The train to Hogwarts was… interesting.
Erik arrived at Platform 9¾ before the sun even had the chance to shine. He didn't bother to say goodbye to his mother, who had thrown another several thousand pounds in his direction almost impulsively as he walked out of the door. Erik begrudgingly put the cash in a wallet he'd found lying around, reminding himself to deposit it to Gringotts somehow. The two didn't speak at all during the whole exchange. His mother simply sipped her tea as he walked out of the door with his luggage in hand, Ayesha in tow, and his violin case securely on his back.
He took a train to the platform. It was mostly empty, save for the night shift workers sleepily trying to get back home. Erik was already wearing his school clothes and robe, using the hood to hide his masked face.
He was using a different mask from his usual black one, which was safely tucked in within his bag for emergencies. The one on his face was the exact same color as his skin and had a small opening for his mouth. Erik had fashioned it himself with an almost obsessive edge during the days before Hogwarts. He tried to make it as normal and natural as possible, just to avoid any unnecessary attention to it or to himself.
When he reached the station, Erik followed the instructions Professor McGonagall gave to him. He shot one final glance at his cat before he confidently walked through the wall between Platforms 9 and 10. He expected to hit his head and to feel like an absolute idiot, but instead he was thrust into another platform entirely. He didn't know what he would have preferred.
Erik sat on a bench at the very end of the station, ignoring the mounting unease he felt as the sun rose and more people came in. Students arrived with their parents and Erik simply watched them from afar. He kept his things close to him and Ayesha contented herself with lazing on his skinny lap.
He didn't know how long he waited, but eventually a loud whistle alerted the arrival of the Hogwarts express. Erik rolled his eyes when he saw its antique design. Even the London Underground had trains more modern than this.
Regardless, he hurriedly made his way inside. Erik was quiet and graceful so as to not draw attention to himself. He ignored the other children tearfully hugging their parents goodbye. He used the extra few seconds they gave to situate himself at the farthest cabin on the very end. It was rather spacious and comfortable, with lush chairs and a big window view. Ayesha leapt on the chairs and began napping as Erik settled himself in.
Little by little, the train was boarding more students. Erik contented himself with reading his books and practicing some spells. Professor McGonagall had explicitly told him that magic cannot be done by minors outside of Hogwarts. Since he was technically within Hogwarts property, he supposed that this was alright.
He was fond of magic, but he was more fond of the limitless power it held. During the summer before Hogwarts, Erik wanted to march up to Diagon Alley and buy even more books. At least, something more stimulating.
Why the hell would he want to turn a match into a needle? If he wanted to transfigure something, he'd change his face to a normal one. He scoured through the First Year texts, praying that he'd find something useful if not interesting.
He was very disappointed.
Still, he easily memorized all the books he'd bought. He didn't want to be the idiotic freak his mother thought him to be. He contented himself with drawing little sketches on the margins whenever he felt even the slightest bit bored.
A few of the dullest minutes of his life went by and he heard two people giggling from outside his booth. Irritated, Erik peeked through the tiny window of the cabin door to see who was annoying him. Two blonde heads poked outside, but in the train cabin opposite of his. There was a boy and a girl walking hand in hand. They were laughing and whispering to each other as they made themselves at home.
Erik rolled his eyes in disgust. They were acting like preschool sweethearts. Erik subtly spied on them a little more. The boy carried himself confidently as he jutted his chin up high. His clothes were pristine and looked even more expensive than Erik's, much to his chagrin. He was rather effeminate, with a slim frame and wide blue eyes that were looking at his companion with adoration.
Erik, being the nosy brat his mother always claimed him to be, spared a glance at the girl he was with. His breath hitched and a strange wave of familiarity crashed over him when he realized she was the same girl he briefly caught a glimpse of at Diagon Alley.
She was… beautiful. More so than he imagined.
Her hair fell in golden curls along her back and her face was gentle, almost cherubic. Her smile was toothy and radiant and Erik already felt himself melt just by looking at it. Her eyes were a shade of blue that were much brighter than her companion's. Her clothes and luggage, however, looked cheap and old.
Before they shut the door to their cabin, Erik managed to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Little Lotte," the boy said to her. "Do you think we'll be in the same house?"
"Call me Christine in public, Raoul." She rolled her pretty eyes at him before shutting their cabin door shut.
Christine. That was her name. A flood of fondness crushed Erik's heart and he simply didn't know why. He didn't even know the girl. Why was he so flustered by her? She wasn't the first pretty person he's ever seen. So why was he blushing like an idiot under his mask at the thought of her?
His door suddenly opened and he jumped back in surprise. Out of nowhere, a boy with darker skin stood before him. His brown eyes were big and inquisitively looking at Erik who was feeling more and more defensive by the second.
"This cabin is full," Erik said with a glare. He subconsciously pulled his hood lower down his head. "Go away."
The boy was taken aback. He blinked at the harshness of Erik's voice, but instead of commenting, he peered behind Erik's shoulder to see the inside. It was very obviously empty.
"No, it's not." The new boy crossed his arms and glared right back at him.
Erik snorted. "My companions will arrive shortly, I'm sure."
"No, they're not." The boy looked at the train's corridor. "I'm one of the last kids who boarded and not a lot of people are even outside anymore. If your companions even existed, they've decided to ditch you for someone else." He suddenly smiled, a mischievous twinkle lighting his eye. "So, may I come in? We'll be moving soon."
Erik narrowed his eyes at him. He surveyed him from top to bottom. He looked decent enough, even though he wasn't wearing a uniform yet. He was making himself fairly annoying, though…
With a short sigh, Erik begrudgingly stepped aside to let him in. The boy happily stored his luggage and plopped on the seat opposite of Erik's. Honestly? It bothered Erik how comfortable he seemed with everything. Even if he hadn't noticed his mask yet, Erik was sure that his personality was already quite off-putting.
Erik ignored the boy and simply looked out the window. The train was beginning to move and he just wanted to do some reading while the Scottish scenery rushed by his window.
"My name is Nadir Khan. What's yours?"
Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Erik was quiet, hoping the boy would shut up. He wasn't in the mood for conversation with an idiot with no self-preservation instincts.
"Your cat's pretty. My mum's allergic so we could never really get one. I got an owl, though! I let him go ahead because I was sure he'd rather fly than be stuck in a moving box for a few hours."
Still, Erik was silent. He grabbed the book nearest to him and pointedly started to read.
"Oh! Is that our Defense Against the Dark Arts book? That's my favorite subject. It's the only textbook I've read front to cover. I could barely keep my eyes open when I tried reading our other subjects. What's your favorite subject?"
Wow, the kid really couldn't take a hint.
