Chapter 05: Hogwarts and its secrets

Rick woke up at 6:00am as he always did, his internal clock as precise as ever. But today, for the first time in what felt like forever, he didn't leap out of bed immediately. He lay there, wrapped in the comforting warmth of a bed that was far too luxurious for someone used to threadbare sheets and stiff springs. The mattress was soft, the blanket thick and warm, and the pillow felt like it had been enchanted to cradle his head just right. This was, without question, the best sleep he’d had in his life and part of him never wanted to leave it.

But he had a reason to. Two, in fact. He wanted to meet Marlene and Lily to explore the castle before breakfast. Even if it was just for twenty minutes, it was still time well spent. With a reluctant sigh, Rick brushed aside one of the velvet curtains that enclosed his bed and swung his legs out onto the cool floor.

Quickly, he brushed away one of the curtains around his bed and got up. He stretched and took a look around the room. He was the only one awake among his roommates. Being careful to not make any noise to bother them, he took his personal effect and went to take a shower and brush his teeth. Ten minutes later he got back to his silent dorm and dressed up with haste. Not knowing what classes he’ll have in the morning he took his notebook, a quill, his ink pot and chose to take with him his book on charms and DADA in the chance that he would need them.

Descending the staircase, Rick stepped into the dim, cozy glow of a deserted common room. The massive clock above the fireplace ticked softly, its golden hands pointing to 6:15. He made a mental note: early risers were rare at Hogwarts. Just as he was soaking in the rare stillness, a sharp hiss echoed from the direction of the girls’ staircase, snapping his attention like a twig underfoot.

“Marlene! It’s our first day!” came Lily’s voice, bright and insistent, cutting through the stillness. Rick recognized it immediately. What followed wasn’t a verbal reply from Marlene, but a low, unmistakable growl equal parts protest and primal threat that echoed faintly down the staircase like a warning to all early risers.

Soon enough, Lily appeared at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed and radiating morning energy. In her grasp was a bleary-eyed, disheveled Marlene, who looked like she'd lost a battle with both her pillow and the concept of waking up. The redhead was practically dragging her down one step at a time, as if Marlene’s soul hadn’t quite caught up with her body yet.

“Good morning!” was the warm and excited greeting he got from the redhead and he greeted her back in kind.

“I guess Marlene’s not exactly what you'd call a morning person,” Rick quipped, just as the blonde dramatically slipped free from Lily’s grasp and latched onto her from behind like a sleepy koala. Resting her head on Lily’s shoulder with a sigh of doom, she tightened her arms in a crushing hug? A silent but very physical protest against being awake at this ungodly hour.

“I’m not! Who in their right mind got up before the sun is done rising?!”

“But I wanted to explore the castle together when it’s empty and magical and creepy in the best way!” Lily whined, half dragging her feet in mock frustration.

“Same.”

“Ugh! Fine! You’re lucky I want to explore the castle too! I would have prefered to do that after a full night of sleep though.”

Both Rick and Lily burst into laughter at Marlene’s theatrically grumpy tone, which only deepened her pout and earned her a pair of matching smirks. As Lily took charge and began to drag her toward the portrait hole leading out of the common room, Marlene let herself be pulled for a few steps then threw on the brakes with sudden drama.

“I can’t go with my hair like that!”

Rick had to admit, Marlene’s bed hair looked like it had lost a wrestling match with a thunderstorm. Strands stuck out in every direction like they were trying to escape her scalp. Just like he had done for Lily the day before in the Hogwarts Castle, he calmly reached into his bag, retrieved his trusty comb, and handed it to his blonde friend without a word, his expression somewhere between amused and heroic.

“Do you always have a comb on you?” Lily asked, raising a curious brow as Marlene began taming the wild disaster that was her hair. Her tone was teasing, but there was genuine intrigue underneath, like Rick had just revealed himself to be some kind of preparedness prodigy.

“Yes. If I don’t comb them at least every half day, my hair decides to be rebellious and do whatever they want. I generally end up with a nasty bird nest when that happens.”

“You’re kidding! There is no way it’s possible.”

“Actually it is. It’s not uncommon for wizards and witches’ hair to have a mind of their own. That’s why many keep their hats no matter the circumstances.” Marlene informed the muggle-borns.

