Sorting and an Ambrose in Samon House
The Great Hall of Star Academy was the central-most point of the massive school. The students stood at the points of the eight-point star that led to their houses, while the new students stood around the massive, sentient sorting tree—Mata. Mata's leaves began to rustle rhythmically, and all the new children entering the school were ushered under her great boughs.
Headmistress Pilar called a name. "Justin Breakwood!"
A hypnotic hum drifted down from Mata's canopy, and a young, curly-haired boy was washed in brilliant starlight. He looked up into the branches, his eyes turning a pale green as Mata pulled him into the sorting trance.
Illusion after illusion passed before his eyes, stopping on a vision of him creating an odd silver contraption—long and thin—that began to revolve as he spoke an energy-giving incantation. His green eyes became milky white as he fully entered the illusion, and leaves began falling around him. Mata gave him a chance to change the vision or reject it, but he held fast. A yellow leaf slipped into his hand, and Mata's voice rang out across the hall.
"Xason House! The house of inventors, fearless dreamers, and alchemists has a new creator in its midst!"
The Headmistress called name after name, and slowly, the new students were claimed.
"Merry Merigold!"
A beautiful young girl with blonde hair and golden eyes slipped into the trance. Her eyes went pale green as the visions flipped past, stopping on her gazing into a large black crystal ball. She stepped into the illusion, her eyes turning milky white as she saw the destiny of things she knew nothing of. Her heart trembled with excitement. Mata felt this resonance, and a red leaf appeared in Merry's hand.
"Sof House!" Mata's voice rang out like water over new leaves. "The disciplined, the cunning, and the seers of destiny have their new seer!"
Evervine stood straighter, Sof's newest Ductor, ready to receive her newest charge.
Headmistress Pilar spoke again. "Leo Ambrose!"
Leo was short for an Ambrose, much to the woe of his father and his uncle, Adam Ambrose. But he was a smart, eager boy. He looked up into the boughs, his eyes turning green, his long, straight blue hair falling down his back.
The illusions rushed before him faster than they did for others. He had been groomed to be a diviner; he controlled illusions like others controlled their breathing. It was innate. But Leo did not like any of the visions he saw: him before a crystal ball, him within the Dreamscape, him reading the palm of a queen.
Then, he saw himself in the center of a ring of portals. They were all different shapes and materials, the pools within their openings glowing in different colors. He stepped into this illusion and embraced it with a passion Mata had not seen in quite some time.
"A traveler," a whisper drifted through the air, seemingly meant only for Hazel. She looked up at the boy, and something stirred in her. A vision opened before her, and she saw him older, taller, wearing a traveler's cloak like none she had ever seen before—yet she knew she had made it. He stood before four portals and looked to his side – were she stood – his look was questioning. Hazel shrugged beside him and looked to the portals. "It's not my choice; it's yours. Hurry. This war won't end itself."
The vision snapped closed. Hazel looked up to see Leo with a blue leaf in his hand and whispers running throughout the Great Hall.
An Ambrose in Samon House?
Leo took his leaf and walked past the Sof House point without hesitation. He met Hazel's eyes, and a lock of understanding passed between them that only diviners could sense. He took his place in Samon House next to her. A hush fell over the hall, but they stood side-by-side as if it were pre-arranged. Her friends and Assistant Headmistress Sing frowned with worry, but Hazel understood fate and did not fear it.
The sorting ended. As the students moved toward the dining hall, Mata turned and bowed to Headmistress Pilar. The tree was surrounded by starlight as it shrank and rose toward a high window, merging into a large, leaded stained-glass pane. Her form was bright in the glass, her canopy surrounded by brilliant light, her right by shadow, her left by moving motes of rainbow colors, and below her was a quiet void.
The children streamed into the dining hall. Leo sat next to Hazel, and for the first time, Hazel felt like she truly belonged.
Headmistress Pilar stepped forward, her smile falling into something serious. "This year, we welcome a new Professor of the Traveling Arts—Professor Tamaline Tempest." A short, prim witch with hot pink hair and grass-colored eyes gave a sharp nod. "She will also take over as Head of Samon House for now. We also wish to honor Professor Montague McGonagall today."
A large portrait of Montague rose high along the walls. He looked out over the hall and smiled, blinking as two portals opened behind him and closed just as fast. Hazel smiled; she remembered when he'd had that portrait done – the one he had made was much smaller - she suspected Pilar had enlarged it.
"Finally, next year will begin an annual Dimensional Tournament. Two schools from each of the six participating dimensions will be eligible. This year, we will compete with the other six schools in Tan to win our slot. Fifth-years and up are eligible. Sign-ups are with Professor Sing and a list of the categories will be up in the morning. Now... let's have a productive year."
Dinner began, and the post arrived. A puffgram stopped before Leo. He sighed, knowing who it was from. "I am Leo Ambrose."
White smoke plumed out, creating a soundproof area around his head. "Leo. Very good, nephew." Leo resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing his uncle likely had wards active. "You are in Samon House. I need you to befriend Hazel McGonagall and show her that Ambrose House is safe—the best place for her. I want weekly reports." The voice was cold and strict. The smoke vanished with a soft puff. Leo looked at Hazel, who was already looking at him. She simply smiled, shrugged, and turned to answer someone across the table.