Dawn arrived long before my body was emotionally ready for it.
The bedroom door burst open and a boy of about seven ran in with the typical energy of a child at that hour.
"Wake up! Wake up! It's the first day! Let's blow stuff up!" he shouted as if announcing a party.
Edwin and I jumped. I almost fell off the bunk bed. Almost. (Fortunately, my reflexes had improved by 3% since I arrived in this world.)
"Is it always going to be like this?" muttered Edwin, his hair tousled, his face marked by the pillow as if he had been attacked by an octopus.
"Maybe, but starting like this, I fear how it will end," I replied, searching for my boots on the floor.
The common room was a magical children's zoo... Literally.
Someone had conjured up three chickens that started running around the place... with squirrel tails? An older teenager was trying to catch them using a spell, but it only made them jump higher. A flying cushion carried a child on it as if it were a low-budget magic carpet.
"Five minutes and everything is already chaos," I said. "A new record."
Amidst all the chaos, there was something... endearing. Hogwarts was buzzing with life. Chaotic, somewhat worrying, but alive after all.
They took us to the Great Hall, and although it didn't yet have the complete enchanted ceiling or the four long tables as it would in the future, this version was... beautiful.
Three large wooden tables occupied the center, with a table at the head where the four founders used to sit. Wildflowers decorated some corners and candles floated at different heights above the tables, some of them wobbling but giving the place a unique touch.
Then my nose caught a very pleasant aroma... a glorious, heavenly, almost spiritual smell that announced breakfast.
Freshly baked crusty bread, sizzling bacon, eggs, fruit, honey cakes, and hot oatmeal. My belly sang Ave Maria in the language of a grateful stomach ready for a tremendous feast.
At the front was Helga Hufflepuff wearing an enchanted apron (which changed color depending on the temperature of what she was cooking), organizing the dishes alongside some small beings with pointed ears, big eyes, and hands that moved very quickly.
Of course, they could be none other than House-elf.
They were smaller than the elves seen in the Potter movies, but they were better dressed, in somewhat rustic clothing, linen aprons, and caps that looked handmade, and they moved with military efficiency.
"Good morning, my darlings," said Helga in the tone of a loving grandmother but with unquestionable authority. "I hope you're hungry, because we need energy for the classes and exams ahead of us."
A collective murmur of panic swept through the dining room.
"There's oatmeal for those who are nervous," he added with a wink. "It helps calm your stomach and your mind."
An elf placed a plate in front of me and said in a sweet voice:
"Breakfast for the new Mr. Art-hur. We hope it makes your tummy happy."
"Thank you... What's your name?" I asked.
The elf's eyes widened as if no one had ever asked him that before.
"Mavri, sir. Mavri bakes bread rolls with love." I watched him blush. A blushing house elf. Bonus cuteness points for the day.
While we ate, Helga went from table to table making sure everyone had enough. She gave them encouragement, advice, and to the older ones who looked pale, a special tea that she said would help them concentrate and calm down.
She stopped behind Edwin and me and put a hand on our shoulders.
"Dear ones, remember something important: this exam is not to judge you... it is to get to know you. Only then will we know how to help you grow."
It sounded so comforting that I almost forgot that:
A) it was an exam
B) with magic
C) in a school where a tree turned into cookies.
"Are the four of them evaluating us?" I asked in a voice that tried to sound casual.
"Of course," Helga replied with a warm smile. "Remember, it's not about competing. Here, we all learn together and at our own pace."
A boy's sneeze exploded at the back of the dining room and turned another boy's towel into a little pink rabbit.
Helga sighed as she watched the scene.
"That's the theory... but in practice, everything is very different," she added with maternal resignation as she approached to solve the sneezing problem.
I watched the students. Some were nervous, others excited and unsure... just like me.
I felt that tingling in my chest again. Because even though I was shaking a little... I also wanted to see how far I could go on my first day.
When the last students finished breakfast (and the rabbit-before-towel issue was finally resolved), Godric stood up, raising his deep, powerful voice in a friendly manner.
"Attention, young wizards and witches!" he proclaimed, achieving silence in the dining hall... more or less. "Today we will conduct a simple test to assess your current abilities. This is not a test that you can pass or fail. Rather, it will help us to know how best to teach you."
Rowena, with her natural elegance, added.
"Each of you has a different mind and magic from the rest. Some will understand theory more quickly, others will have a more developed practical instinct, and there will be those who excel in sensitivity or magical control, but none of these talents is superior to another." Her blue eyes rested on several students who believed themselves to be more capable than they were, and she finished with a subtle smile. "Hogwarts is not designed for competition... but for everyone to grow."
As I listened to her, I felt the entire dining hall breathe a little more calmly.
Helga intervened to soften the atmosphere.
"The test will be short, fun, and safe." She looked at a certain older student who seemed very proud of his explosive spells and added, "Very safe... understood."
Finally, Salazar crossed his arms and took a step forward.
"However," he said in a more serious tone, "don't confuse 'non-competitive' with 'undemanding'. Being a wizard requires discipline. We expect your respect, your focus, and above all, your effort. If you don't give it your all... you'll be wasting your time here." His gaze lingered on me and Edwin for a second, with a hint of warning and expectation.
