The morning mist rose slowly above the Black Lake, enveloping the massive towers of Hogwarts in an ethereal veil. The mist seemed to dance with the wind, caressing the ancient stones of a thousand-year-old castle where the first pages of a silent struggle that would forever change the course of magic were being written.
From his common room with cold stone walls, Marius watched this mist that brushed the surface of the water like a cold caress. The previous night, the whispers of his black ring had awakened him several times, reminding him of his heritage, his mission: to spread the shadow. But today, he had to play another role. That of the diligent student, on the verge of apparent innocence, in this theater where games of power were unfolding.
James's First Suspicions
In the Great Hall, breakfast was in full swing. The tables sparkled under the light of floating candles, and the hubbub of conversations filled the air with an electric energy. James Potter, surrounded by his friends Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, enjoyed his toast while frequently glancing at the Slytherin table where Marius sat.
James's gaze was heavy with implications. It wasn't just a simple animosity between houses—it was something deeper, an intuition he struggled to define. Marius, calm, almost unshakable, seemed to be playing a game whose rules he himself did not fully understand. But he knew that this boy was dangerous.
"Look at him," Sirius whispered, following James's gaze. "Always looking sideways, as if he's calculating every move around him."
James nodded, his eyes shining with fierce determination. "He's hiding something. I can feel it."
Remus, more reserved, intervened gently: "Do you think he's evil?"
"I don't know yet," James replied. "But he won't be a friend."
The Charms Class: The Patronus Test
Professor Flitwick, a small man with a sharp gaze and nimble fingers, welcomed the class into the Charms classroom, a bright room filled with shelves overflowing with ancient books and magical ingredients.
"Today, we will attempt an advanced spell, the Patronus," he explained enthusiastically. "A powerful spell that projects the very essence of your soul in the form of a protective animal. It is only taught to very advanced students, but we will all do our best."
Marius listened attentively, his hands gripping his wand. The Patronus, a spell he had studied in secret, represented a challenge he wanted to master. The challenge of a luminous spirit that would counter the shadow he carried within him. An irony he savored.
When his turn came, he focused his mind, invoking a powerful memory—a vision of the cold and unshakable light of an army of shadows subjected to his will. His wand glowed with a silvery light, and before the stunned eyes of the students, a majestic silver serpent materialized, slowly undulating before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Wondering gazes fell upon him, while James, frustrated, clenched his fists.
A Tense Exchange in the Corridor
Later, as the students left the Charms classroom, James crossed paths with Marius in a deserted corridor. Without hesitation, he called out to him in a firm voice.
"Do you not think you're overdoing it a bit?" James said. "Showing that kind of power attracts trouble."
Marius stopped, looking him straight in the eyes. "And do you think that bravery and naivety are enough to protect you?"
Their gazes challenged each other for a moment, but Marius slowly averted his eyes, an enigmatic smile on his lips.
"We shall see, James Potter."
A Secret Meeting in the Slytherin Common Room
In the dimly lit common room, illuminated by a few candles, Marius gathered his allies. His low, almost hypnotic voice resonated in the magic-charged air.
"We must move faster," he said. "James Potter is more than just an obstacle: he is the guardian of a world I must break. But he does not yet know what I have in store."
A murmur of approval ran through the assembly.
"We must create bonds, gain influence," he continued. "Time is our best ally, and fear our most powerful weapon."
The Growing Shadow of Dumbledore
That same night, in his high-perched office, Dumbledore watched the stars behind his window. A heavy premonition weighed on him. The bursts of darkness were intensifying, and he felt that an inevitable confrontation was approaching.
"Marius is more than just an ambitious child," he murmured to himself. "He carries within him something much older and darker.