The Headmaster's Office, West Towers
It was a majestically bright Saturday morning for one Albus Dumbledore. As with any morning, majestic or not, the most powerful wizard alive popped a sherbet lemon into his mouth. Unfortunately, the Heads of Houses annual meeting prevented Dumbledore from reaching out for another treat.
Without betraying his briefest disappointment, Dumbledore greeted the professors in a brisk and clear voice.
"Minerva, Filius, Severus, Pomona. How delightful to see all of you here. Say, did you find many promising students this year? I hope Severus here found his class to be less, ah, so he says, "a bunch of dunderheads."
With a stern glance at Snape, Professor McGonagall stated.
"I'm sure none would be so hasty in our judgement of first-years. After all, most of them haven't touched a wand before. What I could share, however, is that in Transfigurations, Ms Granger and Mr Potter were quite apt in their spellwork. The two appear to be good friends, albeit withdrawn from their peers. Otherwise, nothing of note."
"Thank you, Minerva. How about you, Filius?", asked Dumbledore, stroking his beard after. The man looked content to merely listen.
"The pair also performed well beyond their age in my class", the half-goblin replied, "If they keep this up, I would consider putting them in second-year class. Well, Mr Crabbe, Goyle and the youngest Weasley struggled relatively more with pronunciation and visualising charms, just enough to keep up for now. Not to worry Severus, they'll pass." He added, seeing the look on Snape's face.
"Excellent, excellent… Pomona, if you will?"
"Well, alright then. Truth be told, I did not expect Mr Longbottom to have such talent for Herbology. The boy's a complete natural - he's figuring plants faster than I did at that age. If I hadn't known better, I would think he's a Hufflepuff in disguise.", chuckled Professor Sprout.
Dumbledore tuned out the conversation after a while. Though he was slightly relieved to not hear signs of a new Dark Lord, the Headmaster knew it was not a matter of if, but when. Nonetheless, that was not the only item on Dumbledore's agenda.
"Everyone, thank you so much for sharing." he paused until all eyes were upon him. "There is a matter I would like to draw your attention to."
Snape had a gut feeling that this would not be pleasant, and was quickly proven right.
"Over the last week, I found that one of ours, Neville Longbottom, is not so confident in himself," he nodded to Minerva McGonagall, "and I, of course, would like nothing more than to see all students nurtured and supported."
"As such, I believe it prudent to allow him a position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, so as to foster his self-confidence. Severus, did you happen on one of my Cockroach Clusters? They've gone missing for a while…"
"No, Albus. It is only my fear that the boy would get an even bigger head than his current one. Mr. Longbottom has proved himself... inadequate in my lessons, and I would pity Minerva's team with such a bumbling, clumsy boy holding them back.", Snape sneered, giving Professor McGonagall a look of fake sympathy.
"Enough of your games, Severus. I know what's best for my house," countered the Transfiguration professor, "I would accept Mr. Longbottom, so long as he proves himself this Sunday, on his first flight lesson. Would that be reasonable, Headmaster?"
"I wouldn't ask any more of you, Minerva", smiled Albus Dumbledore. The most curious twinkle graced his half-moon spectacles.
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Harry's POV:
"How long do I have to wait until the next summon?"
"1 day, 8 hours and 17 minutes, sir. I would recommend coming back roughly after sun sets tomorrow. With your progress, summoning Zed's armour would give you the remaining of the Shadow Master's abilities. Suit variants such as (Bionic) Galaxy Slayer, (Mechanical) Project or (Spiritual) Death Sworn are only unlocked after you summon the base one and earn enough OC (Otherworldly Currency), sir.", the voice answered.
"...and how would I earn this?"
"By completing simulated challenges in the mind space, sir. You must fulfil a particular objective while partially or fully using your powers. Your first mission would cover the first purchase, regardless of cost. After that, it would depend on the power or influence, on a case-to-case basis. Would you like to initiate the first challenge?"
Though it's slightly disappointing that I can't get them by logging in or topping up, I suppose OC would get easier to farm as I grow stronger. If I could earn enough and buy Death Sworn Zed, in Harry Potter nothing could really fatally harm me - the same can be said for Galaxy Slayer, though only because of its great resistance rather than spiritual form.
From what the mission entails, it's possible that I have to fight enemies from other universes, which means there's no option that's always superior. For example, in a magically-scarce world such as Assassin's Creed or Spiderman, my advantage as a wizard is unparalleled while conversely, in Marvel or DC it would require much more cunning and local adaptations.
"Do I get to know my challenge objective and limitations beforehand?", I questioned the voice.
"Only the limitations to your power and the world in which you are sent to, sir. Time limit and mission objectives are unspecified, which means some might take an hour or several decades.", it stated in an expressionless voice.
"Your first challenge, should you choose to accept it, is set in a separate branch of this timeline, where Harry Potter is the Boy-Who-Lived."
Yeah, no. I don't think I should visit a timeline where I'm in the forefront of a war with the knowledge of an 11-year old. It would be better to return when my shadow techniques are polished and intuitive.
I returned to the comfy chair near the fireplace. Hermione is sleeping peacefully nearby, all while still holding a book, "Quidditch Through the Ages."
Despite my attempts at soothing her anxiety, Hermione is incredibly nervous about Flight class, where none of the existing theories can help her. After I helped her tuck away the book and gave her a few more pillows for the night, I returned to my silent dormitory.
Well, challenges, OC, special armors can be left for another time. I drifted into sleep blissfully as the pale silver sunlight reflected a light, almost negligible hint of scarlet. The untimely War looms closer still.