In the morning, River was woken up by Rose Sweet, “Good morning, my sweet,” she said with a smooch to his head. “Today is the day you go back to Ilvermorny! Get up, and get your stuff all ready, and I’ll take it downstairs.”

  River got up, pulled on his clothes and looked at the messy room. He sighed and began collecting everything he needed, stuffing it into his school trunk. Once he got his half-dozen books by the same author, a man with a smile that showed all his teeth and hair so perfect that River thought it was fake. He figured someone was a huge fan of him, cause they put six of his books on the school book list. All by a man named Gilderoy Lockhart.

  Once he stuffed his robes, shoes, books, position ingredients, and everything else he needed into his truck, he jumped onto the lid to slam it shut. Locking it from on top. Archie finally woke up and began preparing his trunk. He let Sorona fly out of the window, with the instruction to meet him at Ilvermorny. She cawed in response and flew out of the window with large, heavy flaps of her beautiful, sleek black wings.

  “Hey, you can go eat breakfast, I’m going to bottle all of this liquid luck,” he said. Grabbing a tray of small vials. River pulled his trunk out of the room, then rode it down the stairs, rocketing down the main floor with a crash landing. Brittle laughed as he picked himself up off the floor.

  “That looked awesome, I want to try!” she said, and ran up the stairs. A few moments later, she came rocketing down the stairs and ended up in a crash landing as well. They laughed until Moon called them for breakfast.

  River’s plate was filled with food, Rose always made sure to give him seconds, and even thirds. He felt like he had grown ten pounds since arriving.

  When Archie came down with his trunk, Rose gave him a plate to go. She put all ten trunks into a patchwork quilted purse. Once she saw the bewildered look on River’s face, she smiled and said, “Oh, it’s just an Undetectable Extension Charm.”

  Then it was time to go. “How do you guys get there?” River asked.

  “By Floo Powder,” Brittle said. River sighed.

  “Who first?” Rose said.

  “I’ll go first to collect them,” Taffy said. He pulled out his wand, tapped it to the fireplace, and it grew large enough to have a few inches of space to even the tallest of the Sweets. There was a clay flower pot with green, bubbly writing on it, like it was a child's arts-and-crafts project. Taffy grabbed a handful and stepped inside, facing the family. “Grand Central Station!” he said, clear and firm. Then he erupted into green emerald flames, and he was gone.

  “So just Grand Central?” River asked. “What if you accidentally appear in a fireplace in the No-Maj area?”

  “Doesn’t work like that,” Bon said. “Everyone's Floo fireplace is connected to the Floo Network, which Macusa controls. Where they keep track of every fireplace and comings and goings, I’ll go next,” Bon stepped in and grabbed a handful. He then vanished in the emerald flame.

  “River, do you want next?” Moon asked.

  “Yeah, ok…” he said, sighing at the green powder she was holding out for him. Last time he did this, it didn’t go well. His eyes were filled with ash, and his lungs coated in soot. And he smashed his elbow so hard on something that he actually broke it. His fingers sank into the silky green sand, and he stepped into the fireplace. Facing them, he said clearly, “Grand Central Station!” then threw down the powder.

  The flames erupted around River, and he fell into a tunnel of green fire and smoke. Knowing now to keep his arms tucked in and eyes closed. He waited, holding his breath as long as he could. He just barely opened his eyes, catching many fireplaces he was passing by. Then he saw the chocolate hair of Bon and Taffy watching the fireplace, and he angled his body to them. The ground suddenly hit his feet, his knees buckled, and he fell into the arms of Bon Sweet. This time, not hurt, or choking on soot and ash.

  “You ok, River?” Bon asked, as they patted soot off his clothes.

  “Yeah,” River said. Feeling happy, he actually managed to travel correctly for once, and on purpose.

  River looked around. He was standing in Grand Central Station, but it wasn’t your typical Grand Central Station. But it was the Wizarding version. Last year, River entered by running into the pillar directly between platforms 12 and 13 in GCS. He was now on Platform 12 ?, and through the crowd of kids and parents, he saw the Cranberry Red and Blue steam train, The Ilvermorny Flyer.

  The platform was filled with kids, happily greeting their friends, talking to their parents, and saying goodbye before boarding the train. He heard the crackle of flames and looked to his left. It was a row of large fireplaces, with other families showing up through Floo Powder. Moon came through after him and accidentally ran into his back.

  “Sorry,” she blushed.

  “River!” someone shouted from behind him. He turned around and saw his Quidditch Captain. Robin Hood. She was now a Sixth-Year; she was tall, with tanned Native skin and startling blue eyes. Her brown hair now tied back, she walked up with a smirk and hugged him. “Hey, dude,” she said. “You been practicing?”

  “You know it,” River said with a smile.

  “Good, I plan on winning the Quidditch Cup until my final year, so don’t let me down,” she smirked and messed up his hair.

  “You got it,” he said, chuckling.

  “See you at school,” she said, waving and walking off to see her parents. When River turned back around, the rest of the Sweet horde finished coming through.

  “Let’s move to the train, there are a few minutes left,” Rose Sweet said. They moved through the crowd, and she began flicking her wand and trunk after trunk came out and lined up in the luggage area. The Pukwudgies began loading them into the train. A variety of the House Elf. But with gray skin and coal-black eyes.

  “OK, everyone, kisses!” Rose Sweet said brightly, to River’s surprise, she planted a big wet kiss right on his forehead first. “Have fun, and stay safe, River dear.”

  “T-thank you…” River blushed. He then hurried on the train, grabbing the only open carriage room, right in the back. He sat down on the seat and watched all the families hugging, kissing, and saying tearful goodbyes to parents and kids, and to younger siblings not old enough to go yet. The familiar pang of loneliness ate at his stomach.

  River was an orphan, despite Pan adopting him last year. He never knew his mother or father; they had abandoned him at an orphanage when he was just six months old. But since Pan had taken him in, he hadn’t felt that pang of emptiness till now. She was a good mother, despite her many… many… many faults. She was also extremely busy. Being the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Ilvermorny, and an Unspeakable for Macusa. The reason he had to go to the Sweet’s in the first place was that she had another secret mission she couldn’t say. Then had to go to Ilvermorny to prepare for the year. He knew she was busy, but he still wanted to say goodbye to his mother, even if he was going to see her again in a few hours.

  His forehead pressed against the glass. He was near the end of the platform and could see the outside. It was dark and stormy, and pouring rain. His eyes began to sting when he saw her.

  Pan was standing near the side wall. She was looking at him through the window, and she lifted her hand in a still wave. She walked over and motioned for the window to go down. River quickly jumped up and lowered the window; she stood on her tiptoes.

  “Hey, bub,” she smiled.

  “Pan! I mean, Mom, you came!” River said excitedly.

  “Well, yeah…” she blushed and looked away. “I figured… You know… I’d see my… son off to school. Didn’t want him to be left out, you know.” She rubbed the back of her neck. River wrapped his arms around her neck, nearly lifting her. She laughed softly, “Ok-ok, I love you too!”

  “Thank you for coming,” he said softly.

  “Always,” she said. He heard the cabin door behind him open, followed by the sound of people filing into the room. “It’s time to go, see you at Ilvermorny, love,” she tousled his hair and pulled away. “Roll the window up, it’s storming.” River lifted the window and closed it with a click. When he looked back at Pan, she was gone.

  River sat down and noticed Archie, Moon, Teddy, Lemon, and Cherry were sitting on the benches talking. He sat down, and Moon sat right next to him. “Saw your Mom?” she asked.

  “I did,” he nodded.

  “That’s cool, even if you are going to see her in a while,” she smiled and leaned into his arm.

  The train's engine hissed and lurches. Then began to pull out of the platform, the parents and younger siblings waving goodbye. River waved to Taffy and Rose, who were still on the platform; they were waving back, Rose wiping tears from her pink cheeks.

  Then the train left the platform, and the window’s sudden change from a warm, lit room with loving family to a dark, stormy day with rain pounding on the window was startling. They all settled down into their seats, the temperature dropping steadily as the rain distorted the outside world to them.

