Grayson Wright
May 01, 2020 12:04 PM
Welcome to Orientation, New Students! by Grayson Wright
Professor Grayson Wright was, as he stood near where the wagons would land at any moment, not an entirely carefree wizard. Despite it being the first day of term, he had a great deal of work waiting for him in his rooms - for Sonora was not, unbeknownst he thought to his colleagues, his only source of income, though it was currently still the one he couldn't quite do without - and between him and that stood showing the new first years around, keeping them in a reasonable degree of order until they were Sorted, and then showing the new Aladrens around some more, after which he'd need to double-check his first lesson plans of the year and then go to bed so he could be reasonably alert when the first of those lessons was due to be taught. He was also somewhat anxious about one of his older students, who he would most likely not get much of a view of until it was also tomorrow, and...He had never, he reflected, been one of those people who had to look very hard to find something to worry about. Things occurred to him all the time of their own free will. As the specks in the sky began to draw close enough that it was quite impossible to mistake them for vultures or whatever sort of bird managed to live in Arizona naturally, though, he put all these concerns as much aside as he could in favor of fixing a pleasant expression onto his face behind his glasses, and beneath the brim of a plain dark blue wizard's hat - not an item he expected the students would see again for many a day, but it did help with the sun in his eyes.
"Hello everyone," he said in teacher voice, projected just so, as students began to disembark from the wagons. "Hello there - good to see you again - First years! First years gather here, please! Everyone leave your luggage with the wagons - first years!"
He had mastered the trick, more or less, of making himself broadly heard over chattering crowds without damaging anyone's eardrums, but he still had a large banner over the entrance to the Labyrinth Gardens reading '1st Years Here' in tall letters, with the words 'Welcome to Sonora' beneath it in slightly smaller, if also over-large, letters. He briefly considered the application of Summoning charms to get the first years all together as more practical than this - human beings were a bit tricky, as Summoning Charms traditionally made their objects fly and human beings could not be charmed to fly, but their robes would pull them along without too much fuss, he reckoned - but stuck to approved methods, and thought he succeeded in getting them all, with the help of a few prefects.
"Hello, again, everyone," he said once the majority of the student body had moved away from the site, leaving him with the first years. "And welcome to Sonora Academy. My name is Professor Wright, and I will - among other things - guide you through Orientation today. Just through here, please, thank you..."
Beneath the banner was a gap between two dense hedges, both taller than most grown men who lacked giantish ancestry. A neatly gravelled path lay between them, and a short way along, it opened onto a hedge-walled courtyard, in which there was a central fountain and some stone benches which were permanent fixtures of the area and a few long tables which were not. On one of these tables, there were a number of dark green folders, equal in number to the students present. On another, there was a sort of finger-and-snack-food buffet, with lightweight plates and paper napkins available so the students could gather a few refreshments in one trip if they wished. On the third, there were several large apparatuses, each topped with a clear (and unbreakable) glass bulb which showed the color of the drink within, though they were also distinguished by written labels on their sides above the spigots which, when turned, would dispense the contents into glasses: pumpkin juice, apple juice, grape juice, iced tea, and plain water. There was also a box of ice with a scoop in it (charmed not to melt, a handy touch, if he, the Charms master at this school, did say so himself) and a number of clear cups.
"Come in, everyone, and please, everyone take one folder," he instructed them. "I'm sure many of you will want some refreshments after your journey, but if you can give me your attention for a few minutes first..."
Once everyone had a folder and was more or less still and quiet, he began near-reciting the same introductory remarks he had given to each new set of first years for several years running now.
"Welcome to Sonora," he repeated. "As I said before, I am Professor Wright. I'll be one of your teachers for at least the next five years, and possibly the next seven. Sonora is a seven-year school where you will receive a thorough education in magical theory and practice. Starting tomorrow, you will each take seven classes - Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration, and flying lessons. I'll be your Charms teacher. You can drop flying lessons in your second year and begin taking additional classes in your third year, if you wish. In your fifth year, you’ll take your first set of major exams, the Critical Assessment of Talents and Skills, or CATS. After that, you will be allowed to drop some subjects if you want to, so you can better focus on your strengths and the requirements for careers you're interested in, though you’ll need at least two classes to graduate and three if you want to pursue your education in the magical arts further after you leave Sonora.
“In the meantime, we know that you may all have had different educations before you arrived here today,” he said, because this was true. Some might have gone to Muggle elementary schools while others might have had one tutor, a series of tutors, been taught by a parent, or even very little formal education at all. “Your professors all have office hours when we can give you extra help in our subjects if you need it, and Professor Skies, our Deputy Headmistress and your Transfiguration teacher, runs special sessions for anyone who needs help with reading and writing English, or needs other academic support. You can see times for those sessions in the schedules in your green folders.
