Harry packed his potion ingredients with methodical speed.
His Gamer's Mind was still running the internal assessment of Snape.
The professor's hostility was obvious, but beneath it, the System detected a confusing, faint emotional reading.
Emotional Scan: Hostility (Low), Resentment low, Melancholy (High), Longing (High).
Snape Analysis Update: Trait confirmed. Longing parameter detected. Data incomplete. Do not pursue.
Harry decided, as he always did, to prioritize tangible metrics over psychological speculation.
Snape was an obstacle and an examiner; his personal feelings were irrelevant to the immediate goal of grinding.
As they left the dungeon, Hermione caught up, her eyes bright with admiration.
"Harry, that was absolutely brilliant! You answered every single question, and your potion was perfect! I had to check my notes three times to confirm the Aconite answer. Where did you find the time to study that deeply?"
Harry stopped, turning to face her.
He knew he needed to maintain the symbiotic relationship.
He had gained +1 INT and unlocked a new skill thanks to her input; she deserved confirmation of her value.
"You're the reason my work was solid, Hermione,"
Harry said, a neutral sincerity in his voice that was utterly disarming.
"You went over the core ingredients and the fundamental theory so thoroughly on the train, it made the advanced theory accessible. You're the reason I knew where to look in the index."
Hermione blushed fiercely, dropping her gaze to her polished shoes, clearly embarrassed by the direct praise but secretly thrilled by the acknowledgement of her utility.
[SOCIAL INTERACTION: Mutual Value]
Objective: Confirm Hermione Granger's indispensable value to the party.
Result: +15 Reputation (Hermione Granger), [Alliance Stability] check passed.
"Oh, well, I—I just follow the syllabus,"
She stammered, pulling her robes straight.
"But you were excellent. We should definitely go over the Transfiguration spell list tonight."
"Alright,"
Harry confirmed immediately.
Ron, trailing behind, finally caught up, looking deeply disgruntled.
He was a low-level liability that Harry felt compelled to manage, if only to secure the political goodwill of a pureblood family (however poor).
"Yeah, yeah, you two are geniuses,"
Ron muttered, swinging his empty bag.
"Come on, let's go. I'm starving, and we have flying class next. I hope Snape gets eaten by his own snake."
Harry simply logged Ron's predictable behavior and followed him out of the castle.
His schedule for the afternoon was the first AGI and Dex test of the term: Flying.
The first-years were led out onto a smooth, damp lawn. Twenty broomsticks lay neatly lined up on the grass. Harry's AGI and Dex felt sharp and ready, but he had no true baseline for airborne performance.
The instructor, Madam Hooch, was a sturdy witch with short gray hair and eyes like a hawk.
Appraisal: Rolanda Hooch. Level: 85 (Estimate).
Trait: Flying Master (High), Referee (Active).
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
She barked.
"Everyone stands by a broomstick. Stick your hand over your broom and say, 'Up!'"
Harry looked at the old, twiggy broom. It looked rickety, but the basic mechanism was simple. He placed his hand over the broom handle, focusing his intent with his powerful concentration.
"Up!"
His broom instantly shot into his hand, nearly striking him in the face. It was the fastest response in the class, driven by his high, focused MAG.
"Whoa!"
Ron shouted, who was still muttering instructions at his own stubborn broom.
Hermione's broom only quivered weakly on the ground.
Draco Malfoy, however, had also achieved immediate success, his broom leaping neatly into his hand.
He caught Harry's eye and smirked—a non-verbal challenge accepted.
Rivalry Alert: Draco Malfoy is competing on AGI/Dex Check.
Madam Hooch began the instructions. Harry listened closely, translating her verbal commands into precise internal instructions for his Dex.
The inevitable accident occurred when Neville Longbottom, terrified and clumsy, pushed off too early and shot into the air, losing control before plunging back down, breaking his wrist.
While Madam Hooch escorted the crying boy to the hospital wing, she issued a firm warning:
"I want every single one of those brooms on the ground. If I see one broom airborne, the student on it will be expelled before they can say 'Quidditch.'"
The moment Hooch disappeared into the castle, Draco Malfoy grinned, holding up a small glass ball Neville had dropped.
"Did you see his face? The fat git would never last on a broomstick."
Draco mounted his broom, ignoring Hooch's command.
"I think I'll leave this on the roof for Longbottom to fetch."
Harry's internal focus shifted. This was not just a social slight; it was a clear violation of authority and a direct challenge to the established Pecking Order he had set earlier.
[MISSION ACQUIRED: Authority Check]
Objective: Retrieve Neville Longbottom's property and re-establish dominance over Draco Malfoy before Madam Hooch returns. (Avoid direct physical combat).
Reward: 250 EXP, +1 AGI, Flying Skill Unlock.
Failure Condition: Being caught by Madam Hooch, or losing the item to Malfoy.
"Give it here, Malfoy,"
Harry said, mounting his broom. He looked down at the pale face of his rival.
"Oh, what's the matter, Potter? Gonna follow the rules?"
Draco taunted, rising twenty feet into the air.
"No,"
Harry said, pushing off the ground. The wind immediately whipped his hair back. He was airborne.
"I'm going to retrieve a stolen item."
Harry's high AGI made his movement smooth and responsive, while his Gamer's Mind filtered the height and speed into calculated vectors.
He shot into the air, a natural, aggressive flyer.
Draco, surprised by the speed of Harry's ascent, darted toward the tower.
Harry cut him off, his movement precise and aggressive. He was operating at a level far beyond 'beginner.'
"Give it up, Malfoy!"
Harry yelled, pulling his broom into a tight corkscrew, demonstrating far superior control.
Draco, panicking, hurled the glass sphere—the Remembrall—high into the air, toward the ground.
System Alert: AGI/Dex Check Required! High speed descent!
Harry dropped instantly, pushing his broom into a vertical, headlong dive. He stretched out his hand, locking his focus on the rapidly falling sphere.
Focus, Dex, AGI.
His fingers closed around the cold, smooth glass just ten feet above the hard grass, arresting his speed in a near-perfect halt.
Harry soared back up to the bewildered first-years, the Remembrall held triumphantly in his hand.
He saw Madam Hooch marching back across the lawn, her eyes blazing.
[MISSION COMPLETE: Authority Check]
Reward: 250 EXP, +1 AGI!
AGI: 110 → 111
LEVEL UP! Harry Potter has reached Level 12!