(Harry Potter) Lost in a game

§"Talking in Parseltongue"§

§Spells in Parseltongue§

System UI

"Powerful beings talking"

"Normal conversation"

Thinking deeply

"Non-English conversation"

September 24, 1977

POV: Antares Hecate

It was finally the weekend—the day Regulus and I had planned

to fully explore the Chamber of Secrets. My excitement had me up far earlier

than necessary, and now I found myself waiting just outside the dungeons. The

halls were quiet, save for the occasional drip of water from somewhere deep

within the stone corridors.

I checked the time using a simple charm, and glowing numbers

appeared before me: 5:50 AM. I groaned. Regulus wouldn't be up for a while, and

I had nothing to do but lean against the wall and let my thoughts wander.

By 6:05, footsteps echoed down the corridor, and I turned to

see Lucius Malfoy approaching. His perfectly polished boots tapped against the

stone floor, and his silver-blond hair gleamed in the dim light.

"Antares," he greeted with a polite nod, his tone cool but

respectful. "What brings you to the dungeons at this hour?"

Our families had a unique relationship. The Hecates, though

ancient and respected, had spent centuries burning through their wealth to

combat both Dark Lords and so-called Light Lords—fanatics who were as dangerous

in their own way. This left my family perpetually on the brink of financial

ruin.

The Malfoys, on the other hand, were relatively new to

British magical society. About 400 years ago, when the tides of public opinion

turned against the aristocracy, the Malfoys sought to secure their position by

aligning themselves with the Hecates. We struck a mutually beneficial deal:

they would sponsor us financially in our fight against magical extremism, and

we, in turn, would introduce them to the upper echelons of magical society,

cementing their place among Britain's elite.

This alliance came with a catch, however. As long as the

Hecates lived, the Malfoys were bound to the grey faction—neutral and

independent, neither fully aligning with the Dark nor the Light. I suspected

that Lucius's father resented this arrangement, and perhaps even Lucius himself

under it. Without our influence, this generation of Malfoys might have already

pledged themselves to the Dark faction.

"Waiting for Regulus," I replied, nodding back. "We've got

something planned for the day."

Lucius raised a single pale brow. "Regulus Black?"

I nodded again, and Lucius's expression shifted into

something curious, maybe even amused. Regulus wasn't exactly known for having

close friends. He was the quieter of the Black brothers, a loner who often kept

to himself. Our friendship wasn't well-known, but it wasn't a secret, either.

"Early for such plans," Lucius remarked.

"Better early than late," I countered.

He studied me for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "A

sentiment I can appreciate. Still, I'd advise you to tread carefully." He

paused as if weighing his words. "There are groups forming, Antares. Quietly,

but they're growing. Most of them are composed of families with darker

reputations. Something big is brewing. I don't know what it is yet, but you'd

be wise to avoid getting caught in their web."

His warning caught me off guard. Lucius wasn't one to mince

words, so if he was concerned, it was worth paying attention.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said carefully, nodding in

thanks.

He inclined his head once more, the ghost of a smile playing

on his lips. "Good. I'd hate to see you drawn into something beneath your

station. Take care, Antares."

With that, he turned and strode away, his footsteps fading

into the distance.

Finally, around 6:30, Regulus emerged from the dormitory,

his hair slightly tousled but his expression as calm and composed as ever.

"You're here early," he said, his voice even and almost shy.

"You're late," I replied with a grin, trying to draw him out

a bit.

He offered a small, reluctant smile, but it quickly faded.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Don't worry about it," I said, waving it off. "Let's get

moving."

As we started toward the hidden entrance to the Chamber,

Regulus glanced around the corridor to make sure no one else was within

earshot. "Antares," he said quietly, his tone more serious than usual.

"Yeah?"

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," he began

hesitantly. "I've noticed… whispers. Certain families—mostly the ones with

darker leanings—have been gathering. They're calling it a club, but it's more

than that."

