Fire Farters
The Great Hall was quiet in the early morning, the enchanted ceiling above still painted in soft hues of dawn. Most of the school was still asleep, but Caitlyn Kiramman was not most of the school.
She moved with practiced ease, her neatly pressed Hogwarts robes falling effortlessly into place as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table, where the food had already begun to appear. A fresh cup of tea, a neatly arranged plate of eggs on toast, and a folded copy of The Daily Prophet were all waiting for her. The morning routine was a familiar comfort.
Mel Medarda arrived a few minutes later, moving with her usual effortless grace. Like Caitlyn, she was already dressed in her robes—pristine, of course, with the green-and-silver Slytherin crest neatly embroidered. Unlike Caitlyn, she wasn’t here out of discipline or habit—she simply enjoyed the stillness before the rest of the school woke up.
“Morning,” Caitlyn greeted as Mel slid into the seat opposite her, reaching for a cup of tea.
“Morning,” Mel replied, her tone still laced with sleep. She cast a glance around the hall, noting the mostly empty tables. “It’s a rare thing to see Hogwarts this quiet.”
Caitlyn hummed in agreement, taking a sip of her tea. “Not for long. The moment Vi and her lot wake up, this place will be chaos.”
The peace lasted for about ten more minutes before the first signs of life stirred at the entrance of the Great Hall.
Jayce was the first of their usual crowd to arrive, strolling in with his usual casual energy. Unlike the two girls, he was still in his pajamas—striped pants slightly wrinkled and a tank top boldly emblazoned with My Other Wand is Bigger . Mel took one look at him and sighed.
“Morning, ladies,” he greeted with a grin, dropping into the seat next to Mel and immediately piling his plate with food. “How’s the world of early risers treating you?”
Caitlyn shot him a look over her teacup. “It’s peaceful. Or at least, it was.”
Mel chuckled, watching as Jayce practically inhaled his scrambled eggs. “You’re oddly chipper for someone who despises mornings.”
“I’m running on pure excitement and spite,” he said through a mouthful of food. “New year, new classes, new chances to invent new things with Viktor.”
Caitlyn sighed, already bracing herself for the inevitable chaos that was Jayce and Viktor in a lab setting.
The table continued to grow more colorful as more people joined. Powder trudged in next, bleary-eyed and scowling, her hair a tangled mess from what was undoubtedly a late night. She dropped into a seat without greeting anyone, immediately reaching for the nearest cup of coffee. When Jayce made the mistake of opening his mouth, she cut him off with a sharp glare and a low, warning grunt. Conversation was clearly not an option until the caffeine had kicked in.
Viktor arrived not long after, dressed properly in his robes like Mel and Caitlyn. He gave the group a quiet nod before settling in beside Mel, already pulling out a book while buttering a piece of bread with practiced ease.
The doors creaked open once again, revealing Claggor and Ekko casually conversing, with a half-dead Mylo trailing behind.
The Great Hall was quiet in the early morning, the enchanted ceiling above still painted in soft hues of dawn. Most of the school was still asleep, but Caitlyn Kiramman was not most of the school.
She moved with practiced ease, her neatly pressed Hogwarts robes falling effortlessly into place as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table, where the food had already begun to appear. A fresh cup of tea, a neatly arranged plate of eggs on toast, and a folded copy of The Daily Prophet were all waiting for her. The morning routine was a familiar comfort.
Mel Medarda arrived a few minutes later, moving with her usual effortless grace. Like Caitlyn, she was already dressed in her robes—pristine, of course, with the green-and-silver Slytherin crest neatly embroidered. Unlike Caitlyn, she wasn’t here out of discipline or habit—she simply enjoyed the stillness before the rest of the school woke up.
“Morning,” Caitlyn greeted as Mel slid into the seat opposite her, reaching for a cup of tea.
“Morning,” Mel replied, her tone still laced with sleep. She cast a glance around the hall, noting the mostly empty tables. “It’s a rare thing to see Hogwarts this quiet.”
Caitlyn hummed in agreement, taking a sip of her tea. “Not for long. The moment Vi and her lot wake up, this place will be chaos.”
The peace lasted for about ten more minutes before the first signs of life stirred at the entrance of the Great Hall.
Jayce was the first of their usual crowd to arrive, strolling in with his usual casual energy. Unlike the two girls, he was still in his pajamas—striped pants slightly wrinkled and a tank top boldly emblazoned with My Other Wand is Bigger . Mel took one look at him and sighed.
“Morning, ladies,” he greeted with a grin, dropping into the seat next to Mel and immediately piling his plate with food. “How’s the world of early risers treating you?”
Caitlyn shot him a look over her teacup. “It’s peaceful. Or at least, it was.”
