Harry's First Night as an Umbra
Following the sorting ceremony, Harry joins the other Umbra students in the Great Hall for dinner. The hall is illuminated by floating candles, and the atmosphere is one of subdued excitement as the new students are welcomed into their respective Houses. The Umbra table, where Harry now sits, is draped in dark purple, the House's signature color, and the conversations around him are low and hushed, reflecting the mysterious and secretive nature of Umbra. Dinner consists of a variety of dishes, many of which are rich and hearty. Harry notices that the food is different from what he's used to at Hogwarts—there's an emphasis on earthy, robust flavors, with a touch of the exotic. As he eats, Harry listens to the conversations around him, catching snippets about upcoming classes, House traditions, and the subtle rivalries between the Houses.
After dinner, as the students begin to disperse, Emma approaches Harry one last time. Her presence is as calming as ever, though there's a hint of something more serious in her eyes. "This is where I leave you, Harry," she says softly. "You've taken your first steps into a new world, and I believe you'll find your place here. Trust yourself, and trust the magic within you. Good luck." With that, she gently touches his shoulder, and then her form begins to fade, leaving Harry standing alone for a moment in the now-quiet hall. A senior Umbra student, the same who guided him earlier, leads Harry and a few other new Umbra students to their dormitory. The halls are dimly lit, with torches that flicker gently against the dark stone walls, casting long shadows. The walk is silent, save for the soft echoes of their footsteps.
The Umbra dormitory is located in one of the older, more secluded towers of Arcanum Isle. The room Harry is assigned to is modest in size, with three four-poster beds arranged neatly along the walls. Each bed is draped with heavy, dark curtains for privacy, and the furnishings are simple but comfortable. The room has a window that overlooks the shadowy forest surrounding the school, and the view is both eerie and beautiful. Harry notices that two of the beds are already occupied. His roommates—two other new Umbra students—are unpacking their things quietly. They introduce themselves briefly:
Cyrus: A tall, slender boy with sharp features and piercing green eyes. He seems reserved but offers Harry a nod of acknowledgment. "Looks like we're in this together," he says with a slight smile.Selene: A girl with long, dark hair and a serious expression. Her eyes have a quiet intensity, and she speaks in a soft but firm voice. "Welcome to Umbra," she says, not unkindly but with a tone that suggests she takes their House's reputation seriously.
Harry chooses the bed closest to the window, appreciating the view of the darkened landscape. As he begins to unpack, Nyx flutters from his shoulder to a perch near the window, where she can look out over the forest. The room has a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere, fitting for a House known for its connection to shadow and secrets.
As the evening draws to a close, the three new Umbra students finish settling in. The room falls into a comfortable silence as each of them begins to prepare for bed. Harry sits on his bed, looking out the window at the dark forest below, his mind racing with thoughts of the day. He's now a part of something new, something mysterious, and he knows that the challenges ahead will be unlike anything he's faced before. As Harry draws the curtains around his bed for privacy, he hears Cyrus speak from across the room. "Good luck tomorrow," he says quietly. "I have a feeling we're going to need it." Harry responds with a quiet "You too," before lying back on his bed.
The day's events weigh on Harry's mind as he closes his eyes. He thinks of Emma's final words, the quiet strength of his new Housemates, and the strange yet compelling world he's now a part of. With Nyx quietly perched nearby, and the soft rustling of the trees outside, Harry slowly drifts off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges Arcanum Isle will bring.