Charms class that day was buzzing with energy. Professor Flitwick stood on his stack of books at the front of the room, barely taller than the desk, but radiating more enthusiasm than any two students combined.
"Today," he squeaked brightly, "we'll be attempting the Levitation Charm! Wingardium Leviosa! One of the most iconic charms in your early magical education!"
Hadrian smiled to himself as he glanced at his friends. Iris looked determined, mouthing the incantation silently, and Dora… well, Dora was trying to levitate a quill by sheer force of will and facial expression alone.
"Remember, swish and flick! And don't forget the correct pronunciation!" Flitwick continued, giving a demonstrative flick of his wand that sent a large feather soaring into the air.
Around them, students were already practicing, with varying degrees of success. Some quills quivered. Some flopped. One burst into sparks.
Hadrian's own feather floated on the first try, rising with a slow elegance as he gave a lazy swish and said, "Wingardium Leviosa."
"Show-off," Dora muttered, nudging him in the ribs — her own feather still stubbornly twitching on the desk.
"I'm just gifted," he whispered, adjusting his wand as her quill suddenly zipped into the air — then slammed into the ceiling.
"Oops," she said brightly, dodging the falling feather.
Iris's feather was floating perfectly, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is amazing…"
Hadrian leaned in closer to the girls and lowered his voice. "You know, this spell could be useful. For example… helping someone climb up to the top shelf in the library. Or… sneaking out at night."
Dora raised an eyebrow. "Sneaking out for what exactly?"
Hadrian gave them both a devilish grin. "I was thinking… we borrow a few brooms from the Quidditch team supply closet, sneak out to a nice open part of the grounds, and go flying under the stars."
"That's so against the rules," Iris said immediately, eyes sparkling.
"You're intrigued," Hadrian shot back.
"I'm intrigued," she admitted.
"We'll need to find out where they keep the brooms," Dora said thoughtfully. "And maybe cast a light notice-me-not charm… Professor Flitwick mentioned it'll come up next week."
"Oh please," Hadrian said with a wink. "We're first years. No one expects us to be bold yet. Perfect time to be bold."
At the front of the room, Flitwick was praising a Ravenclaw for a particularly graceful levitation, completely unaware that his most promising Hufflepuffs were plotting after-hours aerial mischief.
As the lesson ended, and the students began packing up, Hadrian gave one last swish of his wand and sent Iris's quill floating gently into her satchel for her.
"Chivalry's not dead, I see," Dora teased.
"Chivalry is conditional," he replied with mock seriousness. "Only applies to pretty metamorphmaguses and sisters who don't snore."
"I do not snore," Iris huffed.
"Debatable," both he and Dora said at the same time.
As they exited the classroom, giggling and nudging each other, their minds were already turning to the night sky, broomsticks, and the thrill of doing something they definitely weren't supposed to.