Mel chuckled, watching as Jayce practically inhaled his scrambled eggs. “You’re oddly chipper for someone who despises mornings.”
“I’m running on pure excitement and spite,” he said through a mouthful of food. “New year, new classes, new chances to invent new things with Viktor.”
Caitlyn sighed, already bracing herself for the inevitable chaos that was Jayce and Viktor in a lab setting.
The table continued to grow more colorful as more people joined. Powder trudged in next, bleary-eyed and scowling, her hair a tangled mess from what was undoubtedly a late night. She dropped into a seat without greeting anyone, immediately reaching for the nearest cup of coffee. When Jayce made the mistake of opening his mouth, she cut him off with a sharp glare and a low, warning grunt. Conversation was clearly not an option until the caffeine had kicked in.
Viktor arrived not long after, dressed properly in his robes like Mel and Caitlyn. He gave the group a quiet nod before settling in beside Mel, already pulling out a book while buttering a piece of bread with practiced ease.
The doors creaked open once again. Claggor, already dressed in his Hogwarts robes, walked in beside Ekko, who was still in his pajamas—an oversized T-shirt with a faded band logo and loose plaid pants. Mylo trailed behind them, looking like death warmed over. His hair was an absolute disaster, sticking up in odd directions as though he’d either been struck by lightning or lost a fight with his pillow. His eyes were half-lidded, and he looked moments away from crawling back into bed right there on the floor.
Much like Powder, Mylo wordlessly dragged his feet over to the table, collapsed into the seat next to Jayce, and buried his face in his arms.
“Morning, sunshine,” Jayce greeted, patting Mylo on the back.
Mylo groaned.
Mel snorted. “Rough night?”
Mylo lifted his head just enough to glare at her through tired eyes. “ I hate mornings. ”
“Not sure mornings like you much either,” Mel quipped, smirking as Mylo attempted to fix his hair with one hand and gave up halfway through.
He grabbed the nearest piece of toast, didn’t bother with a plate, and took a bite. “Wake me when it’s lunchtime.”
Laughter rippled through the group, and just like that, the once peaceful Ravenclaw table had transformed into an unorthodox mix of Gryffindors, Slytherins, and Ravenclaws alike. Other students cast them occasional glances, but at this point, it was just expected that this group didn’t care much for house divisions.
The conversation continued, lighthearted and full of teasing jabs. Powder finally had her coffee - now devouring a stack of pancakes - and Mylo had begun to regain some semblance of life. Ekko nudged Claggor playfully, eyeing the clock.
“Do you think Vi’s going to make it this time, or is she still sleeping like a rock?” Ekko asked with a grin.
Claggor raised an eyebrow. “She’s worse than Mylo and Powder combined. I give her another half hour before she drags herself in, if she even comes at all.”
As if on cue, the door to the Great Hall swung open with a quiet creak, and the familiar figure of Vi appeared in the doorway, looking shockingly wide awake.
The group fell silent for a moment, eyes widening as Vi casually strolled in. Her fiery red hair was tousled as usual, but there wasn't a hint of bedhead to be found. More importantly—she was fully dressed in her Hogwarts robes.
Vi’s gaze flicked over to the table, catching sight of the group as she headed toward them, a small smile playing on her lips.
She plopped down next to Powder, stealing a pancake from her stack.
“Morning all.” Vi greeted, grinning as Powder swatted at her hand too late.
The Slytherin girl rolled her eyes but didn’t protest further, used to her sister’s antics by now. “You do know you can just summon your own food, right?”
“Yeah, but yours looks better,” Vi said, biting into it with a grin.
The group stared for a moment, stunned by Vi’s sudden and completely unexpected entrance. For a few seconds, there was nothing but the soft clink of silverware and background chatter.
Mylo was the first to speak, his voice filled with disbelief. “Okay, seriously, what kind of sorcery is this? You’re actually awake. Like, fully awake. And dressed. No way you’ve been up for more than an hour.”
Vi shrugged casually, still chewing her pancake. “I’m just hungry,” she said, giving them a shrug like it was the most obvious explanation in the world.
Claggor squinted at her, clearly unconvinced. “You’ve never been this... well, awake before breakfast. Are you sure you didn’t sneak in a full pot of coffee or something?”
Vi smirked, gesturing at her fully dressed state. “Well, I didn’t really want to stroll down here in my underwear, so I thought I’d get changed.”
Jayce, still in his ridiculous pajama pants, huffed. “Yeah, well, some of us have priorities.”
Vi grinned, stealing another pancake from Powder’s stack. “And mine was looking better than you.”
Jayce scoffed. “Rude.”
The group exchanged skeptical glances, but no one pushed her further. Powder, who had learned to pick her battles with Vi, sighed and shook her head, clearly unbothered.
