John earned extra points from Professor Flitwick during class, helping to mitigate Slytherin's recent decline in the house points race. After a day filled with lessons, he wandered around the castle. Each time he passed a large tapestry, he would pace back and forth three times in front of it, silently wishing for a room where he could train. This behavior might seem odd to some, but to those familiar with the Harry Potter series, it was clear what John was attempting. He was searching for the Room of Requirement.
John's memory was hazy. He remembered that the entrance to the Room of Requirement was opposite a large tapestry, but the exact details of the location and the tapestry itself eluded him. Fortunately, Hogwarts didn't have an abundance of large tapestries. On his third pass in front of the tapestry depicting a troll beating Barnaba with a stick on the eighth floor, a wooden door materialized across from it. Pushing the door open, John entered what appeared to be a training ground for spells.
The room was filled with dust, as if it hadn't been cleaned in decades, causing John to frown. "Scourgify," he uttered, casting the cleaning spell he had recently learned. The dust vanished, and John's expression softened. The room contained an old humanoid target that was still sturdy, and in the corner, there was a training wooden sword with a dull finish. It was heavy, suggesting its previous owner must have been quite strong. For now, John couldn't wield it, but he saw potential in the room for future spell practice and physical training.
With no offensive spells at his disposal yet, John started with some basic exercises. His dedication paid off, and he managed to upgrade his illusion spell to level 2. "Disillusionment," he said, waving his wand. A liquid-like substance cascaded over his body, enveloping him completely. To the casual observer, he became nearly invisible, resembling a shimmering ball of water. "It's like optical camouflage," John mused, pleased with the spell's effectiveness. This would certainly make his nocturnal explorations easier.
After his training session, John left the Room of Requirement. It was now bedtime, but he had one last task: cleaning the trophies in the trophy room. He took out the cat treats from his pocket, a reward for Mrs. Norris's assistance during his last visit. As he brushed the cat's tangled fur, he lifted her and noted, "Are you getting heavier?" He wondered how Filch had been feeding her, as she seemed to have gained weight. Remembering Mrs. Norris's habit of licking her fur, John had also brought a bottle of hair cream for her.
Upon leaving, he noticed Filch, who looked even more disgruntled than usual, and detected the unmistakable odor of a rotten durian. It was likely the handiwork of the Weasley twins. Shortly after exiting the trophy room, John spotted two identical figures with red hair sneaking around. Their matching smirks made it clear they were the infamous Weasley twins, Fred and George.
John, curious, cast a disillusionment spell on himself and followed them quietly, eavesdropping on their conversation. "George, we can dump it in there," one whispered. "Wait, Fred, isn't John still in the trophy room? We shouldn't involve him," the other cautioned. "Alright, then let's target Filch's room. What do you think?" "Perfect, George. It's about time that old buzzard got what's coming to him."
Fred and George Weasley, the most notorious pranksters at Hogwarts, had a long-standing feud with Filch, the caretaker. Their penchant for mischief made them natural adversaries to the strict disciplinarian. On this occasion, they were plotting to give Filch a particularly hard time, perhaps with one of their most daring pranks yet. Sending dung eggs into the room seemed like a perfect prank to the Weasley twins, and John, trailing behind them, shuddered at the thought. He was grateful for his popularity; being targeted by a dung egg from the Weasleys would require more than ten baths to cleanse the stench. Unaware of John's presence, the twins hurled two large dung eggs into the room, immediately filling the air with an unbearable odor. John couldn't help but feel sorry for Filch, wondering where the unfortunate caretaker would sleep that night.
As the Weasley twins made their hasty retreat, John peered into the room. Filch's office was cluttered with various items, among which a drawer labeled 'Confiscated, Highly Dangerous' caught his eye, filled with contraband. Before he could investigate further, the sound of Filch's furious footsteps and Mrs. Norris' meowing signaled it was time to leave. Under the cover of a Disillusionment Charm, John made his escape in the opposite direction of the twins.
Back in the dormitory, John couldn't shake off the lingering smell. He took out the piece of parchment he had picked up earlier and, with his wand ready, uttered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The parchment transformed before his eyes, revealing the intricate details of Hogwarts, including secret passages and the whereabouts of its inhabitants. Among the names, one stood out: Harry's father was listed as one of the creators.
The Marauder's Map was a treasure trove of information, allowing John to track everyone's movements within Hogwarts. He noted with amusement that Filch had missed the Weasley twins by a hair's breadth. The map even revealed Professor Quirrell's nocturnal wanderings, though John's attempt to uncover more about the mysterious figure proved fruitless.
Satisfied with his new tool, John looked forward to the freedom it would grant him for nighttime adventures. The Marauder's Map was safely hidden under his pillow, a secret ally in his future endeavors.
In addition to his newfound pastime, John enjoyed watching Harry Potter on the Quidditch pitch. Despite Harry's myopia, his exceptional skill in spotting and capturing the Golden Snitch was a sight to behold. John marveled at Harry's ability, reflecting on the rare talent passed down from father to son.
During one of the matches, Hermione shared a fascinating piece of Quidditch history with John, detailing the introduction of the Golden Snidget and its significance in the game. The tradition of capturing the Snidget for a reward had evolved into a key element of Quidditch, adding an extra layer of excitement to the sport.
John's days at Hogwarts were filled with discovery and adventure, from uncovering the secrets of the Marauder's Map to enjoying the thrilling Quidditch matches. Each experience brought new insights and added to the rich tapestry of his magical education. Due to the popularity of hunting Golden Snidgets, their numbers drastically declined, leading to the adoption of Golden Snitches as their replacements. Hermione, eager to showcase her extensive knowledge, shared this fact, much to John's annoyance. It seemed she had started to view John as a rival. As a true academic, Hermione was not keen on admitting defeat, especially to John, who had been outscoring her in class. This rivalry was unwelcome news for John. It felt as though he was constantly under pressure, as if a whip were poised behind him, ready to strike the moment he faltered.
Hermione's competitive nature only fueled her determination to excel, making her an even more formidable opponent in the classroom. John, on the other hand, found himself caught in an unexpected academic duel. He had always been confident in his abilities, but Hermione's relentless pursuit of excellence pushed him to his limits. The tension between them grew, turning every class into a battlefield where they vied for supremacy.
Despite the rivalry, John couldn't help but admire Hermione's dedication. Her passion for learning was undeniable, and her ability to recall information at a moment's notice was impressive. However, this admiration did not ease the constant pressure he felt. Every point he earned was a hard-fought victory, and every class became an opportunity to either pull ahead or fall behind.
As the term progressed, their competition showed no signs of waning. If anything, it intensified, drawing the attention of their classmates and even some of the professors. Whispers of their rivalry spread, turning their academic achievements into the talk of the school.
John realized that if he wanted to maintain his standing, he would need to push himself even harder. The thought of falling behind was unbearable, especially with Hermione always a step ahead. He dedicated himself to his studies with renewed vigor, determined to not only match but surpass Hermione's achievements.
The rivalry, while stressful, had an unexpected benefit. It drove John to explore subjects he might have otherwise neglected, broadening his knowledge and deepening his understanding of the magical world. He began to see Hermione not just as a rival, but as a catalyst for his own growth.
As the end of the term approached, the competition between John and Hermione reached its peak. It was clear that their rivalry had transformed them both, pushing them to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Regardless of who came out on top, they had both proven themselves to be exceptional students, worthy of recognition.
In the end, the rivalry between John and Hermione was not just about points or academic supremacy. It was a testament to their passion for learning and their unwavering determination to excel. They had both emerged from the experience stronger and more knowledgeable, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge