I found Ariel in the great hall in the company of a man and was... pleased by this. Finally, she was starting to live her own life. Apparently, the fact that I was entering school had lifted the heavy burden of responsibility from her. Though I could be wrong.
"Hello, are you my future dad?" I couldn't help saying this. It was beyond my strength not to joke about it.
"Arthur, what are you saying? This is Monsieur Ludwig von Schroeder, he's a teacher of 'Care of Magical Creatures,' which is taught at Beauxbatons."
The man had an amusing surname - it means tailor in translation. Though no worse than mine. Ludwig, despite his benevolent appearance, looked like a blacksmith or wrestler, just as sturdy, seemingly strong, and his beard only added to his brutality.
"Well, I don't mind! I didn't know you liked such big guys," I teased her.
"By the way, what's that sitting on your shoulder? A fairy?" she noticed the little thing chirping in my ear.
"Yeah, she latched on, the little one, and doesn't want to get off, just chews sweets," I replied, giving another piece of Turkish delight to the fairy. What a glutton - so small, but eats like crazy!
After which I extended my hand to Ludwig, which looked doll-like compared to his.
"Arthur Marlow. I'm a boy, just so you know."
"I already figured that out," he said after I firmly shook his hand. Not to break it, but a normal, masculine handshake, which you wouldn't expect from me at all. "And I'd say you're not a boy, but already a man. And since the fairy likes you, your heart must be pure."
"Thanks for the compliment, and pleased to meet you."
After which I turned to Ariel: "Well then, mom. I'll run off to get acquainted with my neighbors, look for Patrick and Apolline, and you two handle your adult business here."
And, hugging her, I immediately ran away, otherwise it would end in tears, unwillingness to let go, and so on. This way, I caused mischief - joy in my heart. They can't always be matchmaking me with Apolline. I'll be a matchmaker myself.
This big guy has a pure soul, so most likely he's an honest fellow. And his surface thoughts aren't overflowing with lustful ideas, which is rare considering that Ariel is a veela.
My friends were found quickly, or rather they found me.
"Wow, how adorable! Where did you find such a thing?" Apolline ran up to me and began examining the miniature girl with dragonfly wings on my shoulder. She squeaked threateningly, as she thought, and hid her piece of candy behind her back. But this only caused another attack of cuteness.
"No-no, hands off private property. Where I found her, there are no more - a single specimen. And honestly, I don't even know, she jumped on me herself and started chirping. The prefect suggested feeding her, so she got attached," I told the story of my acquaintance with this creature.
"Since you don't need her, maybe you'll give her to me?" Apolline suggested with such enthusiasm-lit eyes that the fairy hid behind my ear, trembling.
"No, I'm used to being responsible for those I've tamed, even if I didn't want to initially. Since she chose me, I'll take care of her."
I carefully took the chirping fairy in my hand and petted her, which made her start fighting with my finger, but the battle was unequal.
"If you want, let's go to the conservatory, maybe someone will like you too. Patrick, are you coming with us?"
"Yes, let's go." What a cunning fox, but he acted like such things didn't interest him.
But neither he, nor disappointed Apolline, nor I were lucky, and we went to the festive feast, talking about this and that.
…
The parents had already left, and I sighed with relief. I'm afraid if it weren't for the suddenly appeared conversation partner, she wouldn't have left until dinner—she's too attached to me.
On one hand, this is good: I could pull off things that no other mother would allow. On the other hand—I don't want and can't be her nanny forever, she needs to live her own life. And the fact that she started making acquaintances with others is good.
I had no jealousy - what's the point of being jealous of someone who replaced your mother? That's just disgusting.
…
When we returned to the great hall, I didn't recognize it. It had changed so much. In the center of the room appeared many round tables where ten people could sit. On each table were many dishes that flew to students if you just beckoned with your hand.
People divided by many parameters - by blood purity, by age, by gender, though mixed tables were also encountered. Ours was like that.
Since I was hungry, I took two steaks, some vegetable salad, and a refreshing drink with mint.
"Arthur, won't you burst?" joked Patrick, sitting to my left. Though few had seen how I eat when I'm not limited.
"Want to bet?" The others at the table started listening to our conversation.
"How much?"
"A galleon?" I don't want to rob him, it's just unfair. I know I'll eat even more.
"Let's make it ten if you eat four steaks!" my reckless friend suggested.
"Boy, if you eat four steaks, I'll give you twenty!" laughed an upperclassman, and judging by his size, he's either a werewolf or half-giant. More likely the second, judging by his aura.