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth from the previous night’s rain. Caitlyn stood near the wooden fence by Professor Benzo’s hut, her posture straight and arms loosely crossed as she scanned the area, her gaze sharp and focused, ready for the lesson ahead. Most of the class were arriving, scattered in small clusters, chatting idly while they waited.
Professor Benzo was already outside, crouched by a large wooden crate near his hut, carefully adjusting the straps securing the lid. He muttered something under his breath, tapping the side with his wand, the crate giving a faint rustle in response. He seemed entirely absorbed in whatever he was preparing, barely acknowledging the students as they arrived.
Footsteps crunched over the damp grass. Claggor and Mylo arrived, their usual energy dampened by the early hour. They were deep in conversation, so distracted by their own discussion that they barely seemed to notice the others.
Vi followed a step behind, hands shoved in her pockets, red hair tousled by the wind. She scanned the group briefly, glancing at Caitlyn, before slipping into a conversation with a pair of Hufflepuffs.
Benzo finally straightened, wiping his hands on his robes. “Alright, settle down,” he said gruffly. “We’re heading into the forest today, so try not to wander off.”
Without further explanation, he turned and started walking. The students trailed after him, some exchanging curious glances, others simply resigned to the morning chill.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at a fenced-off enclosure nestled between towering trees. Patches of dark, ashy ground stood in contrast to the damp forest floor. Scattered among them were creatures that looked, at first glance, like oversized turtles—until the light hit just right, revealing the gleam of gemstones embedded in their shells.
Benzo stopped at the gate, turning to face the class. “Can anyone tell me what these are?”
A few students hesitated before Caitlyn spoke up. “Fire Crabs.”
“Correct,” Benzo said with a nod. “Now, who can tell me where they’re usually found?”
“Tropical beaches,” Vi answered.
“Good.” he glanced around, eyes sharp— “Today your job is to feed them. A word of warning, don’t make any sudden movements. They don’t like surprises.”
A few students shifted uncomfortably. Someone muttered, “Wait—don’t they shoot fire?”
Benzo smirked. “That’s the fun part.” He gestured to a bucket beside the fence, filled with large leafy greens. “Now, if you want to avoid getting burned, pay attention. Fire Crabs don’t like being startled, so approach them slowly—let them see you. Keep your hand flat when offering food, and don’t hover too long, or they might take offense. If they start to glow, back off. That means they’re getting ready to defend themselves.”
Benzo stepped back, waving a hand toward the bucket of greens. “Well? Get to it. Let’s see if you lot can follow instructions.”
There was a moment of hesitation before the students began to move. Some hung back, eyeing the Fire Crabs warily, while others stepped forward with more confidence.
Claggor was the first to reach the bucket, grabbing a handful of leaves and approaching one of the larger crabs with slow, deliberate steps. He crouched down, extending his hand, and the Fire Crab regarded him with a lazy blink before snatching the food with surprising speed. Claggor grinned. “Not so bad.”
Nearby, Mylo wasn’t quite as patient. “How slow do we actually have to be?” he muttered, tossing a leaf toward a crab rather than handing it over properly.
The Fire Crab tensed. A faint, red glow pulsed beneath its shell.
“Back up,” Claggor warned.
Mylo took a single step back—then yelped as the crab shot a small burst of flame in his direction. He scrambled away, cursing under his breath as the surrounding students laughed.
Benzo shook his head. “That’s exactly what I told you not to do.”
Caitlyn, meanwhile, was more reserved. She kept her distance at first, watching the others before finally grabbing a few leaves and stepping forward. One of the smaller Fire Crabs eyed her warily, its gemstone-encrusted shell catching the light.
“You should crouch lower,” a voice sounded behind her. “Makes you less threatening.”
Caitlyn glanced over her shoulder. Vi sat on the ground a few feet away, legs crossed, scratching the shell of a particularly large Fire Crab that had leaned against her knee like some kind of oversized, fiery cat. The rest of the creatures around her were contentedly munching on the greens she offered, drawn to her presence like she was one of them.
Caitlyn hesitated before shifting lower, planting one knee against the dirt. The Fire Crab in front of her blinked its beady eyes and shuffled slightly forward but still refused to take the food from her hand.
Vi, without looking up, casually dropped another leaf into the mouth of the crab resting against her. “Try moving slower, too, you’re overthinking it.”
Caitlyn exhaled sharply, adjusting her posture again. She extended the leaves once more, this time with more patience, careful not to make any sudden movements.
The Fire Crab sniffed the air, inching forward a little more—then, finally, it snatched the food from her hand.
Benzo, passing by, gave her an approving nod. “Not bad, Kiramman.”