  “What do you guys think the dress robes are for?” Archie asked.

  “Probably a ball,” Teddy said. “My Godfather said he had a winter ball when he was in the Triwizard tournament.”

  “Triwizard Tournament?” River asked. “What’s that?”

  “You’re kidding…” Teddy said. “You don’t know what the Triwizard is?” he said in a shocked voice.

  “Dude, Mudblood remember?” River said. “Literally been a wizard for a year.”

  “Oh, right,” Teddy said.

  “I don’t like that you call yourself that, River,” Moon said.

  “So, it’s my word, I can use it when I want,” River smirked. Moon shook her head with a soft smile.

  “Stupid.”

  “The Triwizard,” Teddy continued. “It was a special competition where three wizarding schools would join together and choose one champion from each school. Then they would do a few tasks, earn points, and whoever had the most points after the last task was the Triwizard Champion. It comes with money, and you’ll be forever known as the Wizard who won the Triwizard. You’d be famous as long as you lived. Uncle Harry won his when he was just a Fourth-Year. Although… one of his friends and fellow champions was murdered infront of his eyes, by a returning He Who Must Not Be Named, and finding out his teacher, whom he liked, was not the teacher at all, but a Dark Wizard who took the identity of that teacher and manipulated Harry all year to resurrect, He Who Must Not Be Named.” He spoke quickly.

  “What…” River blinked. “That was entirely too much information and not enough information at the same time. And who is He Who Must Be Named?”

  “He Who Must Not Be Named,” Teddy said more slowly. “And he was the guy responsible for the Second Wizarding War. He killed Harry’s parents, and countless others… his army is responsible for killing my parents too…” he spoke softly.

  “Oh…sorry,” River said.

  Teddy nodded, “Well… I never really knew them. I was only a baby… but still…” River nodded.

  “My real parents aren't dead, I don’t think, but I’ve never met them either,” River said.

  Teddy nodded, “That’s why I like you, River, you know what it’s like not to have parents.”

  “Tell me more about the Triwizard. When is the next?” River asked.

  “Can’t, they canceled them after the boy was killed. Well, it was mainly forgotten because of a large war, you know. No one really brought it up again. But since Hermione Potter took the Minister job, I’m sure she got it canceled.” He shrugged. “I could write Uncle Harry, but he’d probably say. “Why do you want to know? Here, eat some sweets instead.’”

  They all laughed. A few hours in, the door opened, and the Candy Lady showed up. “Anyone want some treats?” she said in a sweet voice.

  They all bought some candy. River never actually seen his signature candy in public till now. He couldn't help but buy his own candy.

  “Why’d you do that?” Moon laughed. “You just took extra steps to put your Dragots back into your bank!” she laughed harder.

  “Hey, I never seen my candy in public before. Plus, I ate all of the samples Taffy sent me in one weekend. They laughed, and River sat down with his signature candies on his lap. Four boxes of various shapes, colors and sizes.

  The first came in a mock wand box with silver swirling lettering and a picture of the wand casting a spell. River’s Chocolate Covered Taffy Wand! Cast a Sugary Spell and Eat the Wand! Comes in Cherry, Strawberry, Orange, and Sour Lemon!

  The second box was rounded, but had edges all around. Like some geometrical shape, River couldn’t even think of the name of it. On the cover were large golden words that spiraled around the box. River’s Crunchy Gooey Chocolate Snitch! Unleash the Snitch and Catch it just like the Legendary Thunderbird Seeker! Be careful, you need World Class Reactions to get this Gooey Nougat Center Snitch!

  The third box wasn’t a box. It was a small bird cage. A small black Raven sat on a perch inside the cage, its head was twitching around like it was the real Sorona watching him from her cage. On the base of the cage were the words "River’s Chocolate Raven" in black letters. “Release and watch his bird fly! Better Catch it!”

  And the last box was a cube, and black with red fiery writing on it. “River’s Firey Dragon Spew. A Black Coal that makes you spew Fire!”

  River smiled. He hadn’t been able to eat his candy since he finished the large care box Taffy sent him after the grand release. But he loved each and all of them.

