Arnit opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented before he remembered—he was at Hogwarts.
A small smile tugged at his lips. Finally.
He sat up, stretching, and glanced around his personal dormitory—a perk of being a first-year in Ravenclaw. His trunk was neatly placed by the bed, his owl, Meghdoot, perched by the window, ruffling his feathers. The sky outside was still dark, the castle was still asleep, waiting for the dawn light, painting the high, domed ceiling with hues of gold and blue.
He waved his hand to cast a magic spell, 'TEMPUS', but without his wand and incantation. After ensuring that it was indeed 5 a.m. he got up for his morning exercise. After using 'PurificoDentis' on his teeth and 'Lavatio' on his body to clean himself, he got outside of his dorm room.
There was a pin drop silence in the corridor. After applying a disillusionment charm on himself casually, so that he won't get caught by the caretaker, he made his way outside, to the Hogwarts grounds near Black Lake. The Ravenclaw Tower is one of the highest points in the castle, meaning Arnit would have to carefully descend the spiral staircase without waking anyone.
'It must be Rowena Ravenclaw who designed these spiral staircases to give the students some mental exercises early in the morning. The whole castle is brimming with ancient magic, which I really want to explore. But it's still my first day here at Hogwarts, I should settle down first properly. And try not to get into any trouble.'
He continued his journey, passing through the empty corridors, only the soft flicker of torches lighting his way. On his way, he encountered the 'Grey Lady' of Ravenclaw House, so he cancelled his disillusionment charm to greet her. Her face was expressionless, though a slight flicker of curiosity was there. She asked him his destination and the reason for his early rise.
"I usually get up at 5 a.m. for my exercises. I have been doing this for the last five years, I guess. Now it has become a routine and if i dont go for my morning run, I will feel restless the whole day." Arnit replied with a bashful smile on his face.
The grey lady studied him for a second before flying away. 'Well, that was a nice encounter.' He again applied the disillusionment charm and went on his way. He encountered a few students who woke early. Some were going for quidditch practice, few were ravenclaw students already started going through their books and also some couples hiding in a corner or behind the bushes, kissing like they will suck out each other's soul through their mouth like a dementor. 'It really needs some dedication to wake up early, just so they can kiss the hell out of each other. And the way their hands were moving all around their partner's body… quite an explorer, i must say.'
When he reached his destination, he took some moments to savour the scene in front of him. 'Wow! Just… wow!' He took a deep breath and canceled his invisible charm.
Then he applied a gravity charm, named Gravira, on his body to increase the pressure his body has to endure during his run. He had developed this spell just four months ago after studying extensively. He had made sure that spell won't have any long lasting effect on his body, like stunting his height.
After all that, he started his exercise with stretches first, then a morning run. Then he transfigured a nearby stone into a soft mattress for yoga. He continued his morning routine till 7:15 a.m.
'Breakfast will start at 7:30, I should be going now.' Since he has been swimming inside the black lake, he didn't feel any need for a morning shower. So after applying 'Levatio', a full body cleaning charm, again on his body, he walked towards the castle.
---
After freshening up and putting on his Hogwarts robes, Arnit descended the spiraling staircases of the Ravenclaw Tower, where he met a few first-years gathering to head down for breakfast. He also noticed that a few students were looking at his way and whispering something.
The Great Hall was already bustling, the enchanted ceiling reflecting a clear morning sky. Golden plates shimmered, piled high with food as students from all four houses ate and chatted.
As Arnit took his seat at the Ravenclaw table, he noticed Cedric Diggory waving at him from the Hufflepuff table. He returned the gesture before turning to his fellow housemates.
"Sleep well?" a third-year Ravenclaw, Penelope Clearwater, asked.
"Quite well, actually," Arnit responded, helping himself to some toast and orange juice. "The castle feels... different in the morning. Almost as if it's shifting while we sleep."
A few older students exchanged knowing glances.
"Oh, you've noticed that already?" said a fifth-year student, his tone amused. "Hogwarts is alive, in a way. You'll see."
Arnit hummed in thought. Another mystery to uncover.
"By the way, did something happen? I feel like some students were staring at me." Arnit asked his housemates.
"Well, if a first year student wakes at 5 a.m. to exercise, it won't take long to spread the news." said a boy with brown hair and greenish eyes, named Rowan St. James, a fellow Ravenclaw and a first year.
"You don't need to worry about all of this. Students have a very short memory, once they hear about another exciting gossip, everyone will forget about you." said Penelope, assuring arnit.
—
Arnit's first class was charms with Gryffindor. He took the books and stationary to his class.
Professor Filius Flitwick, a half-goblin wizard with a cheerful disposition, greeted them with an enthusiastic clap of his hands. He introduced the basic principles of Charms, explaining how magic is influenced by intent, pronunciation, and wand movement.
"For your first spell, we'll be practicing Wingardium Leviosa, a simple but essential Levitation Charm."
Arnit watched as some students struggled with the swish-and-flick motion. He himself hesitated at first, whether to show his true capabilities or not. But then he just went with it. 'What's the point in holding back for such a simple spell.'
