CHAPTER 7: REGISTRATIONS AND GETTING MAGIC WANDS

        "What's the plan for now, then?", the teens asked.

        Grinning, Lily answered, "First of all, we are going to the B.L.E. office to register you people and get magic wands for you. Then, we are going to shop for some clothes and food on our way home". 

        "Arghh... Why don't you understand? We just want to go. Spare us! We are not settling down here", Alice said, extremely frustrated.

        "Yes, and what do you mean by 'on our way home'? Where are you going to take us, Lily?", George asked suspiciously.

        Sighing, Lily said, "Well... I may not be a saint. But I'm not a heartless being, you know. I  am not leaving you all by yourselves on the street now, am I?", then her voice grew firmer, but more beseeching, as she said, "And as for you all going back home, right away, let me tell you, you can't do that at least today. I respect your decision and choices, but I would only request you to at least stay for the upcoming Foundation Day Carnival. It's after three days from now. Stay till then, please. After that, of course you can go back. And I assure you, that not more than a few minutes would have passed since your absence in that world".

        "Well, we'll see about that. But right now, I don't think standing here, in the middle of the street and discussing plans, is a wise choice", Molly interrupted, before anyone else could say anything.

        "Yes. Right. Come on then, follow me. We are going to the B.L.E. office first", Lily told them and walked forward, the youngsters walking behind her, at a steady pace. 

        As they walked, they saw many houses and shops, most of them with snow covered roofs and vapour covered windows. They saw many people passing through, doing their own work. Looking up at the sky, they occasionally found one or two Pygmy Gliders flying across, carrying envelopes or pouches. Along the way, they came across a pristine fountain. The rays of the late afternoon sun reflected upon the water gave it a shimmery sparkle, making it look like the crystal clear water brimming with little diamonds.

        Lily noticed the gaze of the teens, focused on the fountain. "What are you looking at? I know, it's breathtaking, isn't it? That fountain is magical, you know", she said, chuckling. 

        "Oh? What's magical about it, then?", Fred asked.

        "Well, for starters, it's water has certain antiseptic and healing properties. I mean, it won't cure a disease, but it's effective in healing deep wounds; bruises, etc. Another thing is, it may look shallow from outside, but it's very deep. It's like a miniature lake. It has underwater creatures in it. Some of them can be nasty. You wouldn't want to come across them. They can be dangerous", Lily told them.

        "But don't the people here, have mermaids?", George questioned.

        With a little laugh, Lily said, "The people here, don't HAVE mermaids. They are a different race and community. Although, they are not in this fountain. But, let's keep all those topics for later. Right now, have you all forgotten, that we've got some place to reach?", Lily said and without a pause, turned around and started walking. 

        "Don't they have vehicles here?", Molly asked. "There are, but only motorbikes. Otherwise, there are different magical modes of transport. But you can't use anything, unless you are registered", Lily answered.

        Finally, Lily stopped walking and it seemed that they had reached their destination. In front of them, was a luxurious-looking, multi-storeyed building, with glass windows and doors. It had a royal and traditional look to it. It looked regal and yet, not ancient. Many people were moving about the place, most of them dressed in official suits. 

        Lily led them to, what seemed a common area, surrounded by huge archways with intricately designed doors on all directions. Over the doors, were attached huge plaques, with department names, like Department of Finance Management; Department of Trade and Commerce; Department of Education, etc. Lily led them into the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

        Inside, was another completely different view. Many desks and tables were around the room, with each person sitting behind each desk. People were milling around the huge, spacious room. Lily gestured them to follow, and led them to a desk, behind which was sitting, moustached, obese and rather grumpy looking man. As soon as they approached, he greeted them in a dull, gruff voice. Lily greeted him back and the four teens heard her discussing with him, about their registration as visitors. 

        The man, Mr. Burnet, or that's what was written on his name plate, got up, and waved his hand, asking them to follow him. He led all of them to the wall directly behind his desk. George and the Brackwells watched in wonder and awe, as he moved his hand across the wall, towards the right side and it opened up.

        "Hello? Are you listening?", Mr. Burnet asked, rather loudly, which told them that he had been trying to get their attention for a while now. Standing aside, Lily was trying to control her laugh.

