Chapter 4 — The First Day
The morning light slowly filtered through the windows of the dungeons.
I opened my eyes.
For a few seconds, I remained still, staring at the ceiling while trying to remember where I was.
Then I heard several quiet breaths around me.
I turned my head.
Several beds.
Green curtains.
Stone walls.
Dim lighting.
And finally, I remembered.
Hogwarts.
A smile appeared on my face.
—Michael: So it really happened...
I slowly sat up.
I had waited five years for this moment.
Five years of reading.
Five years of learning magical theory.
Five years of training my mind.
Five years of waiting to set foot in Hogwarts.
And now I was here.
It wasn't a movie.
It wasn't a book.
It wasn't a dream.
It was my new reality.
I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.
I turned on the faucet and washed my face.
Then I raised my head.
My reflection appeared in front of me.
White hair with a few black tips.
Fair skin.
Defined features.
One ruby-red eye.
The other amethyst-purple.
It was quite a striking appearance.
I couldn't help but smile.
—Michael: At least I won't have any trouble recognizing myself.
I combed my hair and returned to the dormitory.
I put on my Hogwarts uniform.
White shirt.
Black trousers.
Green and silver tie.
Black robes with the Slytherin crest.
I adjusted my clothes in front of the mirror.
Everything was perfect.
Then a blue screen appeared.
[Status.]
[Name: Michael Regulus Black White.]
[Age: 11 years old.]
[House: Slytherin.]
[Experience: 2,400.]
[Upgrade Points: 0.]
[Talent Gacha: 0.]
[Spell Gacha: 0.]
[Talents: 9.]
[Spells Learned: 7.]
I stared at the screen.
Something was different.
[Hogwarts Compatibility: 12%.]
I frowned.
Hogwarts Compatibility?
—Michael: System.
The screen remained in front of me.
What does Hogwarts Compatibility mean?
[Compatibility represents the user's degree of adaptation to the ambient magic, protective enchantments, and magical structure of Hogwarts.]
I raised an eyebrow.
And what benefits does it have?
[Insufficient information.]
—Michael: You're getting more mysterious every day.
The screen disappeared.
I remained thoughtful.
I suppose I'll find out what it means with time.
I put my wand inside my robes.
Then I left the dormitory.
---
The Slytherin common room was much more crowded than the night before.
The students were talking among themselves.
Some were still getting ready.
Others were discussing their first classes.
The window overlooking the lake especially caught my attention.
The water moved slowly behind the glass.
It was strange to think that we were underneath the lake.
Hogwarts really had been built in a ridiculous way.
Then I heard a voice.
—Draco: Black.
I turned my head.
Draco was sitting on one of the sofas.
His uniform was perfectly arranged.
—Michael: Malfoy.
Draco made a small grimace.
—Draco: Malfoy?
—Michael: What?
—Draco: Yesterday you said I could call you Michael.
—Michael: And you said I could call you Draco.
—Draco: Exactly.
—Michael: Then we're in agreement.
Draco smiled.
—Draco: I like you.
I sat across from him.
—Draco: Did you sleep well?
—Michael: Quite well.
—Draco: I didn't.
—Michael: Why?
Draco put on a serious expression.
—Draco: We have Potions today.
—Michael: So?
—Draco: My father says Professor Snape is one of the best Potions masters in Britain.
—Michael: Then it should be interesting.
—Draco: I hope so.
We stood up.
Before leaving, Draco stopped.
—Draco: By the way.
—Michael: Yes?
—Draco: Is it true that your grandmother controls three Houses?
—Michael: Controls?
—Draco: You know what I mean.
—Michael: She's a Black.
Draco nodded.
—Draco: Then I suppose you'll control all of that someday.
—Michael: I'm not interested in controlling families.
Draco looked surprised.
—Draco: You're not?
—Michael: I'm more interested in controlling my own destiny.
Draco fell silent.
Then he smiled.
—Draco: That sounds very Slytherin.
—Michael: I know.
---
We left the dungeons.
The castle during the day was even more impressive.
The walls were filled with portraits.
Some of the people depicted in them were talking.
Others were sleeping.
One even seemed to be arguing with a knight from another painting.
We passed an armor suit.
The armor slightly turned its head.
Did it just look at me?
I continued walking.
Hogwarts seemed to have a life of its own.
