Hogwarts, First Day
For the first time since she had set foot in the school, Sarah Black had woken up earlier than expected. She remained by her window, gazing at the view, trying to make as little noise as possible so as not to wake Ginny, who was fortunately still sleeping soundly. Her eyes fell on Hermione's empty bed, and her thoughts immediately turned to her and their friends. She couldn't find peace.
It had been only a short time since their sudden departure, yet she missed them every moment, every second.
She decided to start getting ready for the day, curious to discover what great changes Hogwarts had chosen to implement for this new era.
The common room was empty, as were the corridors.
Few students had had the same idea of getting up early; for the most part, they moved in groups, never alone, as if the walls of the school were no longer as safe as they once had been.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and a strong wind tousled her hair as she made her way to the Great Hall, forcing her to hold it in place with her hands.
The hall was nearly empty as well.
Sixth- and seventh-year students were the most present, but no one spoke. They all sat in silence, having breakfast, lost in their own thoughts.
Sarah sat in her usual spot, took some eggs, and placed them on her plate while, with her other hand, she flipped through the Defense Against the Dark Arts book they would be using that year.
She immediately noticed that it was different from the usual textbooks she had bought in previous years: the content focused mostly on the history of curses, while very few words were dedicated to defending against them.
She tried not to dwell on it too much and returned to eating, but she looked up when she noticed Professor McGonagall approaching the Gryffindor table.
The woman did not have her usual "first day of school" smile.
She seemed more tired than usual. She handed Black a piece of paper, and Sarah understood that it was the class schedule for the year.
1997-1998 School Schedule
Monday
9:00 - 10:00: Potions
10:15 - 11:15: Defense Against the Dark Arts
11:30 - 12:30: Arithmancy
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:45 - 15:00: Ancient Runes
Tuesday
9:00 - 10:00: Transfiguration
10:15 - 11:15: Herbology
11:30 - 12:30: Alchemy
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:45 - 15:00: Charms
Wednesday
9:00 - 10:00: Potions
10:15 - 11:15: Charms
11:30 - 12:30: Defense Against the Dark Arts
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:45 - 15:00: Herbology
Thursday
9:00 - 10:00: Transfiguration
10:15 - 11:15: Arithmancy
11:30 - 12:30: Alchemy
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:45 - 15:00: Ancient Runes
Friday
9:00 - 10:00: Defense Against the Dark Arts
10:15 - 11:15: Ancient Runes
11:30 - 12:30: Transfiguration
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:45 - 15:00: Alchemy (Practical)
ALL STUDENTS WILL ATTEND MUGGLE STUDIES EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY FROM 5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM.
Sarah looked back at Professor McGonagall, confused by the last note on the schedule.
"But I never chose this subject before."
McGonagall stepped closer to speak without being overheard.
"Snape's orders, Black. I'm sorry," she said with a sad smile before returning to the staff table.
Sarah lowered her gaze to the paper, feeling more confused than before. The schedule was surprisingly less demanding than usual—one of the few things working in her favor.
From a distance, she saw Ginny enter, followed by Neville and other Gryffindors.
They crossed the Great Hall to join her for breakfast.
"Good morning, Sarah. Did you sleep well?" Neville asked.
She nodded before handing him the paper and pointing at the note at the bottom.
"None of us have ever taken Muggle Studies," Ginny commented.
"Apparently, it's mandatory now," Neville replied, exchanging a glance with Sarah. "One of the many changes we should expect from this school."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"From what I've heard, the Carrows are—"
"Death Eaters," Sarah interrupted, glancing at the siblings seated at the staff table. "Yes, I've heard that too."
"Do you think they'll be a problem?" Seamus asked.
Sarah stood up, grabbing her bag.
"We'll just have to find out."
~~~~~~~
YOU ARE READING
𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)
Fanfiction"𝙞'𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞'𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙞 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣" [Tom Riddle...
