Chapter 5

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the tall arched windows of the Ravenclaw dormitory, casting soft golden light upon the wooden floors. I stirred, momentarily disoriented before the memories of the previous night returned. Hogwarts. Ravenclaw. My mission.

Guinn stretched beside me, blinking her blue eyes before curling back into a ball. Around me, the other girls in my dormitory were beginning to wake, yawning and rustling as they prepared for the day ahead. I followed their lead, dressing in my Hogwarts robes and ensuring my wand was securely tucked into my pocket.

The Ravenclaw common room was quiet, bathed in the glow of early morning. The enchanted ceiling shimmered like the sky outside, casting reflections of soft blue hues onto the stone walls. Students murmured amongst themselves, reading books or finishing last-minute assignments even before breakfast.

I descended the spiral staircase and made my way to the Great Hall, where the long tables were already lined with plates of toast, eggs, porridge, and fruit. The Ravenclaw table was alive with discussion, students exchanging theories about upcoming classes and magical topics that went far beyond first-year knowledge.

I sat down quietly, filling my plate as I observed my surroundings. Hermione Granger was already at the Gryffindor table, nose buried in a book, while the same two boys she sat with at the feast yesterday sat beside her—one with untidy black hair and glasses, the other with a shock of red hair—conversed in hushed tones. Across the hall, Draco Malfoy and his group of Slytherins were engaged in their own conversation, occasionally casting looks toward the Gryffindor table. 

I kept my head low, trying not to attract attention as I nibbled on a piece of toast. The chatter in the Great Hall was a constant hum around me—laughter, whispers, and the clinking of cutlery echoed off the enchanted ceiling above, reflecting the bright morning sky.

It was sipping my morning tea when our class schedules started appearing. The enchanted parchment appeared before each of us, listing our lessons for the year. As a first-year Ravenclaw during the 1991 school year, my schedule was very interesting:

Ravenclaw First-Year Schedule (Image on Scribblehub.com chapter)

Flying lessons were also mandatory, with our first session scheduled for the afternoon around 3:30 pm. My stomach tightened at the thought of flying. I had never been on a broom before.

I finished my breakfast in silence, occasionally sneaking glances at the magical splendor around me. The floating candles, enchanted sky, and the sea of wizarding robes were still new to me.

I finished my breakfast in silence, occasionally sneaking glances at the magical splendor around me. The floating candles, enchanted sky, and the sea of wizarding robes were still new to me.

Once my plate was cleared, I rose from the table and headed out, navigating the wide corridors with cautious curiosity. I was eager to return to the Ravenclaw common room and explore my new surroundings in peace. The castle was vast and full of secrets, and every stone seemed to hum with centuries of magic.

As I reached the grand staircase, it suddenly lurched beneath me, shifting direction with a loud creak. My heart leapt into my throat as I clutched the railing for balance. The staircase swung sharply and settled into a new position, revealing a corridor I didn't recognize.

I took a hesitant step forward, peering down the unfamiliar passage. Along the wall hung portraits, each moving and whispering among themselves. Then my gaze caught on one in particular—an imposing figure with a long white beard, robes of deep blue adorned with shimmering stars, and eyes that twinkled with ancient wisdom.

"Merlin," I whispered, recognizing the wizard from my past.

The portrait turned toward me, eyes alive with curiosity and mischief. "Ah, a new student," Merlin's voice echoed through the corridor, rich and kind. "Ravenclaw, I presume?"

I nodded, too stunned to speak. Seeing him brought back memories I stored in locked doors in the far back of my mind. The world seemed to shift beneath my feet, and suddenly, I wasn't at Hogwarts anymore.

I was back there—back then.

The cold rush of stone beneath my bare feet. The heavy scent of smoke and fear in the air. The dim glow of torchlight flickering across my chambers. My breath hitched as I turned toward the door, just as it burst open.

"Genevieve," Merlin's voice—real and commanding—filled the room, no longer a painting, but flesh and magic incarnate. His eyes were sharp with urgency as he stepped forward, casting a spell with a quick flick of his wrist. A shimmering veil fell over me, an enchantment of deception powerful enough to fool even King Arthur himself.

Before I could react, Queen Guinevere appeared, her face pale with desperation, Sir Lancelot beside her, cloaked in the shadows. Their expressions were heavy with guilt and fear.

"I'm sorry," Lady Guinevere whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You must take my place. They're coming for me. Merlin will protect us… but you must stay." Her hand grasped mine with a fierceness that burned into my memory.

I felt the weight of destiny fall upon my shoulders. I wanted to scream, to protest—but there was no time.

"The guards will be here any moment," Merlin urged. "This is the only way."

A distant pounding echoed through the chamber walls—fists hammering against the heavy doors. I could hear their shouts, calling for the Queen's surrender.

"You will be remembered for your bravery, Genevieve," Sir Lancelot said, his voice low and sorrowful. "Your sacrifice will save us all."

I felt the warmth of Lady Guinevere's touch fade as they vanished—disappearing into the air with Merlin's final spell. And then I was alone.

The doors burst open, guards flooding into the room with steel drawn and accusation blazing in their eyes. I didn't resist as they seized me. The cold bite of chains wrapped around my wrists, and my fate was sealed.

The memory shattered, and I was back in the corridor at Hogwarts, standing before Merlin's portrait.

His eyes—those ancient, knowing eyes—were still on me, twinkling with recognition. "The past always follows, Genevieve," the portrait murmured, barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Take care of her… even after everything. She still cares about this world."

I stumbled away from the portrait, breath shaky and shallow, the vivid echo of that night burning behind my eyes. I quickly locked the memories back into the door they were stored in and pushed the door even farther back into the depths of my mindscape, determined to bury them where they couldn't reach me.

But it was too late. The bitterness had returned, clawing its way back through the cracks. Questions I had buried long ago rose like specters—sharp and accusing.

Why? Why did they have me take her place? Why did they leave me behind to suffer in her stead? And why, after all these centuries, did it still hurt so much?

I shook my head and hurried toward the Ravenclaw common room, each step heavy with the weight of centuries-old betrayal and unspoken pain. 'Even if it was partly my own doing.'

The entrance to the common room opened with the correct answer to the eagle-shaped knocker's riddle, and I slipped inside. The familiar sight of shelves lined with books and tall arched windows gave a brief sense of peace. I settled into a chair by the fireplace, trying to steady my breath.

But the questions gnawed at me still, louder now that I was alone.

Before I could dwell too deeply, an announcement echoed through the common room, carried by the enchanted voice of Professor McGonagall. "All first-year students, please proceed to Professor Filius Flitwick's classroom for your first charms lesson at 8:30 pm."

I stood quickly, grateful for the distraction, though my heart was still heavy. Maybe the wind rushing past me would help clear the memories from my mind, if only for a moment.

Little did I know, fate had no intention of letting me forget so easily.