After being shown the cozy common room of the Thunderbird tower, the group was led farther upward along a gently spiraling staircase that wrapped around the inside of the tower. The steps were wide and worn smooth, the stone warm beneath their feet as if it held the heat of every summer it had ever known. Windows set between the curves of the wall opened to the night sky, stars scattered bright and close, the forest below a dark sea of shadow and sound.
"This way," Marisol called lightly from the front, one hand resting on the railing as she walked. "First years are on the third level. You will move around a bit as you grow, but everyone starts there."
The stair opened into a broad landing where several wooden doors branched off in pairs, each marked with a small metal plaque shaped like a feather.
"Dorm assignments are already set," Marisol continued. "Girls to the left, boys to the right. You will find your names on the doors."
Fila slowed as she reached the first door on the left. A small plaque shimmered faintly before settling, her name appearing in neat lettering. Ophelia Grindelwald. She hesitated for half a heartbeat, then pushed the door open.
The room beyond was brighter than she expected. A large window curved outward, framed by pale wood, overlooking the forest and distant lights of the school grounds below. three beds were arranged evenly around the room, each with a thick quilt folded neatly at the foot and a trunk already waiting at the side. The walls were lined with shelves, some empty, some already holding a few shared items like a globe that turned slowly on its own and a stack of folded blankets that hovered slightly above the surface.
Fila stepped fully inside, letting the door close softly behind her as the quiet of the room settled around her. The air smelled faintly of clean linen and old wood, comforting and calm. She moved closer to the nearest bed, brushing her fingers over the quilt. It was heavy in a reassuring way, patterned in deep blues and warm golds that echoed the Thunderbird colors without shouting them. At the foot of the bed stood her trunk, already unlocked, as if the room itself knew it belonged to her now.
She turned slowly, taking the rest of the space in. Each bed had its own small bedside table, carved simply but polished smooth, with a lantern resting on top that glowed low and warm. On the far wall stood three study desks, evenly spaced, each with a high backed chair and a shelf above it waiting for books, notes, and whatever small pieces of home might follow. The room felt balanced, shared but not crowded, like it was meant for conversation and quiet in equal measure.
A soft sound at the doorway made her look up.
A girl stood there, one hand still on the doorframe, dark curls pulled back loosely and freckles scattered across her nose. She wore her robe open over her uniform, sleeves already pushed up as if she could not quite keep still.
"Hi," the girl said, smiling a little nervously. "I think this is mine too."
Fila returned the smile without effort. "Looks like it. I am Fila."
"I am June," she replied, stepping inside and letting the door shut behind her. Her eyes lit up as she took in the room. "Oh this is actually really nice."
Before Fila could answer, the door opened again, this time with more confidence. The third girl entered carrying herself with an easy stride, auburn hair braided tightly down her back. She glanced at the name plaque, then at the two of them, and grinned.
"Thunderbird girls," she said. "Good. I was hoping for people who look like they actually want to be here. I am Calla."
Introductions settled quickly after that, the initial awkwardness melting into something lighter as they chose beds without fuss. June claimed the one nearest the window, immediately leaning out to look at the stars. Calla took the far side near the shelves, already inspecting the floating blankets with open curiosity. Fila chose the remaining bed, the one closest to the door.
As they unpacked, conversation flowed easily. Where they were from. What subjects they were most excited about. Which statues had lit for them before they chose. Calla admitted she had nearly gone Wampus. June had been between Horned Serpent and Thunderbird and had chosen on instinct alone. Fila listened more than she spoke, but she did not feel the need to hold back.
Eventually, a soft chime echoed through the tower, gentle but clear.
"That will be dinner," Calla said, tying off the last strap on her trunk. "I am starving."
The girls walked out of their dorm room, and so did everyone else. First-years were first but seniors could be heard coming down from floors above.
"Alright first years" a older student shouted out. "Because this is your first time, follow me to the dinner hall" she said so that everyone could be heard.
From behind the first years someone else could be heard. "Can you guide us as well Stella?" this made the group laugh and even the girl Stella did. They seemed to have been in the same year or just friends.
The mood was really good, the first years talked and laughed with the seniors which brightened the mood a lot, it also helped the nervous new students to grow more confident and comfortable.
They walked the halls together, stopping sometimes to tell some interesting fact or show where the classrooms were.
The Great Hall lay ahead, its doors already open, golden light spilling out across the stone floor. The moment Fila crossed the threshold, she slowed without meaning to.
The ceiling soared high above them, enchanted to mirror the night sky. Stars shimmered softly, clouds drifting lazily between constellations as if the hall itself were open to the heavens. Long tables stretched across the room, already filling with students sorted neatly by house. Blue and bronze banners marked the Thunderbird tables, their fabric stirring gently despite the still air. At the far end of the hall stood the staff table, raised slightly, candles floating above it in a perfect arc.