“Must be because of magic.”

Once Marlene’s hair had been tamed and sufficiently de-frizzed to her satisfaction, she handed Rick his comb with a dramatic flourish and declared herself expedition leader. Now fully awake and matching her friends’ energy, she marched ahead with a sense of purpose that only someone freshly freed from bedhead could possess. The trio wandered slowly through the corridors, marveling at the intricate Gothic architecture and the enchanted portraits that whispered, muttered, or shouted as they passed. The castle was alive in a way few buildings were. Every corner felt like it held a secret, every painting a story. Eventually, they arrived at a massive staircase that extended dizzyingly both upward and downward, a labyrinth of moving steps with a personality of its own.

“Now that it’s day, we can properly see how impressive they are.” Lily noted, looking at the famous great staircase of Hogwarts. They were known to not only be moving but to have a mind of their own. Many students got lost or injured because of the stairs’ tantrum.

Rick nodded at Lily’s observation, silently agreeing. The day before, the staircase had been dimly lit by floating candles. Just enough to navigate safely, but not nearly enough to fully appreciate the grandeur hidden in the shadows. Now, with sunlight streaming through high windows and illuminating the marble steps and ornate carvings, it felt like seeing the castle for the first time all over again.

This morning the stairs were more helpful than playful. They directed the trio to a lower floor where the statue of a one-eyed witch stood proudly to the side, in an alcove. Ignoring it, the first year students walked away from the grand stairs and found themselves in the entrance hall they had crossed the previous evening. Seeing a few other students up ahead, they followed them and arrived in the Great Hall.

“I can’t believe we just made the trip from yesterday in reverse and I didn’t notice,” said Marlene.

“As Lily pointed out, it’s because of the lightning. At least we know the way now.”

They sat at the Gryffindor table, close to the staff’s end, as a typical English breakfast materialized before them with a mouthwatering shimmer. Rick reached for the goblet nearest him and took a cautious sip only to recoil slightly, grimacing as the overly sweet liquid hit his tongue like syrup-drenched pumpkin.

“What’s in it that you make such a face?” asked Marlene.

“Pumpkin juice.”

“You don’t like it?”

Rick shook his head to indicate that he didn’t. “Too sweet. I wonder if it’s possible to ask for something else? Like orange juice or black te- What the-”

The goblet Rick had been sipping from vanished with a quiet pop, replaced instantly by a steaming teacup that looked as if it had always belonged there. His eyes went wide, locking with Lily’s equally stunned expression, while Marlene simply tilted her head in mild curiosity. Without hesitation, she reached for the teacup, gave it an experimental sniff, and took a sip as if spontaneous drink-summoning was just part of a normal Tuesday.

“Yep, black tea. With a bit of milk and cream. Perfect.”

“Hey! You could ask before drinking it all!” Rick exclaimed a bit miffed at the sight of his blonde friend, drinking the entire thing. Lily couldn’t help herself and giggled. “Can I have another please?” he asked, glaring at Marlene who stuck her tongue out, quite proud of herself.

Instantly, another cup appeared in front of him, as if the table itself were a mind-reader. Rick offered a loud and sincere thank-you to whatever invisible force or enchantment had granted his wish. Marlene, emboldened, asked for a refill and received it without delay, while Lily requested a cup with honey instead of cream and hers arrived the exact same way. The seamless response to their preferences made Rick pause, staring at the table in curiosity. The magic behind it seemed borderline sentient. He couldn’t help but marvel at the silent, responsive intelligence of it all.

The trio ate their breakfast while chatting excitedly about what the day might bring. Marlene eagerly hoped for a Transfiguration class, while Lily crossed her fingers for Charms or Potions. When Rick said he didn’t mind any subject but added with quiet enthusiasm that he’d really like to fly, both girls looked at him with mild surprise and growing curiosity. There was something infectious about the way he said it. As if flying wasn’t just a class to him, but a promise of something more.

“It’s flying, Marlene! You can’t be more free than when you fly!”

“Very true, Mister Wald.”

The three students turned their heads to the side to see Professor McGonagall standing beside them at the Gryffindor table, holding several neatly rolled parchments in one hand and surveying them with her usual composed authority, her eyes sharp but not unkind.

