Hofa woke at dawn. Sky still gray outside.
Ironic, really. Back in his old life, he'd been mediocre at best. The type who'd give five percent effort when six was possible, score eighty when ninety was within reach.
But here at Hogwarts? He actually wanted to study.
Was it curiosity about magic?
Not really. World War II was coming. Unless he escaped to America or Australia before it started, nowhere on this planet would be safe.
Especially Europe. A powder keg waiting to explode.
Running wasn't Hofa's style. His only option was to master magic before the war began—give himself a fighting chance when the bullets started flying. He figured he'd need to explore all of Hogwarts, unlock a second Knowledge of the Great God ability, and collect enough spell fragments. Everything else was bonus.
A class schedule sat on his nightstand.
Monday. Two classes.
Charms and Transfiguration.
First period was Charms—each house met their Head separately. Second period brought all four houses together.
Hofa remembered Harry and Ron were always late. With Hogwarts' shifting layout, he wasn't risking it. While his roommates stayed in bed, he got up.
The Ravenclaw bathroom was east of the dormitory. Co-ed, spotlessly clean. Blue and cyan tiles everywhere, rows of eagle-headed faucets.
Hofa had bought a toothbrush but forgotten a cup—seemed wasteful in his limited bag space. He figured cupping water in his hands would work.
He brushed carelessly, then stuck his head under the faucet.
When he looked up, mouth full of foam, he saw the last person he wanted to see in the mirror.
Aglaia.
She'd also risen early. Held a cup and toiletries, wore a blue star-patterned robe. Stood behind him like a ghost.
Seeing Hofa with just a toothbrush, using his hands to catch water, her face twisted with disgust.
Murphy's Law. The person you least want to see always shows up. Just the two of them now. Awkward as hell.
"Barbarian," Aglaia muttered.
Hofa suppressed the urge to transfigure her into a crow. He spat out the water expressionless, washed his face, and left.
He swore right then—no matter what she said, he wouldn't speak a word to this girl.
After washing up, Hofa waited in the common room. Students trickled down in groups, laughing as they left.
Miranda never came down. Maybe she'd left earlier. Hofa headed to the Great Hall alone. At the Ravenclaw table, still no Miranda.
Maybe she's already in class, he thought while eating oatmeal. Early riser.
Hogwarts breakfast felt like a hotel buffet—plentiful, filling, decent.
Only problem? Humans weren't the only ones eating.
Halfway through, a flock of owls swooped down through the skylights. They carried letters and packages, each finding its owner.
Some students had well-trained owls. Others—especially girls—spoiled theirs so badly the birds strutted across communal dishes.
When Hofa fished a feather out of his oatmeal, his appetite died. He left before experiencing the legendary "bird rain."
Back in his old school, teachers came to the classroom. Here, students had to find different rooms themselves.
After breakfast, Hofa followed older students through corridor after corridor until he found Charms.
Empty. An enormous clock ticked on the wall.
Hofa scratched his head. Plenty of time. He left to explore.
He opened his system panel.
Current Secret Realm
[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]
Current Exploration: 0.1%
One-tenth of one percent. Hofa was stunned. Yesterday he'd covered the lake, Great Hall, Ravenclaw Tower. Today the classroom.
Still only one-thousandth! How massive was this school?
Compared to King's Cross Station where every few steps earned rewards, Hofa realized he probably wouldn't unlock a second Knowledge of the Great God this year.
After checking several classrooms with zero progress, he wandered into a room full of animal skeletons and specimens. An old man in robes shoved him out.
"You're not old enough for Magical Creatures! Get out!"
Hofa trudged back to Charms, deflated. He needed to prioritize finding the Disillusionment Charm.
Exploring without invisibility was a pipe dream. Too many areas were off-limits to first-years.
Headmaster Dippet was strict. Hofa didn't have plot armor. Get caught? That meant probation.
Students gradually filled the classroom. Kids clustered together, comparing wands.
Hofa rested his wand on his lap. When asked, he said the core was unicorn hair. They couldn't crack it open to check.
The chatter continued. Hofa watched the central clock.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The second hand hit twelve.
The hour hand reached nine.
Click!
The door swung open.
An old man in bronze robes entered with perfect timing. Vice Headmaster Adebe Goshawk.
He flicked his wand. The door slammed shut. The classroom fell silent.
Looking at the professor's severe face, Hofa thought of the House's future Head—tiny Professor Flitwick fifty years from now. Much more lovable.
Goshawk stood center, hands behind his back. Gray eyes swept the first-years.
"Someone's missing. Who's absent?"
Students exchanged glances. Hofa felt something was wrong.
He looked around.
Miranda wasn't here.
Late? Was that really okay...?
When no one spoke, Goshawk pulled out parchment and began roll call.
"Aglaia Moises!"
"Here," the blue-eyed girl answered coolly.
"Ace Mira!"
"Here!"
"Antonio Colon!"
"Here!"
"Hofa Bach!"