  River opened his candy wand first, a 10-inch chocolate wood wand, with a cherry taffy core. He grabbed the handle of the wand and flicked it. Brightly colored mini fireworks shot out from the tip and popped in the air. River bit the wand, cracked the hard chocolate and sank his teeth into the soft taffy core. “Delicious.” He nodded.

  “Man… your candy makes me want to have Dad give me something new,” Archie said, with Moon’s agreement.

  “Do the Snitch next!” Moon said.

  River put his candy wand down and opened the Chocolate Snitch. He held it in his palm before chocolate wings sprouted out and lifted the small ball into the air. It zipped around the room quickly, dodging Archie, Moon, and Teddy’s hands easily. River’s eyes locked on, and with a quick snatch, he clutched the chocolate Snitch in his hands.

  “Show off,” Teddy smirked.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  “You know, you betting Brittle last year, she was sooo mad, it was hilarious!” Moon said. “Do it again this year.”

  He bit into the Snitch. The crunchy outside smashed between his teeth, as the creamy nougat center oozed over his tongue. “So good…” he moaned.

  “I never seen the Dragon Spew. Can I try?” Teddy asked.

  “Sure here,” River tossed the black box to Teddy.

  “Thanks, man,” Teddy opened the box, and pulled out a small coal-like black lump, the size of a breath mint. He popped it into his mouth and chewed. “Yum, pretty good,” Teddy nodded as he chewed. Eventually, his chewing slowed down, and the look of confusion on his face took over. His cheeks puffed up, and he began to glow red as if a fire sat in his mouth. Then, with a sudden burp, a stream of flames shot from his mouth, nearly singeing Moon’s eyebrows. They all burst into heavy laughter.

  River opened his last candy, a chocolate Sorona. He opened the cage's door, and the black chocolate bird flapped its wings and flew into the air. It circled the cabin for a few seconds before the door opened. A quick hand snatched the bird from the air.

  “Filthy Mudblood playing with chocolate? Don’t mind if I do,” Arther bit the head off of the chocolate Raven with a faint squeak.

  Arther was standing there, holding the dead chocolate raven in his hand, with a smug look on his face. His sandy hair was neatly smoothed backwards, and his diamond eyes smugly glaring at River. Over his shoulders were his personal Pure-Blood Goons. Two overly large identical twin trolls. Or if you looked at a troll and one of the Cleggs, you’d have trouble finding which is which. Tall, burly, ugly, and brown short hair, kinda like a grill brush. And looking extra tiny and sad standing behind Arther like a sad shadow was Murphy.

  Her eyes were flicking from the floor to River, to Archie and back to the floor. Her hands fiddling with her nails, a pale blue dress on her, her knees unscraped and clean. A black-and-silver hairband held her hair back and was uncharacteristically neat. A silver ring on her finger with a design that River couldn’t see fully. She caught him looking and quickly hid the ring by balling her fist into her palm.

  “What do you want, Arther?” Moon said.

  “Of course, the blood traitors are hanging with this filth,” Arther clicked his tongue.

  “If being friends with River makes us blood traitors, then so be it,” Teddy said, Archie and Moon nodding.

  “And to think you freak came from such a noble family, Teddy,” he said, Teddy’s name like a curse. “The great Black family, too bad they died off with filth like you.”

  River stood up, just as Nick Hollows, a tall, thin, brown-haired boy, and Thunderbirds Prefect. “What’s going on here?”

  “Nothing,” Arther said coldly.

  “River, what’s going on?” Nick asked.

  “Arther and his goons were just leaving,” River said through clenched teeth.

  “Go back to your cabin,” Nick said. “We are arriving soon, everyone get your robes on before I have to take points before school even starts!”

  “Come on!” Arther hissed and bumped shoulders with Nick as his goons followed. Murphy hesitated, her scared eyes looking up at River. Moon’s hand reached up and grabbed onto River’s hand.

  Murphy’s lip quivered, and she whispered something so soft River couldn’t hear it in full, “…Riv….” Then she turned and ran off after her brother.

  River fell back into his seat, suddenly feeling hollow.

