next is Mistress Malikank," a blond haired lady stepped up and sneered, "teaching Fallen Arts,

"Proffesor Primston," a black haired man stepped up, "will be teaching Natural Magic,

"Proffesoress--"

"Is that even a word?" Hollia snapped.

"Nokinstone will be teaching Magical Kinds,

"And Mr. Ronson will be teaching Useful Magic.

"You are dismissed."

The kids all got up, and then the Head Mistress boomed:

"WAIT!"

Everyone sat.

"New comers, come up. First, though, the houses:

"Mr. Hovenick will be the Elven House Head,

"Mistress Malikank will be the Transforming Humans Head,

"Proffesor Primston wil be head of Wizard House,

"Proffesoress Nokinstone will be head of the Torment House." An evil snare.


The new people, including myself, stood and we looked at the Mistress. She uncovered a mirror, and then a scroll was in her hands.

"Julea, Alambert," she shouted, and a puny girl stepped up. "Look into it."

She did, and as soon as she did, tear pricked into her eyes. The mirror sucked her up, and she didn't come back by the time the Mistress called the other name.

"Harey, Halibury," a pudgy boy stepped up, and got sucked in.

Nallitana, Verity, Nathan, Ronald B., and Ronald A. all went before I was called.

"Kassias, Evergrown."

I stepped up, and looked into the mirror. A light, cheery place stood before me in it. I bit my lip as it sucked me in, painlessly. I appeared in the place, and let out a sigh.

"Welcome," Mr. Hovenick stood before me. "To the Elven House."

"Whoa. But, it so pretty!" I stared at the small castle, covered in flowers, stood before me.

"It will be, as long as the head Mistress doesn't come. All the teachers are supposed to treat students like mud, but almost all of us can't have that. Proffesoress Nookinstone will not agree with us though," he said. His angry face became rather splendid. Rosy, merry, peachy, were all words to describe him, I thought.

"So.... My sibling and everyone else was joking?" I asked.

"No. Last year the teachers were different--" he looked back at the mirror. "Watch out! Another one's coming!" He caught a girl with read hair as she came in. "I'll talk more about it later. Go find Emily, she'll show you the girl's dorm."

I nodded and walked into the castle. It was splendid, happy, and it was growing with happiness around every corner. Until I reached a certain place.

Then it turned rather moody, and dangerous. It was as if something was lurking.

"Better not go down there."

I turned to see Justin smiling at me. I smiled back.

"Here, I'll show you to the girls' dorm entrance."

I followed him. It was a long walk until we finally reached the girls' dorm.

The door leading to it was rather small, and I wondered what I supposed to do. Justin left, and I stood there.

I sighed, and knocked.

"Where is your heart?"

I rolled my eyes.

"My heart lies,
In my head.
My head lies,
Around the love of my heart."

I recited a poem by my sister, I figured why she made me memorize it.

"A never ending circle of life, as it came to figure."

The pin-sized door grew into a normal height one, and I entered. A large circular room that had a fireplace as the center was covered in vines with large red roses hanging off the vines was before me.

A flowery fragrance was engulfing the room. It wasn't bad, in fact it made me smile with delight. I thought it was like a mixture of flowers and honey, two things that I loved.

I looked around, and saw that there were plush chairs around the fireplace, a that the vines covered doors. I looked at a door, and gave it a slight push.

It opened to reveal a room with four beds, all fit to move with the curved walls, and four dressers, also curved.

I walked out, and saw a person hammering on other doors. It was a woman, who was fit, but not too small. She had nails in her mouth, and a hammer in her hand. After grabbing the nails,
she said:

"You are?"

"Kassias, but everyone calls me Kassia, or Kassi."

"Well, Kassias is fine. Let's see," the woman walked around, looking at papers she had put on doors. She found a door and tapped on it. "Your in here, along with Azama Roughs, Trezis Monka, and Julieta Rose."

"Thank you, ma'am," I said.

"Your luggage is in there," she said, and got busy to work again.

I went in the room, which had a pastel blue wall colouring, and yellow carpet. I thought I could hear ocean waves from near.

