Chapter 41 - Making Friends and Winning Influence

Characters – 

Felix Sutter: Poor boy living in Sacramento, recently found out magic existed. Hard worker, knows the price of everything.

Hazel Winslow: Ran away from an abusive cult. Awoke as a natural mind mage.

Vivian Merryweather: An expert on all things color, fashion, and of the heart. Gets seasick easily.

Alexandria Renard: Wants to be the next Morgana Le Fay. Can’t speak louder than a whisper. 

Emily Brown: The sick girl. I had to do an INSANE amount of research for her condition... I'll do a prize of some sort for whoever can figure it out first, it's going to be a subplot mystery.

Kevin Moon: Light bigot, wants to make sure Felix and Hazel are with 'the right people'. A dumbass. Possibly the chosen one?

Erik Morsin: Heir to the Duchy of the Emerald Isle. Just wants to play his violin.

Sora Park: Erik’s loyal friend. Loves flying. An absolute broombrain.

Leona Thorne: 5th year Commander of Dragon house. Long black hair, casually throws around huge amounts of magical power.

================

The Count stood tall.
He denied the usurper’s claim,
Spoke of legacy, of blood, of right.
He did not speak long.
A single word was uttered by the Duke,
And the wards flared red.
In a flash of divine fire, the Hollowfern line
Was turned to ash and shadow,
Save one daughter - spared by design.

The Saga of Bjorn, Verse 34

=================

Breakfast the next morning took on a whole new dimension for Felix. The ‘oh god morning PT sucks’ wasn’t exactly a new dimension, but he was still discovering new muscles that hurt. He had a mission, one that had nothing to do with orientation and everything to do with not being the last kid left out of the group project and forced to team up with whoever else was leftover. He didn’t know these people, he didn’t have the same background. He was a strange boy in a strange place.

Then again, he could just be wildly overthinking it. It didn’t seem like everyone else was desperate to form a coven as quickly as possible. But maybe they already had, and he was behind the ball.

Well, only one way to find out.

Felix was halfway through the buffet when he spotted Hazel slipping in through one of the side doors. Given the girl’s tendency to grab a bite and flee, Felix stepped out of line with his half-filled tray, and made a beeline for her.

She froze, her eyes boring right into him. Felix did his best friendly smile as he approached.

“Hi! Do you want to be in a coven with me?” He asked. “Basically a study group for now. We’re in a lot of the same classes.”

Hazel’s wide-eye look was replaced by scrunched eyebrows.

“Wait, what? You already have your schedule? You already have my schedule?” She said accusatorily.

“Uh, yeah?” Felix said. “According to my advisor, we both utterly failed the CATs, and we got placed in all the remedial classes. So what do you say?”

Hazel stopped looking at Felix. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself and walked away without even grabbing a bite, muttering to herself.

“I didn’t fail. I didn’t fail. I didn’t fail. I didn’t fail…”

Felix didn’t chase her, instead watching with a bemused look on his face.

“Ooookay then.” He said into the awkward space. Just so people wouldn’t think he’d driven her off.

Perhaps Hazel wasn’t the best coven member. Between her and Su Song, the people here seemed to take academics super seriously. Felix didn’t think he was lax about his studying, but the obsession over doing well seemed a bit much.

With Hazel being a bust, Felix grabbed the rest of his breakfast - needing to stand in line again - and looked around. Vivian and Alexandria were easy enough to spot, and he made his way over to the two girls. Vivian was using her wand as a hairpin. Alex was swishing her wand over her breakfast, like she was trying to cast a spell, but Felix didn’t see anything happening.

“Hi! Mind if I sit here?” Felix asked.

“Bugger off.” Alexandria muttered darkly, not looking up from her tray.

“Alex!” Vivian sounded scandalized. “Don’t listen to her, of course you can sit here with us.” She said, patting the empty space across from her. Felix sat down.

“Whaddaya want?” Alexandria grumbled, still not looking up. Vivian just rolled her eyes at her friend’s antics.

“I was hearing a lot about covens and the like, even had to write an essay about them already, and since we’re in the same classes, want to be in a coven together?” Felix asked.

Vivian looked horrified, and Felix could feel his heart plunging.

“You’ve already had homework?” She squeaked out.

