Chapter 10 – Shadows and Spells
The morning sun crept through the stained-glass windows of Hogwarts, casting colorful patterns on the stone corridors. The castle was already buzzing with life. First-years rushed through halls, some clutching forgotten textbooks, others yawning as they chased down breakfast crumbs.
In the Slytherin common room, Harry stood by the fireplace, robes crisp, wand holstered, his satchel slung over his shoulder. Snape had passed him without comment this morning, though Harry could sense the subtle nod of approval in his gaze.
He made his way toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, steps light but deliberate.
"Defense today," he murmured to himself. "Let's see if the class lives up to the name."
---
The Classroom
The classroom was darker than others. Tapestries of legendary duels and magical beasts lined the walls, and a rack of old, rusted weaponry stood ominously near the front.
Professor Quirrell stood stiffly behind his desk, turban lopsided, eyes twitching from student to student. His stutter was ever-present, but there was something strange behind it—a tension, like he was suppressing something far stronger than nerves.
"Ah, w-welcome everyone. T-Today… we will be discussing… counter-c-curses and minor d-d-d-dark creatures."
Harry took a seat beside Blaise and not far from Hermione, who was already scribbling notes before the lecture even began. Draco sat two rows behind, lazily watching Quirrell with half-closed eyes.
Hermione leaned slightly toward Harry and whispered, "He doesn't seem very confident for someone teaching this subject."
Harry nodded. "He smells like burnt garlic and fear."
Hermione blinked. "You can tell?"
Harry tapped his nose and smirked. "I pay attention."
---
The Practical Lesson
Quirrell instructed everyone to stand near the center of the room, where several training dummies had been set up. The first exercise was to cast the Revelare spell—a charm that exposed hidden curses.
"F-Focus your will into the wand, and s-say the incantation with intent."
The class watched as Quirrell barely managed a demonstration—his wand flicked, and one dummy lit up with glowing red glyphs.
"Seems easy enough," Blaise muttered, trying his first attempt.
Hermione went next, her spell crisp but only partially effective. She frowned.
When Harry raised his wand, he didn't speak. The system's soft whisper echoed in his mind:
> Light Affinity: Minor support activated.
A surge of gentle warmth spread through his hand as he flicked the wand.
"Revelare."
The dummy blazed red from top to bottom. Several hidden glyphs even glowed with ancient runes others had missed.
Hermione's eyes widened. "That was… perfect."
Even Draco looked impressed. "Show off."
Quirrell froze for a second. "E-Excellent, Potter. V-Very good."
Harry didn't miss how the professor's left eye twitched oddly before he turned away.
---
The Surprise Test
Quirrell raised a shaking hand. "Now we'll try something a b-bit more… challenging."
From a wooden cage, he released a small, shadowy creature—it had wide, glassy eyes, thin limbs, and tendrils of mist spilling from its form.
"A Shadow Mite," Quirrell explained. "Annoying, but n-not dangerous… unless provoked."
The moment it locked eyes with Harry, it hissed.
> System Notification – Passive Reaction:
Detected hostile dark creature.
Light Affinity auto-response triggered.
Harry's wand pulsed. Before the mite could leap, he raised it instinctively.
"Luxa."
A flash of white light burst from his wand, and the mite shrieked, scattering into mist and vanishing.
The class gasped.
Hermione whispered, "That wasn't in our books."
Quirrell stared. "W-Where did you learn that spell?"
Harry shrugged. "Read a lot."
---
Post-Class
As the class ended, students spilled into the halls, buzzing about the Shadow Mite and Harry's strange spell.
Draco jogged up beside him. "Okay, Potter. I was going to write you off as a potion kid, but you've got a flair."
Harry smirked. "I'm full of surprises."
Blaise added, "That wasn't a standard charm. You invent it?"
Harry tilted his head, eyes twinkling. "Let's just say… I'm learning differently."
Hermione caught up. "You really should write that spell down. I'd like to study it."
"I'll think about it," Harry said. "Still working on stabilizing it."
---
Later That Evening
Back in his dorm, Harry opened his system panel.
> Status – Updated
New Spell Added:
– Luxa (Light Affinity): Emits pure light damaging to dark-aligned creatures and magic. Can be amplified with intent.
Progress:
Light Affinity – 12%
Dark Affinity – 8%
Spell Mastery – 5%
Traits Active:
– Soulbound Duality
– Arcane Awareness
Mission Unlocked:
"Find the Forgotten Library"
Description: A sealed section of Hogwarts once used by the Founders. Hidden beneath layered enchantments.
Harry leaned back, eyes thoughtful.
"Forgotten Library, huh? Sounds like the fun kind of forbidden."
And with that, he grinned, the gears in his mind already turning for what lay ahead.