Under Snape's stern escort, Sean reached the Slytherin common room, its stone walls aglow with emerald light.
Word of Slytherin's ten-point gain had spread, and with Sean the only student absent, curious eyes followed him. Snape's presence confirmed their suspicions.
"Sean, you vanished in a flash," Blaise whispered, glancing at the crowded common room. "Where'd you go? And… did you earn those ten points?"
"No point hiding it," Sean said, loud enough for others to hear. "Dumbledore awarded me the points. Gryffindor gained some too, though—our lead's slim."
He spoke deliberately, letting the truth ripple through the room, reinforcing his standing.
Blaise's face lit up. "That's brilliant! Those points should clear your earlier deductions, right? You're in the clear, maybe even ahead by a few."
Sean nodded, a grin breaking through. He'd overlooked it himself—the ten points erased his debt, freeing him from the weight of past mistakes.
The relief was palpable, like shedding a heavy cloak after a long trek.
Slytherins, ever discreet as pure-bloods, didn't pry openly. Hogwarts' gossip network ensured secrets rarely lasted—by morning, anyone curious could uncover the troll incident for a few Sickles.
Andy Morgan, ever the opportunist, could dig up such tales with ease.
As Sean crossed the common room to his dormitory, he spotted Andy lingering by his door. With a nod, Sean ushered Blaise and Andy inside.
Kulkan slithered from Sean's sleeve, darting to his nest. He gobbled his food, coiled snugly, and dozed off.
After checking Kulkan, Sean tapped his wand. A house-elf appeared with a pop, bowing eagerly.
"Dear Mr. Sean, what do you need today? Blue is happy to serve you."
Blue, Sean's trusted house-elf, quivered with enthusiasm. "Some hot tea for us three," Sean said, smiling. "And sandwiches—we didn't eat much at the feast."
"Yes, sir!"
Bang!
Blue vanished, only to return moments later with steaming tea and a platter of sandwiches. He set them down, pledged his loyalty, and popped away.
House-elf magic, unbound by Hogwarts' Apparition wards, never ceased to impress Sean. Even the mightiest wizards couldn't match their teleportation here.
Blaise and Andy, frequent visitors, grabbed their portions without ceremony, ignoring Slytherin decorum as they ate and drank.
Sean turned to Andy. "Let's keep this quick, Andy. I need rest."
Truthfully, he itched to check his panel for the troll duel's rewards, but discretion came first.
In a magical world where students were sharp as owls, staring into the void too often could raise suspicions. Sean's steady progress after duels might hint at a something, inviting trouble.
Andy nodded. "Short and sweet, then. Our Wit recovery potion's selling fast—cheaper than Hogsmeade's, reliable quality. Seniors and other houses are buying, but we're short on stock. Can we boost production?"
Sean weighed Andy's eager gaze. "Brewing takes time, Andy. I'm giving you ten potions a week now. I can up it to fifteen, but I want a 75% share."
Andy's grin faded. "Sean, I only took 30% before! I source materials, handle sales, take risks…"
"Don't plead hardship," Sean cut in. "More potions mean more profit, even with a smaller cut."
Andy sighed, but his eyes gleamed. "Fine, deal."
He feigned reluctance, but the math was clear: five extra potions outweighed the reduced share, a win for both.
Andy left, and Blaise, after petting Kulkan, headed to his own room.
Alone, Sean summoned his panel, its faint glow revealing the troll duel's spoils.
[Duel victory achieved against troll opponent.]
[You may extract two abilities from the troll.]
[Drawing...]
[Drawing completed, obtained: Troll Strength]
[Description: Enhances physical power, granting host increased force in physical actions. Current level: LV0.]
[Drawing completed, obtained: Troll Spiked Hide]
[Description: Bolsters skin resilience, providing minor resistance to physical and magical impacts. Current level: LV0.]
[The target's abilities cannot be fully inherited due to differing species traits. Solutions are being evaluated...]
[Filtering...]
[Based on the host's profile, the screening process concludes.]
[Adapting extracted abilities to suit the host's species traits and physical condition.]
[Updated attribute panel, added new status bar: Talent]
[Obtained: Talent: Troll Strength LV0]
[Obtained: Talent: Troll Spiked Hide LV0]
--------------------------------------------------------------
November's chill gripped Hogwarts, tempting Sean to linger in bed indefinitely.
Perhaps his time in Slytherin's damp dungeons or tending to Kulkan had made him grow sluggish, but mornings now felt like a battle against lethargy. The warm cocoon of his blankets held him fast, each sunrise a struggle to rise.
Blaise's sharp knock on the door finally roused him.
Reluctantly, Sean donned casual clothes, splashed cold water on his face, and trudged out, leaving Kulkan curled on the bed's lingering warmth. The snake, sensitive to the biting cold, was better off indoors than braving the frosty grounds.
"It's so hard to get out of bed in the winter," Sean grumbled.
Blaise, grinning, teased, "I thought you were a model of discipline, but you've got a lazy streak after all."
Sean shot him a mock glare, but the banter lightened his mood.
Opting for comfort over formality, they skipped robes. Blaise sported Quidditch-style athletic wear, sleek and green, while Sean wore Muggle-world tracksuits, practical and unassuming. Together, they left the castle's stone halls, their breath clouding in the crisp air, and reached the open field used for flying lessons.
Since the troll incident, Sean and Blaise had committed to rising an hour early each day for exercise, a pact forged to hone their bodies and minds.
The panel's rewards from the troll duel had unveiled a new talent column, granting Sean two abilities: Troll Strength and Troll Spiked Hide, both at LV0.
Directly inheriting a troll's raw power would have warped Sean's human form, twisting him into a monstrous hybrid—a fate he refused. Instead, the panel adapted the abilities into talents, diluted but compatible, designed to enhance his physique as he trained.
Daily exercise became Sean's strategy to amplify these talents, pushing his body to absorb their potential.
At eleven, Sean's strength already surpassed that of most peers. A rematch with Draco Malfoy, he mused, would end with a single, crushing punch, no wand required.
Both he and Blaise, in the prime of their growth, thrived on the routine. Their hour-long runs across the frost-dusted field left them invigorated, not exhausted, their youthful energy undimmed by the cold.
Sean's muscles burned pleasantly, each step a testament to his growing power, fueled by the panel's gifts.