Harry Potter: The Heir to Hufflepuff

Cassius wandered through the castle with Susan and Hannah, the three of them chatting as they explored the grand hallways and winding staircases. Susan was particularly interested in the moving portraits, while Hannah kept stopping to admire the suits of armor, wondering out loud if they ever moved on their own. 

Eventually, they reached a point where Cassius decided to part ways.

"I actually have something I want to check out," he said casually.

Susan raised an eyebrow. "Something?" she repeated, clearly curious.

Hannah tilted her head. "You're not about to do something that'll get you in trouble, are you?"

Cassius smirked. "I don't plan on it."

Susan crossed her arms but let it go, while Hannah gave him a look that said she wasn't entirely convinced.

"Well, don't do anything too reckless," Susan finally said.

"No promises," he replied, earning an eye roll from both of them before they headed off down the hall.

Once Cassius bid farewell to Susan and Hannah, he took a moment to glance around the corridor, ensuring no one was paying particular attention to him before he set off toward the seventh floor. The castle was as alive as ever, the very walls humming with old magic, and though it had only been a couple of days since he arrived, he already felt more at home here than he ever had at the orphanage.

Navigating Hogwarts was a challenge, even for someone who had read about it extensively in his past life. The staircases had an annoying tendency to shift without warning, doors sometimes refused to open unless you asked nicely—or in some cases, tickled them in just the right spot—and certain hallways that should have led one way instead looped him back to where he started.

The trek to the seventh floor wasn't quick, but Cassius made use of his time, observing the castle as he went. He memorized shortcuts when he found them, made mental notes of the trick steps on the staircases, and paid close attention to the suits of armor—he'd heard they sometimes whispered useful information if you knew how to listen.

Eventually, he reached the seventh floor, stepping into a corridor that was far quieter than the bustling halls below. This particular stretch was almost eerily empty, the sound of his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. It was a sharp contrast to the rest of the castle, where students constantly milled about, but here, it was as if Hogwarts itself conspired to keep this space hidden.

His eyes flicked to the tapestry hanging on the wall to his left.

Barnabas the Barmy was, as always, attempting to teach a group of trolls how to dance ballet. It was as ridiculous as he had imagined—giant, lumbering creatures teetering on their stubby toes, arms raised in a mimicry of grace while Barnabas waved his hands wildly, either in encouragement or frustration.

Cassius smirked. If he hadn't read about the Room of Requirement before, he would have never thought this random, absurd tapestry marked the entrance to one of Hogwarts' greatest secrets. He turned to the opposite wall, a blank stretch of stone that, to any normal observer, seemed utterly unremarkable.

But Cassius knew better.

Taking a deep breath, he focused his mind on what he needed.

A place to train. A place to study magic freely.

He began pacing in front of the wall, deliberately walking back and forth three times. His heartbeat quickened with each step. This was a moment he had been waiting for since arriving at Hogwarts. The books he had read didn't quite explain what it would feel like to summon the Room of Requirement, but as he completed his third pass, he felt it—the air around him shifted, like the castle itself was holding its breath.

Then, before his very eyes, a door appeared.

It was seamless, as if it had always been there, blending perfectly with the ancient stones around it. Cassius felt a thrill of satisfaction—he had done it.

A slow grin spread across his face as he reached for the handle.

"Magic really is something else," he murmured, before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

As Cassius stepped through the threshold, the first thing he noticed was the sheer size of the room. It stretched far beyond what should have been possible within the confines of Hogwarts, the ceiling high and arched like the great hall but with a much more intimate atmosphere. Soft golden light emanated from floating orbs set high above, casting warm, flickering shadows across the walls, giving the space a surreal, almost dreamlike quality.

The air itself felt charged with ancient magic, like a living, breathing entity had shaped this place specifically for him. The magic of the castle had read his desires, his needs, and crafted a sanctuary perfectly suited for his ambitions.

The room was divided into sections, each catering to different aspects of what he had wanted.

To the left, a vast study area had been formed—shelves lined the walls, stacked with books that looked like they belonged in the Restricted Section of the library. Titles gleamed in the warm light, many of them unfamiliar, written in elegant cursive or strange, archaic runes. Some books had no titles at all, as if their secrets were only meant for those who dared to open them. A heavy wooden desk sat near the shelves, accompanied by a plush, high-backed chair. An ink pot and a quill lay waiting on the desk, as if inviting him to sit and immerse himself in research.

Cassius could already tell this section alone was invaluable. He had planned to spend time in the library, of course, but this… this was different. He could study whatever he wanted here, without worrying about prying eyes or restrictions.

To the right, an area dedicated to spellcasting and dueling stretched out. The floor was polished stone, marked with subtle runic carvings that pulsed faintly with energy. Training dummies stood along the edges, enchanted to react and counter magic cast upon them. Some resembled ordinary wooden mannequins, while others were more advanced—figures of metal and stone, clearly meant to provide a real challenge.

There were even targets for precision spellwork, levitating at various heights and distances. A section of the wall shimmered oddly, and Cassius realized it was an adaptive practice area—it would shift to accommodate whatever spellwork he wanted to refine. Whether it be shield charms, hexes, or even more obscure forms of magic, this room would provide the perfect environment.

But the most intriguing section lay directly ahead.

A natural grove of sorts had been formed in the farthest part of the room, blending seamlessly into the enchanted chamber as if it had always been there. Thick tree roots twisted across the ground, weaving together in intricate patterns, their golden-green glow subtly pulsing in time with Cassius's own heartbeat. It was as if the very essence of Hogwarts had shaped a space attuned to his connection with nature.

Vines coiled lazily around stone pillars, and there was a small pool of crystal-clear water in the center of the grove, reflecting the golden light from above. Flowers bloomed in vibrant clusters, their petals shifting colors ever so slightly, responding to the magic in the air. Cassius could feel them reaching out to him, brushing against his senses like a whispered greeting.

It was overwhelming, in the best way possible.

He stepped forward, reaching out with his magic, and as soon as he did, the entire grove responded. The roots beneath his feet stirred, ever so slightly, and a deep sense of belonging settled over him. He belonged here. This space was a reflection of his magic, his desires, his very being.

Twig, who had been sitting quietly on his shoulder, suddenly leapt off, scurrying down his arm and onto the nearest vine-covered pillar. He chirped curiously, his golden leaves glinting in the soft light, as he inspected their surroundings.

Cassius exhaled slowly, taking it all in.

---

Cassius sat comfortably in the study section of the Room of Requirement, flipping through the pages of a thick, leather-bound book. The title was written in some ancient script he didn't recognize, but the contents were fascinating—advanced magical theory, the kind of knowledge that would never be accessible to first-years in the Hogwarts library.

Twig, as usual, was perched on his shoulder, occasionally leaping down to scurry across the desk, his golden leaves rustling softly. Cassius absentmindedly reached out, letting his fingers brush against the small Bowtruckle's head, earning a pleased chirp.

As he continued reading, something strange happened.

A sudden shift rippled through the air, as if the magic of the room had awakened to a new purpose. The very walls seemed to breathe, adjusting ever so slightly, and Cassius felt a deep stirring beneath his feet—as if the room were responding to something else, something new.

His eyes flicked up from the book, immediately alert.

Before his very eyes, the magic of the room began shaping itself—shadows twisting, furniture shifting ever so slightly, as if something was about to materialize. But then, just as quickly as it began, the process halted, like an interrupted thought. The magic stilled. The air settled.

And then… the door opened.