THE KEEPERS: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

Chapter 5

When Sunan opened his eyes, he was almost certain he'd slept in.

He picked up his pocket watch from the nightstand and checked the time. He still had time, just enough for breakfast, before he'd have to leave. He sighed in relief.

He drew his bed curtains open. The familiar view of the Slytherin dorm room came into view. His roommates had left already, their beds neatly made. He rolled out of the bed, stretched himself, and made his way to the washstand.

September had just begun, but the sky over the Great Hall was unseasonably dark and gloomy. Torches and fireplaces were lit to brighten up the hall while students ate their first breakfast of the term.

Sunan had an easier time finding Sebastian and Ominis this morning. They were sitting at the end of the Slytherin table close to the entrance. By Ominis' design, perhaps. Thanking Ominis silently, Sunan greeted his friends and joined them at the table.

Ominis greeted back, while Sebastian barely glanced at him. He was stirring a bowl of porridge without eating it, letting the slurry drip from the spoon.

"Are you going to eat that?" Sunan asked doubtfully. Sebastian shrugged, his eyes still on the bowl.

Sunan glanced at Sebastian as he reached for the nearest bread basket. He looked tidy enough, thanks to the house elves who tended to his uniform and robes, though he still had that pale, fatigued complexion with dark bags under his eyes.

"Attention, sixth-years!"

The crowd turned their heads to the staff table. Professor Weasley was standing next to the podium, her cheery voice booming through the hall. "Remember to stay in your seat after breakfast. When you hear your name, come up to the staff table and we will finalize your course schedules."

Excited chatters spread among the sixth-years in the hall. Sunan turned to his friends. "How'd you do on your OWLs?"

"Not bad. Better than I needed to, really." Ominis pointed his fork in Sebastian's direction. "He did exceptionally well. Weasley's going to sing his praises, I'm sure."

"Is that so?" Sunan grinned at Sebastian, who shrugged again.

Sunan wasn't surprised. Sebastian had always been a high-performing student, but after Solomon's death, he had practically buried himself in coursework, almost desperately, as though he needed something to latch his mind onto.

Sunan and Ominis went on to discuss their OWL results. Sebastian's eyes trailed off to the day's issue of the Daily Prophet sitting face-down on the table. He flipped it and read its headline: Keenbridge Residents Claim the Rookwood Gang is Back.

Intrigued, he pushed away his uneaten bowl of porridge and placed the papers in its place.

"Sunan." A Slytherin approached him and rapped on the table. "You're up."

Sunan grabbed his course schedule and swung his legs over the bench. He walked up the corridor and to the staff table where the deputy headmistress sat, her quill-holding hand moving busily on a thick binder.

"How do you do, Professor Weasley," Sunan greeted, smiling. "It's good to see you again."

Professor Weasley looked up. She smiled back, her green eyes glinting with warmth over her half-moon spectacles.

"Mr. Saelee. Welcome back to Hogwarts." She held out her palm expectantly. "May I?"

Sunan handed her his course assignment. The professor took it, adjusted her spectacles, and gave it a proper read. She said in a thoughtful voice, "you've done very well, especially given your short time here."