Beyond the veil of memory

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was the sound of beeping machines and the antiseptic smell of a hospital. I tried to lift my head, but a wave of pain shot through my body, making me feel like I was on fire.

As I struggled to sit up, a gentle hand pressed against my shoulder, urging me to lie back down. "Easy, you need to rest," a soft voice whispered.

I tried to speak, but my voice came out hoarse and barely audible. I didn't know what to say anyway. I didn't know where I was, how I got there, or even... who I was. My mind was a complete blank.

Panic set in as I scrambled to remember anything about myself. But my mind was a complete blank slate. I didn't know my name, my age, my family... nothing. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty.

Just as I was starting to feel like I was losing my grip on reality, the person sitting in front of me spoke up. "Do you know who you are?" they asked, their voice soft and gentle.

I shook my head, feeling a wave of desperation wash over me. "N-no," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't remember anything."

The person sitting in front of me, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, leaned forward slightly. "Try to recall something," she encouraged. "Your name, perhaps?"

I closed my eyes, concentrating as hard as I could. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember anything. My mind was a complete blank.

I shook my head, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. "I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's expression was sympathetic, but I could sense a hint of concern behind her eyes. "Don't worry," she said softly. "We'll help you remember. But for now, let's just focus on getting you better, okay?"

The woman smiled warmly and held out a small cup containing a clear liquid. "Drink this," she said. "It will help you feel better."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But something about the woman's kind expression put me at ease, and I took the cup from her.

The liquid tasted slightly sweet and had a faintly medicinal flavor. I drank it down, feeling a slight warmth spread through my chest.

The woman smiled again. "This potion will help you," she said. "It will calm your mind and body, and maybe even help you remember something."

I nodded, feeling a sense of hope rise up inside me. Maybe, just maybe, this mysterious liquid would hold the key to unlocking my memories. 

The woman leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "What do you remember?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing.

I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts. "I... I remember things," I said slowly. "I remember sounds and smells and feelings. But nothing specific. No names, no faces, no places."

The woman nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Does magic mean anything to you?" she asked, her eyes locked on mine.

I paused, feeling a sudden jolt of recognition. "Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I remember magic."

The woman's eyes lit up with excitement. "What do you remember about magic?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.

I closed my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. "I remember the feeling of it," I said. "The power and the energy. I remember being able to do things... impossible things."

The woman smiled, a look of satisfaction on her face. "You could feel the magic," she said, her voice full of conviction. "That's a good sign. It means you're not completely blocked."

I opened my eyes, looking at her in confusion. "Blocked?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"

The woman's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Do you remember how to use wands and cast spells?" she asked, her voice full of anticipation.

I hesitated, feeling a surge of uncertainty. But then, something strange happened. My hand seemed to twitch, as if it was remembering something my mind wasn't.

I looked down at my hand, and suddenly, I could feel it. The familiar weight of a wand, the thrill of channeling magic through it.

"Yes," I said, my voice filled with wonder. "I think I remember."

The woman smiled, a look of excitement on her face. "Let's see," she said, pulling out a wand from behind her back. "Try to cast a simple spell."

The woman handed me the wand, and I took it hesitantly. It felt strange in my hand, yet familiar at the same time. I looked at the woman, who nodded encouragingly.

"Try a simple spell," she repeated. "Something like... Lumos."

I took a deep breath, focusing on the wand in my hand. I remembered the feeling of magic flowing through me, and I tried to recapture that sensation.

"Lumos," I whispered, trying to channel the magic.

To my amazement, a soft, white light erupted from the tip of the wand. I stared at it in wonder, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation.

The woman smiled, her eyes shining with approval. "Well done," she said. "You have a natural talent."

I looked at the light, still glowing softly at the tip of the wand. I felt a sense of wonder and excitement, but also a sense of unease. What did it mean, that I could cast spells? And what was I capable of?

The woman's smile faltered for a moment, and she glanced at me with a hint of concern. "You've had a long day," she said. "And I'm afraid you may have some... unpleasant memories lurking beneath the surface."

She reached for a small vial on the nearby shelf and poured a few drops of a shimmering liquid into a cup. "Drink this," she said, handing me the cup. "It's a dreamless potion. You won't have any nightmares, and you'll be able to rest peacefully."

I took the cup hesitantly, feeling a sense of unease. What kind of memories was she talking about? And what would happen if I didn't drink the portion?

But the woman's kind face reassured me, and I decided to trust her. I drank the liquid in one gulp, feeling it spread through my body like a warm, soothing balm.

