Chapter 12 - Hogwarts: My Classmate-Chapter 12: Strange Friend

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Don't copy the protagonist if you don't have protagonist luck. —Hofa Bach

Early next morning, sky still dim, Hofa woke. Ironic. Past life—mediocre student. Average grades. The type who'd give 5 effort, never 6. Could score 80, too lazy for 90.

But Hogwarts? He actually wanted to study.

Magic curiosity?

Not really. WWII was coming. Unless he escaped to America or Australia first, nowhere would be safe.

Especially Europe. Dangerous as hell.

Running wasn't his style. Only choice—study magic hard before war. Get survival capital for when bullets flew... How much? At least fully explore Hogwarts, obtain second Knowledge of the Great God, collect spell fragments. Everything else—bonus.

Class schedule on nightstand. Hofa checked.

Monday. Two classes.

Charms and Transfiguration.

First—Charms. First-years met their Head of House. No other houses.

Second—Transfiguration. All four houses together.

Hofa remembered Harry and Ron were often late. With Hogwarts' shifting layout, he didn't want that. While roommates slept, he rose.

Ravenclaw's bathroom—east of dorms. Boys and girls shared. Very clean. Three levels. Top for prefects, lower for students. Blue tiles everywhere. Eagle-carved taps in rows.

Hofa bought toothbrush, forgot cup. Shopping in London, he'd thought cups took too much bag space. Didn't buy one.

Old habits. Figured cupping water worked fine.

Brushed teeth sloppily. Stuck head under tap.

Looked up, mouth foaming, saw in mirror the last person he wanted.

Aglaia.

She'd risen early too. Holding cup and toiletries, blue star robe, standing behind him like a ghost.

Seeing Hofa—only toothbrush, cupping water—disgust crossed her face.

Murphy's Law, Hofa thought. Don't want to see someone? You will. Just them two. Extremely awkward.

Aglaia muttered, "Barbarian."

Hofa suppressed urge to transform her into crow. Spat rinse water expressionlessly. Washed face. Strode out.

He swore—no matter her provocation, he wouldn't speak to this girl.

After washing, waited in common room.

Classmates appeared gradually. Left with friends, chatting.

No Miranda. Maybe she'd risen earlier? He went to Great Hall alone. At Ravenclaw table—still no Miranda.

Maybe classroom already, Hofa thought, eating porridge. Early riser.

Hogwarts breakfast—hotel buffet style. Abundant. Filling. Tasty.

One problem? Humans weren't alone eating.

Halfway through, owls swooped through skylights. Carried letters, packages. Each found owner.

Some wizards had trained owls. Some (especially girls) spoiled theirs—walked over communal dishes.

After fishing feather from porridge, Hofa's appetite died. Cleaned up. Left. Feared staying meant aerial bombardment.

Past life—teachers came to classroom. Here—students found classrooms themselves.

After breakfast, Hofa followed older students through corridors. Found Charms classroom.

Arrived—empty room. Walls covered ancient spells. Huge clock ticking.

Hofa scratched head. Time left. Left classroom. Wanted exploring.

Opened system panel.

Current Secret Realm[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]Exploration: 0.1%

One-tenth percent! Shocked. Yesterday—lake, Great Hall, Ravenclaw Tower. Today—classroom.

Still 0.1%! How big was this school?

Compared to King's Cross—rewards after steps—probably couldn't get second Knowledge this year.

Checked classrooms. Rate didn't budge. Too insignificant. Plus, reaching room with skeletons and specimens, old man pushed him out.

"Not old enough for Magical Creatures. Get out!"

Kicked out. Returned to Charms classroom. Needed Disillusionment Charm priority.

Exploring without invisibility? Pipe dream. Many areas forbidden to first-years.

Headmaster Armando strict. No protagonist halo. Caught exploring? Observation.

Classroom filled.

Kids gathered. Chattering. Compared wands.

Hofa placed wand on lap. Asked? Said unicorn hair core. They couldn't check.

Noise five minutes. Hofa watched center clock.

Tick tick tick.

Second hand—12.

Hour hand—9.

Instant it hit—

Click!

Door opened.

Old man in bronze robes. Perfect timing. Deputy Headmaster Goshawk.

Entered. Waved wand. Door slammed. Sound ceased. Nobody breathed.

Stern face. Hofa thought of fifty years later—Professor Flitwick. Also Ravenclaw Head. Much lovable.