  “What the hell was that!” Archie said. “I knew she was missing in action, but I didn’t think she became Arther’s shadow!” he said in a rage.

  “There was something wrong,” River said. “Murph would never have willingly ignored us, or even put on a dress. Did you see that ring? She didn’t have that last year.”

  “No, I didn’t,” Archie said. “What did it look like? Do you think her family forced a cursed ring on her to act more… Pure-Blood?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him,” River’s hand clenched Moon’s. “I’d love to get my hands on that Cyrus Graves.”

  After they calmed down a bit, they each took turns putting on their school robes. River’s and Archie’s Thunderbird robes were black with a shiny amethyst purple lining around the edges, with a purple sewn-in badge of a Thunderbird above his left breast.

  Teddy and Moon came in, their Horned Serpent robes were black with a shiny turquoise lining and a turquoise Horned Serpent above their left breast.

  “Hey, when did you put that on?” Archie said, pointing to River’s sleeve.

  River looked down, and his eyes went wide. “I didn’t,” he said. On his right sleeve was a second hash mark, marking his Second-Year at Ilvermorny.

  “Do you morons ever listen?” Moon said with a smug chuckle. “If you did, you would have heard Soot say that another slash immediately gets added to your robes on the first of August, start of term. Today. See,” she held up her sleeve. Four hash marks in turquoise on her robe. Teddy with three.

  “Watch this,” Teddy said. Then his pink hair melted into turquoise, matching his House colors. “Now all the girls won't say how cute you look with your eyes matching your purple robes. Now they’ll be all over me too,” he smirked smugly.

  Suddenly, the train's brakes started to scream, and everyone in the cabin fell into a crumpled heap on top of each other. The power turned off, leaving the train in complete darkness. River’s head is pressed into the carpet.

  “Ow…” River moaned.

  “Are we dead? Am I dead?” Archie said in a panic.

  “Yes,” Teddy said. “I wish I were dead, cause something is crushing my—”

  Suddenly, the temperate in the cabin dropped. Not like a steady drop, like a hot summer day melting into a warm summer night. But more like a warm summer day that dropped into an arctic night.

  River’s skin turned red as an icy gust kissed it. They managed to get off each other and find their seats. The window was the only light; flashes from lightning in the dark, thick clouds in the stormy sky were the only light. Then the window began to frost over.

  “What is happening?” River asked.

  “River, I’m scared,” Moon said, wrapping River’s arm around her, hiding her face into his side.

  “Lumos,” Archie said, the cabin illuminated from the pale white light appearing from the tip of Archie’s wand. Then the door slowly started to open. Archie aimed his light. River looked at the door but couldn’t see the figure fully. So he dropped his eyes to see the legs of whoever was there. But there was none. Suddenly a icy cold feeling washed over River. He stood up.

  Coming face to face with a black-cloaked figure, suddenly, he became numb. He heard a woman's voice yell, “Fire! Grab the baby!” his vision started to tunnel. Then another Woman’s voice spoke. “River Run!” It was Rook… the last words Rook ever spoke. As everything was turning black, a bright silver light flashed in his eyes, and River fainted.

  When he woke up, Moon was looking down at him, her face pale and worried. Her fingers were running through his black hair. A man standing at the door of the cabin, dressed in complete purple. Perfectly styled blonde hair with flakes of silver. And a smile that somehow showed all of the man's teeth. River sat up. His head was pounding, his skin was clammy, and an emptiness in his stomach.

  He held his head. “River, are you ok?” said Moon, in a panicked tone.

  “Man, what the heck was that?” River rubbed his nose bridge. “And who’s the pompous guy?”

  The man’s painted-on smile faltered a bit before he started to speak. “Well,” he said pompously. “It’s a rarity that people do not know who I am,” he chuckled through his teeth. “But,” with a low grandiose bow. “The renowned Gilderoy Lockhart, at your service.” He straightened up. With a flourish, his wand, which was still in his hand, slipped into his violent punch to the eyes of his opponent. “And you are the Famous River Grimes. I heard much about you,” his smile became strained. And through gritted teeth, he continued. “Even stealing my front page spot with your Award of Bravery last year, over my new book release, I, Gilderoy Lockhart, relearn that I’m Gilderoy Lockhart, by Gilderoy Lockhart.”