The door opened, and there stood Trezie. I ran and hugged her.

"OH! WELL, um, hello, Kassia!" she said, lightly patting my back.

"Hello!" I pulled back and sat down on a bed. "I never thought I'd see you again!"

"Oh, I'm Elven, alright. Magic control this year," she muttered.

I suddenly got her mood, and didn't pester her anymore. Instead, I worried about getting myself ready for the year.

I found my bed across the door, and then found my bags, under the bed. I unpacked and started to load everything into the dresser. I found other clothes in there as well: A forest green sweater, a white collared shrit, a forest green skort, a pair of white knee-high socks, a no-sleeved sweater, and an extra set of the outfit for washing day.

"Better slip on the uniform," Trezie told me.

I nodded, and grabbed one of everything. I slipped off my jeans, and put on the skort. it was a little big, but then shrunk to fit me. I then took off my top and un-buttoned the collared shirt, finding it had no sleeves.

"Here," Trezie said. She grabbed a sweater from her drawer, and gave it to me. "Three-quater sleeves. They work much better than anything else."

I took it and slipped it over my head. I felt a little funny, but said a thanks and then followed Trezie out of our room.

Girls all in uniform were in the common room, laughing at jokes and smiling. Some girls had on long pants, and some had on long skirts. I noticed that they were older, so I thought that explained it.

Suddenly, a loud bang went through the room.

"GIRLS!" a loud voice screamed.

Everyone stopped dead still.

"I am lady Amerston, or Lay A, and I'm here to be your friends, and your lives, and your party hosts!"

Everyone smiled and like the idea of Lay A. They all agreed that she seemed nice.

"Now everyone," Lay A said, "We have to hurry to the Hall. In a straight line now...."

Something caught my eye from inside a room as I walked out. I shrugged and carried on. Though I couldn't help but think it looked like a bird....

I walked with the other girls to the Hall. It was like a Cathedral, only the roof was shorter. Some older boys were jumping and trying to touch the ceiling.

Some girls rolled their eyes at them, while others looked at them and applauded when a boy finally touched the roof.

"Hello, again, Kassia," Justin appeared by my side, and looked scathingly at the other boys.

"Hello, Justin," I said perkily. "What's wrong?"

"They never learn." He stated. "They've gotten told off, and if it happens again...."

I nodded, getting what he was after.

The boys stopped when a tall figure with a brown beard came in, frowning at us.

Everyone stopped.

He fell forward, and a girl just managed to catch him. She beckoned for help, and I saw something sticking out of his back.

"I knew it."

Justin was staring out the window, at a black-robed person walking away. My mouth dropped, and I couldn't believe what had just happened.

The Lay was running off.