“““Good morning, professor.”””

“Good morning to you three.” She politely greeted them back, then handed a parchment to each of them. “This is your class schedule for this term, memorize it well so you don’t go to the wrong class and lose points.”

“Thank you professor. If I may, is there a map of the castle?”

“I’m afraid not, Mister Wald and before you ask why, I’ll say it’s to push the first years and the older years to interact with each other and ask for direction.”

“Can’t we just follow you around since our first class is with you?” he inquired as he put his finger on the very first class of the day on his schedule.

Minerva’s lips twitched, betraying the hint of a smile at his bold suggestion. “You can try,” she said evenly, though her tone carried enough dry warning to make it clear she wouldn’t advise it.

Rick’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly, and both Marlene and Lily exchanged skeptical glances. Lily was already considering asking the Gryffindor prefects for help. She didn’t get the chance. Before she could even open her mouth, a Hufflepuff student stepped up and joined the conversation.

“I can give you a tour of the Astronomy Wing if you want. That’s where transfiguration, charms, DADA, history and Astronomy classes are.”

Rick turned around and took in the female student standing just behind him. She stood a few inches taller than he did, with long red hair that flowed past her shoulders but stopped short of the small of her back. Her bright blue eyes stood out, striking against the gentle sprinkle of freckles across her face. Her features were an odd paradox: a firm, square jawline that hinted at steel, paired with soft, almost ethereal traits that made her look both kind and unshakable. There was something commanding in her gaze. Self-assured, but not arrogant that left Rick momentarily unsettled and oddly curious.

“If that’s not too much trouble for you, Miss bones.” Lily and Rick turned to Marlene in surprise.

“Not at all, Heiress McKinnon. My first class is Charms, followed by DADA. It’s on my way anyway,” the older redhead replied with a twinkle of amusement in her tone, clearly enjoying Marlene’s flustered reaction to being publicly outed as an heiress.

“Well, it seems you already found how to get to my classroom, Mister Wald. Quite lucky of you.”

“I guess lady luck is compensating me for all the wands I had to try? Some kind of balance?”

“Perhaps.” McGonagall offered no further comment, her eyes briefly lingering on Rick with an unreadable flicker of interest before she turned and strode off with the same purposeful grace she always carried. Her departure left the students to themselves and in that short silence, Lily jumped in to break the tension.

“Hello! I’m Lily Evans! How do you know Marlene?”

“Amelia Bones, nice to meet you Miss Evans, you too Mister Wald. As for how I know heir-”

Marlene interrupted with a scowl on her face. “McKinnon, Bones. McKinnon.”

“Very well.”

“Nuh-huh. Marlene, you can’t expect Lily and I to not ask questions when a bomb like you being an heiress is dropped and sweeps everything under the rug.”

“Bomb?” the blonde asked in confusion.

“It’s… a very lethal explosive… weapon?”

"It does a lot of destruction.” added Lily, seeing Rick struggling with his explanation.

“I see. Well… No thank you for that, Amelia.” the blonde glared at the redhead who still had her amused smile. Taking a big breath Marlene explained herself. “As you may have noticed, there are important and prominent families in magical Britain. Like mine, Amelia’s, Black, Potter and many more. We’re… kind of nobles. What it means is that our families are either ancient, rich or both. Depending on which, you have more or less votes at the Wizengamot, that’s the magical body that votes the laws, makes judgments and elect the Minister for Magic. I am the only daughter and child of my father, lord Mckinnon and as such the Heiress of the ancient and noble house of Mckinnon. Amelia belongs to the ancient and noble House of Bones and is currently third in line of succession, behind her two elder brothers. Should they have children she will come after them.”

“Noble houses have lots of power and in consequence ally or not themselves with other houses. As such there are many gatherings to discuss politics, business, alliances, and more. My house and Marlene’s are from the light faction and are more or less friends. We met plenty of times before for simple dinner or by attending balls. It is also custom to refer to others the way I did Marlene.”

The muggle-borns were speechless for a moment then Lily spoke up.

“Were you afraid we'd look at you differently if we knew?”

