September 2, 1991, Monday 5:45 am
I woke up looking at an unfamiliar ceiling... 'Oh wait! I'm in Hogwarts now.' I just laugh at myself as I get out off bed.
I see my three pets are still sleeping in their personalized living area. It is a small five foot tree. Naji stays at the nest at the top. Tania has a small room in the tree hole in the middle. Bunta has a small heated pond at the base of the tree.
I see that my roommates are still sleeping so I went down in my enchanted suitcase and had a short run on my treadmill.
After 30 minutes, I came back up and took a shower. Still no one is up but me. I quickly change into my school clothes and wake my pets up. I called out, "Guys, time to wake up. And be quiet. My roommates are still asleep."
I left a note in the bathroom door saying I already went to get breakfast. I went out with my pets and my enchanted pouch that have my books and some items and snacks.
I pass the common room area and my pets flew around to get the feel of the place. I saw some older student walking by and they gave me and my pets a curious look. Some even questioned me so I have to explain that I have the Headmaster's permission.
Me and my pets quickly went out and pass the area of the barrels. I saw a big portrait of a fruit bowl. I remember that it is where the kitchen should be and the house elves that prepare the food.
I didn't went in. I'll explore the castle on the weekend. Right now, I'll just familiarize myself with the normal flow of the classes.
In no time, I made my way to the dining hall. I see there are some early birds that are already having their breakfast. I even saw Percy at the Gryffindor table. We just gave each other a wave and a nod.
There were also some teachers at the faculty table. They did gave me stares, specially McGonagall and Snape.
When I sat at the Hufflepuff table, I'm surprised to see Cedric with some girls from different houses. Some of them are obviously older than him.
Cedric called out to me, "Good morning, Marshall! I see you did bring all three of your pets. Come have a sit..."
Some of the girls gave me a look while the others got curious about my pet. They made room for me in the table.
A Gryffindor girl asked, "Those are your companions?" While pointing at my pets.
The moment I sat, a plate and a small basket of bread appeared in front of me. There were cheeses, slices of ham, sauge and fried eggs. The goblet appeared to have orange juice in it.
I nodded at the question while making a sandwich, "Yes, the owl is Naji, the fairy is Tania and the toad is Bunta."
"Hoo!" "Crooakk!" 🔔"ting!"🔔 the three gave a courtesy hello. Their show of intelligence gave them approving nods from the group.
I put aside some food for them on another plate. Bunta immediately levitate the plate away from us and the three ate in peace.
The people were bewildered by the scene. Cedric laugh, "Man! I'm pretty sure our Hufflepuff house will be very lively this year with them around." The girls just nodded in agreement.
I sense someone making his way towards us. I turn around to see Hagrid looking at my pets. He said, "Your pets are lovely, Marshall. I'm surprised the headmaster agreed for you to bring them."
I just smile at what he said. I then asked the half-giant, "Hagrid, do you keep some magical creatures as well?"
Hagrid gave we an awkward smile and said, "Oh ..Uhmm.. i just have a dog in my hut. I sometimes take care of the creatures used in classes. Do you want to see them sometime?"
'Ha! Just a dog..' i smile and agreed to his offer. He left after that.
Pass 7:15 am, the students started to come in groups for breakfast. I saw Justin and Ernest walking towards me and was surprised I'm surrounded by girls.
I can see they want to say hello but was intimidated when the girls stared at them. They just sat away from us.
I just finished my meal and got up when I saw Ron and Harry enter the dining hall. I walked towards them and asked, "So how's your first night?"
Harry said, "Well it was very lively in our common room. We're just bummed you're not with us. To top it off, I had this weird dream which I think was a nightmare."
I accompanied them in the Gryffindor table. I didn't pay attention to the stares I got. I said, "It's all good. We're still in the same school. I saw my timetable and we're going to have classes together for Herbology, Astronomy and History of Magic. We also have the weekend to hangout. If you want, we could organize a barbecue for the first years on the weekend. I'll see if its allowed."
Ron asked, "All the first years? Even the gits?"