"Wingardium Leviosa," he muttered, flicking his wand over a feather.
To Professor's delight, it rose smoothly into the air, hovering effortlessly.
"Excellent control, Mr. Shukla!" Professor Flitwick beamed. "A natural at Charms, I see. Five points to ravenclaw."
Arnit simply nodded, though in his mind, he was thinking about what he should do since he already knew most of the spells upto fourth year. 'I think I should hone it to perfection,all the spells, without using any conduit. There are still a few spells for which I need my ring or wand.'
"How did you do that?" a soft voice of a girl with short black hair called out to arnit. He turned towards her and said casually, "it was just a swish and a flick."
"If it was that easy, everyone would have done it on their first try." said the girl, Vera Sinclair, sarcastically.
"Fine! Show me your levitation charm first." said arnit to the girl.
She recited the incantation while moving her wand exaggeratedly. Again nothing happened.
"You don't need to move your wand like this. Just a small swish and flick will do the charm. Otherwise everything else is good. Here, let me show you." he then showed her levitation charm.
"See, simple movements will be enough."
Vera tried it herself while copying arnit movements, making it slow and subtle. The feather in front of her started levitating.
"Good, now keep your intent steady." arnit instructed from the side.
Vera followed his instructions, floating her feather higher.
"Good, good miss Sinclair. Keep it up." professor Flitwick commented from the side seeing her succeeding in her second try.
"You too Mr Shukla. Two points for Ravenclaw for helping a fellow student." After that he went away to help other students.
After some time, other students also started succeeding in their spell. Eddie Carmichael from the ravenclaw was the first one to do so. Then it was weasley twins, then few others also able to do this, albeit barely.
---
Between Charms and their next lesson, Arnit wandered through the corridors, observing the castle's enchantments. Moving staircases, enchanted paintings, and the occasional ghost gliding past—Hogwarts truly was unlike anything he had ever seen.
'The great hall must have been the creation of Helga Hufflepuff. It must be her idea to make sure students have their food together in a single hall.'
At one point, he stumbled across Peeves the Poltergeist, who was upside-down in midair, tossing ink bottles at passing students.
"Ah, a fresh little Ravenclaw, are we?" Peeves cackled. "Let's see if your brain is quick enough to dodge THIS!"
With a flick of his hand, Arnit muttered a soft shield charm, causing the ink bottle to bounce off harmlessly.
Peeves narrowed his eyes. "Oho! Quick reflexes! I'll be watchin' you, smarty-pants!"
As the poltergeist zoomed away, Arnit smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
---
Professor Severus Snape entered the dimly lit dungeon classroom with his usual imposing presence. The moment he swept past the students, the air grew tense.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving in this class," he said silkily, eyes scanning the students. "I do not expect many of you to truly understand the subtle art of potion-making, but those who possess… keen minds may yet learn."
Arnit felt Snape's gaze linger on him for half a second before moving away.
They began brewing a simple Boil-Curing Draught, and while many students struggled, Arnit found himself instinctively measuring ingredients, following the precise instructions like a practiced alchemist. Although he never had any formal training in potion making before, he has precise control over his body and magic. He can feel his instincts guiding him too. 'Really, these instincts are very much useful in any situation.'
By the end of class, his potion shimmered the correct shade of turquoise. Snape paused by his cauldron, observing his work.
"Hmph. It seems at least one student knows how to read instructions properly," he murmured before sweeping away.
Arnit raised an eyebrow. He definitely didn't want to badmouth any professor so early on but this snape guy feels like a trouble. Not helping any other students besides his own house is shit way of teaching.
'I hope his attitude changes overtime.'
---
Lunch was lively in the Great Hall, with friendly chatter and a few playful rivalries forming between houses.
Fred and George Weasley passed by the Ravenclaw table, grinning mischievously.
"Oi, Arnit, how's life in the 'tower of know-it-alls'?" Fred teased.
"I don't know," Arnit smirked. "What's life like for the 'court jesters of Gryffindor'?"
George gasped dramatically. "Oh, he's got wit! We approve."
"Watch yourself, mate," Fred winked. "You might be Ravenclaw, but you've got a bit of prankster in you."
Arnit chuckled as they walked away.
---
The last class of the day was History of magic, which is as boring as it can get. That's what Arnit has heard from his seniors at least. But listening to Professor Binns monotonous voice for a few minutes was enough to realise how right they were. Seeing other students simply napping in the class, he also started doing meditation. 'No point in wasting my time. I have already completed upto second year. Better use this time for meditation.'
---
That evening, back in the Ravenclaw common room, Arnit settled into a cozy chair near the enchanted windows, flipping through a book on advanced Charms. After the classes were over for the day, he spent his entire free time in the library reading whatever he could find.
The view from the tower was breathtaking—Hogwarts sprawled below, the Forbidden Forest dark and mysterious beyond the castle grounds.
"Long day?" Penelope Clearwater asked, sitting across from him.
Arnit just smiled at her. "Long, but interesting."
As the stars twinkled outside, he leaned back, exhaling deeply.
His journey had only just begun.