Julea and Abbitha

"Hurry, girls, the trains 'bout to leave!" Mum shouted me and my sister.
We were headed off to the scary realm of Anquizitor, going to a 'Fairrae School'. I had just turned twelve, so I was old enough to go.
It was odd, the feeling of leaving and not being able to return for eight months. It felt as though I might not come back. Ever.
"Com'on, we have to be going," my sister Abbitha grabbed my hand to steer me onto the train and dragged me into a compartment with beds as seats.
"Ello," my sister sang. "May we sit here?"
There were three other girls in there. "You may not, you're too old, but she may." One of the girls sat up and held onto my wrist.
My sister looked worried. "Fine. Sis, be alright?"
"Yep." I said, for it seemed that I could not say no in front of my sister who looked so worried.
"Kassia, be good," my sister said and then left.
The girls stared after her with blank eyes, sorta scary. Then, a red-headed one started giggling. The rest of them let out screech's of laughter.
"Sorry, sorry," a blond said. "But we rather not have the Elders here. They bother us with make-up and such. I'm Trezie, sister of Trevor."
"Hello, I'm Avan," a black-haired girl said. She brushed her hair out of her eyes as she smiled at me.
A white hair girl looked at me. "I'm a banshee in training, Neliviala." She was pale, and big, blue eyes looked up at me with sorrow.
A girl who had the same auburn hair as me spoke up. "Hollia. What are you?"
"Pardon me?"
"What are you, kid? Fairrae, banshee, you know, elf.... What?" Trezie said.
"A um...." Mum had never told me what I was. I stared.
"Oh," Neliviala said, like announcing death, "they'll have a test. Don't worry."
"Okay," I said.
"Uh-oh, the trains stopped. Wonder what's up," Hollia was looking out a window.
"They forgot to move the seats. Remember that we're sitting on beds?" Trezie snapped.
"Oh, yeah...." Hollia said.
"Hey, why are they coming in the windows? Where are the teachers?" Avan stood with an important sounding voice.
Screams suddenly erupted from the trains hallways. I turned, and stopped with a frightful glace at the out doors. A masked person was trying to get through our compartment door.
A boy from oblivion jumped out and kicked the masked figure away. He then took out a stick and seamed to curse the masked figure. Then, he pocked his head in the door.
"Ladies, we're taking off. Please evacuate the train with all do care, and watch out for enchanted frogs. Kassia in here?" he turned his head until he spotted me up against the window. "You may want to come away from there, and your sister says that you should stay close to the seventh years. Oh, first years' escorts are coming." He smirked at me. "Later, Kassia."
They waited. Suddenly Trezie started barking orders.
"Hollia, Avan, try to get a blanket over the window. Kassia, Neliviala, flip the matresses, and get ready to go down the passage."
"Passage?" I asked.
"Yes, in case an attack like this. Believe me girls, this has never happened before. It's all new." Trezie belowed.
Neliviala was trying to flip her matress, and the sleeves of her white dress revealed pale bones. I felt pity, and flipped the matress for her. Then I did the other one. I pulled them off the beds and onto the floor, so we were all standing on cusions. I looked at where the bads had been, and there was a small gap.
"We have to slide down those." Trezie sang.
The door flew open and a masked figure was there. Most of the girls screamed, but since I had no clue what it was, because my mum and dad had been too afraid to tell me what being a Fairrae was all about, I just stood there.
Trezie was in front of me in a split second, and shouting:
"Hurry! Everyone, out! Get into the hole and go!"
I helped Neliviala into the hole and watched her vanish. Then Avan jumped into the other one.
"GROSS! WHAT ON EARTH IS THE JUNK?!"
"Changing sludge! Now go and find the portal, but wait until Kassia and Hollia get down there!" Trezie shouted.
"What makes you in charge?!" Avan shouted angerly.
"I AM A SEVENTH YEAR!" Trezie shouted angerly. "GO, KASSIA, HOLLIA! GO!"
The masked man was getting closer. I suddenly felt panic, and then knew that I had to stay calm.
"Hollia, go after Avan. Hurry." I said, and then jumped into the hole Neliviala went through.
I landed in sludge, which was gross and made me vomit, for the smell was something that gave me bad memories, and was vile anyhow.
"It'll be alright. I never knew how big a train was." A voice that sounded distant and bizarre patted me on the back. The hand that touched her back was freezing.
"Magic." I whispered. "How do we get out?" I asked, taking deep breathes.
"This way."
I knew she didn't mean to lead me somewhere. She put her arms around me as if to trying to hold me up, but her weak arms did not a thing, for the cold that surrounded her made me weaker.
I felt like I was being struck by lightning, and then we were out of the muck. We were in a beautiful garden, with butterflies surrounding us.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"The gardens, at FS," Neliviala said.
