The first year at Hogwarts passed in the blink of an eye. Days seemed to vanish into one another, swept away in a whirlwind of parchment, quills, spellcasting, and secrets whispered in the hidden sanctuary of the Room of Requirement.
Whenever they weren't in class or the Great Hall, Victor, Albus, and Madison were there. The Room responded to their every need — sometimes a grand library with shelves stacked floor to ceiling in ancient tomes, sometimes a spacious training hall lined with dueling platforms, and sometimes a cozy den filled with armchairs and firelight when their exhaustion demanded rest.
They spent hours researching their dream project, the unbreakable shield Victor had named Invulnerabilis. They pored over manuscripts on defensive magic, rune sequences, and arithmantic structures, knowing full well it would take years before they had any real breakthrough. But the act of trying was enough to bind them together.
The Room provided what seemed like a miracle: endless books on runes, some so ancient and rare they couldn't possibly exist in the Hogwarts Library — at least not outside the Restricted Section. Victor treated them like treasure, scribbling notes in neat lines while Albus debated theory and Maddie teased him for caring more about ink stains on his hands than whether he remembered to eat dinner.
It wasn't just the old knowledge they explored. Victor sometimes reached back into memories from his other life, recalling spells he'd read about in the future: Severus Snape's inventions. With his command of runes and Arithmancy, he pieced them back together.
Muffliato, for instance — a charm that wrapped a space in buzzing silence. Perfect for privacy, it became their go-to shield whenever they wanted to speak freely. Levicorpus followed, a jolt of laughter the first time Albus found himself dangling helplessly upside down. Even Sectumsempra took shape in Victor's wand hand, though its sharp, slashing energy made Albus uneasy.
"That looks like dark magic," Albus warned, his blue eyes narrowed.
Victor's answer was calm and firm, a philosophy he believed with every fiber of his being.
"Magic is a tool. It isn't good or evil. Only the caster's intent matters. A good man using dark magic isn't automatically a devil. But someone with a dark heart will twist even the purest spell."
Albus didn't forget those words. Neither did Madison, though she shook her head at the seriousness of it all, muttering, "Only you two could make Christmas break about philosophy."
When the holidays arrived, the castle emptied of students eager to return home, but the trio decided to stay behind. The quiet of Hogwarts was strange at first, the corridors echoing with nothing but their footsteps. Yet soon the emptiness became freedom. The castle belonged to them.
Snow fell in soft curtains outside, coating the Black Lake and dusting the grounds. They spent afternoons trudging through it, leaving trails of footprints that vanished with the wind, then hurrying back to the warmth of their secret chamber.
—
On Christmas morning, the Room of Requirement transformed into something out of a storybook. A tall tree gleamed in the corner, its branches heavy with enchanted candles and golden baubles. Garlands of ivy trailed along the walls, and a fire blazed cheerfully in the hearth.
They exchanged gifts beneath its glow.
Victor started with Albus. He handed over a small, lumpy parcel wrapped in brown paper. Albus tore it open and groaned. "A sock? Really?"
Victor leaned back in his chair, smirking. "I hear Gryffindors have a sentimental attachment to socks."
Albus rolled his eyes but turned the sock over — and out slipped a book. A worn, leather-bound tome with the title Legilimency: Depth Beyond Sight embossed in faded silver.
Albus froze, staring at it with reverence. "Victor…"
"You're already strong in Occlumency," Victor said evenly, "though it doesn't stop me from peeking. But Legilimency is more powerful than any single spell. Learn it, and you'll gain a weapon few can match. Just… be careful. Minds aren't playthings. If you have questions, ask me. Don't wander blindly into every skull you meet."
For a moment, Albus had no quip, no teasing grin — just quiet respect. "Thank you," he said simply.
Next came Maddie. Victor handed her a small box, his gaze steady. She opened it to reveal a delicate silver necklace. The pendant was an infinity symbol, simple but gleaming.
"Hogwarts is seven years," Victor said softly. "But I'd like to think that together… it's forever."
Madison's face flushed crimson. For once, she didn't call him an idiot or a charmeur. Instead, she rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. Her voice was soft, almost shy. "Merci, Vic… il est magnifique."
Victor's smirk softened into something genuine.
Albus broke the moment by shoving his own gift into Victor's hands. "Here. Don't get too sappy or I'll regret this."
It was a box of Honeydukes sweets.
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Planning to eat half yourself?"
"Of course," Albus said with a grin. "But you're sharing."
Madison's gift came last. She handed Victor a small package, and inside he found a golden bracelet, simple but engraved with the letters V + M.
Victor blinked, surprised. Maddie's cheeks reddened. "Don't… don't read too much into it," she mumbled quickly. Then she spun, muttering something about needing to run, and darted toward the door.
But fate intervened. Her foot caught on a scrap of parchment, and she stumbled. Victor caught her easily, steadying her with one arm. He leaned close, murmuring in her ear, "Tu n'as pas besoin de te faire mal pour attirer mon attention…"
Her blush deepened so fiercely she looked ready to combust. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, and she tore herself free, running out with a squeaked, "T'es qu'un idiot, Vic!"
Victor chuckled quietly, slipping the bracelet onto his wrist.
—
The second term carried the same rhythm as the first: long days of study, secret hours in the Room, teasing, rivalry, and the slow sharpening of skills. But exams loomed, and the professors piled on pressure.
Victor breezed through Transfiguration, his silent casting drawing nods of approval. In Charms, his control was flawless, spells precise and efficient. DADA was a breeze as it was more theory than practices considering it was their first year, History of Magic… with a perfect memory it didn't need revisions. Potions was another story — though thanks to Madison's steady hand, he avoided disaster.
When results were posted, whispers spread through the corridors.
Victor Sinclair and Albus Dumbledore had tied for first in their year. Madison Dupres was just behind in second.
"Well," Maddie teased as she leaned over his shoulder at the parchment, "I suppose I can forgive you for beating me. This time."
Victor smirked. "You'll always be first in my books, Maddie."
Her face went scarlet, and she shoved him lightly. "Espèce d'idiot…" she whispered, though her smile gave her away.
With trunks packed and owls swooping above, the castle buzzed with end-of-year excitement. In the quiet of the Room one last time, the trio sat together, reluctant to leave.
"We'll write," Albus insisted. "Every week. No excuses."
Victor nodded. "And when we're back, Invulnerabilis will still be waiting."
Madison toyed with her necklace, smiling softly. "So will we."
As they left the Room, Victor hesitated. "Maddie… my mother wrote me after one of my letters. I mentioned you. She's curious. Would you ask your parents if you could stay with us in Godric's Hollow for part of the summer?"
Her eyes widened. "Your mother asked about me?"
Victor gave a rare, genuine smile. "She wants to meet the girl who distracts me."
Madison's cheeks turned pink, but her smile was radiant. "I'll ask. I hope they say yes."
And so the first year ended — with secrets, laughter, and promises of more to come.
To Be Continued…