As dawn broke, Augustus stepped out of the dark and luxurious Slytherin dormitory. Along the way, a few early-rising Slytherin first-years greeted him enthusiastically, and Augustus nodded in return. Passing through the damp and chilly Slytherin common room, he made his way to the colossal moving staircases scattered throughout Hogwarts.
Hogwarts boasts 142 staircases, varying in size and stability—some wide and sturdy, others narrow and precarious. Some change their destinations on Fridays, while others feature vanishing steps that require careful navigation. Additionally, many doors at Hogwarts open only with polite requests or precise techniques, and some aren't doors at all but solid walls pretending to be. Remembering what's where is a challenge, as everything seems to be constantly shifting. Even the portraits' inhabitants wander between frames, and suits of armor appear to move about.
To Augustus, the entire Hogwarts castle was a marvel of intricate craftsmanship. The secret passages, magical creatures, and unique magical systems far surpassed those of the otherworldly magic academies he'd known, brimming with unparalleled creativity and imagination.
Over the days, Augustus familiarized himself with the castle's architecture and secret pathways. While other students took up to half an hour to reach their classes, Augustus mastered the shortcuts and dizzying staircases, arriving in mere minutes. Consequently, he was almost always the first to sit in class, waiting for the others.
Hogwarts' curriculum was extensive, even for first-years. Yet, Augustus approached even the most basic lessons with enthusiasm. As someone who had nearly reached godhood in his previous life as a mage, he understood the importance of mastering foundational knowledge. Great achievements, he believed, were built on strong basics.
On Wednesday evenings, students were taken to a classroom to study astronomy. Using telescopes, they learned the names and movements of stars. Augustus found this subject particularly intriguing; despite being in a different world, the celestial systems bore an uncanny resemblance to those of his former universe. It was a fascinating mystery of the cosmos.
Herbology and History of Magic also held their own charms. Professor Sprout had a soft spot for the ever-curious and polite Augustus, answering his questions with enthusiasm. Augustus often impressed her with his answers, earning Slytherin extra house points. However, the ghostly Professor Binns remained indifferent to all his students, having likely forgotten countless generations of names.
Augustus's favorite classes, however, were Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions—pillars of this world's magical system. Mastering their nuances would allow Augustus to mentally map out the structure of this magical world, breaking it down into a coherent "magic tree."
Charms was taught by the diminutive Professor Flitwick, who found Augustus's occasional magical theories fascinating, even if he couldn't place their origin. Flitwick not only showered Slytherin with house points but also offered to teach Augustus advanced charm theories in his spare time.
In Transfiguration, the normally strict Professor McGonagall was amazed when Augustus flawlessly turned a matchstick into a needle moments after her instructions—long before anyone else. The class's star pupil, Draco Malfoy, couldn't resist pointing this out. Impressed, McGonagall awarded Slytherin 20 points. Though it was only the first lesson, such a feat was unprecedented in her teaching career.
The much-anticipated Defense Against the Dark Arts class, taught by Professor Quirrell, turned into a joke. The classroom reeked of garlic, and Quirrell's nervous stuttering made him an easy target for Malfoy's mocking questions, like why he always wore a scarf even in summer. Augustus, feeling pity for the professor, intervened to rein in Malfoy. Despite this, Augustus found something peculiar about Quirrell but couldn't discern anything unusual with his investigative magic. Trusting reason over instinct, he decided to set aside his unease.
Compared to the otherworldly necromancy and demon-summoning magic Augustus had encountered, this world's so-called "dark magic" seemed like child's play. Still, he read the textbooks diligently, aiming to grasp the fundamental differences.
By Friday, the week's lessons were almost over. Adjusted to the simpler wizarding lifestyle, Augustus sat at the dining table enjoying breakfast. Malfoy's familiar, taunting voice filled the air, while Harry and Ron's indignant expressions loomed in the background. Augustus couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Draco, what's on today's schedule?" Augustus asked, interrupting Malfoy's monologue.
Malfoy paused, thought for a moment, and then lit up with a grin. "We've got Potions with Gryffindor! This is going to be entertaining!"
Watching Malfoy's sudden excitement, Augustus sighed, rubbed his forehead, and left the table to prepare for the day ahead.
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