"What's all the noise, but no fight?" an interested guy from another table approached this big guy.
"Well, this first-year boasted that he'd eat four steaks on a bet! I said if he can do it, I'll give him twenty galleons."
"Oh really? This little guy? I'm in too!"
Apparently entertainment here isn't great, because soon the bet exceeded 150 galleons. Even girls were betting, which I didn't expect.
"Oh, I love easy money," I said and began calmly, without choking, eating one steak after another, showing no sign that I felt bad. And it couldn't be otherwise - yoga and metamorphism rule.
…
"I don't believe it! Where did it all fit? He's so skinny and small! Confess, boy, did you use magic?" one of those who lost the bet protested.
"I saw everything, the boy didn't touch his wand, and he honestly earned the money. Well, you entertained us, little guy. Or does anyone disagree?"
Everyone ended up smiling after his words. After all, losing money is unpleasant, but a bet is a bet and there will be a new story to tell friends. And me? I'm nothing, though I did attract attention, but benevolent attention. Like, he's our guy.
After the hearty dinner, the headmistress stood up once more and wished us good night and not to misbehave, so we went to our beds.
Actually, I never really get tired. No, mental fatigue accumulates over time, but for that I'd need to not sleep for a whole week. But at the same time, I can replace sleep with lying meditation. It doesn't matter to me what position I gather ether in or train.
Fortunately, there's a canopy over the bed, on which I additionally cast attention-diverting spells, sound dampening, and a simple alarm to hear when to get up or if any of the students approach my bed.
While I won't risk training Sumerian charms at school, such training shouldn't attract anyone's attention.
***
"Did you see?" one first-year asked another on the way to the shower. "A girl went into the shower!"
"That was a guy, I saw the uniform. And did you forget about the prohibition? How would a girl get in here?" the second denied.
"I'm telling you, it was a girl!" the first persisted.
"Well then go and check, why are you bothering me?"
"How about you go? I'm embarrassed."
"And what are you suggesting? Look at his... thing?"
"No, I mean yes... how about I give you a galleon and you look?" suggested the first, who was being torn apart by curiosity.
"Five, and don't tell anyone about this, it's shameful." If the first wasn't his friend, he would have refused.
***
Five minutes later.
A guy calmly exited the shower with a towel thrown over his shoulder and shirt in his hands, whose appearance was indeed so pretty that he could easily be mistaken for a girl. But his strong, sinewy body left no doubt about his gender. A minute later, the second one came out pale and stunned.
"Well? How was it?" the first asked him.
"He's... huge!" the guy stammered in response.
"Who's huge?" the first didn't understand.
"Never mind, he's definitely a guy, one hundred, no, two hundred percent. And you owe me 10 galleons!"
"Hey, we agreed on five!"
"For what I saw there, even ten isn't enough!"
***
Children being children. Though they shouldn't have decided to measure dicks with a metamorph - quite a painful occupation for self-esteem. But I was amused by the boy who pretended he absolutely wasn't staring at me.
Returning to the room, I quickly changed into my uniform and went to breakfast. It lasts from six to eight classes start at eight sharp.
I had breakfast with jam sandwiches and bacon and eggs, after which Arthur approached and pointed to the board next to the entrance to the great hall, where the schedule for all courses for the whole week was posted - quite convenient. Though he warned that there might be changes the first week and it was advisable to check the board every day. He also led us to the first lesson: the castle is large, and at first you can easily get lost looking for the right classroom.
Our first two lessons were illusions. In general, the subjects in first and second year were: illusions, astronomy, charms, basics of combat magic, potions, history of magic, herbology, transfiguration, and by choice: flying on brooms, etiquette and dancing.
From third year you could choose several additional subjects, but more about them later.
I didn't choose any additional subjects: etiquette can be read, flying on brooms. I can fly myself in harpy form, and I've gotten good at broomstick too, there's nothing complicated there, and dancing. It's easier for me to take a couple of lessons and thanks to my coordination and memory remember the movements than spend a whole year on these subjects. Especially since nothing prevents taking them later.
…
I was already sitting at a desk in the third row in the middle when an old man of kindly appearance entered the room, distinguished by wide sideburns and mustache. For his seemingly considerable age, he moved smoothly, like a dancer and duelist, and you wouldn't even say he was old. Especially if you look at the mischievous gleam in his eyes, which says he likes either his subject itself or children. It turned out later to be both.