"A club?" I asked, frowning. "What are they planning?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. No one will talk to me

about it, not directly. But they're recruiting, and it feels… ominous. I think

something big is going to happen soon."

I studied him carefully. Regulus and Lucius weren't people to

speak lightly, both rarely voiced concerns like this. If both of them are

worried, then it was worth taking seriously.

"Thanks for telling me," I said sincerely. "I'll keep an eye

out."

He nodded, but there was an unease in his expression that

didn't fade. "Just be careful, Antares. There's more going on in Slytherin than

most people realize."

As we walked through the quiet corridors of the dungeons, I

mulled over Regulus's warning. "I've noticed the same thing, honestly," I

began, my voice low but steady. "The dark families are a lot more active

lately, not just here but politically. It feels coordinated." I paused,

considering my next words. "If I had to guess, someone's feeding them lies.

Maybe they're claiming to be a descendant of Merlin or some other powerful historical

person with a story convincing enough to fool even some of the smarter ones."

Regulus glanced at me sharply. "A descendant of Merlin?

That's impossible."

I nodded. "Exactly. My family kept close tabs on Merlin's

lineage, and they all died out less than two generations after he disappeared.

There's no one left. But it doesn't matter what they claim—Dumbledore is still

alive, and the last dark lord he defeated was the most powerful one England's

ever seen. Whoever this new figure is, they'd be mad to think they could

compare."

Regulus opened his mouth as if to say something, but then

closed it just as quickly. His face remained pensive as we descended into the

depths of the Chamber.

---

Once inside the Chamber of Secrets, we began searching for

anything unusual—anything that could lead us deeper into the structure. The

vast, eerie space felt ancient and alive, the sound of dripping water echoing

against the towering serpent carvings.

"Look for anything that resembles a door," I told Regulus as

I ran my hand along the damp walls.

We found several areas that could've been entrances—false

doors etched into the stone, peculiar indentations that led nowhere—but nothing

that actually opened. After hours of fruitless searching, I was about to call

it a day when Regulus's voice broke through the silence.

"Antares," he called from the farthest corner of the

Chamber, his tone curious. "I think I found something."

I walked over to where he was standing and found a faint

outline of a serpent carved into the wall. There was something about

it—something different from the other carvings we'd found.

"Worth a shot," I muttered before hissing in Parseltongue, §"Open."§

To my utter surprise, the wall rumbled and slid open,

revealing a dark passageway. As I stepped forward, a voice hissed through the

air.

§"How did you get back, Riddle? I told you never to

return after you defiled your soul."§

I froze, looking around for the source of the voice. My eyes

landed on an old painting hanging on the wall just beyond the entrance. The

figure in the portrait was regal and stern, with piercing eyes that seemed to

see right through me.

"Who are you?" I asked cautiously, switching back to English.

"A descendant of Salazar Slytherin?"

The man in the painting narrowed his eyes at me and

responded in a language I didn't understand. Frowning, I repeated my question

in Parseltongue.

§"I am Slytherin, you fool,"§ he snapped. §"Who

else would be in my workshop?"§

I blinked, taken aback. §"Slytherin?"§ I repeated in

disbelief. §"You mean the Salazar Slytherin?"§

§"Do you know of another?"§ he sneered.

I tried to compose myself. §"If you're Slytherin, why are

you here? Wouldn't it make more sense for one of your descendants to be in this

place?"§

§"Ah, a sharp tongue on this one,"§ he said,

smirking. §"Perhaps you've inherited more than just my blood."§ He

studied me for a moment. §"Tell me, how are we related?"§

§"From what I know, one of the last members of your house

married into my family—the Hecates,"§ I explained.

Slytherin's expression softened slightly. §"A respectable

choice,"§ he said, nodding approvingly. §"The Hecates have always been a

family of principle, even if it sometimes borders on foolishness."§

I allowed myself a small smile. §"Thank you, I think."§

Behind me, Regulus stood frozen, his mouth agape as he

stared at the painting. His wide eyes darted between me and Slytherin, as if he

couldn't quite process what he was seeing.

