'Neath the Darkening Storm (IC)

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny, breaking his silent contemplation of their surroundings, follows Griam, saying, "I haven't been able to find a single floating thought that knows the name of our home. We may be in for a long haul."

[Mordae]

The others take their places, and the boat pushes off the shore, moved by some unseen force. The black-garbed man looks calm and unperturbed, but he occasionally casts a reflective look at the group of youngsters sharing the boat.

Above the lake, the lit windows of the massive castle gleam brightly, and the structure seems all the more wonderful and grandiose as the flotilla of tiny boats skims slowly gracefully toward the destination. It's a beautiful ride, to be sure, but the entire thing seems almost intentionally designed to delay the arrival of the "first-years" to the school. The only exception to the pace is the boat in which the strangers and the wizard travel--its pace is just enough faster that it arrives on shore first.

While the robed man clambers up onto the shore and begins calling out orders to gather up the crowd, the little boats begin washing up onto the shore beneath the castle, and one by one the black-robed children disembark. In the darkness of evening, it looks like a group of so many shadows clustered on the beachhead. A cobblestone path leads up the side of the hill, winding back and forth until it joins the main road that proceeds to the school proper.

"Now, remember, children," the wizard reminds them at the end of his litany. "You'll be called by name, in order of your last names, and when called you shall present yourself at the front of the Hall where the Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head. It shall decide to which of the four Houses you are assigned. Your house is your family while you reside here at Hogwart's--friends, mentors, guardians, and teammates. The year-long competition for the Cup begins tomorrow, and your successes and victories will earn points for your House. Mind you, failures and mistakes will cost your House points, as your elders will no doubt remind you often! Now, to the Hall, quick step!"

The buzz among the children grows as they swarm the path in rapid succession, chatting about whether Hufflepuff is superior to Gryffindor or whether Slytherin will win the Quidditch tournament again this year. It's all quite foreign and difficult to make heads or tails of without any context. Just as the flow of strange and new names is starting to die down, the group finds itself in the entry of the castle, shrouded above by massive stone arches that form a portico before the equally gargantuan oaken doors that lead inside.

The wizard reaches into his robe, withdrawing the little wand he had used earlier, and taps three times on the lion-shaped handle of the right door. To this impulse, both doors swing obediently to reveal the cathedral-like hall beyond. Four long tables, spanning nearly the full length of the chamber, extend from the doors toward a raised area at the far end where a fifth table is oriented cross-ways. Each of the long tables is flanked by wooden benches, filled with dozens of similarly black-robed children; the main difference is that these boys and girls appear older, and their robes are adorned with stoles in different colors: Red and gold, black and green, purple and silver, blue and white, each table has but one color scheme so it is quite clear the colors correspond to the Houses the wizard had mentioned earlier. At the head table, grown-up wizards sit facing the doors.

There had been quite a bit of babble from within the hall as the doors were first opened, but this dies down quickly. The wizard who had escorted the first years raises his voice just a little, and his words echo through the stone vaults and alcoves as he announces, "Headmaster, I have the honor to present the Hogwart's class of nineteen forty-six!" To this, the hall responds with restrained applause, which provides the wizard the opportunity to withdraw a scroll from somewhere in the folds of his robe. Unfurling, he begins to read names.

"Anna Applewhite!" A freckle-faced blonde girl goes traipsing down the central aisle to the front of the hall, where a wooden stool sits right in front of the head table. Hovering over the stool is a battered and beaten looking brown leather hat, pointed like a witch's cap in a fairy tale but now slumped with age. Anna sits down on the stool, and immediately the hat lowers itself onto her head. There is a moment's pause, and it seems all the wizards are holding their breath for the hall becomes nearly silent. Then, the animated garment opens its mouth--such strange magic!--and announces, "Ravenclaw!" The table furthest to the left explodes with clapping and cheers as the little girl hops off the stool, grinning from ear to ear as she joins her new friends.

"Gilbert Bentley!" the wizard calls out, and a brown moptop with a boy underneath charges boldly to the fore.

Given the number of children involved, it's clear the process will take some time. What's not as clear is the fate of those whose names are undoubtedly not on the wizard's list.

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny looks forward confidently, watching the process. His lips barely move as he speaks from the side of his mouth to his companions.

"What's the plan guys? Should I write our names on the list from here, or should we wait it out?"

[druid91]

Griam flashes a rare grin before whispering.

"Do it, I just wanna see the look on his face. Besides it might make them think we want to be involved. Adults like children who want to be involved. "

[PersonMan]

After a moment, Coric nods. I'd certainly want to see you do that. He says, regarding his friend with interest. Even if his attempt failed or was discovered, it would certainly be...interesting, to say the least.

