He soon takes it all in as he is now finally going to Hogwarts. He always wondered what it was like inside. Whenever Jacob came home from Hogwarts he would always ask him every thing about it. Now looking out the window, he could already see the train was beginning to move. A noticed a small glimpse of his own reflection in the window, his own eyes made him look like he has not slept in months. Then again he was still in mourning while in the five stages of grief as he was already in the fourth stage. Rubbing one of his eyes. He still could not believe his own mother passed away as he felt himself almost wanting to cry again but he felt no tears came out.
Letting out a pitiful sigh he adjusts his seating position to get comfortable. "This going to be a long nine hours…" He muttered as he was about to shut his eyes.
"You're right about that, but time will go by fast if you have some company," a familiar voice was heard which made Lucien look up to see who it was. And to his surprise he sees a familiar looking boy entering the compartment.
"Rowan?" Lucien said as Rowan sat down on the seat in front of him.
"Hi again, Lucien!" Rowan greeted him with a smile before it faded almost immediately as he got a good look at him. "Have you been sleeping well?"
Lucien now sitting up, he rubs his eyes a little. "How could I? We're finally going to Hogwarts and I couldn't seem to get any sleep." He replies as he felt a little guilty for lying to Rowan. But it was best for him to not know what he is going through at the moment.
"Right?!" Rowan exclaimed as his smile came back. "I couldn't stop reading books about every professor at the school!"
Hearing that made Lucien smile. "That's brilliant!" Now interested, he started to ask Rowan. "Can you tell me about everything that you know about Hogwarts? Just to pass the time?"
Rowan smirked as he pushes up his glasses to his face before speaking "I am happy to tell you all there is to know about Hogwarts! I suggest you take some mental notes!"
"Alright!" Lucien said and nodding as Rowan talks about everything he knows about Hogwarts while taking mental notes for their first day.
When it seemed like only minutes ago, the Hogwarts Express had finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station. Every student got out of the train as everyone sees a giant man carrying a lantern was approaching them. "First years, come this way!" said the giant man as he started walking back to where he came from with every single first-year student following behind. After a long walk and a long boat ride, they all arrive at Hogwarts.
Entering the castle everyone was amazed by the corridors with every single painting on the walls were moving and even talking too, they also see ghosts phasing through the walls and magical creatures roaming the halls. As the first years were about to go any further into the castle they all see a woman in front of them which made them all stop in their tracks. The woman was all and wearing a green gown with a witch hat. "That's Professor McGonagall!" Rowan whispered to Lucien while trying to keep his excitement under control.
"Now then," McGonagall started to speak as everyone went silent. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. All new students to the Great hall." She then turns around as she heads into the Great Hall as the doors started to open while every first year student along with Lucien and Rowan started following behind her as they stepped into the hall as everyone started to gaze at everything that is in the gigantic room as they walked down the hall. Once they have made it to the end of the hall, McGonagall stops and turns around as everyone else stopped in their tracks to look at the Professor.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." McGonagall announced before continuing to speak. "Before the Welcoming Feast, We must sort all first-year students into their proper houses." Rowan and Lucien both look at each other with excitement on their faces as they turn back to look at Professor McGonagall again. "The Sorting Ceremony is very important. While you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts."
Lucien thought about that last part of her sentence, 'Family…?' He wondered what that meant before losing his train of thought as McGonagall was about to wrap up her presentation. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, the brave and Chivalrous."
"She's the head of that house," Rowan whispered towards Lucien who nodded.
"Hufflepuff, the kind and diligent."
"'That was my mother's house…' Lucien thought to himself as he wondered what it was like for her to be in Hogwarts while being sorted into her house.
"Ravenclaw, the witty and the wise."
'That was both my father's and Jacob's house…' Lucien recalled that his father used to be a prodigy for Ravenclaw until years later his brother Jacob ruined Ravenclaw's reputation, he hoped he won't do the same just like his brother.
"And Slytherin, the cunning and ambitious."
