**Guys, I know, I know…
the Prefect during Harry’s first year was Robert Hilliard.
This isn’t me rewriting canon….It’s just a small cameo for my boy Anthony Goldstein.
Thanks for understanding!
😅****
Chapter 18: A New Routine
September 2, Hogwarts, Kael’s room.
Waking up was pleasant.
My body and mind felt rested.
More than that, energy overflowed within me.
Perhaps it was the effect of being in a magical castle?
But that’s a silly question.
Of course it was because of that.
The concentration of mana in the air was so high that it acted like free electricity, absorbed by my core like a battery, thereby charging it.
But there was a difference.
Over time, a battery wears out, but a mana core only grows “stronger.” Simply wonderful.
I woke up at five in the morning as usual.
Over the years, it had become a habit.
But habit wasn’t the only reason.
There were two more.
First, mana.
Second, prana.
The symbiotic effect of these two energies on my body was incredible.
I mentioned earlier that I felt more alert, stronger, and “smarter,” but I also got tired less easily and recovered faster.
And that wasn’t the end of it.
Every time, my body got better and better.
How long would this continue?
Was there an end to this process?
And of course, the third reason was Metamorphmagus training.
Monitoring my body and having micro-control over it had a positive effect on my overall well-being.
This also included eliminating waste from my body.
By controlling my digestion, I rarely had to go to the bathroom, about once a week.
Nothing but positives.
I still had three hours until breakfast.
During that time, as always, I managed to complete my morning workout.
It included training my mana control and capacity, physical training (mostly yoga), and meditation (which took quite a bit of time, since I meditated during my magical training as well).
Everything a young, growing wizard’s body needs.
During my meditation, I had to think about my future strategy.
Filius had singled me out too much.
If earlier I had wanted not to stand out, to play the role of a quiet nerd, now that strategy was out the window.
And it was all because of the professor.
By singling me out, he had shown his favor toward me.
All the children in my house noticed it, and the older ones would take note.
I had no doubt that within a week or two, the whole school would know about it.
After all, Hogwarts is a boarding school, and one of the main pastimes is gossip.
From this, I could derive both pros and cons.
The pros: I would be in the spotlight.
If I were trying to build a career or make connections, this would be very helpful.
Fame, to some extent, would also make it easier to make contact with people.
And of course, my relationship with Filius.
He singled me out on the very first day.
I should take advantage of that.
I just have to not overdo it, or I might get a negative reaction.
The cons: raised expectations of me.
When a person is well-known and also a “teacher’s pet,” a certain opinion is formed about them.
People subconsciously expect something from them that sets them apart from the crowd.
It doesn’t matter what exactly.
Everyone expects exactly what they want.
That fact is not very pleasant.
I need to stand out not the way others expect, but the way I want.
Also, I would attract the attention of the professors, which is not good.
Professor Flitwick showed that my secret intrigues mean nothing to experienced professors.
Summing up my meditation, during which I did my thinking, I came to one logical conclusion: I would play the role of a smart, slightly antisocial student, but without going overboard.
I would also have to be not just smart compared to my classmates, as I wanted before, but to truly stand out from them.
That’s much harder.
I would have to play the role of a mini-genius, but nothing more.
Finishing my morning routine, I got up and looked at the clock (the room had an antique, handcrafted clock).
It was seven o’clock.
Just enough time to wash up and get dressed before heading to the Great Hall.
Time to shower.
***
Leaving the common room, I saw that not all of the first-years had come out yet.
Well, I’d wait.
Sitting in a chair by the fireplace, I waited for the others.
There was still plenty of time.
Besides, yesterday had been an emotional day, and many of them were very tired.
After all, they were children.
I didn’t have to wait long, though.
My “fame” was already starting to work.
Penelope Clearwater, our prefect, approached me.
“You’re early, Kael,” she said instead of greeting, approaching me with a slight smile.
“Everyone usually comes out around seven forty-five.
You came out at seven twenty.
How mature of you.
Perhaps the honorary title of Sparrow would suit you better than Raven?”
“Good morning to you too, Miss Clearwater,” I said, getting up from my seat and bowing my head slightly in greeting.
“I wouldn’t be so definitive in my conclusions.
Ravens get up just as early as sparrows, and there are many other ‘early birds.’ Also, I wouldn’t divide people by their sleep schedules.
That could lead to forming a false opinion about a person.”
“Come on,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.
“Better tell me, how do you like Hogwarts?
It’s incredible, isn’t it?”
“I’ve been here less than a day, so I can’t give my opinion.
But if you’re talking about first impressions, then yes, it makes an unforgettable impression.
Just being here is ‘uplifting.’ It feels as if the walls of this, without a doubt ancient, castle give you strength and confidence in life.”