Almost immediately, I felt my eyelids growing heavy, and my body relaxing into the bed. The woman smiled and nodded, her eyes shining with kindness.

"Sleep tight," she whispered, before turning out the light and leaving me to my rest.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted by an unfamiliar face. A man with auburn hair and a matching beard sat in a chair beside my bed, watching me with an intense gaze. His eyes were piercing, yet somehow warm and inviting.

I felt a jolt of surprise, and my mind scrambled to take in this new presence. The man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Welcome back," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I see you're feeling a bit better."

"Who are you?" I asked.

The man smiled, his eyes twinkling. "My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I am a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Britain."

He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "I'm here to ask you some questions."

"I must say, you're quite a mystery," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You don't seem to remember anything about yourself, and yet... there's something about you that seems familiar."

He paused, studying me intently. "Tell me, can you remember anything at all? Any details, no matter how small?"

"Can you remember how you apparated in the school's field area?" Professor Dumbledore asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You were injured quite badly, and we had to bring you to St. Mungo's for treatment."

I shook my head, feeling a pang of frustration. "No, I don't remember anything."

Professor Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "I see. And do you remember who saw you first? Who found you in the field?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head.

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "It was one off the students from Slytherin House who found you," he said. "A young man by the name of Tom Riddle."

Professor Dumbledore's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, as if he was lost in thought. "Tom Riddle is a... complicated young man," he said finally. "Very intelligent, very charismatic... but also very ambitious. And ambition can be a dangerous thing, especially when it's not tempered with wisdom and compassion."

He paused, studying me intently. "But I digress. Tom Riddle found you in the field, and he brought you to the attention of the school authorities. And now, here you are."

"I don't remember anything," I said, shaking my head. "I don't remember how I operated in the school fields, or who Tom Riddle is, or why I was so injured."

Professor Dumbledore nodded sympathetically. "It's not surprising that you don't remember," he said. "You suffered a severe blow to the head, and it's possible that your memories are still recovering."

He leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "But I'm afraid we don't have much time to waste," he said. "There are those who would very much like to know what you're doing here, and what you remember."

"Try to remember something from before you apparated in the school field," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes encouraging me to concentrate. "Anything at all. A face, a place, a feeling. Something that might help us understand what happened to you."

I closed my eyes, focusing all my energy on remembering something, anything. But my mind was a complete blank. I couldn't remember my parents, my friends, or even my own name.

Professor Dumbledore's voice was gentle but insistent. "Think back," he urged. "Try to remember something from your childhood. A happy memory, perhaps?"

"Remember your own name," Professor Dumbledore asked gently. "Or something about your family, your home, or your life before Hogwarts. Anything that might help you recall who you are and what happened to you."

I tried to remember, I really did. But the more I thought, the more my head began to hurt. It started as a dull ache, but quickly grew into a sharp, stabbing pain that made me wince.

"Professor Dumbledore, I..." I started to say, but my voice trailed off as the pain became almost unbearable.

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned concerned. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I tried to speak, but all that came out was a groan. The room began to spin, and I felt like I was going to pass out.

--------------------

As the pain reached its peak, everything around me began to blur and fade away. I felt myself being pulled into a dark, hazy world where nothing made sense.

Suddenly, I saw a figure standing in front of me. He was tall, with piercing eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His face was shrouded in shadows, making it impossible to discern any features.

But it was his voice that sent shivers down my spine. "Hadrian," he whispered, his tone low and menacing. "Hadrian, darling."

I tried to respond, but my voice was trapped in my throat. The figure began to laugh, a cold, mirthless sound that made my skin crawl.

The scene shifted, and I felt myself being pulled into a dark, dimly lit room. The figure loomed over me, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

He reached out, his long fingers wrapping around my wrist like a vice. I tried to struggle, but he held me fast, pulling me close.

His lips brushed against my forehead, sending shivers down my spine. "Hadrian, darling," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. "You're mine. You'll always be mine."

I tried to push him away, but he held me fast, his grip like a vice. I felt a wave of darkness wash over me, and everything went black.

---------------

I gasped, my eyes flying open as I was jolted back to the present. I was lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by the familiar white walls and the beeping of machines. Professor Dumbledore was standing over me, his eyes etched with concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse from the vision. I nodded instead, still trying to process what I had just seen.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "You had a vision, didn't you?" he asked, his voice gentle but insistent.

I nodded again, still trying to catch my breath. The memory of the figure's touch, his whispered words, still lingered on my skin, making me shudder.

"What did you see?" Professor Dumbledore asked, his eyes locked intently on mine.