"Regulus," I said, turning to him, "meet Salazar Slytherin."

His jaw dropped further. "You're joking," he breathed, his

voice barely audible.

I gestured to the painting. "I think it's safe to say I'm

not."

Regulus muttered something under his breath that sounded

suspiciously like a prayer. Meanwhile, Slytherin chuckled, clearly amused by

the younger Black's reaction.

§"He doesn't talk much, does he?"§ the painting

remarked.

I sighed. §"Not usually, no."§

§"Good,"§ Slytherin said with a smirk. §"You'll

need his silence where we're going."§

I frowned, but before I could ask what he meant, the

painting's eyes seemed to gleam with a mix of curiosity and challenge.

§"Now, tell me, heir of Hecate, are you ready to step into the legacy you

carry—or will you falter like so many before you?"§

As the conversation with Salazar Slytherin unfolded, the

painted figure smirked at me with an expression that could only be described as

cunning amusement.

§"You're not the first to seek my teachings,"§ he

began. §"And I have no intention of wasting my time on the unworthy. If

you truly want to learn from me, you must prove yourself."§

§"I

figured as much,"§ I said, crossing my arms. §"What do I have to do?"§

Slytherin's eyes gleamed. §"Behind this painting

lies a room containing the instructions for a ritual. This ritual is not for

the faint of heart. It will require intelligence, resourcefulness, and the kind

of grit most wizards lack. Only those who can complete it are worthy of

standing in my shadow."§

§"What's the catch?"§ I asked, narrowing my eyes.

§"The catch, as you so eloquently put it, is that

this task will push you to your limits. If you fail, it might very well cost

you your life—or worse."§ His voice carried a tone of finality.

I glanced at Regulus, who looked like he was lost. Slytherin

caught the movement and added, §"Your companion cannot assist you. This

is a test of your mettle alone. If you pass, you may return to me. If you fail…

well, it hardly matters then, does it?"§

As Slytherin's painted form regarded us with that knowing,

cunning look, I turned to Regulus, who stood stiffly at my side.

"I need to go in the back room," I said, keeping my voice

calm. "Slytherin says it's part of a test, but he made it clear—you can't

follow me."

Regulus frowned, his dark eyes flicking between me and the

painting. "Are you sure that's safe?"

"It's fine. If I don't come back in an hour, then maybe

worry," I said with a small grin, trying to ease the tension. Regulus didn't

look convinced but nodded reluctantly.

---

The painting slid aside to reveal a dimly lit, ancient room.

I stepped in, the air heavy with the scent of old parchment and something acrid

I couldn't place. The door sealed behind me, leaving me alone with the eerie

silence.

On the far wall, glowing writing appeared, written in a

fluid, snakelike script. As I read it, a notification from The Game popped up.

New Quest: The

Summoner's Trial

Objective: Gather

the ingredients and tools necessary to perform a summoning ritual to summon and

bargain with a demon.

Rewards: +20

Levels, +20 Stat Points, +3 Perks, and the mentorship of Salazar Slytherin.

Bonus Objective:

Successfully negotiate with the summoned demon for additional benefits without

losing anything of great value.

Bonus Rewards:

Rare artifact, permanent +5% boost to all stats.

---

A glowing script listed the required components for the

ritual

1 Ashes of an Ancient Phoenix – A substance nearly

impossible to acquire unless one seeks the remains of a phoenix long dead, a

task requiring deep knowledge of magical sanctuaries and formidable courage.

A phoenix long dead? That's not just rare—it's legendary.

Phoenixes burn and are reborn, leaving no ashes behind unless one died

permanently, something almost unheard of. It would mean searching ancient

sanctuaries or lost magical lands, risking who knows what. Nearly impossible.

Might as well ask for a unicorn horn dipped in dragon tears.

2 Nightshade – Not the ordinary plant but a rare

variation said to grow only in areas touched by a Dementor's presence.

