Philosopher's Stone Twin

Chapter 5 - First Week

As the first light of dawn painted the Hogwarts corridors with a soft glow, Katrina quietly slipped out of her dormitory, determined to reach breakfast as the Great Hall doors swung open. Her steps were fueled by the eagerness to savor a quick meal before delving into the intricate maze that was the Hogwarts castle. The large structure demanded extra time for first-years like her to navigate through the labyrinth of hallways and classrooms.

Seated at the Ravenclaw table by 7:30, Katrina filled her plate with a modest yet satisfying breakfast. Scrambled eggs, a slice of buttered toast, and two strips of bacon adorned her plate, accompanied by a refreshing cup of orange juice. The minutes ticked by, and around 7:45, Terry, her fellow first-year companion, joined her at the table. Their casual conversation meandered through topics ranging from their house common room to the day's impending classes.

Time flowed in tandem with their chatter, and at 8:00, Katrina finished her breakfast, patiently waiting another ten minutes for Terry to conclude his meal. Together, they ventured towards the Magical Theory classroom, their footsteps echoing through the halls.

Seated side by side in the front row, Terry and Katrina continued their conversation until the clock struck nine, signaling the commencement of their Magical Theory class. The subject matter intrigued Katrina, though she acknowledged it was merely the initial brush with the magical theories, and her opinion may change as the year goes on.

As the clock approached 9:40, the Ravenclaw first-years vacated the classroom, heading to their next destination — History of Magic at 9:55.

History of Magic, taught by the ghostly Professor Binns, proved to be a stark contrast to the morning's enchanting theories. The older students had shared tales of Binns being the sole ghost to instruct at Hogwarts, having left his corporeal form behind after an ill-fated nap in front of the staff room fire. While her peers seemed disinterested, Katrina found a certain fascination in the historical details, even if Professor Binns' monotone delivery dulled the subject matter. While she did enjoy it a slight bit, the class was certainly not her favorite.

Post History of Magic, a free period ensued, leading to the much-anticipated lunch. For most of the day, Katrina had been accompanied solely by Terry, but during lunch, he was lured away by a dormmate, leaving her to dine in solitude.

"Hey, Katrina," said Ernie, sitting down next to her. Beside him sat a blonde girl named Hannah, whose name Katrina knew not only because of the Sorting Ceremony, but also because she was in the same boat as her, Ernie, and Terry during the ride to the school the previous night. Their conversation revolved around classes and the impending Charms session they would share.

Katrina smiled at the two Hufflepuffs. "Hey guys. How're your classes going?"

"Pretty good. We've only had herbology so far. After lunch we have Charms together, right?" said Ernie.

"Yeah," Katrina affirmed, "but after that, Ravenclaw's done with classes for today."

"Ah, really? We still have History of Magic with the Slytherins after Charms," remarked Hannah with a hint of distaste. "I heard that class is really boring, and the Slytherins are so. . . well, they're Slytherins."

Katrina, feeling a twinge of offense, challenged their bias. "And what's so wrong with Slytherins? I come from a long line of them, you know."

"Oh," Hannah stammered, caught off guard. "Well, I mean, they're just, you know."

"No, I don't know. Tell me."

Ernie, sensing tension, proposed a hasty retreat. "I think we should maybe go back to the Hufflepuff table. Right, Hannah?"