The castle remained shrouded in shadows when Arnit awoke, his internal clock alerting him to the exact hour of 5 AM. He propped himself up, stretching while listening to the gentle hoots of Meghdoot, his owl, who had been quietly observing him from a perch by the window.
"Day two… let's make it worthwhile."
After casting "Purifico Dentis" to freshen his teeth and using "Lavatio" to wash up, he swiftly donned his workout robes. Before stepping outside, he cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself—just in case he crossed paths with Filch or Mrs. Norris. He had no desire to be caught wandering the halls before dawn.
Navigating the winding staircases of Ravenclaw Tower had become a bit easier, though they still seemed to shift just as he was making his descent. 'Rowena Ravenclaw must have had a fondness for puzzles,' he mused as he reached the final landing.
As he walked through the dimly lit corridors, he once again came across the Grey Lady. She appeared almost out of thin air, her ethereal form gliding silently.
"Back at it again?" she inquired, her tone calm and measured.
Arnit dismissed his Disillusionment Charm, offering her a slight nod. "I always kick off my day with some exercise, milady."
The Grey Lady tilted her head, her ghostly eyes scrutinizing him. "Most Ravenclaws prefer to engage their minds rather than their bodies."
Arnit grinned. "A keen mind is of little use without a strong body to back it up."
She studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "An intriguing viewpoint… You remind me of someone."
Before he could inquire further, she vanished like a wisp of smoke in the breeze.
He shook his head and stepped outside. As he approached the Hogwarts grounds by the Black Lake, he caught sight of some movement among the bushes. Though his instincts urged him to look away, his curiosity proved too strong to resist.
It was another pair of students—deep in each other's arms, lost in the world of snogging.
'Again?' he thought with amusement. This was the second time he'd come across lovestruck couples sneaking around before sunrise. The way their hands roamed, gripping each other as if trying to fuse into one, was frankly impressive.
'The dedication to wake up early for this is… admirable,' he mused, shaking his head and continuing toward the lake.
Upon reaching his favorite spot, he dispelled his invisibility charm, took a few moments to stretch, and then cast "Gravira" on himself to add weight to his body. The increased gravity turned every movement into a struggle, but it was precisely the challenge he craved.
After completing his run and all of his routine exercises, he plunged into the Black Lake, the cold water invigorating his senses. As he broke the surface, he felt a presence watching him—something substantial lurking beneath the depths.
'There's definitely something down there…'
He couldn't identify what it was, but he was aware that the lake was home to creatures that most students would prefer to avoid. He made a mental note to explore further later on.
Once he was done, he dried off with "Levatio," changed into his school robes, and headed back inside for breakfast.
The first class of the day was Herbology, shared with the Hufflepuffs, and took place in Greenhouse Three. The atmosphere was warm and humid, infused with the earthy aromas of soil and a variety of unusual, exotic plants.
—
Professor Pomona Sprout, a robust woman with a nurturing demeanor and robes speckled with dirt, welcomed the students with a friendly smile.
"Alright, first-years! Today, we're going to explore the vital role Herbology plays in the lives of wizards."
She proceeded to explain its significance in potion crafting, healing practices, caring for magical creatures, and even in defending against the Dark Arts. She categorized the magical plants into three groups: beneficial, dangerous, and neutral. After emphasizing the importance of safety protocols, she prepared the class for their first hands-on activity.
—
This was the class that piqued Arnit's curiosity the most—not due to the subject matter, but because of the instructor. He had heard whispers about the notorious position at Hogwarts and was intrigued to see who would dare to take on such a role, fully aware of its perils.
As soon as Professor Vale entered the room, Arnit's instincts kicked in, subtly but unmistakably, warning him that this man could pose a threat.
Vale was tall and had sharp features, moving with a grace that seemed rehearsed. His dark robes flowed behind him as he confidently approached the front of the classroom, his intense gray eyes scanning the students as if he were assessing each one.
"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," he began, his voice smooth and measured. "This is a subject that distinguishes those who comprehend power from those who succumb to it."
"Before we delve into spells or the nature of dark creatures, it's crucial to understand what you're facing. To defend yourself against the dark arts, you must first grasp their essence. So, tell me, what are the dark arts? How do they differ from other forms of magic?" Professor Vale inquired, his gaze piercing as he scrutinized the students from his position at the podium.
There was a weight to his words, something subtle yet disquieting. Arnit maintained a neutral expression, but his mind was already dissecting every gesture Vale made.
A Ravenclaw student named Eddie raised his hand, casting a challenging glance at Arnit, but Arnit remained focused solely on the Professor.
There was something unsettling about this instructor, and Arnit was wise enough to heed his instincts.
—
Professor McGonagall wasted no time in asserting her authority. As soon as they stepped inside, she shot them a sharp, expectant glance.
"Transfiguration is not for the faint-hearted," she declared. "It demands complexity, precision, and can be perilous if done carelessly."
With a swift flick of her wand, she turned a desk into a pig.
The entire class gasped in astonishment.
"By the time you graduate from Hogwarts, I expect you to execute transfigurations with the same level of skill."
Arnit was instantly intrigued. The idea of transforming one object into another was utterly captivating. While he had the ability to replicate Professor McGonagall's demonstration, he saw no need to flaunt his skills so soon. After all, Transfiguration is one of the most challenging branches of magic, requiring exact intent, unwavering focus, and significant magical energy. Errors can lead to incomplete transformations, lasting damage, or even hazardous consequences.
As anticipated, many students struggled to change their matchsticks into needles. However, Arnit succeeded on his first try. To his surprise, he wasn't the only one; his benchmate, Vera Sinclair, also managed the transformation. She turned to Arnit with a smug expression, and he simply smiled back at her challenge.
McGonagall offered both of them a rare nod of approval. "Outstanding concentration, Mr. Shukla and Miss Sinclair. Five points to each of you."
Fred and George, who were also in the class, gave him an exaggerated salute.
"Oi, Arnit, have you ever thought about transfiguring Eddie's jealousy into something useful?" Fred quipped.
"Like a personality?" George chimed in.
Eddie, who had been glaring at Arnit's success the whole time, muttered something under his breath and returned to stabbing his matchstick.
—
At the stroke of midnight, Arnit and his fellow first-years ascended the Astronomy Tower, their breaths forming misty clouds in the crisp night air.
Professor Sinistra, an elegant figure draped in dark robes adorned with celestial patterns, guided them in the art of star charting.
"Magic extends beyond our earthly realm," she proclaimed. "It reaches out into the very stars."
Arnit felt himself captivated by the infinite expanse of the sky.
As he traced the constellations, he pondered—how many ancient spells were inscribed among the stars?
What forgotten secrets lay hidden?
His adventure at Hogwarts was just beginning…
And there was an entire universe of knowledge waiting to be uncovered.