4: Hogwarts
The trip to Hogwarts was easy, as Mother dropped me off at the King's Cross Station, and I walked in plain muggle T-Shirt and Shorts as my mother held my hand, until we reached the Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
The Steam Train was an odd sight, a remnant of a bygone era. The dense smoke was somehow filtered away, as there was no unexpected soot or ash in the air.
There were a lot of parents gathered around, and the Pureblood who recognised mother gave her a curt bow, as she gave a shallower one in return, as was the courtesy.
Mother held my hand, as she gave me a tight hug. "I will see you in the Yule, my son. Take care of yourself and write to me." She commanded as I smiled at her.
Her eyes had watered around the edges, but she tried to compose herself, as she squeezed me tight in her arms again.
"I will miss you so much, son." She whispered as I tightened my hold on her. "Me too." We stood like that for a while, before I turned to the Train Berth and walked in, waving to Mother at the door.
We said everything we wanted to say before, and she just gave me a strong nod, and disapparated, as she told me she couldn't bear to see the train leaving the station.
I smiled to myself, as a muggle student gasped in shock at the displaced air.
"Wicked!" A pair of older redheaded twins giggled as a portly reheaded witch dragged four children to the train.
I recognised them as Weasleys, as I didn't bother with introducing myself to them.
I found my berth, closer to the middle of the Train, and locked the door with a Coloportus Charm.
I sat down and opened a tome, as I looked out and saw the Owls flying in the sky.
I looked in the Menagerie, but I could never find a suitable pet. I didn't want an Owl, as I didn't like the birds overly much. I hated the idea of keeping toads, and I cannot keep cats as a pet. There can only be one Sociopath in the room, and it cannot be a lesser evolved four-legged critter!
I decided to try Conjuration later, and set down the enlarged Suitcase on the Overhead compartment.
I strapped the Suitcase to the railing, to prevent it rattling and falling down on me, and I set down a Cushion and a soft Cashmere Blanket as I curled up on the seat for some cozy reading time.
It would take about six to eight hours for the journey, and I didn't want to spend that time in mindless chatter with kids.
My tome was an odd one too, after all, there is no Alteration School of Magic in Wizarding World, is there?
It was a Tome on Master Alteration spells, something good to refresh my memory, as I used my Essence of Archmage to understand the subtle nuances in the spell.
A Novice presumes all spells are same, you give it sufficient magic, and a little hand waving later, the spell is cast!
When a Novice becomes Adept, they learn that some spells are easier, while some are difficult, and a few are simply nigh impossible!
To a Expert however, these "nigh impossible" spells become feasible, but dangerously difficult, as they learn that magical endurance is more paramount to a Mage compared to the quantity of Magicka in them.
And to a Master, they understand that the rigid mindset of choosing a spell, providing Magicka and casting it, is a very crude way of casting magic! For example, even Expert Level Mages in Alteration would only use these "Expert level" spells as they read them, without any creativity or forethought.
A Master however, would tweak the spell, apply it to the situation at hand, and in doing so, make the effect that much more dangerous and potent. And reading the basic primer on Transfiguration reminded me how similar the theory sounded to Alteration.
Granted, there were some pro's and con's that differentiates the two magical systems. But, at its core, Alteration is change of some state or property of a target into another. This could be as simple as its colour, it shape, its size, or even its material.
Transfiguration was different here somewhat, as it dealt with only changing the form and function of the Target, while changing the property of the Target was part of Alchemy!
I was engrossed in the primer, as the Train started to move, as I relaxed and stored the Tome away in my Inventory.
When the Train was moving, it was straining my eyes, and despite having magical means, I would still rather not read in a moving train!
I took out the cold sandwiches I packed as I giddily ate away enjoying the sights as the Train roared past the hills and entered the untamed woods as time flew by...
I had taken a brief nap, as the Train came to a halt. I was already dressed in my robes, as I combed my hair, stored my cushion and Blanket away, cleaned the crumbs on me from my snacks and unlocked the door.
I walked out and joined the fray as a row of students were led to Hagrid, the Groundskeeper.
I joined the row, as I saw and recognised a few canon characters. Cho Chang. Katie Bell. Angelina Johnson. The Weasleys in Upper Years. Oliver Woods, Marcus Flint. Yes. I recognised a few of them.
My year had few Purebloods, and my exquisite robes stood out, as did my Raven Black combed hair, my Aristocratic cheek bones and my beautiful Purple Eyes that glowed in the moonlight.
