Harry woke up the next morning feeling undisturbed and well-rested. The night before, he had taken precautions to ensure a peaceful sleep. Upon hearing the various snores and murmurs coming from his fellow Gryffindors, Harry quickly decided to cast a silencing charm around his four-poster bed. The thick curtains on either side of the bed provided the perfect coverage, and the wooden blocks at the head and foot of the bed turned it into a perfect square—a private sanctuary within the larger dormitory.
The bed itself was extraordinarily comfortable, more so than any bed Harry had ever slept in. The softness of the mattress, coupled with the warmth of the heavy blankets, made it difficult for Harry to summon the willpower to get up. His body seemed to sink deeper into the mattress, unwilling to face the chill of the morning.
Yet, Harry was disciplined. Years of living with the Runestone Castle had ingrained in him a strict code of conduct, especially when it came to his morning routine. Despite the comfort of the bed calling him to stay longer, Harry knew better. He had made a habit of rising early to perform a series of exercises—stretches, push-ups, and a short meditation—before starting his day.
With a deep breath, Harry forced himself to sit up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He drew back the curtains and glanced around the dormitory. The other boys were still fast asleep, their snores filling the room. Neville was curled up in his bed, still clutching his pillow. Dean had one arm draped over the side of his bed, while Seamus was half-buried under a pile of blankets. Even Ron was snoring loudly, a noise that would have bothered Harry if not for the silencing charm.
Carefully, Harry swung his legs out of bed and stretched, feeling the cool stone floor beneath his feet. As tempting as it was to crawl back under the covers, he knew that maintaining his routine was important. With that thought in mind, he began his exercises, quietly moving through the familiar motions that helped clear his mind and prepare him for the day ahead.
By the time he finished, the first rays of sunlight were creeping through the windows. Harry allowed himself a brief moment to enjoy the quiet before the day truly began. Today would be his first full day at Hogwarts, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Harry quietly pulled out his training clothes and shoes from his trunk, garments he had acquired from the Muggle world. They were simple but durable—loose black shorts and a gray t-shirt, paired with sturdy sneakers. The familiarity of these clothes brought him comfort, reminding him of the mornings he had spent training in the quiet solitude of the early hours, long before the Dursleys awoke. Slipping them on, he felt a sense of purpose settle over him.
As he left the dormitory and descended the spiraling staircase to the Gryffindor common room, Harry found the space deserted. The common room, was now silent, save for the gentle crackling of the fireplace. The warm glow of the fire cast dancing shadows on the walls, filling the room with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The plush armchairs and sofas looked incredibly tempting, and for a brief moment, Harry considered sinking into one of them to enjoy the comfort of the room a little longer.
But he knew better. Once you settled into the soft cushions by the fire, it was almost impossible to leave. The common room had a way of lulling you into relaxation, and Harry didn't want to lose his momentum. He had a routine to follow, and if he was going to make it through the day, he needed to stick to it.
Pushing open the door that led to the corridors outside, Harry stepped into the cool morning air. The castle was still dark, with only the faintest hints of dawn creeping through the windows. The torches along the walls cast a dim light, illuminating the stone corridors in a soft, golden hue. The air was chilly, and Harry could see his breath forming small clouds in front of him as he exhaled.
As Harry pushed open the door to leave the Gryffindor common room and stepped into the dimly lit corridor, he heard a faint, indignant huff behind him. Startled, he turned to see the Fat Lady in her portrait, glaring down at him from her frame with a mix of irritation and grogginess.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes at him. Her usual regal demeanor was replaced with the clear signs of someone who had just been rudely awakened from a deep sleep. Her pink silk gown was slightly askew, and her elaborate hairdo had a few strands out of place.
Harry blinked, taken aback by her tone. "Uh, sorry… I didn't realize you were sleeping," he replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He hadn't really considered that portraits could sleep—or even needed to.
"Of course, I was sleeping!" she snapped, her voice carrying a haughty edge. "Do you think I just stand here day and night without ever needing rest? We portraits may be magical, but we still need our beauty sleep, you know. And you, young man, have woken me up far too early."
Harry felt a bit sheepish as he looked at the Fat Lady, whose frown deepened as she continued to scold him. He'd never had much interaction with magical portraits before, so he wasn't sure how to respond.
"Sorry," Harry said again, more sincerely this time. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just heading out for some exercise."
The Fat Lady's expression softened slightly, though she still looked a bit miffed. "Well, at least you have the decency to apologize," she sniffed, adjusting her gown and patting her hair in an attempt to restore some of her dignity. "But do try to be more considerate in the future. Waking someone from their slumber is terribly rude, you know."
Harry nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll keep that in mind. I didn't even know portraits could sleep."
"Of course we can sleep!" the Fat Lady exclaimed, her tone becoming a bit more conversational now that she had properly voiced her complaints. "Just because we're in a painting doesn't mean we're immune to the weariness of the world. We have lives of our own, you know. Just because you can't see us doesn't mean we stop existing."