“Oh. That. Yes?” Felix said. “It wasn’t that bad, and I learned a lot!”

“Wait, you know what classes we’re in?” Alex hissed. Felix figured he really should start opening up with how he knew.

“Yeah, we all failed the CATs, so we’re all in the same classes.” 

“Oh no!” Vivian gasped. “I failed!? Wait, I never took the CATs. How did I fail a test I never got to take? Oh, my parents are going to kill me, I’ve never failed a test before, oh no, are they going to kick me out this is-”

Vivian’s rant was interrupted by Alexandria smacking her chest with the back of her hand.

“Bloody hell that hurt, what did you do that for?” Vivian said, rubbing the sore spot. Felix stared at the ceiling.

“The CATs are meaningless.” Alexandria whispered.

Vivian sighed dramatically.

“To you maybe. But yes! Sutter! Wait, no, we’re going to be in a coven together. Can I call you Felix? Yes? Great! Felix! Super happy to make a group with you! Who else is in it?”

Felix hadn’t made a single word or gesture of assent, just went right along with the blonde’s stream of words. What was the big deal with using someone’s first name anyway? Made it much easier to track who was who.

“Just us three so far.” Felix said. Alexandria snorted.

“Typical.” She whispered.

“I’ve got a list of everyone else who’s in our classes, I was going to ask them all.” Felix said, starting to get the hang of Alex. Just… ignore her acerbic comments and keep right on going.

“Tell me!” Vivian put her head on her hands and stared at Felix. “I might know some of them!”

“I already asked Hazel, and she seemed more obsessed with the idea of failing the CATs than actually answering my question. Then there’s Erik, Sora, Emily, and Odric. Since we’re all in the same group, why not make a group with all of us? Seems reasonably sized. Err.. I have no idea who Odric or Emily are though.” Felix said.

“That’s Brown over there.” Vivian pointed to the sick girl, bundled up in a sweater with a few of her friends. “Odric’s in the hospital wing. He was the one who caught on fire during the Sorting.”

Felix paused.

“The one everyone’s saying is really, really unlucky?” He had barely gotten a chance to talk with anyone yet except the other Dragons, but even the upper years were talking about Odric Martin and his hilariously bad string of luck.

Vivian paused, pulling a face. Alex was looking delighted at the news.

“Maybe we don’t want a walking lodestone in our group.” She said. “No telling what bad luck will bounce back on us as well.”

“We should figure out how we’re letting new people in, if we want to be serious about this.” Alexandria whispered. “Do we all have to agree? Or just a majority?”

“Alex, I love you, but if we go with ‘everyone agrees’ our coven will be stuck at three forever.” Vivian pointed out. “How about half the people plus one?”

“Fine.” Alexandria grumped.

This was rapidly becoming more serious than Felix had thought, but also easier at the same time.

“I’ll go ask Emily, we’re avoiding Odric. If Hazel says yes?” He prompted.

“... fine.” Alexandria whispered. “She’s quiet and doesn’t bother people.”

Vivian sighed in exasperation.

“Alex, it wouldn’t kill you to be nicer.” She said.

“I was being nice!” Alex hissed.

“Now that we’re ready to step on the runic trap. Morsin and Park.” Vivian said.

“No!” Alex hissed. “Never!”

“The two of you are going to be together, you’re going to be in the same class, it just makes sense.” Vivian said.

Alex slammed her cutlery down, stood up, and stormed out of the dining hall.

“Um. Okay then?” Felix said.

“She was supposed to have dinner with Erik on Sunday, but he stood her up. She’s been furious ever since.” Vivian confided. 

“But he was in the hospital?” Felix said. “Someone slit his throat.”

Vivian slapped her hands to her mouth as she gasped.

“They did not.” She said.

“Oh yeah. Bandages around his neck and everything.” Felix confirmed with a nod.

“Excuse me.” Vivian ran after Alexandria, leaving Felix with all the trays.

“Damnit.” He muttered to himself, before tucking into the pile of food he’d heaped onto his plate. His third breakfast, and he was already liking the sunny side eggs quite a bit, but thought the scrambled ones were a bit mushy. 

Felix felt terrible about the food waste, and nicked a few choice bits off Vivian’s and Alexandria’s plates, before stacking up all the trays and bussing them back up. Then he swung by where Emily was sitting, surrounded by friends. 

Well, rather, she was one of the friends surrounding another girl, one with long blonde hair and a very straight back. Like breakfast was formal dining. Her and Emily were both Thunderbird house, but the other girls were from all over.

“Hi, are you Emily?” Felix asked. All the girls just stopped and looked at the interlocutor. 

“Yes?” The girl asked warily. Her sweater was already colored in the Thunderbird colors - predominately bronze with electric blue edges.

“I think we’re going to be in the same classes, I’m trying to organize a coven, want in?” Felix asked. Emily shook her head.

“Nope, already in one. Thanks.”

“Okay, bye.” Felix said, backing off. Way too many people staring at him like he was some sort of bug.

Now, time to find Erik and Sora.

=====

Felix spent several hours searching through the castle for Sora and Erik. He didn’t find them, but Kevin and a few of his friends managed to find Felix first.

Kevin was wearing the insignia of Kraken house, which Felix found absurd. Good judgment and him? Clearly, the houses were about aspirations, which made it all the more galling how none of the doors had opened for him. The boy was still green-haired and bulging-eyed, with his tongue flicking out now and then to lick his lips. A girl was standing next to him, wearing a pair of white gloves.

“Sutter. May I introduce Voss, Veronica Voss?” Kevin said.

“Hi.” Said Felix warily. Kevin had not given a good first impression, but Felix extended his hand to shake. Veronica looked at it, and didn’t move to shake.

Well, fuck her as well. Why were they here and bothering him if they were going to be so… Kevin-like. 

“We heard you were looking for a coven. It’s not quite considered good form to be openly looking, but you’re a castoff. It’s understandable. Most of us members of the Light are getting together and organizing, trying to find an arrangement that works for everyone. Nobody left out in the cold, nobody left alone. Everyone gets a large, balanced coven, with a shared background. We all live in the real world. We all watch movies, we’ve all played video games. Veronica smacked me on the head a few times and told me I was being a git, and I’m sorry. Come join the side of humanity. Don’t get bogged down in decrepit castles and people who have no idea what electricity is.”

The decision was easy for Felix. He knew it wasn’t the smartest thing, but it felt right. He didn’t know who’d be in his coven, but something organized by Kevin?

“No, thank you.”

He brushed past them and kept on searching for Erik.

=======

From the dungeons to the towers, from the hospital wing to the great hall, Felix discovered how hard it was to find a single person or two in the castle. He did discover a shortcut from the sixth floor to the third, but when he tried to replicate it, found himself on the fifth floor instead.

Eventually - gaining a new appreciation for the layout of the castle and where everything was - he stumbled on Erik. 

“It’s the Dragon! Rawr!” Sora exclaimed when she saw him.

“Did she get into the peppermints again?” Felix joked.

“I wish she had.” Erik obviously faked a thousand-yard stare. “Unfortunately, this is pure, raw, unrefined Sora. Believe me, I’d know. I have to put up with it.”

“HEY!” She protested, putting her hands on her hips. “You’d throw me into an ego check if I wasn’t like this and you know it.”

“In a heartbeat, without a moment of regret.” Erik said.

Felix was curious about ego checks, but didn’t want the conversation to get any more derailed.

“I’m trying to figure out members for a coven, you want in?” He asked. Erik grimaced.

“I want to say yes, but I need to talk with Alexandria first.” He said. “Also, Sora has to be in it.”

“Oi! You’re assuming I want to stick with you.” Sora protested.

“You literally followed me to the same house.” Erik said. “Forgive me if I’m making certain assumptions and advocating for my loyal retainer.”

Sora didn’t have a response to that, but looked inordinately pleased.

“Oh, that’s easy, she already said yes.” Felix said.

Sora muttered something unflattering under her breath. Felix ignored it.

“Right then. Thank you for getting this all started! I’d been planning on asking on the first day of class, but this is possibly better. Anyone else you’re thinking of inviting?”

“It’s us three, Alex, and Vivian right now. We’d like to invite Hazel as well.” Felix said.

“No!” Sora blurted out, then slapped her hands over her mouth. “I, uh, got to use the bathroom bye.”

She practically sprinted away.

“What was that about?” Felix asked.

“I don’t think Sora and Hazel are going to get along particularly well.” He said delicately. “I’ll see what she wants. Can we veto members if we’re in?”