A few stared at me, as many Purebloods recognised me from the colour of my eyes.
I followed the small row and joined the three girls on the boat as we were led to the Castle along the Great Lake.
I ignored everyone else, as I didn't bother introducing myself to the girls who were eagerly hoping for me to introduce myself to them.
I was lost in my thoughts, as I ignored Professor McGonagall's speech and the entry to the Great Hall.
My mind was stuck on where I wish to go. I would do well in any House. But, I was loathed to join the Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Their Dorms are shared and far too much uniformity and "friendship" oriented!
I could go to Slytherin, but then, I would be forced to join the crude rivalry. Best seat in the House for me would be...
"Ignatius Brandt." Minerva announced, as I took measured steps, and sat on the stool, as Minerva put a cap on my head.
'Curious. A guarded mind. But not my Oclumency. There are no Mental Barriers. You simply stopped me. Hmm. Curious. But then again, this all reflects your personality, doesn't it? Guarded, secretive. Not suited for Hufflepuff, then. You are brave, but cautious. Never would you wage a war, if you are not sure of your overwhelming victory. Thus House of the Brave would not suit you either. But you must be ambitious enough, to try and succeed to deceive me. I don't need to delve in your mind to know you have plans. Goals. Ambitions. But...'
I stopped its musing short.
'I want to go to Ravenclaw. Put me in Ravenclaw.'
The hat hummed as it was thinking. 'The boy speaks! Hah! You seem to have some compunction against the House of the Snakes. You are worthy, you know. Noble valour, ambition, glory. You could have it all. Slytherin can offer it all to you. No? You don't want that? Very well then. If you are sure...Best be...' "Ravenclaw!"
The hat declared as I stood up, thanked the Deouty Headmistress, took my leave to the table of the witty and wise witches and wizards! Ah! An Alliteration!
I ignored Cho Chang and her bevy of girls who tried to gather my attention. There was another boy, an NPC with a muggleborn name.
I ignored them all.
Cho Chang and the girls looked annoyed at me ignoring them, as I greeted a few older years politely, and offered a gentle smile to the fourth year girl who I think must be Penelope Clearwater.
The girl gave me a kind smile back, as I ate my fill nobly. I despised the greasy food, but I was planning to grow like a Nord Warrior, like the Dragonborn was.
And I planned to exercise rigorously to get in shape. It simply wouldn't do to not learn and take up weapons of Tamriel. After all, the Inventory from Skyrim once opened had a veritable collection of weapons.
I even spotted the Bow of Auri-El, in the inventory, and I had every intention to learn to wield them well.
To have a bow that does not need physical arrows...The arrows would not droop or lose momentum with distance. I had my Essence of Warrior to help me here. I could become a Nightmare with the arsenal at my disposal.
Not to mention, my plans to obtain the Gryffindor Sword, to add to my collection of powerful weapons!
I climbed the stairs as I found my room. It was a single room, as my year had only me and the other boy in the Boy's Dormitory.
We both had seperate rooms, and went to our rooms quietly.
The boy understood I wasn't interested in talking to him, and quietly went to his room, as I went to mine.
I don't intend to leave anything in my room, as I don't trust kids. I have read Lord of the Flies to know that children could be evil little psychopaths. I cast the Security Charm, and shrunk the trunk and stored it in my Inventory.
When it slipped in successfully, I blinked. I stored the suitcase there as an afterthought.
What if I get Charmed Suitcases with Space Expansion Charms the size of Newt's Briefcase. That way, I can multiply the size limitations...
A paper floated before me, as I saw pixels around it.
"Dont try to hack your Inventory. We allowed the current size, and in the future, one single Briefcase with the size of a Inventory Slot will be allowed to you for storage. Try anymore, and we will revoke your Inventory Space Growth update and patch your Inventory. You have been Warned.
-Signed
G.O.D."
I froze as the paper disintegrated as I read it. It was signed God. But there were period between the letters. G.O.D. Gaunter O'Dimm.
Okay. Don't piss your Boss! Got it. I silently apologized, as I stored the Suitcase away, after changing into night clothes and stored even my wand in the Inventory.
Not having to worry about your belongings can give you a calm and serene sleep, especially when mother taught me the Warding Spells!
The next morning, I woke up early, as I left the Dorms to stretch and exercise. I planned to get started immediately, as I jogged along the Great Black Lake, as I instinctually knew the best way to maximise my results with minimal effort.
I stretched and cooled down, as a quick Tempus showed me it was seven thirty.