Edwin swallowed so hard that I thought he would end up with a sore throat.
Godric smiled to ease the tension again.
"Well, let's go! We'll do the test outdoors. Helga and Rowena will finish the preparations while we guide you. Let's go!"
The walk outside was short but lovely. The morning was cool, with a light mist still covering the trees. Edwin walked beside me as if we were going to a public execution.
I tried not to look nervous.
Godric approached us as we walked.
"Guys, before the test, you'll need this." He handed us two small wooden boxes.
Inside were what we all already know... wands.
They were simple, without any special carvings or decorations. Mine was made of dark wood, light, with a small, almost imperceptible runic engraving. Edwin's was lighter in color and slightly more flexible.
"Are they... for us?" I asked respectfully, holding the box carefully.
Rowena, who had joined the group, replied.
"They are temporary wands. They were not created specifically for you, but they will allow you to channel their magic." Her fingers touched the lid of my box gently. "The wands that will truly be yours will arrive in due course. The wand always chooses the wizard, and for that, it must first get to know you."
Salazar added:
"You will work with these until you demonstrate sufficient control to obtain the right one. Consider it... an evaluation phase."
Edwin raised his wand, admiring it reverently.
"What if... the right wand doesn't want us?" he asked in a trembling voice.
Godric let out a loud laugh.
"Everyone finds a wand! Some take longer than others to reveal themselves... but no magic goes without a home, lad."
I held mine. I felt a tingling in my palm and a small, barely visible spark appeared. As if the wood was testing me... or awakening me.
I took a deep breath.
"I guess we have to earn its respect," I said quietly.
Rowena looked at me with an approving expression that lasted exactly half a second before turning stern again.
"Exactly, Arthur."
We passed through a small stone archway that led to a large field with targets, circles marked on the ground, and tables with strange objects, as well as an area protected by glowing runes.
I didn't know whether to get excited or run away.
Salazar stepped forward, stretched out his arm toward the field, and announced.
"Welcome to the Hogwarts Magical Assessment Exam."
Edwin whispered, clutching his stomach.
"I regret eating so much for breakfast... I think it's all going to come back up."
I raised my wand and smiled at him.
"Don't worry, Edwin, it's just nerves. But if I'm going to explode, I'd rather do it on a full stomach."
The students lined up in front of the targets and tables with the enchanted objects. Some warmed up their wrists as if that would improve their aim, others recited spells under their breath, and a few looked up at the sky as if asking for divine assistance.
Godric clapped enthusiastically.
"All right! We'll start with a simple spell to warm up: Lumina Minor, a basic light at the tip of your wand. It doesn't blind, burn, or explode." He glanced sideways at a couple of older students. "In theory."
Helga pointed to a boy of about fourteen who was shaking like jelly.
"Roger, dear, why don't you start? So everyone can see that there's nothing to be afraid of."
Roger swallowed so hard that I thought his throat would crack. He walked nervously, raised his wand slightly, and said.
"Lu-Lu... Lumi—?"
Salazar said coldly from the back.
"Speak clearly, trust your voice, don't let fear overcome you."
Tom closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"LUMINA MAIOR!"
There was a flash.
A burst of light.
A BOOM.
Suddenly Roger was no longer standing, but hanging upside down from the ceiling of the practice field, caught in a net that I have no idea how it got there.
His wand, meanwhile, had flown off and landed inside a jug of water... which began to glow like a lantern.
Rowena sighed resignedly.
"Yes... that's exactly why we do these assessments," she noted something on a piece of parchment.
Helga waved her wand, releasing poor Roger, who fell into her arms like a sack of potatoes.
"You're all right now, dear. A little disoriented, but fine."
Roger, still face down in Helga's arms, gave a thumbs up.
"Did... I... do... well...?" he asked dazedly.
Godric stifled a laugh (out of pure courtesy) but his face turned red as he tried not to let go of her.
"You put a lot of enthusiasm into it, boy! That's what matters," he finished, laughing.
Salazar rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"At least he didn't set anyone on fire this time... that's progress."
Several students giggled nervously, and others sighed with relief to see that even such a colossal disaster was not deadly.
Edwin whispered beside me.
"That spell... do we have to do it too?"
"I'm afraid so," I replied quietly, "But look on the bright side, at least you're sure not to get hurt."
Edwin looked at me with eyes that said, "Why didn't I stay in the village?"
I gripped my wand. Despite my fear, I felt excitement growing inside me.
I was about to use magic. With the founders of Hogwarts watching me. I mean, yes... I could also end up as a human lamp, but meh, details.
Godric gave a final loud clap.
"Good! This promises to be an interesting day. Arthur, Edwin..." He looked directly at me, with enthusiasm. "How about you go after three other students? That way you'll have time to see what to do and what not to do."
My heart leapt.
"Great," I said, giving him a thumbs up.
Internally, my mind screamed:
"It's not great, it's not great, IT'S NOT GREAT AT ALL!"