Adam wakes much earlier than the rest of his dormmates, a habit that has long set him apart. The stillness of the early morning is a solace he’s grown to cherish—a time when the castle feels like it belongs solely to him. He has no desire to bridge the gap between himself and his peers. Most students either keep their distance from him, intimidated by the air of authority that comes with his lineage, or try too hard to win his favor, hoping to curry influence with the Morgan heir. Both approaches leave Adam cold. He prefers to focus on the few relationships that hold genuine meaning for him, and he guards them with quiet determination.
Seraphina, his owl, hoots softly from her perch near the window, her amber eyes tracking his movements. Already awake and alert, she seems to share his affinity for the dawn. Adam reaches out to stroke her sleek feathers, feeling the warmth of her loyalty in her gentle nudge. "Good morning, Sera," he murmurs, a rare softness in his tone. After a moment, he straightens, gathers his thoughts, and prepares for the day ahead.
The castle is silent as Adam steps into the cool, dim corridor. The occasional ghost drifts by, their translucent forms faintly glowing in the pre-dawn gloom. He offers polite greetings to those he passes, his tone measured yet warm. A few portraits stirred in their frames, muttering groggy salutations or simply observing him. He was always the first to greet them early in the morning whenever he was at Hogwarts.
His destination is the headmaster’s office, a place that feels both daunting and oddly familiar. Reaching the stone gargoyle, he speaks the password with practiced ease. The statue moves, revealing the spiral staircase that carries him upward in a gentle, almost hypnotic motion.
When he steps into the office, the sight of Dumbledore greets him—an ageless figure seated behind his cluttered desk, his half-moon glasses perched on his crooked nose as he reads a weathered tome. Despite his apparent absorption, the headmaster acknowledges Adam’s presence without hesitation.
“Good morning, Adam,” Dumbledore says, his voice warm and tinged with that enigmatic cheerfulness he seems to reserve for moments like these. “I trust you are well?”
“I’m fine, thank you, Headmaster,” Adam replies, his voice calm but respectful.
His gaze shifts to Fawkes, the magnificent phoenix perched nearby. The bird stirs at his approach, letting out a soft, intelligent chirp that resonates in the air like a small bell. Adam’s lips curve into a faint smile as he retrieves a small pouch from his pocket. Inside are fruits he’s carried from his summer trip to America—a treat he suspects Fawkes might enjoy.
“Here you go,” he says gently, offering the morsels to the phoenix. Fawkes tilts his head, eyeing the gift before nibbling delicately. His vibrant plumage catches the light, radiating a fiery brilliance that captivates Adam every time.
After a moment’s pause, Adam hesitates, his thoughts wrestling for clarity before he finally speaks. “Headmaster, may I ask you something?”
Dumbledore looks up from his book, the faintest flicker of curiosity lighting his expression as he sets the tome aside. His piercing blue eyes meet Adam’s, searching yet kind. “Of course, Adam. What’s on your mind?”
Adam takes a steadying breath, his hands clasping lightly behind his back. “Over the summer, I bonded with a Thunderbird,” he begins carefully, measuring each word. “I know Hogwarts has strict rules about pets, but Thor—well, he’s different. He’s keen on staying near me and has taken up residence in the Forbidden Forest. I’ve asked Hagrid to keep an eye on him.”
For a moment, Dumbledore says nothing, though his eyes gleam with a spark of interest. He leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “A Thunderbird,” he repeats, his tone thoughtful. “A rare and extraordinary creature, indeed. Such a bond is no small feat, Adam. However, I must ask—do you believe your bond poses any danger to the students or the forest’s other inhabitants?”
Adam shakes his head firmly. “Hagrid is the best person for the job, Headmaster. He’s will look after it, and so far, there haven’t been any issues till now. It is intelligent, and he’s stayed close to Hagrid’s domain without causing harm.”
Dumbledore regards Adam for a long moment, his expression inscrutable before softening into a faint smile. “Very well,” he says at last. “I trust your judgment and, of course, Hagrid’s expertise. However, should anything go amiss, the responsibility will rest squarely with you.”
Adam nods, a flicker of relief breaking through his composed demeanor. “I understand, sir. Thank you.” He inclines his head respectfully, his gratitude clear in his voice, before turning to leave.
As he make his way towards the office door, Adam can’t help but feel the weight of the unspoken understanding in Dumbledore’s words. Thor’s presence is a responsibility and he will keep him close.
POV SHIFT
As Adam exited, Dumbledore’s gaze lingered on the closing door, his expression thoughtful and serene, though his mind was anything but.
What an intriguing young man, Dumbledore mused silently, leaning back in his chair. He had watched Adam Morgan grow from a reserved, sharp-eyed child into the poised and enigmatic young wizard he was now. Even as a boy, Adam had possessed a maturity that set him apart, a quiet intensity that refused to be overlooked. Yet what intrigued Dumbledore most was the fortress of the boy’s mind—unyielding, impenetrable. Not even the most subtle legilimency could pierce its defenses.
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That must be Ariadne’s doing, Dumbledore thought, the image of Adam’s mother flickering in his memory. Ariadne Morgan, the world’s most powerful Occlumens, was a legend in her own right, though she had never walked the halls of Hogwarts. Her mastery over the mind was unparalleled, her discipline unwavering. It was clear that Adam had inherited not only her extraordinary talent but also her unrelenting control.
