Harry sat on the plush armchair near the warm fireplace, sinking into the comfort of the cushions as the flames crackled gently in front of him. The common room was still mostly deserted, the soft morning light filtering through the windows, casting a golden hue across the room. The fire provided a cozy warmth that contrasted sharply with the coolness of the castle corridors, and Harry found himself lost in thought as he gazed into the flickering flames.
He couldn't help but reminisce about his time at Runestone Castle, where everything had been so familiar, so comfortable. The memories came flooding back—Norky and Rosly, his devoted house-elves, who always fussed over him whenever he returned from his morning exercises. Norky, with his endless energy and concern, always had towels and refreshments ready for Harry the moment he walked through the door. Rosly, with her gentle demeanor, would praise him endlessly, marveling at how much stronger and bulkier he was getting with each passing day.
A pang of homesickness hit Harry as he thought about those days. He missed their constant presence, their warmth, and the way they seemed to know exactly what he needed before he even asked. The familiar smells of breakfast wafting through the castle, the reassuring sounds of his home—all of it seemed so far away now. And even though Sirius was a relatively new addition to his life, Harry missed him too. He missed their morning duels in the castle courtyard, where Sirius would challenge him, pushing him to improve his skills. Remus often joined them as well, offering calm advice and tips on refining his techniques. Those mornings had become a cherished routine, one that made him feel connected to his family in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.
But Harry knew that there was no going back. Leaving Hogwarts because of homesickness was not an option, and he had to adapt to this new environment. He couldn't afford to wallow in longing for the past. He was here now, and he had to make the most of it.
Resolving to shake off his melancholy, Harry suddenly called out, "Elf!" His voice echoed slightly in the quiet common room, and in an instant, a house-elf appeared before him with a soft pop.
The house-elf was small, dressed in a simple grey dress that contrasted with her wide, eager eyes. She looked up at Harry with a bright expression, clearly ready and willing to assist him with whatever he needed.
"What is your name?" Harry asked, smiling gently at the elf. He knew that most house-elves didn't expect such pleasantries, but he had always made an effort to be kind to them.
"I am Dolly, young master!" the elf responded enthusiastically, her voice high-pitched but full of pride. She seemed thrilled to be of service.
"Well, Dolly," Harry began, his tone friendly, "I need some carrot juice and maybe some fruit. Do you think you could manage that for me?"
"Of course, young master!" Dolly chirped, beaming at him. And with a swift pop, she was gone.
Harry leaned back in his chair, feeling a little better now. He had a habit of drinking some juice and eating fruit after his morning routines—it helped him feel refreshed and energized for the rest of the day. He hadn't been sure what to expect from the Hogwarts house-elves, but Dolly seemed eager to help, and that put him at ease.
In a surprisingly short amount of time, Dolly reappeared with another soft pop, holding a tray that balanced a beautifully arranged plate of fruit salad and a large glass of orange juice. Harry blinked in mild surprise at the extravagance of the fruit salad—it was far more elaborate than the simple sliced fruits he had expected. The fruit was arranged in colorful, intricate patterns, with a variety of berries, melons, and citrus slices carefully placed together.
"Here you go, little master!" Dolly said, her eyes shining with pride as she presented the tray to Harry. "I hope it's to your liking! And if you want anything else, you just call Dolly, yes?"
Harry smiled at her enthusiasm, taking the tray from her. "Thank you, Dolly," he said sincerely. "This looks amazing." He took a sip of the orange juice and nodded in approval.
Dolly stood there, looking at him expectantly, almost as if she was hoping for more instructions. She seemed so eager to please that Harry couldn't help but feel a bit amused by it.
"Am I disturbing you in your sleep?" Harry asked, glancing at her small figure. He had learned earlier from the Fat Lady that some magical beings did indeed need their rest.
"Oh no, young master!" Dolly responded quickly, shaking her head vigorously. "We house-elves wake up very early! We have to make breakfast for all the students, so I was already awake. So was everyone else."
Harry nodded, understanding. He knew that house-elves worked tirelessly, often without much rest, but he appreciated Dolly's willingness to serve him with such enthusiasm.
"Just call me Harry," he said, offering her a friendly smile. "And I'll make sure to call you next time I need something."
