Though he didn't need an alarm clock, Morris's disciplined routine had him awake early. After washing up, he glanced at the wall clock—it was only six. Breakfast at Hogwarts wasn't until seven-thirty, leaving him plenty of time.
Canned Food, his mischievous cat, was gone—most likely slipped out through the window. Morris wasn't worried. The cat was clever and playful enough to find its way back home.
So, what should he do on his very first morning at Hogwarts?
At the thought of the book of the mage, it slowly materialized in his mind, as if drawn by his curiosity. He opened it and scanned its contents. But today, a new chapter had appeared, one he had never noticed before.
Door of Two Realms?
The name struck him as odd, like a passage or a portal of some sort. The description was brief: Grants entry to the space between life and death.
The page displayed a magic-circle diagram. It resembled the Necromantic Creature Transformation Magic Circle, though the runes at its center were different. What caught his attention most was the final warning:
The Door of Two Realms must be used while dead.
Morris frowned instinctively. Used while dead? That sounded anything but pleasant. He was a necromancer, yes—but he had no intention of becoming undead himself. He still had life to live.
The warning reminded him of what the ghost had said yesterday: if one had to die, at least do so in a romantic way. And dying for magical research sounded… almost admirable?
No. Absolutely not.
He shook his head quickly, discarding the dangerous thought. For now, the spell was impossible to test. Curiosity, however, lingered—what could the space between life and death even be like? The question left an itch in his chest, like a feather brushing against his heart.
Suppressing the urge, Morris steadied himself and sat on the bed, beginning his daily meditation. He had realized that meditation not only improved his skill with curses but also helped him master Hogwarts magic. It was why he had picked up Transfiguration so quickly.
After an hour, he opened his eyes. The session had cleared his mind. Outside, the sun was up, casting the distant forest in sharp relief against the dawn. Morris donned his robes and decided to explore the castle before breakfast.
When he stepped out of the dormitory, a gray-white, translucent figure floated by—a female ghost, wild and untamed.
"Hello," Morris greeted politely.
The ghost glanced at him briefly, then sank through the floor. She wasn't in the mood for conversation. Morris shrugged and made his way down the stairs.
The Ravenclaw common room was quiet so early. Only Prefect Robert stood by the window, murmuring with another student, wand in hand. He caught fragments: Dark Arts… hexes… curses…
Robert noticed his gaze and smiled gently. "Morris! Sleep well?"
"Hogwarts beds are far more comfortable than I expected," Morris replied, stepping closer. "What are you discussing?"
"Last year's O.W.L.s," Robert said without changing expression. "I didn't get all Outstandings—shame. If only I could retake them."
Morris nodded, sensing the unease in his tone. Exams were important, but he had no desire to pry further.
Another student shot Robert a look. "We should grab seats in the library."
Robert tucked his wand away smoothly. "Time's always short. See you, Morris."
"Goodbye," Morris replied and left the common room.
Following the route from yesterday, he headed for the marble staircase. Yesterday, guided by Robert, the stairs had seemed ordinary. Today, they moved of their own accord, shifting directions unexpectedly. A flight that led to the first floor moments ago now angled elsewhere; some steps vanished just as he was about to tread on them.
Morris decided the staircase was designed to torment unwary travelers. Exploring the castle would take forever if he had to navigate these stairs first.
Just as a staircase drifted into position before him, a voice spoke behind him:
"If I were you, I wouldn't take that one—the real way to the first floor is on your right."
Morris pulled back and turned. "Oh, thanks, Hermione."
Hermione Granger stood nearby, hugging a book, frowning at the shifting stairs. "They're always like this. I suggest you observe their pattern—there is one."
"Have you memorized how they move?" Morris asked.
"Most of it," she said, pride coloring her tone.
"Impressive," Morris complimented, earning a narrowed smile. No one disliked sincere praise—not even her, even from someone she didn't like.
"Have you had breakfast?" Morris asked.
"I'm heading straight to Charms class," Hermione replied, adjusting her book excitedly. "I don't think I've ever looked forward to a lesson this much."
"Same here," Morris said casually, stepping onto the staircase Hermione had indicated—only for it to vanish beneath his foot.
"Pity, you missed your window," she said. "Wait half a minute; it'll swing back round."
Morris withdrew his foot in midair, exasperated.
A rotating staircase eased to a stop just then, and three chattering girls stepped off. From their robes and excited faces, they were first-year Gryffindors.
"Did you really see it? The talking portrait?" one whispered.
"Of course! It even bowed to me…" another replied.
Morris watched them, amused. So full of life, he mused—it reminded him of his own student days in a previous life. Nostalgia tugged at him, though he now felt like a deplorable adult—at least in soul.
The trio passed Hermione, who smiled politely. The girls nodded briefly and hurried along. Hermione's smile froze for a moment, just long enough to reveal surprise.
Morris shook his head softly, thinking of the day ahead. Hogwarts was alive, shifting, and unpredictable. He had much to explore, many mysteries to uncover—and somewhere in the shadows of magic, the Door of Two Realms awaited.
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