Chapter 21: The First Lesson
The night following the Sorting Ceremony was filled with laughter, awe, and the bubbling excitement of new beginnings. In the Gryffindor first-year boys' dormitory, Ashton, Harry, Ron, and Neville sat on their beds, talking late into the night. They swapped stories, shared their first impressions of Hogwarts, and speculated wildly about the kinds of magic they would soon be learning. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the stone walls as the boys' chatter filled the room, deepening the bond that had only just begun to form between them.
Despite their excitement, there was one unspoken agreement: no one wanted to be late for their very first class—especially not one taught by Professor McGonagall, the stern but fair Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. With that thought looming over them, they eventually quieted down and drifted off to sleep, eager for the morning to come.
Early Morning: A Quiet Castle
As dawn broke over the ancient castle, Ashton was the first to stir. Rising early was second nature to him, a routine shaped by years of personal discipline. The dormitory was still and dark, save for the faint golden light creeping through the tall windows. He got dressed silently, laced up his shoes, and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
Down in the courtyard, Ashton began his usual regimen—light jogging followed by stretching. The grounds were serene, the mist clinging gently to the grass, and the sky above was tinged with pastel hues. Even in silence, Hogwarts seemed alive. Every stone in its towering walls whispered of old enchantments, and the breeze carried the faintest trace of magic.
Feeling invigorated, Ashton decided to explore. He wandered through dim corridors, curiously observing the shifting staircases, enchanted tapestries, and talking portraits that greeted him or grumbled as he passed. He made a mental note of landmarks and turns, determined not to get hopelessly lost when classes began in earnest.
Back in the Dormitory
Returning to the dormitory, he found his roommates still fast asleep. He clapped his hands lightly and gave each of them a gentle shake.
"Time to wake up, gentlemen," he said with a grin. "We've got Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Trust me, you don't want to be late."
Ron groaned and buried his face in his pillow, while Harry blinked awake and asked groggily, "Transfiguration… that's the one where you turn stuff into other stuff, right?"
"More or less," Ashton replied with a smirk. "But it's also one of the trickiest subjects—and if you mess it up, things can go horribly wrong."
Breakfast and the Dash to Class
Once they were dressed and had gathered their supplies, the boys hurried down to the Great Hall. It was already bustling with students—new and old alike—talking excitedly over breakfast. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the pale morning sky as owls swooped overhead, delivering letters and newspapers.
The Gryffindor table was packed, and the plates were overflowing with eggs, sausages, toast, and porridge. The boys ate quickly, not wanting to risk being late. Nervous energy hung in the air, as students murmured about what to expect from their first lessons.
With barely a minute to spare, the four boys joined the tide of Gryffindors making their way to the Transfiguration classroom.
The First Transfiguration Class
They arrived just in time. The classroom appeared empty—except for a tabby cat sitting neatly atop the professor's desk. Its green eyes watched them with uncanny intelligence.
Ron leaned toward Harry and whispered, "Where's the professor?"
Ashton, already seated in the second row, gave a small knowing smile. He recognized the cat immediately but chose to remain quiet, waiting to see his friends' reactions.
Just as the room began to buzz with confused murmurs, the cat leapt gracefully from the desk. Midair, it twisted in a blur of motion—and transformed into Professor McGonagall herself, landing silently on her feet.
The entire class gasped. Even Ron looked as though he might fall out of his chair.
"That was brilliant," Neville whispered in awe.
With her arms crossed and a raised brow, Professor McGonagall looked around the stunned classroom.
"Transfiguration is among the most complex and dangerous branches of magic you will study at Hogwarts," she said crisply. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not return. You have been warned."
The room fell silent under her gaze.
Despite everyone's anticipation of transforming objects right away, the first lesson was more theoretical. Professor McGonagall lectured about the essential laws of Transfiguration—its limitations, the scientific principles behind it, and, most importantly, the risks of carelessness.
Though a few students looked disappointed, Ashton listened intently, understanding the importance of the foundation being laid. A single miscalculation in this subject could result in severe consequences—not just failed magic, but bodily harm or even permanent damage. It was no place for recklessness.
Wandering and Wonder
After class ended, the boys lingered in the hallway, chatting excitedly about McGonagall's transformation and what they might learn in the coming weeks. Eventually, they split up to explore more of the castle.
Ashton wandered alone through the corridors, eventually making his way to the legendary Hogwarts Library—a place he had heard held magical texts spanning nearly a thousand years of wizarding history. The library was vast and awe-inspiring, its towering shelves filled with ancient tomes, spell books, and dusty volumes glowing faintly with enchantments.
Behind the front desk stood a strict-looking woman with sharp features and tightly pulled-back hair: Madam Irma Pince, the librarian. She watched Ashton carefully as he approached.
"May I look around and take a few books, Madam?" he asked politely.
She nodded curtly. "Quietly. And no damaging the books."
Ashton made his way to a corner table, collecting a few advanced volumes from the fourth and fifth-year sections. He had a hunger to learn beyond what was required.
To his surprise, he spotted Hermione Granger already deep into her studies, with an impressive tower of books stacked high in front of her. She barely glanced up as she flipped through pages, already immersed in her quest for magical mastery.
Ashton gave a quiet smile, respecting her focus, and opened his first book. The quiet rustle of turning pages filled the room as the morning's lessons gave way to deeper learning.
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Author's Note:
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English isn't my first language, so if you find any mistakes or unclear parts, please let me know in the comments!