Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 5 - First Day of Classes

The next morning, the Great Hall was a hive of activity. Students filled the long tables, chatting excitedly over breakfast. The enchanted ceiling reflected a bright, clear sky, but my nerves were a storm of their own. I clung to Sirius, my anxiety flaring up again as we received our timetables.

"Here we go," Sirius said, glancing at his schedule. "Transfiguration with McGonagall first."

I looked down at my own timetable, feeling a wave of relief as I saw familiar names. "Just stick with me, Liz," Sirius said, sensing my nerves. "We'll get through this."

Navigating the castle was a challenge. The moving staircases seemed to have a mind of their own, and hidden passages appeared and disappeared unpredictably. We had to ask for directions multiple times, but eventually, we found our way to the Transfiguration classroom.

Professor McGonagall was already there, her sharp eyes scanning the room as we took our seats. "Welcome to Transfiguration," she began, her voice firm and authoritative. "This is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Any misbehavior will not be tolerated."

I gulped, feeling a new wave of anxiety wash over me. But as the lesson progressed, I found myself captivated by her teaching. She demonstrated turning a matchstick into a needle, her movements precise and controlled.

"Now, you try," she instructed, watching us closely.

I concentrated hard, my wand shaking slightly in my hand. After several attempts, my matchstick wobbled and transformed into a misshapen needle. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

"Well done, Miss Black," Professor McGonagall said, her stern expression softening slightly. "With practice, you'll improve."

Sirius grinned at me from the next desk, his needle gleaming perfectly. "See, Liz? Not so bad, right?"

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. As the lesson ended, we gathered our things and made our way to the next class.

Charms with Professor Flitwick was a complete change of pace. The tiny professor was enthusiastic and encouraging, his energy infectious. He hopped onto a stack of books to see over his desk, waving his wand excitedly.

"Today, we'll be learning the Levitation Charm," he announced. "Swish and flick, and don't forget to enunciate: Wingardium Leviosa!"

We paired up to practice, and I was grateful to have Sirius as my partner. "Wingardium Leviosa," I said, focusing on the feather in front of me. It wobbled slightly but stayed grounded.

"You're saying it wrong," Sirius teased. "It's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sa."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, Mr. Expert, show me how it's done."

He grinned and performed the charm flawlessly, the feather floating gently into the air. "See? Easy."

After a few more attempts, I managed to levitate my feather, and Professor Flitwick beamed at me. "Excellent work, Miss Black!"

Feeling buoyed by the success, we headed to our next class: Potions with Professor Slughorn. The dungeons were cool and dark, and the atmosphere was markedly different from our previous classes. Slughorn was a portly man with a jovial demeanor, but his reputation for favoring certain students made me nervous.

"Today, we'll be brewing a simple Cure for Boils," he announced, his voice rich and melodious. "Follow the instructions precisely, and you should have no trouble."

I found the precise measurements and delicate timing required for Potions to be challenging but fascinating. Sirius and I worked side by side, carefully following the instructions. My potion turned a satisfactory shade of green, though not as vibrant as some of the others.

"Not bad," Slughorn commented as he inspected my work. "Keep practicing, and you'll be brewing perfect potions in no time."

By dinner, I was exhausted but exhilarated. The Great Hall buzzed with the energy of hundreds of students sharing stories of their first day. I collapsed onto the bench next to Sirius, feeling a mix of relief and pride.

"We survived our first day," I said, smiling tiredly.

"And we did pretty well, if I do say so myself," Sirius replied, piling his plate high with food.

James, Remus, and Peter joined us, their faces alight with excitement. "How'd your classes go?" James asked, eagerly.

"McGonagall's tough, but brilliant," Sirius said, launching into a detailed recount of our day.

As we ate and chatted, I felt a sense of belonging and camaraderie growing among us. The anxiety that had plagued me all day was slowly being replaced by a feeling of excitement. Hogwarts was a place of endless possibilities, and with my brother and new friends by my side, I felt ready to embrace whatever adventures lay ahead.