Midnight blanketed Hogwarts in shadows, the castle's ancient corridors whispering secrets as Aarav ascended the spiraling stairs of the Astronomy Tower.
Each step felt louder than the last, echoing through the stone like a heartbeat. He tightened his grip on his wand.
"Snape is dangerous," Aarav thought. "But not yet a Death Eater. Not yet Voldemort's pet. There's still time... to turn him."
The interface shimmered before him.
▶ Quest Update: Secret Encounter: Severus Snape
▶ Objective: Protect Identity | Gain Influence
▶ Optional: Win Duel Without Revealing System Aid
▶ Reward: +500 EXP | Sub-Skill Unlock (Advanced Occlumency)
The wind howled as he reached the top.
Severus Snape stood with his back to him, cloak flapping in the night air like wings.
"You're late," Snape said coldly.
"I'm careful," Aarav replied.
Snape turned slowly, wand in hand. His dark eyes were unreadable, his expression sharp.
"I've been in Slytherin long enough to know when someone doesn't belong," he said. "You might have the name… but you don't have the stink of that cursed bloodline."
Aarav didn't respond. He merely raised his wand.
"Fine," Snape sneered. "Let's speak in the only language we both understand."
He attacked without warning.
"Expelliarmus!"
Aarav twisted aside, barely avoiding the red blast. His own wand shot forward.
"Protego!"
Shield Charm Learned [Level 1]
+15 EXP | Reflex Boost Triggered
"Silencio!" Snape barked.
Aarav ducked, countering with: "Muffliato!"
The air shimmered. Sound vanished from the tower. No professors would hear them now.
Snape smirked. "So you've done your homework."
Aarav stepped lightly across the stone. "I'm not here to prove I'm a Gaunt. I'm here to survive. And I don't plan on dying for your suspicions."
"Then fight me like a wizard."
Snape's next spell was faster.
"Levicorpus!"
Aarav was yanked off the ground, flipped upside down. Blood rushed to his head.
"Stupid spell," he growled. "Let's fix that."
"Finite Incantatem!"
He dropped—hard—but rolled as he landed.
Counterspell Learned [Level 1]
Levicorpus Resistance Acquired
Now Aarav's wand glowed.
Time slowed.
The Gold Finger System activated Combat Support Mode.
> Analyzing Opponent Spell Rhythm…
> Weakness: Overreliance on nonverbal jinxes.
> Suggested Tactic: Visual Disruption + Unpredictable Spell Pattern
"Obscuro!" Aarav cast.
Snape staggered, momentarily blinded. Aarav followed up with "Expelliarmus!"
Snape's wand flew from his hand.
But Aarav didn't end it there.
He stepped forward and gently returned Snape's wand with a flick.
"I'm not your enemy, Severus. But I might be the only one in this school who survives what's coming."
Snape's lips curled into a grimace. "You're a fool if you think you understand anything about what's coming."
"I understand more than you think."
A long silence passed.
Then Snape said, "That Obscuro spell... wasn't from Durmstrang. You customized it."
Aarav shrugged. "Innovation is survival."
Snape pocketed his wand. "You're dangerous, Gaunt. And I don't trust you."
"Good," Aarav said, turning toward the stairs. "Because I don't need trust. I need... allies."
As he disappeared into the darkness, the system screen updated.
▶ Secret Duel Completed
▶ Outcome: Victory
▶ Identity Concealed: Success
▶ Relationship Progress: Severus Snape (Neutral → Cautious Respect)
▶ New Skill Tree Unlocked: Occlumency [Level 1]
▶ EXP Gained: +820
▶ Trait Acquired: Tactical Duelist
And far below, in the shadows of the common room, Lucius Malfoy received an owl with a single line:
"Gaunt isn't what he claims to be. But he is... useful." — S.