Not a plant I could pick out of a garden. This is

something that grows in places drenched in despair, touched by a Dementor's

presence. It would require going to one of their haunts, which means Azkaban or

some equally grim location. Dangerous? Sure. But at least it's feasible if I

prepare.

3 Blood of a True Descendant of Merlin – A rare lineage

long thought extinct, save for rumored connections in the deeper magical

archives.

If anyone has access to this, it's my mother. But would

she even agree to give me something so rare? This will take a lot of

convincing.

4 A Shimmering Soul Gem – A powerful magical artifact

used to contain or barter with a being of immense power. Rumors suggest they

are kept hidden in ancient ruins or private collections of dangerous

individuals.

And a

second conversation for Mother. This isn't something I can just pick up

at the market after all.

5 The Silver Egg of a Chimera – A nearly mythical item

said to be found only in the nests of wild Chimeras. The creature guards its

eggs with unmatched ferocity, and only a master strategist would have any hope

of stealing one.

This wasn't just rare—it was suicidal. Chimeras are

infamous for their ferocity, and their eggs are their most prized treasures. No

creature guards its young with more savagery. I'd need gold—mountains of it—to

hire help or secure the resources for a auction.

---

The script glowed brighter as more text appeared:

Instructions for the Ritual:

Construct a summoning circle using runes carved from pure

obsidian and infused with liquid moonlight.

Use the ingredients to complete the ritual. Each must be placed

precisely at the points indicated in the diagram.

Speak the summoning incantation in the language of the

Abyss.

A unreadable text appeared that told me I would need to learn a new language. Fuck

that's going to be impossible let's hope the perks let me pick it.

---

My thoughts were interrupted as another notification from

The Game appeared:

WARNING:

The difficulty of

this quest is S-Class. Failure may result in severe consequences, including

death. Do you accept? Time limit - None

I hesitated, feeling the weight of Slytherin's expectations

and the immense power he offered in return. Steeling myself, I clicked Accept.

---

As I stepped out of the room, the glowing words etched in my

mind, Slytherin's painted eyes bore into me.

§"You've read the instructions, I take it?"§ he

asked.

I nodded.

§"Good. You've taken the first step on a path few

dare to tread. Prove yourself worthy, and I will teach you the art of

summoning—the power to command the forces others fear to even speak of."§

Regulus looked between me and the painting, his brow

furrowed, his disbelief clear. "What did he ask you to do?"

I glanced at him, then back at the now-empty frame. "Let's

just say it's going to take a long time. Like, a lifetime long."

Regulus raised an eyebrow, his skepticism growing. Before he

could press further, the painting shimmered briefly before going completely

still. Slytherin had likely shifted to another painting—possibly one hidden

away in his fabled family home, a place no one alive today even knew existed.

"Well," I said, turning back to Regulus with a grin, "I'd

say that was a fantastic idea to look for a secret door. And yes, before you

even start, I'll teach you what he teaches me—eventually."

Regulus crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"What? I wasn't even thinking that!" His expression shifted to one of

exasperation. "That was Slytherin, Antares. The founder. And you were just…

chatting with him in Parseltongue. Casually. Like he's some bloke in the common

room. Do you even understand how insane that is? Do you know how much people

would pay just to see that memory in a Pensieve?"

"…You might have a point about me talking a bit too

casually," I admitted with a small shrug. "But come on, Reg, you know the deal.

You can't sell the memory. And yeah, I know how much people would pay. If the

Grunts were still around—and if they still had money—they'd sell their manor

just for that glimpse."

Regulus let out an exasperated groan, running a hand through

his hair. "You're right… but how the hell are you so bloody calm about this?

That's one of the Founders! The Slytherin! The seventh most well-known name in

the entire magical world! And the only Founder to be internationally

recognized! Bloody hell, mate!"

Hearing the disbelief in his voice, I couldn't hold back

anymore. My excitement surged, my composure breaking as I blurted out,

"Regulus, he told me that if I pass his test—and trust me, this thing is

impossible—he'll teach me true summoning magic. True summoning. Not the stuff

we have now, but the real thing. A lost art that's been gone for centuries." I

paused, my grin widening. "We've only got spells for non-magical things now,

but with what he's offering? I think… I think I'm about to pass out."

