For the first two classes, we shared the period with the Hufflepuffs. After the first period, we went to the Great Hall for lunch and had about an hour of free time. Most people spent this hour either socializing in the garden near the lake or returning to their dormitories.
As I walked through the hall, I was fascinated by my surroundings—the animated paintings and statues, and the ghosts drifting about. I had many questions on my mind. If I could, I would have captured a few of the enchanted objects for experimentation, but I knew that such direct actions would not be appropriate.
Eventually, I arrived at the garden and chose a nice spot under a tree with ample shade. I settled down and took a short nap before the next class.
>>General pov
As Hecate napped peacefully under the tree, unaware of her surroundings, Potter and his new group of friends arrived in the garden.
"Oh! Over there, guys. Follow me," James Potter called out, pointing in her direction.
"Oi! Hecate!" he shouted, but there was no response.
The most docile-looking of the group, Remus Lupin, observed her and suggested, "It seems she's sleeping. Let's not disturb her, shall we?"
"Y-yes, let's just go," agreed the boy with an unattractive appearance, clearly uneasy about the situation.
The quiet boy with black hair and dark eyes remained silent but observed Hecate closely. To him, she resembled a black cat curled up and enjoying a tranquil nap.
James Potter sighed. "Fine, I just wanted to say hi anyway," he said, reluctantly turning away.
>>>Hecate's POV
I woke up from my nap exactly ten minutes before the next class, which was Charms. As I entered the classroom, I noticed that we were sharing this lesson with Gryffindor. The class was already filling up, and I scanned the room for an empty seat.
To my surprise, I saw James Potter waving his hand toward me. At first, I didn't think he was signaling to me, but then he shouted my name, "Hecate, over here!"
He was gesturing to an open seat near his group of friends. I didn't think much of it and walked over to sit there.
"I saw you in the garden, but I didn't want to wake you up—" James began, but before he could finish, Remus Lupin cut him off with a laugh.
"Hahaha, yeah right. If I hadn't stopped you, you would've done it," Remus said, grinning. He then introduced himself, extending his hand. "I'm Remus Lupin."
"Hello, Sirius Black," said the boy with dark hair and eyes, his voice carrying an air of confidence. "Nice meeting you."
"H-hello," stammered the awkward-looking boy beside them.
I eyed the group, taking in their varied personalities, and then put on my business smile. "Nice to meet you all. Hecate Targaryen."
My somewhat approachable demeanor seemed to startle them. They clearly hadn't expected it. Just as a few other Gryffindor students seemed ready to join the conversation, Professor Flitwick's voice cut through the room, drawing everyone's attention to the front.
As I glanced over to see the professor, I noticed a small man standing on a stack of books to catch the attention of his students. He was beaming with enthusiasm, his voice carrying a hint of excitement as he cleared his throat.
"Ahem, ahem!" Professor Flitwick began, his high-pitched voice cutting through the chatter. "Welcome to your first Charms class. I am Professor Flitwick, and I will be your instructor for this subject."
He adjusted his tiny spectacles and continued, "In this class, you will learn how to cast various charms and spells. We'll start with the fundamentals, including wand movement, incantations, and the proper concentration required for spellcasting. Remember, the effectiveness of a charm often depends on your intent and focus."
Professor Flitwick gestured to a chalkboard where he had written out some basic incantations. "Today, we'll begin with the Levitation Charm, or 'Wingardium Leviosa.' This charm allows you to lift and move objects through the air. It's an essential spell for many practical applications in the magical world."
He demonstrated the wand movement with practiced precision, flicking his wand and making a feather on his desk float gracefully into the air. "Observe closely," he instructed. "The key is to keep your wand steady and your incantation clear."
As Professor Flitwick's demonstration continued, my mind was occupied by a series of pressing questions about the nature of spellcasting. Unable to hold back my curiosity any longer, I raised my hand.
"Professor Flitwick," I began, "I have a question. What is the most fundamental aspect of casting a spell? Is it the wand, the quantity of magic, the incantation, or perhaps the will of the caster? Also, how does wandless magic fit into this?"
