Chapter 14: Charms and Cunning

After a satisfying lunch in the Great Hall, where the Slytherins exchanged observations about the morning's classes, the first-years made their way to the Charms classroom. The room was smaller and more intimate than the other classrooms, with rows of desks facing a raised platform where the professor's desk stood. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with thick, leather-bound tomes on various aspects of Charms.

Professor Flitwick, a tiny, energetic wizard with a high-pitched voice, greeted them warmly as they entered. Despite his diminutive stature, Flitwick exuded a powerful magical presence, and Alaric immediately recognized him as someone not to be underestimated.

"Welcome, welcome!" Flitwick chirped, clambering onto a stack of books behind his desk so that he could see over it. "Today, we'll be starting with the Levitation Charm—one of the most basic, yet most useful, charms in any wizard's repertoire."

He demonstrated the charm with a flick of his wand, causing a feather to rise gracefully into the air. "Now, it's your turn," he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Remember, the incantation is 'Wingardium Leviosa.' Enunciate clearly and focus your intent!"

Alaric picked up his wand, eyeing the feather on his desk with intent. The Levitation Charm was simple in theory, but it required precise wand movement and a clear understanding of magical focus. He could see how easily a lack of concentration could lead to failure.

He watched as Draco attempted the charm first, his wand movement slightly stiff but effective. The feather on his desk wobbled for a moment before rising a few inches into the air. Draco grinned, clearly pleased with his success.

Alaric followed suit, flicking his wand with the required swish and flick motion while intoning, "Wingardium Leviosa."

The feather rose smoothly, hovering about a foot above the desk. Alaric held it there for a moment, feeling the magical energy flow through his wand, before gently lowering it back down. The charm had been executed perfectly.

As he glanced around the room, he saw that Blaise and Theodore were also having success with the charm, their feathers floating effortlessly in the air. Daphne and Tracey were focused, their feathers bobbing slightly as they maintained their concentration.

On the other side of the room, the Gryffindors were having mixed results. Hermione Granger had successfully levitated her feather, her expression one of satisfaction as she carefully guided it through the air. Harry Potter was struggling, his feather twitching sporadically before falling back to the desk. Ron Weasley's attempts were less successful—his feather remained stubbornly on the desk, despite his increasingly frustrated efforts.

Professor Flitwick moved around the room, offering encouragement and advice as he observed the students' progress. When he reached Alaric's desk, he beamed.

"Well done, Mr. Peverell! Excellent control and focus. Keep practicing, and you'll be mastering more advanced charms in no time."

"Thank you, Professor," Alaric replied, his tone respectful.

Flitwick moved on, but not before giving Draco and Blaise nods of approval as well. Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It was clear that Slytherin was excelling in this class, just as they had in Potions and Transfiguration.

As the lesson continued, Flitwick introduced a few more simple charms, each designed to build on the students' understanding of magical theory and wand control. Alaric found the exercises engaging, but not particularly challenging. He had spent years practicing basic spells at home, and his control over his magic was already well-honed.

By the end of the lesson, Flitwick was positively beaming with pride. "Well done, everyone! You've all made excellent progress today. Remember to practice these charms in your free time—they'll be the foundation for everything else you'll learn in this class."

As the students began packing up their things, Flitwick handed out their homework—practicing the Levitation Charm on a variety of small objects and writing a short essay on the importance of proper wand movement in charm casting.

Alaric left the classroom feeling confident. Charms had always been a subject he enjoyed, and it was clear that he was ahead of most of his classmates. But he knew that this was just the beginning. The real challenge would come in mastering the more advanced charms and spells that would be introduced later in the term.

As they walked back to the common room, Draco couldn't help but gloat. "Did you see Weasley's face? He couldn't even get his feather off the desk!"

Blaise smirked. "Not surprising. Gryffindors aren't exactly known for their finesse."

Alaric didn't join in the mockery, though he couldn't deny the truth in their words. While Gryffindor valued bravery, Slytherin valued cunning and skill—qualities that would ultimately give them the edge in any situation.

When they reached the common room, the group gathered around the fireplace, discussing their first day of classes. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie, but also of subtle competition. Each of them knew that they were being measured not just by their professors, but by each other.

Alaric took a seat in one of the dark leather armchairs, his mind already turning to the challenges that lay ahead. The first day had gone well, but there was still much to do. He needed to solidify his position within the house, build alliances, and establish his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

As the fire crackled softly in the hearth, Alaric leaned back in his chair, his mind already working through the events of the day. The classes had gone well, and he had established himself as a capable and diligent student. But he knew that academic success was only one part of the equation. To truly excel at Hogwarts, he would need to navigate the social dynamics of both Slytherin and the wider school.

Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Daphne, Tracey, and Pansy continued their discussion, their voices low but animated. They were all pleased with their performance in class, but there was an underlying tension as well. Each of them was aware that they were being judged by their peers, and that their actions now could set the tone for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.

"We need to make sure we keep this momentum going," Draco said, his tone serious. "It's only the first day, but we've already shown that Slytherin is a force to be reckoned with. We can't let Gryffindor or any of the other houses get the upper hand."

Blaise nodded in agreement. "We should be careful, though. It's important to stay ahead, but we don't want to draw too much attention. Let the other houses underestimate us—that will be their downfall."

Alaric listened to the conversation, considering their points. It was clear that Draco was eager to establish himself as a leader within the house, and that Blaise was already thinking strategically about their position. Both of these traits were valuable, but Alaric knew that they would need to be tempered with patience and subtlety.

"We should focus on building our strengths," Alaric suggested, his voice calm and measured. "We've had a strong start, but there's no need to rush. Let's take the time to solidify our skills and ensure that we're prepared for whatever comes our way. If we're patient, we can choose the right moment to strike and ensure that Slytherin remains on top."

Draco considered this for a moment, then nodded. "You're right, Peverell. There's no point in making enemies before we've even established our position. We'll keep our heads down, focus on our studies, and bide our time."

The others agreed, and the conversation shifted to their plans for the rest of the week. They discussed their upcoming classes, the challenges they expected to face, and the strategies they would use to overcome them. The atmosphere in the common room was one of quiet determination, each of them aware that they were laying the foundation for their future success.

As the evening wore on, the common room slowly emptied, the other students heading off to bed. But Alaric remained by the fire, his thoughts turning to the larger game at play. He knew that he had the skills and the intelligence to succeed at Hogwarts, but he also knew that he would need to be careful. The other houses, particularly Gryffindor, would be watching them closely, waiting for any sign of weakness.

But Alaric was not one to be easily intimidated. He had spent his entire life preparing for this, and he was determined to make his mark. As he stared into the flickering flames, he could feel the weight of his legacy pressing down on him, but it was a weight he was ready to bear.