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HP: A Moment of Magic
Chapter 16: Secrets

Chapter 16: Secrets

Adam felt the thrill of stepping onto the third-floor corridor with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The dim, echoing hallway felt more like a forgotten dungeon than part of a grand castle, and every flicker of shadow seemed to deepen the mystery of this forbidden floor. Adam's heart raced as he thought about the three-headed dog Hagrid called Fluffy. He’d only ever heard of such creatures in books, and the possibility of seeing one made him eager to explore, even if a bit wary.

They crept cautiously, peering down the corridor until Hermione broke the silence. “This floor is forbidden! We need to get out before someone catches us.”

But no sooner had she spoken than Mrs. Norris, Filch’s prying cat, appeared with an eerie stillness. The cat’s glowing eyes fixed on them, and in the distance, the heavy footfalls of Argus Filch himself drew closer.

“Run!” Adam whispered, and they took off, dashing down the hall and looking for an escape. They reached a door at the far end, but it was locked. Hermione quickly muttered, the spell! and the door clicked open. They spilled into the room, breathless, and closed the door, listening to Filch’s footsteps fading.

Adam glanced around, his heart pounding in anticipation. He knew exactly what they’d find behind that door—and then he saw it. Towering over them, its massive form nearly filling the room, was Fluffy, Hagrid’s infamous three-headed dog. Each of its heads was distinct: one snored loudly, drool pooling on the stone floor, another twitched slightly, and the third occasionally growled softly, even in sleep.

Hermione let out a quiet squeak, backing up, while Harry and Ron stood frozen in disbelief. The creature was beyond anything they’d imagined—more like something from a nightmare than the world of Hogwarts.

Adam, however, steadied himself, recalling the harmonica he’d picked up at Diagon Alley. It had seemed an odd choice at the time, but he’d grabbed it just in case, knowing that music could sometimes soothe even the most intimidating beasts. Taking a slow breath, he reached into his pocket and felt for the small charm bag he kept there, fingers brushing over the cool metal. He lifted the harmonica to his lips and blew out a soft, wavering note, letting it swell and flow.

The melody was simple, calm, almost hypnotic. With each gentle note, Fluffy’s heads relaxed, the twitching stopping as the creature drifted into a deeper sleep. The trio looked at him in astonishment, and Adam could feel their eyes on him, but he kept playing, focused on keeping Fluffy under the music’s spell.

When he saw the creature was fully asleep, he motioned to the others. They crept backward toward the door, their footsteps light on the stone. Once they were safely outside and the door was closed, Adam stopped playing, the last note hanging in the air.

“What…was…that?” Ron whispered, his face pale and eyes wide. He looked as though he’d barely taken a breath the whole time.

Adam pocketed the harmonica with a shrug, though his pulse was racing. “It’s a trick I read about—creatures like that can be calmed by music. I’d read about similar beasts that respond to melody, so I thought it was worth a shot.”

Hermione eyed him, clearly impressed but also wary. “So…why was a three-headed dog on the third floor? And what could it possibly be guarding?”

Adam hesitated, choosing his words carefully. He knew what Fluffy was protecting, though it was far too soon to tell them. Instead, he gave a casual shrug. “Probably just some rare artifact or something Dumbledore doesn’t want students to mess with,” he said lightly. “Anyway, I’m sure we’ll find out if it’s something important.”

As they turned back toward the dormitory, Adam felt a flicker of excitement. He’d successfully helped them avoid danger without changing too much of the story he knew.

The next day, Adam resumed his usual schedule, attending classes and spending time with his friends. During Charms, he watched as Seamus Finnigan’s attempt at levitating a feather ended in an explosion of sparks. Adam couldn’t help but smirk as he effortlessly performed the spell, but to his surprise—and to the amused whispers of Harry and Ron—Hermione managed it just before him. She even tries to teach Ron the spell, but he just shrugs, unable to get the hand movement right.

At lunch, however, Ron’s careless comment about Hermione's “know-it-all” attitude reached her ears. She ran off in tears, leaving Adam with a gnawing sense of unease, knowing what was likely to unfold soon with the troll.

As expected, the announcement came during the Dinner. “Troll in the dungeons!” Professor Quirrell shouted, before fainting dramatically. Amid the ensuing chaos, Adam slipped away to find his sister, Elara. “I need your help,” he whispered to her as they ducked out of the Great Hall. “I know wher the troll must have went, and someone could be in danger.”

Without hesitation, Elara agreed, and they moved swiftly through the corridors until they found themselves outside the girls’ bathroom, where loud crashing sounds echoed. Adam peered in to see the hulking figure of a mountain troll swinging its club around the room, with Hermione cowering in a corner.

“Elara, distract it,” he murmured.

Elara immediately conjured a blinding flash of light, drawing the troll’s attention. Seizing the opportunity, Adam cast a blasting curse, sending a fiery blast that hit the troll’s arm and made it stumble. As the troll roared in fury, Elara followed up with Bombarda, causing an explosion that shook the room and further disoriented the creature. Finally, Adam use an Ancient Magic Finisher he learned from his family library, directing a powerful magical beam that struck the troll with enough force to knock it unconscious.

At that moment, Harry and Ron rushed in, wide-eyed at the sight of the fallen troll. They barely had time to process what had happened before Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell entered the bathroom.

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“Who defeated the troll?” McGonagall demanded, surveying the room.

Elara stepped forward calmly, taking credit for their victory, knowing that Adam preferred to keep to himself and avoid prying eyes. Though impressed, McGonagall awarded points to Slytherin and deducted points from all four of them for being out of bounds—a decision that soured the mood but gave Adam a renewed sense of caution about Gryffindor’s future points.

The following days drifted by in a comforting rhythm of classes, study sessions, and secret explorations. Adam had quickly settled into life at Hogwarts, yet he carved out his own path with a mix of knowledge and curiosity. With his Time-Turner, he slipped into the library late at night, poring over ancient tomes on magical creatures and obscure spells that most first-years wouldn’t dare touch. In the hushed corners of the library, surrounded by the scent of old parchment and ink, he found a world of wonder and learning, making the vast castle feel a bit more like home.

When he wasn’t in the library, Adam would sometimes sneak into the Hogwarts kitchens, a lively, bustling world hidden just below the Great Hall. The house-elves grew fond of him, enjoying his genuine curiosity and kindness. They greeted him eagerly, eager to chat about his day and delighted to sneak small treats to Seraphina, his loyal screech owl, when he couldn’t be there. The elves’ warmth made each visit feel like a secret shared, a friendship built on simple gestures and quiet understanding.

As autumn swept across the castle grounds, Adam found himself reveling in the simplicity of Hogwarts life. Flying lessons with Madam Hooch became a source of excitement. He quickly perfected his technique more, relishing the feeling of freedom as he soared over the grounds, the wind tugging at his robes. There was something exhilarating about those moments in the air, a temporary escape from the everything.

In History of Magic, Adam and Hermione often competed to answer questions first, their rivalry friendly but intense. Hermione’s curiosity matched his own, and the two would sometimes exchange notes in the library, each one eager to uncover new details to outdo the other. Adam knew Hermione was studious, but meeting someone so similarly devoted to learning made him feel a budding sense of camaraderie with her.

But perhaps his favorite moments were spent with Hagrid, he use to visit him with trio. The half-giant’s hut, nestled on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, became a sanctuary. Hagrid’s warmth and openhearted nature made Adam feel instantly welcome, as did the rustic coziness of the hut with its crackling fire and Hagrid’s famous rock cakes. Sitting by the fire with a mug of tea, Adam felt free to talk about his hopes, his fascination with magical creatures, and his dreams of becoming a Magizoologist.

“A Magizoologist, eh?” Hagrid said one evening, his eyes gleaming with pride. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, a fond smile spreading across his face. “Smart lad, that’s a good life’s work, it is. Yeh know, creatures… they can be amazin’. But yeh’ve got ter respect ’em, Adam, even the little ones. They’re all part o’ the magical world, like us.”

Adam nodded, hanging on Hagrid’s every word. He admired the half-giant’s dedication to all creatures, from the tiniest to the mightiest. To Hagrid, and to Adam, the creatures weren’t just magical subjects—they were friends, each holding a special place in their hearts.

Hagrid’s hut became a place where Adam and the Trio could simply be themselves, far from the pressures of Gryffindor’s expectations or the whispers of curiosity from classmates. Here, he found wisdom that books couldn’t provide, learning not just facts, but a deep respect for the creatures he loved.

One night, Adam found himself wandering the corridors of Hogwarts, his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the castle. The day had been long, filled with classes and discussions, but his mind was buzzing with new ideas, new spells to try, and new magical creatures to learn about. He needed a place to practice, somewhere he could safely experiment without anyone discovering his secret endeavors.

As he rounded a corner near the seventh floor, something caught his eye. A door. At first, it seemed to be a wall—just a shadow against the stone. But as Adam walked closer, he felt a strange pull, as if the door were waiting for him. His instincts kicked in, and he hesitated just long enough to look around, ensuring no one was watching. Then, with a quick glance over his shoulder, he approached and stretched out a hand.

The door creaked open as if it had been expecting him.

Inside, Adam's breath caught in his throat. The room before him was unlike anything he had seen before. It was vast, stretching beyond what the stone walls of Hogwarts should allow, filled with an endless assortment of magical objects—spells, charms, and potions were scattered across tables and shelves. There were enchanted tools, stacks of books, and even floating objects that hovered in the air as if waiting to be commanded.

"The Room of Requirement," Adam murmured, stepping into the space. His heart raced with excitement, knowing exactly what he had stumbled upon. The room seemed to adapt to whatever the user needed, and for him, it was the perfect place to hone his magical skills. No one would find him here, no one would ask questions. It was perfect.

Adam couldn’t help but grin. This would be his sanctuary, his training ground, where he could experiment without fear of being caught or judged. Whether it was perfecting charms or simply refining his technique.

He took a deep breath and, with a flick of his wrist, summoned a small object to test a spell he had been working on. It flew toward him and he caught it mid-air. Satisfied with the result, Adam moved to a nearby shelf and selected a few advanced texts on charms and transfiguration. He had plenty of time now; thanks to his Time-Turner, he could stretch his practice sessions far beyond the usual limits.

As he began practicing new incantations and studying complex magical theories, his mind wandered briefly to the Horcrux he knew was hidden somewhere in the the room of requirement as Voldemort has use Ravenclaws diadem for this purpose.

Besides, Adam had his own goals to focus on. In this room, he could be himself—free to learn, grow, and experiment at his own pace. No pressure. No expectations. Just endless opportunities to master his craft.

For now, though, he would savor the quiet peace of the room, allowing his spells to flourish in solitude. And as the hours passed, with only the soft glow of enchanted candles lighting the space, Adam finally began to feel the power of his potential unfold before him as he going strong.

By early November, the buzz around the Gryffindor common room centered on the upcoming Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Adam found himself caught up in the excitement, cheering alongside Harry with Ron, and Hermione as they speculated about the game.

Harry, Gryffindor’s new Seeker, seemed both nervous and excited. Oliver Wood, the team’s captain, had explained the rules and strategies and they did some practice during weekends, Adam could see Harry’s eyes light up with a mix of determination and apprehension for the upcoming game.

During lunchtime, Adam overheard Snape limping past them in the corridors. He whispered this to the Trio, and Harry and Ron speculated that Snape might have had an encounter with Fluffy. Harry also noted that his scar ached whenever Snape was near, suggesting that maybe Snape was up to something evil.

“Snape’s not evil,” Adam interjected, his voice confident. “He might seem harsh, but he will never hurt a student. He probably just had a run-in with one of the school’s defenses and nothing else.”

Ron snorted in disbelief, but Hermione nodded, giving Adam a small smile of agreement.