Rowan gulps before nudging his shoulder before whispering to him once again. "I heard you-know-who was sorted into that house…" Lucien started to get chills as he remembered his family talking about him in the Daily Prophet, apparently he was a Dark Lord who tried and failed to kill a child who somehow defeated him.
"Each house has its own noble history, and each produced outstanding witches and wizards." McGonagall continued, "I hope you all will be fine additions to their ranks." As McGonagall finishes her speech she calls forward the first student to be sorted. It was a girl with short shaggy hair with part of it was Either dyed orange or it could be a birth thing, he did not think about it too much since he was now in his own thoughts. She then stepped forward, as the sorting hat was placed onto her head.
"I see...A fourth generation of the family eh?" The Sorting Hat said before pondering for a second. "Better be...Slytherin!"
All of the students started to cheer for her as the hat was taken off of her before getting up to sit at the Slytherin table.
sorted her into Slytherin. Next McGonagall calls on the next student who walks up to the stand before sitting down as the sorting hat was placed on her head. It was a girl with golden blonde hair with parts of her hair braided in the front. "A Haywood? I just know where to put you..." The Sorting hat said as the girl had the look of anticipation in her eyes. "Hufflepuff!" It announced as the students started to cheer once more as the girl started smiling with joy as she got up to sit at the Hufflepuff table.
A few students were sorted into each house until it was Rowan's turn to be sorted. "Khanna...Ravenclaw!" The Hat said with the usual cheers from the table. Lucien smiled as he kind of expected Rowan would be sorted into Ravenclaw given his intellect. He watches him head to his seat in the Ravenclaw table as he wonders who the the next student will be.
"And now for…" McGonagall said before a sudden long pause. She looks directly at Lucien who seemed to be confused. "Lucien Crow."
Lucien's eyes widened as he had not realized he was the last student to be sorted into a house. "Oh no…" Lucien mutters as he was starting to feel really nervous as he could hear Hall being filled with chatters. He gulped before slowly walking up to the stands to be sorted as he sits down with the sorting hat was being placed on his head.
"Hmm...Very interesting." The Sorting Hat spoke. "I haven't seen one like this in a long time...I heard your brother made quite the show during his years in Hogwarts." Lucien turned his attention to every one who was looking at him, some where confused, some had the fear in their eyes, while others had hatred. "I think I know where to put you..." The Hat became silent for what felt like an eternity for Lucien as the hate takes a deep breath before shouting. "RAVENCLAW!"
Everyone then claps as Lucien gets up from the chair and walks over to the Ravenclaw table, 'A Ravenclaw...' Lucien thought to himself as he smiled. 'I can't believe it…I can't believe I'm really at Hogwarts!' Lucien then notices The Headmaster getting up. "I'd better sit down. The Headmaster is about to speak…"
Lucien then sits down as the Headmaster, also known as Albus Dumbledore starts to speak. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore had a warm smile on his face as he greets the first years and the rest of the students. "The past few years have seen a great weight lifted from our world. The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, is safe." Lucien and Rowan sighed in relief as Dumbledore continued with a smile leaving his face. "Years from now, young Harry will be old enough to attend Hogwarts…" Lucien turns to look at Dumbledore as he could feel the hope in his eyes. "But for now, it's your turn!" Dumbledore's smile returns to his face. "Remember, while you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you House Points, while any rule-breaking will lose House Points." Dumbledore then points to the house points that were behind the flying teacher Madam Hooch, "At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup and great honor." He puts his finger down before looking back at the students. "I hope each of you will bring credit to your house." Dumbledore then walked back to his seat as food started appearing on the tables in front of the students, some were surprised but some were already used to it by now.
Moments passed inside the hall, the Charms Teacher, Professor Flitwick got out of his seat and stood in front of the Ravenclaw table. "The feast has ended," Flitwick announced. "Ravenclaws, please proceed to the Ravenclaw Common Room." Every single Ravenclaw student got up and started heading down to the common room,
"I'm dying to see our Common Room," Rowan said. "Let's go check it out!"