"Okay, Master Harry," Dolly replied, her eyes lighting up with joy at his words. She hesitated for a moment, then added, "But don't forget—whenever you need anything, you call Dolly. Don't call any random elf, call Dolly!" She seemed determined to ensure that she would be the one to serve him from now on.
Harry chuckled softly at her insistence. "I'll remember that, Dolly. Thank you. Bye."
With a final beaming smile, Dolly popped away, leaving Harry alone in the quiet common room once again. He looked down at the tray she had brought him, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the fire in front of him. The house-elves at Hogwarts might be different from the ones at Runestone Castle, but they were just as dedicated and eager to help. It made him feel a little less homesick knowing that he could still enjoy some of the comforts he was used to.
As he took a bite of the fruit salad, Harry allowed himself to relax, savoring the familiar taste and the comforting warmth of the common room. He knew that this place would never replace his home, but perhaps, with time, it could become a new kind of home—one where he could find new routines, new friends, and new experiences.
Harry finished the last bite of his fruit salad, savoring the sweet taste of fresh berries and ripe melon. The orange juice was equally refreshing, the tangy citrus waking him up fully. Setting the empty glass aside, he stretched out his legs and glanced around the common room. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, and the light filtering through the windows had grown brighter, signaling that the morning was moving along.
With a sigh, Harry rose from the comfortable armchair and headed back to the dormitory. The room was quiet, and the other boys were still asleep, their beds laden with heavy blankets that looked incredibly warm and inviting. He had half a mind to crawl back into his own bed, but he was already wide awake and refreshed from his morning routine. He noticed, however, that the training clothes he had neatly placed on his bed before heading to the bath were missing."
Must be the house-elves," Harry muttered to himself. He knew they were responsible for tidying up, and it wasn't unusual for them to whisk away clothing for cleaning when no one was looking. Though he hadn't interacted much with Hogwarts' house-elves except Dolly, he understood their dedication to their duties. It was something he was familiar with from his own home, where the house-elves took care of nearly everything with silent efficiency.
Not too concerned about the missing clothes, Harry returned to the common room, deciding to occupy his time before breakfast by diving back into the journal of Eldritch Gosling. The worn leather cover and slightly yellowed pages seemed to beckon him, promising more of the intriguing spells, creatures, and adventures he had already read about.
Settling back into the armchair, he opened the journal to the place he had left off and began reading. Gosling's experiences were nothing short of remarkable. The wizard had traveled to distant lands, encountered magical creatures that Harry had never even heard of, and invented spells that were both brilliant and dangerous. As Harry turned the pages, he found himself completely engrossed in the wizard's exploits.
One passage detailed a journey to a remote mountain range where Gosling had encountered a species of dragon that was believed to be extinct. The description of the dragon—its scales shimmering like liquid silver, its breath capable of freezing the air itself—was so vivid that Harry could almost see it in his mind's eye. Gosling had devised a spell to subdue the creature, a spell that involved a complex series of incantations and gestures and it will make various chains to be summoned from the ground and bind the target. Harry tried to memorize the spell, thinking it might come in handy someday, though he doubted he'd ever face a dragon.
What fascinated Harry the most, however, was the journal itself. Despite having read over a hundred pages, the journal seemed no thicker than when he had started. It was as if the book had a life of its own, with new pages appearing as he read. Each time he thought he was nearing the end, more pages would present themselves, filled with yet more of Gosling's adventures.
Harry glanced up from the journal as time passed and noticed the common room was gradually coming to life. The first students to emerge from their dormitories were the older girls, the witches who woke up early to get a head start on the day. They descended the spiral staircases, fully dressed and chatting softly with each other. Some of them caught sight of Harry and greeted him with polite smiles. Harry returned the smiles, thankful that they didn't bombard him with questions. He appreciated their thoughtfulness—he knew they were curious about him, but they were giving him space on his first day.
Soon, the common room began to bustle with activity as more students woke up and prepared for the day. The noise level increased, with conversations and laughter filling the air. Harry looked up from the journal just as Hermione Granger appeared. She was dressed in her school robes, her bushy hair tamed back into a ponytail, and she looked as bright-eyed and eager as ever.
"Good morning, Harry!" Hermione said cheerfully as she joined him on the couch. "I see you're up early as well."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, I'm used to waking up early. I usually start my day with some exercises."
