Having eaten and drunk their fill, Jerel and the other first-years followed Prefect Sinclair toward the tower on the west side of the castle.
They climbed a tall spiral staircase and gained entry to the common room by answering the bronze eagle-knocker’s riddle.
“Ravenclaw doesn’t have too many rules—just follow school regulations,” Prefect Sinclair said, addressing the first-years with a serious expression.
“However, for the sake of camaraderie, please refrain from making loud noises or roughhousing in the dormitories and common room.
Private duels are also forbidden.
If I catch anyone, I will show no mercy.”
He paused for a beat, his face softening.
“Alright, first-years.
Your names are posted on the plates outside your dorm room doors, your luggage has already been delivered, and your class schedules are by your bedside tables.
Head back and unpack.
Classes start tomorrow, so don’t be late.”
Jerel followed the stream of students down the hallway and quickly found his room.
The moment he walked in, his roommate, Jack Taylor, was already unpacking.
After exchanging greetings, Jerel walked over to his own bed.
A thick, soft mattress, fluffy blankets and pillows, and heavy light-blocking drapes—Jerel was thoroughly satisfied.
Back during his time as Taka Hyuga, sleeping had been an ordeal.
He had needed to stay vigilant at all times, constantly on guard against enemy attacks.
Even inside the village, there was always the risk of an enemy spy striking.
Within the Hyuga clan compound, he had been an orphan from a branch house.
Even though his strength was respectable, he was still bullied by the main house and well-connected branch members.
Amusingly enough, he had even set up three separate sleeping spots inside the clan grounds, surrounding them with explosive tags and waking every two hours to scan his surroundings with the Byakugan.
He hadn’t even slept as soundly as when he went out on missions—at least back then, he could place a little trust in his teammates.
After living like that for seven or eight years, it was no wonder Jerel had been so thrilled when he realized he could spend a peaceful, happy childhood at Hogwarts.
Jerel threw himself onto the bed, bouncing up and down on the springy mattress while letting out a contented sigh.
*Chirp!*
In his cage by the bedside table, Frey chirped to urge his young master.
Jerel hurriedly opened the cage, letting Frey fly around the room a few times to stretch his wings.
He then pulled out pet food and fresh water, setting them on the windowsill.
Once Frey was fed and watered, he nudged Jerel to open the window.
With a light leap, he spread his wings and flew off toward the Owlery.
Jerel wasn’t worried about him.
Hogwarts had a dedicated Owlery where the students’ pets could rest, and the house-elves could understand the owls’ needs and take good care of them.
Jerel picked up his schedule from the bedside table and glanced through it.
He found that first-years didn’t have many classes—mostly just three a day, four on Thursdays.
The subject count was small too, consisting only of Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, Flying Class, and Astronomy.
Jerel couldn’t understand why first-years needed Astronomy.
He only recalled that Harry had spotted Black’s giant dog form from the tower during an Astronomy class in his third year; otherwise, Astronomy seemed to have very little presence.
Then he remembered that the acceptance letter required them to bring a telescope, which was presumably meant for Astronomy.
*School abroad really is relaxed—happy education at its finest,* Jerel thought. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
The first class started at nine in the morning and usually wrapped up by three-thirty in the afternoon.
Evening classes were rare, and weekends were completely free.
Such a laid-back pace was truly hard to come by.
Still, this was for the best.
He needed time to practice his ninjutsu.
No matter what, he would never abandon his chakra, which was a massive asset.
He needed to hurry up and restore both his taijutsu and ninjutsu.
During his first week, he would familiarize himself with his environment and find a private spot inside the castle to train.
Having made up his mind, Jerel went to the bathroom to wash up, put his things away, previewed tomorrow morning’s Potions textbook, pulled the drapes shut, and went to sleep early.
Jack Taylor had originally wanted to chat with Jerel to build some roommate rapport, but seeing Jerel actually previewing his textbook, he immediately felt a surge of crisis.
*Mom, you didn’t tell me Ravenclaw wizards had to work this hard from day one!*
Tears in his eyes, Jack opened his book and began previewing it as well, intending to write a long letter of complaint to his dear mother before going to bed.