  “Well…sorry, Gildercoy,” River said, already hating the man. Gilderoy’s eyes twitched. “Wait a minute…” River rubbed the pounding in his head again. “My Mom was complaining about you, she said. “I’m forced to work next to that pompous buffoon,” River said in his best Pan impression. Teddy and Archie stifled their laughs. “What are you even doing here?”

  “Well…” Gilderoy chuckled. “I am your new Potions Professor at Ilvermorny.”

  River’s hand froze on his temple. “What?”

  “That’s right!” he said loudly, making River’s head pound. “I did try for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, but the Professor there was well… very scary.”

  “That’s my Mom,” River said.

  “Ah…” Gilderoy said. “Well, although it’s not my specialty. I am now the new Potions Professor. The old one went and died, which I never would have—”

  In a blink, River jumped to his feet and put his wand to Gilderoy’s throat. “Belladona Rook was 100 times the Wizard you are,” River said through gritted teeth. “She was like a big sister to me, and she died protecting me. So if you ever badmouth her again. I’ll send you to meet the man who killed her.” River pressed the tip of his wand deeper into Gilderoy’s throat, his Adam's apple gulping nervously.

  “Where is he?” Gilderoy said.

  “I killed him,” River growled.

  “Ah…” Gilderoy said, turning pale.

  The train hissed as it slowed to a stop. “River, we arrived at Greylock. Either kill this bastard or let him go,” Archie said, who was also pointing his wand at Gilderoy. “If a Prefect comes, they’d tell Soot.” River flicked his wrist, his wand sucked up from his hand, up his sleeve and into his holster attached to his forearm. Gilderoy quickly ran out.

  “River, you are… crazy,” Teddy laughed. “I love you.”

  They entered the train’s hall, now packed with eager students and nervous first years. When they got off the train and onto the Greylock Village platform, it was still cold and wet. And since Greylock was halfway up a mountain, it was freezing as well.

  “What was that black thing?” River said.

  “A Dementor, a horrible thing,” Teddy said. “They suck the happiness out of people. And if they give you the Dementor’s kiss, they literally suck the soul out of you. I saw it firsthand when they did it to the dark wizards who killed my parents. I still have nightmares.” He shuddered.

  “So what? They just die?” Asked River.

  “No,” Teddy said. “Worse. When you lose your soul, it’s like the real you that’s inside. Is dead. But your body is alive, just an empty husk, no thoughts, feelings, or wants. You’re just…there.”

  “Jeez…” River said. “Was that what the Dementor was trying to do to me?”

  “No,” Teddy said. “At least I hope not. Dementor’s feed off of happiness. When that one came in, it felt like I’d never be happy again. Then you fainted.”

  “Yeah…” River said, now feeling self-conscious. “Did anyone else faint?”

  “No,” Archie said. “Just you.”

  “Great…” River said.

  They left the platform for a row of carriages. They climbed into a carriage, pulled by two Thestrals. Soon, they left the village and began the trek up the dark mountain. River occasionally looks out of the window to see Ilvermorny. But the magical mist that sat at the top of the mountain cast a large camouflage blanket over the school, blocking the sight of the school to No-Majs.

  About halfway up, they could see the First-Year’s taking the boats across the Black Lake to the school.

  “River, you look pale,” Moon said. “How do you feel?”

  “Like crap,” River said truthfully.

  “What were those freaky things doing anyway!” Teddy said angrily. “They shouldn't have been anywhere near the school or train. They guard the Nightstone Prison, but that’s nowhere close to here.”

  After some time, they hit the magical mist, and as soon as the carriage entered, it seemed to vanish. In front of them, Ilvermorny came into view. A large castle, made mostly from white marble. A few wooden buildings sat around it, thousands of windows glowing orange in the rainy night sky.

  “Home sweet home,” River said. “I can’t wait to play Quidditch again.”

