Chapter 4 - Wood.

I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder,
'Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you..'
I turned round and looked straight into the same strange hazel eyes that had been watching me this morning.
'who are you?'
'Wood, wood green.' The boy said in a rich well rounded accent.
'As in Wood, son of umm?' The name was on the tip of my tong but I couldn't quite place it.
'Yeh, but, well were not on speaking terms, at the moment.'
'sorry to hear that..'
I kept getting distracted by hoe distinct beauty, the curve of his lips was perfect and his tousled mousy hair looked as though it had been styled by a professional.
'why were you staring at me earlier?' I asked, harshly.
'I didn't mean to upset you!' he stammered.
'I never said you did, I just asked why?'
He let out a low sigh which made me feel as if my probing was annoying him.
'you remind me of someone..' he replied.
There was silence for a moment before he broke it by asking me what carriage I was in.
'32 I think' I looked round at the compartment door we were standing next to, it was number 37 and laughed.
'whats so funny?'
'Nothing, it just, well I just came to far..'
'We came to far...I'm in carriage 32 aswell'
There was an awkward silence, both of us making a point not to look at the other, pretending to be contented looking at the wooden walls.
'I'm gunna go unpack'
'Need any help' He asked kindly, if a little annoyingly. since when did I ever need help?
'don't be patronizing' I snapped and walked back down the corridor, leaving him standing there confused as to what he had done wrong. When I got into the carriage I restrained myself form slamming the door.

Brightly colored,  distinctive birds flew across the walls every few minutes and flowers of a crisp fresh nature swayed idly in the breeze. Tiny snow flakes caressed the enormous mountain, making it look as though it was dusted with icing sugar. If you got close enough you could smell the wild flowers, it was a delicious almost medicinal scent that brought back memories of days spent picnicking and flying broomsticks without a care in the world.

There was one sparse tree that looked as though it should be long dead, but was in fact still standing. Wind brought a fresh sent and cool atmosphere to the carriage and the large white sun made the room incredibly bright. A wooden floor, polished like the one outside in the corridor swept the room into a deep chestnut color and two bunk beads sprang from its depths.

The bunk beds were adorned with amazing linens and silks that soothed the skin and aided sleep. The pillows were made of petite  grouse feathers and the duvets also. I had  never been to anywhere like this. And I never wanted to leave.

Chapter 3 - Family.

The corridors were lined with doors, leading to compartments and storage cupboards alike. When I saw someone else walking down the corridor I would duck into the crevices, so as to not be seen. I was in no mood for conversation. The good byes were horrid, but at least I could just focus on Lillian, thees other kids were crying over there parents, siblings and other relations. I ran my hand along the shiny wood walls and let my mind drift.

Chapter 2 - Fair is foul and foul is fair.

I walked over to a young warlock who seemed like he knew what he was doing.
'Sir, miss umm, Miss Lydia sent us over to you, she said you had some questions for us?'
'Right you are! I'm going to ask you three veery simple questions, Ok?'
He didn't wait for me to reply, and plowed on with his pre-prepared speech.
'Fist off, where would you like to be sent to, on this quest? The arctic, a forest, the desert or a mountain?'
What kind of twisted thing was this? the desert?
'Gosh..I, I don't know.'
'Understandable, however, I'm going to have to rush you..'
'The mountain..?'
'Ok THEN! Now for another verry simple question! what familiar do you have?'
'A tabby'
'Right..noted! And, lastly, do you have any special ability's that you already know of?'
'Not that I know of, yet?' I mumbled.
'Brilliant! FABULOUS! Now, your free to go and find a seat and wait for Lydia to make another speech!'

I shuffled over to a lumpy seat,  and closed my eyes. I didn't want all of this extravagance, all of this fake joy. Everyone knew that the people they were chatting to now would probably be dead in a few days, and it showed. I opened my eyes as Lydia started to speak again.


