Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P1) Chapter 2 - A Proper Hogwarts Welcome

I open my eyes and immediately groan. The curtains in the girls dormitory are drawn, and sunlight is beaming directly in my face. Still tired and somewhat sore from the previous night's adventure, I tie my hair up into a loose bun and get dressed for the day. 

I make my way to the Gryffindor common room, and end up briefly chatting with Natty. Natty told me that she transferred to Hogwarts from Uagadou, a wizarding school in Uganda. 

"I know how it feels to be a new student. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask," Natty offers. She begins to introduce me to several other classmates in the common room.

Garreth Weasley, with his vibrant red locks and mischievous smile, firmly shakes my hand and raises an eyebrow. "Listen, I'm somewhat of a potions connoisseur. I like to experiment every now and again. If you're ever feeling brave enough to try one of my products, come find me." 

I nod, "Thank you. It was nice to meet you, Garreth."

Natty smiles at me as Garreth walks away, "He is a nice boy. But I definitely do not recommend trying anything that he makes. He gave a potion to a first year last spring and all of the hair on their head turned green. Even their eyebrows. Nurse Blainey couldn't get it back to normal for several days."

My eyes widen and Natty laughs. "Come, there are more faces you have to meet," she says, pulling me towards the other students.

I meet Cressida Blume, who appears to be rather bookish but nice enough. Then there is the adventurous Nellie Oggspire, who is balancing on top of the fireplace as other Gryffindors whisper in awe. Finally, there is Leander Prewitt. Another red-haired Gryffindor, he boasts about how he just knows he'll score highest in the class on the Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. at the end of the year. At some point, Natty had politely yet quietly removed herself from the conversation. I nod as I speak with Leander, pretending to care about what he's saying when suddenly Natty walks back over and interrupts us. "Professor Weasley is here to show you to your first class," she tells me. Thank Merlin that's over, I sigh. I walk towards the exit and meet Professor Weasley at the door.

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Sebastian POV

"Is that all you've got?" I scoff. Leander Prewitt challenged me to a duel before class. Of course I can't say no to any opportunity to best this nitwit.

"Bombarda!" I exclaim. The spell hits a large skeleton hanging above us, knocking the skull off and almost landing directly on top of the idiot. "Levioso!" an unseen voice shouts. The skull is lifted into the air above Prewitt, who is kneeling on the floor covering his head.

Professor Hecat enters the room from the small staircase to her office. "You can do well to blast each other to bits on your own time. I get new students every year, but I only have one Hibridean Black skull. This was a token from the Great Poacher Raid of 1878, no doubt you've heard of it," she states, looking directly at the class.

We all take our seats as Professor Hecat announces that we will be learning the Levioso spell. After casting on feathers and a training dummy for a few minutes, Professor Hecat clears her throat. "Now, I believe the best way to learn is through dueling. Any volunteers?"

I notice the new Gryffindor girl who made her mysterious entrance at the welcome feast. She steps forward as the only volunteer. I can't help myself as I approach the front of the room and stand beside her.

"Ah, let's start with you two. Duellists, take your marks," Professor Hecat instructs.

"Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome," I say as I walk towards the opposite end of the classroom. Professor Hecat waves her wand, and a duelling table sprouts up under our feet.