“Yes, you’re absolutely right.
It’s even easier to breathe in the castle and its surroundings.
Perhaps you’ll feel something else.
I can assure you, the castle hides far more secrets than those that are visible on the surface.
And their number only grows every year.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” I said, pretending to think.
“The castle is incredibly old and mysterious.
How many secrets have become known, and how many remain undiscovered?
Perhaps I’ll be able to uncover some of them.”
“Haha, I see you’re confident in yourself.
Well, good luck to you.
When you uncover some of them, don’t forget to share your discoveries with me, okay?” she said with a wink.
Then she glanced behind me and continued, “Time to wrap it up.
I have to go.
Your classmates are already here.”
Turning around, I saw my classmates.
Anthony was standing next to them, telling them something.
I walked over and started listening.
Clearwater came with me, but she stood next to Anthony, not among the first-years.
“Since you’re all here, we can begin,” the prefect began, glancing at all of us.
“First, good morning.
I hope you all slept well.
Second, in about five minutes, we’ll head to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Try not to wander off.”
He paused, giving us time to think.
The children continued to listen in silence.
“Third, your schedule has been announced,” Anthony continued with a smile.
“Your first class is a double Herbology.
You won’t need to bring your textbooks, don’t worry.
By tradition, the first Herbology lessons are introductory.
Professor Sprout is a kind woman.
Keep that in mind.” He looked at us seriously.
“The classes will be doubled, meaning you’ll have two Herbology lessons before lunch, and two Charms lessons after lunch with our head of house.
Got it?”
Everyone stood in silence, not planning to ask questions.
I raised my hand.
Looking at me, he said, “Yes, Kael.”
“Who will we be having classes with?” I asked, lowering my hand.
“I mean, which house?”
“Interesting question,” the prefect said with a slight smirk.
Only in Astronomy and Flying will all four houses be together.
Only in extreme cases will you have other ‘pairs.’ Does anyone know why?”
His smirk seemed to grow even wider.
It was immediately clear that he had his own opinion on the matter.
“Any more questions?”
“No, that’s all,” I said, shaking my head slightly.
“Great.
Well, are you ready to go?” Not seeing any disagreement, he continued.
“Then let’s go.”
Forming up, we followed the prefect to the exit from the common room.
*
*
*
Entering the Great Hall, we all sat at the beginning of our table.
It was seven fifty-five.
Our entire house was already seated at our table.
The scene was different at the other tables.
The entire Hufflepuff table was full.
Everyone sitting there was chatting amicably.
Some joked, some told stories.
It was also pleasant to look at the first-years.
There was no nervousness on their faces.
All the children’s faces were bright and happy.
They had clearly been welcomed very warmly.
The badgers lived up to their reputation as the friendliest house.
Very few people were sitting at the Gryffindor table.
Students from that house were also approaching the table alone.
The opposite was true at Slytherin.
Over the span of two minutes, representatives of that house entered in friendly groups, all of the same age.
They also sat down at the table together.
Their conversations were restrained and somewhat sluggish.
At exactly eight o’clock, the Headmaster of the school, Albus Dumbledore, appeared at the staff table.
He looked just as fabulous as ever, straight out of a children’s fairy tale.
Only his robe was bright orange.
At his appearance, various dishes began to appear on the tables.
What was breakfast at Hogwarts like?
Oatmeal, sir.
And pumpkin juice.
The books didn’t lie about that.
Good grief.
Checking the food for poisson, I began to eat.
Glancing around the Great Hall, specifically at the red and gold table, I didn’t see the hero or his sidekick.
Apparently, like in the canon, they had slept through their first day of school.
As soon as we finished eating, the dishes disappeared from the tables.
Everyone began to disperse.
“First-years,” Anthony’s voice came.
“Everyone gather around.”
We all gathered near our prefect.
After counting us, he nodded and continued.
“I’ll tell you all at once.
I’ll take you to the greenhouses now, where you’ll have two Herbology lessons.
When the lessons are over, don’t disperse.
Miss Clearwater will come for you.
Got it?” He looked at us, and when he was sure we understood, he continued.
“Great, everyone follow me.
Don’t fall behind.”
With that, he headed toward the exit from the castle.
We left through the main entrance, then turned and headed away from the Black Lake.
The greenhouses were visible from a distance.
There were more than twenty of them, and I must say, they were not small.
Leading us to the entrance of the first greenhouse, the prefect gave us some parting words and left toward the castle.
Watching him leave, we all crowded in front of the door.
No one opened it, just glanced at each other.
However, most of the glances were directed at me.
Sighing, I pushed the door open.
Ahead of me was my first magic lesson, even if it was Herbology.