Theo spotted them first and waved them over with barely contained energy. "Over here," he called, scooting down to make space. Fila slid into the seat beside him, June and Calla settling across from her, all of them glancing around like they were afraid the room might vanish if they looked away too long.
The food appeared in waves. Platters materialized with soft pops and swirls of steam, filling the tables with dishes both familiar and strange. Roast meats and vegetables sat beside spiced stews she could not name. Bowls of corn bread, stacks of rolls, plates of fruit that shimmered faintly with enchantment. The smell alone made her stomach twist pleasantly.
"For the record," Theo said, already reaching for a plate, "this is better than anything my mom makes. Do not tell her I said that."
Fila laughed under her breath as she served herself, the warmth of the food grounding her further into the moment. Conversation rose around them, excited and loud, first impressions being formed at lightning speed. Every now and then, she caught snippets from the other tables, laughter from Wampus, a quieter hum from Horned Serpent, the steady comfort of Pukwudgie nearby.
Eventually, the sound shifted.
Cutlery slowed. Voices lowered. A presence filled the hall without demanding it.
At the staff table, the headmaster stood.
He was tall, silver haired, with sharp features softened by a calm, steady expression. His robes were deep midnight blue, embroidered subtly with stars and symbols that seemed to rearrange themselves when not directly looked at. When he raised his hand, the hall fell silent completely.
"Welcome," he said, his voice carrying easily without being loud. "To Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
A ripple of pride moved through the room.
"For some of you, this place already feels familiar. For others, it may still feel too large, too old, or too full of expectation. That is normal," he continued. "Ilvermorny was not built to make you small. It was built to challenge you, to teach you, and sometimes to frustrate you. If it does its job correctly, you will not leave this place the same as you entered it."
Fila found herself sitting straighter without realizing it.
"You have been sorted into houses not because they define you, but because they reflect something you already carry," the headmaster went on. "Those qualities will grow. They will change. You will surprise yourselves. Allow that. Do not trap yourselves in the idea of what you think you must be."
His gaze swept across the hall, and for just a moment, Fila had the strange sensation that his eyes lingered on her, not accusing, not curious, simply aware.
"You will fail here," he said calmly. "All of you. And that is as it should be. What matters is not the failure, but what you choose to do afterward. Ilvermorny will give you knowledge, but it cannot give you courage. That part is yours."
He paused, then smiled, just slightly.
"Eat well tonight. Rest. Tomorrow, your lessons begin."
Applause filled the hall, strong and sincere, echoing up into the enchanted sky above. As it faded, the warmth returned to the room, louder now, brighter.
The dinner slowly melted into a comfortable chaos. Plates emptied and refilled, desserts appeared in generous excess, and the tension that had clung to the first years since morning finally loosened its grip. Someone down the table started a debate about which class would be the hardest. Someone else argued about which professor looked the most terrifying. Laughter rose and fell in waves, and Fila found herself joining in without thinking.
When the last of the food faded away and the candles dimmed slightly, professors began guiding students back toward their houses. The Great Hall emptied in an orderly but lively flow, voices echoing along the corridors as groups split off in different directions. Thunderbird House moved together, loud and energetic, their presence filling the halls as if motion itself followed them.
Fila looked around the halls as they moved back towards the Thunderbird tower. She looked at the painting and the doorways leading to for her unknown. And she just had this urge to go off and look at what there was.
"We can explore some other day, its only the first day." Theo said beside her. He had seen her curious look and knew what she was thinking.
Fila, a little disappointed hung her head a little.
They reached the bridge leading back to the Thunderbird tower. The carved door waited patiently at the far end, lantern light catching in the feathered patterns. One by one, students stepped forward, speaking their chosen word and walking through with confidence. When it was Fila's turn, she barely hesitated.
"Home," she said, and stepped forward without breaking stride.
The common room welcomed them again with its steady warmth. Some older students settled immediately around the hearth, others climbed stairs toward their own dorm levels, voices still buzzing with excitement. Marisol lingered near the entrance, watching the flow with a satisfied expression, offering quiet directions here and there.
"Lights out in one hour for first years," she called easily. "Do not test that rule on your first night."
Groans followed, but they were good natured.
Inside the girls dorm room they were all sitting and talking. Fila sat on her bed crossed legged, June sat in the window seat and calla sat at the desk.
"Do you think we will cast spells and potions tomorrow?" June asked while looking out of the window.
Calla who had learned the schedule shook her head. "No not potions but spells in transfiguration." She said.
Fila sat on her bed waving her wand around making small flowers appear in the ceiling only to disappear after a bit. "You are really good at that." Calla said as she observed.
"Thank you, I've been training a lot." Fila answered thinking back to her lessons with Elsbeth.
Calla and June moved closer, watching her flowers and wand work close. "Can you teach us?" they both said in unison.
Fila looked over at the two and saw not two students but two golden retrievers wagging their tails while giving puppy eyes. She almost went in to hug them.
"of course, here look at my wand movement." She started, they sat like that well into the night.