"Here!"
After a dozen names, the old man's gray eyes scanned the room. "Miranda Goshawk."
No answer.
Everyone lowered their heads. Hofa felt the awkwardness.
He didn't know how many people knew Miranda was Goshawk's granddaughter. She really wasn't doing her grandfather any favors.
Vice Headmaster Goshawk had weathered many storms. He set down the parchment slowly. "Late on the first day. Ravenclaw loses fifty points."
Hiss! The house gasped.
Fifty points. First day, fifty points gone. Was this really Ravenclaw's Head?!
He wasn't finished. "Who's closest to her in the dormitory?"
Among the bowed heads, silver-haired Aglaia slowly raised her hand.
"Knew about class but didn't wake your housemate. Ravenclaw loses another twenty points!"
Jaws dropped.
Hofa was shocked. This old man was harsher than Snape. At least Snape took points from Gryffindor. This guy docked his own students with collective punishment.
Aglaia panicked. "I didn't call her? I did! She didn't want to come to your class. How is that my fault? I can't drag her out of bed..."
The old man gave Aglaia no chance to explain.
After deducting points, he waved his wand. Everyone's books flipped open.
"Charms is a precise discipline. Unlike Potions or Transfiguration, it's an ancient art passed down orally. Only those with strict wisdom can master it. Feel the magic with your heart, control spells with your mind—not your tongue..."
Hofa glanced at Aglaia. She sat with arms crossed, fuming hard.
Though the house had lost seventy points, seeing this girl suffer made Hofa secretly pleased.
The old man lectured extensively. Hofa scratched notes like everyone else. If an adult soul had any advantage, it was knowing how to be humble.
In magic, he was a complete novice.
Halfway through, Miranda still hadn't arrived. Hofa realized he knew nothing about this new friend. Maybe beneath her gentle surface lurked a rebellious heart.
The first class gave Hofa no chance to test his wand—pure theory, syllables and movements.
Plus Goshawk was so strict, everyone could only watch him demonstrate. No one dared try randomly.
After Charms came Transfiguration. Joint class, all four houses. Hofa was excited.
Dumbledore teaching personally—only possible in this era. In a few years when this great wizard became Headmaster, only Harry Potter would enjoy this honor.
Thinking about it thrilled him. Hofa quickened his pace.
Suddenly, a lazy voice spoke beside him.
"Dumbledore's class. Can't wait!"
Hofa turned. Miranda.
She hugged a stack of books, appearing beside him as if she'd Apparated. Her smooth black bob from yesterday was now messy as a bird's nest. Dark circles under her eyes.
Had she slept all morning?
Surrounding Ravenclaw students glared at Miranda with fury.
Aglaia's face had darkened as she drew her wand.
She stepped forward, killing intent in her eyes.
A catfight was brewing. Hofa quickly pushed Miranda into a side corridor. He whispered:
"Are you crazy? Yesterday you told me not to oppose your grandfather! Now look—Ravenclaw lost seventy points first period. You fifty, Aglaia twenty!"
Miranda's eyes widened. "Aglaia lost points too?"
"Because she didn't drag you out of bed!" Hofa hissed. "Next time you oversleep, at least sleep in class!"
Miranda spread her hands.
"Tch, these people are so uptight. Just earn back whatever we lose. What's the big deal? Besides, that House Cup isn't edible. Why fight over it?"
She casually pushed open the corridor door.
The corridor ahead had become a bathroom entrance.
The previous hallway had vanished. In the time they'd talked, the layout had completely changed.
Hofa was dumbfounded. He didn't understand what was happening, but he didn't want to be late for Dumbledore's first class.
Miranda's expression grew serious. "What day is it?"
Hofa scowled. "Monday. You're still half-asleep."
"Damn. Monday. These cursed magical corridors. Quick, follow me!"
She grabbed Hofa's hand and ran into the bathroom.
She counted left and right, then shoved open the third toilet stall, revealing a deep passage below.
A secret passage!
Miranda waved. "Get in!"
Hofa didn't know how Miranda knew about this hidden passage, but there was no choice. He jumped in after her.
Inside, Hofa started sliding. The passage was smooth as a playground slide. They slid one after another, faster and faster.
After a wild ride, Hofa crashed headfirst into Miranda's robes. They tumbled in a heap.
Good thing it was pitch black. Hofa quickly disentangled himself, face flushed.
"Lumos," Miranda said softly.
Her wand lit up. They stood in a stone passage.
"Follow me."
Miranda led Hofa through the passage at speed.
Up and down. Ten minutes later, they emerged.
Inside the castle. Paintings chatted across the stairwell. Staircases shifted beneath them like restless gears.
Right under Hofa's feet, a staircase swung toward a solid wall. Like it wanted to bash itself to death.
Miranda didn't hesitate. She grabbed the railing and leaped.
Hofa couldn't stop her. He watched in shock as she jumped from the platform—at least seven stories high.
Was this girl suicidal?