“I…Maybe. It’s not rare for people to change their attitude when they discover who we are.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you’re just Marlene.”

“Thank you, Rick.” the blonde replied with a smile, pleased to hear that.

“The one with the worst bed hair ever.” he added with a stoic face he struggled to maintain.

Lily couldn’t help herself and let out a snort of laughter. In mock outrage, Marlene grabbed a piece of sausage from her plate and launched it at Rick’s face. Unfortunately for her, he was quicker and his hand snapped up, catching it midair with two fingers like a seasoned catcher. Without missing a beat, he popped it into his mouth, chewed, and gave her a smug, exaggerated nod of thanks.

Since it was still early, the trio invited Amelia to sit with them, eager to pepper her with questions about classes, professors, and the hidden rhythms of castle life. To their delight, she was not only forthcoming but refreshingly thorough, offering tips, insights, and the occasional entertaining anecdote. Rick, listening intently, found himself quietly labeling her the very embodiment of a Hufflepuff: just, loyal, approachable, and quietly industrious in a way that made everything seem a little less overwhelming and a lot more manageable.

As time ticked by, the Great Hall steadily filled with the hum of morning chatter and the shuffle of feet, more and more students arriving for breakfast. Overhead, owls began swooping in and out through the high windows, delivering letters and packages to their recipients with practiced grace. Some perched beside their humans, accepting bits of bacon or affection like tiny royalty; others simply dropped off mail and vanished again. A few glided in without any post at all, clearly just visiting, as if checking in on the student body.

Suddenly, a loud caw echoed through the Hall, sharp and commanding, cutting through the low buzz of voices. Several heads turned instinctively, including Marlene and Amelia, both scanning the rafters with raised eyebrows.

“Who’s barmy enough to use a crow as-”

The blonde’s voice trailed off into stunned silence, though her lips kept moving in disbelief as the unmistakable crow descended gracefully and landed on Rick’s right shoulder. Lily’s eyes sparkled with unfiltered amazement, practically glowing next to Marlene, while Amelia stood as frozen as the heiress, clearly not expecting such a dramatic entrance.

“Hello Morrigan~” Rick greeted his familiar lovingly and gave her a piece of bacon from his plate.

“And of course it’s you! You even named it Morrigan! Morrigan!” Marelene complained and hit the table with her forehead repeatedly.

“Is there a problem?” Rick asked, his tone light and teasing as he stroked Morrigan’s feathers, clearly more focused on doting over his dramatic familiar than addressing Marlene’s growing exasperation.

“I don't know about muggles but in wizarding culture crows are symbols of death, doom and war. That you named it after the celtic goddess of death, war, fate and fertility who would visit the battlefield as a crow is…”

“BARMY!”

“A bit eccentric shall we say. Some people would be wary or afraid, some wouldn’t care or find it funny.” Amelia finished, ignoring Marlene’s interruption.

“Actually I named her like that because of that last point and because she liked it.”

*CAW*

“See? And in muggle culture what the crow symbolizes varies from western to eastern part of the world. In modern western culture they represent death, the afterlife, wisdom, intelligence, adaptability, prescience, fortune, destiny, transformation, and the future. They are both a good and a bad omen. Honestly, I don't really care, I’m not superstitious but considering that Morrigan literally broke out of her cage and went through the window of the pet shop she was in to form a bond, I’m just glad she’s my friend.”

“She did not!” Marlene protested, eyes wide with disbelief and arms flailing slightly, as if physically rejecting the very notion.

“Professor McGonagall was there, you can ask her. It was right after I bought my wand.” Rick replied, while scratching Morrigan’s beak.

Marlene threw her arms up in theatrical surrender, drawing a fresh wave of laughter from the group. With the clock striking 8:00 a.m. and their first classes fast approaching, Amelia reminded them to grab their textbooks and told them to meet her again in the Entrance Hall in fifteen minutes.

They quickly went back to their common room and Rick exchanged his book on charms and DADA for the ones on transfiguration and potions. Making sure he had everything he needed, he went back down the stairs and waited for his friends. They joined him a few moments later and soon enough were back with Amelia at the Entrance Hall.