I cast a Scourgify on myself and dressed up, as I left for Great Hall.
I was steadily ignored, as Cho Chang included the little muggleborn boy in their small group of 'ravens', as they ignored me hoping to alienate me.
I was calm and silent, as I had my heavy breakfast, surprising a nearby Prefect, who patted my back. "Keep eating like that, and you could join our House's Quidditch Team as Beater!" He cracked as the other boys smiled along and I nodded when it was polite or appropriate.
My familiarity with the older students had incensed my fellow first year Ravens who I knew were utter bullies and social butterfly.
I was content antagonising them, as I had nothing to gain from their friendship or their approval.
A Prefect handed us our Time Table, as I stood up and left the Hall, and walked along the Stairs to look for my classrooms.
We had a double Transfiguration early Morning with Gryffindor, then a break, then a History with Hufflepuff, then Lunch and finally a double Potions with Gryffindor again.
Our schedule was a bit lax, as I explored the castle to find my classroom.
I found my class, as I saw it was all empty, save for the cat preening on the Teacher's desk.
I looked around, saw the classroom number and then at the black board which had drawings and diagrams along with a title Transfiguration 1st Year.
I walked in, set my books down, as I arranged my writing material and took a look at the cat.
It was observing me, and if I didn't know about the Animagus, I would wonder why a cat was roaming in the classroom.
The cat was scrutinising me, as I understood Minerva was perching on the table, after I triggered the Alarm Wards, when I walked in the direction of the classroom.
It must be a great source of pride to be an Animagus for Minerva, if she wanted every First Year student to know she is one.
I stood from my seat as my eyes never left the cat, as I sat on the first row desk right in front of the cat.
It was sitting on its hind legs, as its tail was swinging excitedly.
I tilted my head, as the cat mirrored me, as I kept my gaze on the cat, who stared back.
I wanted to pet the cat to have fun with the Professor, but I will not survive her ire, should I be brave enough to do so.
I smiled at the cat. "Cool Animagus Transformation, professor." As the cat raised its head, then yowled at me with a raised paw.
I chuckled and went back to my seat. as I opened my Tome, and began to read from it. The cat didn't move, as it was happy sitting on the table, as more and more students walked in.
A few girls cooed and petted the cat, as they sat down, while a few Gryffindor boys tried to tease the cat, only to receive scratches on their hands as punishment.
The kids weren't brave enough to retaliate, as I sat quietly, letting the spectacle ensue.
The Ravenclaw group walked in, as I belatedly realised that I apparently wasn't paying enough attention to notice, there were more students than I expected.
Except me, there were eight more students. Five girls and three boys. The three boys were so unremarkable, that I must have glazed over them.
They seem to be growing best friends, as they were chatting with each other, as they took their seats.
I ignored the glare aimed at me, as all commotion died out when the cat transformed into our Transfiguration Professor.
The moment she transformed, she carried her momentum by gracefully walking away from the table.
"Ten Points to Mr Brandt for correctly identifying an Animagus." She smiled at me, as I returned that smile.
"Transfiguration!..."
The lecture was merely a stern warning and putting the fear of...well Magic...in the hearts of the wide-eyed kids.
She didn't teach us any spell, nor did she let us use our wand. We were merely taking notes, copying solutions, taking Homework, and finally sent on our way when the bell rang.
The days passed by just the same as my first. I have yet to sample this year's DADA or Defence Against Dark Arts, as it will be Quirellmort next year. I prayed to Akatosh that it be a competent teacher this year!
Charms was just the same, as it was basic Wand Lighting Charm. I did it towards the end of the class, and ignored the smug looks from the Raven girls.
Potions was bland, as Snape hovered over us, but merely grunted when I handed my first Boil-Cure Potion.
When it was DADA, I eagerly waited, as a stern professor walked in, as I recognised from his very gait that I would have fun!
"My name is Auror Bletchly, and you may call me Professor or Professor Bletchly. I will be teaching DADA temporarily this year." With his brief introduction, he dived into the classification of creatures and ministry regulation on Dark Arts.
He was succinct...but lacked the ability to deliver his knowledge.
I sighed to myself, and left the class for the weekends, as I found my way to the edge of the Lake, towards the Forbidden Forest.
I looked around, as I cast a Skyrim spell Detect Life. Immediately, I saw three clustered small blips. I sighed to myself, as I postponed my plans to cast Conjuring spells and jogged lightly towards the Castle.