~ Support & Read 20 Advanced Chapters Available now on my Patreon!
————
Hodge Blackthorn woke earlier than he would have at home, roused by the wind.
It howled fiercely, frosting the window with a thin layer of ice. He pressed his fingers against it, leaving oval smudges. Through them, he glimpsed the lake, its surface whipped into waves by the gusts.
Hodge sat back on his bed, pulling a note with elegant, looping script from under his pillow. He studied it intently, searching for Dumbledore's name among the swirling circles. It was the only person he could imagine sending him such a note.
"Morning," Terry Boot mumbled, stirring awake. Soon, their other two roommates, Anthony Goldstein and Michael Corner, were up as well.
While they washed up, Hodge opened his trunk, unpacking his belongings one by one: spare clothes, pajamas, socks, textbooks, and an assortment of odds and ends—cauldron, quills, a camera, a telescope, gloves, and goggles.
Among them, a yellowed comic book stood out.
Hodge made up his mind. Whoever sent the note, he'd at least see what the book it mentioned looked like. He tucked the note into his trouser pocket. As Goldstein emerged from the bathroom, Hodge was smoothing out his class schedule.
"What's on today?" Goldstein asked.
"Just one Charms class, this morning," Hodge replied.
From the timetable, he saw he'd have plenty of free time this year.
First years had eight subjects. Potions, Astronomy, and Flying were single lessons, meaning only one class per week, though each lasted longer than others. The rest—Herbology with three classes a week, and Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts with two—filled out the schedule.
When Hodge looked up, Goldstein stood before him, toweling his hair dry and extending a hand with an air of ceremony.
"You were asleep when we got back last night, and the feast wasn't formal enough," Goldstein said gravely. "I thought a proper introduction was in order. Anthony Goldstein."
"Oh, hi." Hodge shook his hand, sensing a bit of Percy Weasley in him.
"What are you two doing?" Michael Corner asked.
"Anthony's worried I'll forget his name," Hodge said. "By the way, was anyone using this bed before me?"
"Nope, it was always empty," Terry said, returning with toothpaste foam still on his lips. "Until yesterday, when Professor Flitwick sent someone to ask if we minded adding a bed. We didn't."
"When we got back, it was spotless," Michael added, grabbing a glass of water. "No idea who cleaned it so fast."
Hodge knew.
"House-elves," he said.
Michael nearly choked. "How didn't I know that?"
"Wait, I think I've heard something…" Terry said.
Goldstein frowned, recalling, "My family mentioned Hogwarts has had loads of house-elves for centuries. After the Wizarding War, some families that sided with You-Know-Who fell apart, and the school took in more. I've never seen one, though."
With time before class, Goldstein revised his History of Magic homework, while Terry and Michael played Wizard's Chess. Hodge watched briefly. It was like Muggle chess, but the pieces moved, occasionally shouting slogans or offering advice based on the game.
Hodge wandered downstairs, where several Ravenclaws greeted him warmly, catching him off guard. At the noticeboard, he found the reason: someone had spread word of last night's events.
That wasn't surprising. What was, however, were the three different notes pinned up, each with a conflicting version of the story.
"Ravenclaw thrives on rumors," Evelina Selma had told him.
As the center of the tale, Hodge unceremoniously removed the most absurd note—one claiming he'd let the troll loose to prove his bravery on his first day.
He read in the common room for a bit before returning to the dorm, where only Terry remained. They gathered their things, ate a leisurely breakfast, and headed to the Charms classroom.
"Today, we're learning the Levitation Charm," Professor Flitwick announced, perched on a stack of thick books at the front. "It's a highly practical spell, useful in everyday life."
"Like taking down a troll?" a student called out, sparking murmurs across the room.
Flitwick smiled, waiting for quiet. "It's possible. Some charms have unexpected effects, but I don't recommend trying it—it's far too dangerous. Now, let's return to the lesson…"
During practice, Hodge paired with Terry.
Perhaps inspired by last night's vivid demonstration, Hodge succeeded after just a few tries. His feather floated in midair, then, under his control, spun in lively circles like a playful snake. Flitwick awarded him five points.
Then he watched Terry struggle with his feather.
"How'd you do it?" Terry asked, minutes before class ended.
Hodge thought for a moment. "First, understand the spell's meaning. Then, memorize the incantation and wand movement perfectly—"
"Yeah, I know that," Terry said flatly, pointing at the blackboard. "Anything else?"
Hodge had an idea.
"Alright," he said. "Do you know Andros?"
"Who?"
"Never mind. Imagine you're a giant—unstoppable, immensely strong, with endless magic. All you need is a flick of your wand to lift Hogwarts itself."
"Whoa," Terry said, eyes wide.
"That's not all. You've done incredible things—I'll tell you sometime. Now, close your eyes. Close them! Good. Picture yourself in a valley, facing a massive boulder. It's huge, but you don't want to walk around it. You're the giant who can lift castles! You decide to use the Levitation Charm to move it. Don't frown—it's easy for you. You've done it countless times. Say it with me, softly: Wingardium Leviosa. Yes, keep the rhythm. Now the wand movement—swish and flick. Remember, you're unstoppable. Now, say the spell."
Terry's eyes were shut tight, his brow furrowing, then relaxing. After a few seconds, he bellowed, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
His shout drew every eye in the room, followed by a collective gasp. Terry opened his eyes. His white feather had sprung from the desk, trembling slightly in midair.
"Excellent work, Boot!" Flitwick's high-pitched voice rang out. "You're the second to succeed."
Terry, sheepish, said, "It was Hodge's idea." He explained what happened, and Flitwick marveled.
"Fascinating… Was it the added emotion? Or perhaps crafting a vivid, immersive scene? Or simply overcoming a beginner's nerves with confidence…"
Hodge scribbled the professor's words down, finding them insightful.
"Alright, children, keep practicing!"
At the end of class, Flitwick asked Hodge to stay behind.
"Minerva told me you did well last night," he said warmly. "Tomorrow's the weekend. Settle in, write home if you like. We'll start catch-up lessons next week."
————
Supporting me on Patreon to gain early access to advanced chapters and enjoy expedited updates. Your support is greatly appreciated.
pat-reon .com/Dragonhair
(Just remove the hyphen - and space, to access Patreon normally.)