Today was mostly filled with what others might see as mundane tasks, but in my head, it was a whole different story.
My morning started with what I’d describe as a potions class—realistically, it was just chemistry lab. But instead of mixing chemicals, I imagined myself brewing complex potions, carefully measuring out ingredients like powdered unicorn horn and dragon’s blood (though in reality, it was just sodium chloride and distilled water). My lab partner and I managed to create something that didn’t explode, which felt like a small victory in itself. I pretended it was a successful concoction of a powerful elixir, something that could grant invisibility or perhaps heal a minor curse. The thought made the tedious process of titration a bit more bearable.
After that, I headed to the library, or as I like to think of it, the Restricted Section. It’s not exactly a place full of ancient magical tomes, but there’s something about the old wooden shelves and the quiet, echoing halls that makes me feel like I’m sneaking into a place full of hidden knowledge. I was there to study for an upcoming exam—Defense Against the Dark Arts, or what’s actually just a midterm in psychology. Still, imagining that I’m preparing to defend myself against Dementors and dark wizards makes it all seem much more exciting.
Lunchtime was spent in the Great Hall—okay, it’s just the campus cafeteria, but I like to picture the long tables lined with enchanted platters and floating candles above. In reality, it’s just trays of pretty average food, but I pretended I was dining on a feast fit for wizards, with the chatter around me being the background noise of other students discussing their latest magical discoveries.
The highlight of the day was “Transfiguration” class, which in real life is just a rather boring lecture on data structures in computer science. But instead of coding, I pictured myself learning how to transform objects into animals, changing a teacup into a mouse with a flick of my wand (or, in reality, typing out lines of code that didn’t quite work the first time). The professor, who in my head resembled Professor McGonagall, paced at the front, offering guidance to all us aspiring animagi.
By the time I got back to my dorm room, I was exhausted—mentally from all the studying, but also a bit from keeping up the daydreams. Still, it’s fun to escape into this world, even if it’s just in my head. It makes the daily grind of university life feel a bit more magical, a little less ordinary.
Now, as I sit here writing this, I can almost imagine that I’m in Gryffindor Tower, looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts. Tomorrow, I’ll face another day of classes and studying, but for now, I can relax and let my imagination run wild. Maybe one day, I’ll find the Room of Requirement, or discover that the Sorting Hat got it wrong and I’m actually a Hufflepuff at heart.
But until then, I’ll keep conjuring up my own little bits of magic, one ordinary day at a time.