Goshawk stood center. Hands behind back. Deep breath. Gray eyes swept first-years.

"Someone missing. Who's absent?"

Students looked around. Hofa felt wrong.

Glanced.

No Miranda.

Late? Really?

Goshawk saw silence. Pulled parchment. Roll call.

"Aglaia Moises!"

"Here."

"Ace Miller."

"Here!"

"Antonio Koren."

"Here!"

"Hofa Bach."

"Here!"

Dozen names. Gray eyes scanned. "Miranda Goshawk."

No answer.

Heads lowered. Awkward moment.

How many knew Miranda was his granddaughter? Not giving grandfather face!

Goshawk weathered storms. Put down parchment slowly. "Late first day. Fifty points from Ravenclaw."

Hiss! Students gasped.

Fifty points! First day! Really Head of House?!

Not over. Goshawk asked, "Who's closest in dormitory?"

Bowed heads. Silver-haired Aglaia raised hand slowly.

Goshawk: "Knowing class, not calling classmate—twenty more from Ravenclaw!"

Jaws dropped.

Hofa shocked. Harsher than Snape! At least Snape hit Gryffindor. This guy—own students, collective punishment!

Aglaia panicked. "I didn't call? I did! She didn't want your class. Not my fault! Can't drag her..."

No explanation chance.

After deducting, waved wand. Book pages flipped.

"Charms—precise discipline. Unlike Potions, Transfiguration—ancient art passed orally. Only rigorous wisdom masters it. Feel magic with heart. Control spells with mind, not tongue..."

Hofa glanced Aglaia. Folded arms. Fuming. Frustrated. House lost 70 points. But seeing her suffer? Secretly pleased.

Old man lectured. Hofa took notes like others. Adult soul advantage? Knowing humility.

In magic—complete novice.

Halfway—Miranda absent. Hofa realized—knew nothing about friend. Beneath gentle surface? Rebellious heart.

First class—no wand testing. Theory. Pronunciation, movements.

Goshawk strict. Everyone watched him cast. Nobody tried.

After Charms—Transfiguration. Public class. All houses. Hofa anticipated.

Dumbledore teaching personally—only this era. Years later as headmaster? Only Harry Potter enjoyed.

Excited. Walked briskly.

Lazy voice beside. "Dumbledore's class. Exciting!"

Turned. Miranda!

Held books. Suddenly appeared. Like Apparated.

Yesterday's smooth bob—now messy nest. Dark circles. Hadn't slept enough.

Slept all morning?

Ravenclaw students glared. Eyes shooting fire.

Aglaia drew wand. Dark expression.

Stepped forward. Murder in eyes.

Major confrontation starting. Hofa pushed Miranda into corridor. Said quietly:

"Crazy? Yesterday said don't oppose grandfather! Now—Ravenclaw lost 70 points first class. You 50, Aglaia 20!"

Miranda's eyes widened. "Aglaia too?"

"Didn't drag you out!" Hofa quiet. "Next time sleep in—come sleep in class!"

Miranda spread hands.

"Tch. So uptight. Earn back points. What's the deal? House Cup not edible. Why fight?"

Casually pushed door.

Corridor became bathroom door.

Previous passage vanished. Layout completely changed.

Hofa dumbfounded. Didn't know what happened. Didn't want late for Dumbledore. Bad impression.

Miranda slightly serious. Asked, "What day?"

Hofa's face darkened. "Monday. Sleep-confused."

"Damn. Monday. Cursed corridors. Quick, follow!" Grabbed Hofa. Ran into bathroom.

Counted. Pushed third stall. Deep passage below.

Secret passage!

Miranda waved. "Get in!"

Hofa didn't know why she knew. No choice. Jumped after.

Started sliding. Smooth like slide. Faster and faster.

Crashed under Miranda's robes. Tumbled together.

Pitch black. Didn't know what hit. Extracted himself. Face red.

Miranda: "Lumos."

Wand lit. Stone tunnel.

"Follow me."

Led through passage.

Up, down. Ten minutes. Emerged.

Inside castle. Portraits conversed. Staircases shifted like gears.

Under Hofa's feet—staircase swayed toward wall. Like wanted to crash.

Miranda didn't hesitate. Grabbed staircase. Leaped.

Hofa couldn't stop. Watched shocked. Jumped off platform. Seven stories below.

Was she suicidal?

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