Chapter 6: First Day of Classes
The dawn of a new day in Hogwarts greeted Linaera quietly, just as she preferred it. Early mornings had always been her time—a moment of solitude and discipline carried from her upbringing. She stirred from her bed before the other girls in the Slytherin dorms had even begun to wake, slipping into her training clothes and quietly making her way out of the dungeons. Her destination: the secluded courtyard behind the Astronomy Tower.
The morning air was cool, with a faint mist clinging to the ancient stones of the castle. The courtyard was silent save for the occasional flutter of wings from owls returning from their night hunts. It was here that Linaera began her routine, a series of disciplined movements that made her feel grounded. Her Valyrian steel sword gleamed as it sliced through the air, her movements fluid, precise, and sharp. Each motion was a reminder of who she was—a Targaryen, raised with the discipline of warriors and scholars alike. Her footwork was graceful, the product of years of training under masters from both Dragonstone and Driftmark.
After finishing her swordsmanship practice, she switched to a set of physical exercises to maintain her strength and agility. Her body moved effortlessly, familiar with the rhythm of every exercise. It was her own way of staying connected to her roots, keeping the discipline that had been instilled in her since childhood.
Once satisfied with her training, she sheathed her sword and returned to the Slytherin common room, where the castle's usual bustle was beginning to stir. After a quick change into her Hogwarts uniform, she made her way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
As she entered, the vast room buzzed with students from all houses, chattering and laughing, their plates filled with an assortment of breakfast foods. The enchanted ceiling above mimicked the sky outside, casting a soft morning light over the tables. Linaera took a seat at the Slytherin table and began filling her plate with fruit and toast, her violet eyes scanning the hall as she ate.
Her mind drifted to her goals for this year at Hogwarts. She had already laid out a plan, knowing that her time here would be crucial not just for her education but for her future in Westeros.
**First**, she intended to form a solid circle of friends. Connections were vital, and the Weasley twins, with their unique blend of charm and mischief, had already caught her attention. They had potential—not just as business partners in their future joke shop venture, but also as loyal friends who could help her navigate the complexities of the wizarding world.
**Second**, she needed to acquire the Marauder's Map. Its enchantments intrigued her, and understanding how it was created could be invaluable. A map like that, if applied in Westeros, could give her an edge in matters of warfare and politics, tracking movement across lands unseen.
**Third**, she would find the Room of Requirement. The room was rumored to transform into whatever a person needed at the time, and Linaera saw endless possibilities in that. It would be the perfect place to refine her magic—especially to bridge the gap between Valyrian sorcery and the magic practiced by wizards. Mastering both would be a significant advantage.
**Fourth**, she had plans to introduce dragon glass into the wizarding world. It had unique properties that could be incredibly valuable here, particularly in the creation of defensive tools and weapons. Starting a business with it could establish her financially and introduce the magical community to something that could protect against even the most dangerous magical creatures.
**Finally**, she needed to meet the kraken. The creature had intrigued her ever since she sensed its presence during the boat ride across the Black Lake. How had it come to reside here? What was its story? She intended to find out, and if possible, help it return to its rightful home.
As Linaera finalized her thoughts, she finished her breakfast. It was time to begin her first day of classes, and her first lesson was Potions with the Gryffindors. A slight smirk tugged at her lips—she was looking forward to sharing a class with Fred and George.
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The Potions classroom was dimly lit, with shelves upon shelves of jars filled with strange and often grotesque ingredients lining the walls. The atmosphere was somber, and the scent of old books and simmering potions hung in the air. Linaera walked in, her eyes taking in the room, before spotting Fred and George, who had saved her a seat near the middle of the room.
"Over here!" George waved, grinning as she approached.
Linaera slid into the seat beside them, nodding in greeting. "Good morning."
"Excited for Snape's lovely personality?" Fred asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Can hardly wait," Linaera replied dryly, earning a chuckle from the twins.
The other students filed in, and soon Professor Snape entered the room, his black robes billowing behind him as he strode to the front. His expression was as cold and severe as always, his dark eyes sweeping across the class before settling on Linaera for a brief moment.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," Snape began in a low, cold voice. "I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death—if you aren't as much a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
His gaze lingered on the Gryffindors with thinly veiled disdain, before he continued his lesson. Today, they would be brewing the Draught of Living Death—a complex potion that required precision and patience.
Linaera worked with ease, her hands moving deftly as she measured ingredients and stirred her cauldron. Potions had always intrigued her, and as someone who loved to experiment and learn, she absorbed the instructions with little difficulty. The Weasley twins were doing reasonably well too, though they occasionally exchanged frustrated glances when Snape would hover over them, offering nothing but thinly-veiled criticism.
As Snape made his rounds, he paused by the twins' table, sneering at their progress. "Barely acceptable," he muttered, before moving to Linaera's cauldron. He stared into the pale lilac liquid inside, a frown tugging at his lips.
"Impressive," he said reluctantly, his tone cold but undeniably approving. "Ten points to Slytherin."
The class continued, but Linaera's potion remained flawless, much to Snape's apparent annoyance. As the lesson drew to a close, Linaera packed her things and headed for her next class—Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws.
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Transfiguration took place in a bright, airy classroom with large windows that overlooked the grounds. Linaera entered and immediately spotted a cat perched on the desk at the front of the room. With a faint smile, she took a seat near the front, glancing occasionally at the feline, knowing full well that it was Professor McGonagall in her Animagus form.
The room filled up quickly, and just as the last student settled in, McGonagall transformed from her cat form into her human one, much to the shock of the other first-years.
