Morning came softly to the castle, creeping in through tall arched windows and settling like pale gold across the stone walls of the hospital wing.
Ethan stirred when something warm and rough brushed against his cheek.
Again.
And again.
He frowned faintly, half awake, before a wet rasp dragged across his skin and forced him fully into consciousness.
"All right, all right," he muttered, lifting a hand. "I am awake."
A small, insistent meow answered him.
When he opened his eyes, Nina's green gaze was inches from his face. The cat sat proudly atop his chest, tail flicking in satisfaction as she continued licking him as though this were her solemn duty.
Ethan sighed and smiled at the same time. "Are you hungry, girl?"
Nina responded immediately with a louder meow and a decisive head bump beneath his chin.
"That answers that."
He pushed himself upright and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The hospital wing was quiet, bathed in morning light and the faint scent of potions and polished stone. In calming silence.
Last night felt like a distant memory now.
Ethan lifted his right hand and turned it slowly, flexing his fingers. The skin was unmarked. No bruising or any stiffness. The pain that had burned through him the night before was completely gone.
"Perfect."he said.
He opened and closed his fist several times, testing his grip, then rotated his wrist. Everything responded exactly as it should.
"Well," he murmured. "That settles it."
Nina hopped down from the bed and padded to his bag, sitting beside it pointedly as if reminding him of unfinished business.
"I know," he said, reaching for the strap. "Breakfast."
He drew his wand and murmured a cleaning charm, warmth washing over him as soot, sweat, and dried blood vanished from his skin and clothes. His hair settled neatly back into place, and the faint exhaustion clinging to him faded.
Nina received the same treatment with visible delight. She stretched luxuriously as the spell smoothed her fur, then flopped onto her back in complete approval.
"You love that don't you,my little girl." Ethan said fondly.
He rummaged through his bag and produced a small pouch of treats. Nina sat upright instantly, eyes wide.
"Patient," he told her.
She was not.
He handed her a piece anyway, earning a triumphant purr.
Ethan glanced at his watch. Seven in the morning.
"Plenty of time," he said. "Let us go see the castle awake."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped toward the exit.
The hospital wing door opened before he could touch it.
"Where do you think you are going, young man?"
Madam Pomfrey stood there with her hands on her hips, eyes sharp and unyielding.
Ethan raised his healed hand calmly. "Out," he said. "Fully recovered now."
She narrowed her eyes and inspected him as though she might peel him apart layer by layer through sheer force of will.
"Hmph."
She turned and snatched two vials from a nearby tray. "Drink one now and one before lunch."
He accepted them without complaint. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Truly."
"Do not thank me," she said briskly. "Just try not to end up here again."
"I will do my best," he said with a smile.
She sniffed. "See that you do."
Ethan turned toward Nina. "Shall I carry you?"
The cat looked at him, flicked her tail, and trotted through the doorway ahead of him.
"That is a no," he said, following her.
The castle was already alive and full of energy with the noise of its inhabitants.
As they descended the moving staircases, students passed them in clusters. Some whispered. Some stared openly. Many smiled.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Are you feeling better, sir?"
"We are glad you are all right."
Ethan answered each greeting with quiet warmth, nodding, smiling, offering reassurance. The concern surprised him more than he expected.
Two young girls stopped him outright.
"Professor, are your injuries really healed?"
"They are," he replied. "Thanks to Madam Pomfrey."
As he continued walking, he heard giggling behind him.
"Did you see how he smiled?"
"He smiled at me."
"He is so handsome."
"Oh stop."
Ethan shook his head faintly and continued on, Nina walking close at his heel.
The doors of the Great Hall opened.
Light poured in.
The hall was filled with sound and color and life. Long tables brimmed with breakfast, laughter echoing off enchanted ceilings where soft clouds drifted lazily. The tension of the previous night had faded like a bad dream.
As Ethan stepped inside, conversations faltered.
Then stopped.
Every head turned.
Gryffindor. Slytherin. Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff.
A heartbeat of silence.
Then murmurs began, spreading through the hall like wildfire. Students called out greetings, praise, gratitude.