Moments passed once again as the Ravenclaw students entered the common room, both Lucien and Rowan's eyes were glistening like the stars. "I'm so happy we both got put into Ravenclaw, Lucien." he turned to him with a smile, "Would you like to hear an exhaustive history of our house, including a comprehensive biography of our house founder?"
Lucien smiled back at him "For now, let's just take it all in…" Lucien replied as his eyes were scanning around the common room.
"It's incredible isn't it? Even better than I imagined…" Rowan said as his eyes wandered around the common room.
"This is a really brilliant place to study." Lucien responded, "We even got our own bookshelves!"
Suddenly a student approached them, he seemed to be a third year. "I can't believe they even let you in here after your brother got expelled, and ruined Ravenclaw's reputation." The third-year said with a look of disgust.
Rowan growled as he walked up to the third-year, "Lucien will be an outstanding Ravenclaw," Rowan retorted. "I'm assuming you aren't since you spend your time bullying first-years."
The third-year rolls his eyes before responding, "Whatever. I'll be keeping an eye on both of you."
The third-year then walks away as Rowan looks at Lucien. "Sorry. I know you asked me to follow your lead back in Diagon Alley, but I can't let anyone talk to my friend like that."
"Thanks, Rowan," he smiles again for a moment. "Something tells me that won't be the last time someone brings up my brother." He then remembered something. "Have you had a chance to look at your timetable?"
Rowan nods and smiles at him, "Yes! Can you believe it? Herbology with Professor Sprout, Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall…" He answered. "What are you most looking forward to, Lucien?"
He thought for a second before giving him his answer. "I just want to learn spells and potions as fast as possible, so I can use them to find my brother and make sure he's okay."
"We'll learn some really useful and powerful spells in Charms Class…" Rowan replied as he rubs his chin, "Luckily, we have Charms Class with Professor Flitwick first thing tomorrow!" They then heads down to their own dormitories for the night.
In the middle of the night, Lucien was unpacking his stuff in his dormitory while he looks at the outside of his window, "It's a beautiful view out there…Is this what you two get to look forward to when you're done with classes? Dad? Mum?" He stares at the outside view for a moment before letting out a yawn, "I'm exhausted…" Stretching and feeling a little sluggish, he walks over to his bed, laying down on it. "My first day of classes tomorrow...I don't know if I should be excited or scared." Lucien pondered before shutting his eyes, "Guess I'll see what's in store for tomorrow…" Lucien then falls asleep.
When it was morning, Lucien heads out of his dormitory and was greeted by Rowan, "Good morning, Lucien!" Rowan waved at him with a smile.
"Morning, Rowan!" Lucien replied as he waved back.
"Ready for Charms class?" Rowan asked as he could not contain his own excitement.
"Yes, let's get going!" Lucien answered as they both walked out of the Ravenclaw Common Room. Minutes had passed by, as they both entered Charms Class, Rowan walks over to his seat while Lucien walked over to greet Professor Flitwick.
"Pleased to meet you, Professor Flitwick," he said to the charms professor who looks at him with a smile.
"You're Mr Crow!" Flitwick said as he greeted him back. "If you're anything like your brother, you will do just fine. He was one of my most skilled students." Then Flitwick's smile fades away, "That being said, he was also one of my most rebellious students…" Lucien had an awkward smile on his face as he could hear snickering coming from the students as he thinks Flitwick's expectations of him went from high to low. "Are you going to follow the rules?" He waits for his response.
"I'll do my best to follow the rules, but I can't make any guarantees." Lucien answered as the awkward smile was still on his face.
"Very well, Mr Crow. Please have a seat," Flitwick said with a slight disappointed tone. "Class is about to begin."
After a moment as the class sits down and quiets down, they all turn their attention towards Professor Flitwick, "Welcome to your very first Charms Class at Hogwarts. I will be your instructor, Professor Flitwick." Flitwick announces before continuing, "Please pay close attention to the instructions, and take great care practicing the spells you learn." "Today we will be learning a very important spell known as the Wand-Lighting Charm." Lucien remembers his mother teaching him the charm, but he never really got to use it.