  Their carriage passed the large mirrored topiary sculptures. Two dragons to start with, they sat there blowing streams of leaves at the carriages like fire. Then two trolls, who swung large, green, bushy clubs, were unable to reach. Next were four house creatures. Starting with the Pukwudgies, who shot arrows arched over the white gravel driveway. Then it was the large snakes of the Horned Serpent House, who flicked green leafed tongues. Then it was the two Wampus cats, large cats with six legs, who hissed and swiped at the rain. And last were the two Thunderbird topiaries; they sat on large bushy perches, flapping their wings at the thunder.

  They reached the large silver gates, which opened automatically. They passed through the statues of James and Isolt Steward. The founders of Ilvermorny. Isolt Steward and her No-Maj Husband James. They built the school from their house here, eventually taking in more students besides their kids and building onto it over time, becoming what it is today.

  They pulled into a rounded driveway right outside the Entrance Hall. A three-story wooded cylindrical building, with a glass dome roof, and a large double wooden door with the Ilvermorny crest carved onto the door.

  A golden Gordian Knot, with four leaf clover inside it. And small depictions of the Four Houses on each petal. The top petal held the Thunderbird, the left held the Horned Serpent, the bottom held the Wampus, and the right held the Pukwudgie.

  They clambered out of the carriage and to the doors. Where Professor Wolfe was standing like a statue. The rain and cold did not affect him. An Ex-Auror, a Dark wizard catcher. Now Charms Professor. He was tall, in his late 40’s and had hundreds of old scars.

  “Welcome back to Ilvermorny.” He said in his gruff voice. “I am the new Deputy Headmaster of Ilvermorny. Please go inside and up the stairs to your house's platform to watch the Sorting Ceremony. And Mr. Grimes,” Wolfe put his gnarled hand on River’s shoulder. “Professor Pan would like to see you regarding the incident on the train. Wolfe was one of the few who knew about what River was. The only people who knew about River were Pan, the headmaster Soot, Wolfe, the President of Macusa Vexx, Archie, Murphy, and the Death’s Hand, the dark wizarding group who want to either kill or turn River to the dark side. River was a top secret, and Wolfe was one of the few Wizards who were completely trustworthy and genuinely scary to be on the wrong side of his wand.

  River nodded, “Where is she?”

  “Inside the Great Hall, go straight there,” Wolfe said. River nodded and waved to his friends, who were waiting for him at the door. He said he’d meet them at dinner. River quickly passed through the Entrance Hall and ran through the empty halls to the Great Hall. He rushed through the Great Hall doors and froze.

  Last time he was in this room, they were mourning Rook. And it just hit him… that pompous man… replaced her. He was never going to learn a potion from her again, never hear her sadistic sarcasm, or feel completely similar to anyone again. Sure, he has friends, and Pan. His bond with Rook was something more; she was like an older sister, or more like… since the similarity in both of them, black hair, pale skin, and purple eyes. Both Animagi were sarcastic, and both had a knack for mischief. Rook was like a birth mother to him. And now he was staring at the seat at the teacher's table, which now sat empty, ready to be filled by some pompous weirdo who furiously enough saved River.

  There was a crack of thunder, and River looked up. The enchanted ceiling flickered with thunder. From a first glance, you’d think there was no ceiling, but there is. It was just enchanted to mirror the sky outside. Now it shows a dark sky with rain falling, only to vanish before showering the Great Hall. Hundreds of floating candles lit the large hall; they gently rose and fell, never burning out. Four large windows are behind the teacher's table. From right to left, sat large mosaic windows. Starting with River’s house, a large Thunderbird is flying around in the glassed lighting. Next to that was the six-legged Wampus cat. Third was the slithering Horned Serpent, and last was the bow and arrow-clad Pukwudgie.

  Then four long tables, each matching the house's position on the windows. River’s on the far right. Long cranberry-red and blue tablecloths stretched across the long, dark wood from end to end.

  “River!” Pan shouted.

  His eyes jumped up, and he saw Pan standing where the horizontal teachers' table sat, facing the students, up a set of three stairs on a wooden stage. She was wearing dark robes and looked exhausted. She bounded to him quickly, skipping the stairs.