'Hello again, budding witches and warlocks! Now, before we depart from this room to the carriages we have set out for you I would like to go through the rules! The aim of this quest, and yes, there is only one! Is to follow the map to a designated meeting point and make it there ALIVE. We will not accept witches or warlocks that need life support, have bad head injuries or, and this apply to you young witches, are pregnant. As for the rules, there is, again only one! That fair is foul and foul is fair!' Throughout the speech she seemed to be getting more and more exited, in fact she almost sang the last line.

As everyone wandered away it was as if no one would allow what they had just heard to sink in, they were blocking it from there minds, placing it into a deadlocked vault, out of harms way. It was probably for the best. I walked over to the window whilst the others were queuing to find out what carriage and bunk they had been assigned. I liked flying, however I think I preferred it on a broom, you could feel the wind whooshing through your hair and your eyes dripping with tears!

I watched as quaint villages and teal lakes were replaced by sharp rocks and waist land. I watched and waited until the windows were blacked out and I was called over to register. As I sidled over to the line I saw someone watching me, he was tall and muscular with strange hazel eyes and a very distinct jaw bone. I tried to ignore him as I pushed my way to the front of the queue, and prepared myself for another bombardment of questions from a 'Lydia type person'. Instead, however I was greeted by an old administration witch...

'Whats your name dear?'
Sunny I replied, a little shakily, I always hated being watched. I gave the boy a scowl, and turned back to the elderly witch.
'Cabin 32, top bunk, which is...number 64.'
Th, thank you, I stuttered, whilst turning round. I began to walk away but she grasped my hand.
'Don't worry dear, everyone's  a little nervous at this stage' She smiled a sympathetic, guilty smile, and I smiled back. Then I walked away, fast. I didn't want anyone to see the pricking of tears in my eyes, I'm not weak.

Chapter 1 - Wand.

I had saved this one till last. It was the lightest, slimmest present, wrapped in gilded gold paper and sealed with a sticking charm. I ripped it open with a delicious thwap. There was only one word, printed in extravagant silver writing on a tag that matched the wrapping paper. As I read it a pang of excitement ran through my stomach. It said...
'yours.'
To be honest I couldn't believe my eyes. How had this wand been chosen for me? It felt to grand, soft beach wood had been intricately carved into a spectacular wand and my familiar, a tabby cat called Tobias, was carved into the handle with polished emeralds replacing her bright eyes. The rest of the wand was speckled with very neat, very precise five tipped stars. I loved it.
However, after I had studied it for a while my stomach once again developed the cold, sickly feeling that had consumed me for the past few days. I started to pull my unruly knee-length hair into a plat, away from my sticky, sweaty face, just for something to do. This waiting. Waiting and waiting was the worst.
'SUNNY!' Aunt Isis called, making me drop my plat and causing me to be even more jumpy. 'The train leaves in ten mints, are you ready to go?'
Of course I'm not ready to go sunny thought to her self, since when had any fourteen year old been 'ready' to go on there coming of age quest?
'Yes Aunt Isis' I replied, in a monotone voice so as not to show how nervous I was.
I started down the stairs, shuffling my feat and playing with my newly acquired wand. I wanted to say bye to Lillian before I went.
God. Please God, let me make this out alive. I have to protect Lillian, I have to be here for her.
I walked over, and gave Lillian a brief hug.
'Sunny, stay safe.' She wisperd.
'I will, I will!' I laughed, lying through my teeth.
'Ok then'
She wasn't having any of this 'I'll be fine malarkey' and I knew it, but there wasn't anything I could do. When I got on that train it might be the last time we saw each other, and I knew it

When we got to the greetings carriage of the train we were all asked to sit, and listen to a young witch with long golden locks and a fake smile.
'Hello all of you budding witches and warlocks! My name is Lydia and I am your group leader this year! Now, as you all probably know, your all here to pass a biig quest! but don't fret darlings! I'm sure you'll ALL be just fine!'
At this moment she gave us a big wink, it repulsed me. To the pit of my stomach.
'Before we begin on this exiting adventure however, I need you guys to make some biig choices. If you can all go and have a friendly chat with one of the other members of staff, pardon the pun, dotted around the room they will ask you some simple questions! Good luck!'