"This charm is useful in dark places, whether you are searching a shadowy room for hidden dangers…" Flitwick continued, "Or trying to find a scroll that rolled under the sofa." Everyone laughs at his joke before Flitwick pulls out his wand, giving it a small twirl as he shouts the incantation "Lumos!" The tip of his wand suddenly started glowing with a white light. The students were amazed until the wand stopped glowing as Flitwick puts his wand back in his coat. "Let us begin."
After an hour of lecturing and studying the Wand-lighting Charm, Lucien thought it was time to cast it. Lucien grabbed his wand, along with giving it a small twirl. "Lumos!" Lucien shouts the incantation as the tip of his wand started to glow and shines the room with his light which every student started to become surprised while Flitwick smiled.
"Well done, Mr Crow," Flitwick praised him as Lucien could not help but rub the back of his own head. "That's the best execution of the Wand-Lighting Charm I've seen from a first-year in quite some time." Lucien smiled as he dispelled the charm. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."
"Nice work, Lucien!" Rowan said as he praised him as well. "I've read everything I could find on The Wand Lighting Charm, and yours was still better. You're a natural."
Lucien sighed as his smile disappeared "Potions are next. I have a feeling facing Snape won't be so easy…" Lucien said as he could feel an unknown dread come over him as they both started leaving the classroom.
Once they are out of the classroom Rowan gets an idea, "Hey Lucien, I got an idea!" Rowan suggested out of the blue as Lucien looks at him.
"What is it?" Lucien asked with a confused expression.
"How about we have a race to the Potions Class?" Rowan said as he adjusts his glasses. "Since we are both in Ravenclaw, and I told you the ways around Hogwarts, I think it's time to put our knowledge to the test."
Lucien thought about it for a second as he grins. "Sure! I really wanted to see everything on my own and with my own eyes." Lucien said as he accepts his offer.
"Brilliant! I'll go this way to the left while you'll go to the one on the right!" Rowan says as he starts walking down the left corridor.
"Alright!" Lucien responded as he walked down to the right corridor.
After a few minutes of walking, Lucien took his time getting to Potions Class. Looking at every single thing that catches his eyes. "Say it!" A voice was heard which makes him stop walking. He was confused as that was very sudden and even caught him off guard. 'What was that?' He thought as he continued to walk down to the Dungeons as the voices started getting more louder and clearer with each step he took.
Once he made his way down into the dungeons he stopped. hearing two people arguing. Lucien now curious, walks around to the left to see two students. 'Wait, is that Rowan?' He couldn't make out who the other person was. 'And...Who is that he's talking to?' He then starts walking up to them as he could clearly hear what they are saying.
As he got closer he could see he was talking to a Slytherin girl, "Admit it!" The Slytherin girl said with a demanding tone.
"I can't!" Rowan pleaded as he slowly steps back a bit.
"Say I'm the most powerful witch at Hogwarts! "She demanded once again as she was getting angrier. Lucien then stands between the two as his eyes were on the Slytherin, 'Wait a second…' Lucien thought as he completely recognizes who this girl is, 'Isn't that the first-year that got sorted into Slytherin from the Sorting Ceremony last night?' Lucien eyes her up and down for as he stopped right in between them. They did not notice his sudden arrival due to their eyes being focused on one another. When he finishes eyeing her up and down he sees that her hair was a mess along with part of her hair is dyed a light orange shade compared to her rich brown hair. Again either it is dyed a birth thing. He then looks at her eyes as he did not get a chance to look at them before. They were the color of violet which he thought was fascinating and somehow alluring to him as he never expected to not be the only one in Hogwarts who had a strange eye color. For some reason his heart was skipping a beat each time in his chest the more he looked at her.
"It's logically Impossible!" Rowan exclaimed, interrupting Lucien's thought and out of a daze. "I've made numerous lists of the most powerful witches at Hogwarts based on multiple factors." Rowan was starting to sweat from his brow as he continued, "You're less powerful than Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Madam Hooch, Madam Pomfrey, every single seventh-year…You're just a first-year like me!"
The Slytherin girl's violet eyes were glaring daggers at Rowan. "I'm nothing like you." She growled, Lucien then stepped in front of Rowan as he does not want things to get ugly.