I hesitated, unsure of how to describe the vision. "I saw a man," I said finally. "He was tall, with piercing eyes. He called me Hadrian."

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned thoughtful. "Hadrian?" he repeated. "Is that your name? Hadrian, is that your name?"

I looked up at him, a sense of wonder creeping over me. "It seems so," I said slowly, the words feeling strange but somehow true on my lips.

Professor Dumbledore leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Who was that man?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. "Could you see his face?"

I shook my head, trying to recall the details of the vision. "No, I couldn't see his face clearly," I said. "It was shrouded in shadows. But his eyes... his eyes seemed to bore into my soul."

Professor Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said. "And did you sense anything else about him? Any emotions or intentions?"

I hesitated, trying to put into words the feelings that had flooded me during the vision. "I felt... trapped," I said finally. "Like he had some kind of hold on me. And there was something else... something that felt almost like... affection."

Professor Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Affection?" he repeated. "That's an interesting choice of words. Can you elaborate?"

"I don't know who he was," I said, shaking my head. "But I still don't feel safe around him. It was like I was trapped in a room... or something like that. Whoever he is, he doesn't want anything good from me."

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned grave, his eyes clouding over with concern. "I think you're right," he said quietly. "We need to be careful. We don't know what we're dealing with here."

"Try to remember something else," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes locked intently on mine. "Anything that might give us a hint about your past life. A place, a person, a smell, a sound... anything that might trigger a memory."

I closed my eyes, focusing all my energy on remembering something, anything, from my past. But as I delved deeper into my mind, a familiar sensation began to creep over me. A dull ache started to throb in my temples, growing in intensity until it became a searing pain.

I winced, my eyes flying open as I felt the headache wash over me like a wave. "Ah, no... not again," I muttered, clutching at my head in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned sympathetic. "It seems we've reached a limit," he said gently. "We'll have to try again another time, when you're feeling stronger."

"Let me try," I said, determination etched on my face. "Maybe I can remember something."

Professor Dumbledore nodded encouragingly. "Very well, Hadrian. Take your time."

I closed my eyes, focusing all my energy on remembering something, anything, from my past. I thought back to my time at Hogwarts, trying to recall even the smallest detail. 

And then, suddenly, a memory burst forth in my mind. I was running, my feet pounding against the ground. The sound of booming explosions filled the air, and flames licked at my heels. Everything was on fire, and I was desperate to escape.

A name echoed in my mind, a name that sent shivers down my spine. "Grindelwald," I whispered, my eyes snapping open.

Professor Dumbledore's face turned grave, his eyes clouding with worry. "Grindelwald?" he repeated, his voice low and serious. "Gellert Grindelwald is..... the Dark Lord of great power and evil. He is currently destroying many countries, killing many Muggles, and trying to reach the peak of power to control everything."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I listened to Professor Dumbledore's words. What did it mean that I had a connection to Grindelwald? Was I somehow tied to his evil plans?

I felt a surge of fear at the thought of Grindelwald's evil plans. "Is he in Britain?" I asked, my voice shaking with concern. "His followers are in Britain, aren't they?"

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned reassuring. "No, Hadrian, he hasn't reached Britain yet," he said. "And as long as I am here, I will not let him set foot in this country."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me, but Professor Dumbledore's next words caught me off guard. "There's something I must tell you, Hadrian," he said, his eyes clouding over with a mixture of sadness and nostalgia. "Gellert Grindelwald was once a friend of mine. We were young men, full of ideals and ambition. Before I realized the path he was headed down, I tried to stop him, but ultimately, I failed. After that, I came to Hogwarts, where I am now a professor and the Deputy Headmaster, serving under Armando Dippet, the current Headmaster."

I stared at Professor Dumbledore in shock, unable to believe what I was hearing. "A friend?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "But how... why did he become so evil?"

Professor Dumbledore's eyes seemed to cloud over, lost in thought. "It is a story for another time, Hadrian," he said sadly. "One that I fear may be too painful to recall."

He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again. "But for now, let us keep this conversation between us. Do not speak of this to anyone else, Hadrian. Not even your closest friends. Can I trust you to keep this confidence?"

"I won't tell anyone, Professor," I said, feeling a sense of loyalty and gratitude towards him.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with warmth, and he smiled. "I knew I could trust you, Hadrian," he said.

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of courage. "Professor Dumbledore," I said, "I have to admit, I don't really have any friends... I that I can't even recall if I have any friends here or anywhere."

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned sympathetic, and he nodded understandingly. "You've been through a great deal, Hadrian," he said. "It's not surprising that you feel isolated."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at Professor Dumbledore. "But you've been so kind to me, and you've shared so many things with me... I was wondering if maybe you could be my mentor, or even... a friend?"

