Page 137 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Hmm.” I replied with a thin smile.That’s what I thought too.“Did anyone see what caused the explosion?”

“It was an attack, definitely. There’s rumours flying around left and right, as you can imagine, but a lot of people are saying the same thing. A group of hooded people were seen fleeing through the lavender fields towards the apparition wards right after the explosion.”

“Who let them in?” I questioned.

“Exactly what I was wondering…”

The sound of Sage opening her bathroom door interrupted my thoughts and I said a quick goodbye to Cillian. Sage padded barefoot into the room wearing a pair of jeans, a green top and a t-shirt wrapped around her head. “I spoke to Cillian.”

“Is he okay?” She asked quickly, “I mean if you wanna tell me.” She shrugged casually, walking into the kitchen and opening the freezer.

“He’s fine. They’re all camped out in the dining hall. It sounds like it was definitely another attack.”

She nodded as she ate cookie dough ice cream straight from the tub with a spoon. “Where will they go? Can they repair it with magic?” She asked, gesturing her spoon around like it was a magician’s wand.

“It depends on how bad the damage is and if there are enough magical properties left… Why are you wearing a t-shirt on your head? Are you concussed? Do I need to be concerned?”

She rolled her eyes at me and sat down heavily on the sofa, “It’s to keep my curls intact as it dries.”

“Ah…” I regarded her warily, had I quashed all her suspicions? Or was she still harbouring bad feelings towards me? Towards whatever this was between us?… Because before today it felt like we were becoming friends, good friends. Rather than just a student and her unwilling tutor.

“So…” Sage interrupted, “Today sucked.”

“Definitely,” I replied with a small laugh at her intentionally underwhelming summary.

“So you don’t actually want to sell me to the highest bidder?” She asked, glancing anywhere but at me.

“No, definitely not, although it would probably be Cillian so I doubt you’d mind.” She clicked her tongue and glanced at me.

“Okay then… well, good to know.” She looked away again, “I’m sorry I doubted you. I… I have a hard time trusting people.”

“I understand that.”

“Yeah… I guess you do. Maybe I’m wrong to trust you again already… but I do. And I… I just want you to know, even though I have a hard time believing you want to be friends with me, I do want to be friends with you. Not because you’ve got cool cars and fancy clothes and know people in the magical government… but because you’re wicked cool. You’re insanely smart, kind, and patient, and… well, I feel like a better version of myself around you. You make me feel like I don’t have to hide any more, like I’m worth knowing and life is worth living. So… if you can forgive the accusations of being well, I guess a terrorist, then I’d love to still be friends?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I know I’m not the easiest person to care for, or get to know. But I promise, I want to try Sage. It just might take me a while to work up to being open about certain things.” Just alluding to my darkest secrets had the hair on the back of my neck rising and power crackling through my veins like an approaching storm.

“I understand. Thank you… for telling me about her. For being open with me. I’m still new to the whole… friend’s situation too. So I’m not the best at it either. But, I promise I’ll be there for you. I’ll be there however I can.”

“Thank you.” Her words meant more than she could possibly understand. I reached across and squeezed her hand tightly, swallowing a ball of emotion which was cutting off all possible speech. She returned the gesture and gave me an equally watery smile.

“What was her name? Your sister’s I mean? We don’t have to talk about her if you don’t want to of course.” She rushed as though I would be offended.

“Relax Sage, you’re fine. It’s nice to be able to talk about her, though maybe not today. Her name was Florence.”

“Such a pretty name…” she replied. Funny, her brother said the same thing. My chest clenched in pain and I forced a polite smile onto my face.

* * *

Four hours later we filed into the dining hall after receiving a summons from the headmistress. Silence filled the hall, with just the echo of footsteps as student after student made their way inside and lined up on either side of the substantial space. The tables and chairs had all been banished, leaving the room more or less vacant of furniture. My mother stood at the far end of the hall, the teachers flanking her, watching quietly as we filled either side of the dining hall, facing each other. A large gap was left free directly in front of her all the way to the dining hall entrance. Sage and I glanced at each other in confusion, “I thought the boys had been brought here?” Sage whispered.

“That’s what Cillian said.” I replied. My mothers head snapped towards mine, a glare on her face which said to stop talking. I closed my mouth and turned away from Sage. Looking directly in front of me across the room there stood just as many students facing me in rows like on our side of the room, each with a look of apprehension or fear. Given the attack mere hours ago it was understandable.

“Students.” My mothers voice gathered our attention, “As you are all aware, earlier today there was an incident involving the Sancta Acadaemia Veneficus.”

“Someincident…”I muttered.

“- Due to the severity of the damage caused and the concern for student safety we have made the decision to move the Warlock’s into our own Academy.” The hall filled with the excited whispers of hundreds of female students. “Silence! I understand this will be a change. Adjustments to class and dormitory locations will be unavoidable and you will be notified if you are affected by this. We are hoping this will be a necessary but temporary solution as repairs are underway. Now, having made you all aware, please welcome the students of The Holy Academy of Warlocks.” She opened her arms in a gesture that had us all turning as one towards the entrance doors. They swung open revealing the Headmaster of the boys’ academy. He ambled forward, his rounded belly peeping through his dark emerald robes with each step. Following him were two adjacent lines of male students. I felt Sage stiffen beside me as Cillian swept into the room, his height and good looks gaining the attention of every witch (and some warlock’s) in the room. His eyes found my own and then Sage’s, giving her a wink before continuing his path towards the front of the dining hall. Sage mumbled something about stupid boys under her breath as she flushed a deep scarlet.

---