The Great Hall buzzed with the hum of excited students as the first-years settled into their seats at the long Gryffindor table.
Golden plates and goblets gleamed under the floating candles, casting flickering light over the vast hall.
The enchanted ceiling above mirrored the night sky, dotted with stars and streaked with wisps of clouds.
"Wow," I breathed, my gaze fixed upward. "This place really knows how to set a mood."
As platters of food materialized on the tables, a collective gasp swept through the hall.
Roasted chickens, platters of sausages, mountains of mashed potatoes, tureens of rich gravy, and baskets overflowing with freshly baked bread filled every inch of the table.
I wasted no time.
Grabbing a plate, I began piling it high with bits of everything—a drumstick here, a scoop of potatoes there, a slice of pie for good measure.
"Aren't you going to explode?" Ron asked, eyeing my towering plate with a mix of awe and concern.
"Strategic planning," I said around a mouthful of chicken. "You never know when you'll need leftovers."
Neville blinked. "Leftovers?"
"Exactly."
I pulled out a small pouch lined with cooling charms I had pre-ordered from Diagon Alley.
Carefully, I wrapped portions of food in napkins and slid them inside.
"You're storing food?" Dean Thomas laughed.
"Mate, there's plenty here."
"Ah, but what if there's a food shortage tomorrow?" I grinned.
"Always be prepared.
First rule of Hogwarts: snack-related emergencies are a real threat."
Seamus snorted, nearly choking on his bread roll.
"You're mental."
"Thank you," I said with a mock bow.
As I was talking, I quickly stored the food in my inventory out of sight.
As we ate, conversation flowed freely.
Ron and Harry recounted their first encounter with a trolley full of sweets, while Hermione quizzed us on the core subjects at Hogwarts.
"So, which subject are you most excited about?" Hermione asked, leaning closer.
"Charms" I said. "But I'm also curious about Potions—mixing stuff to create explosions? Count me in."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not about explosions. It's a precise science—one wrong ingredient, and you could cause serious harm."
"Sounds like a challenge," I grinned. "I'm in."
As the feast continued, Dumbledore rose from his seat at the staff table, his silver beard gleaming in the candlelight. The hall fell silent.
"A few start-of-term announcements," he began, his voice warm and commanding.
"First, the Forbidden Forest is, as its name suggests, strictly forbidden. Unless you wish to encounter creatures that would rather see you as dinner, I recommend staying well away."
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the students.
"So if I don't mind being seen as dinner, I am well within my rights to enter right?" I whispered to Hermione.
She elbowed me.
"Secondly, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is off-limits to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death."
"So if I don't mind a painful death then....gurck" She elbowed me harder this time.
Silence fell over the hall, punctuated only by the clatter of a dropped goblet.
"Cheery," I muttered.
"Finally," Dumbledore continued, "let us end the evening with a bit of music. Before we retire to our dormitories, I invite you all to join in singing the school song. Choose your favorite tune—the lyrics are simple enough."
With a flick of his wand, golden words appeared in the air:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something please...
The hall erupted into a cacophony of voices. Some students sang upbeat tunes, while others attempted dramatic ballads. The Weasley twins, of course, chose a slow, mournful funeral march, their voices dripping with exaggerated sorrow.
They were the last to finish.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore said, wiping a tear from his eye. "A magic beyond all we do here."
The hall erupted into applause.
As the students began to rise, Percy Weasley, our Gryffindor prefect, approached us.
His neatly combed red hair and pinched expression screamed "no-nonsense."
"Follow me," Percy instructed.
"I'll show you to the common room. Stick together, and no dawdling."
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the broomstick," I whispered to Seamus, who snickered.
Percy led us through a maze of staircases and corridors, pointing out landmarks along the way.
"This is the portrait of the Fat Lady," Percy said, stopping in front of a painting of a rather plump woman in a pink dress.
"She guards the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. The password is 'Caput Draconis.' Remember it."
The portrait swung open, revealing a cozy room filled with squashy armchairs, a roaring fireplace, and walls adorned with scarlet and gold tapestries.
"This is the common room," Percy announced.
"Girls' dormitories are to the left, boys' to the right. Your trunks have already been brought up."
We followed him up the spiral staircase to the boys' dormitory. The room was circular, with five four-poster beds draped in red and gold hangings. Trunks were neatly placed at the foot of each bed.
"Home sweet home," I said, flopping onto the bed nearest the window.
Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus claimed the remaining beds.
"This is brilliant," Dean said, looking around.
"Better than my room back home," Ron admitted.
"So," I said, sitting up, "seeing as we're all roommates, let me make a proposition. I can provide treats—chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's beans, you name it—for a modest fee. Fifteen percent above my purchase cost."
Seamus raised an eyebrow. "Fifteen percent?"
"Supply and demand, my friend," I grinned.
"Also, if you want access to the special stock, you'll need to sign a magical NDA as soon as I can make one. Or," I added dramatically, "make an unbreakable vow with me."
Neville's eyes widened. "Unbreakable vow? Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"Only for those who are serious about snacks and certain...advantages," I said solemnly.
Harry chuckled. "You're something else, Sky."
"I try," I said modestly.
As we settled in for the night, the room filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.
The warmth of the common room seeped into every corner, promising that this year would be filled with adventure, mischief, and, most importantly—snacks.