The Silas Horatio Aloysius Zellerium Academy of Magic
School: The Silas Horatio Aloysius Zellerium Academy of Magic
Built : 1887
Location: Central Illinois, USA
Student Population: 200
Headmistress: Liza Alyson McClaskey (i.e. NOT me)
Head Craftsmistress: Verity Featherstonehenge (pronounced “Fenshaw”)
History of SHAZAM: Created as an academic refuge for young witches and wizards in the Midwest of the US, SHAZAM began in 1887. Students came from across the nation to hone their gifts and skills in a small, but thriving, community where they would be able to live in peace, yet still have all the comforts of home. Disguised at first as a well-known Asylum, and later known as the abandoned State Hospital, local muggles have often reported the place as being haunted. In fact, more than one academic paper has been written on this subject by muggles. Tales of its haunting can be found across the muggle internet and in books within the area. The truth of the matter is that when building a magical school in an already populated community, legend and lore must be built as well. The local muggles must believe in the history, so that they will believe in the future. The facility, now seemingly vacant, still thrives both magically and not-so-magically.
Even now, on foolish dares, muggle teenagers will attempt to explore the facility. Yet, they never find anything but empty halls, for the walls recognize the non-magic folk and hide well their secrets within. A muggle security guard is also always mysteriously summoned when trespassers invade the hallowed halls. Still, the muggle “owner” of the grounds will occasionally allow visitors to explore the facility. Many claim there is an invisible force that does not let them go where they will. They use this as proof that the facility is haunted. Naturally, it is the magic they feel, but do not recognize. And, of course, the place is haunted! It is natural that spirits would congregate where they too would be welcome.
Student body: Students who attend SHAZAM are often there for eight years, living amongst their peers. These students, however, are invited to attend not only for their magical abilities, but for added gifts as well. While most magical institutions have students who only express magical gifts, the students of SHAZAM also have a sensory gift. Upon arrival, students are placed into dormitories based on their dominant sensory gift of Sight, Sound, Smell, and Touch. This added talent aids the students in honing their abilities. Most students have both a dominant sensory and a recessive sensory that best matches the former.
The four dormitories are named for the founder’s four children: Audreline, Cauldare, Everick, Lenore. Each house is represented by elements, sensory gift(s), color(s) and mascots
House
Element
Sensory Gift(s)
Color(s)
Mascot
Audreline
Air
Sound (Smell)
Orange (Purple)
Phoenix
Cauldare
Fire
Smell (Sight)
Purple (Black)
Dragon
Everick
Earth
Sight (Touch)
Black (White)
Unicorn
Lenore
Water
Touch (Sound)
White (Orange)
Mermaid
As the Midwest can get rather chilly in the fall, winter, spring---well, all year ‘round, really, many students can be found wearing their gauntlets any time of day. Designed for the school in dorm colors, students can enjoy having their hands warm as they go through their daily routines, but their fingers are free for delicate works, such as writing notes, holding wands, and working in their Magical Botany classes. (see designs below).
Audreline:
Cauldare:
Everick:
Lenore:
All magical beings are invited to view our facilities and tour our lovely grounds. Non-magical people will sadly be escorted from the building and be given a free ride to the local Azkaban outbranch without prior arrangements made through the muggle “owner.”
Hope to see you soon!
Craftily Yours,
Verity Featherstonehenge
Head Craftsmistress
S.H.A. Zellerium Academy of Magic