Chapter Text
John, Harry, and Emma have been traveling all day, since before the sun rose on their old family minivan. Now, late afternoon, John directs them from the freeway, onto the exit towards their destination- Baskerville Academy- and they finally find the correct street.
“There it is.” John says, his finger pointing straight ahead, into the front of the car, indicating the old academy building looming in the distance. “Home sweet home.”
His mother had insisted on driving him, so John thanks her, and hugs his sister, even though she was forced to go, he’s glad he gets the opportunity to say goodbye for now. His sister was a few years older than him, but never had the motivation for school, she was perfectly happy to continue to live at home, while John had wanted to get out of his hometown the minute he turned eighteen. He graduated with full honors, to study medicine, with a scholarship to play rugby.
His mother cries- Emma is very emotional, ever since the death of her late husband- and pulls the three of them into a tight hug. John finishes unloading the suitcases from the trunk of the car, he doesn’t own a lot. John has been shipped off school so many times growing up he has memorized his packing list, and knows exactly what sweaters, suits, slacks, and button-ups to include. Packing was easy, but it was the goodbyes that were the hardest. He sighs as he watches his family pull away.
It was early February, and freshly fallen snow covered the lawn of the large, run-down Georgian building where he would be living for the rest of the year. The bitter winter wind caused John to pull his sweater sleeves down absentmindedly as he started to gather his things to begin the trudge up the walkway when he sees a stout older women bustling towards him.
“No- My god!” She bellows, while John sets down his bags. “Now just wait one minute there-” and pauses in question.
“John.” John holds out his hand in greeting and the lady shakes.
“Just wait one minute there John, the porter will tend to your bags. Follow me and we’ll get you something to eat, you must be starved.” The lady nods, and smiles. “I am Mrs. Dartmoor, welcome to Baskerville Academy.”
It felt weird just to leave his belongings in the middle of the walkway, but she assured him it would be fine, and led John down several hallways until she arrived at a cafeteria that contained only a few people on the inside, and had left him with his room key and some welcome papers, then had to run due to ‘other matters’ that needed attending. John was exhausted, and he was tempted to retire straight away to his room, but the smell of freshly baked bread made his stomach growl, reminding him he had not eaten at all that day. He grabbed a tray and pushed some pasta on it, not wanting to be too greedy with portions, and went to sit in the corner of the room next to a girl with long blonde hair.
She introduced herself as Mary. John learned that she liked sports, although there weren’t any women teams at this school.
“School’s busy enough” she assured, “I hardly know what the hell I’m doing.”
Smart people often said that. The less knowledge they professed, the more they knew or so it seemed. John asked where she lived before the academy, and she said he went to a private preparatory school in London and then like everyone else, had eventually ended up at the academy. Mary asked if John played any sports at his old school. John confessed he was an avid rugby player and Mary’s eyes got big.
“I have to introduce you to Greg” she said. “He’s the team captain.”
They got on well. John enjoyed Mary’s company and was grateful when she showed him where his room was, ready to turn down for the night and get ready to meet more people the following day.