***
The next morning at six-thirty, Jerel woke naturally.
Noticing that Jack was still fast asleep, he kept his movements light as he washed up.
Breakfast in the Great Hall hadn’t started yet at this hour, so he planned to head down near the Forbidden Forest to see if he could find a secluded spot to practice his ninjutsu.
Jerel didn’t hold out too much hope, though.
Practicing outdoors meant someone was bound to spot him eventually, which would only attract more people pointing fingers at him.
Thus, his top choice remained the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor.
Jerel stepped out through the main castle doors, crossed the lawn, and walked toward the Forbidden Forest.
Before long, he spotted a wooden hut.
As Jerel approached, several deep barks echoed from inside.
Hagrid’s voice boomed from behind the hut:
“Quiet down, Blossom!
What’s going on, somebody here?
Oh, hello there, young wizard!
I’m Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds.”
Covered in dirt, Hagrid walked out as he spoke, greeting Jerel warmly upon seeing him.
Jerel replied, “Hello, Hagrid.
I’m Jerel Prent, but you can call me Jerel.
I woke up too early, so I came out for a stroll.”
Hagrid let out a hearty laugh, clapped his hands, brushed the dirt off himself, and opened the door to invite Jerel inside.
Jerel followed him in.
In a cotton bed by the fireplace, he saw a black dog whose muzzle was already flecked with white.
The black dog lazily raised its head to glance at Jerel before flopping back down to rest.
“That’s Blossom.
A lovely girl, but sadly she’s not a magical creature.
She’s getting old now, and before long, I’m gonna lose my little girl.”
Hagrid introduced Blossom to Jerel, looking on the verge of tears before he even finished speaking.
“Dying of natural causes is a blessing in its own right.
I’ve seen many stray dogs in the Muggle world—they’re shunned by people, and the Muggle authorities even send out catchers to round them up and send them off to meet the Muggle Merlin.
With you around, Blossom faces no threats.
I think she’ll be very happy to pass away peacefully in your arms.”
Hagrid was visibly comforted.
A smile broke out across his face, and he gave Blossom’s head a thorough, affectionate rub with his giant hand.
“Thank you, Jerel.
Most folks just tell me to accept that Blossom’s getting old, but you’re the only one who understands me.
I just want these cute little critters to live well—it doesn’t matter how I’m doing.”
“These are some Rock Cakes I baked myself.
Have a bite, and while you’re at it, tell me what you’re really out here for.
I know young wizards are all full of curiosity—you definitely didn’t come out just for a simple stroll.”
Jerel smiled.
Who said Hagrid wasn’t sharp?
He picked up a Rock Cake, not daring to eat it, and held it in his hand.
“Hagrid, I like reading under trees in the forest.
I wanted to find a quiet place to study.
Do you know—”
Before he could finish, Hagrid cut him off abruptly.
“No, absolutely not!
Headmaster Dumbledore said students are strictly forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest.
As Keeper of Keys and Grounds, I will never break the rules.”
Jerel pressed on out of curiosity.
“Not even right at the edge?
If I find a spot where I can still see your hut, is the edge still unsafe?”
Hagrid took a gulp of warm Butterbeer and explained to Jerel, “The magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest signed a compact with Hogwarts.
Students aren’t allowed inside without good cause, or the magical creatures have the right to do whatever they see fit to them.”
“The edge of the Forbidden Forest stops right at the vegetable patch behind my hut.
You could say my place marks the boundary—you aren’t allowed past here, which is why I’m the Keeper of Grounds.”
Hagrid leaned down and playfully winked one of his small eyes at Jerel, looking rather proud.
“Headmaster Dumbledore appointed me himself.
I’m gonna guard this place for him.”
Jerel responded sincerely, “I believe you’re the best person for the job.
Thanks for the hospitality, Hagrid.
I should head back to the castle for breakfast.”
When he returned to the castle, Jack, who had been anxiously looking for him, quickly grabbed Jerel and pulled him into a seat.
Seeing Jerel vanish first thing in the morning, Jack had assumed he had gotten lost.