And considering what I knew about the castle...
It probably did.
---
Our first class was History of Magic.
We entered the classroom.
Professor Binns passed through the wall.
Several students jumped.
I simply watched him.
So this is the famous class that puts everyone to sleep.
Binns began speaking.
Five minutes later...
Ron was struggling to keep his eyes open.
Harry looked confused.
Hermione was frantically taking notes.
Draco had an expression of absolute boredom.
I remained awake.
Not because the class was interesting.
But because my Eidetic Memory caused every piece of information to be automatically stored.
I took notes.
I didn't need to.
But it was a good habit.
Besides, I wanted to check whether the information from the books matched reality.
In some cases, it did.
In others...
Not exactly.
That was important.
Because it meant that even my historical knowledge could contain errors.
After almost an hour, the class ended.
Ron practically ran out.
—Ron: I thought I was going to die.
Harry laughed.
—Harry: It was just History of Magic.
—Ron: Exactly.
Hermione shook her head.
I smiled.
---
The next class was Transfiguration.
When we entered, Professor McGonagall was already waiting.
Her expression was serious.
Everyone took their seats.
—McGonagall: Good morning.
—Class: Good morning, Professor.
McGonagall slowly walked in front of us.
—McGonagall: Transfiguration is one of the most complex branches of magic.
She wrote a word on the board.
TRANSFIGURATION.
—McGonagall: It is not simply a matter of waving a wand and saying words.
—McGonagall: It is about understanding the nature of what you wish to transform.
I listened carefully.
The theory was much deeper than what the books had shown.
That interested me.
McGonagall continued explaining.
Then she placed a match in front of each student.
—McGonagall: Today, we will attempt to turn a match into a needle.
The students began practicing.
Some couldn't even make the match move.
Ron managed to make the tip change slightly.
Hermione achieved better results.
I looked at my match.
I knew the theory perfectly.
But I also knew that practice was different.
I raised my wand.
I performed the movement.
—Michael: Transfiguration.
The match began to change.
The wood became metallic.
The body elongated.
The tip sharpened.
Within a few seconds...
A perfectly formed needle rested on the table.
McGonagall approached.
She examined it.
Then she looked at me.
—McGonagall: Excellent, Mr. Black White.
—Michael: Thank you, Professor.
—McGonagall: Ten points to Slytherin.
Draco smiled.
—Draco: I told you you were good.
—Michael: It was only a basic exercise.
McGonagall, who was still nearby, heard my comment.
—McGonagall: Do not underestimate basic exercises, Mr. Black White.
—Michael: Yes, Professor.
McGonagall walked away.
Then a screen appeared.
[Spell: Basic Transfiguration.]
[Level: 10 — MAX.]
[Practice has increased comprehension.]
[The spell meets the requirements to evolve.]
My eyes widened slightly.
Evolve?
A second screen appeared.
[Available Options.]
[Specialization: Offensive Transfiguration.]
[Specialization: Defensive Transfiguration.]
[Specialization: Advanced Transfiguration.]
[Specialization: Animagus.]
I stared at the last option.
Animagus.
Now that was interesting.
But I wasn't going to choose yet.
I didn't know what consequences it would have.
—Michael: Cancel.
The screen disappeared.
I need more information first.
---
The next class was Charms.
Professor Flitwick entered the classroom.
He was small, but had a very pleasant presence.
—Flitwick: Welcome to Charms!
The students responded.
—Flitwick: Today we will learn one of the fundamental charms of magic.
He wrote on the board.
Wingardium Leviosa.
Ron raised his hand.
—Ron: Is it difficult?
—Flitwick: Not at all, Mr. Weasley.
Flitwick explained the wand movement.
Hermione performed it correctly after several attempts.
Ron wasn't as lucky.
The feather in front of him barely moved.
—Ron: Come on...
Hermione looked at him.
—Hermione: You're doing the movement wrong.
—Ron: I don't need you to tell me how to do it.
—Hermione: Then keep failing.
Harry tried to hide a smile.
I shook my head.
Finally, Flitwick asked for a volunteer.
I raised my hand.
—Flitwick: Mr. Black White!
I took out my wand.
I looked at the feather.
I performed the movement.
—Michael: Wingardium Leviosa.
The feather rose.
It climbed to the height of my head.
Then I made it slowly spin.
