Chapter 2

(A/N: This is AU, just saying, so not everything is canonically accurate. It is not because I forgot half of the plot.)

(A/N: Also, notice the switching of past and present tense. I'll blame that on the 1st Person POV. Haven't exactly gotten used to writing like this.)

(A/N: Should I switch to third-person? )

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I sat at the Hufflepuff table, looking around in interest. Most of the other first-years were sitting on the opposite end of the table, while I sat next to this tall polite guy I'd met just a minute ago.

It seemed that we were early, as there were still a lot of students entering the Great Hall. Above, the ceiling was a vivid blue, with white clouds slowly drifting across. The candles seemed to be absent at the moment.

His table was filled with excited chatter, with many students having a similar idea to him. Exploring the castle. Even if most of the first years were magical, it wasn't every day one would come to a castle.

At the Gryffindor table, a few sixth-years were laughing among themselves, playing some magical card game. A trail of smoke shot into the air, exploding.

The Slytherin Table was mostly quiet, with a few huddling among themselves, muttering quietly.

Ravenclaw? Most of the ones present seemed to be reading various books. They really were studios. Even if the school year hadn't even started. I should start up on that sometime too.

Most of the first-year students will start on a similar ground, but what I was most worried about, were Quill and Ink. Honestly, I was kinda disgusted by the thought of trying to use them. Thankfully I brought a few pens with me. Wonder if they are allowed though….

Waiting there for a while more, then, out of nowhere, with a loud clatter, various dishes suddenly appeared on the table, suprising a few students. There was quite the variety, sausages, kippers, porridge, fried tomatoes, eggs, mashed potatoes, and so on. They also had a few drinks. Normal cold water, pumpkin juice, and even some cranberry juice.

I politely took a plate, piling some appetizing looking food on it, and began to eat. Dining into some nice crunchy bacon, I noticed that most of the teachers had assembled in the front. Due to my state of mind at the time, I only really payed attention to Dumbeldore.

Scanning them, I saw many familiar figures. The brooding cloaked Snape, the cheerful down to earth Professor Sprout, the exuberant and also cheerful Prof. Flitwick, and so on. It really was a treat meeting them in real life.

Especially Snape. He looked about the same as Alan Rickman. Doubtfully had the same personality.

Last night, I'd watched the rest of the sorting with quite some interest. Most of the main characters of interest were similar looking too the actors and actresses, save a few minor details. Nothing interesting really happened yesterday, besides everybody fanboying over Harry Potter.

Me not included.

Now today, I was going to explore the castle. But honestly, I didn't know where to go. This place seemed huge, and it was. From the former Reed's memories, he had seen the exterior of the castle, and it seemed to be quite beautiful at night. Shame I probably couldn't go out at night by any conventional means.

Shaking my head, I awakened from my thoughts. Today, I decided, I would go outside and explore. It would be fun exploring the grounds. There seemed to be many ideal spots to just relax and enjoy the view.

An idyllic swaying tree on a short hill, overlooking the beautiful sparkling lake. That would be something nice.

I quickly shoveled most of the food in my mouth, chewing with exuberance. Sunlight glinted, illuminating the Great Hall as the Sun rose from the mountains.

After finishing, I just departed, having nothing better to do. Though, I would have to remember to come back to the common room later on for the schedules. It would get complicated otherwise.

Exiting the Great Hall, I stepped out of the great Castle, my eyes taking in the beauty before me. A cold breeze blew through my hair, skin tingling. It was really fresh, the air. Despite the cool temperature, the Sun illuminated the landscape with its warm glow…. Refreshing.

I took in the view, my school robes flapping a little as I walked forwards, just enjoying the scenery. In the near distance, a few gray mountains stood, covered in bushes, grass, and other variety of things. Two owls soared overhead, flying off into the distance. The sky was a mix of cloudy gray with some blue peeking through.

Strolling along, I made my way up to the side of the lake, watching as the water slowly lapped against the gravel-covered beach. Besides me, a few students were enjoying their time. A few others were also simply enjoying nature. An older Hufflepuff skipped a stone across the water, making three ripples. Under a nearby tree, two young Gryffindor's were playing a round of Wizarding Chess, each piece moving by themselves. Interesting….

I really enjoyed this peace and serenity for a good ten minutes, still as a statue. In my past life, after my depressing high school life, I lived a horrifying life. One full of blood and dust, sand and droughts. It sucked.

Now, in this aesthetically pleasing castle, all I had to deal with was a noseless dark wizard, a turban-wrapped dark wizard, an overgrown killer snake, a pink toad, and a few other dark wizards. Also murderous tournament? Doubt I would take part in that mess.... Hm. Seemed better and better the more I thought about it.

If this was what weekends were like here in this school, then I was definitely going to enjoy them. Besides the homework. But it also made me curious. What would someone like me think of the homework? Would it be interesting, being magical and such, or not? So many wonderful questions that would take a while to be answered.

This would be a wonderful experience. Truly.

Later On In The Day.

Hmm… Well, that is a problem. I stepped up on an ornate staircase, as it slowly moved, connecting to another area.

I had explored a good part of the exterior of the castle, near the Grand Hall for most of the morning. And now, it was nearing noon, and our Head of House, Professor Sprout, wanted to hand out our schedules and such.

I walked up and down the stairways, nearly tripping a total of seven times. But thanks to my god-speed reflexes, I never stumbled all the way. Nimble on the feet, elegant and gracef-

"Eh?" I promptly stumbled, the step I was about to take had suddenly disappeared. In all my grace, I rolled down a few steps, before regaining balance, and getting to my feet as if nothing happened. Patting some dust off myself, I glared at the nearby paintings, who had taken the opportunity to mock me. Charming, all of them.

Walking, I reached a small stone-carved tunnel I hadn't seen before. Well of course I hadn't seen it before. Besides this palace being "ancient" and "full of mystery", I was literally in this Castle for about 16 hours...

Walking through the passage, I could see natural light at the end. Probably led to a balcony. For once, I was happy with my short stature, as if this was in my previous life, I would have had to bend down to get through.