"Oh, really?" Hermione said with interest. "What kind of exercises do you do?"
"All sorts of stuff," Harry replied. "Running, push-ups, pull-ups, things like that. It helps clear my mind and gets me ready for the day."
Hermione nodded. "I wake up early too, usually. But the beds here are just so comfortable. I didn't want to get up this morning!"
Harry chuckled. "I know what you mean. It's tempting to stay in bed a little longer."
Their conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of Neville Longbottom. The round-faced boy looked a bit sleepy but smiled warmly at Harry and Hermione as he approached.
"Good morning, Neville," Hermione greeted him. "How did you sleep?"
"Not bad," Neville replied. "Though I was a bit nervous, to be honest. This place is so big. I kept worrying I'd get lost."
"You're not alone in that," Harry said with a grin. "This castle is massive. It's going to take some time to get used to it."
Harry glanced at the clock on the wall, noting that it was still early. He turned back to Neville and Hermione with an idea.
"Do you guys want to explore the castle a bit before breakfast?" Harry suggested. "I've heard there are all sorts of interesting things to see."
Hermione looked intrigued, but Neville hesitated. "I don't know... I've heard the castle can be tricky to navigate. My uncle told me the staircases change their routes to confuse you. I don't want to get lost, especially not on our first day."
Harry nodded in understanding. "Fair point. I heard the prefects will be taking the first years to the Great Hall for breakfast today so we don't get lost. Maybe we can explore the castle later, once we've got a better sense of where everything is."
Hermione agreed with Neville, and Harry complied with their suggestion. The three of them continued to chat as they waited in the common room, watching the older students gradually leave for breakfast. Soon, the rest of the first years began to trickle down from their dormitories, gathering near the entrance to the common room.
The female prefect, Lily Moon, appeared and began organizing the first years into a group. She was a friendly fifth-year with long, dark hair and a calm demeanor. She greeted them all with a warm smile and handed out small pieces of parchment.
"These are maps of the route to the Great Hall," Lily explained. "They're simple, but they should help you find your way if you ever get turned around. The castle can be confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it."
Harry examined the map, appreciating the prefect's foresight. The path seemed straightforward enough, but the castle was known for its tricks and secrets. He tucked the map into his pocket, just in case.
With Lily Moon leading the way, the first years began their journey to the Great Hall. The corridors of Hogwarts were even more impressive in the morning light than they had been the night before. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting dappled patterns on the stone floors. The castle seemed alive with magic, the walls humming with energy.
As expected, the first years were full of curiosity. Their heads swiveled as they passed by grand portraits that whispered to each other, suits of armor that seemed to shift slightly as they walked by, and tapestries that depicted scenes of battles, feasts, and magical creatures. Every corner they turned seemed to hold something new and fascinating.
Harry found himself particularly drawn to the portraits. Many of them greeted the students as they passed, some offering advice, others making witty remarks. He wished he had time to stop and talk to them, to learn their stories. But for now, he made a mental note to return later. He had seven years at Hogwarts, after all—plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny of the castle.
As they continued their journey, Harry could hear Percy Weasley, the male prefect, herding the group from behind. Occasionally, a student would lag behind, distracted by something interesting, and Percy would gently guide them back to the group.
"Stay close, everyone!" Percy called out. "The castle likes to play tricks on first years. It's easy to get lost if you're not careful."
Harry chuckled at Percy's vigilance but appreciated the prefect's efforts. The castle was indeed full of mysteries, and he was determined to enjoy every minute of his time here.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the Great Hall. The massive wooden doors loomed before them, intricately carved with scenes of magical history. Lily Moon pushed the doors open, and the first years gasped as they stepped inside.
The Great Hall was as magnificent as Harry remembered from the night before. The enchanted ceiling reflected the clear morning sky, and the long tables were already laden with food. The house banners hung proudly from the walls, and the scent of bacon, eggs, and toast filled the air.
Lily and Percy guided the first years to the Gryffindor table, where they found seats among the other students. Harry sat down with Hermione and Neville, and soon they were joined by Ron Weasley, who looked slightly bleary-eyed but cheerful.
Harry smiled at his friends and looked around the hall. The other houses were already gathering, and the teachers were seated at the head table, watching the students with interest. Professor Dumbledore sat in the center, his eyes twinkling as he surveyed the room.