        All of them followed Mr. Burnet into the brightly lit room, where they were asked to sit on a settee. Mr. Burnet, then proceeded to bring out four small flasks, with a transparent and dense fluid. Bringing it over to them, and opening the stoppers, he asked them to dip their fingers in each flask. The four of them were more confused than ever and hesitated to do as he told them. "It's for the purpose of authentication. It's completely harmless. This is the Fluid of Identity and it is only for the purpose of identification. It's safe", Mr. Burnet assured them. 

       They were still sceptical, but seeing Lily's reassuring look directed at them, they complied and dipped their fingers in the four flasks. As soon as they took out their fingers, the fluid turned a dark shade of blue. 

       One by one, Mr. Burnet took the flasks and with a dropper, put one drop from each, on a long register, with a red cover. They looked on, amazed as their names got imprinted in a column of the register.

       Mr. Burnet then moved over to another table, and bended over it, working on something. He came back in a while with their B.L.E. certified Visitor passes.

  

       Suddenly, Molly gasped out loud and everyone looked at her. "Why didn't I think of this earlier?! Doesn't this whole process require any payment?", she asked, horrified. 

       "No Miss Brackwell, it doesn't. A visitor pass doesn't require payment. It's free of cost. However, a Citizenship Pass does require payment. So, you don't need to worry", Mr. Burnet assured her.

       After getting themselves registered, the four of them, proceeded with Lily to another desk, where a middle-aged woman was sitting.

       "This is where you are going to receive your magic wands", Lily said.

        Mrs. Hopkins, the lady at that counter, got up and led them into another hidden room beyond the wall behind her desk in the Department room. The room was empty, except a cupboard at the far corner of the room. All the visitors, led by Mrs. Hopkins, went up to the cupboard. Their guide, had now taken out a large key, which she proceeded to insert into a slit in the cupboard. And without even turning the key, the cupboard opened up. 

       This whole process was watched by the four newcomers in amazement. She then took out four intricate metallic sticks. After which, she brought four vessels.

       "Here, dip your fingers in the Fluid of Identity. These wands will then be dipped into them, so that no one else could make use of your wands", she instructed, forwarding four vessels, kept on a tray, with the same liquid which they had been offered in the registration room.

       "But, we already did that in another vessel. Why don't you bring the same one? Why do we have to do it once again?", George asked curiously.

       "Yes, you did, Mr. Brackwell. But Fluid of Identity is something, which, if reaches someone with nasty intentions, can prove to be dangerous. So, it is made in a way, which makes it vanish after a few minutes of being used. I hope I have quenched the thirst of your curiosity? Now, can we proceed?", she asked letting out a small chuckle.

       The four newly certified visitors, now used to the process, complied, and dipped their fingers into the vessels. After that each wand was dipped into a vessel and soon, taken out and handed over to the specific owner. As soon as Molly got it, she noticed an engraving on the lower side of the wand, which she pointed out to the others as well. They all were amazed to see their respective name initials engraved there.

       Lily too, was given back her wand, which had already gone through the process.

       Not much later, all the five visitors found themselves walking on a pavement, chatting and laughing among themselves.

       "So now, we are going to the inn where I have got two rooms registered to myself. Not far from it, is a place where we can have food", Lily instructed them.

       "Do you have money on you? And tell me, is the monetary system in this world different from ours?", Molly asked.

       "No. The monetary system is the same. Only, it varies from country to country, just like in our world. And for that very reason, I've got money. I mean, I am not an unemployed woman, you see", Lily said and grinned at them.

       "And yes, today we are going to rest. And tomorrow, we are going to Mr. McAdams. He will teach you the art of handling and operating your magic wands. It's nothing complicated. So, you are going to learn it in a matter of just two to three days. Especially since you are going to learn it from such an experienced and wise man", she informed them. The four teens facepalmed. Why did they have to learn all that, in the first place? They weren't going to stay here for longer than, maybe a day!............

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Notes (A/N): Hi lovely readers! 😊 Are you liking the plot? Was I able to portray everything clearly? How was the chapter?😉 Do give your valuable suggestions and opinions in the comments.😇

So, now they've got their visitors' passes and their magic wands... What next?😁

Love you loads 💙💛...