Friþ ond Fæðm
Shortly after the tragic and frightening events of the Salem witch hunts, the wizards and witches of America decided that it was high time to form an official alliance, to protect both themselves and all future generations of magic. Slowly but surely, the
Salem Institute was created; not a single building, but a network of wizards scattered throughout the colonies who became the governing body of all those who bore magic in the New World. The Institute immediately involved itself in matters both Muggle and magical; they were (secretly, of course) a driving force behind the American Revolution, and solved the
Great Blood Feud between a band of Pureblood families and a coalition of Muggleborns. Since then, Pureblood supremacist views are scarce, especially in recent years.
One of the Institute’s first decrees chartered a boarding school for young witches and wizards, which would teach them not only the spells and enchantments for their daily lives and future jobs, but the Muggle subjects which would allow them to move between the two societies. Unlike in Britain,
wizards of all lineages are familiar with Muggle inventions and customs, although they are not generally adopted.
And so, by legislation of the Salem Institute, the
Salem Academy of Sorcery was built. The school’s misleading name is derived from the Institute, not its location; no one knows exactly where the Academy is located. Some are convinced that it is tucked away somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains; others are sure that it is hidden somewhere in the deep south. Despite the discrepancies in weather, many alternate rumors still fly to this day. This is pointless, of course, as students reach the school by Portkeys stationed all across North America.
Unlike its original model of education, Hogwarts, the Academy teaches its students only five years, from the ages of thirteen to eighteen. Originally, this was due to the many small family-taught schools scattered throughout the colonies. However, as the years wore on and North America began to develop, official primary schools were founded, such as the
Southerngate Children’s School and the
Escuela de Magia (which later expanded to became the Hispanic branch of the Academy). There is also a growing trend to send young children from magical families to Muggle primary school.
Upon opening, the Academy did not have enough students to merit separating them further than by their year. The school, however, outgrew this system, and it was deemed necessary to separate the students into Houses. They were named after four of the council-men at the Institute:
Remington, Burkenshire, Meriwether, and Eberhardt. Pulling more guidance from Hogwarts, where some of the elder wizards and witches had been educated, the council created a hat similar to the theirs in nature, which would sort the students. It does not, however, sing, as that was declared pretentious.
The four houses at Salem Academy are defined by some of the basic early American virtues.
- Remington House is the home of the humble and kind. These students are the most giving, compassionate, and selfless. They are usually seen to go on and become caring parents, encouraging teachers, or social workers, whether in the Muggle or magical system. It is represented by the season of spring, the season in which animals give birth to and nurture their offspring, and the time when the weather is gentle.
- Burkenshire House is home to those who value valor and justice. They are not aggressive, per se, only adamant in their wish for truth and fair play. Champions of the underdog and always willing to help set things straight, Burkenshire members may go on to work in law enforcement or warfare. It is represented by summer, when the sun bears down like a judge upon the earth. However, the sun is necessary and just.
- Meriwether House prizes diligence and self-discipline. Students chosen for Meriwether are persistent in their beliefs and goals, constantly guarding themselves against laziness and waste. Often students from Meriwether House tend to go into jobs in politics (either in Muggle society or for the Institute) or other jobs which push for change. It is represented by the autumn leaves, which signal a change in the world, as well as the diligent work required at the time of harvest.
- Finally, Eberhardt House is the home of those rare young people with wisdom. They can also be identified by their street-smarts and ability to read people. Most major business-owners in wizarding America are Eberhardt alumni. It is represent by the season of winter, with its icy indifference and being the last season of the year, its knowledge of all things past.
With four houses in place, the school has been running fairly smoothly for three centuries. However, not everything in the past has been perfect, and the future is uncertain. When one prejudice is eliminated in a people, many more often spring from its grave; the
gaps between the social and economic classes are steadily widening, causing some to demonize the entrepreneurial Eberhardt House and its members. Meanwhile, those of high social caliber have begun to warily eye Meriwether House and its
progressive ideas about where the line between Muggledom and magic is drawn. All of this must come to a head as factions within the Institute fight for seats on the council to make themselves heard.
And of course, if the wizards themselves weren’t enough problems, there are
the witch hunters as well. Just because the Puritans are dead and gone doesn’t mean that the fear of witchcraft has ended here in America. One by one, high-standing witches and wizards are disappearing mysteriously. Have the ancient Muggle alliances begun to reemerge, causing a legitimate threat to the burgeoning wizarding community? All of these issues are swirling about, closer to home than mere gossip for the teenaged students of the Academy.
Wanna play? 
