An exploration reward that required a midnight visit to the Restricted Section? Adrian raised an eyebrow at the system prompt. There was something deliciously dramatic about the whole setup that made him suspect this wasn't just any ordinary reward.
Still, he'd faced worse than a nighttime library visit. After encountering ghosts and portraits that moved on their own, what was a little rule-breaking between friends?
In the Great Hall, Harry and Ron were already digging into lunch when they spotted him approaching their table.
"Adrian! Over here!" Harry waved him over.
"Where've you been all morning?" Ron asked, taking in Adrian's slightly disheveled appearance. "You look exhausted."
"Just found a quiet spot to practice some spells," Adrian said casually, collapsing into his seat and immediately attacking a plate of roast beef. The morning's magical exertion had left him absolutely starving.
His magical reserves were still recovering from the intensive training session. The dull ache behind his temples was a reminder that he'd pushed himself harder than usual.
While Adrian focused on refueling, Harry and Ron launched into an animated discussion about flying techniques and the new Nimbus Two Thousand racing broom. It took Adrian a moment to remember they had Flying lessons that afternoon, the thought sparked genuine interest. Flying had always been a childhood dream, even if it meant straddling a glorified cleaning tool.
From the Slytherin table came the unmistakable sound of Draco Malfoy holding court, his voice carrying clearly across the hall.
"Before I came to Hogwarts, I was already an expert flyer," Draco bragged loudly. "My father took me on proper flights, we even had to dodge a Muggle airplane once! Nearly knocked the thing right out of the sky if I hadn't pulled up in time!"
Adrian nearly choked on his pumpkin juice. An airplane? The sheer physics of that scenario made his head hurt. Flying at commercial airline altitude without pressurization or oxygen? Malfoy would be a popsicle long before any mid-air collision became an issue.
"Adrian, have you ever flown before?" Harry asked hopefully, clearly rattled by Draco's boasting.
"Not even once," Adrian admitted truthfully. Even if this body had experienced flight, the memory was still too foggy to recall.
"What about you, Ron?" Harry turned to his other friend with renewed hope.
Ron immediately launched into his own flying stories, describing practice sessions on Charlie's ancient broomstick back home. Adrian listened with amusement to both boys' claims, knowing the afternoon would separate fact from fiction soon enough.
Sure enough, when Madam Hooch's whistle pierced the afternoon air, only Harry managed the seemingly simple task of summoning his broomstick to his hand.
Draco, for all his airplane-dodging expertise, struggled through several attempts before his broom finally cooperated at the last second, sparing him complete humiliation in front of his Slytherin audience.
Ron's experience was even worse. His overly aggressive shout made his broom rocket upward so violently it smacked him in the forehead.
"Up!" Adrian called, watching his own broom with growing concern as it merely rolled lazily on the grass, showing no intention of flying anywhere.
Should have read more flying manuals, he thought grimly, watching other students achieve varying degrees of success.
When Madam Hooch turned to observe another student, Adrian quickly hooked the broom with his foot and smoothly lifted it into his hand, becoming the third student to "successfully" summon his broom.
"Well done, Mr. Blackwood," Madam Hooch nodded approvingly before moving on to help struggling classmates.
Harry stared at Adrian's quick trick, clearly confused. Adrian pressed a finger to his lips with a faint smile, silently asking for discretion. Harry grinned and nodded, everyone needed a little help sometimes.
At least I won't get marked down for this lesson, Adrian thought with relief. Academic points were too precious to waste on pride.
Still, he found himself wishing the system offered more variety in its rewards. Enhanced learning was useful, but what about natural talent boosts? He was walking a fine line pretending to be naturally gifted when he was actually quite average. What would happen when someone called his bluff?
"Now, I want everyone to watch carefully," Madam Hooch announced once all students had their brooms. "I'll demonstrate the proper mounting technique only once."
She showed them the correct posture, then continued, "When I blow my whistle, push off firmly from the ground. Keep a tight grip on your broom and try to rise just a few feet..."
Adrian mounted his broom with the others, genuinely curious about his first flying experience. The anticipation was cut short by a terrified scream from nearby.
Neville Longbottom shot skyward like a rocket, his broom completely out of control.
"Ahhhhh!" Neville's panicked cry echoed across the grounds as he climbed to at least twenty feet.
The other students scattered in alarm, but Adrian was already moving. He'd remembered this scene from the books, Neville was about to fall.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Adrian's wand was out and casting before most students had even processed what was happening.
His levitation charm caught Neville mid-fall, suspending the terrified boy safely about ten feet off the ground. The magic held steady despite Adrian's depleted reserves from the morning's training.
"Excellent work! Five points to Gryffindor!" Madam Hooch's relief was palpable, a serious injury on her watch would have been career-ending.
Adrian felt the familiar chime of the system awarding grade points, adding to his satisfaction.
The Gryffindor students burst into applause, led by Harry and Ron's enthusiastic cheering.
Then Neville dropped like a stone.
The applause died immediately.
"Sorry, Madam Hooch," Adrian said with an apologetic shrug, his expression caught between embarrassment and resignation. "Seems I'm running on empty after this morning's practice."
Well, he'd gotten the five points before losing them again. That was something, at least.
Madam Hooch rushed to check on Neville, who was shaken but uninjured thanks to landing on soft grass rather than stone. Crisis averted, more or less.
Note to self, Adrian thought as he helped dust off a grateful Neville, always keep some magic in reserve for emergencies. Even the best-laid plans can go sideways.