03. The Change:

Delancy guided the group down the intricately placed hallways and staircases. Mitchie found that she was curious, she wanted to know where they were going and who would be there and what they were going to do and what they would be wearing.

“We are going to meet the Head Mistress of our academy." Delancy told the three girls, who were following her. “She will take the three of you into the start of the semester assembly where other freshmen are waiting for their change. She will summon a teacher from the species you want to become. An aspiring wizard is called an apprentice, the wizarding teacher, inserts a small ball of energy probe into the heart of the apprentice, the probe spreads through your body, altering the gene codes of every cell so the synapses of the nervous system can successfully hold magic. Got it?"

Mitchie shook her head as Alexis nodded, they paused, exchanged looks and then Alexis started shaking her head at Mitchie who nodded hesitantly.

Madison waved to them as she came over. “Want help?" When Delancy nodded Madison took up the explaining. “The ones changing into vampires are called fledglings. A Vampire's change starts with a blood exchange. Every semester the vampires hold a blood donation campaign for the next semester's fledglings."

“It takes a whole day to form stronger bones and faster reflexes. A few vampires, mostly ones from wizarding background find that they have one special power at their disposal." Delancy inserted.

“Turning into a vampire is not easy," Madison continued. “That's what makes them strong. I've heard it feels like you're burning the whole time. And it's not only the inside that changes for them, but the outside too. Smooth skin, musical voices and fangs. They may be dangerous but they're all simply so good looking."

“At midnight you wake up as changelings you will be taken to the Head Mistress and the next day your classes will start." Delancy stated then turned to the new girl and introduces her to the group. “Madison, these are my roommates. This here is Alexis, that’s her twin sister Mitchie and Jennifer is our latest addition." They greeted each other with smiles and greeting.

“Let's go for your change. The Head Mistress is waiting." Madison said.

The girls piled into the already full auditorium from a dude entrance. On a circular dais made of one big chunk of marbonite was a gorgeous looking lady. She was dressed in formals. A huge crowd had gathered there. “Welcome. I am the Head Mistress of the school but you can call me Nicole." The lady had a beautiful figure; she had dark eyelashes that threw shadows on her high cheekbones whenever she blinked. Her hair was pinned at the back but the length of it ran down her back in a straight fall that reminded many a people of a waterfall at night. “Are you ready for your change?"

The student body was abuzz with excitement and nervousness. The girls joined a small group of students beside the platform leaving Delancy behind in the crowd. Nicole had them line up in front of the teachers. When it was Jennifer's turn, she stood in front of Kelcey Smith who offered her a chalice filled with bright red liquid. Jennifer hesitated for a moment then took a sip. Her lips were red when she handed the chalice back. A moment later her body flushed a rash red colour, her temperature spiked and her knees buckled and the teacher caught her before she dropped to the ground. A trio of senior apprentices were expertly casting teleporting charms on every student that had initiated their change.

Mitchie's eyes went wide as she saw that. “Does that hurt?" She whispered to Alexis, who shrugged. 

“Mitchie, it is now your turn." Head Mistress Nichole called to her.

“Can Alexis go first?” Mitchie questioned and pushed Alexis ahead. Alexis stepped forward. She took a look at the crowd and froze. Her eyes started glowing silver, which was odd.

“Go on, Alexis, go start your change." Mitchie said in a frightened voice, unaware that, that it had already happened, she hadn't seen Alexis' eyes start to glow. Alexis didn't reply, she didn't utter a single word then she dropped to the floor in a dead faint. “Alexis? Alex!" Mitchie said, as she dropped to her sister's side and shook her twin, trying to wake her up. “Her temperature is so high! What's wrong with her?"

“She has begun a change." Head Mistress Nicole said but the unspoken statement hung in the air. She didn't know what the young blond would turn into. Professor Maria Portman - the only human Professor in the academy - escorted Alexis to her room, on a stretcher. After all, she was the head of the Healing department.

“Come along, Mitchie." Nicole said, pulling the attention of the whispering crowd back to the matter at hand. “We don't have all day, let's get you changed."

Mitchie stepped forward. She was practically quivering with nervous energy. Her change was snappy and just as Delancy had described it would be. It wasn't long until all the freshmen had been turned into changelings and transported to their respective rooms.

                                                                        ~ $ £ ~

The next morning saw the awakening of the new students as changed beings. In room 913 Delancy and Mitchie raced over to Alexis' bedside, sleepy eyes were wide and worried.

The girl on the bed wasn't Alexis; she looked so different that her own twin couldn't recognise her. She definitely had the same body and hair but the skin was flawless the hair more lustrous, eyes when opened were green as emeralds and lips red and soft as rose petals. To her own sister, Alexis was a stranger with familiar characteristics.

“Alex, you look amazing." Mitchie said.

“Don't call me that," came the reply, he voice was lovely in way that you wish she could sing you to sleep at night. “My voice...? What's happening? My mouth feels sore."

“You're okay," Delancy grinned, "She's okay."

"Okay? I hardly think this is okay." Alexis sat up her hair, surrounding her shoulders glossy and silky.

"Oh, no, you're okay. In fact you're great," Delancy said, smiling and nodding, clearly she'd caught on to the turn of events.

"What? Of course she isn't! Something is really wrong with her." Mitchie protested.

  "Mitchie, she's alright. She's great, brilliant even." Delancy assured the panicking girl.

"What is going on?" Alexis demanded.

"Alexis, you're a... A..." Delancy was so excited she was stumbling over her own words.

"My gosh, Alexis you're..." came Jennifer's sweet voice from behind the girls, she too looked equally beautiful. “You're a vampire too."