The choice

"I choose… the thunderbird house!" I announced. instantly, the thunderbird statue roared to the skies in celebration. The statue of the wampus cat actually frowned slightly but stayed silent in the end.

It was a difficult decision at heart. But something about the words the thunderbird said captivated my imagination and made me think. I really did want to travel the world and gain knowledge of how other countries use their magic.

Maybe this was something I didn't think about due to my anger and lust for revenge and power. But it seemed as if the mist that had been clouding my thoughts, obstructing me from seeing my hidden desires I didn't even know of myself, had been lifted. And a new hunger, a new thirst for the outside world began to grow inside of me. Something I would try my best to satiate.

Thunderous applause came from the thunderbird house which awoke me from my thoughts. I looked over to see Percival beaming a massive smile on his face as he clapped vigorously. I smiled slightly and descended the stone steps while making my way to the second floor under the odd looks from the first years. Everyone else was the same until a teacher stepped forward.

"Student Thomas Knight is a second-year who transferred here from Hogwarts England. Please welcome him with open arms." He stated before barking out 'next' a second after he finished the announcement.

The students began to whisper about who knows what as they looked at me. I didn't really bother to listen in and simply made my way towards Percival who had a wide grin on his face.

"Who would have known that you would choose this house? I was already stunned when the Horned serpent didn't pick you seeing how much you wanted that one. But the Wampus house also chose you. Why did you then pick the thunderbird?" he asked.

"Well, I was about to choose the Wampus house, but the thunderbird wanted to talk to me. So, I decided to listen. And what it revealed opened my eyes to a new world. Something I am looking forward to exploring." I explained.

"Wait, the statue talked to you?" asked Percival who had an odd expression. I couldn't help but frown at his words and secretly set up muffliato around the both of us.

"Yeah, the Horned Serpent and the Wampus cat did too. Isn't that normal?" I asked.

"No way man! That hasn't happened before. there has never been a record of a student talking to the statues! What did they say?" he asked curiously. I swear I saw stars in his eyes. I sighed slightly end began to tell him everything they said.

"Wow! So that's the reason you were rejected by the serpent. And the Thunderbirds words do make sense. I would love to travel as well. I just haven't been able to. But your situation is odd, I wonder why they talked to you specifically?" He questioned out loud.

I thought about it as well. There was something I didn't know here. Why did they talk to me specifically? Did they know something I didn't? after all, I have no idea about anything here apart from the school's basic history and some hidden details. But the sentient statues is something I have no info on.

I could only throw my question to the back of my mind for the moment since I didn't have the answers.

Soon, the sorting ceremony finished with all the new students being sorted into their respective houses. After that, the woman I had spotted on the big throne stood up and spread her arms.

"I am happy to see that all the students have been sorted. Now, remember, study hard, learn, experience, grow and shine. For you shall be the driving force of tomorrows society. I hope each and every one of you can fulfil the destiny placed upon you…" she paused and looked at me for a moment before glancing away, "Or reforge it into something new and amazing. Now, please head through the doors on your floors as directed by your student house captains." She said before walking away. All the other teachers did the same.

But as I followed behind Percival, I couldn't help but think about the woman's words. What did she mean by that? Again, another question without an answer. But as I pondered, a hand was placed on my shoulder.

When I looked up, I saw Randal, the transfigurations professor looking at me with a smile.

"Hello Tom, I'm sorry to disrupt your thoughts, but I must ask you to follow me. The headmistress wants to talk to you." He revealed to my surprise. Percival was surprised as well but waved me off indicating for me to go and walked off towards the door.

"Sure," I nodded.

"Perfect, then please grab onto my arm," he said, stretching out his left arm towards me. I was surprised, "I didn't know you could aparate inside the school?"

"Nobody can apart from me and the headmistress. A special seal has been given to me." He explained with a smile. I nodded in understanding and grabbed onto his arm. Instantly, I felt my body shrink and warp for an instant before reappearing outside of an office.

The doors were made of pitch-black wood with golden brackets adorning the planks. To the sides, two thunderbirds framed the doors. Golden and majestic. I couldn't help but admit it was impressive.

As Professor Randal pushed the door open a massive room came into view. The smell of tea wafted into my nose as I looked at the self-stirring pot on the headmistress's desk. A massive desk made of Gold and marble full of books and parchments.

To the sides, like Hogwarts, paintings full of unfamiliar people adorned the walls. Below them, shelves full of trinkets, trophies of all kinds, books, and even weird creatures, both desiccated and alive stacked on the shelves. It was quite the sight to behold.

Above the room, dangling from the ceiling, a massive solar system made of pure gold could be seen spinning around. What was interesting, was that they were moving in real-time. each golden planet moved at the same time as its outer space counterpart. Runes were carved into the globes that made them revolve faster or slower to maintain pace and to stop it from deviating. I knew this because willingly or not, I soaked it all up from astronomy.

As I immersed myself in it, a light voice fell on my ears, "Mr Knight, care for some tea?"

Her words snapped me out of my thoughts as my eyes focused on the teacup she was offering. I had learned my lesson from that old goat back a Hogwarts.

'Does it have anything in it?' I asked in my head.

[Nope, all clear.] responded Drak, much to my relief. It meant that she wasn't playing any tricks. Well, at least she wasn't playing as dirty as Dumbledore.

---

"ACHOOOOO!"

*Sniff*

"Who's talking behind my back?" mumbled an old man as he looked up from the parchment he was writing on a few moments ago.

"Who knows, many people hate me these days, *sigh*. Anyway!" he said with a clap and reached out to a piece of candy on the corner of his desk and immersed himself in his work with excitement. If one looked closely, the title read 'ways to get back at Thomas Knight'