Reunion at the menagerie
// THIS IS AN OLD CHAPTER. THE NEW CHAPTERS ARE IN VOLUME 2. YOU CAN READ THESE CHAPTERS IF YOU WANT SOME INSIGHT ON WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN LATER BUT SOME EVENTS CAN BE DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW CHAPTERS.
A bright light illuminates the symbol at my feet as the statues seem to come to life. The crystal on the horned serpent lights up as the creature coils around itself. The Thunderbird flaps its wings as if ready to soar to new horizons, and the last statue to come alive is the Wampus cat which utters a deafening roar, defying an imaginary foe. The only statue that hasn't animated itself is the Puckwoodgenie, I guess my experience as a dark mage is incompatible with the spirit of the healers.
"Well congratulations Sean, three out of four statues is extremely rare, it only happens once every five years." A genuine smile appears on the headmaster's face.
"Is it possible that all the statues are moving at the same times?"
"It is possible yes, but these are extremely rare events, it happens once every ten or fifteen years. I must not have seen more than three students in my entire career who have been claimed by all the houses."
"And now I guess I have to choose where I want to go."
"That's it, when several statues come alive, the student is asked to choose which house they feel they belong to the most. Do you have any idea where you would like to go?"
"Um, the horned snake seems the most obvious choice, but I like the wampus cat too. It's hard to say." The two animal statues are looking at each other as if to try to tip my choice in their favor. The snake begins to hiss, wagging its tail threateningly. The wampus cat begins to growl and prepares to leap with all claws out. "But I would say the horned snake in the end."
The principal takes a small notebook out of his waistcoat and quickly takes note of my decision.
"Well, this is something that won't need to be done if you decide to join us. Maybe there is something you want to see first?"
"Do you keep magical animals here?"
"Ha, a budding magizoologist! Considering Samuel's description of you, I thought you might have wanted to see our runomancy room."
"Well, I love animals too and I'm curious if your school can accommodate my Basilisk."
"Ah yes it's true, I was told about that too. We have never welcomed a Basilisk before. I heard that their creation was a common practice among the descendants of Salazar but the family of Isolt never wanted to create one. But I am sure that it is possible to make some arrangement to ensure the comfort of a new resident, provided that this one behaves correctly. " The director brings us out through the main door to take us along the perimeter wall, after a few minutes of walking, we reach a door in the wall. It's so big that even the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets could have passed through it.
"This is where we keep our animals, it is generally the students who are responsible for maintaining the premises. Those who choose the course of care for the magical creature is also entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of a resident, the other students can also ask to take care of one of them if they wish, but it is not mandatory. "
The director opens the door revealing a large plain bordered by a forest, I can see a herd of horses flying freely in the sky. Several wooden buildings are located right next to the door.
"We currently have a herd of Granian in the central pasture, including a mare who is about to give birth. There are Plimpy and Mackled Malaclaw in the lake area. Knarls walking along the edge of the forest, Irish Phoenix and so much more. We also have a Mooncalf, but the students are not allowed to approach it without a keeper. None of the animals that we keep here can pose a threat to a student, we pay as much attention to the well-being of our residents as we do to the safety of our students. "
"Well, that's going to be a change compared to Hogwarts. Between the giant spiders in the forest, the murderous trees and the dementors racing you around the Quidditch pitch it makes a hell of a difference" The Headmaster paled.
"Hogwarts allows its students to approach XXXXX class creatures?"
"Not on purpose, it's technically forbidden to go into the forest, but it's not as if there is a barrier preventing students from entering, we do it all the time."
"I don't see where the harm is, a little bit of danger builds character. When I was young a friend of mine went to Hogwarts. She told me they kept a Welsh green in that forest." I am going to put the wild side of Stryga on her Hungarian origin.
"Well, if Hogwarts deems its students capable of handling the danger of this kind of creature, that's Albus's problem, not mine. I'll take you to see the stable, there must be some students there to change the hay of the granians at this hour. "
We advance through the wooden buildings to finally arrive in front of the stable. I spot a big, beefy boy sweeping in front of the door. He ends up looking up and I recognize him immediately.
"Sean?"
"Hi Samael."