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny nods imperceptibly, and then closes his eyes, concentrating on the idea of the paper in his mind. he pulls out a mental quill, and begins to write.

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Manifesting Prestidigitation, then adding Griam Emilian, Coris Hiroi, Alisa Hollis, Ray'ny Kasper, Christopher Nexus, and Saverana Ta'aert to the bottom of the list, or spaced out alphabetically with the other's if that's not too much of an abuse of prestidigitation.

[bladesmith]

"Ray, wait..."

However, Alisa could already tell by the look of concentration on Ray'ny's face that she was too late. Her name was probably already added to the list, and this whole mess would probably last a little longer. Clinging tightly to Bob(who had barely managed to fit in the little boat), she scratched at the itchy new clothes. Normally this would be a fun side trip for her, but things were progressing way to fast for her to try and process what was going on. The others probably hadn't really noticed, but even in their short time outside, Alisa could tell that they were far from home. It seemed like even the grass was growing wrong. And then some guy started casting strange magic using a wand, and... She wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. Still, there was a thought that was growing larger as time passed that was beginning to supersede her fear. The knowledge that this was her first adventure. If this was to be an adventure, then, bits of her mother's words became to rattle around in her brain. Reminders that, if you didn't have the time or patience for caution, then you put your head down and hoped to have enough healing for when the dust settled.

With that thought in mind, she began to stand a little straighter, one hand still entwined in Bob's fur.

"Well, however it works out, this should be interesting."

[Mordae]

The announcing of names goes on for awhile, working through the alphabet until at last "Daphne Whiteshawl" is publicly assigned "Gryffindor!" to the cheers of the red-and-gold bedecked table.

The wizard who had escorted all these students in their little boats now frowns just a bit, noting that he has exactly six "students" left and that there are six names on the list, but all out of order. He looks forward to the headmaster only to receive a withering, "get-on-with-it" look; flushing very slightly, he clears his throat and announces, "Griam Emilian!"

There's a bit of a gasp-groan from the assembled students, who were clearly anticipating the start of the big meal with the end of the name-calling. Several hundred heads turn to stare at the back of the hall, seeking out whoever this strange person is that dares to go out of turn. But the headmaster--is he smiling?

[druid91]

Griam walks forward and grins at the man before walking forward like he'd seen the others do.

He carefully places the hat on his head.

[Mordae]

The cap settles itself down on Griam's head for several moments, a process that seems to take much longer for him than for the other students that preceded.

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And then, the cap speaks to him--in his mind! The strange presence seems to seek out the corners of Griam's brain and inventories as it goes. "Loyalty, I see, and a desire to see things set right. And yet, without restraint... and a hunger for knowledge... you will face trials, yes, but you will persevere in...

"...Gryffindor!" the cap announces aloud, and the red-and-gold faction explodes again. Many give the new member curious stares, though; it's clear some realize he looks out of place.

After the hubbub dies again, the wizard in the back clear his throat and calls out, "Coris Hiroi!"

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny nudges Alisha playfully with an elbow.
"Interesting indeed. Let's see what happens to Griam at the table he's going to."
His tone becomes more serious, "Although, I'd worry about the fact that no one else seems to have pets here, and I can't do anything to hide your mutt from everyone's mind. If anyone asks, say Bob's your helper dog, like Old Man Heffer's mastiff."

[druid91]

Griam smiles and waves at the others before walking to the red-gold group.

[PersonMan]

Coris grins at the others, whispering a short Nice. to Ray, obviously impressed. Setting his sights on the chair that so many others had sat on before, Coris moves quickly, eager to find out which of these 'houses' he would be placed in-the green one seemed rather nice, although red-gold had a certain appeal, and Griam had been placed there, too.

Arriving at the chair, Coris repeats what Griam and the other students did before him.

[Mordae]

The hat flutters just a bit as it eases down over Coris's ears and has a long think.

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"Hmm, you are an interesting one. Power, innate, yet... different. Self-reliant, to be sure, but bold and daring. The desire for more could consume you, but I sense a nobler purpose--family, and friends. You will do well in...

"...Gryffindor!" The hat announces the choice with no trace of hesitation or uncertainty, and the Gryffindor students again cheer their gain.

"Alisa Hollis!" the wizard calls out over the din, eager to get on with the proceedings. The other houses are starting to look a bit petulant.

[bladesmith]

"I was hoping to pass him off as a familiar or something. Like that grumpy old man, with the blink dog? Whatever his name was..."

As her name was called, Alisa stepped forward, bringing Bob with her and giving a small wave to the others as she got out in front of the tables. Then, for the first time since they climbed into the boat, she let go of her companion's fur to reverently set the tattered hat upon her head.

