Chapter Eleven: Before the First Lesson

“Ahem, ahem…” Siwen pretended to cough twice. “It’s just that my family has a collection of Hogwarts maps! I looked them over before coming here, so I have a general idea of the castle’s layout.”

Miranda, unaware of the depths of pure-blood family resources, found his excuse reasonable and didn’t question it further. She led Siwen to the base of the Astronomy Tower, through a corridor to a small door in the northwest corner. Beyond the door stretched a vast lawn, rolling over plains and distant hills.

“This is about the only spot that fits your requirements. That’s the Owl Tower over there, and further north is the Quidditch pitch. Hardly anyone comes this way early in the morning,” Miranda said. “It’s just a bit far from the Slytherin common room, so see if you can live with that.”

‘A bit far? It’s practically the longest trek from southeast to northwest across the whole castle!’ Siwen grumbled inwardly.

Still, having a suitable place was already a stroke of luck; mornings were long and he had plenty of time. So he nodded in agreement.

Seeing his acceptance, Miranda said, “Go on with your morning training, then! Finding you a spot has cost me my whole practice session.”

Siwen grinned shamelessly. “Helping freshmen is a prefect’s duty, after all!”

“See you next time!” Miranda turned eagerly away, waving her hand behind her. She was already pulling out her spellbook and wand, making the most of every minute.

Watching her, Siwen’s mouth twitched. Perhaps it was a blessing he hadn’t been sorted into Ravenclaw…

…

When Siwen finished his morning workout following the Kamar-Taj method, it was already nearing eight o’clock. He draped his outer robe over his left arm, ready to head to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Passing through the corridor in the academic wing, he glimpsed Miranda seated on the grass, duplicating a stone several times, then making them vanish one by one with a spell.

Knowing well enough that Miranda wouldn’t want to see him right now, Siwen quietly crossed the Astronomy Tower, stone bridge, and main tower to reach the Great Hall.

Every visit to the Great Hall brought a new sense of awe. The ceiling seemed to vanish—last night, thousands of bright candles had burned overhead, but now only a sky-blue canopy showed drifting clouds.

Four tables were set with gleaming golden plates and tall goblets. With a tap on the plate, all sorts of dishes appeared.

Siwen took two slices of bread, spread a thick layer of raspberry jam on one half, blueberry jam on the other, then sandwiched them together and ate contentedly, occasionally sipping milk.

Suddenly, a rush of wings sounded—scores of owls swooped in through the windows, so many that the light in the hall dimmed noticeably.

Siwen glanced at the owl Jabby landing before him, then at the gray-black feather floating in his milk cup, and fell into deep thought…

…

The letter was from Sandrine, full of warm concern, as if she feared Siwen was uncomfortable at school or not getting along with his roommates.

Siwen shook his head with a wry smile and borrowed a quill from a senior Slytherin witch nearby to write his reply—

“Dear Sandrine: Everything is well at school. Hogwarts is a wonderful place; the upperclassmen are very helpful (here I mean Ignatius and Miranda, not Slytherin’s female prefect, Cedrella Black, whom I exclude). Abraxas is my roommate, and there’s also…”

Carefully finishing his reply, Siwen returned the quill to the curious Slytherin witch sitting beside him.

“Thank you!” he said.

“Your handwriting is lovely! And just so you know, I only glanced from afar, didn’t peek at what you wrote,” she said. “I’m Nikki Parris, second year.”

Siwen smiled. “Siwen Rosier, first-year.”

Nikki Parris was about to continue when a voice interrupted her.

“Parris, bring our books and homework, let’s head to class.”

“Coming!” Parris replied hurriedly. She bid Siwen goodbye and hurried off, arms full of books and parchment, toward the main tower.

Siwen frowned, looking toward the source of the voice, and saw a familiar face—it seemed to be the Black girl who’d sat with Walburga yesterday.

Just then, Siwen felt a sharp pain in his shoulder—Jabby the owl, having finished his breakfast at the table, was now impatient and pecked him to remind him to send the letter.

Only then did Siwen realize, rolling the letter into a tube and tying it to Jabby’s leg. Jabby spread his gray-black wings and flew out of the hall.

After this, Siwen lost all appetite. Seeing the time was short, he jogged back to the Slytherin common room, silently grateful that Slytherin’s rooms were closest to the Great Hall.

Upon entering his dormitory, he was stunned to find all three of his roommates still asleep!

A smile tugged at his lips as he raised his wand. “Lumos Solem!”

The dormitory burst into radiant light from Siwen’s wand.

“Damn it! Who did that?” Abraxas and Mowbray sat up cursing, frowning as they saw Siwen in the center, radiating light and heat.

“Siwen, what’s gotten into you?” Abraxas shouted.

“Nox.” Siwen extinguished the bright light, then summoned a normal glow and took out his pocket watch to show them. “I must remind you—it’s already eight-thirty. Do you really want to be late for Professor McGonagall’s class on your first day at Hogwarts?”

“Oh! Merlin’s beard! It’s eight-thirty!” Mowbray exclaimed. “And it’s Dumbledore’s class? We’re doomed! We don’t even know the way around the castle, with all those confounded, hyperactive staircases. We’re bound to be late!”

Abraxas grew anxious too. “Damn! It’s so dark in here, I thought it was still night! Dumbledore, who can stand against the Dark Lord himself, is hardly likely to be lenient. We’re dead…”

Gomez, meanwhile, said little, but his face had turned pale. He dressed as fast as possible and prepared to rush out.

Siwen looked at the three of them, weary. “Honestly, no need to panic. I’ve already mapped out the castle’s routes. Just follow me.”

The three instantly found their anchor, looking to Siwen for guidance, ready to follow his lead.

“Hold on a moment.” Siwen took a towel from the cupboard, dampened it with a conjured water spell, and wiped his face and neck.

After a morning’s training, he’d normally shower, but with all the time spent pondering and searching for a spot today, he had to make do.

Under his roommates’ impatient gazes, Siwen calmly took two quills from the pen holder and pulled “Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration” from the stack under his bed, stowing it in the pocket watch’s spatial compartment. Only then did he lead them out, considering whether to pack all necessary class items before morning practice tomorrow.

With Siwen guiding them, the four hurried through the main tower and stone bridge to the academic wing, then descended the Astronomy Tower stairs to the second floor, walked east along the corridor, and reached the second classroom. Only two minutes remained before the nine o’clock bell.

They entered the classroom. Directly ahead was the lectern, topped with a desk and two lavishly decorated chairs, flanked by two blackboards for notes.

The classroom was hung with cages filled with lively creatures, all watching the even livelier students below.

Three rows of desks were neatly arranged; most students had arrived, chatting in pairs about the professor’s absence.

Siwen and his companions breathed a sigh of relief—as long as they arrived before the professor, they’d be fine!

But little did they know, reality rarely matched expectation…

…