Harry raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious now. "So, what do you do when you're not in your portrait? Can you… move around or visit other portraits?"
The Fat Lady gave him a look that suggested she found the question a bit naïve but chose to answer anyway. "Indeed, we can. We visit each other's frames, attend social gatherings, gossip—just like you living folk do. Sometimes, when the castle is quiet, I'll have a lovely chat with the portraits in other parts of Hogwarts. It helps pass the time, you see."
Harry nodded, fascinated. "I never thought about it that way. Do you ever get bored just staying in the same place all the time?"
"Not at all," she replied with a wave of her hand. "There's always something happening in this castle. And when there isn't, well, that's when we catch up on our sleep. Though I must say, some portraits are far more active than others. Take Sir Cadogan, for example—always charging around, looking for his next imaginary battle. It's exhausting just watching him."
The Fat Lady's expression softened further as she looked at Harry more closely. "You're new here, aren't you? Just started at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, I am," Harry confirmed. "First day."
"Well," she said, her tone becoming a bit more maternal, "just remember, young man, this castle has a lot of surprises. You might wake up a portrait or two along the way, but it's all part of the experience. Just try not to make a habit of it, hmm?"
"I'll do my best," Harry promised, feeling a bit more at ease now. "Thanks for the advice. And again, sorry for waking you."
The Fat Lady waved him off with a slight smile. "Go on, then. Enjoy your exercise, and try not to wake anyone else while you're at it."
With that, Harry gave her a nod and continued down the corridor, leaving the Fat Lady to settle back into her frame. As he jogged away, he couldn't help but smile to himself. Hogwarts was already proving to be full of surprises—even in the form of talking portraits who needed their beauty sleep.
Despite the early hour, Harry felt a surge of energy coursing through him. He looked around, the vastness of the castle seeming even more imposing in the dim light. The idea of exploring the corridors and discovering hidden secrets was enticing, but he quickly reminded himself that getting lost on his first day wasn't an option. Hogwarts was a massive, complex castle with countless twists and turns. He had all year to explore, but for now, he needed to stay focused.
Deciding to stay close to familiar territory, Harry began his exercises right there in the corridor. He started with a light jog, moving from one end of the corridor to the other. His footsteps echoed in the silence, the sound bouncing off the stone walls as he ran. He found a rhythm quickly, his body moving automatically through the motions as he focused on his breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
After several laps, Harry moved on to the steps. He ran up and down the staircase leading to the common room, his feet tapping lightly on each stone step. The climb was steep, and after a few runs, he could feel his muscles burning in protest. But Harry pushed through, knowing that this kind of training was essential. It was what had kept him strong and resilient over the years.
Once he felt sufficiently warmed up, Harry shifted to more intensive exercises. He found a low-hanging beam in one of the corridors and used it for pull-ups, his arms straining as he lifted his body weight. Then he moved on to push-ups, sit-ups, and other bodyweight exercises, each movement precise and deliberate. His body moved with the practiced ease of someone who had been doing this for years. For four years, Harry had maintained this routine, training his body and mind in the early hours of the morning when the world was still asleep.
After his strength exercises, Harry transitioned into a series of martial arts moves. He moved through the stances fluidly, practicing punches, kicks, and blocks. The movements were sharp and controlled, each one honed by years of practice. The discipline he had developed over the years was evident in the way he moved—focused, deliberate, and strong.
Finally, Harry finished with his meditation. He found a quiet corner of the corridor and sat down, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. The castle was silent around him, and for a few moments, he allowed himself to simply breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. He focused on clearing his mind, letting go of any lingering thoughts or worries. The silence was calming, and he felt a sense of peace settle over him as he sat there, breathing deeply.
Two hours had passed by the time Harry finished his workout. His muscles were pleasantly sore, and he felt a sense of accomplishment as he stood up and stretched. The castle was beginning to wake up now, and he could hear the distant sounds of students moving about, preparing for the day ahead.
Harry made his way back to the common room, feeling a light sheen of sweat on his skin. As he entered, he noticed that the room was still deserted, the fire in the fireplace now reduced to glowing embers. The warmth from the fire was still present, and the room had the same cozy, inviting atmosphere as before. But now, Harry felt ready to relax, knowing he had completed his morning routine.
Not wanting to get caught up in the rush later, Harry decided to head to the bathroom and freshen up. The showers were still empty, and he took his time, letting the warm water wash away the sweat and tension from his muscles. By the time he returned to the common room, dressed and ready for the day, the first rays of sunlight were streaming through the windows.
Harry found a comfortable spot by the fire and settled in, enjoying the quiet before the chaos of the day began. He knew that soon, the common room would be filled with students, and the real adventure of Hogwarts would start. But for now, he allowed himself a few moments of peace, reflecting on the fact that he was finally here, at Hogwarts, ready to begin a new chapter of his life.