Professor Dumbledore's face lit up with a warm smile, and he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I would be honored, Hadrian," he said. "I will do my best to guide and support you, and I am happy to call you my friend."

"I'm glad we've had this chance to talk, Hadrian," Professor Dumbledore said, smiling warmly. "Tomorrow, I will arrange for Headmaster Armando Dippet to meet with us. He and I will fill you in on all the details about Hogwarts, and we will begin the process of making you our first-ever transfer student."

I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of finally learning more about this mysterious school and its inhabitants.

"Don't worry about meeting Headmaster Dippet," Professor Dumbledore added, chuckling. "He can seem a bit... formidable at first, but I assure you, he is a very nice guy. You will get along famously, I'm sure."

Professor Dumbledore looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "Hmmm, I wonder...," he said, eyeing me carefully. "By looking at you, I would guess that you are around... 15 or 16 years old, perhaps?"

"Sixteen, yes, that's correct," Professor Dumbledore said with a nod. "In that case, we will enroll you as a sixth-year student at Hogwarts. You will be a transfer student, and we will do our best to help you catch up with your studies."

Professor Dumbledore smiled at me. "Now, I must say, I am curious to see if you have any magical abilities. Magic can be a bit unpredictable, especially for those who have not been properly trained. But let us try something simple. Can you try to make that candle on the desk in front of you light up?"

"Very well, Hadrian," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with interest. "As a sixth-year student at Hogwarts, you will be expected to have a certain level of magical proficiency. Let us see if you can demonstrate some of that proficiency. I would like you to try a non-verbal spell. Can you make that candle on the desk in front of you light up without saying the incantation?"

I focused my attention on the candle, trying to remember the feeling of magic flowing through me. I raised my wand, pointing it at the candle, and concentrated on the desired outcome. To my surprise, a small flame erupted on the wick, casting a warm glow over the room.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes lit up with delight. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "You have a natural talent for magic, Hadrian. Non-verbal spells are not easy to master, especially for those who have not received formal training."

He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Now, let us try something a bit more complex. Can you make the candle float in the air?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I could manage such a complex spell. But with Professor Dumbledore's encouraging smile, I decided to give it a try. I focused my attention on the candle, visualizing it rising into the air. I moved my wand in a smooth, flowing motion, trying to channel my magic into the spell.

To my amazement, the candle began to rise, floating gently above the desk. I felt a surge of excitement and pride, thrilled that I had been able to accomplish the spell.

Professor Dumbledore beamed with pride, his eyes shining with delight. "Well done, Hadrian!" he exclaimed. "You have a remarkable talent for magic. Now, let us try something even more complex. Can you transform that rock on the desk into a rabbit?"

I stared at the rock, feeling a thrill of trepidation. Transformation magic was notoriously difficult, and I wasn't sure if I was up to the task. But with Professor Dumbledore's encouragement, I decided to give it a try.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he regarded me. "Hadrian, I must say that I am impressed by your magical abilities. But tell me, do you have any knowledge of advanced magic? Can you answer complex questions and think critically about the subject?"

I nodded confidently, feeling a sense of pride in my abilities. "Yes, Professor. I'm familiar with advanced magic and I'm confident in my ability to answer complex questions."

Professor Dumbledore's face lit up with a warm smile. "Excellent! In that case, I think we can dispense with the usual introductory lessons and move straight on to more advanced topics. We'll need to get you caught up on the curriculum, of course, but I think you'll find that you're well-suited to our more challenging courses."

Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Now, let us proceed with your enrollment, Hadrian. Hogwarts is divided into four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Each house has its own unique traditions and values."

He explained that the sorting ceremony would take place on the first day of term, where the Sorting Hat would determine which house I would be sorted into.

"The new session at Hogwarts always begins in September," Professor Dumbledore said. "And, as it happens, we found you just in time. The day we found you was the last day of term, and now it is June. This gives us ample time to prepare you for your transition to Hogwarts."

He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "You will be staying at Saint Mungo's for the time being, where you will receive a little bit more medical attention. After a few days, I will arrange for you to be transferred to Hogwarts, where we can continue to monitor your medical needs and also begin preparing you for your studies."

Professor Dumbledore smiled reassuringly. "At Hogwarts, you will meet your professors, become familiar with the castle and its grounds, and begin to settle into your new life as a student. We will, of course, ensure that your medical needs are taken care of throughout the process."

I looked at Professor Dumbledore, a sudden concern rising in my mind. "What about my memories, Professor?" I asked. "I don't know who my parents are, or my birth year, or even my last name. I don't know anything about myself."