“We agreed majority votes.” Felix said apologetically. “Which… is the only reason you’re in, Alex wanted to veto you, but Vivian said yes.”

Erik closed his eyes and softly swore.

“Right, well, sounds like I’ll have fun. See you around!”

“Wait!” Felix blurted out. “I’ve got some people in Dragon house showing me around. Want to come with? We’re meeting tomorrow, early, after breakfast.”

“Sure!” Erik said. “See you then!”

He took off after his wayward vassal, and Felix had a brief moment of wondering what to do with himself and the rest of the day.

Right.

Hit the library, he had classes to study for and textbooks to copy.

=======================

Felix spent the last hour in the Dragon common room. One slightly unusual quirk of the house - people went to bed early. Nine was the best time to go to sleep, given how the trumpets started to blare at five in the morning. A number of students cut deeper into the night, but Felix had the uncommon good sense to try and get enough sleep. He was sure he’d start burning the midnight oil soon enough.

It fixed his jetlag in a hurry.

“Sutter.” One of the fourth year boys came up to him.

“Hi?” Felix said. “Can I help you?”

He wasn’t sure he liked the grin.

“Well. I just did the math, and I realized I can give you a great opportunity. Once in a lifetime!” He said. Felix wasn’t liking where this was going, but he hoped nobody would openly bully him in the middle of the common room. Not with Chris and Beatrix watching, not with Commander Thorne right there.

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Felix asked.

“Because you weren’t born yesterday?” The upper year said. “Long story short! We had exactly 13 Dragon initiates, which is the exact amount needed for the stravolux team. I’m the ranking member of the initiates, and fourth year’s the Cauldron year. I want the time to study, and with you bringing us from 13 Dragons to 14 Dragons, exactly one person can not be on the team. Congratulations on becoming the newest member of the team!” The upper year did jazz hands. Felix only had one question.

“Wait, what’s stravolux?”

The question was met with a lot of booing, hissing, and a few papers thrown at the upper year.

“It’s a sport played partially on broomsticks.” Leona said. “Sutter, a word?”

Dreading the upcoming conversation, Felix got up and followed Leona to a corner of the room. A wave of Leona’s hand had a wall of darkness and wings surround them, and the four-winged raven hopped onto Felix’s head. It tugged at a few of his hairs, then settled in.

“I’ve been looking for a chance to talk with you. How are you settling in? Any issues?” She asked.

“The whole coven thing was an uncomfortable surprise.” Felix admitted. Leona shook her head.

“It’s overblown, in my opinion. Then again, I’m biased. I never joined a magical coven, just a school group. Yet, I’m the strongest witch in my year, possibly in the entire college. Don’t worry about it.”

A huge weight Felix hadn’t even known was there lifted off him.

“That’s good to know.” He said.

“You’re a first year. It is the upper years prerogative to ditch out of stravolux if he wants to, but I just wanted to check with you. You’ve got a lot going on, are you sure you can handle it?”

Felix hesitated.

“What’s the Cauldron year?” He asked.

“Major exams.” Leona explained. “Passing even one part makes a wixen a full adult, and they literally determine the course of your life. Good grades opens up more classes in the adept years, opens up jobs and careers.”

“Okay, yeah, sign me up for the team.” Felix said. “I don’t want to fuck with someone’s future just to not be a team player.”

Leona grinned.

“Excellent. Now, Brynwyll was telling me you were having some trouble getting school supplies. Have you gotten that all sorted?”

“I’m fine.” Felix said, not meeting Leona’s icy-blue eyes.

She shoved a bag into his arms.

“It’s not fine.” She stressed. “You’re a member of Dragon house. You’re going to do us proud in the classroom and the playing field, and that doesn’t happen if you don’t have the basic school supplies.”

Felix briefly debated trying to refuse Leona’s charity, but frankly, the woman terrified him, easily steamrolling the feeble protests that tried to form.

“Thank you, Commander.” He said. 

“Thank me by scoring top marks, Sutter.” She said. “Thank me by not letting your pride get in the way of academics again. Thank me by getting a good night’s sleep and not needing to pause during tomorrow’s PT.”

She glanced significantly at Felix, who picked up the gigantic hint she was putting down.

“Yes, Commander!”