[Mordae]

The hat settles in for a good spell, appearing perhaps puzzled as it ponders.

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"Freedom, curiosity, yes, all might make for a good Ravenclaw. Yet a good deal of common sense, and in touch with the natural world, so like Hufflepuff. But... ah, yes. Adventure. Friendships. Setting things right. There is only one choice for you, and that is..."

"... Gryffindor!"

By now, the chagrin is evident on the faces of the students in the other houses. Two Gryffindors in a row might have been a coincidence, but three was a trend disliked in general. The wizard performing the introductions falters a bit, sweat starting to bead on the point of his beak-like nose, but presses on. "R.. uh, Ray'ny Kasper?"

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny walks up to the hat with a stoic expression, a slight twist of a smile on one side of his face the only thing marring the placidity. He sits down on the stool, and the hat lowers over his head.

[bladesmith]

Alisa gently took the hat off her head and set it back on the chair with a quiet word of thanks. Her mother had explained that one should always be polite to intelligent items, and this one had placed her in the group with Griam and Coris, so it was a nice hat. Turning, she looked down at her robes and saw that they had changed to match the red and gold of the "Griffin door" table, then began to walk over that way, patting her side to bring Bob up next to her. The wolf rushed up beside her, almost knocking her down as she gave an encouraging wave to Ray'ny. Finding a seat with the others, she looked down the surprised looking table of people(all humans? Perhaps it was just the nation that they were in), then back at the others, and finally up at Ray'ny as he puts on the tattered hat. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Short detour into another world, and then their parents would come pick them up and make everything right. How bad could that be?

[Mordae]

The hat settles down on Ray'ny's head and has a good think.

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"Hmm... quite the thinker, here--you are not so much like the others, and yet quite alike! A passion to learn, to help, knowledge but not for your own sake. You'll do well in...

"... Gryffindor!"

This time, the applause is mixed with coughs and guffaws from the other three tables. And it only gets worse as Christopher Nexus and Saverana Ta'aert are added to the red-and-gold ranks. By the time the elf-maid takes off the hat to join her compatriots, there's a riot brewing among the mass of students.

The headmaster observes this all placidly and cuts off the chatter by the simple expedient of standing and raising his hands. Silence slowly pervades the massive hall, and as the last side conversation fades out, the old man begins to speak.

"Welcome, one and all, to another school year here at Hogwart's. I'm certain you are all quite hungry by now, and I shan't keep you waiting lest your ire be directed to me! But there are a few rules that had best be reminded before the festivities commence. Therefore, let me call them to your attention at once:

First, on account of the Muggle unpleasantness going on in the world these days, both the Towers and the Quidditch Grounds are restricted areas. Students are not to enter without a teacher as escort.

Second, there shall be no broomstick flying outside the court, nor above the highest point of the Great Hall.

Third, and most important, Potions will once again be taught by Professor Slughorn, who has recently completed an important, but fortunately temporary, assignment within the Ministry. I am sure you will all welcome him back to the classroom. Professor Dumbledore will, of course, continue to teach Transfiguration.

And now, I think I have kept you from your merriment for far too long. Let the feast begin!"

The headmaster claps his hands twice, and in a twinkling a smorgasbord of familiar and unfamiliar culinary delights appears on each of the four long tables. The students forget their earlier irritation just as quickly, digging in with vigor as they spoon a heaping of this or a helping of that onto their plate and pass the serving dishes down the table.

[druid91]

Griam smiles warmly at the nearest person who he didn't know.

He fails Miserably.

However he doesn't know that so he asks anyway. "So what is all this? This castle, 'muggle unpleasantness', and hogwarts? I'm not from around here so just about anything you could say would be helpful."

[PersonMan]

Coris starts getting himself food, going for the things he recognizes first, and keeps an ear open to listen to the reply, as he's curious about what sort of things are going on in this strange plane.

[bladesmith]

Alisa does a much better job at smiling warmly at the other... Students? Yeah, a school has students. So, she smiles at the others as she unceremoniously rolls up her sleeves, and begins to pick up small portions of everything she doesn't recognize, tasting as she goes. All the while, she listens to the conversations beginning around her and slipping a somewhat balanced diet(by her estimation) under the table for Bob. After all, he hadn't had anything to eat either. But Griam was talking, and she paid most of her attention to that.

"Also, could you tell us where we are? Preferably starting with plane of existence, and working your way from there?" She added to Griam's inquiry as she slipped a large slice of roast beef under the table.

After all, it didn't hurt to ask. They were studying to be mages, so they probably knew a thing or two, and Alisa hated being lost. It happened so little at home that she was feeling a little out of her depth. And even if she couldn't make sense of any answer, then one of the others would.