Finally, it descended into my hand.
Flitwick's eyes widened.
—Flitwick: Magnificent!
The students applauded.
—Flitwick: Ten points to Slytherin.
Ron looked at me.
—Ron: How many spells do you know?
—Michael: A few.
Hermione approached.
—Hermione: Where did you learn them?
—Michael: At home.
—Hermione: With whom?
—Michael: My grandmother taught me some.
Hermione looked at me curiously.
—Hermione: Then you must have a huge library.
—Michael: Quite a large one.
Hermione smiled.
—Hermione: I'd like to see it someday.
—Michael: You can come.
Hermione looked slightly surprised.
—Hermione: Really?
—Michael: Of course.
—Hermione: Thank you.
Then a screen appeared.
[Relationship with Hermione Granger: +2.]
[Current Relationship: Friendship.]
I blinked.
So it really works.
I stored the information.
---
After that, we had Potions.
And I finally understood why Draco was so excited.
Professor Snape entered.
The door closed.
The classroom fell silent.
Snape began walking among the students.
—Snape: You will not need to wave your wands uselessly in this class.
His eyes swept across the classroom.
—Snape: You will not need unnecessary movements.
He stopped.
—Snape: What you will learn here is how to prepare potions.
—Snape: How to control your ingredients.
—Snape: How to avoid making mistakes.
His gaze stopped on me.
—Snape: And perhaps...
—Snape: If you have enough talent...
—Snape: You will learn something more than simple recipes.
He stared at me for a few seconds.
—Snape: Mr. Black White.
—Michael: Yes?
—Snape: What would you obtain if you added powdered asphodel root to an infusion of wormwood?
The question was easy.
—Michael: A potion related to sleep.
Snape slightly raised an eyebrow.
—Snape: Incomplete answer.
I thought.
—Michael: Depending on the proportion, it could be used as a base for a more powerful sleeping potion.
Snape looked at me.
—Snape: Correct.
Some students began whispering.
Snape continued.
—Snape: Five points to Slytherin.
Draco smiled.
I simply nodded.
But Snape wasn't finished.
—Snape: Another question.
He looked at me.
—Snape: What is the difference between a bezoar and an antidote potion?
I answered immediately.
—Michael: A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat that can neutralize many poisons, while an antidote must be prepared specifically to counter certain effects.
Snape remained silent.
—Snape: Correct.
Another five points.
But this time his expression changed.
As if he were trying to figure out how much I really knew.
Snape suspects me.
It was logical.
He had recognized my surname.
And he probably knew quite a bit about my father.
The class continued.
---
When we left Potions, Draco approached me.
—Draco: Did you know all those answers?
—Michael: Yes.
—Draco: How much have you studied?
—Michael: Quite a bit.
—Draco: I think you're the most prepared first-year student.
—Michael: Not necessarily.
Draco frowned.
—Draco: Who could be better?
I looked behind me.
Hermione was leaving the classroom.
—Michael: Her.
Draco looked at her.
—Draco: Granger?
—Michael: She's talented.
Draco didn't seem convinced.
—Draco: We'll see.
---
The next class was Defense Against the Dark Arts.
I entered the classroom.
And then I saw him.
Quirinus Quirrell.
The turban.
The nervous voice.
The strange behavior.
Everything matched.
But there was something else.
Something that didn't appear in the books.
A presence.
Dark.
Very weak.
But recognizable.
I sat down.
Quirrell began speaking.
—Quirrell: G-g-good morning.
Some students laughed.
I didn't.
I watched him.
And when he passed near my seat...
I felt it.
A dark energy.
My Natural Legilimency reacted.
For an instant, I could perceive thoughts.
Not Quirrell's.
Something behind them.
A voice.
Potter.
My expression changed.
Then the screen appeared.
[Warning.]
[Hostile entity detected.]
[Anomalous spiritual presence.]
[Energy Compatibility: 0%.]
[Recommendation: Avoid direct contact.]
I looked at Quirrell.
Voldemort.
There was no doubt.
It was too early.
But the story had already begun.
And this time, I knew it.
Quirrell continued speaking.
But before he moved away...
His gaze met mine.
For an instant, I felt something.
As if someone were watching me from behind his eyes.
Then the sensation disappeared.
Quirrell continued with the lesson.
I smiled.