The headmaster’s suspicions about Adam ran deep, though he harbored no ill will toward the boy. The disappearance of the Philosopher’s Stone during first year remained an unsolved mystery. Coincidence, perhaps, but Dumbledore rarely believed in such things. And then there was the strange group of elite wizards who had appeared out of nowhere to aid Harry and Ginny during the Chamber of Secrets ordeal—wizards who seemed to act with precise coordination and knowledge far beyond their years.
The Giant Squid and its unusual affinity for Adam had not gone unnoticed. Creatures of its kind were ancient, their intelligence vast and enigmatic. That the squid seemed drawn to Adam spoke of something deeper, something Dumbledore couldn’t yet decipher.
Despite these uncertainties, Dumbledore saw something in Adam that outweighed the shadows of doubt: potential. The kind of potential that, if nurtured correctly, could shape the course of the wizarding world. Whether for good or ill, only time would tell.
With a sigh, Dumbledore returned his focus to the weathered runic text before him, the intricate symbols weaving a tapestry of ancient magic. His thoughts began to shift back to the task at hand, though a small corner of his mind lingered on Adam, the boy who seemed as much a mystery as the magic Dumbledore sought to unravel.
POV ENDS
Adam took a brisk jog around the castle grounds, relishing the crisp morning air that carried the faint scent of dew and earth. The soft crunch of his footsteps against the gravel path was the only sound in the stillness. The exercise cleared his mind, sharpening his focus for the day ahead.
His path, as it often did, led him toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The towering trees loomed like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching across the forest floor. Near a sunlit clearing, Adam spotted Hagrid, a familiar, towering figure, standing beside two equally magnificent creatures. Thor, Adam’s majestic Thunderbird, was perched proudly, his feathers shimmering with faint electric currents, while Buckbeak, a loyal Hippogriff, stood nearby, preening his silvery plumage.
“Morning, Hagrid,” Adam called out, approaching with measured steps to avoid startling the creatures.
Hagrid turned, his bearded face splitting into a wide grin. “Mornin’, Adam! Look at this beauty!” He gestured enthusiastically toward Thor, his voice brimming with admiration. “He’s settled in nicely. Scared a few critters at first, but they’ll come ‘round.”
Adam chuckled, extending a steady hand to Thor. The Thunderbird nuzzled him affectionately, a low rumble emanating from his chest—a sound somewhere between a purr and distant thunder. “Thanks for taking care of him, Hagrid. I knew you’d be the right person for the job.”
“Ah, it’s no trouble at all,” Hagrid said, his chest puffing with pride. “He’s a rare one, that’s for sure. Mighty impressive creature.” Hagrid gave Thor an approving nod, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Buckbeak here’s taken a likin’ to ‘im too, though they had a bit of a standoff at first.”
Adam smiled, stepping over to Buckbeak and bowing respectfully. The Hippogriff eyed him for a moment before dipping his head in return, allowing Adam to stroke the smooth feathers along his neck.
After exchanging a few more words with Hagrid and ensuring Thor was comfortable, Adam glanced at the horizon. The faint golden hues of dawn were spreading across the sky. “I’d better get back, or I’ll miss breakfast—and my first class,” he said, offering Hagrid a grateful nod.
“Off with yeh, then,” Hagrid replied, waving cheerfully. “Have a good one, Adam!”
As Adam made his way into the Gryffindor common room, the lively hum of morning activity greeted him. Most of the students were already awake, their chatter filling the air as some gathered in small groups while others drifted toward the breakfast table in the Great Hall. Adam moved through the bustle with quiet ease, offering polite nods but avoiding getting caught in any long conversations.
Climbing the stairs to his dormitory, he entered to find Seraphina perched by the window, enjoying a treat that must be provided by Mip as she always do. Her sharp beak worked methodically as she relished her snack, and Adam smiled, deciding to let her finish undisturbed. Turning his attention to his own preparations, he quickly got ready for the day, ensuring his robes were tidy and his wand securely in place. A brief glance at his pocket watch reminded him of his packed schedule—two additional optional classes on his timetable and a busy week ahead.
Satisfied, Adam left the dormitory and made his way down to the Great Hall. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling sausages wafted through the air as he entered, his eyes scanning the long Gryffindor table. Spotting Harry, Ron, and Hermione, he approached and slid into the seat beside them.
The trio was in the middle of discussing their class schedules. Hermione, as usual, was meticulously detailing her plans. “I’ll be taking all five optional classes,” she announced, her tone both determined and proud.
“All of them? I thought you were joking back then!” Ron groaned, his face contorting in disbelief. “How are you going to manage that? Some of those overlap, don’t they?”
Adam raised an eyebrow but said nothing, catching the knowing gleam in Hermione’s eye. Harry exchanged a glance with Ron, clearly wondering the same thing, though neither dared to push further.
Hermione grinned at their reactions, her expression a mixture of amusement and superiority. Adam recognized the look immediately—it was her way of silently declaring that she would prove them all wrong and emerge even smarter than before. He couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Clever as ever, Hermione. You’ll probably manage it, too.
Though Adam refrained from saying it aloud, he knew that she will be using a Time-Turner. The magical artifact was invaluable for attending overlapping classes, though Adam knew its use came with its own challenges.
Adam could use his Time-Turner to manage his hectic schedule if he decided to take on all the additional subjects, but he found the idea too troublesome. Instead, he reserved it for more practical purposes, such as late-night visits to the library or clandestine meetings with his magical companions in the Forbidden Forest. As Hermione prattled on about her ambitious plans, Adam chuckled softly to himself. It seemed they each had their own priorities, and in Hermione’s case, showing off her brilliance was always at the top of the list.