"Good morning, Professor who I don't know yet."
"My brother says you saved his friend."
"You were amazing last night!" shouted an older Gryffindor girl from the crowd.
Beside her, her friend raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, last night? Why does it sound like you and the professor did something… private? Be a little more specific, girl."
The first girl flushed bright red. "Stop twisting my words, you idiot! I meant on the train!"
Her friend's eyes went wide. "Who did what on the train?"
The first girl punched her lightly on the shoulder. "I said stop!"
At the Gryffindor table, the Weasley twins clambered atop the benches, grinning like they'd been waiting for this moment all day.
"Oi, George," one shouted, elbowing the other. "We need a proper nickname for this heroic, unbelievably handsome professor."
"Of course," the other replied, dramatically stroking his chin. "Something worthy of legends. Something that screams bravery, charm, and slightly terrifying skill."
"How about The Handsome Hazard?"
"No no, too mysterious. What about The Charming Conqueror of Evil Wizards?"
"Eh, too long. I like The Ethanator. He fights three adult wizards alone and still looks like he just walked out of a salon."
"Or Sir Flawless of the Hogwarts Express!"
"Professor Ethan the Unstoppable! Destroyer of Trains, Tamer of Cat Companions, Heartbreaker of girls and some boys who swing that way."
The hall erupted. Students doubled over with laughter, some whistling and cheering, others nudging friends to repeat the twins' ridiculous suggestions. A few even started adding their own: "Professor the Dashing!" "Hero of the train!"
Even professors were smiling, though some shook their heads in amused exasperation.
Ethan laughed, shaking his head as he made his way to the teachers' table, cheeks warm from the attention and the infectious energy of the students around him.
Minerva McGonagall nodded approvingly.
Albus Dumbledore smiled warmly.
"Welcome, Professor Thorne," Dumbledore said.
"Good morning," Ethan replied.
As he moved to sit, he froze.
Beside Professor Sprout sat a familiar red haired woman.
Their eyes met.
Surprise flickered across her face.
Ethan smiled. "Well," he said lightly, "long time no see, Mrs. Evans. I never thought I'd run into my neighbor here at Hogwarts."
Lily Evans stood, smiling in return. "I could say the same, Mr. Thorne."
Filius Flitwick blinked. "You know each other?"
"We're neighbors, and we met briefly during the summer holidays," Ethan said.
Professor Sprout chuckled. "Destiny, perhaps."
Lily laughed softly. "I had no idea he was a wizard. When we met, he seemed very ordinary, and I never imagined he'd end up as my colleague here at Hogwarts."
Ethan sat beside her. "I've been keeping a low profile since I'm new to England and don't know much about English wizarding laws. Besides, we live among Muggles, so we have to blend in."
Breakfast appeared before them.
Nina leapt onto the table and promptly stole a sausage.
The professors laughed at her cheeky attempt.
Dumbledore rose gracefully from his seat and looked towards the students.
"My dear students," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Yesterday was a difficult day, and I am delighted to see you all safe, sound, and in good spirits. Today, I have some very good news to share with you."
The hall stilled. Every student listened attentively, hanging on his every word.
"We are introducing a new subject this year. Dueling."
The hall erupted.
"And your instructor," Dumbledore continued, "will be Professor Ethan Thorne. I am certain you will learn much from him. Most of you witnessed his abilities yesterday, and I hope each one of you will take this opportunity to learn from him throughout the year."
Ethan stood and bowed slightly, then scanned the hall. In a calm, measured voice, he spoke:
"I am honored to be here at Hogwarts and to teach at this ancient school, which has long nurtured the magical civilization," he said. "I look forward to sharing my knowledge with all of you."
Cheers thundered through the hall.
As he sat, Professor Sprout leaned toward him. "You handled that very well for someone teaching for the first time. I remember my first time standing in front of students—I was shaking, and it took me a long while to overcome it."
"I have taught Transfiguration for three years," Ethan replied. "At Beauxbatons. Though I must admit, my first experience was just as nerve-wracking. I was very nervous about teaching students for the first time."