Regulus's mouth fell open, his astonishment palpable.

"You're for real? You lucky bastard." He shook his head, his tone a mix of

disbelief and envy. "You better show me at least some of what he teaches you,

or so help me…"

He trailed off, muttering to himself, as if trying to

process the gravity of it all. The thought of a lost branch of magic being

revived was staggering. It wasn't just a historical moment—it was

revolutionary.

"Do you even realize what this means?" he said, his voice

quieter now, almost reverent. "Lost magic, Antares. Once it's gone, it's gone

forever. Over ninety percent of all magical knowledge has been lost to time.

Even light magic—we only have Lumos left, and that's just the tip of a branch

that's completely disappeared. Dark magic has survived better, sure, but this…

summoning… this is different. If you bring it back, you'll be in the history

books for generations."

The weight of his words settled on me. He was right. This

wasn't just about me—it was about legacy, about reclaiming something thought to

be lost forever.

"History books, huh?" I said, a small, nervous laugh

escaping. "Well, guess I better not screw it up, then."

Regulus gave me a wry smile, but there was a spark of pride

in his eyes. "You're mad, you know that?"

"Completely," I replied, the grin returning to my face.

The chamber

was silent except for the faint echoes of water dripping somewhere in the

distance. It was a cavernous, oppressive silence, broken only by the sound of

our boots scuffing against the uneven stone floor. After over an hour of

dissecting the implications of meeting Salazar Slytherin, my thoughts were

still racing, but I was restless now. I glanced at Regulus, who was leaning

against a nearby column, absently inspecting his wand.

"You know,"

I began, rolling my wand between my fingers, "we've spent so much time throwing

spells at dummies. What do you say we try a proper duel?"

Regulus

raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a sly grin. "You're serious?"

"Of

course," I replied. "You've got skills, but you're not going to get any better

if you don't spar with someone who can actually fight back."

He snorted.

"That's rich coming from you. You just want to show off."

"Maybe," I

admitted with a shrug, "but you could use the practice. And who knows? You

might even land a hit or two."

Regulus

pushed off the column, standing up straight. "Alright, but don't come crying to

me when you're the one eating dirt."

We stepped

apart, creating space in the vast chamber. The air between us felt charged, the

tension building as we raised our wands in unison.

"Ready?" I

asked.

"Always,"

Regulus replied, his tone laced with determination.

"Three…

two… one—Stupefy!" I cast the first spell, a bolt of red light shooting from my

wand.

Regulus was

quick to react, deflecting it with a shield charm. "Protego!"

He followed

up immediately, aiming a Disarming Charm at me. "Expelliarmus!"

I

sidestepped, countering with "Rictusempra!" The tickling charm streaked toward

him, but he blocked it just in time.

"Too slow,"

I teased, circling him.

"Too

predictable," he shot back, firing off a Trip Jinx. "Tripping you up yet?"

"Not a

chance," I retorted, deflecting it with ease and firing back a Knockback Jinx.

"Flipendo!"

The force

of the spell caught him off guard, sending him stumbling backward. Regulus

recovered quickly, his expression growing more serious. He wasn't holding back

anymore.

"Confringo!"

he shouted, the Blasting Curse hurtling toward me.

I conjured

a shield just in time. "Protego Maxima!" The explosion dissipated against the

shimmering barrier, but the force pushed me a step back.

"Nice try,"

I said, casting a Stunning Spell in retaliation.

Regulus

dodged, sending a Cutting Curse my way. "Diffindo!"

The spell

grazed my shoulder, leaving a shallow cut. I winced but kept moving, refusing

to let him see any weakness.

"Not bad,"

I admitted, "but you're going to have to do better than that."

We traded

spells relentlessly, the chamber lighting up with bursts of magical energy.

