He'd been working toward this for two days, ever since discovering two particular spells in the older sections of the library. The Unplottable Charm and an advanced Invisibility Spell, both significantly more powerful than the simple concealment magic mixture he'd been using to remain undetected.
The Unplottable Charm was in Sanskrit, discovered in a text on protective enchantments from ninth-century India. The spell made the caster unable to be tracked or located through magical means, including maps, scrying, and tracking charms. James suspected it would fool the Marauder's Map, though he couldn't be a full hundred percent certain without testing it.
The advanced Invisibility Spell was from an older Chinese text, written in Classical Chinese that he'd managed to translate using a combination of his Mandarin knowledge and a magical dictionary he'd found. It was more sophisticated than the basic Disillusionment Charm, creating true invisibility rather than just providing camouflage.
Both spells were well above seventh-year level. The only reason they weren't in the Restricted Section was that they were written in languages most students couldn't read. James had realized that the foreign language sections, especially the older texts, were treasure troves of knowledge that were either deemed too obscure or too dangerous for general access to students.
He'd even found a recipe for what was essentially Polyjuice Potion, written in Arabic and called "Iksīr at-Taqammuṣ" (Elixir of Transformation). The ingredients were different, apparently substitutes that were more readily available in the Middle East, but the effects were identical. It made sense; wizards around the world had discovered and created similar magic based on their regional cultures and available materials.
The realization had been profound. Spells and potions that were restricted or carefully controlled in British magical education were sometimes freely available in texts from other cultures, written in languages the average Hogwarts student and most likely the professors as well couldn't read.
James had spent hours in those shelves this week and had yet to see another student venture into them. When he'd asked Madam Pince about it, she'd mentioned that the books were spelled against copying and translation charms as part of their anti-piracy protections. Students couldn't just magic their way to understanding; they'd need to actually learn the languages the books are written in.
Which meant James had access to knowledge most of his peers would never even know existed.
He stood up and began his preparations. First, the Silencing Charm on himself.
"Silencio."
Then the Notice-me-not charm, followed by the new spells he has learned.
He first spoke the Sanskrit incantation quietly, waving his wand over his head in a circular motion. The Unplottable Charm settled over him with a sensation like cool mist, subtle and nearly imperceptible.
Then the Chinese invisibility spell, more complex and requiring perfect pronunciation of the Classical Chinese characters he'd memorized. This one felt different from the Disillusionment Charm, instead of the sensation of a cold egg breaking over his head, it felt like the thinnest of veils being placed over him.
He looked down and saw nothing. Not even the telltale ripple of a disillusioned person. True invisibility.
Combined with the Silencing Charm, Notice-me-not, and the Unplottable enchantment, he was as close to completely undetectable as it was possible, probably better hidden than with just the help of artifacts like Invisibility Cloaks.
He carefully pulled on his robes over his pajamas, not wanting to walk around the castle in just his sleepwear.
He checked his room one final time, making sure everything was in place. Then he unlocked his door and stepped into the corridor.
The Ravenclaw common room was still partially occupied despite the late hour. A couple of fifth-years were cramming for what looked like a Potions test, their table covered with notes and bubbling practice potions. Three seventh-years occupied the study area, working on what appeared to be NEWT-level Transfiguration homework, occasionally transfiguring the objects and discussing the results quietly.
James crossed the common room, completely confident. Even the students looking directly toward him showed no sign of awareness. Their eyes slid past where he stood without catching or pausing.
He reached the main door and opened it carefully. The Silencing Charm prevented his footsteps from being heard, but it didn't silence the sounds of objects he interacted with. He'd need to be careful with doors, corridors, and anything else that might make noise when moved.
The corridor outside was empty, lit by torches that cast dancing shadows. The portraits on the walls were mostly asleep, their painted subjects snoring softly in their frames. One portrait of a medieval lady remained awake, but her gaze passed right over James without pause.
James began walking, moving slowly and carefully down the corridor. Prefects would still be on their final patrol routes, and he preferred to avoid encounters even with his concealment spells active. Better to simply never be in the same space as someone who might accidentally bump into him.
He descended staircases that shifted gently beneath his feet, adjusting their positions with grinding stone sounds.
A ghost drifted through a wall ahead, the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin ghost, his chains clanking softly. James pressed himself against the wall and waited for the specter to pass. Ghosts could sometimes sense living people even through concealment charms, though thankfully, the Baron seemed not to notice him.
The castle at night was different from daytime. The shadows were deeper, the sounds more pronounced. Wind whistled through cracks in the stone. The portraits snored in their sleep.
The castle itself seemed to breathe, alive in ways that were less apparent during the bustle of the day.
He walked through the corridors carefully, pausing at each turn and landing to listen for the sound of a professor or prefect.
The castle looked empty with the students either asleep or in their common rooms and most staff retired to their quarters.