She guided them through the viaduct courtyard they had crossed the night before, where Professor McGonagall had greeted them. But instead of heading right and down toward the boathouse, they turned left and stepped onto the viaduct bridge. It was impressively long and wide, flanked on either side by two massive, unlit braziers. Rick’s eyes caught something unusual: beneath each brazier was a rotating panel displaying Roman numerals from I to IV, operated by a mechanical switch. Even more curious, each brazier bore a different symbol on a metal plaque, none of which he recognized. His curiosity deepened as they reached the far end of the bridge, where a large circular stone embedded in the ground displayed those same symbols. Each one paired with a number. It was an enigma laid out in stone and fire, and Rick was already hooked.

“Eh… Miss Bones?”

“Yes? You can call me Amelia if you wish by the way. As long as we are in school anyway.”

“Alright, Amelia. I was wondering what’s up with this plaque and the braziers?”

The redhead blinked at him in confusion, and Lily and Marlene mirrored the expression, their brows furrowed in matching puzzlement. It was clear none of them had the faintest idea what he was referring to.

“I think there is a secret about this bridge. Look at the plaque here.” he said pointing out with his finger. “Same symbols as the ones on those plaques over there. Same for the numeral. Except they don’t match the symbols.”

“That’s true. What about it?” the Hufflepuff remarked, finally noticing what he was talking about for the first time since she got into Hogwarts.

Marlene perked up immediately, her love for hidden passages and cryptic puzzles flaring to life. Lily was just as intrigued, though her wonder leaned more into the magical mechanics behind it all. Rick took a thoughtful pause, then shared his theory with quiet confidence.

“I think that if we can match everything something will happen.”

“You think…” the redhead replied in a flat tone. Marlene struck her side with her elbow and spoke.

“Come on, we have 40 minutes for the tour. We can spare a few minutes for this. It does seem that there is a secret to unveil.”

After a moment of thinking, Amelia nodded. “Why not?”

“I think we need to light the brazier for the roman number to change. This symbol should be paired with number II.”

Amelia, curious and with nothing to lose, stepped up to the brazier Rick had been examining. She raised her wand with a casual flick and uttered, ‘Incendio.’ A focused jet of flame erupted from her wand, igniting the brazier in a warm, steady blaze. Instantly, the base beneath it shifted with a soft clank, and the Roman numeral IV smoothly flipped to display I. Rick's eyes lit up with vindicated excitement.

“Merlin, you’re right!” the Hufflepuff exclaimed in fascination. With growing excitement, she moved quickly along the bridge, lighting each brazier and adjusting the symbols to match Rick’s theory. When the last one clicked into place, a deep, echoing metallic groan reverberated through the stone beneath their feet. The large circular plaque on the ground began to shift, drawing the group’s attention.

“There!” Lily pointed, eyes wide as the plaque parted to reveal a hidden passage with a narrow ladder descending into the dark. Marlene, true to form and already grinning with anticipation, wasted no time. She was the first to climb down, her adventurous spirit undeterred by the unknown below.

“Ah! There is water! My socks are soaked!” she exclaimed.

Curious, Rick joined her, with Lily and Amelia close behind. Inside the viaduct bridge, the space felt quiet and tucked away, offering a stunning, private vantage point of both the lake and the castle. As the others admired the view, Marlene’s excited voice rang out. She had discovered something. Moments later, she returned holding a small, round wooden chest, the kind often seen tucked neatly onto old shelves. Amelia, cautious, immediately drew her wand and cast a series of detection charms. A soft glow confirmed her verdict: no enchantments, no curses. It was safe.

“Oh! Those are wand handles.” she said as she picked a jet black one after opening the chest.

“Wand handles?” asked Lily.

“They are cosmetic objects that wizards or witches used to use to distinguish themselves. A fashion of sorts.” explained the older students.

“What should we do with them?” Rick asked.

“Clearly they’re quite old. I doubt whoever put them here is still at Hogwarts or even alive.”

“That means we can keep them, right? Right? Finder Keeper?”