Caitlyn allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. That wasn’t so hard . Feeling more confident, she reached for another leaf and extended it toward a second Fire Crab, this time moving with less hesitation. But as she adjusted her stance, her knee accidentally knocked against a loose rock, sending it tumbling forward with a sharp clack against the dirt.
The Fire Crab tensed immediately. Its shell pulsed with an angry red glow, legs digging into the ground as it reared slightly.
Caitlyn barely had time to react before Vi moved.
In a single, fluid motion, Vi lunged forward and scooped the Fire Crab up with both hands, turning it away just as a burst of flame erupted from its rear. The fire shot harmlessly into the air, missing Caitlyn entirely.
The other students flinched at the sudden flare of heat. Mylo let out a low whistle. “Damn, that was close.”
Caitlyn, frozen in place, exhaled sharply. Vi, still crouched, gave the crab a small pat on its shell before setting it down with practiced ease. The creature gave a disgruntled click but didn’t attempt to fire again.
Vi dusted off her hands, glancing at Caitlyn. “Overconfident,” she muttered.
Caitlyn swallowed, cheeks burning slightly—not from the near miss, but from Vi’s casual, almost indifferent tone. Before she could respond, Vi was already turning away, back to her little cluster of Fire Crabs, as if nothing had happened at all.
Benzo continued watching the class, occasionally nodding in approval or offering corrections. “Keep an eye on their shells,” he reminded them. “If they start glowing, you’re too close or moving too fast. Respect their space, and they’ll tolerate you.”
For most students, the task was manageable—so long as they didn’t get too careless. A few stray embers flew as the Fire Crabs asserted themselves, but no one was seriously singed.
Still, Mylo scowled as he wiped soot from his cheek. “This class better be worth it.”
Benzo clapped his hands together, drawing the class’s attention. “Right, it’s time for the next part of the lesson.” He crouched down beside one of the larger Fire Crabs, running a calloused hand over its gemstone-encrusted shell. “Fire Crabs might look tough, but their shells need regular maintenance. Sand, soot, and dirt get trapped between the gemstones, which can cause irritation, infections, and, in some cases, even weaken the shell.”
He straightened up, brushing off his hands. “Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped poachers from hunting them down. Their shells are illegally used to make cauldrons.” His expression darkened slightly. “There’s a whole underground market for them, and since Fire Crabs are native to Fiji, they’re often smuggled and mistreated. That’s why places like this exist—to study them properly and keep them safe.”
A hush settled over the students, some exchanging glances. Even Mylo looked momentarily serious.
Benzo exhaled through his nose before continuing. “Anyway, it’s our job to take care of the ones we have here. And that means giving them a proper cleaning.”
He grabbed a small wooden bucket filled with enchanted water and a set of soft-bristled brushes, holding them up for the class to see. “The process is simple. You’ll use the brush to scrub between the gemstones—gently. No sudden movements, and for Merlin’s sake, avoid their rear ends unless you enjoy dodging fire.” His eyes flicked to Mylo at that last part, who scowled as a few students snickered.
To demonstrate, Benzo knelt beside the Fire Crab, dipping the brush into the water before carefully scrubbing along the grooves of its shell. The crab made a low, rumbling noise—not quite a purr, but close enough. “See? Nice and easy.” He set the brush down and stood. “Now, grab a brush and get to work.”
The students hesitated for only a moment before moving to grab their supplies. Vi was among the first to start, crouching beside one of the larger Fire Crabs and running a hand over its shell before getting to work. The creature barely stirred, shifting its weight slightly as if enjoying the attention.
Caitlyn, however, was struggling. Her crab shifted constantly, clicking its claws in irritation every time she tried to steady it. She furrowed her brows, attempting to hold it still with one hand while vigorously scrubbing with the other.
“Kiramman, move slower,” Benzo advised as he made his rounds, “You’re making him nervous.”
Caitlyn exhaled sharply but adjusted her approach, loosening her grip slightly and brushing in smoother motions. The Fire Crab twitched but didn’t immediately try to scuttle away. Progress.
Meanwhile, Mylo was already growing impatient. “Does it really need this much scrubbing?” he muttered, pressing harder against his crab’s shell.
The crab let out a sharp chitter, legs tensing. Claggor, working nearby, glanced over. “I’d ease up if I were you.”
“Relax, I’ve got it—” Mylo barely finished the sentence before his Fire Crab gave an annoyed screech and shot a small but fierce burst of flame in his direction. He yelped, jerking back just in time to avoid a second torching.
Benzo sighed. “That’s what happens when you rush.”
Vi snorted but kept her focus on her own Fire Crab, finishing the last few strokes with practiced ease. She gave the shell one final wipe, then sat back as the creature rumbled in satisfaction.
