Early Life and Discovery (1977–1988)
Darius Thomas Zogratis was born on September 5, 1977. His origins remain shrouded in mystery; he was surrendered as an infant to a London orphanage, where he spent the first eleven years of his life.
Physically, Darius was a striking figure, possessing straight, shoulder-length jet-black hair and piercing scarlet-red eyes. Despite an appearance that many found intimidating, his temperament was noted by the orphanage staff as exceptionally helpful, calm, and collected. He functioned with a level of maturity far beyond his years, often seen assisting the younger children or maintaining order with a single, steady gaze.
On his eleventh birthday in 1988, Darius was visited by Professor Minerva McGonagall. She revealed to him his identity as a wizard and a "half-blood," a term denoting his mixed magical and non-magical heritage. While many children reacted with shock, Darius accepted the news with his characteristic stoicism.
Acquisition of Supplies and the Wand
Professor McGonagall escorted Darius to Diagon Alley to procure his materials for Hogwarts. His visit to Ollivanders was particularly noteworthy. After several unsuccessful pairings, Darius was chosen by a 13-inch wand made of Yew with a Thestral hair core.
In wandlore, Yew is often associated with life and death, while the Thestral hair core is an immense, temperamental substance known for its power and rarity—it is the same core found in the Elder Wand.
Upon returning to the orphanage for the remainder of the summer, Darius displayed an unprecedented level of discipline. He spent the months leading up to the school term memorizing every textbook and mastering the wand movements for every first-year spell. Records suggest he had achieved total mastery of the first-year curriculum before he ever stepped foot on the Hogwarts Express.
First Year at Hogwarts (1988–1989)
On September 1, 1988, Darius arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During the Sorting Ceremony, the Sorting Hat barely touched his head before shouting:
"RAVENCLAW!"
placing him in the house of the wise and the learned.
His tenure as a first-year student was defined by academic perfection. He quickly gained a reputation as a prodigy, a title he neither sought nor acknowledged. In every class, from Transfiguration to Charms, Darius:
Answered every theoretical question with flawless accuracy.
Performed every practical spell perfectly on his first attempt.
Maintained a silent, dignified presence that commanded respect from peers and professors alike.
Darius spent nearly all his leisure hours in the Hogwarts Library, often found in the deep alcoves of the advanced sections. He rarely socialized, preferring the company of ancient scrolls to the rowdiness of the Great Hall. By the end of the spring term in 1989, he had set new records for academic achievement within Ravenclaw House.