Erik looked up at the ceiling, almost as though he were praying for strength. If he didn't know any better, he was sure that the boy was enjoying being a nuisance.
"You look like the kind of guy who'd be into Potions, actually." Erik hated that he was right. "Maybe even Defense, too! I like Defense because I wanna be an Auror like my mum. My dad was the chief of police in Iran before we moved here. They used to call him a daroga. I used to wanna become one of those. Now he's a really good detective! It's alright, I guess. Not as cool-"
"My God, why are you so annoying?" He let it slip before he could stop himself.
Nadir stopped talking and looked at him with wide eyes. Erik was almost about to feel guilty until he heard him laugh quite loudly.
"Wow, you're such a grump!" Nadir shook his head with an obliging smile, as if Erik was the childish one. "No wonder you had to lie about having friends. What's your name? I can be your friend."
"I don't need any friends." Erik scowled.
"Oh, you're so prissy." Nadir rolled his eyes. "Do you like the term companions better, then? Partners in crime? Acquaintances? Pact buddies-"
"Erik." He was getting so tired of hearing him speak. "My name is Erik, you insufferable chatterbox."
"Insufferable chatterbox?" Nadir squinted at him. "You're such an old man. Who says that nowadays?"
"I do," Erik said exasperatedly. "I say those sorts of things! Also, yes. My cat is pretty. Yes, I'm currently rereading our Defense book because I'd like to practice some spells. My favorite subjects are Potions, Defense, and Transfiguration. There! I answered all your inane questions. Will you please be quiet now?" Erik almost threw his arms up in frustration.
Nadir snickered and pulled his knees up on the cushioned chair. "You're pretty interesting, dude."
"I beg your pardon?" Erik's voice dripped with incredulity.
"It's like you walked out of a novel!" Nadir shrugged. "You're so formal. Your voice is like… weirdly nice. You got this mysterious vibe going on and you move so elegantly. There's a violin case in here and I've never really seen a kid my age play well before. You seem smart, too. You're just… I dunno! Cool, I guess. I wanna hang out."
"Hang out," Erik deadpanned. "You want to hang out with me? Because you made assumptions about my person and you've concluded that I'm cool?"
"Well… yeah!"
Erik stared at Nadir. Just stared at him. He stared at him for so long that he wasn't sure if he was even blinking anymore. Nadir, bless his heart, was smiling at him stupidly. Almost daring Erik to contradict him.
Finally, Erik relented with a grunt. The rest of the ride to Hogwarts, the two switched between staring out of the window, reading their books, or Erik vaguely responding to Nadir's attempts at conversation. They'd even indulged in sweets together when the trolley passed by, Nadir more so than Erik. It was… surprisingly pleasant.
Still, he refrained from bringing down his hood.
An older student's voice echoed across the train, alerting them that Hogwarts was only a few minutes away. Erik began readying his things as Nadir went to change into uniform. Erik rolled his eyes as Nadir came back with more candy falling out of his pockets, looking like he'd bought another round from the trolley.
It was nighttime when they arrived at a great body of water. In the distance, everyone could faintly see a looming castle filled with bright lights in the distance. Erik tilted his head in appreciation, admiring the work put into its construction. His fellow First Years were gasping and whispering amongst themselves. He glanced over at Nadir, who was equally amazed and showing it just as much as everyone else.
As a giant named Hagrid made them step into small boats, Erik couldn't help but look around for the blonde girl. At the very end of the line, he saw Christine with her friend. She was excitedly bouncing on her feet as she smiled at the castle from afar. Erik's heart fluttered at the sight of her, but it soured when de Chagny swung his arm around her shoulders.
Erik, purely wanting to test out his magic, swished his wand and muttered an incantation. A larger wave of water hit de Chagny up to his knees, getting his clothes and shoes wet. Christine jumped away and sympathetically pat de Chagny on the back.
Erik snickered with satisfaction and faced away. Nadir saw the self-satisfied smirk on Erik's face and narrowed his eyes, but chose to ignore it.
After several minutes, they'd finally reached the castle. The ceilings were high and portraits moved around as though it were nothing. Actual ghosts floated around above their heads and Erik could do nothing but figuratively wave a stick at science and research.
Nadir tapped him on his shoulder and Erik stifled a sigh. He raised an eyebrow at the shorter boy, but he couldn't exactly see that.
"How do you think sorting happens?" Nadir kept his eyes forward as he spoke.
Erik lightly shrugged. "It didn't say anything in Hogwarts: A History. Perhaps they just choose randomly or alphabetize us."
"My mum says we have to fight an ogre!" Nadir gulped. "It sounds fun, but she said ogres are huge!"
"Don't be an imbecile," Erik snapped. "They wouldn't put eleven-year-olds in harm like that."
"You must be fun at parties." Nadir's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Anyway, did you tell me what house you wanted to go to?"
"I didn't."
"Well… what house do you want to go to?"
"Does it matter?"
"Obviously! It's where you'll hang out the rest of the year. I wanna be in Hufflepuff like my mum. Also because I think yellow looks dashing on me." He smugly raised his chin.
"Idiots can't be in Ravenclaw," Erik said with a smirk. "You don't have to worry about getting in there."
"Hey!" He glared. "And you definitely can't get into Hufflepuff. You're such an ass!"
"You want to get in the house of kindness, but you called someone you just met an ass?"
"You better be grateful that I have the patience of a saint." Nadir huffed as two large doors opened, leading them into the Great Hall.
It was festive inside. Hundreds of kids were sitting on four different tables while the adults were at the front. Floating candles were flying in the air and the ceiling resembled a starry night sky.
The freshmen were led to the very front. A hat was sitting on a stool while a very short man was beside it.
But then, the hat sang.
It was awful.
Erik peeked at Christine's face, noting with satisfaction that her nose was scrunched up in distaste, as well.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" The short man greeted while the older students cheered in the background. "I am Professor Flitwick, your Charms instructor. Today you will be sorted into one of the four Houses. These are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." Respective cheers resonated in the Hall as he listed them off. "You will have classes and living quarters with your house. The sorting will be done via the Sorting Hat! Do not fear, children. Wherever the hat puts you, you'll be sure to triumph just as much as our alumni have."
Professor Flitwick allowed the first years to sigh in relief before continuing. "When I call your name, please step up and allow me to place the hat on your head." He brought out a list and cleared his throat. "Andrew, Lloyd!"
There was a beat of silence. And then-
"HUFFLEPUFF!" A booming voice resonated within the Hall. The table on the right cheered and clapped as Lloyd shakily made his way to them.
When Erik understood the process, he rolled his eyes and allowed his thoughts to wander. He didn't find it necessary to know who these kids were or what their houses were going to be. Even his cat got bored, choosing to wander outside spared a glance at Nadir, however, who was nervously messing with his collar.