Caitlyn, still struggling, shot her a look. Vi simply smirked, tossing her brush into the bucket with a soft splash.
As the students worked, Benzo clapped his hands once. “You’re free to go once your Fire Crab is properly cleaned.”
A few students perked up at that, suddenly far more motivated to finish their scrubbing. Mylo shot a glance at his crab, then at Claggor’s much cleaner one, clearly debating whether his was clean enough . Claggor gave him a look that said don’t even think about it .
Benzo continued as he made his rounds. “Before you leave, make sure to note this down—each of you will be keeping a notebook for this class. Every lesson, you’ll record details about the creatures we study—what they are, their behaviors, how to care for them, and any important information we cover. Think of it as your own personal guide to magical creatures.” He cast a pointed look at the students. “There’ll be an exam at the end of the year covering everything we learn, so take this seriously. If your notes are rubbish, you’ll regret it.”
One by one, students began finishing up, stepping away as their Fire Crabs rumbled in satisfaction and scuttled back toward their enclosure. Vi, however, didn’t move. She had been finished for a while but chose to remain seated, her legs crossed as she leaned over her notebook, idly jotting down notes. The Fire Crabs she fed earlier gravitated towards her, forming an armored circle around her.
Caitlyn, finally satisfied with her work, gave her Fire Crab one last glance before pulling out her notebook. She jotted down a few quick notes, then stood to leave. As she passed by Vi, she glanced down at her. “You coming?”
Vi finished the last line in her notebook, snapping it shut with a soft thud. With one last affectionate rub to the crabs around her, she stood and followed Caitlyn out.
As they walked back toward the castle, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the dewy grass, Caitlyn glanced sideways at Vi. "Hey," she started, shifting her notebook under one arm. "Thanks—for earlier. You really saved me back there."
Vi smirked, shoving her hands into her pockets. "That crab was about to scorch your hair off, I couldn’t let that happen."
Caitlyn huffed a small laugh. "Still, I appreciate it."
Vi shrugged, but there was an unmistakable warmth in her expression. "Anytime."
Caitlyn smirked, tilting her head. "Who knew you were so good with fire-shooting turtles? Should I start calling you the Crab Whisperer?"
Vi snorted. "Please don't."
"Oh, I don’t know… I think it suits you. All that quiet bonding, feeding them by hand..." Caitlyn teased, nudging her playfully with her elbow.
Vi rolled her eyes but couldn't fully suppress a smile. "Don't make it weird, cupcake."
The fifth-year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws filed into the Potions classroom, the cool dungeon air thick with the sharp scent of herbs and the lingering bite of past failed experiments. It was the second to last lesson of the day, and a certain sluggishness had settled over the students as they prepared for another lesson.
Mylo and Claggor immediately claimed a cauldron at the back of the room, already jostling each other for space as they unpacked their supplies. Caitlyn and Vi took the spot next to them, Caitlyn neatly setting out her quills, parchment, and textbook while Vi simply leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she waited for the lesson to start.
Professor Silco swept into the room, his sharp gaze scanning over the students as the chatter died down. "Today, you will be brewing the Elixir of Euphoria," he announced, his voice smooth but commanding. "A potion that, when properly brewed, induces an artificial sense of joy. If done incorrectly, however, it may result in excessive laughing or uncontrolled singing—so do try to follow the instructions carefully."
Caitlyn flipped open her textbook, scanning the neatly printed instructions before turning to the correct page. She nudged Vi lightly with her elbow. "Come on, let's get what we need."
The two made their way to the ingredient stores at the side of the room, Caitlyn carefully measuring out the necessary amounts while Vi grabbed a few extra sprigs of peppermint without explanation. "That’s not in the book," Caitlyn noted, raising an eyebrow.
Vi smirked. "Trust me."
They returned to their cauldron, and while Caitlyn meticulously arranged the ingredients in the order listed in the textbook, Vi immediately started working, pulling leaves off the peppermint sprigs.
“What are you doing?” Caitlyn whispered sharply as Vi crushed a few sprigs of peppermint instead of leaving them whole.
Vi shrugged. “This releases the oils faster.”
Caitlyn's grip on the textbook tightened. “That’s not what it says.”
“Books don’t always know everything.” Vi sprinkled the peppermint into the cauldron and casually added a pinch of moonshine dust.
Caitlyn watched in horror, fully expecting their potion to curdle into something dangerous. But instead, the liquid shimmered faintly, turning a murky yellow.
Before Caitlyn could press further, Professor Silco strolled past their table. He leaned in slightly, sniffing the potion, his expression unreadable. Then, with the smallest nod of approval, he walked away without a word. Caitlyn blinked, clearly thrown by the silent acknowledgment.
