Settling into the Routine
The next morning, Harry woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains of his dorm room. He stretched, feeling well-rested and ready to start the new school year. Talon, ever diligent, had already prepared his clothes for the day—a crisp set of robes neatly laid out, complete with his Umbra house crest embroidered on the front. After dressing, Harry took a moment to glance out the window. The grounds of Arcanum Isle were still bathed in the soft morning light, with the trees casting long shadows over the grassy fields. It was a calm, serene start to what he knew would be a busy year.
He made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, the familiar sounds of students chatting and cutlery clinking filling the air. The hall was a hive of activity as everyone settled into their new routines. Students from all four houses were catching up after the summer, sharing stories, and discussing their new timetables. The smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon wafted through the room, mixing with the aroma of warm tea and coffee.
Talon, as was customary, went off to join the other slaves for their breakfast, leaving Harry to meet up with Cyrus, Selene, and their other friends at the Umbra house table. The hall was buzzing with the usual energy that accompanied the first full day back at school. There was an undercurrent of excitement mixed with the usual dose of nervous anticipation that always came with a new term. As Harry approached the table, he spotted Cyrus animatedly discussing something with another Umbra student, while Selene was reading over a piece of parchment, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Morning, Harry," Selene greeted him without looking up, still focused on her reading.
"Morning," Harry replied, sliding into his seat next to Cyrus. "What's got you so engrossed?"
"Timetables," she replied, finally looking up. "Just figuring out how to balance everything this year. I've got Advanced Transfiguration right before Necromancy on Wednesdays. Not exactly ideal."
Cyrus nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, they don't make it easy, do they? I've got Potions back-to-back with Slave Training. That's going to be a killer."
As the students settled into their seats, the teachers began distributing the timetables for the year. Harry received his, scanning it with interest. His schedule was packed, but it was a mix of familiar classes and new challenges that he found intriguing.
Harry Potter's Timetable (Fourth Year):
Monday
Morning: Defense Against the Dark ArtsMid-Morning: TransfigurationAfternoon: Gift Training
Tuesday
Morning: Potions and AlchemyMid-Morning: Nature's BalanceAfternoon: Astrology
Wednesday
Morning: DivinationMid-Morning: Advanced NecromancyAfternoon: Gift Training
Thursday
Morning: Potions and AlchemyMid-Morning: Slave TrainingAfternoon: Transfiguration
Friday
Morning: Defense Against the Dark ArtsMid-Morning: Advanced NecromancyAfternoon: Gift TrainingEvening: Astrology (Special Evening Class)
Saturday
Free Day (Study and leisure activities)
Sunday
Free Day (Study and leisure activities)
"Looks like a busy year," Harry commented, noting the mix of both practical and academic classes. "But I'm excited for it. Lots of Gift Training this year."
Selene glanced over his shoulder at his timetable. "And two sessions of Advanced Necromancy. You're going to have your hands full with that one."
Cyrus chuckled. "At least we get the weekends free. Plenty of time to catch up on sleep—or get into trouble."
The three of them laughed, knowing full well that trouble had a way of finding them whether they sought it or not. As they ate, they talked more about the upcoming classes, the new professors, and the expectations for the year. The conversation drifted from one topic to another, ranging from the potential challenges in Slave Training to the rumors surrounding the new Astrology professor, who was said to be quite eccentric.
After breakfast, Harry's first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts, a subject he had always enjoyed. The class was held in one of the older wings of the school, the stone walls lined with tapestries depicting famous duels and battles from history. As he walked in, he was pleased to see Professor Drake, a grizzled wizard with a stern expression but a knack for making the material come alive, already preparing for the lesson.
"Good morning, everyone," Professor Drake began as the students took their seats. "This year, we'll be focusing on advanced defensive techniques, counter-curses, and practical application in simulated environments. You'll need to think on your feet and be prepared for anything."
Harry listened intently as the professor outlined their curriculum for the year. The class was a mix of theory and hands-on practice, and Harry could already feel the adrenaline coursing through him at the thought of the upcoming dueling exercises.
The lesson flew by, and before he knew it, it was time for Transfiguration. Professor Lyria, a no-nonsense witch with a passion for detail, dove straight into the complexities of human transfiguration. The class was intense, with everyone concentrating hard on getting their incantations right. Harry found himself partnered with Selene, who, as always, was quick to grasp the nuances of the spells they were learning.
"Focus, Harry," she whispered, her eyes fixed on a small rodent she was attempting to transfigure into a goblet. "Remember the intent behind the spell. It's all about envisioning the change."
By the afternoon, Harry was in Gift Training, one of his favorite classes. This year, they were focusing on more intricate uses of their innate magical abilities, honing their skills under the watchful eye of Professor Eldrin. The class required intense concentration and control, but Harry felt more in tune with his magic than ever before. He could feel the power thrumming beneath his skin, waiting to be shaped.
After class, Harry met back up with Cyrus and Selene, and they discussed their first day.
"Divination tomorrow," Cyrus remarked, rolling his eyes. "Still not convinced it's a real subject."
Selene smirked. "Wait until you meet the new professor. I heard she has some rather... unconventional methods."
Harry grinned. "Sounds like it's going to be an interesting class."
The rest of the week passed in a blur as Harry settled into the routine of his new timetable. Potions and Alchemy with Professor Vorta was challenging but rewarding, and the addition of Nature's Balance provided a refreshing break from the intensity of his other classes. The new Astrology evening class was particularly captivating, with Professor Solaris weaving tales of the stars' influence on magic.
On Thursday, Slave Training took on a more serious tone. The class was rigorous, focusing on the ethics and complexities of control, both magical and psychological. It wasn't an easy class, and Harry could see why it required maturity to handle the subject matter.
The first week ended with a Friday evening class in Astrology. The stars glittered above them in the night sky, and the class felt more like a mystical gathering than a formal lesson. Professor Solaris's voice was low and melodic as he guided them through a meditation under the stars, encouraging them to feel the celestial bodies' pull.
When Saturday came, Harry felt a wave of relief. The free day was a chance to relax and catch up on some much-needed rest. He spent the day in the library with his friends, reviewing notes, practicing spells, and sharing stories. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with the soft hum of quiet conversations and the turning of pages.
By the end of the week, Harry had fully settled into the rhythm of the school year. He felt a renewed sense of purpose and was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The school was his world now, and he was determined to make the most of it.
As he lay in bed that night, Talon quietly tending to his evening needs, Harry felt the weight of the year's potential pressing down on him. But he also felt a spark of excitement—a thrill at the thought of the unknown and all the discoveries yet to come.