"Welcome to Transfiguration," McGonagall began, her sharp eyes surveying the class. "This is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
The lesson was a simple one for their first day: transforming a feather into a silver needle. Most students struggled, but Linaera took the task as an opportunity to be creative. Her needle was not just silver but intricately designed, with patterns resembling the Targaryen sigil—a three-headed dragon coiled elegantly around the needle.
McGonagall, upon seeing her work, raised an eyebrow in appreciation. "Very impressive, Miss Targaryen. Fifteen points to Slytherin."
She paused, then added, "Stay after class. I'd like to speak with you."
Linaera nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile on her lips. The rest of the class passed quickly, and soon the students were packing up to leave for lunch. Linaera, however, remained seated, her heart thrumming with quiet excitement as she waited for McGonagall to address her.
Linaera sat patiently as the last of the students shuffled out of the Transfiguration classroom, her gaze steady on Professor McGonagall. The older witch moved with her characteristic poise, her sharp eyes thoughtful as she approached the Targaryen girl.
"You've demonstrated a level of skill today that I rarely see in first-year students," McGonagall said, her voice both curious and impressed. "Your needlework—while creative—was more than just clever. It shows a deep understanding of magical precision and control. I suspect this isn't your first foray into complex magic?"
Linaera inclined her head slightly, her deep purple eyes meeting McGonagall's. "I've had some... experience with magic before coming here, Professor. My family places great value on learning."
"Indeed," McGonagall replied, her expression softening. "I can tell you are no ordinary student, Miss Targaryen. I have taught many exceptional witches and wizards over the years, and I believe you have the potential to be among the best. However, talent alone is not enough. It requires discipline, focus, and study."
Linaera listened attentively, though she had already heard variations of this speech before—from her parents, from her tutors, and even from herself during long hours of training. Still, McGonagall's words held a weight that demanded respect.
"I have a proposition for you," McGonagall continued. "Given your skill and your clear interest in Transfiguration, I would like to offer you the opportunity to study it more deeply. As my assistant, you would have access to advanced lessons and projects outside of regular classwork. It's not an offer I extend lightly, but I believe you could truly benefit from it."
Linaera blinked, surprised but intrigued. She hadn't expected this level of trust and acknowledgment so early on. The prospect was tempting. Transfiguration was an incredibly versatile and complex branch of magic, one that could serve her well not only here at Hogwarts but also in Westeros. Still, there was no rush. She was methodical by nature and preferred to weigh her options carefully before making a decision.
"I'm honored by your offer, Professor," Linaera said, her tone respectful but composed. "It's a tremendous opportunity, and I appreciate your faith in me. I'll need some time to consider it."
McGonagall gave her a sharp nod, clearly satisfied with Linaera's mature response. "Very well. Take the night to think it over, and let me know your decision tomorrow. But know this—your abilities could take you far if you choose to commit to this path."
"I'll give you my answer tomorrow," Linaera confirmed with a small, thoughtful smile.
With that, McGonagall dismissed her, and Linaera gathered her things before leaving the classroom. As she stepped into the bustling corridors of Hogwarts, her mind buzzed with the possibilities. Becoming McGonagall's assistant would certainly have its advantages, but it was a commitment that could affect how she spent her time at Hogwarts—and she had a long list of goals to accomplish.
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As lunchtime approached, Linaera made her way to the Great Hall, her thoughts still drifting between McGonagall's offer and her own plans. When she entered, the familiar sight of the enchanted ceiling above greeted her, the sun now shining brightly over the tables filled with students enjoying their midday meals. The Weasley twins were already seated at the Gryffindor table, and they waved her over as soon as they spotted her.
"Linaera! Over here!" Fred called, grinning widely.
She crossed the hall and joined them, sliding into a seat between Fred and George. "Good afternoon," she greeted them, reaching for some bread and fruit from the table.
"You look deep in thought," George noted, his sharp eyes catching the trace of contemplation in her usually composed expression. "Anything on your mind?"
Linaera took a bite of bread, giving them both a small smile. "Just thinking about a conversation I had with Professor McGonagall."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "Already catching the professors' attention, are we? What did the old cat have to say?"
"She offered me the chance to become her assistant in Transfiguration," Linaera replied calmly, though she could see the spark of surprise in their faces.
George let out a low whistle. "Blimey. That's quite the offer. She doesn't ask just anyone for something like that."
Fred leaned in, a playful smirk on his face. "Well, are you going to do it? Think about the pranks you could pull with McGonagall on your side. You could turn all our classmates into frogs and no one would ever know it was you."
Linaera chuckled softly at that. "I doubt that's what McGonagall has in mind. But I haven't decided yet. I told her I'd give her my answer tomorrow."
"Well, whatever you choose, it's clear she sees something special in you," George said, his tone more serious now. "You've got a talent for magic. It's no wonder McGonagall wants to help you develop it."
Linaera gave a thoughtful nod, appreciating the twins' insights. They were sharp—beneath their playful exteriors, they understood the significance of such an offer. But she still had much to consider.
For now, though, she allowed herself to relax and enjoy lunch with her new friends, the twins providing a welcome distraction from the weight of her decisions with their jokes and lively conversation. They talked about classes, shared stories from home, and even started planning a few harmless pranks they could pull in the coming weeks. It was refreshing, reminding Linaera that despite the many responsibilities she had, she was still allowed to enjoy the present.
As the meal drew to a close and students began to drift off to their afternoon classes, Linaera's mind returned briefly to McGonagall's offer. No matter her decision, she knew one thing for certain—this year at Hogwarts was going to be one of discovery, growth, and many, many surprises.