In the background, Mylo and Claggor’s brewing process was far less smooth.
“You added too much Hellebore syrup!” Claggor hissed, nudging Mylo’s arm.
“Oh, and you think tossing in more ginger root is going to fix it?” Mylo shot back.
Before either could stop it, their potion fizzed violently, turned a garish pink, and erupted into a plume of sparkling bubbles. Claggor took a startled breath—then immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over the table.
Vi glanced at Caitlyn, smirking. “Think we should help them?”
Caitlyn sighed, rubbing her temple. “I think we should back away.”
Vi walked away to grab more ingredients, leaving Caitlyn to watch the cauldron. As she absentmindedly double-checked the instructions, Caitlyn carefully measured out the next ingredient and poured it into the cauldron. The moment it hit the mixture, the potion hissed and sizzled, turning an alarming shade of deep blue. Immediately, the potion hissed and sizzled, turning an alarming shade of deep orange.
Caitlyn’s eyes widened in horror. "Oh no."
Vi returned just in time to see the reaction. "What did you do?"
"I don’t know! I just added the Shrivelfig juice and it -"
Vi didn’t wait for an explanation. She grabbed a handful of powdered honeywater and tossed it into the cauldron, stirring rapidly. The hissing slowed, the blue hue dulling slightly.
Caitlyn clutched her textbook, using it as a shield. "Is it—"
"Under control," Vi muttered, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced. "The ginger root should be smashed and added before the Shrivelfig juice—otherwise, the potion becomes too unstable."
Caitlyn frowned, flipping back through the textbook. "That’s not in the instructions. How do you even know that?"
Vi shrugged. "Potion brewing is like cooking. You just get a feel for it after a while."
Eventually, their potion settled into a smooth golden color, the telltale shimmer of a well-brewed Elixir of Euphoria. Vi gave it a final stir before stepping back with a satisfied nod.
Professor Silco began making his rounds, noting down those who had struggled and those who had succeeded. He lingered for a moment at Mylo and Claggor’s table, where Claggor was still giggling uncontrollably. With a slow sigh, he jotted something down before handing Claggor a vial and moving on.
When he reached Vi and Caitlyn’s table, he observed their potion for a moment, then marked something on his clipboard. "Clean up your stations. Class dismissed."
Students began packing up, some with sighs of relief and others with groans of frustration. Vi smirked at Caitlyn. "See? Told you we'd be fine."
Caitlyn exhaled, shaking her head as she started tidying up. "Next time, just tell me what you're doing before you start throwing things in."
Vi only grinned. "Where's the fun in that?" With that, she grabbed her bag and strolled out of the room, leaving behind a stunned Caitlyn, still processing everything that had just happened.
As Vi made her way out of the classroom, Mylo and Claggor quickly caught up with her.
“What’s your next class?” Mylo asked, adjusting the strap of his bag.
Vi smirked. “Tinkerers’.”
Claggor raised an eyebrow. “That elective where they let you build stuff with basically no supervision?”
“Yup.”
“Isn’t that the one with, like, barely any students?” Mylo added.
Vi nodded. “Yeah. It’s the only class that mixes fourth, fifth, and sixth years since there aren’t enough of us to split by year.”
Claggor snorted. “Great. So, basically, they let a bunch of nerds and pyromaniacs loose with tools and magic.”
Vi grinned. “Pretty much.”
Mylo let out a dramatic groan. “Ugh, lucky. Meanwhile, we’re off to Alchemy—just another excuse for Professor Heimerdinger to ramble about ‘theoretical applications’ for an hour.
Claggor chuckled. “You mean another excuse for you to sleep through half the lesson.”
Mylo waved a dismissive hand. “Same thing.”
They reached the corridor where their paths split, the brothers veering left toward the Alchemy classroom while Vi continued down the hall.
“Try not to blow anything up!” Claggor called over his shoulder.
Vi smirked. “No promises.”
With that, they went their separate ways.
Vi stepped into the Tinkerers' classroom, a spacious workshop-like space filled with enchanted tools, workbenches, and shelves stacked with raw materials. The air smelled faintly of wood shavings, burnt metal, and ink—a mix of creation and experimentation.
The Tinkerers' elective was unique in that it combined fourth, fifth, and sixth years into one class due to its small size. Even then, only a handful of students had chosen to take it.
Professor Elias Verren was perched on the edge of his desk, flipping through a notebook filled with incomprehensible scribbles. His robes were rumpled, the sleeves shoved up to his elbows, revealing ink-stained fingers. His wild hair looked even messier than usual, as if he’d just walked through a thunderstorm.
