22:54 GMT
3 September, 1990
Ezekiel had noticed over the years that Hogwarts had bizarre acoustics. There were some areas of the castle where he could clearly hear people talking two floors down. Then there were other areas, like the new quarters where he was reading, where you couldn't hear anything unless someone was right outside the statue that made for a door. It was possible that this was to provide some solitude for the Head Boy and Girl, but knowing Hogwarts, it probably was just to mess with them – for all he knew, he'd be able to hear a spider scratching in the basement next Tuesday.
"Come on, Garret, don't be a wuss."
"But I don't think I'm allowed —"
"It's my room, I can invite whoever I like in." Ezekiel heard Tempest tap the statue with her wand, but she kept the incantation silent. This girl has some presence of mind, at least.
"But you share it with Bohr, don't you?"
"Well yeah, but that doesn't matter."
The statue at the edge of the room split apart and rotated inwards, like double doors. When it was open like that, one could see that the exact same statue was on both sides of the wall.
Acting on impulse, Ezekiel immediately conjured a quick barrier at the door that would let Tempest through, but not her companion.
"Oh, hello Bohr," she said when she walked effortlessly through. "I hope you don't mind, but I've brought Garret —"
"Hey! Why can't I come in?" the muscular, sandy-haired boy outside the door asked.
Tempest's face fell. "I guess the room has wards on it."
"Oh, well, I guess I'll —"
A calculated chuckle escaped Ezekiel. Tempest whirled on him instantly. "You did this!"
Ezekiel smiled and looked up from his book. "These are private quarters."
"They are private quarters which belong to both of us and I want to bring Garret in here."
"To do what? Study?"
Tempest's face reddened, but she stood her ground. "Let him in."
"No."
"Bohr I swear to Merlin —"
"It's okay, Alex," Garret said, his face also inflamed. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Tempest sighed, defeated. "Fine," she mumbled. "See you, Garret."
Garret walked off, and the door closed itself. Ezekiel let the barrier down as soon as the stone settled into its seamless join.
"That was completely juvenile, Bohr."
"Bite me." Ezekiel winced inwardly as soon as it escaped his mouth. That was even more juvenile. But he had completely forgotten about the private quarters until just an hour earlier, and he was being forced to live here with Tempest of all people, so he had an excuse to be childish for at least tonight.
"I can't believe I have to live here with you for the entire year," she said, collapsing into the sofa.
"It's like you read my mind."
"You're an insufferable jackass."
Ezekiel ignored her, and she eventually left for her room without a word.
12:06 GMT
16 September, 1984
The first Quidditch match of the year was about to begin, and despite himself, Ezekiel was interested. The only things he had heard of the sport were very poor descriptions from some of the boys in his dorm, but they assured him that it was more interesting than they made it sound. And so, although there was an entire library of books on magic to read, Ezekiel found himself in the Entrance Hall, on his way down the the Quidditch pitch across the grounds.
"Hey, you! Bohr!"
Ezekiel turned at the voice and saw a Gryffindor boy from his year standing at the bottom of the marble staircase, shouting across the Hall so everyone could hear.
"Yeah?"
"You," the boy paused for dramatic effect, "are a menace to Hogwarts."
"Am I?"
"I saw what happened in Charms! There's no way a normal person can do stuff like that." People around were stopping to watch. It wouldn't be long before everyone knew what had happened in that classroom. "You're a danger to all of us, and I, Benjamin Tempest, shall end you!"
Resisting the temptation to roll his eyes, Ezekiel said, "Good luck with that." Then he turned and continued on his way.
"Flipendo!" The spell caught Ezekiel unawares, in the small of the back. Benjamin wasn't a very strong spellcaster, barely pushing Ezekiel forward, but it still hurt, and no one had ever attacked him before.
Anger flamed up in Ezekiel, overriding all senses of caution. He turned and advanced on Benjamin, leaving the useless wand in his pocket. A flash of fear entered Benjamin's eyes, but he stood his ground like a Gryffindor, and fired another spell at Ezekiel.
With barely a thought, Ezekiel caught the spell in midair and unraveled it, dispersing the magic. Starting to panic, Benjamin threw more spells at him, but even when he put all of his force behind the strongest spell he knew – Reducto – Ezekiel batted it away without a thought, still advancing on him with a look of burning fury in his eyes.
When Ezekiel was within reach he swatted the wand out of Benjamin's hands and grabbed a fistful of the boy's robes. Despite his fear, the boy faced his opponent defiantly. Ezekiel drew his fist back and punched the Gryffindor as hard as he could across the face. Realizing that his strongest wasn't very strong, Ezekiel put some magical force into the next punch.
There was a sickening crunch as Benjamin's jaw cracked, and he was launched off of his feet in a shower of magical sparks. He landed hard on the marble stairs, sinking in a pitiful heap at Ezekiel's feet. A slow drip of blood leaked out of the corner of his mouth, followed by a raspy breath and several hoarse coughs.
The anger passed as quickly as it had come, leaving cold fear in its place. Ezekiel was left looking down at the broken Gryffindor at his feet, the implications of his actions starting to dawn on him. What have I...
He backed up one step, turned around, and came face-to-face with Professor McGonagall, giving him a look that would have quelled a mountain troll. Ezekiel's heart dropped into his stomach.
"Come with me, Mr. Bohr." It didn't even occur to Ezekiel to disobey.
"Thank you, Minerva." The austere Gryffindor professor left the office as soon as she received her dismissal.
"So, Mr. Bohr," Dumbledore said, looking down at Ezekiel over his spectacles. "Barely a week later, you are in my office once more."
Ezekiel wasn't supposed to feel emotion. Emotion was dangerous. Despite the sick fear brewing inside him, Ezekiel looked up at Dumbledore impassively.
"I should hope that you grasp the gravity of the situation in which you are in, Mr. Bohr. You have attacked and seriously injured another student of Hogwarts."
"He attacked me first!"
"Yes, he did, and he will be punished for his actions as well. But we here at Hogwarts try to teach students to turn the other cheek when such assailants harass them - especially when it is such a weak attack." Dumbledore gave him a very serious look. "You retaliated with an unprecedented amount of force – and with a considerable amount of help from your own special powers. Violence of any kind is not tolerated at Hogwarts, and what you did to your fellow student is unforgivable."
Ezekiel swallowed the hundreds of protests, and asked, "What's my punishment?"
"Professor McGonagall rather believes that you deserve three months of detention. However, I believe that you will have properly rehabilitated after one month. After this punishment, can I count on you to not attack another student in my school again?"
"I will not willingly attack another student again," Ezekiel said, his mouth dry.
"Thank you, Mr. Bohr. Now, if you will —"
"I wasn't in control of myself," Ezekiel interjected, feeling it was important to tell the Headmaster this. "I can't guarantee I won't do it again."
Dumbledore regarded him carefully for a moment. "Thank you for telling me this, Ezekiel. I can only ask that you try to control yourself in the future, for your sake, and that of your fellow students."
Ezekiel nodded dumbly, then stood from the stool and nearly sprinted for the door.