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned sympathetic, and he nodded understandingly. "Your memories, Hadrian, are a bit of a complicated issue," he said gently. "You have been through a traumatic experience, and it's not uncommon for memories to be suppressed or lost in such cases. But do not worry, we will do our best to help you recover your memories and learn more about your past."

I frowned, thinking about the practicalities. "But wouldn't I need some of this information for the enrollment details, Professor?" I asked. "I mean, what will I put down for my parents' names, or my birthdate, or even my last name?"

Professor Dumbledore nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Ah, yes, those are indeed important details. But do not worry, Hadrian, we will take care of all that. We have...arrangements in place for students with unusual circumstances such as yours. Your enrollment will be processed, and we will ensure that all necessary details are taken care of."

I looked at Professor Dumbledore, a sense of concern etched on my face. "Professor, what about those visions when you were interrogating me about my name? What about that shadowy figure who was calling me Hadrian?" I asked.

Professor Dumbledore's expression turned thoughtful. "We do not know who he is, but we would not let him harm you, Hadrian."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "And what about Grindelwald?" I asked.

Professor Dumbledore's eyes seemed to cloud over, and he sat back in his chair. "Gellert Grindelwald will not come and harm my students. I would not let that happen. You would be safe within Hogwarts, Hadrian. Do not worry about him for now."

Professor Dumbledore stood up, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "I think that is enough for today, Hadrian. You have been through a great deal, and this day has already been far too long. You should rest now."

He smiled warmly. "I will come back tomorrow, accompanied by the Headmaster, to complete your enrollment. For now, get some rest and try to process everything that has happened."

With that, Professor Dumbledore turned and walked towards the door, his long robes billowing behind him. "Sleep well, Hadrian. Tomorrow will bring new beginnings."

The next day, I woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. I had no idea what the day would bring, but I knew it would be significant.

The healers came and gave me medicines again. After that, I felt a bit more energized.

Just as I was finishing up, I heard a knock on the door. It was Professor Dumbledore, accompanied by Headmaster Armando Dippet.

"Ah, Hadrian, good morning," Professor Dumbledore said, beaming. "Today, we will finalize your enrollment and get you settled into your new life here."

Headmaster Dippet smiled warmly and handed me a stack of papers. "Let's get started, shall we?"

I took the papers from Headmaster Dippet, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation. I had no idea what to expect from this new chapter of my life.

Professor Dumbledore gestured to a small table, where a quill and inkwell were laid out. "Please, Hadrian, sign these papers to confirm your enrollment at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

I nodded, taking the quill in hand. As I signed my name, I felt a strange sensation, as if I was sealing my fate.

Headmaster Dippet smiled, taking the papers back from me. "Excellent! You are now officially a student of Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore has told me about your situation, Hadrian. You don't remember much about your past, but don't worry, we'll help you fill in the gaps. We'll provide you with everything you need to settle in at Hogwarts. Since it's still June and not September, you'll have a chance to get accustomed to the castle before the rest of the students arrive. For now, Professor Dumbledore will take you to Hogwarts and you can have a room to yourself until you're sorted into a house in September with the other first-year students."

Professor Dumbledore smiled and nodded in agreement with Headmaster Dippet. "Yes, Hadrian, you will have plenty of time to settle in and get familiar with the castle and its surroundings. I will show you to your room and introduce you to the house-elves and other staff members."

With that, Professor Dumbledore beckoned me to follow him. We left Saint Mungo's and apparated to the Hogwarts corridors. As we walked, Professor Dumbledore pointed out various portraits and tapestries, telling me stories about the history of the castle and its former inhabitants. I listened intently, fascinated by the stories and legends that seemed to come alive on the walls around us.

Finally, we arrived at a cozy-looking door with a small plaque that read "Guest Room". Professor Dumbledore smiled and opened the door, revealing a comfortable-looking bed and a small desk with a chair. "This will be your room for now, Hadrian. Make yourself at home, and don't hesitate to ask for anything you need."

I stepped into the room, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. It was cozy and warm, with a fire crackling in the fireplace. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Professor Dumbledore for showing me such kindness.

"Thank you, Professor," I said, turning to him. "This is wonderful."

Professor Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "You're welcome, Hadrian. I'm glad you like it. Now, I'll leave you to get settled. Dinner will be served in the Great Hall at 7 o'clock. I'll meet you there and introduce you to the rest of the staff."

With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him. I was alone in my new room, surrounded by the quiet of the castle. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness. What would the future hold for me here at Hogwarts?