"Neliviala,--"
"Nel, please. Neliviana is much too formal."
"Alright, Nel, have you been here before?"
"Yes, my sister's birthday."
I let myself vomit, wishing I hadn't done it on the lilies. Nel was patting my back again when we heard footsteps.
"What are you girls doing here? I thought the train had been attacked!"
We turned to see a woman that resembled a skeleton. She was wearing light blue robes, as were a few other people behind her.
I leaned on Nel once more, and Nel held my hair out of the way of my mouth.
"An illness gift?" A plumper woman with silver hair walked up to me.
Nel spoke for me. "Yes, I believe so. She seems to not be well."
"Hm. Here, girl."
The woman gave me a mint, and I felt better the moment I put it in my mouth. I stood up straighter.
"Well, since we have you here, on time, you may go into the Futherrestor Hall and wash up. Mrs. Ebernosk will lead you," she looked at me, "Your friend will benefit from that."
I walked with a rather happy, well fit teacher. She stepped with a hop when she put her foot.
"Well, I see that the Matters have boarded the train. So weak, they don't even know a Demon's Curse. They wouldn't to save their lives', but of course," Mrs. Ebernosk sang. "Here we are!"
Nel and I walked into a beautiful room full of sinks. Art Bordered the sinks' rims.
Nel and I started, both finding brand new clothes to change into. They were short skirts, shorts to wear under them, white shorts, tights, and sweaters. All a cheery pink.
"I wonder what the boys wear," I muttered to myself.
"Dark blue," Nel said.
She sounded more far-away, so I looked at her. She was paler than normal, and her eyes were huge. She fell backward, and I narrowly caught her.
"HELP! PLEASE, SOMEONE, PLEASE!" I screached.
A man came in, dressed in black with a pink bow on his cloak. His hair was grey.
"Please, sir, she's fainted!" I screamed.
"Hold her still, now, I'll be back. I have to get Mrs.--"
"Kassia, I saw death!" Nel looked frightened.
I sighed with relief.
So did the Mr. "Well, that's over. I'm Proffesor Havengale. Some students call me Sir P., though."
"It's a pleasure. I'm Kassia, and this is Neliviala." I said, helping Nel stand.
"Good, good. Now hurry and get to the Hall before the whole school get in here."
"Yes, sir," I said.
I hurried Nel away from there with our pink outfits on. We looked rather odd, but the Hall had a few other kids in there that were wearing them, so we felt alright.
Nel and I took a seat and waited as the Hall slowly started filling with people. Everyone was wearing pink or dark blue outfits, looking as if they were rather dorky.
When the last seat was full, the same woman that adressed us came up.
"Wecome to the Fairrae School of Dawning Times. We now will tell you that calling it FSDT is NOT welcome. We'd also like to introduce the staff:
"Madam Rednook, who will be the Fairrae teacher of house, teaching Spells,
"Professor Havengale, who will be teaching wand spells, in the head of the Elven house,
"Mrs. Ebersnok, who will be head of the Wizard house, teaching Health and Enviorment,
"Professor Nokinsons, who will be the head of Transforming Humans, teaching Role Models and Potion Equals.
"Everyone, get ready to be named!"
I sat up straighter, as did Nel. All of the room did, and we waited.
"Homestead, Neliviala!"
Nel stood up and walked up to the front. Her long, white dress flowed around her as she walked.
"This way," the Head Mistress led Nel to a mirror.
Nel looked in, and then said quietly, "Flower grown?"
The Head Mistress shouted so the room could hear:
"Transforming humans!"
Some people shouted with joy, and a table at a far end suddenly was up in the air as it dumped people on the floor and then settled down with a Yellow Bird table clothe over it. Some Elders in the room watched their uniforms turn yellow as well. They ran and sat down, smiling at Nel.
I smiled as she passed, and then watched at a rather large boy passed me and was entered into the Wizard house. Their table clothe turned dark blue, and he smiled as he was greeted by his peers.
I watched as other went up and got selected. The Elven house's color was a dark green, and the Fairrae house was a dark purple. When they called for the people who had not yet been selected, I stood with a small group.
"Please come forward," the Head Mistress said.
I stood at the end of the line.Finally, when everyone else had at last passed the first part, I was called.
"Amberstone, Kassiaana?" the Head Mistress looked at me.
"M'am?"
"Come, hurry."
I stepped up to the mirror and looked in. I saw white dots form the letters:

STEP INTO YOUR HEART, UNLIKE OTHERS, AND CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH.

I looked into my heart, or what I thought it was, and thought:
Willows and woods, go for the Elven house.
"The-- the Elven path it has set for me."
No. Wrong. But it had been done.
I must see through myself and into Fate.