"Why are you fidgeting?" Erik whispered.
"What if I don't get sorted?"
Erik barely resisted the urge to hit him at the back of his head. "If you don't, then I believe you'll have a splendid future here as a janitor."
Nadir glared at him. "Erik!"
"What? I'm only answering your question."
A bunch of other names that Erik didn't care for were called. Erik roamed his eyes on the teacher's table. His golden eyes softened as he saw Professor McGonagall at the very middle, clapping politely during the sorting.
Erik was content to hum Tchakovsky's violin concerto under his breath as he waited, but a certain name was called and he could all but whip his head up in anticipation.
"DAAE, CHRISTINE!"
A small part of him wanted to be in the same house as her. Lord knew that he would never be able to interact with her otherwise. Erik thought that he'd be happy to at least know she was near.
Actually, no. Erik's expression turned murderous as Raoul hugged her tightly before she left the group. He'd be fine if they were in different houses, just as long as she wasn't in the same house as that detestable pretty boy.
The hat was on her head for barely a minute until it shouted- "HUFFLEPUFF!"
A loud cheer was once again heard from the table with yellow banners all over it. Erik saw that Christine was flustered from the attention. He smiled blandly and wondered if he could land himself in the house of patience and loyalty.
"DE CHAGNY, RAOUL!"
Erik blinked as the fop confidently made his way to the hat. Erik heard excited whispers all around him.
"De Chagny? The French pureblood family? Why isn't he at Beauxbatons?"
"He looks so dreamy!"
"He's a real life aristocrat!"
Erik wanted to throttle everyone who spoke about the fop with such prestige. So apparently, he was not only handsome, but rich and powerful as well. Erik seriously wished he'd have the opportunity to beat up his pretty face senseless. That would teach him to stop parading around his perfect set of white teeth like it was nothing.
The hat barely sat on top of his blond hair before it screeched "GRYFFINDOR!" to his eager audience. The house of red jumped and cheered wildly as Raoul happily waved at them. Erik snorted in disgust.
Before Erik had any more time to mope, Professor Flitwick suddenly called- "DUPONT, ERIK!"
Erik silently made his way forward, ignoring the reassuring pats Nadir landed on his back. The other students were quiet, not quite sure what to make of the tall and hooded figure who moved with the grace of a ballet dancer.
Before Erik turned around to face the crowd, he spotted Professor McGonagall who subtly sent him a tiny wave and an encouraging smile.
The lines on Erik's forehead relaxed and his shoulders lowered a little. He didn't even realize how tense he was until he was comforted by her encouraging gaze.
Letting out a shaky sigh, he turned and let the hat fall on his hooded head. He was glad that not even Nadir was able to see him without his robe's hood pulled up. His face might have been hidden by a mask, but he hasn't fashioned himself a suitable wig yet.
"You… well, you're... "
The tension came back as the hat's voice whispered in his head. Erik's heart thudded madly beneath his chest. Was he going-
"No, Mr. Dupont." The hat chuckled. "You are not insane yet, despite your mother's insistence."
"Yet?" Erik dryly repeated in his head.
"Well, your mind is certainly fragile… your temper is volatile, as well… Believe me, Mr. Dupont, it is not your fault. You've experienced far too much pain and sorrow for someone so young."
Great. Even the hat was saying he wasn't completely right in the head.
"You're reading my thoughts, aren't you?" Erik defensively crossed his arms.
"And your memories, child." The hat hummed slightly off-key. It irritated Erik. "I can see so much goodness in you, Erik. There's so much room in your heart."
"You're a hat, not a shrink." Erik was uncomfortable with how slow his sorting was going. People were beginning to stare. He was taking much longer than the other kids did. "Sort me already, will you?"
"Tsk, very impatient. Very well. Now, don't let this get to your head, but you're certainly a genius. Absolutely brilliant, really. Maths, sciences, art… You're wonderfully skilled at so many things. Your talents can certainly bring you interesting and dangerous knowledge…"
"How can knowledge be-"
The hat cut him off. "You have many dreams, don't you? Quite ambitious, I might say… You're not afraid to use whatever means necessary to achieve what you desire. You're definitely unwilling to let something you want go. Very controlling. Very cunning..."
"So… Hufflepuff?"
The hat snorted. "Not even if you dyed your few hairs blond." Erik scowled. "Smart and ambitious. Thirsty for knowledge and hungry for power."
"I figured-"
"You're very brave, though..."
Erik's eyes snapped towards Gryffindor's table, fixating itself on the fop laughing with his newly made friends. "Not Gryffindor! If you put me anywhere near there, I swear I'll-"
"Alright, alright! Don't worry. You're not exactly the epitome of righteousness. Slytherin or Ravenclaw, child. Your choice. Either path will lead you to where you need to be."
When Erik opened his history book, he read that Slytherin had its fair share of… dark wizards. Bigoted wizards, even. Of course, all houses had their bad eggs, but Slytherin was the poster child of evil. Darkness was almost expected of them, especially after the very recent war.
Erik knew what he was very intimately. He knew people already set their assumptions just with one look at his face. Could he really be in an already stigmatized house and being the way he is at the same time?
Ravenclaw didn't have the added benefit of being public enemy number one, but they weren't that bad. Erik loved to learn and to create. There would hopefully be less eyes on him there. He could pass off as a dedicated student who kept his face hidden behind books instead of a mask. Maybe he could… earn their respect in a reputable way eventually.
"I take it you've decided?"
Erik nodded.
"You're a remarkable child, Mr. Dupont. You'll achieve great things." The hat almost sounded fond. "RAVENCLAW!"
The applause wasn't deafening. It certainly wasn't as loud as de Chagny's. It was alright, though, because Professor McGonagall was smiling at him and Nadir was happily clapping in the crowd.
Erik gracefully made his way to his house. He was the first freshman to be sorted there so he was largely unbothered by the higher years who preferred to be aloof than interact with the strangely quiet boy.
Erik brought out a small pocketbook he had within his robe pocket. It was an old pamphlet on music theory. He liked to read it whenever he had to remain in public for long hours. It made him look busy and signalled that he didn't want to be bothered. He stayed like that for a while, tuning out the sorting ceremony, until he heard-
"KHAN, NADIR!"
Erik briefly looked up to see Nadir quickly put the hat on his head. He watched as a slight frown tugged at his lips before it lifted slightly in understanding.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled and his house happily cheered for him. Nadir dazedly walked to his house, probably still reeling at the hat's decision.
Although Erik wouldn't say he was attached to him, he did feel slightly disappointed that they weren't in the same house. He quietly clapped from his spot. Just because.
