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Three weeks of methodical scanning had finally paid off. Darius closed the last book from their dormitory library—"Advanced Arithmancy Principles"—and felt the nano machine complete its analysis.
[Dormitory library scan: Complete. Total texts analyzed: 247. Magical theories cataloged: 1,847. Spell structures mapped: 312. Knowledge base integration: 89% complete.]
[New function available: Spell Structure Analysis. Combine existing magical frameworks to create novel applications.]
His dormmates slept peacefully around him, unaware that their roommate had just absorbed more magical theory than most fourth-years learned in their entire education. But knowledge without application was just trivia. It was time to innovate.
[Virtual Training Center activated. Cost: Moderate stamina. Environment: Isolated practice chamber.]
In his mind, the nano machine constructed a perfect magical laboratory. White walls, optimal lighting, and most importantly, complete isolation from the real world's magical detection systems.
"Let's start simple," he whispered to the darkness. "Lumos and Protego."
[Analyzing spell compatibility... Lumos: Light generation through magical energy conversion. Protego: Barrier creation through force field projection. Potential synthesis: Light-based defensive screen.]
In the virtual space, Darius held his wand steady. "Protego Lumos," he said, combining the wand movements from both spells.
The result was spectacular failure. The virtual shield flickered with unstable light before exploding in his face, sending him stumbling backward.
[Error: Incompatible energy frequencies. Light generation interferes with barrier stability. Recommend modified approach.]
He tried again, this time visualizing the light not as part of the barrier, but as a coating over it. "Protego... Lumos Integra."
Better. The shield formed properly, then began to glow with soft, steady light. Not blinding, but enough to illuminate his surroundings while providing protection.
[Success probability: 67%. Novel spell created: Protective Light Barrier. Applications: Defense with visibility enhancement. Energy cost: Moderate.]
[Warning: Stamina at 45%. Recommend rest or reduced complexity experiments.]
Darius grinned in the darkness. His first original spell. Crude, certainly, and probably not revolutionary, but it was his.
Over the following nights, he experimented systematically. Some combinations failed completely—trying to merge Wingardium Leviosa with Petrificus Totalus resulted in objects that froze mid-air but then crashed unpredictably. Others showed promise but needed refinement.
His most successful creation combined the Sticking Charm with a minor illusion hex he'd found in an advanced text. The result: objects that appeared normal but were actually fixed in place, perfect for creating invisible traps or securing important items.
[Spell Archive Updated: 7 novel combinations successful. 23 failed attempts cataloged. Magical creativity index: Increasing.]
But after a week of virtual experimentation, he'd exhausted what the dormitory library could teach him. It was time to tackle Hogwarts' main library.
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The library was even more magnificent than he'd imagined. Towering shelves stretched up into shadowy heights, filled with thousands upon thousands of books. Some sections were clearly restricted, separated by chains or warning signs, but the general collection alone contained more knowledge than he could scan in months.
Madam Pince, the stern librarian, watched students like a hawk protecting her nest. Getting away with systematic scanning would require careful planning.
[Analysis: Surveillance pattern observed. Librarian patrol route: 12-minute cycles. Optimal scanning periods: During patrol gaps in sections C through G.]
Darius selected a table in a corner where he could work relatively unobserved. He started with magical theory texts, the nano machine dutifully scanning each page as he appeared to read normally.
[Scanning "Intermediate Transfiguration Theory" - Page 78 of 456. Content: Molecular restructuring limitations. Analysis: Compatible with existing Charms knowledge. Cross-referencing...]
It was tedious work, but fascinating. Each book revealed new layers of magical understanding, new possibilities for innovation. He was halfway through a text on curse-breaking when raised voices interrupted his concentration.
"Give it back, you slimy git!"
Darius looked up to see a cluster of students near the Magical Creatures section. Three older Slytherins—he recognized Marcus Flint among them—had cornered a small Hufflepuff first-year. The boy had messy brown hair and was clutching his robes nervously, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.
"What's this then?" Flint drawled, holding up what appeared to be a carved wooden badger. "Baby's toy?"
"It's not a toy!" the boy said, voice wavering. "It belonged to my grandfather!"
"Oh, a family heirloom," sneered one of Flint's companions, Adrian Pucey. "Hufflepuff trash pretending to be worth something."
The third Slytherin, a stocky boy named Montague, snatched the carving from Flint. "Maybe we should see how well it flies." He raised his arm as if to throw it.
Darius felt familiar anger rise in his chest—the same fury he'd felt watching stronger children torment weaker ones at the orphanage. But this time, he wasn't weak. This time, he could do something about it.
He stood, slipping his wand into his hand.
"Put it down," he said clearly.
All four boys turned. Flint's eyes narrowed when he saw the Ravenclaw crest on Darius's robes.
"Mind your own business, bookworm," Flint warned. "This doesn't concern you."
"It concerns me now." Darius stepped closer, noting how Madam Pince had disappeared into the Restricted Section. No adult supervision. Good.
[Threat assessment: Three opponents, ages 13-14. Superior physical strength and magical experience. Recommend strategic approach.]
Montague laughed. "What's a first-year going to do? Run to McGonagall?"
Instead of answering, Darius pointed his wand at the wooden badger in Montague's hand. "Wingardium Leviosa."
The carving floated smoothly from the Slytherin's grip, drifting toward Darius. But as it moved, he whispered a second incantation under his breath: "Protego Lumos."
Light suddenly blazed from around the floating badger, not blinding but bright enough to make the Slytherins squint and step back. The protective barrier was invisible, but Darius could feel it surrounding the carving like a shell of solidified air.
"Give it back," he said calmly, letting the dragon settle into his palm.