Sweat dripped down my face, my arm aching from the constant motion. Regulus was

holding his own, but he was clearly tiring. His movements were slowing, his aim

less precise.

"Locomotor

Mortis!" he cast, locking my legs together.

I swayed

but countered quickly. "Finite Incantatem!"

The duel

raged on for what felt like an eternity. I had a few more cuts on my arms and a

bruise forming on my side, but Regulus was worse off. His cheek was swollen,

his robes torn, and his wand arm was trembling from exertion.

Finally, I

saw my opening. I cast a powerful Stunning Spell, and though he tried to block

it, his shield faltered. The force of the spell knocked him off his feet, and

he hit the ground with a grunt, his wand rolling out of reach.

I

approached him, breathing hard but victorious. "That," I said, offering him a

hand, "was fun."

Regulus

groaned, letting me help him up. He swayed slightly, his face a mixture of

exhaustion and pride.

"Yeah,"

I

continued, gesturing to the state of us both, "but what we didn't think about

was how we're going to explain all these cuts and bruises to Madam Pomfrey."

Regulus

froze, realization dawning on his face. Then he smirked. "Just tell her the

truth… or say you're training to join the under-18 dueling circuit. Bloody

Gryffindor, can't even think."

I clutched

my chest in mock offense. "Hey, take that back!"

He

chuckled, shaking his head. I then continued "Good fight. And… not a bad idea, actually."

With a

grin, clapping him on the shoulder. For all his complaints, Regulus Black was

tougher than I'd given him credit for—and I couldn't help but look forward to

our next bout.

October 10th, 1977

POV: Antares Hecate

It's been two weeks since Regulus and I stumbled upon

Slytherin's painting and had that intense duel. Since then, life at Hogwarts

has settled into a relatively normal rhythm. I've spent most of my time hanging

out with James and Sirius, occasionally talking with Lily when the opportunity

arises.

Honestly, I think my plan to give James some space from Lily

might be working. If I were constantly hovering around her, it would make

things harder on that front. I've been trying to strike a balance—enough time

with her to maintain our growing friendship, but not so much that James feels

threatened. At first, I was just hanging around the Gryffindor group for the

sake of the quest, but now? Now, I think of them as real friends.

At the moment, we're all seated in the Great Hall for

dinner. The atmosphere is lively, filled with chatter and laughter. Lily sits

directly in front of me, Sirius is to my left, and James is next to him. On

Lily's side, Remus sits to her right, and Peter is awkwardly squished on her

left.

I glance around the table, activating Observe—a name

I've dubbed my ability to see people's names, levels, and relationship bars.

Sirius Black

Level: 25

Age: 16

Relationship:

35/100 (New friend)

James Potter

Level: 24

Age: 16

Relationship:

10/100 (Maybe he was telling the truth)

Peter Pettigrew

Level: 16

Age: 16

Relationship:

5/100 (Am I getting replaced?)

Remus Lupin

Level: 21–35 That

range… I'll figure it out eventually.

Age: 16

Relationship:

70/100 (Antares is finally giving my friends a chance.)

Lily Evans

Level: 29

Age: 16

Relationship:

60/100 (Cute friend… when will he ask me out for a date?)

I let out a quiet sigh, glancing down at my plate. Things

seem to be going well overall. James is slowly warming up to me—finally. I've

managed to get his relationship from a -5 to a 10, which feels like an

accomplishment in itself. Sirius is a little easier to get along with; he's

jumped from 30 to 35 in these two weeks.

Lily, however? No movement. Her bar's stuck at 60. I know

I'm not spending as much time with her as I used to, but I've still been

careful to hang out with her during our shared classes and partner work.

Slughorn paired us up for Potions, probably noticing how well we get along—or

maybe because he's noticed her crush. She is his favorite student, after all,

much to the dismay of the Slytherins.

Still, this lack of progress is frustrating. It feels like

I'm spinning my wheels with her. Even when we're partnered, and she's smiling

at me, laughing at my jokes, or brushing her hair behind her ear in that really

distracting way, her relationship bar just doesn't budge. What am I missing

here?