Several more names were called and sorted. Erik ignored any attempts at conversation his housemates tried to include him in. They tried to introduce themselves and make small talk. Erik steadfastly did not want to be a part of that. Unlike Nadir, they seemed to take the hint and leave him alone. He wasn't interested in them and they swiftly decided that he wasn't worth the effort.
"VISCONTI, LUCIANNA!"
The last student confidently swaggered over to the hat. She was pretty in a severe way, with a sharp jaw and long dark hair that fell straight. Erik tilted his head in thought at her last name. It sounded familiar. With a shrug, he decided to just think about it later. She didn't seem like very pleasant company, anyway.
Not that he was one to talk.
Professor McGonagall stood and commanded everyone's attention. "Good evening, students. Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I am acting Headmistress McGonagall and I expect extraordinary things from all of you. It has been five years since the Battle of Hogwarts but I am glad that your spirits never perished." She eyed them with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sure everyone's hungry?" The crowd murmured its agreement. She nodded. "I shan't keep you waiting, then. Let us feast!"
The students cheered as food appeared on their tables. Erik swallowed nervously as he examined all of it. He was sure there was more food on this table than he's ever eaten in his entire life. It was a bit overwhelming.
He slouched a little and played with the little food he had on his plate. The mask had an open section now, but he was uncomfortable with how many people were within the vicinity. He took a few bites before giving up entirely, choosing instead to read his pocketbook and ignoring everything else.
He did take a few extra spoonfuls of ice cream, though.
An hour or so passed and the Great Hall was beginning to empty out. Eventually, the assigned older students ushered the first years out and to their dorms.
"My name is Marie Fullman and I'm Ravenclaw's prefect!" A tall girl with short curly hair grinned at them as she led them up an intimidating flight of stairs. "Our House Head will explain most things later, but your first task will be to get inside the Common Room by yourselves."
Erik raised an eyebrow while his fellow Ravenclaws worriedly glanced at each other.
Marie seemed to be enjoying the unease. "You guys will have to answer a riddle every time you go in. If you can't, you'll have to wait for someone who can."
Right on cue, they reached the top and saw a bronze eagle-shaped knocker. It immediately noticed their presence and moved its mouth to speak. "The rich desire me, the poor possess me, and if you eat me you will die a painful death. What am I?"
Marie snickered at their flustered faces. From the back, Erik felt the slightest bit of dread. If the brightest Hogwarts had to offer were stumped by one of the simplest riddles he'd ever heard, then what the hell else were the other houses like?
The prefect seemed to have no intention of assisting them and the other Ravenclaws were too embarrassed to ask each other anyway. With a huff, Erik threw his voice to the right and raised his pitch to make him sound like a girl. It would feel good, but he wasn't ready to attract attention to himself just yet. "Nothing," he said breathily. "The answer is nothing." He smirked when everyone tried to search for the origin of the voice.
The eagle did not hesitate to open its doors after it heard the answer. Marie curiously glanced around the group, unable to figure out who figured it out. Nevertheless, she escorted them inside.
Erik's eyes widened in appreciation as they made their way in. Their Common Room was wide and airy. Beautifully arched windows graced the high ceilings as blues and whites colored the walls and the carpeted floor. Glancing around, he saw bookshelves reaching the ceiling painted like the night sky.
Despite the number of people and the bright lights, Erik found himself feeling… at home. It was pleasant. He didn't think he'd ever experienced something so comforting before. He rather liked it.
"Ahem!" Professor Flitwick grabbed their attention, standing on a stool to reach their eyes. "Good evening, first years. I'm sure you're all getting rather tired. I shall keep this simple."
The students remained silent, allowing the professor to speak.
"As you all should know, Ravenclaw values wit and wisdom. We will always choose to advance our knowledge and to learn more about the world that surrounds us. As we are academics, you must ensure that your grades and reputation are nothing but excellent. Always strive to be better than yesterday. The worst thing you can do is to rot your mind with stagnation. Understood?"
They nervously nodded.
"Very good. I expect you to help one another to improve and to hopefully win the House Cup, a year-end competition based on scholastic prowess and teamwork. If you have any further concerns or questions, feel free to approach your high years or me. That is all, children. I'll be seeing you during your Charms class. Do settle in. Good night!"
He hopped off with a final wave and the kids followed suit. The Head Boy and Head Girl handed them their schedules and a neat map before leading them to their respective dormitories.
Erik had hoped that that meant he didn't have to bunk with anyone, but that was not the case. A mousy and average looking boy was rooming with him, which Erik found out when the Heads announced their room numbers.
As they were led to the boys' dormitories, his roommate introduced himself. He was an average looking boy with sandy hair and grey eyes. He was watching Erik nervously as he extended an arm out in greeting. "H-hi… I'm Reyer Thompson. You can call me Remmy."
Erik waved him off with a snort, not bothering to partake in the casualties. It was obvious Remmy wasn't too keen on touching him. Whether it's because he's noticed his mask or his dislikable demeanor was up to debate. "Erik Dupont. I do not care how you address me."
The boy gulped and increased the distance between them. It didn't bother Erik in the slightest.
Erik was almost whistling his appreciation when they reached their room. Its motif was the same as what he had seen in the Common Room. Although Erik wasn't unfamiliar with grand scenery, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his new dwelling was far more vibrant and enjoyable than his previous dreary and dimly lit room.
The ceilings were high enough to allow two towering bookshelves for each of its occupants. There were desks, chairs, and closets meant for their personal use, as well. He could imagine himself lazing around here during the weekends just fine if Remmy weren't there as a pesky fly hovering around him.
The beds were luxuriously draped in blue and white sheets. He liked them enough to avoid shoving himself in a tight closet for a while. He internally sighed in relief when he saw that curtains around the beds could be drawn to give them privacy. Remmy may be a brat in his eyes, but even he didn't deserve to see a corpse getting its beauty rest.
Erik made his way to the bed next to the window with a better view of the outside. He swiftly and efficiently unpacked all his things to their respective places. When he was done, he grabbed a towel and his nighttime clothes before heading to the bathrooms. He had spent most of the day in his mask and he was looking forward to a soothing shower.
He shot one last glare at his roommate before making his way towards a well-deserved bath.
When Erik returned to his room, it was already late into the night. It was dark when he entered and he assumed that Sammy was already asleep. Erik didn't usually fall asleep for long, but he happily crawled under his own covers after placing his mask securely next to him.
Erik woke up very early. He checked the wristwatch he'd stolen from his mother's jewelry box and saw that it was four in the morning.
He got his school clothes and headed to the empty bathroom, taking a cold bath to wake himself up fully and brushing his teeth. He splashed cool water on his face because he knew he wouldn't be able to remove his mask for several hours.
