The first light of dawn streamed through the arched window, painting golden patterns across the polished wooden floor. Louis had risen long before the morning bells, awakened not by sound but by the quiet thrill of anticipation. At Hogwarts, the first week was deliberately gentle—just one class per day—allowing new students to ease into their surroundings, grow accustomed to the castle's living magic, and begin weaving the early threads of friendship.
With practiced elegance, Louis dressed in his Ravenclaw robes, each gesture precise, each fold smoothed with care. Slinging his satchel over one shoulder, he descended the spiral staircase into the common room below, where the blue flames of the enchanted fireplaces still danced softly in the silence.
The room was empty, silent save for the gentle rustle of pages as Louis pulled one of the books he had borrowed the night before from the shelves. He settled into an armchair near the fireplace, its high back cocooning him in a world of ancient magic and theory. The book in his hands bore the title "Principia Transfiguratica: Foundations of Magical Transformation." As his eyes traced each line, his mind whirred, already envisioning variations and improvements.
Not long after, soft footsteps echoed on the staircase. Evangeline appeared, her hair braided over one shoulder, her eyes still glimmering with sleep.
"You're up early too," she said, walking over.
Louis glanced up, offering a small smile. "Too curious to stay in bed."
She sat in the chair across from him. The fire cast warm light on her features as they spoke. They discussed their lives before Hogwarts, their families, and the strange feeling of leaving one world behind to step into another. Evangeline shared tales of her mother's spellcraft library and how she'd always longed for a magical education. Louis, in turn, spoke carefully of the De Versailles propriety, cloaking his past in elegant metaphors.
Soon, Cho Chang arrived, slightly breathless, her robes neat but hurried. "Are we ready for our first class?"
The trio made their way to the first floor, weaving through wide corridors and shifting staircases until they reached the Transfiguration classroom. As they entered, they found it empty—or so it seemed.
"Strange," Cho murmured. "Are we early?"
In the center of the room sat a sleek grey tabby cat, watching them intently from atop the professor's desk.
Louis's eyes narrowed. He sensed it instantly—a disturbance in the mana. The magical aura around the cat shimmered subtly, betraying its true nature.
With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he turned to his companions. "Go on," he said smoothly. "It looks friendly."
Evangeline and Cho exchanged glances, then cautiously approached the feline. As they leaned in to pet it, the cat gave an almost amused blink.
Suddenly, it leapt gracefully from the desk and transformed midair. Gasps echoed through the classroom as the tabby melted into the form of Professor McGonagall, who landed on her feet with impeccable composure.
Cho and Evangeline stood frozen in shock. Louis chuckled, unable to help himself.
"Mister De Versailles," McGonagall said dryly, adjusting her glasses, "I see you're already enjoying yourself."
He inclined his head with a slight smirk. The professor's sharp eyes caught the amused spark in his gaze—and the fact that he had never been surprised by her transformation.
The classroom filled quickly after that, and the lesson began. McGonagall explained the precision required in Transfiguration, her voice crisp and commanding.
"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she said. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave, and not return."
For their first exercise, each student was given a simple sewing needle and asked to transform it into a pin cushion.
Louis held his needle between two fingers, closed his eyes briefly, and visualized the transformation. The wand movement was precise; the incantation left his lips with a whisper of control.
In a flicker of light, the needle blossomed into a perfect, plump cushion, complete with tiny embroidery.
Gasps echoed around him.
"Very well, Mister De Versailles," McGonagall said, visibly impressed. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."
Louis bowed his head slightly, then turned to help Cho and Evangeline, who were still wrestling with their attempts. With quiet advice and a few shared tricks, he guided them through the process. Eventually, both girls succeeded, their faces lighting up with triumph.
The rest of the class followed with varying degrees of success, and when the lesson concluded, McGonagall called Louis aside.
"Mister De Versailles," she began, her tone serious. "Professor Dumbledore has made a personal recommendation. Given your abilities, I would like you to attend the Transfiguration Club with older students—advanced Transfiguration work."
Louis blinked, then nodded. "It would be an honor, Professor."
She gave a rare smile. "I thought you might say that."
When he stepped out of the classroom, Cho and Evangeline were waiting.
"What did she want?" Cho asked curiously.
"Advanced study," Louis replied. "With upper years."
They walked back to the common room together, their conversation flowing with excitement. Once there, they split to rest.
Louis returned to his private room. With a wave of his wand, he summoned his journal, opened a fresh page, and activated the mental link he shared with Fleur who according to her schedule should be free.
Her voice arrived like a breeze in spring. "Louis? You had your first class, didn't you?"
"Yes," he replied silently. "Transfiguration. McGonagall is quite formidable. I like her."
They spoke for nearly an hour, exchanging thoughts, laughter, and magical impressions. Fleur recounted a lesson at Beauxbatons involving enchanted mirrors; Louis described his classmates, the cat trick, and his cushion-turned-masterpiece.
"You're already causing trouble," Fleur teased.
"Only the charming kind," he replied with a smile.
Eventually, they said their goodbyes, and Louis descended into the common room once more. The place was quiet, bathed in moonlight, and he browsed the shelves slowly.
He pulled out several titles: "A Study of Wandlore: From Core to Craft," "The Geometry of Magic," and "Transfigurative Theory: Volume II."
Curling into a velvet-lined nook, he leafed through the books in thoughtful silence.
When sleep began to pull at him, he returned to his chamber, placed the books by his desk, and lay down with a contented sigh.