He glanced up when the students entered, grinning. "Alright, welcome back to the best class in this school—objectively speaking. Hope you all had a good summer. No one lost a hand tinkering over break?" He gave a pointed look at a fifth-year who had, in fact, managed to burn their eyebrows off the previous year. "Excellent. Let's get started."
Students gathered loosely around Professor Verren, some standing with arms crossed, others shifting on their feet, waiting for instructions. No one had claimed a workbench yet—this was their first class, after all, and most were still gauging the atmosphere. Viktor stood near the back, notebook already in hand, while Powder bounced slightly on the balls of her feet, eyes darting toward the shelves filled with materials.
Professor Verren clapped his hands together. "Now, reminder for the newbies and refresh for the rest of you: this class isn’t about memorizing spells or writing essays on theory. You’re here to make something. Could be a potion-stirring automaton, a self-writing quill, or even a teacup that bites people who try to steal it—I don’t judge. What matters is that by the end of the year, you have a tangible project, a detailed explanation of the process, and a presentation proving you actually learned something."
He tapped his temple. "More thinking, less exploding. That being said… small explosions are inevitable. Just try not to set me on fire. Again."
Professor Verren flicked his wand, and the chalkboard behind him scrawled out a few reminders. "You can work alone or in pairs. Choose wisely. You’ll be stuck with your partner’s terrible ideas for the next year."
A brief pause settled over the group as students exchanged glances, silently weighing their options. Then, with a shuffle of movement, they began spreading out, claiming workbenches.
Vi made a beeline for an empty spot near the back, away from the more chaotic students who would no doubt blow something up within the month. She didn’t even consider partnering up—working alone meant working at her own pace, no need to explain herself to someone else.
Powder flitted between workbenches for a moment before finally settling into a space of her own. She shot a glance toward Ekko, who had chosen a spot not far from her, though neither of them said anything. They had a habit of working solo, but that never stopped them from meddling in each other’s projects.
Jayce and Viktor shared a brief look of excitement before claiming a workbench together, already in sync without needing a word.
As the last few students settled in, Professor Verren hopped off his desk, rubbing his hands together. "Alright, you've got your space, you've got your freedom—now let’s see if you’ve got any good ideas. Start thinking, start planning. By next week, I want to see outlines. No rush, of course—just know that procrastinators never build anything worthwhile." He grinned. "And yes, that was directed at at least half of you."
He stretched his arms over his head before gesturing broadly to the room. “This space is yours. Your workbench is your domain—treat it with respect, don’t wreck anyone else’s, and you’re free to come by outside of class hours whenever you want. Just not during other lessons, obviously.” His grin turned sly. “I know some of you would love an excuse to skip Ancient Runes, but let’s pretend we have priorities.”
“Alright, genius, what’s the plan?” Jayce nudged Viktor.
Viktor smirked, eyes still on his notes. “You assume I already have something planned?”
Jayce leaned back, stretching his arms. “Obviously. You probably spent all summer coming up with ideas.”
Viktor let out a quiet chuckle. “Not all summer.”
Jayce slapped the table. “Knew it. Alright, let’s hear ‘em.”
Viktor scanned his notes. “Well… a self-stirring cauldron could be useful. Potion-making requires precise mixing—an enchanted device could eliminate errors.”
Jayce wrinkled his nose. “Too safe. And kinda dull. Next.”
Viktor hummed. “An adaptive quill that changes ink color based on the writer’s emotions?”
Jayce frowned, considering it. “Not bad… but what if someone’s just always angry? Their notes would be solid red.”
Viktor smirked. “Then their professors would know to tread carefully.”
Jayce laughed but shook his head. “Nah, we can do better. What about something with fire ? Like—” he snapped his fingers, eyes lighting up. “A flamethrower wand!”
Viktor gave him a flat look. “You want to make an incendiary weapon inside Hogwarts?”
Jayce blinked, then hesitated. “…Yeah, okay, maybe not our smartest move.”
Viktor sighed, tapping his quill. “Let’s keep it practical . Something that would be useful outside of combat.”
Jayce crossed his arms, thinking. “Alright, fine. What about an enchanted dumbbell? A weight that adjusts itself based on the user’s strength? Good for training, right?”
“Interesting… but niche.” Viktor tapped his fingers against his notebook. “What about communication? A way to send messages instantly?”
Jayce frowned. “Like enchanted parchments? Those already exist.”
Viktor shook his head. “No, no. Something more direct, like a magic walkie-talkie.”
Jayce blinked. “Walkie-what?”
Viktor smirked. “Its a small device that lets people talk to each other over short distances without needing paper or owls. Instant voice communication.”
Jayce’s brows furrowed. “Wait, muggles have something like that already?”