Flint snarled and drew his wand. "You little—Flipendo!"
The Knockback Jinx hit Darius's hastily cast Protego and scattered harmlessly. He'd expected retaliation.
"Is that the best Slytherin can do?" he asked, surprising himself with his steady voice. "No wonder your House gets picked on by Gryffindor."
[Warning: Provocation successful. Multiple opponents drawing wands. Recommend defensive positioning.]
All three Slytherins now had their wands out, faces flushed with anger. Other students in the library were starting to notice the commotion, but none moved to help.
"Expelliarmus!" Pucey shouted.
Darius twisted aside, the spell shattering a lamp behind him. Glass tinkled to the floor.
"Tarantallegra!" Montague followed up.
Another dodge, and the Dancing Feet spell sent a nearby chair into spasmodic movement.
They were trying to overwhelm him with multiple attacks, but the nano machine was tracking all three wands simultaneously.
[Prediction algorithms active. Flint: Preparing Bat-Bogey Hex. Pucey: Charging Stinging Hex. Montague: Switching to Leg-Locker Curse. Recommended response: Area denial.]
Darius had been working on a new combination just last night. Now seemed like an excellent time to test it.
"Colloportus Motus!" he called out, pointing his wand at the floor between himself and the Slytherins.
It was a merger of the Locking Charm and a minor movement jinx. The stone floor didn't lock—that was impossible—but it became treacherous, surfaces suddenly slick and uneven. All three older boys stumbled as their footing became uncertain.
[Novel spell performance: 78% effective. Opponents' mobility reduced significantly.]
"What the hell—" Flint started, then slipped again as he tried to advance.
Darius backed toward the little Hufflepuff, who was staring at him with wide, amazed eyes. "What's your name?" he asked without taking his gaze off the Slytherins.
"R- Rowan Alderidge," the boy whispered.
The name wasn't familiar, but Darius couldn't place it immediately. No matter—what mattered was helping him now.
"Stay behind me, Rowan," he said firmly.
Flint had managed to steady himself and was raising his wand again, face twisted with fury. "You're going to regret this, Kael."
"Mr. Flint!"
Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the library like a blade. She strode toward them, her expression thunderous, robes billowing dramatically.
"What is the meaning of this disturbance?"
The Slytherins immediately lowered their wands, trying to look innocent. Darius canceled his floor jinx and pocketed his own wand, still holding Colin's dragon carving.
"Professor McGonagall," Flint began smoothly, "we were just—"
"I saw quite enough, thank you," McGonagall interrupted coldly. "Three fourth-years attacking a first-year in the library. Fifty points from Slytherin. Each."
"But Professor—" Pucey protested.
"Would you prefer detention as well, Mr. Pucey?" McGonagall's voice could have frozen fire. "No? Then I suggest you return to your dormitory immediately. All three of you."
The Slytherins slouched away, shooting venomous looks at Darius as they left. Flint paused at the library entrance.
"This isn't over, Kael."
"I rather think it is," McGonagall said sharply. "Unless you'd like me to speak to Professor Snape about your conduct?"
Flint's face went pale, and he hurried away without another word.
McGonagall turned to Darius, her stern expression softening slightly. "Mr. Kael. Are you injured?"
"No, Professor. They didn't hit me."
"I see." Her eyes took in the broken lamp, the scattered glass, the faint scorch marks on the floor. "And Mr. Alderidge?"
Rowan stepped out from behind Darius, still clutching his returned badger carving. "I'm okay, Professor. Darius—I mean, Mr. Kael—he saved my badger. It was my grandfather's."
McGonagall's lips twitched in what might have been approval. "Indeed. Mr. Kael, twenty points to Ravenclaw for defending a fellow student. However," her voice turned stern again, "next time such a situation arises, I would prefer you summon a professor rather than engage in wand combat in the library."
"Yes, Professor."
"Good. Now both of you, gather your things. I believe you've had enough excitement for one evening."
As McGonagall left, Rowan turned to Darius with shining eyes. "That was brilliant! How did you make the floor all slippery like that? And that light around my badger—I've never seen magic like that!"
Darius felt heat rise in his cheeks. "It was nothing special."
"Are you mad? You fought off three fourth-years! My father always said Ravenclaws were the cleverest, but I never imagined..." He trailed off, looking at Darius with obvious admiration.
[Warning: High visibility incident. Recommend maintaining lower profile in future encounters.]
But looking at Justin's beaming face, at the careful way he cradled his grandfather's carving, Darius found he didn't regret the attention. Some things were worth standing up for.
"Just... try to stay away from those three, okay?" Darius said. "Slytherins can hold grudges."
Rowan nodded earnestly. "I will. And thank you again, Darius. Really."
As they packed up their books, Darius reflected on what had happened. He'd successfully used two of his experimental spell combinations in real combat, protected an innocent student, and earned House points—not bad for an evening's work.
More importantly, he'd crossed a line. The old Darius would have looked away, taken the second bowl, avoided confrontation at all costs. But that boy was gone. In his place stood someone willing to fight for others, even when it meant making enemies.
[Personal assessment: Moral development confirmed. Combat magic: Functional. Social standing: Enhanced. Warning: Slytherin House now views you as hostile. Recommend increased vigilance.]
Rowan waved goodbye as they left the library together, chattering excitedly about spell combinations and magical theory. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Darius found himself explaining some basic magical principles as they walked.
The nano machine hummed approvingly as they walked back toward their respective dormitories. Tomorrow, he'd return to the library and continue building his magical arsenal. But tonight, he'd sleep knowing he'd taken another step away from the boy who'd hidden in plain sight.