When he was fully dressed, he silently walked out of Ravenclaw Tower and made his way down. His tie was perfectly knotted and his robes were pressed straight. His hood covered most of his head and his flesh colored mask did its best to camouflage his face.
Breakfast wouldn't start until quarter to six, so Erik decided to explore a bit. He took in the castle, admiring the careful work put into its every crevice.
Hogwarts truly felt magical. Erik could appreciate it fully now that it was quiet and he was alone. He took his time as he strolled around, memorizing each step he took and writing little notes on the map the Head Boy had given them.
He'd passed by the library, several classrooms, and unmarked halls during his little adventure. He was confused several times when he entered areas his map didn't list, but he took that as a challenge.
It seemed that this castle had its secrets. Erik had no choice but to unravel them.
He was positive that secret passages and perhaps even traps were littered around this ancient school. Erik was sure of it. He wanted to explore it all, finding doorways and halls that no one else would know existed.
He could hide himself within these secrets. No one would find him unless he wanted them to.
Erik glanced at his watch and decided he would have breakfast as early as possible. He made his way to the Great Hall and almost smiled. It was empty, but plates and glasses were waiting to be used. He made his way to Ravenclaw's table, taking a satisfied look at his now blue and bronze robes.
He sat down and tilted his head when different food appeared on platters before him. He was slowly getting desensitized to large displays of magic, but it was still a bit of a shock. Regardless, he plucked an apple from a fruit bowl and poured himself some iced water. He'd never been a big eater, but he assumed that even he needed something in his stomach before starting a whole day of school.
Erik held his half bitten apple a little tighter when the thought of going to a school hit him a little harder. It had been five years since he had gone to one and none of his memories of it had been pleasant.
His teachers would often turn a blind eye when his classmates laughed and jeered at his deformity. He'd desperately tried to tell anyone- his mother, his teachers, and even the principal. But he'd been going to a posh school at the time, a school filled with spoiled brats whose mummies and daddies would rather donate a new science lab than have their darling angels face the consequences of their actions.
His mother was no help. She hadn't been that big of an addict then, though she was an alcoholic and avid smoker. She hadn't cared when Erik came to her with bloodied clothes or a limp. She simply did the easiest option and pulled him out after he pinned a boy named Javert to the ground when he unmasked him in class.
He hadn't been anywhere near a school since.
Child Protective Services had tried to step after several complaints from their neighbors, but they couldn't really do much. Erik had never been one to share and his mother had the money to hush anything. All had simply been swept under the rug and Erik had been left alone.
To be honest, Erik didn't exactly miss school. It had been disappointing when he realized he was moving far too fast with his studies and everyone his age couldn't do simple math. He was always thirsty to learn more, but school was equally as boring as it was traumatizing.
He prayed to whoever would listen that that wouldn't be the case here at Hogwarts. He'd shut himself in the library so that he could satiate this revived thirst for new knowledge. Perhaps he could ask Professor McGonagall if-
"Excuse me?" A pleasant bell-like voice whispered next to him and Erik almost snapped his neck after turning so fast. "May I… May I sit with you?"
It was Christine. Christine Daae was asking if she could sit with him. Erik madly wondered if he was actually still sleeping and that an angel had decided to grace his dreams. He was so struck by her presence that it took him a while to answer. "P-pardon?" He managed to choke out, cursing himself for almost cracking his voice.
"May I sit next to you?" She nibbled her lower lip and averted her gaze, playing with the hem of her second-hand robes.
"You're in… you're in Hufflepuff. Why aren't you sitting there?" Erik wanted to throw himself off of Ravenclaw tower. Why hasn't he screamed yes already?
Christine met his eyes and Erik finally took in her appearance. It was beginning to brighten outside, but she looked like she hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes were red and puffy, almost like she'd been crying. Her whole figure was tense and nervous. Erik… felt the tiniest bit of sympathy for her and whatever she was going through. It was an unfamiliar emotion and he would've been more bothered by it if he weren't focusing on his concern for her.
"I'd be alone there," she said simply. "I've never had breakfast alone before. My daddy and I always eat together." She was quiet after that, forcing Erik to fill in the silence.
"I see," Erik responded dryly. "What makes you think I'd be pleasant company?" He was growing increasingly aware of the weight of his hood and the stiff presence of his mask.
Christine looked behind her at the empty tables, her long blonde hair following suit. She looked adorable in her yellow robes. "Don't you think that unpleasant company is better than no company at all?"
"I absolutely do not."
She actually let out a small giggle. "You're right, but I think it would be nice to eat with you. I promised daddy I'd make more friends other than Raoul and you seem interesting. So… may I?"
Erik nodded slowly and she happily sat down. "So," Erik started. "Raoul's the friend you were with during the Sorting Ceremony?"
"Yup!" Christine placed an egg and some sausages on her plate. "I'm a muggleborn and he's a pureblood, but we met when we were eight and we've hung out since. We didn't know I was a witch until I got my Hogwarts letter." She put pumpkin juice in her glass but winced when she actually tasted it. "I'm kinda sad we aren't in the same house, but daddy said that it would be nice if I expanded my horizons or something."
"Isn't he from France? Also… you don't sound very British, if you don't mind me saying." Erik wasn't well-versed in the skill of conversation. He wouldn't even know if he stepped on a landmine until it exploded under his feet.
Christine shook her head. "Nah, you're right! I'm Swedish!" She smiled proudly. "Daddy and I immigrated when I was about seven. The de Chagny's own a summer cottage that's near our house. That's how we met, too."
"I see," Erik said. Erik watched her happily shovel food in her mouth. It seemed her mood was lifting. "And you'd still want to be closer to him even if you grew up together?"
"Well, yeah!" She sipped her juice. "We're good friends and being near him is nice."
"Doesn't it get tiring?" Erik swirled the water in his glass. "Being with someone constantly?"
"Never," she replied seriously. "It makes me feel… Well, less alone! Someone's got my back and stuff. It's reassuring. I don't know what I'd do if I lost my dad or Raoul. They're all I've got. That's why I just came from the owlery. I sent daddy a letter as soon as I could because I miss him and I want him to know how I'm doing."
She was surprisingly honest to someone she's spoken less than five minutes to. What she said confused Erik a little, though. "Doesn't that make you dependent on their company? I don't see how that can be pleasant. You're trusting someone to treat you kindly when it's much easier to leave you alone or ignore you instead."
He remembered when he was a child, desperate and needy for his mother's affections. He'd asked to kiss her hand and she instead chose to slap him across the face. He had been heartbroken then, unable to grasp how his mother would deny him a quick kiss while his classmates' mothers smothered them incessantly.
He shook away the memory, not wanting it to disturb his fleeting moment with Christine.
