Chapter 78: "Other Classes and House Dynamics"

History of Magic was the next in the day's schedule. Harry surprisingly found himself enjoying this class, a reaction that was unusual compared to most students. The general expectation was boredom from listening to Professor Binns, a ghost who monotonously lectured about ancient Goblin wars, causing many first-year students to doze off.

However, Harry used this opportunity differently. With Professor Binns paying little attention to the class, Harry could easily bring out another book and study something else. This class became an unexpected boon for Harry, providing him valuable time to continue his personal studies amidst the busy Hogwarts schedule.

When the class wrapped up, the students woke up from their naps, refreshed yet dismayed when Professor Binns assigned homework on the very Goblin wars he had lectured on.

Lunch followed, and then came the Charms class with the Slytherins. Reginald was quick to greet his sister and Arabella before joining the Ravenclaw side of the classroom. House rivalry was something the first years were quickly introduced to, particularly between Gryffindor and Slytherin due to their conflicting ideologies, and between Ravenclaw and Slytherin for the coveted House Cup. This rivalry was so serious that students were discouraged from mingling with members of the rival house during classes to avoid losing points.

Reggy found himself separated from his sister in class due to this rule, a testament to the intensity of house loyalties at Hogwarts.

As Professor Flitwick entered the classroom, the chatter among the students died down, making the room silent. Harry, seeing him for the first time up close, couldn't help but notice his height. Professor Flitwick was quite short, standing only about three and a half feet tall, which Harry knew was due to his part-goblin heritage. Despite his small stature, Harry couldn't look down on him, knowing that he was a three-time winner of the international dueling championship, a testament to his formidable magical abilities.

Making his way to the front, Professor Flitwick approached a desk where a pile of books lay. He skillfully climbed these books as if they were steps, allowing him to stand on the desk and be more visible to the class.

In a voice that was unexpectedly squeaky but high-pitched, he greeted the class warmly. "Good morning, first years," he began, his tone cheerful and welcoming. "My name is Professor Flitwick. I am the head of the Charms department and also have the honor of being the head of Ravenclaw House. During your time here at Hogwarts, I will be teaching you the art of charms. Please remember, my door is always open to any of you who might need assistance or have questions about your studies."

When Professor Flitwick started the lesson, his energy was immediately noticeable. He was so passionate about teaching that he made the entire classroom come alive. It felt like watching someone who had found their true calling, teaching and guiding young minds. Professor Flitwick was small in stature, but his presence was anything but. He zipped around the classroom with such zeal that you'd mistake him for a youngster if you didn't know better.

The lesson began with a broad overview of Charms, laying a solid foundation before moving toward spellcasting. The Lumos Charm was the spell of the day, an introductory spell that allowed wizards to light the tip of their wands. It was the perfect place to start for beginners. To everyone's delight, they all managed to cast the spell successfully after just a handful of attempts. Though simple, the Lumos Charm was incredibly practical, especially when navigating in the dark.

Professor Flitwick didn't stop there; he delved deeper into the mechanics of the spell. He emphasized the critical role of visualization in enhancing the spell's effectiveness and explained how the Lumos Charm could be used for learning to control your magic.

At the end of the class, Professor Flitwick asked the Ravenclaw first years to stay behind. 

Professor Flitwick gathered all the Ravenclaw first-years around him for a chat. "As many of you might be aware, I'm not just your Charms professor; I'm also the Head of Ravenclaw House. It's my responsibility to guide you during your time here at Hogwarts," he started, his voice filled with a mix of seriousness and warmth. "I'm sure Professor McGonagall briefed you about the house point system yesterday evening. I expect each one of you to behave respectfully towards all your teachers. If you ever find yourself disagreeing with a teacher or caught in an argument, I want you to come to me. We'll sit down together, after class, and find a solution."

He paused for a moment before adding, "To ensure we're all on the same page, I hold monthly meetings with our house members. These sessions last about half an hour, and it's an opportunity for us to talk about any issues, share your achievements, and discuss anything that might help you in your studies."

Professor Flitwick then flashed a reassuring smile. "That's pretty much all I wanted to cover for now. Remember, my office is right next door. If you run into any trouble or just need someone to talk to, my door is always open. Any questions?"

The room remained quiet, everyone nodding in understanding, to which he concluded, "Well then, I hope you all enjoy your time at Hogwarts. It's a special place."