Flitwick's eyes widened. "Transfiguration? I thought it was Charms!"
Ethan nodded.
After some time, breakfast drew to a gentle close.
The Great Hall, which had earlier been alive with noise and laughter, began to soften into a quieter rhythm as plates emptied and students drifted away toward their morning activities. Ethan remained seated for a while longer, engaged in polite conversation with the other professors. He listened more than he spoke, observing their expressions, the warmth in their voices, and the unguarded approval they showed him. There was no suspicion here, or polite reserve. Only relief and a growing sense of trust.
He found that strangely grounding.
As the last of the toast vanished from his plate, Ethan glanced around the teachers table. His eyes paused on an empty seat near the far end.
He frowned slightly.
Turning toward Filius Flitwick, he lowered his voice. "Professor Flitwick, may I ask something?"
"Of course," Flitwick replied, adjusting his spectacles.
"I noticed someone missing. The professor who was present last night. Professor Crave, I believe. Is he not joining us this morning, or is he not a permanent member of staff?"
Flitwick's expression shifted subtly. The corners of his mouth tightened just a little before he answered.
"Yes, he is here," he said. "A recent appointment. He teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I see," Ethan said calmly.
Flitwick shrugged faintly. "It seems he was not inclined to breakfast today. Perhaps he is busy. Or perhaps he prefers solitude. Some do."
Ethan nodded. "I suppose we will meet soon enough. Our subjects will overlap in many ways."
"Indeed," Flitwick said with a small smile. "And mine as well. You will be teaching practical application, and I will be teaching spell structure. It is good for students to see how theory and action work together."
"I agree," Ethan said. "Last night made that very clear. They are still children, but emergencies do not wait for adulthood. Teaching them how to react calmly might save lives one day."
Flitwick nodded slowly. "Wisely said."
One by one, the professors began to rise. Chairs scraped gently against the floor as conversations ended. Flitwick stood and inclined his head toward Ethan.
"I am glad you are here," he said. "Do visit my office sometime. I think we will work well together."
"I would like that," Ethan replied.
He rose as well and offered a polite farewell to the remaining professors. Nina hopped down from the table and fell into step beside him, tail swaying lazily as they made their way toward the side exit of the Great Hall.
They were nearly through the doorway when a voice called out behind him.
"Professor Thorne."
Ethan paused and turned.
Lily Evans stood a short distance away, her hands clasped in front of her. She hesitated for a brief moment before stepping closer.
"Yes," Ethan said gently. "How can I help you, Miss Evans?"
She stopped in front of him and took a breath. "I wanted to thank you. Properly."
He tilted his head slightly, waiting.
"For yesterday," she continued. "For stepping in. For protecting the students when you did not know them. When you did not have to."
Ethan shook his head at once. "Please do not thank me for that. They are children. An adult standing by while a child is harmed is no adult at all."
Her expression shifted.
Something flickered behind her eyes, quick and unreadable. Pain, perhaps. Or memory.
Ethan noticed it immediately and was about to soften his words when she spoke again.
"My son was there," she said quietly. "On that train. You saved him. You saved all of them."
He fell silent.
The weight of her words settled between them.
"I am grateful," she said. "More than I can properly express."
Ethan lowered his voice. "Then I am glad I was there."
She nodded once. "Welcome to Hogwarts," she added, a small smile returning. "I hope this place treats you kindly."
"And you as well," he replied.
She turned and walked away before he could say anything more.
Ethan watched her go, unease tugging faintly at his thoughts. He replayed the conversation in his mind, searching for the moment where something had shifted. He could not tell what he had said wrong, only that something had touched a deeper place than he intended.
He exhaled and shook his head lightly.
Nina brushed against his leg, her tail flicking as if urging him forward.
"You are right," he murmured. "No sense lingering."
He looked down at her and smiled. "Come on, Nina. Let us visit the library. I hear it is one of the oldest and finest in the world."
The cat meowed in approval.
Together, they turned toward the stairs, ascending deeper into the quiet heart of Hogwarts.