"Yes, indeed, the enchantments on this map are quite fascinating for me to study," Dylan confirmed with a nod. Just as the Weasley twins' faces lit up with delight, Dylan smoothly changed the subject. "I don't suppose you two have gotten Harry a Christmas present yet, have you?"
George and Fred looked a bit bewildered. "Right, we're still working on it. This map was ready, so we just gave it to you first."
Dylan gave a slight nod. "If you haven't prepared anything, then you don't need to. Once I've finished studying the spells on this map, I can pass it on to Harry for you." He continued, "I imagine he'd be very interested in this map, and then you two can go on adventures with him—you know, I'm not really interested in exploring all of Hogwarts' secret passages."
The Weasley twins exchanged a look, then pursed their lips, their expressions hesitant. Give Harry a gift that they'd originally given to someone else? Was that... a little improper? But they had been racking their brains trying to figure out what to get Harry for Christmas, and Dylan's suggestion actually solved their problem perfectly. After a moment of hesitation, both of them nodded, agreeing to Dylan's idea. "We've already given you the map, so it's yours now. You can give it to whomever you like."
Dylan gave a slight nod. "Then it's settled. I imagine I'll have the enchantments on this map pretty much figured out before Christmas." The Weasley twins said nothing more, then quickly urged Dylan to put the map away, lest they run into Filch and he spot it.
After saying goodbye to Fred and George—or rather, after these two, despite no one being around, still slinked off like secret agents—Dylan strode out, head held high, with a perfectly legitimate gait, and returned to his dormitory. The room was empty at the moment. Dylan immediately turned his attention to his system panel. When the Weasley twins had given him the Marauder's Map, Dylan had noticed he'd unlocked a new achievement, though he didn't know what it was. He didn't have high hopes for it, though. Ever since Voldemort stopped appearing as frequently as he had in the previous two years, his system hadn't really given him any particularly exciting achievements. The rewards were usually rather mundane and harmless.
Before diving into his study of the Marauder's Map, Dylan casually took a look. However, this time the achievement reward surprised him somewhat.
Achievement: I'll Always Be Watching Hogwarts!
Description: Since tucking the Marauder's Map into your pocket, you can even see clearly what Snape and Voldemort are doing in that little alcove! —Oh dear, their footprints seem to be overlapping!
Requirement to unlock: Master the Marauder's Map.
Achievement Reward: Eye of the Scrutinizer.
"Uh..." This system achievement was, as always, quite an eyesore. Professor Snape and Voldemort's footprints overlapping in an alcove? What was it trying to imply? Dylan's mouth twitched. If Professor Snape ever saw the description of him in this achievement system, he'd probably cast an Avada Kedavra straight away.
And this achievement reward, while different from previous minor achievements—like boosting his physique, mind, or stamina points—was an actual, seemingly skill-like item. But just from the name, it sounded rather... improper. Eye of the Scrutinizer? Dylan had an idea, but he still checked the system's detailed introduction and description of the skill.
Trait: Eye of the Scrutinizer
Description: What's more delightful than openly scrutinizing others?
Effect: With a slight focus, you can directly see through surfaces and scrutinize what lies beyond obstacles.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh..." Dylan blinked, looking at the system's explanation, his mouth twitching violently again. Eye of the Scrutinizer? Wasn't this just X-ray vision? Why describe X-ray vision in such a lewd way? X-ray vision was primarily about seeing through obstacles; the focus was on "seeing." While "scrutinizing" also focused on seeing, this clearly implied peeping, didn't it?
Shaking his head, Dylan tried looking at his bed. He then saw a box placed under his bed. That box was specifically for miscellaneous items. Although he could put anything directly into his briefcase or the system panel's space, he still needed to maintain appearances. Otherwise, it would look like he didn't have any luggage at all. How unsociable would that be? Dylan believed he was very considerate of other people's feelings. Was there anyone kinder than him in this world? "Don't mind that the magic I know is dark magic; I'm actually a kind child." Dylan closed his eyes slightly. The ability to "scrutinize" vanished. "It's a pretty good skill." Especially since it wasn't a spell, but a trait. Using a trait didn't require any magic, only a little of his mental energy.
Placing his pet space briefcase by his bed, Dylan, along with the Marauder's Map, slipped inside. Christmas was fast approaching. Just a few more days. So he still needed to quickly research all the enchantments used on this map.
...
It was the evening before the trip to Hogsmeade, a Friday. In the evening, after Harry had finished eating, Dylan asked him to quickly return to the dormitory. Harry didn't understand why, but out of trust in Dylan, he went straight back to the dormitory the moment he left the Great Hall. Ron tried to follow, but Dylan stopped him.
"Hey! What are you two rushing back to the dorm for? And leaving me behind!" Ron glared. Dylan casually glanced back at him, his gaze placid, yet it made Ron shiver.
"Ahem, ahem!" Ron coughed twice, then mumbled, "Go on, go on, I haven't even finished eating yet anyway!" With that, he immediately pulled a plate of steak closer and, channeling his frustration into appetite, began to battle the steak with his knife and fork.
Dylan's mouth twitched. "Eat slowly, you might choke."
"?!" Ron's cheeks puffed out, a half-chewed piece of steak hanging from his mouth, as he looked up at Dylan in disbelief. Good heavens! How had Dylan gone from merely sharp-tongued to downright malicious? He was actually cursing him! Merlin's smelly socks! Could Dylan's curse actually work? After all, he was a very powerful Diviner!
As he thought this, Ron felt the half-chewed meat suddenly slide down his throat. But his throat wasn't ready. The result was that the meat got stuck right in his windpipe.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!!" Ron suddenly began to cough violently, his face turning bright red. The half-eaten steak strip hanging from his mouth dropped back onto the plate.
Dylan: "...?" He looked utterly bewildered. What was he doing? Choking himself? Tsk. Dylan sighed. Under the bewildered gazes of everyone around, he slowly raised his wand.
"Sourgify! (Scouring Charm)!" The Scouring Charm wasn't just for cleaning; it could be useful for many things. Like now... As the spell was uttered, a dazzling, rainbow-like light burst from the tip of Dylan's wand—a wand effect he had recently acquired for a hundred Galleons. As this light transformed into a stream of water and swiftly flowed towards Ron's throat, the light entered Ron's throat, instantly clearing out the stuck meat. Ron's airway, blocked by the steak, immediately cleared. The tiny culprit piece of steak flew out of his mouth, coated in some gooey saliva, and landed with a splat on his plate.
"Ick~" Dylan looked at it with a hint of disgust.
Ron, meanwhile, let out a long sigh, his whole body seemingly drained of strength, slumping back in his chair, gasping for breath. He quickly drank two gulps of water. Only then did he pat his chest, still feeling a lingering dread. "Thank goodness! That was truly awful just now!"
Dylan's mouth twitched. "I told you, no one's taking your food, why eat so fast? Weren't you just asking to choke?"
Ron: "..." He secretly glanced at Dylan, then offered an awkward smile. Outwardly embarrassed, he was roaring inside, "Sure enough! What Dylan says is a curse!!" Ron thought in disbelief, Dylan was truly a terrifying and evil wizard! He was even scarier than his own mum!
Dylan didn't even bother to use Legilimency; just by observing the changing expressions on Ron's face, he knew exactly what the boy was thinking. Dylan rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with him, and went straight back to the dormitory.
Harry's expression was a little worried. "Is Ron alright...?"
Dylan waved a hand. "Don't worry, as long as he doesn't try to kill himself by stuffing so much food in at once again, he'll be fine."
Harry paused. "But... what if he does try to kill himself again?"
Dylan froze, then blinked. Good question! "If that happens... I imagine the professors eating in the Great Hall would do something." Even without professors, there were other students. Would everyone really just stand by and watch a fellow student choke to death in front of them? It wasn't as if no one knew how to use magic; they wouldn't have to resort to the Heimlich maneuver on Ron. It would just be a matter of one spell. Even if the Slytherins couldn't be bothered with Ron, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw wouldn't just sit by idly. So Dylan wasn't too worried. But thinking about it, given Ron's personality, he might really stew in his own anger and choke himself again... "Never mind, let's not worry about him."
Dylan waved his hand dismissively, then turned his gaze to Harry. Harry looked back. "Dylan, did you want to tell me something?"
Dylan nodded. "Yes, there's something." Harry said nothing, simply looking at Dylan, waiting for him to continue. His spirits were a bit low, or rather, dispirited. After all, he hadn't gotten his guardian's approval and signature. He hadn't gone to Hogsmeade Village last time. And this time, everyone else would get to go to Hogsmeade Village again, while he'd have to stay at school—and all alone at that. How could that not make Harry feel glum? Especially since everyone had brought him something from Hogsmeade Village when they returned last time, like sweets or non-alcoholic butterbeer. After tasting it, it wasn't about how delicious it was; Harry just really wanted to wander around Hogsmeade Village with Dylan and Ron. Even if it was just to buy a few sweets at Honeydukes. He wasn't short on money, after all! Wizarding money, that is. He didn't have any Muggle pounds.
"Regarding your Christmas present, I'm going to give it to you now," Dylan said.
"Christmas present?" Harry's previously dispirited eyes instantly lit up.
Dylan nodded, then took out the Marauder's Map. "This thing is a map. It's from Fred, George, and me, all together, for you." Dylan said this without a shred of shame. It was perfect; he wouldn't even have to prepare another Christmas present for Harry. Simply perfect!
"This is...?" Harry looked at the map Dylan had taken out—to be precise, it was just a blank piece of parchment. He was a bit confused.
"The Marauder's Map. I don't know if you've heard of it, but I think it's quite likely that your father and his friends made it back in their day," Dylan explained.
"Ah?" Harry froze, blinking. He took the parchment from Dylan's hand. The parchment looked very worn and was perfectly square. Harry couldn't see anything special about it. "Is this a map?" Harry turned the parchment over and over in his hands, unable to make heads or tails of it. But another question arose in his mind. Harry looked up at Dylan. "This is a map my father and his friends made? Then how did it end up in..."
"...your and the twins' hands?"
Dylan chuckled softly. "Well, that's because this thing was in Filch's office for quite some time, until Fred and George stole it a few years ago." He continued, "For the past two years, they've been figuring out how to use this map. After I got my hands on it, I studied it carefully and deduced that your father and his friends must have made it."
"Why...?" Before Harry could finish his question, Dylan immediately explained. "I found an insulting charm on this map—it's aimed at Professor Snape."
As the words left his lips, Harry instantly fell silent. "Uh, uh..."
Alright. Now he believed it. "That's certainly a reason that leaves no room for doubt..."