"I suppose you can see it like that," she said blithely. "I think it's a matter of trust and finding the right people. And being good to them, too." She stopped slicing her sausage and surveyed him curiously. Erik tensed under her peering eyes, but was unable to ask her to stop. "You're rather strange." She tilted her head to the side.
That got Erik defensive. "Excuse me?"
"Most of the conversations I've had with people here were kinda boring." She shrugged and went back to eating. Erik relaxed a little when she wasn't staring at him anymore. She furrowed her eyebrows. "I didn't like all the small talk. My roommate Meg is really nice, but I'm not really interested in the getting-to-know parts of friendship. My dad keeps telling me I should interact more, but I'm not very good at it. I'm not very interesting, I think. I don't have much to add." She hunched over a little, but gave him a small grin. "But you and I have just met and we're already talking about the philosophy of friendship!" Christine giggled and Erik found that her smile was infectious.
"Is that… good?"
"Very," she said with a wink and Erik thought he was going into cardiac arrest. Suddenly, she blushed and looked at him apologetically. "Wait- here I am complaining about small talk when I haven't even told you my name yet! I'm Christine Daae from Hufflepuff."
Erik automatically responded, "I'm-"
"Erik Dupont from Ravenclaw. I know." Much to Erik's shock, she answered for him. There was a delighted twinkle in her eye.
"How?" The rumor mill couldn't have started yet, could it? The brats must have been busier admiring the floating candles rather than his blasted face.
She candidly played with a lock of her hair. "I first saw you getting off of the train. I was a bit behind you and I saw that you had a violin case. You're pretty tall, you know? I was a bit too shy to ask your name so I waited until your sorting to figure it out."
"I-"
"Is that creepy?" She apologetically grimaced. "Sorry! I didn't really know how to approach you and Raoul was really excited to get on the boats. I would've approached you, but you moved so fast and I could barely see you after! You disappeared like a ghost."
"It's alright." He honestly didn't know how to react to that.
Christine smiled at him again. "That's good. I'd hate to tank a friendship because I was being nosy."
At the sound of 'friendship', Erik felt his traitorous heart beat a little faster. What was wrong with him? He didn't act nearly as giddy and hopeless when Nadir offered his company. "We're friends?" He nervously looked at her, his glowing yellow eyes piercing into her soft blue ones.
"Little Lotte!"
Erik was never able to determine a response from her because a certain blonde fop announced his entrance into the Great Hall quite loudly. De Chagny had quite easily spotted Christine and hurriedly jogged his way over to them.
Erik could barely manage to suppress a groan at his sudden intrusion. The fop eyed him with suspicion as he protectively placed a hand on Christine's shoulder. Christine, who had just finished her meal, glanced up at him with an eye roll.
"I said don't call me that when we're in public." Christine frowned at him.
De Chagny stopped staring at Erik to address his friend. "Sorry, Christine. Force of habit!" He ruffled her hair and Erik couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit jealous, despite Christine's yelp of disdain. He glanced at Erik, who was blankly watching the whole exchange. "And who's this?"
"This is Erik! He's the guy I told you about with the violin."
"Oh." De Chagny blinked. "Cool, I guess. Hi. I'm Raoul de Chagny."
Erik was about to barrage him with sarcastic quips, but refrained because Christine was grinning at him encouragingly. "It's a pleasure," he said dryly. It was most certainly not a pleasure.
"Yeah," he said in return. Their mounting dislike for one another was growing more obvious to everyone except for Christine, it seemed. He turned his back at Erik who clenched his hands in return. "Hey, Christine? Do you mind keeping me company while I eat? My new friends are still in the shower and I don't wanna be alone."
"Alright, I'm done anyway." Christine cleared her plate and looked at Erik with a small smile. "I guess I'll see you next time! I gotta make sure this dude eats his fruits." She bid him one final wave before retreating to Gryffindor's table with the fop. De Chagny sent him one last narrow-eyed stare before focusing on Christine once more.
Erik stood and left the Great Hall not long after that, his half-eaten apple left on the table.
His first class that day was Potions.
He'd read in his book that during the Battle of Hogwarts five years ago, a potions professor died an ambiguous war hero.
Lord only knew what he'd give to have him as a professor. Their professor was exceptionally dull. He introduced himself as Professor Hubert and gave them a brief overview of their curriculum before making them individually read parts of the first chapter of their book out loud for everyone.
Erik almost banged his head on the table. He was sitting at the far back without anyone else by him. They shared this class with the Slytherins who were becoming increasingly aware that this class wasn't going to be as remarkable as they had been promised.
Erik, who had already memorized their godforsaken book, promised himself a visit to the library. If this class wasn't going to teach him, then he'll do it himself.
The class almost sprinted outside when Professor Hubert dismissed them with an essay assignment.
His next class was Charms. He saw that Ravenclaws were going to share it with Hufflepuffs.
Erik was very much more excited for this class.
He situated himself on a corner, giving him a good view of the whole room. He nervously fiddled with the quill in his hand as the Hufflepuffs shuffled into the classroom with Professor Flitwick in tow.
It was Christine who saw Erik first.
Her hair was in a ponytail when she bounced over to him. Erik could only watch as she happily took the seat next to him, bringing out parchment and a quill.
"Hi," she whispered.
Erik was still reeling over her active choices to seek his company. "Christine," he managed to choke out. "How were your classes?"
"We had Herbology first." She clasped her hands happily. "It was pretty fun! Professor Sprout showed us the greenhouse. There are so many strange plants in the Wizarding World!"
"I can imagine," he quietly said back. Nothing could boggle him more than Christine wanting to be his friend.
Before Christine could reply, Professor Flitwick called their attention. He introduced himself and the class, but then actually wanted them to practice the levitation charm themselves.
Erik brought out his wand and with a lazy swish and flick, his feather soared in the air. He didn't think much of it until Christine was looking at him with the faintest hint of admiration.
"That was fast!" She watched as Erik made the feather fall up and down. "Have you been practicing?"
"I tried this once on the train," he said. "It's rather easy."
"You're a bit of a show-off." She pouted and determinedly clutched her wand tighter, focusing on her feather.
Professor Flitwick walked over to their area and nodded his appreciation at Erik's flying feather. "Well done! You must be Mr. Dupont?" Erik nodded. "Professor McGonagall has told us much about you. It seems you are exactly as she's described." Erik didn't know how to feel about that. "Take five points, Mr. Dupont. Do help your seatmates." He smiled at him one last time before walking off to assist another student.
"I don't know how you do it, Erik." Christine's feather weakly lifted itself half an inch before miserably sinking back down.
Erik tilted his head. "Your wrist is too tense," he said. "Imagine you're holding a violin bow. Relax. Focus on the movements and time it to the incantation." Christine did as he asked and her feather lifted a little higher. "Ah, you must actually will your magic to do the spell. You can't just wave a stick and say a magic word. You must feel it. I believe intention is a very important aspect of spell casting. Why don't you try again?"
Christine slowly let out a breath and nodded, letting his soothing voice walk her through the process. She tried several times, some attempts better than the others. Erik encouraged her through it all.
Eventually, when the class was coming to a close, Christine managed to do the spell perfectly. Christine squealed when the feather flew around at her will and Erik couldn't help a swell of pride. He had taught her and she had done more than well.
"I got it, Erik!" She surveyed the rest of the room. "Look, only like five of us made our feathers float! Thanks for helping me out, Erik. You're really talented."
"You're a natural," he said softly, almost abashedly. "I just eased the way a little."
When they left, Christine smiled at him, unaware of how that simple toothy grin left Erik feeling dazed.
The Hufflepuffs left for their Transfiguration class and the Ravenclaws had Defense Against the Dark Arts. They separated and Erik sent one last longing glance to Christine, who was now talking to a brown haired girl in yellow.
Erik was almost running to his next classroom, leaving behind the other Ravenclaws who were still fumbling with their maps.
His heart felt a little lighter. When he ate breakfast and Christine approached him, he was sure that it was a hallucination born from his sleepless nights. And yet, Christine had chosen once more to be near him. She even let Erik guide her the whole class! She admired his skill and asked for his help without any hint of disgust or scorn.
Erik felt beyond elated. Giddy, even.
And then he felt pain.
He wasn't watching where he was going and didn't realize that there was a person walking towards him until it was too late.
"Erik, watch where you're going!" Nadir gasped before he fell on the floor with a thump.
Erik staggered forward, but managed to remain upright. He glared at Nadir who was in the process of rubbing the arm he fell on and glaring at him. "What the hell are you doing?" Erik crossed his arms.
"Me?" Nadir brushed off the imaginary dirt off of his robes. "I was just looking for the Defense classroom! I wasn't even power walking, Erik. Why were you running like a bat out of hell?"
Erik didn't even realize how fast he was going. Or perhaps the dramatic boy was just exaggerating. He didn't care that much. "It's nothing of consequence." He lightly pushed Nadir's back forward. "Follow me, Daroga. You're hopelessly lost. We'll go to Defense together."
"Daroga?" Nadir raised an eyebrow, but followed behind him anyway. They were walking quickly in halls that Nadir didn't even know existed, but Erik's gait was confident. "Why'd you call me that?"
Erik shrugged, a small gesture that still managed to look elegant from him. Nadir had to jog to keep up with his pace. "You told me that you wanted to be one," he said benignly. "I think it suits you rather nicely, with you being very nosy and all." He smirked. "It's also much catchier than Nadir, don't you think?"
Before Nadir could retort, Erik had already brought them to their classroom. They were the first ones there so they could sit wherever they wanted. The two sat together in the far back. Nadir dutifully brought out a quill and some parchment while Erik got his sketchpad and paper. He had a feeling that this class wasn't going to be very exciting.
He was right.
Erik almost wept. How could a magic school have such hopelessly dull teachers? Professor Hazebrew was a safety nut, which Erik could appreciate only to a certain degree. She said no one would even attempt any jinxes until she was sure they wouldn't get a scratch.
Erik was sure he was going to pull the remaining hairs off of his head in frustration until he heard very loud whispering from the other side of the room.
He looked up from his sketchpad and saw de Chagny laughing with another Gryffindor boy. He looked every bit the handsome young prince novels were written about. They looked like they were having a swell time not paying attention to Professor Hazebrew. It was hypocritical of him, but he felt himself dislike the fop a little more.
Erik huffed and decided to just irritate Nadir by doodling rude caricatures of Professor Hazebrew on the margins of his notes. Nadir waved his incessant hand away after he got over the initial shock of how well he'd actually drawn.
They were assigned another essay about spell safety before they were shooed away. Erik was out the door before anyone had even packed their things yet. Nadir tried to catch up to him, but gave up when he realized they had different classes anyway.
Erik had lunch and a free period before he had History of Magic. He decided to make use of the library since he had nothing better to do.
Tens of thousands of books greeted Erik when he walked into the solemn place. Erik's breath was stolen away by the serene beauty and the immeasurable knowledge the Hogwarts library held. Erik had to refrain from running around up and down its halls in his excitement.
The library in his house was fairly large, but he couldn't even compare it to this. Books were sorted a little confusingly, but Erik was sure he'd get used to it. He immediately gravitated towards his favorite topics.
Erik liked Defense Against the Dark Arts because it gave him a sense of power. He could protect himself if he could control his magic better than anyone else. No one would be able to touch him if he didn't allow it. He would be unstoppable if he were in power.
The Dark Arts, of course, was another topic he'd like to indulge in.
Eventually.
Erik walked by the shelves that had Potions texts. It reminded him of chemistry. He used to be very interested in chemistry, specifically pharmaceuticals and their creation, because of his mother's unsavory habits. He'd watch her snort and inject substances into her body without a care in the world.
He slipped into a drug lab once. After he'd gotten his mother's order, he'd followed her drug dealer to their den. It was an abandoned factory with bubbling chemicals and strange equipment. It stank of trash and acid, but it intrigued him nonetheless.
How could his mother love something created in a filthy lab but couldn't love someone she'd made herself?
He'd never been able to access any materials to make drugs or chemical experiments himself, but he devoured any reading material available both online and in their library. It was a guilty pleasure of his, knowing that he knew how to chemically force someone to crave something desperately.
Again, Erik shook away the memories of his mother and continued walking until he reached the Transfiguration aisle.
He liked Transfiguration for the simple reason that it was Professor McGonagall's subject.
The class was very practical, of course. It was very interesting in its own right. He could see him taking advantage of its wonders in the future. It was precise and straight to the point, unlike the other branches of magic. It was difficult and Erik did enjoy the challenge.
But if one could change one existing object to another, does that mean he could one day change his face?
Of course, the first year Transfiguration book already listed its various limitations. First and foremost, one can never assume the permanence of something they have transfigured. He could have a normal face, but only a whisper of it. Another mask that can come and go as it pleased.
But Erik was a wizard.
He let out a frustrated growl, plucked off a random book, and read it in a darkened corner of the library.
Erik became so invested in the weighty tome that Madam Pince had to alert him of the time. Startled out of his concentration, he muttered a quick apology before slinking away.
History of magic left Erik wishing he were the one that was dead, not Professor Binns. It was so incredibly dull. He already knew what was coming after he'd read their book, but the ghost teacher was the absolute worst instructor Erik had the displeasure of having. Even the Slytherins in the class couldn't make it any interesting, preferring to sleep or daydream instead.
He spent the rest of the class thinking of ways to make sure that professor remained dead.
When class ended, Erik was done for the day. His mood was sour. While the other Ravenclaws celebrated the end of their first school day by walking outside and sharing their notes, he chose to borrow several books in the library before heading to his dorm.
As he walked back, his mind wandered over to Christine. She was lovely. Very lovely. He was unfamiliar with the emotions he felt around her, but it felt good. He isn't used to feeling good.
He quickly washed his face and proceeded to get on his bed. Erik closed the curtains and whispered lumos, causing his wand to light up. He snuggled under his covers and read the night away, actually managing to sleep for several blessed hours.
The rest of the month passed the same way.
Erik had spent much of his free time mapping the castle. He'd familiarized himself with the halls and determinedly sought any hidden passages he could use. He would carefully enter seemingly abandoned rooms, taking note of them for future use. With time, he was able to easily navigate himself around Hogwarts. He'd arrive to class much earlier than everyone else and disappear completely whenever he desired.
If he got bored with that, he'd explore the library. Madam Pince was used to his looming presence now. Erik was known to frequent the more advanced sections, hoping to satiate his increasing thirst for more knowledge. He'd read whatever caught his interest first and immerse himself, oftentimes forgetting about his classes until the snarky librarian would remind him.
Erik tried his best to connect concepts and theories together. He desired a deeper understanding of magic. If he could understand, then he could control. He craved a sort of power that left a delicious taste on his tongue, the kind that commanded everyone's respect and horror. If he could have that, then he'd feel safe. No one would fear his mask. They would fear his power.
He'd always throw a curious glance at the Restricted Section before he'd go.
His classes were far less interesting, but usually pleasant nonetheless. Erik liked to consider them his pastimes to make him feel better about being bored out of his mind.
Astronomy was rather enjoyable. The classes were held at night and Erik felt more at peace. The darkness soothed his nerves. The topics were interesting, if not very easy. What they learned was similar to muggle Astronomy. They shared that class with the Gryffindors. Erik alternated most of his time finding creative ways to jolt Nadir awake or sending de Chagny glares when he wasn't looking.
They spent Herbology alone with Professor Sprout. Erik didn't particularly like handling greenery or soil, but it kept his hands busy. He preferred the activities here compared to the theory he was learning in other classes. Professor Sprout liked to award him points for having a green thumb. Erik scrunched his nose at that, but still found himself reading more books on magical plants to please her.
Transfiguration was… interesting.
At the moment, Hogwarts didn't have a full-time headmaster. They did, however, have a deputy headmistress. Professor McGonagall liked to spectate their Transfiguration classes during her free time, led by Professor Spinnet who was a young man from France who constantly pronounced spells differently but still managed to make them work.
It was amusing whenever Professor McGonagall would condescendingly correct him during lectures. She'd frequently have arguments with him about the tiniest details in front of the class, finding great joy in undermining the confident foreigner. Professor Spinnet wasn't one to back down, challenging the headmistress and her persistent comments with an easy-going shrug which, in turn, infuriated her more.
They had Transfiguration with Hufflepuffs and it was starting to become one of Erik's favorite times of the week. Christine had taken the spot beside him again. It gave Erik ample time to bask in her presence and speak with her in hushed voices. He loved teaching her spells and assisting her with course work. It made him happy when she'd ask for help and eventually got better under his tutelage. It was a win-win for both of them.
Erik was constantly scared of saying something wrong or doing something despicable around her. He knew he had a habit of doing that. He wanted to seek her out so much more often, but refrained from going anywhere near her during free times because he was scared he'd disappoint her.
She never actively sought him out either. She'd be with her friends or with de Chagny when she was outside of classes. It made Erik wonder if she was respecting his desire to keep his distance or if he'd grossly overestimated the nature of their relationship.
Their mornings together were pleasant, though.
Erik was never really hungry during the day, but he was always visiting the Great Hall for breakfast for even the tiniest chance of Christine being there.
She always was.
Erik would listen to her talk about her day before, content to watch her eat her food. He barely spoke about himself. He kept quiet and pretended to eat. He'd chew on a fruit or slice himself a sausage whenever she insisted, but largely preferred to simply snag an apple if he did feel hungry within the day. She was never happy with that, but let it go when he promised to eat better eventually.
Christine was the best part of Hogwarts. Erik was always happy when she was near him. She greets him with the loveliest smiles in the halls, even when she is with a flock of her friends or accompanied by de Chagny.
De Chagny. The bane of his existence. That brat got on his nerves so easily. He steered Christine away from him whenever possible and it made Erik go absolutely mad. He wanted to wring the twit's neck and throw him off Gryffindor tower.
Nadir, hearing him mutter his plans, disapproved.
Instead of murdering him, much to Nadir's acquiescence, he contented himself with making his magic spill de Chagny's ink bottle during class or making his things disappear during inconvenient times.
If he couldn't be a serial killer, then he might as well just be a nuisance.
De Chagny always suspected him, but never had the evidence to back him up. Erik often wondered if he would've suspected him if he didn't have a mask. They'd never really interacted beyond their first meeting. Why was he so unprovokedly wary of Erik's presence? It wasn't like he knew Erik was a menace yet.
Unlike most of the other children here, Erik was practiced in subtlety and tricks. His skills in sleight of hand were second to none and he used them to make life more difficult for those born with silver spoons in their perfect and unmarred mouths.
And yet, the boy simply had to be the worst sort of human Erik had ever met. That was saying something. Erik had met plenty of bastards in his short lifetime.
The boy had made Christine suspicious of him, too.
Erik immediately noticed the change when, not even several weeks into their morning ritual, Christine was suddenly very tense at the very sight of him.
"Erik?" She twirled the pasta on her plate. They were having breakfast together as they always have.
He was reading his Charms homework for corrections when he heard her hesitation. He tensed and quickly picked up that something was wrong. He'd developed a habit of sensing a shift in mood early in his life. His mother had been very bipolar when he was young, having just indulged in several different gateway drugs all at once.
He kept himself impassive, attempting to assess the situation he was in. "Yes?" He swirled the juice in his glass. "Would you like for me to read over your Potions essay again?" He asked innocently.
"No. It's not that." She avoided his gaze by looking out the grand windows. It was still fairly dark out, the sky barely tinted with light blue.
"What is it?"
"Why do you wear a mask?"
thanks for reading! so, what do you guys think about erik finally getting to hogwarts? is it really as magical as they make it seem? how do you feel about his relationships with the people around him? is he a rascal? i'd love to know your thought :) stay tuned for next week's update!