"Hello, children, my name is Florentin Umbran, and I teach such a wonderful subject as illusions. Perhaps it's not as useful as transfiguration, or as formidable as combat magic, but still it's beautiful and deceptive in its beauty. Deceive an opponent or delight those around you, turn a hovel into a palace or hide a priceless treasure under a pile of junk - all this and much more is available through illusions.
Now, open your books to page four, I'll tell you about safety techniques during lessons and what to do in case of unforeseen accidents."
Good teacher - he managed to interest students in his subject and only then began talking about necessary but boring safety techniques, which he diluted with amusing and not-so-amusing cases in practice. For example, one student accidentally made his cat invisible and then searched for it for a week.
…
Speaking of pets - the fairy was brazenly sleeping in my chest pocket, and before that didn't want to part with me even in the bathroom. I haven't had time to deal with her yet, I decided to postpone that until evening.
In principle, the lesson seemed fun to me, but useless personally. But I understand that school wasn't made for people like me - adult reincarnates who by age 11 not only completed the entire course but also read almost all additional literature.
So I simply cast a simple illusion of a first-year textbook on "Advanced Courses in Combat Charms" by some Flitwick and read them during the lesson. Though my cunning didn't go unnoticed. When I was leaving, I was asked to stay behind.
"I understand, Mister..."
"Marlow. Arthur Marlow, Monsieur Umbran."
"So, I understand that you're not interested in my lessons, Mister Marlow, judging by the illusion you applied, but I hope you'll be more careful. Magic is not a toy."
"I understand that perfectly and didn't want to offend you." I winced, remembering how many times I'd had to heal myself from burns, torn limbs and other damage to my body during unsuccessful spell applications. "I just completed the entire first year at home long ago."
"Well, if you answer well in my lessons, thus helping your classmates, and do homework assignments, I'll turn a blind eye to outside literature in my lesson," he told me.
"Thank you," I briefly thanked him in response. Only one question wouldn't leave me alone. "How did you know I was reading another book?"
In response, he just waved his wand, creating a reflecting surface in the air, which only made me laugh. Everything ingenious is simple.
…
At lunch my fairy woke up and began demanding something tasty, so I gave this pest a bowl of jam, which she almost immediately jumped into headfirst, but I managed to grab her and tried to show her to eat with her hands. She just chirped something in response.
This annoyed me, and I carefully transmitted a mental image of how I eat, replacing myself with the fairy, and it worked. She squatted down and began taking apple jam in her hands bit by bit. I also poured warm water into a shallow glass for her, transmitting an image of washing hands. But this pest plopped in there completely and began bathing and splashing in the mug.
"Did the girl find herself a girlfriend?" came a voice from behind.
Turning around, I saw Delacour and turned back, saying:
"You apparently didn't understand last time? And where did you find the courage? From your lovers?"
"What did you say?"
"Oh, so you're also deaf? Then I apologize, I don't offend invalids."
"I'll tear you apart, veela spawn!" he raged, but his buddies held him back. An attack in public won't go unpunished.
I stood up and approached him closely, keeping personal protection ready. Such a complex spell I can only hold one of and it takes long to cast, but it's worth it. It can only protect from one attack, but any attack. Absolutely any.
"Well come on, attack! Here I am in front of you. Why are you hiding behind your buddies? Or can you only talk empty words, like a girl?" I asked, though I wanted to punch him in the face for his rotten words, but I restrained myself.
Even if stupid, he's still a child, especially since we're really in public. And Delacour is only so brave because the teachers haven't come to lunch yet.
"Jean, he's provoking you!" - his accomplice told him. - "We'll deal with him later, then he won't be so brave."
"Pff, you're right," this little bastard admitted, agreeing with his supporter who, unlike him, had brains. So he just snorted and left, not getting the desired reaction from me and seeing how the prefect was looking at us, about to stand up.
If he decides to attack - he'll get his ass kicked. And judging by his look, it's only a question of time and place.
…
A few minutes later Apolline came up with Patrick, with whom we chatted about impressions from the first day. As my friend said, the old transfiguration teacher left and now they have a new, young teacher. Moreover, she looked at me as if she was bursting with desire to tell something. But since I don't have the habit of rummaging through the minds of people close to me, I didn't find out what exactly.
But the second lesson surprised me when I entered the classroom - even I had all words stuck in my throat, and I could only squeeze out:
"Mom?"
***
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Thank you for the help with the power stones!!!