  “What the hell happened?” she said loudly, more out of fear than anger. But there was a lot of anger, none of which River felt was directed at him.

  “What do you mean?” River said. “I didn’t do anything yet, I just got here.”

  “No moron!” she said, checking him over, feeling his head with her palm. “You are cold and clammy. Those stupid Dementors shouldn’t have boarded the train!”

  “Oh, that,” River said. “Yeah, it stopped the train and came into our compartment. It made me feel weird… and I heard Rook, and that thing about the fire and baby.”

  Pan sighed, looking sad and furious at the same time. “They like to bring up the worst moments in our lives. Vile things.” She shook her head. “I heard that Gilderoy saved you—”

  “He didn’t save me!” River said abruptly.

  Pan nodded, “No, he didn’t, I’m sure you would have handled it yourself.” She rolled her eyes. “Did he give you chocolate?”

  “What?” River said, confused. “No.”

  She growled, “Of course that moron didn’t give you chocolate! He’s lucky I’ve been keeping some on me.” She pulled out a chocolate bar and snapped a big piece off, shoving it in River’s mouth before he could ask why. Instantly, he felt warmer and less empty. “Chocolate always helps after Dementors.”

  “Why did they board the train?” River asked.

  She sighed and looked away, “You’ll see soon.”

  River looked at her suspiciously. “What is going on this year? First, the dress robes and now Dementors. Pan. Is there something that’s going on this year?”

  “No, go sit down,” she barked and walked off to the professor's table.

  “Lie.” He muttered to himself. Pan sat down, crossing her arms and looking slightly guilty.

  River sat down at the Thunderbird table, about an hour after an awkward silence and occasional thunder. The doors burst open, and the sorting was done. The tables began to fill up with students. River looked up, seeing his house smile and wave at him before sitting down.

  “Hey, River!” a girl said, who he had never met before.

  “How is your River?” Maggsie Gaunt said.

  “Ready to win us another Quidditch Cup?” Asher Fox said, one of River’s roommates last year.

  “Definitely,” River smiled.

  Archie sat down next to him, “Yeah, yeah, River is popular, but I'm his best friend, worship me too.”

  “Nothing about you is worth worshiping,” Lemon said.

  “Yeah,” Cherry said. “I’d rather worship a troll's pimply butt!” laughter rang out.

  Soon, everyone filed in and settled down. Chatter filled the room while the professor took their seats. A man in his mid-30s stood up, in ocean-blue robes, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He smiled warmly and flicked his wand. A gold liquid began to spurt from the stage, morphing into a golden podium.

  “Welcome back, my students!” Soot, the Headmaster said. A loud cheering boomed in the room. With a wave of his hand, the room fell silent. “As you may have seen, Dementors are roaming around the school. They crossed a line, entering the train and scaring all of you. I am sorry. As for why they are here, I will tell you now.” He looked at the crowd with a glint in his eye. “Starting on October 1st, Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro will be joining us.” Gasps rang out around the room. River looked around, confused, at the excited looks in his friends' eyes. “That’s right! Ilvermorny will be holding a new, revamped Tri-Wizard Tournament! A boom of cheers exploded in the room. People are freaking out from pure excitement.

  “Not just that!” Soot continued. “There will be multiple competitions during the time our friends from England and Japan will be staying here. Not just the Tri-Wizard. We will be holding dueling, potion, and Quidditch tournaments! That’s right! Instead of just the Tri-Wizard. We will have over a dozen competitions between Ilvermorny, Hogwarts, and Mahoutokoro. Including 60 Quidditch matches! So that there are no long periods between Tri-Wizard Trials!” The cheers were deafening. River's eyes went wide. 60 matches? This year is going to be exhausting.

  Then he caught Pan’s eyes. She quickly looked away, sinking into her seat. Suddenly, he felt that there was something more going on.

  “And to the reason of the Dementors,” Soot said, the room going dead silent. “Macusa sent them to guard the school… against the wishes of all three Headmasters… There have been… threats by a Dark Wizarding group. The Death’s Hand.”