Harry Potter: A New Player.

The Gryffindor common room was buzzing with activity, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione were huddled in a quiet corner, pouring over the Tome of Wit and Learning by the flickering light of the fireplace.

"This book mentions secret tunnels in the dungeons," Hermione said, tapping an old, faded map inside the tome. "Slytherin must have hidden his relic somewhere down there."

Harry glanced at his Quest Log, a nervous excitement building in his chest.

[Quest: Slytherin's Secrets]

• Locate Slytherin's hidden chamber (0/1)

• Discover the serpent's legacy (0/1)

Reward: +200 EXP, Slytherin's Cunning Skill

Ron groaned. "I still don't like the idea of creeping around the dungeons. Snape practically lives down there, and if Filch catches us—"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Then we don't get caught, Ron. We'll go after dinner when the corridors are quieter."

Harry grinned. "We've handled worse. Let's do it."

Into the Depths

After dinner, they made their way through the darkened corridors of Hogwarts. The castle seemed to breathe around them, the torches casting eerie shadows as they descended into the lower levels.

Harry pulled out his wand and whispered, "Lumos," casting a faint glow that barely lit their path.

[Skill Activated: Stealth Lv. 3]

+10% chance of avoiding detection.

They moved cautiously past classrooms, their footsteps light. Harry's Observation Skill flickered to life, highlighting faint scuff marks leading down a narrow, rarely used corridor.

"This way," he whispered, motioning for Ron and Hermione to follow.

[Observation Activated]

• Faint traces of ancient enchantments detected.

• Passage leads toward an undiscovered chamber.

Hermione's eyes widened. "We're close."

They pushed open an old, rusted door and stepped inside a dark, musty tunnel lined with ancient snake carvings.

[New Location Discovered: The Serpent's Passage]

The air felt heavier, as if filled with centuries of secrets.

Ron shivered. "This place gives me the creeps."

Harry ignored him and moved further down the passage, his hand trailing along the cold stone walls. Suddenly, a faint whisper echoed through the air.

"Parseltongue…"

Harry froze. "Did you hear that?"

Hermione and Ron exchanged worried looks. "No," Hermione said hesitantly. "What did you hear?"

Harry frowned. "Something about Parseltongue… maybe it's part of the challenge."

A new notification popped up.

[Skill Unlocked: Parseltongue (Lv.1)]

You have unlocked the ability to understand and speak the language of serpents.

+10% affinity with snake-related objects.

Harry's eyes widened. "I think I can… talk to snakes now."

Ron blanched. "Brilliant, just brilliant."

The Serpent's Trial

Deeper inside the tunnel, they came across a large stone door with intricate carvings of snakes. An inscription glowed faintly in the dim light.

"Only one who speaks the tongue of the serpent may enter."

Harry took a deep breath and hissed, "Open," in Parseltongue.

To his surprise, the snakes on the door slithered aside, revealing a dark chamber beyond.

[Quest Updated: Slytherin's Secrets]

• Locate Slytherin's hidden chamber ✔

• Discover the serpent's legacy (0/1)

They stepped inside cautiously, their eyes scanning the room. In the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, atop which rested an ornate, silver dagger with a snake coiled around its hilt.

Hermione gasped. "That must be Slytherin's relic!"

Harry approached carefully, but the moment he reached for the dagger, a series of runes ignited on the floor, and a deep hissing filled the room.

A massive, spectral serpent appeared, its emerald eyes glowing menacingly.

[New Quest: The Guardian's Challenge]

• Defeat or outwit the spectral serpent (0/1)

Reward: +150 EXP, Unlock Slytherin's Cunning Skill

Ron backed up quickly. "Why does it always have to be snakes?!"

Harry gripped his wand. "We've got to get past it!"

Hermione flipped through the tome hurriedly. "Try reasoning with it, Harry! Slytherin valued cunning over brute force."

Taking a deep breath, Harry focused and spoke in Parseltongue. "We mean no harm. We seek knowledge, not conflict."

The serpent's eyes flickered with interest, and it hissed, circling the pedestal. "Prove your cunning, human. Answer my riddle, and you may pass."

[Riddle Challenge Initiated]

"I am always hungry, I must always be fed. The hand I touch will soon turn red. What am I?"

Harry thought quickly. "Fire," he answered confidently.

The serpent's form shimmered, and it bowed its head. "You have passed."

[Quest Completed: The Guardian's Challenge]

Rewards: +150 EXP, Slytherin's Cunning Skill Unlocked

Harry felt a surge of energy as a new skill appeared in his menu.

[Skill Unlocked: Slytherin's Cunning (Lv.1)]

Your ability to deceive, persuade, and strategize has improved.

+5% chance to influence others.

Hermione beamed. "You did it, Harry!"

Ron wiped his brow. "Let's grab the dagger and get out of here before that thing changes its mind."

Harry carefully took the dagger, feeling a strange pulse of power through his fingertips.

[Item Acquired: Serpent's Fang Dagger]

A relic of Salazar Slytherin, imbued with potent defensive magic.

"I think this might come in handy," Harry muttered.

Escape and Consequences

As they retraced their steps through the tunnels, the distant sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor.

"Someone's coming!" Hermione hissed.

Harry quickly checked his interface.

[New Quest: Escape the Dungeons]

• Avoid detection by Filch or Snape (0/1)

• Return safely to Gryffindor Tower (0/1)

Reward: +75 EXP, No Suspicion Raised

"Run!" Harry whispered.

The trio dashed through the corridors, ducking behind pillars as Filch's lantern glowed down the hallways. Using his Stealth Skill, Harry signaled when it was safe to move.

After several tense moments, they finally reached Gryffindor Tower and slipped inside unnoticed.

Ron collapsed onto the couch, panting. "I never want to do that again."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We have two more relics to find, Ron."

Harry placed the dagger on the table and smiled. "One step closer."

As he opened his Quest Log, he saw a new entry.

[Main Quest Updated: The Founders' Trial]

• Hufflepuff's Chalice ✔

• Ravenclaw's Riddle ✔

• Slytherin's Secrets ✔

• Gryffindor's Valor (0/1)

Reward: Unknown

Harry leaned back. The last trial would be his own house's legacy.

And he was ready.