Chapter 11

"Come in and take your seats" The professor said to the crowd entering their afternoon Transfiguration class.

Professor Trannyth stood at the head of the room, watching as students filed in and sat down. Once everyone was seated, he began. "Good afternoon, and welcome to Transfiguration. In this class, you will learn how to transform, shape and manipulate yourselves and the world around you through magic. However, I warn you. You absolutely must pay attention. Attempting magic beyond your capabilities can lead to mistakes, some of which may be irreversible."

Albus continued to watch the professor, transfixed, hanging on every word in his first true lesson in magic. Being born into a wizarding family, he had grown up surrounded by magic, and sure, his father had shown him a few small spells, but it was different now that he himself was here. He was learning and couldn't possibly wait for the chance to pull out his wand and do the spells personally.

All too soon, the class ended and the next went seemingly even faster. Before he knew it, Albus found himself taking the stairs two steps at a time. He crossed the main hall, and pushed open the massive wooden doors before starting down the path to the groundskeeper cabin. What an amazing first day to have, despite the few setbacks. He couldn't believe how hyped he was to be at school, even though he hadn't even been required to use his wand today.

About halfway down the path, he stopped, something catching his eye just beyond the tree line. He looked back to the path. Hagrid's cabin wasn't far. Albus decided to investigate, hoping to see a centaur, or possibly even an acromantula. If he got in over his head, he could just call Hagrid for help.

"Well 'allo Albus. 'Ow is it going then?" Hagrid boomed in his unmistakable voice, the snowy white beard clashing against the darkness of the inside of the hut behind the man.

Albus blinked a few times, shaking the cobwebs from his mind. Was he at Hagrid's? The last thing he remembered, he was moving to try to sneak a peek inside of the Forbidden Forest.

"Well, don't just stand here, come in, come in." The large groundskeeper said, moving to the side and ushering Albus in.

"You're the first one here, I'm expecting Aki and James as well."

Albus sat down on a rather large, rustic, but sturdy piece of furniture near the fire, which had a boiling teapot hanging above it. He still felt foggy, confused. It wasn't long before a knock came at the door. Hagrid lumbered over and opened it. "Ah, James, Aki, it's good to see you." Hagrid greeted, ushering Akuji and James inside.

"Hello Hogar" Akuji greeted Hagrid, having long given up on correcting the man; instead blatantly choosing to fight fire with fire as she sprang forward for an embrace that her thrown-wide arms failed to reach even halfway around her enormous friend's middle. Everyone sat down, and Hagrid began pouring tea. "So, how was everybody's summers? And Albus, how'd your first day at the school go."

"Yes Al, how'd it go?" Akuji added, leaning forward with eyes twinkling anticipated mischievous evilness. "Did you blow anything up?"

"Oh please, Albus couldn't change the color of a rat if he were Antioch Perevell from the Tales of Beedle the Bard. Man, it's a shame the Elder Wand doesn't exist. Can you imagine the power?"

"Shut up Jemmy and let Al answer." Akuji cut sharp with touches of irritant, before turning to Albus. "Anyway, your day- well, afternoon?"

Albus put his lost time to the back of his mind, excitedly recounting the events of the second half of the day to his friends. Hagrid let out a booming laugh a few times, James mainly just rolled his eyes and Akuji beamed at her new little protégé. Finally taking a moment to catch his breath, Al went to sip his tea, only to discover it had gone cold.

"Ah, let me get that for you Albus." Hagrid said, pulling out his pink umbrella, which was then aimed it at the cup. "Infirma Igni" He spoke, before the cup began to steam. Slipping the umbrella back into his coat, Hagrid smiled. "Life's been so much easier since I was allowed to use magic. You know, I have your aunt Hermione to thank for that. She really went to bat for me."

The rest of the evening went by fast, and it wasn't long before the four of them were heading up to the castle for supper. Along the path though, Albus stopped, staring off into the woods.

"You alright Albus?" Hagrid asked, as the other three stopped to look back at him.

"Yeah, ya midget. Get on with it, I'm starving" James added, teasing his brother before Akuji smacked him in the back of the head.

"Yeah, sorry" Albus said, jogging to catch up to them. The dark shadows of the forest firmly forgotten to his back under the bright glow of the castle's windows.

(A/N): So, seems I have some explaining to do. Do to unforseen and unfortunate circumstance, I Shadowno, have been without a personal computer for over a year. With aid from a friend, and constant nagging from my co/author, I have finally returned, and look forward to resuming the Hogwarts series. I deeply apologize for the delay.

~Shadowno