“Outside of classes, you have options about how you spend your time. We have some student-run clubs and sports here, and you’ll see notices about meetings posted around the schools when they’re ready to start up for the year. Last year, a student started an Art Club, which proved pretty popular, and you'll have an opportunity to join the school Quidditch team and play against other magical schools. Breakfast is from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m, lunch is from 11:00 to one, and supper is five till seven, but you can find snacks and drinks there between those times as well. Curfew is at ten p.m., and at that time, you’ll need to be inside your Houses – those are parts of the building where your dorms are. They're all attached to common room you share with all the students, from years one to seven, who were Sorted into the same group as you . Sonora has four Houses, and tonight, at the Welcoming Feast, you’ll be Sorted into one of them by dipping the blank badges you have now into a cauldron. If your badge turns blue, you’re an Aladren – the House that values learning and problem-solving.” He might have sounded a little proud there; he was a former Aladren as well as Head of the House. “If it turns red, you belong in Crotalus, the House for people who like to be well-prepared for everything. Yellow means you’re in Teppenpaw, the House for our diplomats. And last but not least, if your badge turns brown, that means you’re a Pecari, the House for people who always land on their feet and are always willing to take a chance. All the Houses have other traits, though, so don’t worry if you don’t think any of those things sounds exactly like you – there’s a place for everyone here at Sonora.
“Your House will have prefects, who are older students who have been granted some authority because of merit shown in their earlier years, and a Head of House, who is an adult and a staff member – I’m the Head of Aladren, for instance. They’ll all look after you while you’re here. Your House can earn points based on things you do – excelling in class or in sports, or showing responsibility, or somehow helping the school community and showing leadership. The House with the most points at the end of the year earns the House Cup, and sometimes other privileges – Teppenpaw House has hosted the Cup for a good while now, but ties and upsets can happen at any time, so anyone can win.
“If no-one has any questions about all of that, you can mingle and get to know your classmates for a while and have some snacks until we begin our tour of the mansion. If you do have any questions, feel free to come see me – and welcome again to Sonora.”
OOC (Out of Character) Note: Welcome first years to Sonora! You can post a reply here to ask staff questions or meet your new classmates. This thread is intended for first year students to have a chance to try out posting and get acclimated to the site before we throw you into the big Opening Feast, which is open to the entire school population and can be a bit overwhelming.
Now, go forth, new first years of Sonora! Post, enjoy, have fun! Everyone here is happy to help out, so if you've got a question, put it on the OOC board or try to catch somebody in the Chatzy and we'll try to get you an answer as quick as we can. Have fun and we’re glad you could join us!
[Credit to Nathan Xavier's author for the content of this OOC notice]
Subthreads: Looking smart. by Quincy Wright with Janis Rosemary Silver
People! by Valentine Duell with Bonabelle Row
That finally means me! by Philippe Delachene with Wally O'Malley
Oh my, this is all so exciting! by Aelia Astley with Lavender Brockert
I don't mingle by Bertie Jackson with Stanley O'Malley
16
Grayson Wright
Welcome to Orientation, New Students!
113
1
5
Philippe Delachene
May 01, 2020 8:32 PM
That finally means me! by Philippe Delachene
Philippe was super stoked. This was an Anya phrase, but it fit. He'd been waiting to join his sisters at Sonora for ages. He remembered he cried when Jasmine left the first time (he'd been five), but it hadn't been too bad when Anya was still around. Then Anya left, too, and while that meant he got grounded soooo much less often, and he'd had no brushes with death at all in her absence, either as a spectator or participant, it was undeniably lonely being the only kid on a big dessert ranch. He liked horses just fine, but they weren't his best friends like they were for Jasmine, and they weren't sources of endless adrenaline rushes like they were for Anya (or rather, they could be, but Philippe didn't live off of that the way his only slightly older sister did).Instead, he'd spent most of his time with Dad, which was nice. Philippe loved his dad. He was the best parent in the world to him. But he was Philippe's dad, not his friend, and Phillipe wanted friends.
And now, finally, he could have a chance to meet some. But first he needed to get through Professor Wright telling him all the things he already knew because he was the fifth (and last) person in his immediate family to attend Sonora, and Philippe was quite good at asking questions and getting answers.
Eventually, the Charms teacher stopped talking and told them to mingle. And eat, which was nearly as important. Philippe had only come from California (and a relatively close part of California at that), but he was still starving. He got some cookies and ignored the table of green folders (he'd get it before he left; if he picked it up before then, he'd just put it down somewhere and forget where).
Then he picked another first year at random and said, "Hi." He stuck his hand out for a handshake. "I'm Philippe. Is this awesome or what? My big sisters have been going to Sonora for years and I have been waiting sooo long to finally be able to come here. Do you have siblings?"
1
Philippe Delachene
That finally means me!