"Thank you, Professor Flitwick!" echoed around the room as the students expressed their gratitude.

As they stepped out of the Charms classroom, Harry and Reginald noticed two familiar faces waiting for them: Arabella and Elvinia. The rest of their Ravenclaw classmates had already headed back to the common room, leaving the four of them in the corridor.

"Hey, Reggy," Arabella called out with a smile. "What was that meeting about?"

"Just our Head of House, Professor Flitwick, giving us a welcome talk," Reggy explained.

"Oh, really? Professor Snape had our Slytherin introduction last night," Arabella responded, her tone shifting a bit.

Harry, curious, jumped in with a question. "How's Slytherin so far? Is it really as dark and dreary as they say?"

Arabella took a moment before answering. "It's too early to judge fully, but yeah, it's a bit more somber than I'd like. Without Elvinia, I think I'd feel quite out of place."

"And what about Professor Snape?" Harry prodded further.

"Professor Snape? He doesn't meddle too much with house affairs. In Slytherin, we sort of run our own ship. The most influential student in our year gets to lead, and we're all expected to fall in line," Arabella shared.

"Influential in what sense? Their external connections, or their strength?" Harry asked, intrigued.

"It's more about their standing within Slytherin itself," Arabella clarified.

"That sounds like quite the responsibility. Who's looking like the frontrunner this year? Is it you, sister?" Reggy asked, turning to Elvinia.

"I'd like to take on the role, but Cassius Warrington has a better shot. He's well-connected with the older students," Elvinia admitted with a hint of disappointment.

Arabella scoffed at the mention of Warrington. "That arrogant fool. Just because his dad is tight with the Malfoys, he thinks he can run the show and push everyone around."

Reggy nodded in understanding. "Ah, so it's the Malfoy connection that's bolstering his position."

Harry, intrigued by the Slytherin dynamics, couldn't resist asking, "Is the Malfoy family really that influential?"

Elvinia responded with a nod, "Yeah, the Malfoy family has a long history and holds significant sway, especially in the darker circles of the Wizengamot. They're not on the same level as the Blacks historically, but lately, Lord Malfoy has been cozying up to the Minister of Magic. That's made them quite the figures to impress."

"So, what side does your family align with?" Harry inquired, curious about the broader political landscape.

"We're aligned with the Neutral faction, along with families like the Greengrasses," Elvinia shared.

Harry mused aloud, "I figured as much since you're engaging with someone from a Light family without any hesitation."

This conversation was reassuring for Harry. Knowing they weren't tied to the Dark faction meant he didn't have to hold back on his friendship with Reggy. Harry was cautious about aiding someone who might later oppose him in conflicts, understanding that neutral families often chose their stance to avoid war rather than because of their beliefs.

"Our family doesn't really pick sides," Reggy added, eager to clarify.

Harry nodded, "I understand, but it's likely some in Slytherin might not take kindly to you mingling with the brother of the Boy-Who-Lived."

Elvinia didn't seem bothered, "Well, I see more advantage in being your friend."

"That's very Slytherin of you," Harry chuckled, "but seriously, let me know if anyone gives you trouble. I'd stand up for you regardless, especially for the sister of my roommate."

"Thanks, Harry. I've always been concerned about their well-being in Slytherin. It's pretty cutthroat," Reggy admitted.

"It's manageable," Elvinia countered, "Just keep an eye on Arabella; she's the one who truly stands out in Slytherin. The pressure is good for me; it drives me to improve. Still, knowing we have support is comforting."

Once they had finished discussing the more serious matters, the conversation shifted to the topic of their living quarters at Hogwarts. Arabella and Elvinia expressed a bit of envy towards the boys for their Ravenclaw tower dorms, which boasted a spectacular view of the Hogwarts grounds. In contrast, the girls' Slytherin dorms were located in the dungeons, lacking any natural light from windows. They shared that they had Herbology class with the Hufflepuffs that morning and had grown quite fond of Professor Sprout.

Harry nearly shared the story of Reggy's attempt to pet Professor McGonagall, but a stern look from Reggy quickly silenced him. It was probably for the best that the girls didn't know about McGonagall's animagus abilities. Who knows, they might actually manage to pet her if they tried.

Realizing time was getting on, they exchanged goodbyes and made plans to meet the next day for an adventure to explore more of Hogwarts.