So you want to hide.
Perfect.
I can keep secrets too.
---
After classes, we returned to the Great Hall.
I was tired.
Not physically.
Mentally.
I had learned so much in a single day.
And I liked it.
During dinner, Harry saw me from the Gryffindor table.
He raised a hand.
I waved back.
Ron did the same.
Hermione smiled.
Draco watched the scene.
—Draco: Looks like you made friends pretty quickly.
—Michael: I suppose.
—Draco: Doesn't it bother you that they're Gryffindors?
—Michael: Why should it?
Draco thought about it.
—Draco: I don't know.
I smiled.
—Michael: Houses don't decide who a person is.
Draco looked at me.
—Draco: You're strange.
—Michael: I get told that quite a lot.
---
When dinner ended, we returned to the dungeons.
The common room was crowded.
Pansy was talking with some other girls.
Blaise was reading.
Draco was playing with some magical cards.
I sat near the window.
I looked at the lake.
The darkness was almost complete.
Then I saw it.
A huge shadow passed in front of the glass.
I stood up.
The creature disappeared.
I frowned.
[Magical anomaly detected.]
[Location: Black Lake.]
[Insufficient information.]
[Recommendation: Investigate later.]
First Quirrell.
Now this.
Hogwarts definitely had something hidden.
I sat down again.
Then another screen appeared.
[Side Quests Available.]
[1. Academically surpass the first-year students.]
[Reward: 100 EXP.]
[2. Make a true friend.]
[Reward: 50 EXP + unknown reward.]
[3. Investigate Professor Quirinus Quirrell.]
[Reward: 200 EXP.]
[4. Investigate the Black Lake anomaly.]
[Reward: ???]
My eyes lit up.
Two unknown quests.
That was interesting.
But I couldn't do everything at once.
I needed patience.
Then Pansy approached.
—Pansy: What are you doing?
—Michael: Thinking.
—Pansy: You're always thinking.
—Michael: It's a good habit.
Pansy sat beside me.
—Pansy: About what?
—Michael: Hogwarts.
—Pansy: Do you like it?
I looked around.
—Michael: A lot.
—Pansy: Me too.
For a few seconds, we remained silent.
Then Pansy looked at my eyes.
—Pansy: They still look strange to me.
—Michael: You already told me that.
—Pansy: But they're pretty.
—Michael: Thank you.
Pansy smiled.
The screen appeared.
[Potential Bond Detected.]
[Interpersonal Compatibility: 69%.]
I stared at it for a second.
This is really changing.
The screen disappeared.
I didn't know exactly what that compatibility meant.
But I didn't want to rush anything.
There was time.
Plenty of time.
---
Later, when everyone began heading to their dormitories, I remained alone in the common room.
I looked at the lake again.
This time, there was no shadow.
I took out my wand.
I held it between my fingers.
It was new.
But it felt familiar.
An extension of my own body.
I remembered all the spells I had learned.
Protego.
Expelliarmus.
Alohomora.
Wingardium Leviosa.
Transfiguration.
Avada Kedavra.
My expression hardened when I remembered the last one.
I had never used the Killing Curse.
And I had no intention of doing so without a reason.
But I knew that someday I might need it.
I put my wand away.
Then the screen appeared.
[Hidden Objective Updated.]
[Become one of the most powerful wizards of the era.]
[Current Progress: 0.01%.]
I stared at the percentage.
—Michael: Only 0.01%?
The screen disappeared.
I let out a small laugh.
—Michael: I suppose I have quite a lot of work ahead of me.
I stood up.
Before leaving, I looked toward the lake one last time.
A small bubble appeared on the surface.
Then another.
And finally...
Two enormous eyes appeared in the darkness.
I froze.
The creature was looking at me.
For a few seconds, neither of us moved.
Then the eyes disappeared beneath the water.
The blue screen appeared one last time.
[The Black Lake entity has recognized the user.]
[Potential Bond Detected.]
[Warning: The entity does not display immediate hostility.]
My smile disappeared.
It recognized me?
That made no sense.
I had never been to Hogwarts.
At least...
Not in this life.
I stared at the lake.
—Michael: I'm definitely going to investigate this.
I headed toward my dormitory.
Unaware that, far beneath the Black Lake...
Something ancient had just awakened.
And, for some reason...
It had recognized my presence.