"What's the problem?" He said as Rowan sighed in relief while the girl looks at him with confusion at first before she went back to being angry.
"Who do you think you are?" She said as her eyes were not focused on Lucien now.
Rowan pokes his head around Lucien to look at her. "Lucien is the one who should be claiming to be the best wizard," Rowan retorts. "Professor Flitwick said he cast the best Wand-Lighting Charm of any first-year."
The Slytherin girl's expression changed from anger to disgust. "Lucien? Now I know exactly who you are…" She said as she rolled her eyes. "You're Lucien Crow. Your brother lost his mind, disgraced his house, got expelled from school, and was never heard from again," she then gives him a wicked smirk "You belong in Ravenclaw."
Lucien, confused on who she is, while mentally suppressing his irritation from what she said about his brother he speaks again to ask her who she is. "And...Who are you?"
"Merula Snyde," she answered as her wicked smirk turned into a wicked grin. "First-year Slytherin. The best witch at Hogwarts." He thought for a split second as he heard the name Merula somewhere before but he did not want to dwell onto that thought as she continues to talk. "I overheard the professors whispering about you at the Feast. I suppose you think you're better than me." Merula's eyes were now filled with mischievous yet malice intent. "I should put you out of your misery before you ruin Hogwarts like your brother tried to."
Lucien closes his eyes before taking a deep breath. "I don't want any trouble," Lucien said calmly as he really does not want to make an enemy on his first day.
"You don't have a choice," she replied as Lucien opened his eyes. He remembers what his mother said about being kind to his classmates.
"We can talk this out," Lucien suggested with a smile. "We can be friends?"
Hearing him say that, Merula rolled her eyes as her smirk went away. "You think you're good enough to be friends with me?" She asked as she had another disgusted look on her face. "You really are as mad as your brother." Lucien stops smiling as he wanted to say something but was soon interrupted by somebody.
"Crow." Said a tall black-haired man coming out of the Potions class. The three students look up at him. It appears to be the Potions Professor, Professor Snape whom Rowan mentioned during the Feast. "I knew you would be trouble."
"Professor Snape!" She exclaimed as she was surprised to see him here in the dungeons.
"Merula was bullying my friend, Professor," Lucien explained as he noticed Snape's expression remained unchanged.
"Get to Potions Class." Snape demanded, not amused. "Be thankful you aren't headed to detention."
Snape then heads back into the Potions Classroom as Merula followed behind while glaring at the Ravenclaws before entering. "Thanks for standing up for me, Lucien," Rowan said. "I've never been very strong. Or making very good friends. I'm glad that you and I are both in Ravenclaw."
Lucien nodded, "Did you hear what Merula said? Why would the professors be talking about me?" He asked with a confused expression once again.
"I don't know, But we better get to Potions." Rowan answered as they both walked to class. "We're in enough trouble as it is."
As the two Ravenclaws entered the classroom, they both look at the interior of the classroom in awe since it was filled with ingredients used for brewing potions, they then take their seats. Lucien then soon realized he was sitting near Merula, which he sighed to himself as he understood why he was feeling the dread during Charms Class.
"This is your first Potions Class, and based on the bewildered look in your eyes, this could very well be your last." Snape said to the class with a monotone. "Unlike your other classes, this is not a place for foolish wand-waving, and intolerable screeching of mispronounced incantations." Snape's eyes scan the entire classroom as he continues his introduction. "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." As he finishes scanning the entire class, he turns around. "Ensnare the senses. Bewitch the mind. Keep your mouths shut." Lucien and Rowan looked at each other for a second before looking back at Snape, "Today you will produce a simple Cure for Boils Potion." Lucien then remembers studying about it, his mother even showed him how to do it before. "Know that I expect perfection. And know that there will be severe consequences for failing to meet my expectations…Let us begin."
Merula then looks at Lucien with a smirk, "You think you're so special, but you're already guaranteed to fail, Crow."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked her as he was confused what she meant by that.
"You'll see…" Merula answered with a small yet evil snicker.
"Ignore her, Lucien," Rowan said as he rolled his eyes before pushing up his glasses. "After getting reprimanded by Snape, we need to brew this potion perfectly."
Everyone then gathers around Snape, "To begin to brew Cure for Boils, your technique must be perfect. Watch me." Snape said as everyone took out a quill and a piece of paper to write down notes. Snape lectures and demonstrates on how to brew the potion while everyone takes notes. After taking notes every student gathers the ingredients needed to brew the potion as time passes by as Potions Class almost came to an end. "Finish your potions quickly. I want to see how poorly you executed this recipe."
After everyone finishes making their potion, Lucien taps the cauldron with his wand as the potion is already finished. "Hmm. Perhaps Crow isn't absolutely incompetent after all…" Snape said, his monotone voice remains unchanged.
"It worked! I brewed my first potion!" Lucien whispers to Rowan.
"Congratulations, Lucien!" Rowan whispered back as he was happy for him. "In all my research, hardly anyone ever brews this potion correctly on their first try."
Suddenly the cauldron started bubbling again only this time it was bubbling to where they could heard loud popping sounds as this catches both of their attention, "Wait...What's happening?" Lucien said as he remembered the potion was not supposed to be bubbling like that.
"Did you add Bulbadox Powder?" Rowan asked as he gulped. "From my studies, this looks like the beginnings of the explosive reaction caused by adding Bulbadox powder…"
Lucien's eyes widened, "Explosive?!" He exclaimed as the cauldron exploded to where it breaks in half.
"Congratulations. You have cured the table of boils," Merula remarked as she was letting out a small wicked giggle.
Snape then approaches the table as his eyes were locked on to Lucien as he could see the anger in his eyes. "You should have never been allowed inside of my classroom, Crow." Snape said as his monotone was now shifted into a much more colder tone, "You are somehow even worse than your brother." Lucien looks at Snape wanting to say something but everything was happening so fast he couldn't speak. "Ten points from Ravenclaw!" He shouted. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Lucien having no clue what was happening he takes a deep breath. "I think Merula Snyde did something to my cauldron, Professor." Lucien said as Snape's expression was still the same.
"Take responsibility for your incompetence, Crow," Snape replied as his anger slightly faded.
"I would, but Merula threatened me and my friend, and said she would do something to make sure I failed in Potions," Lucien said as he glanced at Merula who was rolling her eyes. "She's threatened by me because she thinks I might be a more powerful wizard."
"Is this true, Miss Snyde?" Snape asked as his anger was now replaced with curiosity while looking at Merula as he waits for her response.
"Absolutely not, Professor," Merula answered, looking at Snape with a smile "Crow is clearly just as mad as his brother. And just as driven to ruin everything in Hogwarts."
Lucien slightly bit his tongue a little. He could feel himself wanting to either say something or punch her, but the thought of his mother makes him restrain himself from doing so. "Your family has represented Slytherin well, Miss Snyde," Snape said before raising an eyebrow. "I will be watching you closely to ensure you do the same."
Snape then walks away from the table as they all started to clean up for the day. "You made the right choice by telling him about Merula. I'm sure you would have lost more House Points if you didn't," Rowan said as he looked down in guilt for not being able to help.
"It's only going to get worse, Crow," Merula added. "You should have known that coating your cauldron with Bulbadox Powder would make your potion explode." Merula then smirks again, "I certainly did, and now there's no doubt that I'm the most important first-year, and you're nothing but a disgrace just like your brother."
Lucien closes his eyes as he could feel his own blood starting to boil. "Dismissed. I've had enough of all of you for one day." Snape said. Lucien then opens his eyes as he looks at the broken cauldron.
"I lost Ravenclaw ten House Points...What's going to happen when we go back to the Ravenclaw Common Room?" He muttered as he could already imagine the possibilities.
"Let's just head back to the Common Room, alright?" Rowan suggested as they grab their things before leaving the Potions Class.
Phew, I could only post one chapter today because this was a long one to edit and I did not have any time but I thought it came out great. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and be ready for the next chapter to come out soon!