1489
0
5
Wally O'Malley
May 02, 2020 11:25 AM
I guess so. by Wally O'Malley
Given how many times Wallace Saxon O’Malley had already been on Sonoran grounds in his lifetime, maybe it was a little silly to be nervous. However, there were two solid arguments (at least he felt so) that justified his nerves. For one, it was different being an actual student: classes, teachers, the opinions of his peers. Sure, he was less likely to get lost, and he already knew what the Cascade Hall looked like, but that wouldn’t help him with his interpersonal relationships or classwork achievements. Secondly, Wally was, to some capacity, always and at all times nervous.Wally did at least have an advantage. He wasn’t going alone. He had Theo and Gabriel already there, and Lavender would be in his grade too. And he had Stanley. With his twin brother beside him, it made leaving home a little bit easier, although there were still a lot of goodbyes to be said. Wally was definitely going to miss his parents and his little sister, and he promised Mom he would write as soon as he got to his new dorm room to tell her what House he and Stanley were Sorted into. (He had a sneaking suspicion the Pecari alumna was optimistic about the legacy continuing, and while it was possible Stanley might end up there, Wally doubted he was going to follow in his mother’s footsteps in that regard.)
But perhaps the hardest goodbye was Grandpa Serapes. He wasn’t really Wally’s grandpa, but Serapes was Wally’s mom’s godfather, and ever since his health got bad, he lived with them. Grandpa Serapes had always been a quiet man, but the strokes he had suffered made speech a bit of a chore for him. But Wally didn’t always want to talk. They didn’t need to talk. It was a quiet bond. An understanding was there. He made Wally feel safe when he held him. Even as a baby, in Serapes’s arms, Wally never cried. It was his most favorite place to be.
He fought the urge to cry as he looked back at their house, one foot up the step to the wagon, his bag on his back. Fortunately(?) the moment was interrupted as Stanley gently pushed him forward and the boys climbed onto the wagon. Stanley seemed to enjoy the bumpiness of the ride, as if it were an amusement park attraction, but Wally felt a bit sick from the motion and counted passing trees out the window while he prayed for a swift arrival.
When they finally arrived, Wally did his best to listen to the professor’s introductions. He knew pretty much all of it already - and in fact had met Professor Wright before with Mom - but it was only polite to give the man his attention, although his stomach kept turning from the ride. When they were released to “mingle” (an entirely unappealing prospect), Wally strolled over to the snack table, hoping to find some crackers or something to help settle his insides.
He was about to walk away from the table when he heard a voice say “Hi.” Wally typically kept his gaze pretty low, but he looked up and could tell that this boy was addressing him. That was upsetting. The boy kept talking, and when he finished, Wally shook the offered hand. “Uh, yeah,” he said nervously, pointing to Stanley across the way. “That’s my brother, Stanley. And we have a little sister at home.” He swallowed, nervous there were still some undetectable bits of cracker left in his mouth and making him look or sound weird to this new person. “I’m Wally.”
12
Wally O'Malley
I guess so.
1492
0
5
Philippe Delachene
May 03, 2020 5:05 PM
This is great! by Philippe Delachene
Philippe was not surprised that Wally had siblings. People existed who did not, but Philippe didn't know many, so he thought it was a small percentage of folks. So chances were high that Wally had siblings. The bigger question was whether they were older or if they went to Sonora, and therefore might know his sisters and therefore Philippe had heard their name before.What he wasn't expecting was for Wally to point to another first year.
His brows rose in surprise and he looked between them. Not identical twins, so that made things easier, but it was still kind of neat to have a brother in the same grade. Then he thought of Anya, whom he loved very dearly but secretly thought it was a mercy that she moved up to Intermediates this year, and decided to reserve judgement on whether that was good or bad until after he got to know both of them a little better, because that could definitely be a curse as easily as a blessing.
Though maybe being in Anya's class wouldn't have been so bad if it had meant he didn't have to be the only kid at home for two years.
It could apparently even be a curse and a blessing at the same time.
"Cool," he said, not specifying which part of that was cool so Wally could apply it to the part he thought was coolest. "I'm one of three, too. Anya's a third year, Jasmine's a seventh year. They're in Pecari and Crotalus, so I'm hoping to get Teppenpaw or Aladren to spread us out over even more Houses. I think I've got a good shot at either one. Sadly, we're one sibling short of being able to hit all four. But Uncle Daniel was an Aladren, so if I get Teppenpaw, that's at least family representation in all of them. Did any of your family come here before? Parents? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins? My parents were both Pecaris like Anya." Except neither of them were a thing like Anya other than their House placement. It made Philippe wonder if the other Houses were equally as wildly variable.
1
Philippe Delachene
This is great!