I shugged and said, "I'll be having Transfiguration and Charms with them later in the afternoon. I'll see if there are some snakes that have more amicable personalities."
Ron just gave me a wry smile.
After chatting with the two. I went back to the Puff's table to see Kevin and Wayne eating with Justin and Ernie. As I walk, my pets landed on my shoulders and head.
I'm now realizing how funny I look when they use me as a perch. I said,"Guys, really!?" They didn't budge even with my protest.
My roommates laugh at me when I sat down with them. Wayne joked, "Last night, I thought you will look cool with your pets following you. But now...not so much."
I shake my head, "They only leave me alone when they watch cartoons. But now...ugh!" I lamenting on my situation. The four guys just laugh at me.
I see Susan, Hannah and the other three Hufflepuff first year girls were dining a bit away from us. I just gave them a nod. I can see they are still adjusting to the new environment and are shy around others, specially us boys. I'll try to chat with them in class later.
After breakfast we walk around the castle a bit mainly to look for our DADA classroom. We asked some older students and they said it was on the 3rd floor but as we remember that the 3rd floor was off- limits we asked our prefect that said that the DADA classes was in the ground floor at the Transfiguration courtyard.
We found the room and remember the surroundings. On 8:45, we entered the room. Justin and the others were going to go to the front of the class but I recommend the back seats near the door.
They protested a little but gave up due to my persistence. I motioned for my pets to go play in the courtyard. I warned them to behave and to call me if there's a problem.
A few moments laters, the classroom was filled with students. I saw Susan's group in the middle surrounded by Ravenclaw students. The Puff girls gave us a questioning look as if asking, 'What are you guys doing at the back?'
9:00 am, I reach in my pouch and took out 4 cans of air fresheners for cars. I open and placed them around our group. Justin, Kevin and Wayne were familiar with the item. The four gave me a look.
9:05 am, the door near the front of the class open and Professor Quirrell came out looking nervous. The whole room immediately stinks with a strong garlic smell.
I saw some students gagged. Others question where the smell was coming from. I took my textbook and started reading it with little reaction to the garlic smell. My roommates now understand why I had laid the car air fresheners around us. Their only question is 'how did I know?'.
Quirrell just stutters away in front of the class not caring for the students' reaction and discomfort. He's just basically paraphrasing what's in our textbook. From time to time, I look out the door to check on my pets.
When the class was dismissed, the students run out the door as quickly as possible trying to catch some fresh air. I retrieve the air fresheners and exited the classroom.
Ernie said to me ,"Merlin's Beards! Thanks Marshall for the early warning."
Wayne asked, "How did you know?"
I said, "Oh, I saw Quirrell back in Diagon Alley buying books about vampires. Even then, he already had a strong smell of garlic following him. I later found out he will be a teacher here so I came prepared."
I approach Racenclaws and Susan's group and handed them some lemon flavor candies to remove the lingering garlic taste in their tongue. I took my wand and wave it around them. A refreshing breeze pass by. It was actually a skill I got from Long.
"""""Thanks.""""" The Puff girls thanked me.
I called out to my pets and said to my group of badgers, "We can save the introductions later. We need to go to greenhouse 1 first. We only got a 15 mins break before Herbològy begins."
--------------------
10:35 am in front of Greenhouse #1
We're still waiting for the greenhouse to open and the professor. What better way to pass the time than to get to know one another.
We mostly remember Hannah and Susan as they were the first kids to be called by the hat and sorted into Hufflepuff. I see Ernie talking to them and is very familiar with the Abbott and Bones family.
Wayne told us that he often saw Susan's aunt, Amelia Bones, in the newspapers. Susan explains that her aunt is the Head of Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The other three girls are Megan Jones, Adeline Le Roux and Naomi Wu. I vaguely remember Megan Jones from the books. I never heard of ther other two.
Adeline is a half-blood who's mother is a witch from the UK and her Dad is a French muggle working at the French embassy. I was able to break the ice with her when we started talking in French.
Naomi Wu is a shy girl from a Chinese decent but was actually a former American citizen. Her parents are both Muggles and her dad is a teacher down in London. They just immigrated to UK from the US when she was 9yrs old. She was still adapting to living in London when her Hogwarts letter arrived.
