NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: Chapter 13: The Silent Test ( 2 ).
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The corridors of Hogwarts were slowly emptying as students hurried toward classrooms or the Great Hall, their footsteps echoing against the ancient stone walls. Warm afternoon sunlight slanted through the stained-glass windows, casting vibrant patterns of ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue across the worn flagstones. The air smelled faintly of parchment, ink, and the lingering traces of potions ingredients from earlier classes.
Hermione Granger marched briskly through the shifting pools of colored light, her books clutched tightly to her chest. Her mind spun with calculations, half-formed thoughts about probability matrices, and the infuriating memory of Adam's smirk as he'd deliberately provoked her in the library. She barely noticed the way her shoes clicked sharply against the stone, her pace quickening as she scanned the thinning crowds for any sign of Harry and Ron.
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Hermione weaved around groups of younger students, her ponytail bouncing furiously behind her with each determined step. First-years scattered out of her path instinctively, recognizing the look of single-minded purpose on her face. Her eyes darted from face to face, searching for that familiar mess of black hair and the lanky frame of her best friends.
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Hermione (muttering):
> "Of all the days they have to disappear…"
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A Hufflepuff third-year nearly collided with her, and Hermione sidestepped without breaking stride, her frown deepening.
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Hermione (muttering):
> "I swear if they're off planning something—"
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She cut herself off, shaking her head. No, they wouldn't. Not today. Not when they had that important lecture on Magical Defensive Formations in—she checked her watch—twelve minutes.
She paused twice, grabbing the sleeve of a passing Gryffindor fourth-year.
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Hermione:
> "Have you seen Harry and Ron?"
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Gryffindor Boy:
> "Uh… maybe near the staircases?"
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Hermione exhaled through her nose and moved on.
A group of Ravenclaws shook their heads when she asked, one of them gesturing vaguely toward the courtyard.
She huffed, her cheeks flushing pink with annoyance.
Where were they?
Then, finally—
A flash of vibrant red hair caught her eye near a suit of armor at the far end of the corridor. Ron's gangly frame was unmistakable, and beside him, Harry's perpetually messy black hair stood out even in the dimming light.
Hermione's shoulders sagged in relief before immediately tensing again. She picked up her pace, her footsteps quickening into a near-jog.
Ron leaned closer to Harry, squinting as Hermione approached from down the hall. There was something… off about her.
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Ron (whispering):
> "Is it just me… or is she… happy and smiling?"
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Harry (studying her):
> "No. It's not just you."
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Ron's expression darkened.
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Ron:
> "Don't tell me we have a surprise test or exam?"
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Harry:
> "No, we don't."
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Ron:
> "So why is she smiling like a psycho?"
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Before Harry could answer, Hermione reached them at last, slightly breathless. Without preamble, she dropped her stack of books into Ron's arms, making him stagger under the sudden weight.
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Hermione:
> "Hey. Sorry—I really forgot. I was busy with that idiot."
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Harry blinked, concern flickering in his green eyes.
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Harry:
> "It's okay. Are you all right?"
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Ron, still struggling to balance the books, blinked at her like a confused puppy.
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Ron:
> "Who's the idiot?"
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Hermione's smile slipped a notch as memories of Adam's infuriating smirk flashed through her mind.
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Hermione:
> "Never mind. Someone I… strongly dislike."
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She snapped her fingers, abruptly shifting back into her usual bossy tone.
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Hermione:
> "Anyway, what are you two doing?"
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Harry and Ron exchanged a guilty look.
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Hermione:
> "Do not tell me you're also planning some stupid thing too."
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Harry and Ron (in unison):
> "No! No, we didn't do anything. We were just going to talk with Dumbledore."
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Hermione crossed her arms, suspicion blazing in her eyes.
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Hermione:
> "Why? Did something happen?"
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Harry hesitated, glanced at Ron, then sighed.
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Harry:
> "No… not right now anyway."
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Hermione stepped closer, lowering her voice.
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Hermione:
> "So tell me."
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Ron shifted from foot to foot, ears pink.
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Ron:
> "Harry's been having nightmares. Visions. About… about You-Know-Who. He thinks he's back."
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Hermione's eyes widened. All color drained from her cheeks. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, pressing a hand to her lips.
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Hermione:
> "And why haven't you told Dumbledore until now?!"
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Harry looked miserable.
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Harry:
> "Because we know he'd just say they're nightmares. That I should try to sleep more. So… we thought we'd look into it ourselves first."
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Hermione exhaled slowly.
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Hermione:
> "I see."
> "And what are you planning to do now? Because I know you two have some clever idea that's going to put an end to our lives."
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Both boys gave guilty smiles.
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Harry:
> "Well…"
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Ron:
> "We don't have anything for now. That's why we were waiting for you."
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Hermione groaned.
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Hermione:
> "Okay. For now, we'll wait. But if you have those nightmares again, Harry, we'll figure it out. Together."
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She scooped up her books from Ron's arms.
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Hermione:
> "Now let's go. We'll be late for the lecture."
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They turned and hurried off down the corridor together, the tension still hovering like a silent storm cloud.
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Afternoon – ( Adam )
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The late afternoon light leaked through the narrow windows of the Slytherin common room, casting green-gold rays across the dark stone floor. Most students had already trickled out—some to the Great Hall, others to the library, and the rest to disappear into their own business.
Adam sat alone in the far corner of the room, the emerald fire in the hearth flickering low. His book lay closed in front of him, untouched. His fingers drummed lightly on the wooden armrest of the high-backed chair.
A low chime echoed in the back of his mind.
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[ System Notification ]
→ Time Remaining for Final Quest: 2 hours, 36 minutes
→ Would you like to proceed now?
→ Reminder: Delay beyond allotted window may result in quest failure and automatic penalty.
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Adam exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.
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Adam (thinking):
> I could delay it. Pretend I'm tired. Blame the long day. But that's not who I want to be anymore, is it?
> Not the loser Slytherin everyone mocks… not the idiot Hermione swears I am…
> I've made it this far. And something tells me this quest… it's not just about strength. It's about resolve.
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He stood up. The chair creaked softly as he pushed it back.
He ran a hand through his now-messier-than-usual hair. He glanced toward the entrance to the dorms, then toward the low hallway that led out to the school corridors.
He straightened his robes, grabbed his wand from the table, and summoned the System screen.
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[ System – Final Quest: Level 3 Advancement ]
→ Quest Title: Beyond the Shadows
→ Objective: Use magic under mental pressure while evading magical surveillance for 25 minutes.
→ Zone: Forbidden Tower Sector (Top Floor)
→ Restrictions: No direct spells on any creature. Must rely on logic, movement, and concealment.
→ Rewards: +3 Intelligence / +2 Endurance / New Spell Unlock
→ Penalty if Failed: -2 Magic / Temporary Stat Lockout (4 hours)
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Adam read the quest twice.
His brow arched.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
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Adam (murmuring):
> "So… it's brains this time. Not brawn. Good."
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He turned toward the exit. Before taking a step, he muttered a quote echoing from earlier:
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Adam (softly quoting Camus):
> "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
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He smiled quietly.
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Adam (resolute):
> "Let's finish this."
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And with that, he slipped silently through the shadows of the corridor, emerald torchlight dancing behind him—heading for the tower, the quest, and whatever truth the System would force him to uncover next.
[ End of Chapter].
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