1489
0
5
Wally O'Malley
May 08, 2020 6:53 AM
I guess so. by Wally O'Malley
Gosh, he talked a lot.Stanley talked a lot too, but that was Wally’s brother, and he didn’t ask nearly as many questions because he already knew the answers, so then Wally didn’t have any obligation to actually respond. This kid wanted his input. And he was very thorough - Wally noted how readily the boy was laying out his options. For example, when he asked about other family members, he was sure to provide a few examples of what sort of family members he was specifically looking for. Wally did like that coupled with the boy’s own response, it gave him a pretty solid outline for constructing his response. That was nice, at least.
“Um,” he started, like a winner, even though he clearly knew what to say. “We have kind of a big extended family, and they pretty much all have gone here. Our mom used to teach here when we were little. And she and our dad met here as students. Pecari and Crotalus.” He thought it would be clear by the order he listed his parents who was in which House, but Wally had an ongoing fear of being misunderstood, so he reiterated, “Uh, Pecari for Mom, Crotalus for Dad.”
Wally was always nervous, but he felt a little additionally on edge because he didn’t know this boy’s name. And now he wasn’t sure if the boy hadn’t said it or if he had just missed it somehow. But now he was deep in a conversation, and if this guy was actually anything like Stanley, he’d probably assume they were best friends now or something, but what if he never learned his name and just had to go through the next seven years hanging out with him and subtly calling him “Buddy” or “Dude”? At what point was it too late to ask? He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t live that way. So he mustered all of his strength and asked, “What was your name?” It was very tiring, and Wally hoped the rest of Orientation and the Opening Feast went quickly, because he very much wanted to go to bed.
12
Wally O'Malley
I guess so.
1492
0
5
Philippe Delachene
May 09, 2020 1:26 PM
It's good when we can all agree on things. by Philippe Delachene
"Oh! That's neat!" Philippe exclaimed when he found out Wally's mom used to teach here. "My Uncle filled in for a couple years as the Temporary DADA teacher for a bit. Do you know Daniel Nash?""Awesome, my parents met here, too." He was pretty sure he said that already, but maybe not exactly in those words.
That was apparently not the only thing he'd forgotten to clarify. "Oh, sorry, I'm Philippe," he introduced himself, when asked to provide his name. He couldn't remember one way or the other if he'd said that already, so he couldn't say for sure if he was repeating it. "Philippe Delachene," he added, in case any of that extended family Wally mentioned had ever brought up either of his sisters, or maybe even his Dad, though that seemed a long shot. He was pretty sure Dad had been quietly reserved in school and hadn't had a whole lot of friends outside of Mom. He said his full name the way his dad and paternal grandparents said it, not the Americanized way his mother and sisters said it, though he'd left it in its American Accent when he'd said the first name by itself. The weight of how French his accent sounded varied from 'basically undetectable' to 'I was coached hard on how I'm supposed to say my name the right way' so that was as French as it got. He'd learned to talk more from his Dad than his Mom though, so some of his Dad's accent did carry through just a little.
Of course, saying his name the French way probably wasn't going to help Wally pick out his sisters, so he continued, "Making my sisters Anya and Jasmine Delachene," this time he said it they way they did, "if you've heard of them from any of your cousins." Though Wally hadn't actually said anything about cousins. Just a 'big extended family'. Philippe assumed this meant cousins. 'Big extended family' always meant loads cousins and complicated family trees with half-siblings in his experience, because that was like Mom's side. Dad's side had no cousins, and could not in any way be described as a 'big extended family' because it was exceedingly tiny due to a total lack of cousins.
1
Philippe Delachene
It's good when we can all agree on things.
1489
0
5
Wally O'Malley
May 22, 2020 7:22 AM
I guess so. by Wally O'Malley
Oh thank God. For fear of being weird, Wally suppressed a sigh of relief, but his body physically relaxed. At least, to the extent his tense, wiry body ever relaxed. Philippe. Wally repeated the name in his mind exactly eight times to make sure he would remember it. The only thing worse than never knowing his name would be specifically asking for it and then promptly forgetting it again.He didn’t think he recognized the name of Daniel Nash, but the other ones sounded familiar. “Oh, Anya’s friends with my…” Wally trailed off, hesitant. It was hard sometimes to describe how Theo was related to them. Technically, Theo’s dad was Wally’s mom’s godfather, which made Theo, like, his god...uncle? Or something? But that was weird and didn’t make sense to most people, so he awkwardly substituted, “..friend. Theo Spurn.”
He thought the other name sounded familiar too. Jasmine Delachene. His gut was pointing to Peyton maybe? But then also when Theo talked, he talked a lot, so there was a solid chance he had heard the name from Theo recounting Anya’s entire life story. In which case, Wally should probably have recognized Philippe’s name too. He hoped he was right about Jasmine and Peyton, then, because if he remembered her but forgot Philippe, he would feel quite guilty.
12
Wally O'Malley
I guess so.
1492
0
5