Marlene was practically glowing with excitement over their unexpected treasure. She clutched a dark red wand handle protectively, clearly claiming it as hers without entertaining any debate. Amelia, chuckling at her enthusiasm, selected a sleek dark blue one for herself. Lily, after a moment’s consideration, chose a rich forest green that seemed to match her eyes. Rick, less invested in the aesthetics but not wanting to be left out, took the jet black handle, originally picked up by Amelia, since it was the only one left. One by one, they attached the handles to their wands, admiring the subtle but personal flair they now carried. It was a simple customization, but it made their wands feel uniquely theirs.

They agreed to keep their discovery a closely guarded secret, a shared mystery bound by curiosity and trust. Once back on the viaduct bridge, Amelia quickly reset the Roman numerals with a few flicks of her wand, and the hidden passage sealed itself with a low, resonant thud. The stone plaque slid back into place, leaving no trace of the secret beneath. With a satisfied nod, Amelia resumed her role as guide, leading them through the rest of the wing with practiced ease before bidding them good luck and disappearing into the flow of students heading to class.

The trio made their way into the Transfiguration classroom after passing through the quiet, open expanse of the Transfiguration courtyard. Inside, the room was warm with morning light filtering through tall windows. They approached the front desks, where seating was arranged two per table. Lily paused and gave a small, apologetic smile before choosing a spot on her own.

“We’ve got class with the Slytherins,” she explained, adjusting her bag. “I promised I’d sit with Severus in class.”

Rick and Marlene exchanged a glance that carried understanding without needing words. They nodded subtly to one another, and without hesitation, slid into the same desk, content to give Lily her space and her promised seat beside Severus—no teasing, no judgment, just quiet support.

“I wonder what we’re going to do in this first class.” said the blonde witch.

““Turning a match into a needle.””

“How do you know?”

“We read the textbook,” replied an amused Lily while Rick nodded in agreement.

“Ugh! Why are you even in Gryffindor and not Ravenclaw?! Don’t answer that!” she quickly added knowing she would get a witty answer from her friends.

Their laughter was cut short by the unexpected appearance of a tabby cat that slipped into the classroom through a side door none of them had noticed before. With elegant, purposeful steps, the feline hopped up onto Professor McGonagall’s desk and sat back on its haunches, observing the students with an intensity that felt almost human. Marlene let out an enthusiastic squeal and immediately rushed forward, enchanted by the cat’s dignified posture. Rick and Lily followed, both chuckling as the cat raised a single paw and repeatedly tapped the back of Marlene’s outstretched hand, as if politely denying her attempts to pet it.

“Come on! I just want to pet you.” she whined.

Rick reached out as well, but when the cat gently pushed his hand down with a firm paw, a jolt of recognition coursed through him. It was the same strange, instinctive feeling he’d experienced when first meeting Morrigan or when testing wands at Ollivanders.

“It’s… amused but also a bit irritated.”

“How can you tell?” Lily asked while Marlene tried to just grab the cat that turned into Professor McGonall.

“Because Mister Wald has a gift.”

Minerva had made it something of a tradition to open her first-year Transfiguration class with this particular transformation trick, and it never failed to deliver. Over the decades, she had seen countless stunned expressions, but the trio before her were, without question, the most delightful reactions she had ever witnessed.

‘Miss McKinnon is utterly horrified. Her complexion’s gone three shades paler in under five seconds. Miss Evans is executing a flawless goldfish impression, and Mister Wald... he might as well be a statue. Yes, I must remember to ask Albus to borrow his Pensieve, this memory is far too delightful not to revisit.’

“I don’t know what's more awesome, professor. That you can transform into a cat or the memory of Marlene’s face when she realized she tried to pet you.”

“RICK!” Marlene shrieked, equal parts horrified and mortified, her voice ringing through the classroom like an alarm bell.

“Yes?”

Marlene grabbed him by the collar and practically yanked him back to their seats, her face so red it could’ve matched a Gryffindor banner in direct sunlight.

“Let’s not talk about this. Ever.”

“Why?”

“EVER!” she yelled in his ear.

“Alright! Whatever you want, just stop yelling!”

Lily did her best not to laugh while Minerva stayed stoic.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell your classmates about this.”

That was all the deputy headmistress said before, with graceful precision, she shifted back into her feline form and resumed her perch atop the desk. The moment passed, and as if by silent agreement, any mention of Rick’s strange affinity with magic or his curious ability, faded into the background, shelved for another day.