“They do. But ours could be better.” Viktor’s eyes gleamed with interest. “We could make a magical version. No electricity, no need for Muggle technology. Just… magic.”
Jayce considered it, then slowly grinned. “Alright, I’m listening.”
Viktor sketched out a rough diagram. “If we design it correctly, it could transmit voices across a set distance without the need for direct magical input each time. A small charge of magic should be enough to send a message.”
Jayce nodded. “Okay, but we gotta make sure no one else can listen in. Otherwise, what’s stopping some nosy Slytherin from tuning into our channel?”
Viktor smirked. “Security will be a challenge. Perhaps a magical attunement—only designated users can hear the messages.” He scribbled security wards? in the margins.
Jayce pointed at the page. “And range. We need it to work across Hogwarts at least.”
Viktor hummed. “Hogwarts’ wards might interfere. That will take testing.” He tapped the page. “But even if we start small, this has potential. Instant, secure magical communication. Simple, efficient… practical .”
Jayce grinned. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Let’s do it.”
The Gryffindor common room was comfortably warm, the golden light from the fireplace casting soft shadows across the walls. Everyone had changed out of their robes, settling into their usual places—except, of course, that half of them weren’t even Gryffindors.
A pair of first years hesitated near the entrance, eyes darting between the familiar red-and-gold decor and the Slytherins and Ravenclaws lounging like they belonged. Powder, curled up in one of Vi’s sweaters, caught their staring and grinned. “Boo.”
The first years scurried off.
Ekko, hunched over a notebook, barely looked up as he muttered, “You really gotta stop traumatizing the new kids.” His quill tapped absently against the page, his mind clearly elsewhere.
“Why? It’s funny,” Powder said, grinning.
Across the room, Claggor and Mylo sat cross-legged on the floor, a deck of Exploding Snap cards between them. Mylo was dealing with exaggerated flair, flicking each card dramatically onto the pile.
“You’re taking this way too seriously,” Claggor muttered, eyeing him.
“That’s because you always cheat,” Mylo shot back.
Claggor scoffed. “It’s a game of luck.”
“And yet, somehow, you always win.”
A card sparked between them, bursting with a loud pop! and sending Mylo scrambling back with a yelp. Claggor just chuckled, completely unbothered, and collected the pile.
Mylo glared. “Cheater.”
Meanwhile, Viktor and Jayce were explaining their project to Mel and Caitlyn, their words tumbling over each other as they described the concept.
“Alright, but—what’s stopping someone from just yelling into it to annoy everyone?” Mel interrupted.
Jayce blinked, then turned to Viktor. “Uh—what’s stopping that?”
Viktor smirked. “User responsibility. And if that fails, a silencing charm.”
Caitlyn shook her head, amused. “You two are going to spend all year working on this, aren’t you?”
“Obviously,” Jayce grinned.
Powder snorted. “Figures you nerds are making something practical instead of something fun.”
“Communication is fun,” Viktor deadpanned.
Ekko finally looked up from his book. “I mean, could be useful if you two actually pull it off.”
The conversation carried on, easy and familiar, the group settling into their usual rhythm. The first years who had passed through still seemed confused, but no one else in the common room batted an eye at the obvious intruders.
At some point, Powder stretched, then frowned slightly as she glanced around. “Wait—where’s Vi?”
Claggor, still shuffling the deck, shrugged. “Saw her when we got back from class. She changed real quick, said she had to go somewhere. Just told me she’d be at dinner.”
“She say where?” Powder asked, raising a brow.
“Nope.”
Before Powder could press further, Mylo let out a victorious shout. "Ha! Exploded right in your face!"
Claggor coughed through the faint trail of smoke curling from his scorched card, waving a hand in front of his face. “Lucky shot.”
“Skill, actually.” Mylo smirked, flicking another card onto the pile.
Powder, sufficiently distracted, leaned over the arm of the couch. “Alright, alright, deal me in. Claggor’s winning too much.”
The common room buzzed with playful energy, the familiar warmth of the hearth settling over them like a well-worn blanket. The scent of old parchment and polished wood mixed with the faint traces of smoke from Mylo’s last unfortunate card draw. Laughter, the occasional pop of an exploding snap card, and the low hum of conversation filled the space, weaving together into something undeniably Hogwarts .
Outside the tall windows, the sky had deepened into soft hues of orange and violet, the last remnants of daylight slipping beyond the horizon. The castle beyond was alive in its own way—distant footsteps echoed in the halls, enchanted lanterns flickered to life, and the great stone walls stood strong as they had for centuries, keeping watch over the students within.
For now, the world outside didn’t matter. Here, in the heart of Gryffindor Tower, surrounded by the glow of the fire and the familiar, easy chaos of their group, it was just another evening at Hogwarts.