"Antares, earth to Antares!" Sirius's voice snaps me out of

my thoughts.

"Huh? What?" I blink, realizing everyone at the table is

staring at me.

"You've been staring at your plate like it insulted your

entire family. You alright?" Sirius asks, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Yeah," I say, shaking my head to clear it. "Just…

thinking."

"Careful, mate," James says, his tone light but teasing.

"Too much thinking's bad for you."

I roll my eyes, but a small smile creeps onto my face. Yeah,

things are going well. Not perfect, but for the first time in a long while, I

feel like I've found a place where I can belong.

Time Skip

It had been a typical day at Hogwarts. Potions with Slughorn

had been a headache—Lily and I had brewed a flawless Draught of Peace, which

earned us more praise than I cared for. James had managed to turn his potion

into something closer to tar, earning a lecture and a smirk from Lily. Charms

was better; Flitwick taught us a more advanced version of Alohomora, and I

managed to unlock a magically sealed chest faster than anyone else in class 30

minutes faster then everyone else. History of Magic, as usual, was a struggle

to stay awake through.

By the time classes were over, I was ready to collapse.

James, Sirius, and I trudged back toward the Gryffindor dorms together, our

bags heavy with books.

"Merlin, Binns is the worst," Sirius groaned,

stretching his arms above his head. "If I ever become a ghost, someone

remind me not to haunt a classroom."

James laughed. "I don't know, mate. You'd probably be

better than him. At least you'd throw in a joke or two."

"Or a prank," I added, smirking.

We turned down another corridor, the noise of the castle

fading behind us. I was about to crack another joke when a familiar

notification popped up in my vision.

New Quest: Protect

the Forest

A poacher has

found a way into the Forbidden Forest.

Objective: Find

and kill the poacher before he alerts others.

Time Limit: 7

hours.

Reward: 5 levels

and a free random lost spell.

I froze mid-step, staring at the glowing text. My heart

started pounding. This wasn't just some side quest; this was serious. Seven

hours to track down and eliminate someone in the Forbidden Forest?

"Antares?" James's voice snapped me back to

reality.

Sirius was already looking at me, one brow raised.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost—and not the friendly

kind."

I couldn't tell them about the quest. No way would they

believe me, even if I tried. But I had to come up with something plausible,

fast.

"I forgot something," I said, forcing a casual tone.

James frowned. "What could you have forgotten?"

"In the Forbidden Forest," I finished.

Sirius blinked, then his face broke into a smirk. "You're

insane, you know that? The forest is out of bounds. And it's past curfew."

He didn't sound the least bit discouraged. If anything, he

seemed thrilled by the prospect.

"I'm coming with," he added, grinning.

"No, you're not," James said immediately, his face

scrunching up in annoyance. "You might be mad enough to go along with this, but

I'm tired. I've had enough excitement for one day, thanks."

"Oh, no, you're coming too." Sirius grabbed James's arm and

started dragging him back toward the staircase that led to the grounds.

"What? No! Sirius, let me go!"

"You'd let Antares go into the forest alone? What kind of

friend are you?" Sirius shot back, his tone mockingly accusatory.

"That's not fair!" James protested, but he didn't resist as

much as he could have.

I sighed, knowing there was no stopping them now. At least I

wouldn't be going alone. The clock was ticking, and I needed to act fast.

"Fine," I muttered. "Let's move before anyone sees us."

The three of us ducked out of the castle, the cool evening

air hitting us as we stepped onto the grounds. As we approached the Forbidden

Forest, I couldn't help but glance at the sky. Seven hours. Seven hours to find

this poacher and stop him.

I only hoped I could pull it off—and keep James and Sirius

out of trouble in the process.

Author's note

And that's

the end of the chapter just a little world building getting the story going. Thanks

for reading hope you enjoyed. Reviews keep me motivated and feedback is appreciated helps me improve my writing skills.