Sonia was stunned and asked, "What?"
She tilted her head to look at Brian, gripping his ear tightly with her right hand: "Wife?"
"Ah!" Brian's face flushed. His slip of the tongue from excitement had utterly mortified him. He quickly explained, "Sorry, I said it wrong, Sister, Sister Sonia, please!"
An unnatural blush spread across Sonia's face. She glanced at Brian before continuing, "The Disillusionment Charm isn't true invisibility; 'disguise' might be a more fitting explanation. This spell makes the color and texture of a person or object match the background or surrounding environment."
The Disillusionment Charm wasn't as advanced as Brian had imagined, but in the absence of an invisibility cloak, it was still a good option.
Moreover, if it could rival the power of the invisibility cloak, then the invisibility cloak wouldn't deserve to be called one of the three Deathly Hallows.
Brian followed the incantation and hand gestures Sonia taught him, and after several failures, he finally found the trick, blending into the surrounding night.
"Praise Merlin," Sonia exclaimed, "I've never seen a wizard as talented as you."
Sonia spoke very seriously, as if swearing to herself. A smile also appeared on Brian's face. He bowed slightly and chuckled, "Thank you, Sister... I'll thank you again later."
Sonia gave him a white eye and asked, "How are you going to thank me?"
...
It was just a polite remark, yet she took it seriously. However, Brian thought back to how much Sonia had helped him since the start of the school year.
...Forget it, I'll do it later. Right now, I'm truly penniless.
It was getting late. After saying goodbye, the two went their separate ways. It was time for Brian to figure out how to complete his impromptu night task, especially since he had already learned the Disillusionment Charm and now had the capital to secretly undertake tasks.
Brian had always been a cautious person, planning everything before acting and never easily stepping into danger. Hiding was not his true nature, but Hogwarts, seemingly peaceful, was full of hidden dangers, and having trump cards was a guarantee for survival.
When facing Sonia, whether it was Transfiguration, the Levitation Charm, or even when he was just practicing the Disillusionment Charm, Brian had never hidden anything, which was very strange.
Some people, at first glance, just feel like reliable individuals. Brian sighed inwardly, hoping he hadn't misjudged her.
Besides, these weren't his final trump cards yet.
...
Back in the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Harry had gone somewhere, but that was fine, as Ron was currently in a huff, and meeting directly might be a bit awkward.
Brian found an empty corner, brought up his system panel, and planned his night's agenda.
Host: Brian
Magic: 25
Junior Skills: Lumos [Level 2], Levitation Charm [Level 2], Alohomora [Level 2], Reparo [Level 3], Densaugeo [Level 2], Shrinking Charm [Level 3], Petrificus Totalus [Level 3]
Intermediate Skills: Expelliarmus [Level 1], Impedimenta [Level 1], Levitation Charm [Level 5]
Advanced Skills: Occlumency [Level 9], Disillusionment Charm [Level 1]
Technique: Potions [Junior Low], Transfiguration [Junior Medium]
Courses: Charms Year One [Excellent], History of Magic Year One [Master], Herbology Year One [Beginner], Astronomy Year One [Beginner], Defense Against the Dark Arts Year One [Pass], Transfiguration Year One [Excellent], Potions Year One [Excellent]
Upgrade Points: 2
Brian put both upgrade points he received from Transfiguration into the Disillusionment Charm, raising it to Level Two.
Considering the abilities of first-year wizards, adding upgrade points to offensive spells now would not be very useful.
Firstly, they only knew prank spells like Densaugeo and Petrificus Totalus.
If Brian were to cast Expelliarmus from the shadows, even an idiot would know it wasn't Ron.
Secondly, tonight Malfoy would likely report to Mr. Filch, the dormitory caretaker, as per the plot.
Only by adding points to the Disillusionment Charm would it be more beneficial for avoiding Filch's patrols, as he was a famous Squib in the Wizarding World.
Finally, the spells Brian had always wanted to practice the most were Transfiguration and the Disillusionment Charm.
When he mastered both spells to their peak, he could use textbooks to transfigure himself during normal times, then use the Disillusionment Charm to hide nearby and act as a covert observer.
In such a scenario, even Voldemort would shed tears. If he cast Avada Kedavra in the afternoon, only to find the person was a transfiguration, he'd probably be half-dead with rage, and the safety factor would be greatly enhanced.
However, due to his appearance, the wheels of history had already changed. What if Malfoy actually went to the Trophy Room to participate in the duel?
Brian rubbed his aching temples, took out a quill and parchment from his bag, and decided he needed to prepare a few more contingency plans.
...
At midnight, Brian put down his "Advanced Transfiguration Guide" and stretched.
Seeing that the other four had already fallen asleep, he estimated that it was about time, so he picked up his wand, cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, and quietly floated out of the room.
In the Gryffindor common room, only the sound of the fire burning in the fireplace remained. It was quiet all around, and no one was there. Brian nodded in satisfaction.
Wait, why was Hermione here?
Hermione Granger, wearing pink pajamas, sat on the common room sofa, lost in thought. Just as Brian was about to quietly leave, she suddenly stood up.
Brian was startled, thinking Hermione had discovered him. But he saw her walk directly past him, looking worried, muttering to herself, "No, I have to stop them. If this continues, Harry and Ron will lose all of Gryffindor's points."
Brian finally breathed a sigh of relief. During the evening practice, the Level One Disillusionment Charm had been seen through by Sonia in an instant.
Fortunately, the upgraded spell had improved many shortcomings, and it should be enough to deal with these young wizards and Filch.
Hermione had already left the common room. Brian then remembered that he didn't know the exact location of the Trophy Room. He quickly cast a Levitation Charm on himself and silently followed behind Hermione.
The two walked quietly, one after the other. Hogwarts at midnight was eerily silent.
The entire corridor was pitch black, with only a small candle providing illumination in occasional areas.
He wondered where Hermione got the courage to wander through a haunted house alone in the middle of the night. Perhaps her obsession with Gryffindor being first was her driving force.
Malfoy actually came!
From a distance, Harry, Ron, Malfoy, and his two cronies could be seen confronting each other at the entrance of the Trophy Room.
Seeing Hermione arrive, Harry and Ron looked at her with some surprise, while Malfoy snorted coldly and whispered, "Everyone's here except that cowardly Brian. In that case, let's go in and start the duel!"
Ron deftly pushed open the door, ready to go in, but Hermione desperately pulled his arm, pleading in a low voice, "You can't go in! If you keep this up, Gryffindor's points will be wasted!"
Ron and Harry hadn't spoken yet, but the sneer on Malfoy's face grew even more pronounced. He said, word by word, "You're not scared, are you?"
Ron had been hesitant, but being hot-headed, he couldn't stand such provocation. He immediately shook off Hermione's arm and said, "This is a man's honor. A true Gryffindor can't run away. If you're scared, go back first."
Seeing Ron had already gone inside, a helpless Harry and Hermione had no choice but to follow quickly. But the next scene left them dumbfounded, almost on the verge of collapse.
Malfoy smirked, directing Goyle and Crabbe to quickly close the Trophy Room door and lock it tightly with an iron chain hidden in the shadows.
Although he didn't directly tell Filch, he intended to make a noise next, waiting for Filch to come and catch the three of them like a turtle in a jar, getting them expelled.
I, Malfoy, will win the duel with my wisdom.
Brian, hidden behind a pillar with the Disillusionment Charm, was dumbfounded.
Indeed, those who play dirty tricks have truly dark hearts.
However, everything happening now was exactly like the 16th possibility in Brian's predicted fourth scenario, and he had already planned countermeasures.
It seems three upgrade points are now in hand. I, Brian, am the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind.