After being in this community for more than a decade, I decided to give writing a story a go. I've always loved reading the incredible fics here, and now I want to contribute my own. I will see where this goes. Do let me know your thoughts, feedback, and any suggestions for improvement. Your support means a lot!

Posted : July 21 2024


Chapter 1 : Whispers of magic

Magic was wonderful. No, magic is wonderful. It's amazing how much has been explored and how much remains unexplored. That's what a raven-haired boy thought as he looked out from the Astronomy Tower. His emerald-green eyes were fixed on the peaceful black lake, but more importantly, on the first years deboarding the boats.

"You know, sometimes I think you're even lonelier than me," a female voice broke his concentration.

Not turning back to the speaker, knowing who it was, the boy smiled. "Nice one, lady. Don't you have someone else to pick on?" he replied with a boyish grin. "Oh wait, I forgot—you don't talk to anyone else."

"Hmph, I'm starting to regret speaking with you," the female voice spoke, amused.

"You are lying, my lady," the boy finally turned towards the female, who was a ghost, more infamously known as the house ghost of Ravenclaw, commonly called the Grey Lady by students.

"What are you doing here, Harry? Today is the start-of-term feast. Why would you miss it?" The now-revealed Grey Lady spoke to the boy.

"You should already know I skip these. Besides, I can get all the food I want here," Harry spoke with a smirk as he clapped.

Immediately, a pop resonated nearby as a house-elf dressed in clothes with the Hogwarts crest appeared. "Master Harry calls Emmi? Is Master Harry wanting food?" the elf asked.

"Yes, Emmi. Please prepare my table at the usual place," Harry spoke to the elf.

"Emmi loves to serve Master Harry, but Master Harry should eat with other students," the elf spoke to him.

"You know me, Emmi. I love being spoiled by you. You are the best," the boy spoke with a big grin.

The elf's face tinted red. "Master Harry is too kind. Emmi is just doing her job," with that, she disappeared.

"It's still amusing to see that poor elf tending to your needs. You shouldn't torment the poor soul like that. I don't know what you did to that poor elf to make her fulfill all your orders, but you should not take undue advantage of her kindness and innocence," the Grey Lady spoke.

"I know, I know. But even you know she expects me to ask for her help now and then. Besides, this is the start of the year, and I wanted to see her as much as she wanted to see me. Isn't it the same with you? You should be there in the Great Hall 'welcoming' the students," Harry asked.

"As if I wanted to see you, and I'm not obliged to present myself to children. I join in with the other ghosts just for the sake of it," the ghost spoke.

"So you admit I'm better company than all of Hogwarts? My, my, Helena," Harry spoke with a boyish grin, using the ghost's name. "So, will you accept my love then?" he continued.

If ghosts could blush, the ghost of Helena Ravenclaw would have blushed. But instead, she kept her poker face. "I'm like a hundred times older than you. You're becoming a womanizer like your godfather. I hope you have some of your father in you and stick with one woman," the ghost spoke, shaking her head.

"Oh, my Helena, age is just a number. Just ask me, and I will happily give my life to become a ghostly lover just for you," Harry spoke, wiggling his brows.

"You're becoming a man with no shame year by year. I see now it was a mistake to send you to live with your godfather without any other supervision. I will give your godfather a piece of my mind when I see him next," the ghost spoke.

"Haha, I will pass on the message," the boy spoke.

A pop signified the arrival of Emmi once more. Emmi the elf brought and arranged food for Harry, neatly placing it on the table conjured by Harry.

"Thank you, Emmi," Harry spoke as he began to dig into the dinner.

Helena stood there, watching over the boy.

"Don't you feel the need for companionship, friendship?" she asked as Harry took some meatballs.

"Companionship is overrated. Besides, I have you," he continued without looking at her.

"You are starting your fifth year, and I hear he's back. Wouldn't it be better for you to seek friendship now more than ever?" she continued. Despite being a ghost, it was obvious she cared for the boy.

"Hmph, I know what's out there. I had a summer already crowded thanks to Sirius being dumb and opening doors to Dumbledore and his ilk," he spoke in an irritated tone. He was always the loner, and he didn't like one bit how the Order was using Black Townhouse as their meeting place. He would have been okay with it if not for Sirius inviting all the Weasleys, and with them came the whole ilk. He had never been a social person, and the redheads were just the opposite—loud with no sense of privacy. It wasn't enough that last month they had to invite Longbottom and Granger in as well, as if the house wasn't already crowded enough.

The Weasley matriarch had tried to have him placed with her son and Longbottom, citing they were the same age. Thankfully, he had put his foot down and holed up on the second floor opposite Sirius's room.

Granger had been a headache throughout her stay, trying to follow him into the Black library or get Sirius to grant her access to the private section of the library as well. But thankfully, his fool of a godfather was not that much of a fool.

"It's about time you leave for your tower, Harry," the ghost spoke.

Harry looked; he had almost finished what Emmi had brought in his thinking.

"I still have time. Besides, it's not like I have anything to do today."

They remained silent as Harry walked to the window, his gaze again locking on the moon.

He arrived at Ravenclaw Tower after taking a long, deliberate route. Quickly answering the riddle, the doors opened.

The common room was already empty except for a few students. A silver-eyed blonde smiled at him. "Hi, Harry. I see you are ever infested by Nargles," she spoke as she smiled.

"Hello to you too, Luna," he smiled at the odd girl. Despite trying to keep his distance from her, she always maintained conversation throughout all these four years. He could say she was one of his 'friends' apart from some others.

"So, did you find the reason Nargles like you so much?" the girl asked.

"No, I haven't. You should sleep as well, Luna. Goodnight," with that, Harry marched to the fifth-year boys' dorms.

His yearmates had already slept by the time he arrived.

"So the year starts. I get my O.W.L.s and say goodbye to this forsaken country," he muttered wistfully to himself.


So, how's this for the first chapter? Not much, I know, but hopefully, it gets better. I appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism you can offer. Thank you for taking the time to read my story!