10:40 am. The group of first year Gryffindors came. I greeted Harry and Ron. I introduced them to students from my house and the two introduced me to their roommates: Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas.
I also said hello to Hermoine but I could tell she's not in the mood for a chitchat.
10:45 am the greenhouse door opens and out came a very cheerful Professor Sprout. When I saw her, two words came to my mind, "Grass Type". I could picture her being a gym leader and throwing a p*keball and calling out a Victreebel. I just laugh at my thoughts.
In the greenhouse, we see some plants that were moving. I recognize some of them as they are often used in making basic potions.
The whole class just revolves around the dos and don'ts in the greenhouse, proper attire and gardening tools, the plants that we will be tackling for the year and some spells we need to read about in advance.
After the class, we still have a bit of free time before lunch so my housemates and I strolled around the area near the greenhouse and see the sceneries nearby. We saw the Whomping Willow and a view of Hagrid's hut and the outline of the Forbidden Forest.
I let my pets fly in the open field and called them back when we're about to return to the castle for lunch.
In the Great Hall, there were already a lot of students eating. I did received a few glances and inquiries about my pets which kept interrupting my meal.
There was an instant that some older Slytherins tried to approach me but I simply released a bit of pressure towards them stopping them in place. I'm not afraid of a confrontation, but I don't like it interrupting my meal.
1:45 pm we made our way to Transfiguration Class 1 on the first floor of the Hogwarts castle. In the classroom, there was already a pair of Slytherin girls seated at front of the class.
Our Hufflepuff group sat near the front. I greeted the two Slytherin girls, "Hello."
The girl with ginger pigtails gave me a giggle probably laughing at my pets perching on me. She said, "Hihi.. Hello to you too, beast boy."
'Beast boy?!' I'm surprised by the nickname.
"People are calling you that during lunch, mate." Ernie explained to me. The rest of my group chuckle.
I immediately ordered my pets to get off me and stay the window. They protested at first but I insisted.
"I don't have a problem with the nickname but please remember my name is Marshall Witcherly." I sigh but still introduced myself to the two.
"Haha, Ok, we'll remember. I'm Tracy Davis." The ginger with the pigtails said. She then tugged the arm of the other girl and said, "And she's Daphne Greengrass."
I'm surprised. Daphne's blond hair is so light that it appears white. She is pretty but appears cold with that expressionless face.
When I look at the two, I can't help but be reminded of Elsa and Anna.
1:50 pm, a tabby cat entered the class and made its way to the teacher's table. I just smile when I saw her.
Justin gave a nudge and points at the cat. I think he expect me to fawn over it. I thought, 'Com'on people. I love animals but I at least know to control myself.'
Seeing the tabby cat, my pets flew towards it. They surround the cat trying to talk to it. I immediately covered my face out of embarrassment. I stood up and went to the front.
"Guys, behave. Go back to the window. If you are bored, go play outside." I ordered them and shoo them toward the window. I then look at the tabby cat and said, "Apologies Professor."
"MEOWW!" The cat just nod at me.
I return to my sit and saw the others gave me with puzzled look. I just remained quiet and let the professor have her little show.
The other Slytherin students started to arrive. I even saw Malfoy glare at me.
At exactly 2:00 pm, the tabby cat jumps from the desk and transform into a witch in green emerald robe. Except for me, everyone exclaimed in surprise.
"Mr. Witcherly I don't mind your pets in my class just have them behave." Professor McGonagall gave me a stern look. I sigh and just nod at what she said.
After her animagus show, Professor McGonagall began the class with giving her spill pertaining to the wonders and dangers regarding transfiguration while transforming a desk into a pig.
She introduce us the Transfiguration Alphabet and the basic formula for transforming objects in consideration of their bodyweight (a), viciousness (v), wand power (w), concentration (c), and a fifth unknown variable (Z).
She ended the class saying that we will be transforming a match into a needle in our next meeting.
Both Hufflepuff and Slytherin quickly left the class. We have 15 minutes to make our way to Class 99 in the South Tower. My pets followed me by flying over my head.