Professor Flitwick, always eager to engage with inquisitive students, nodded appreciatively. "Ah, a very good question. The art of spellcasting is indeed a complex interplay of several elements."
He leaned slightly forward, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Firstly, the wand is a crucial component for most spells. It helps channel and focus the magical energy within you. However, it is not the wand alone that determines the success of a spell. The wand's quality and the skill with which it is used are important, but it is the caster's intention and control that are paramount."
He paused for a moment, allowing the information to sink in. "The incantation, too, plays a significant role. Words have power in the magical world, and they help to direct the magic in specific ways. Yet, without proper intention and focus, even the most perfectly pronounced incantation can falter."
Professor Flitwick continued, "As for wandless magic, it is indeed possible but usually requires a higher level of skill and concentration. Wandless magic relies heavily on the caster's will and ability to control their magical energy directly, bypassing the need for a wand's focus."
He smiled at the class, his expression one of encouragement. "So, a perfect charm is achieved when you combine a clear and precise incantation with the correct wand movement, a well-calibrated focus of your magical energy, and a strong will. It is the harmony of these elements that results in successful spellcasting."
Professor Flitwick's answer left me pondering the intricate balance required for effective magic.
As he finished explaining, he glanced at me with a twinkle in his eye. "That was an excellent question, Hecate," he said with genuine admiration. "Your curiosity about the fundamental aspects of magic shows a deep understanding and a keen mind. Such questions are the mark of a true scholar."
With a smile, he added, "For your insightful inquiry, I'm awarding Ravenclaw ten points. Keep up the great work, and continue to explore the mysteries of magic with such enthusiasm."
The announcement earned me a few approving nods from my fellow Ravenclaws and reinforced my determination to excel in my studies.
As I mulled over Professor Flitwick's insights, it became clear that willpower was pivotal in wandless magic. The wand, it seemed, served as a crucial regulator of magical energy, guiding and amplifying spells.
I decided to put this theory into practice. I mimicked the professor's wand movements, adjusting the flow of magic to the wand in small increments. To my fascination, I observed that as I increased the amount of magic, the feather I was levitating began to stray from the wand's influence. It became evident that the wand was not merely a tool but a mediator, channeling and regulating magic precisely.
Satisfied with my experiment, I performed the levitation charm with the refined technique I had developed. The feather floated steadily, showing a clear response to my control of magical energy.
Professor Flitwick, watching from the front, gave me an approving nod. His expression revealed a sense of pride in his student's progress. It was clear that my application of his lesson had not only met but exceeded his expectations.
After the Charm class, we were given a period for self-study. While most students dispersed to socialize or explore, Ravenclaw students and a few from other houses dedicated this time to their studies.
I headed back to my dormitory, carefully placing my books on my desk before making my way to the library. The quiet sanctum of the library always felt like a retreat, a place where knowledge was waiting to be discovered. After checking in with the librarian, I slipped into an empty aisle between the towering bookshelves.
In the solitude of the library, I took out one of my X-playing cards from my inventory. With a soft murmur, I activated the card: "Play… Marvelous Genius." Instantly, the card transformed into elegant red gloves adorned with intricate patterns. As I donned the gloves, a rush of clarity washed over me. My mind felt sharper, more agile, and capable of processing information with newfound efficiency.
Energized by this enhancement, I began my book hunt. I meticulously selected volumes on Charms, specifically those required for first-year students, as well as additional texts on Transfiguration. Finding a quiet, unnoticed desk, I spread out my selections and began to delve into the material.
As I flipped through the pages, my enhanced cognitive abilities allowed me to absorb and understand the information with remarkable speed. I was immersed in my studies, making the most of every minute.
At 6 PM, the librarian's voice cut through my concentration. "Ahem, the library will be closing in five minutes. Students are required to leave."
I packed everything, feeling somewhat satisfied. Who knew that in just four hours, I had studied and recorded all the information for the first-year Charm class? Although I didn't get to touch the Transfiguration books, it was okay. I was planning to return at night secretly to continue my book hunt. Not even Dumbledore would stop my curiosity.