Chapter 23: Who Can Refuse That?
The next day, just after seven o'clock, Ethan woke up .
He took out the schedule that had been delivered with the gift yesterday and saw that the courses at Hogwarts were arranged quite comfortably.
There were eight courses in total: Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying, History of Magic, and Astronomy. Flying, History of Magic, and Astronomy only had one class per week, while the rest had two classes per week.
Each class lasted an hour, with a half-hour break before the next one. Except for Potions, which had two consecutive classes, all the other courses were spaced apart.
Classes were from 9:00 to 11:30 in the morning and from 1:30 to 4:00 in the afternoon. Astronomy was on Wednesday nights.
All four houses took classes together. With only about 70 freshmen, one classroom was more than sufficient to accommodate everyone.
Besides, if the students were divided, there would be only one professor per subject. Given that each professor had to teach seven grades, splitting the classes would lead to two groups of fourteen. Many professors also had additional responsibilities, such as being heads of houses, which involved managing affairs specific to their houses. On top of that, they needed to prepare lessons, grade homework, and conduct exams.
Considering all this, if the professors were made to handle more than they already did, they simply wouldn't be able to manage. Even a workhorse couldn't endure such a load.
There was only one Transfiguration class scheduled for the morning, starting at nine o'clock, so Ethan still had time. The other three were still fast asleep, so he didn't wake them. After freshening up, he left the dormitory.
"Good morning, senior!"
Upon reaching the common room, Ethan spotted Penelope right away. Besides her, there were several other upper-year students reading books. They were all quite diligent.
"Good morning, Ethan. How are you finding life in Ravenclaw's dormitory?" Penelope greeted him with a smile.
"It's fine. I just don't like the beds much," Ethan replied as he sat down next to her. He noticed the book she was reading, Standard Spells, Grade 5.
"It's 7:30. Why don't we go grab breakfast together?" Penelope suggested, standing up and stretching, showing her graceful curves. She was certainly well-developed for her age—at sixteen, she showed no signs of undernourishment.
"Did you get up early to read?" Ethan asked as they walked together.
"Getting up at 6 o'clock to study isn't considered early," Penelope said, smiling. "This year, I have my O.W.L.s coming up. I want to score Outstanding in all subjects, which means I need to stay focused."
"Senior, I'm sure you'll do great!" Ethan encouraged her. Being a prefect already proved her excellence, especially in Ravenclaw, where academic success was paramount. The exams would surely be a breeze for her.
The O.W.L.s, or Ordinary Wizarding Levels, were taken in the fifth year and were crucial for determining the students' future coursework. In the seventh year, students took the N.E.W.T.s, or Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, which played a significant role in post-graduation opportunities. Only those with top scores could secure prestigious positions, like in the Ministry of Magic.
Penelope shrugged modestly. "The exams themselves aren't too difficult, but let's not dwell on that." Her mood shifted. Although she was confident in her academic performance, there were other aspects of her life where things weren't as straightforward.
Ethan knew what she meant but decided to act as though he didn't. The hierarchy in the wizarding world was much stricter than among Muggles.
Soon, they reached the Great Hall. It served as the venue for meetings, meals, and celebrations. Breakfast was simple, not nearly as extravagant as the feast the night before—milk, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, bread, ham, eggs, bacon—all self-serve.
"Hogwarts has 142 staircases. Some of them move around unpredictably. You might try to get to the third floor but end up on the fifth instead. It's not uncommon for new students to be late because of this," Penelope explained as she ate.
"It's still early. Shall I take you on a tour?" she asked after finishing her breakfast and wiping her mouth elegantly.
"Thank you, senior!" Ethan was more than happy to accept the offer.
Being familiar with Hogwarts' layout would be invaluable, especially at night.
Penelope's enthusiasm was partly because of Ethan's magical potential—his ability marked him as someone extraordinary. She knew it was wise to form connections with such people early on.
Ethan, despite being younger, was easy to talk to and a pleasant companion. His talent was undeniable, and there was a good chance he might follow in the footsteps of notable wizards, some of whom had been among the brightest in Hogwarts' history.
Penelope had her reasons for being so proactive. There was a cautionary tale she had witnessed firsthand—a fellow Muggle-born witch who had been looked after by a senior when she first arrived at Hogwarts. But after graduating, that senior had struggled to find work in the magical world. Even after numerous interviews with the Ministry of Magic and other industries, she had faced rejection after rejection. Eventually, she had left the wizarding world and found work as a cashier in a Muggle bakery.
Penelope had visited her over the summer and found that life in the Muggle world hadn't treated her well. She didn't want to meet the same fate. Determined to change her destiny, Penelope knew she needed to make the right connections and seize every opportunity.
"Don't walk along the edge of this staircase," Penelope advised as they reached a flight of stairs. "If you do, it might lead you to a random floor."
"And don't run. The stairs might shift unexpectedly, leaving gaps large enough for someone to fall through."
After a while, Penelope asked, "Do you remember all that?"
"Yes, thank you, senior," Ethan replied. With his nearly photographic memory, remembering the rules of the staircases was no challenge.
"Well, it's almost time for class. I have to head to Charms Classes now," Penelope said before hurrying off.
Watching her leave, Ethan turned toward the Transfiguration classroom. As a prefect, Penelope had a responsibility to look after the younger students, but Ethan knew her motives ran deeper. Still, he didn't mind. Every effort had its reward, and she was simply making an investment in the future.
Besides, who could refuse such helpful guidance from a beautiful senior?
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