Tania flew a bit away from the group and I saw one of the Slytherin boys tried to swat her. The Slytherins just laugh.
I stop and glare at the guy. The perpetrator sneered and said ,"What?! You got a problem, Beast boy?"
I check on Tania and was relieved that she's alright. I then look at the Slytherin boy again. I didn't do anything and just turned around and walk away.
"Ha! Are you scared Beas---!!" The guy wanted to taunt me but realizes that he can't lift his feet to take a step forward. He felt like he's feet weigh a ton.
The other students look at the guy and realize he can't move. The Slytherins were perplexed.
My housemates wanted to ask me what happen but I just motion them to continue walking. My pets sense my mood and landed on my shoulders and head.
Ernie and the other Puffs made up their mind and just followed me to the South Tower.
In Class 99, we took seats near the front. My housemates wants to ask me something but can't seems to know where to start.
Adeline broke the silence and ask, "Marshall, is Tania alright?"
I gave a nod while holding the fairy in my hand and replied, "Yeah, she's just startled. No one ever tried to swat her before. Thanks for asking."
Kevin asked, "Uhm.. Marshall... what happened to that Slytherin guy?"
I smile and just shugged, "I don't know. What does it have to do with me?"
They want to ask further but the Slytherins just enter the classroom. They gave me looks. Draco asks in a bossy tone, "What did you do to Nott, Witcherly?!"
I nonchalantly said, "I don't know what you mean ,perv. I just glared at the guy. You were all there."
"You did something..!" A Slytherin girl with dark long hair yelled.
I look at her straight in the eyes, smile and said, "Prove it!" I see they were stumped. They were all there. I didn't took out my wand and I didn't muttered a word.
Right this instance, Professor Flitwick enters the room.
He walk in while saying , "Hello first years. Welcome to Charms class! Is everyone here?" He notices that some Slytherins are standing and instruct them to be seated.
I immediately release my hold on Nott. I could sense that the guy is already running toward our classroom.
Flitwick started counting the students when he realizes that one Slytherin boy is missing. He asked, "Does anyone know where Mr. Nott is?"
Right this instance, a sweaty Theodore Nott barges in. He immediately look around and found that the class had already started.
"Ehem! Mr. Nott, isn't it too early to show your tardiness on the first day of school? 10 points from Slytherin!" He gave Nott a frown and deducted 10 pts from the snakes. He continued, "I hope it does not become a habit Mr. Nott. Now please take your seat."
My group of badgers just smile at what happened. I could see some of the Slytherins glared at me but I didn't pay them anymore attention.
Flitwick gave an introduction about Charms and how important wrist movements and proper pronunciation are in casting spells.
He gave a bit of demonstration of the spells we will be learning. He made the books fly, his wand glow, light a candle, and repairing a broken chair in front.
He ended the class by announcing that we will be starting by levitating a feather in our next meeting.
I'm glad we don't have any homework after the first day of school.
On my way out of the classroom, Draco and some of the Slytherins blocked my path. My housemates stood behind me and Ernie, the only pureblood of our group.
Ernie said ,"What do you want, Nott?"
"Move aside, MacMillan. Don't even think you can protect your little friend here." said Nott.
I held Ernie back and tap his shoulder motioning him to stand down. I just smile at the Slytherins in front of me and calmly said, "Move."
Nott, Draco and the other Slytherins that is blocking the door straightened thier stand and some even took out their wand.
"Ehem." It was Professor Flitwick. He asked," Why are you blocking the door Mr. Nott and Mr.Malfoy?"
The gits completely disregarded the professor when they block the door. I'm not sure if they're brave or dumb.
The black haired girl said ,"Nothing professor." She then tugged at Malfoy's robe and the Slytherins backed off but not without giving me a warning glare.
"Thank you, Professor." said Susan with a bow to Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick laugh as he exits the room,"Merlin! That's a rare scene. Badgers standing up to a group of snakes! Hahahaha!"
~end chapter ~
Happy Holidays guys.
Time for a little break.
I'll be back around the first week next year.