"Harry Potter and the Shadows of Merlin"

Dana thought a Memory Charm would solve everything.

Dunat would wake up in the Common Room tomorrow morning, probably thinking he'd simply fallen asleep there. Confused, yes—but he'd never suspect that a Gryffindor had snuck into the Slytherin Common Room to cause trouble.

Dana retreated slowly toward the door. All he had to do now was leave—

Two loud bangs echoed from inside:

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Yellow smoke billowed outward, carrying a foul stench.

Dana sighed. He'd forgotten Fred and George loved pranks no matter whose territory they were in. The more hostile the environment, the more excited they got.

Fred's chuckle sounded beside him:

"Run!"

George joined in:

"This is too much fun!"

The door swung open, then shut—yes, the twins had retreated.

But Dana's stomach clenched. If the prank escalated and drew Snape, Dunat's state under Imperio would be exposed. Snape—master of potions and an exceptionally judicious wizard—would notice Dunat's unnatural behavior. Someone using Imperio at Hogwarts would prompt a full investigation.

The thought tightened Dana's chest. He needed to stop this now.

A Slytherin student shouted:

"Find Professor Snape!"

"Quick—get Snape!"

Dana drew a slow breath and transformed into Snape, then strode in.

"Quiet!" he commanded.

His impersonation was unnervingly accurate. Not just his appearance—his speech patterns, tone, and pacing captured eight-tenths of Snape's essence.

"What is going on here? You lot should be sleeping. Have you eaten something bad? There's a–well, a facility nearby. Did you have so little sense that you couldn't make it?" His mocking gaze swept the students. "Honestly, even a Mooncalf knows how to relieve itself outside its lair!"

Prefect Gemma Farley stepped forward. "Professor, someone threw dungbombs in the Common Room!"

Dana (in Snape's body) eyed her—he didn't recognize her, so he replied vaguely, "Dungbombs? That's a prohibited item. How dare you bring that rubbish here? Imbeciles. If I weren't your Dean, I'd deduct a hundred points from Slytherin!"

The students bristled under his glare. Dana summoned his wand.

"Scourgify!"

The yellow smoke vanished—but the stench lingered, stubborn.

The students muttered among themselves, murmuring about how even Snape couldn't fully dispel it.

"All of you, return to your dorms and sleep!" Dana barked, his expression lethal.

They scattered. Just as they began to turn away, one student spoke up:

"Professor—Dunat Avery seems to have fainted."

Dana glanced at the prone figure. "He's just overwhelmed by the smell! Allergic reaction. He'll recover after a good night's rest. Now, carry him to the dorm."

"Yes, Professor!" they chorused, heading off.

Dana waited until Slytherin was empty. Then, footsteps approached—slow, measured. The door opened: Severus Snape entered.

Fred and George, who were hiding just outside, froze. They hadn't seen Snape entering before. They watched, hearts pounding.

Snape walked to a shadowy corner and transformed... back into Dana.

"Fred, George," he said quietly, "you really know how to push my limits."

He cast a Disillusionment Charm over himself. The twins visibly relaxed.

"Throwing dungbombs in Slytherin? If we'd been caught with Snape investigating… I might've been expelled—or worse, thrown back into Azkaban!"

Fred's eyes sparkled. George nodded vigorously. Both were trembling with admiration.

"Wow, Dana, you're amazing! Are you a Metamorphmagus?"

Fred's tone was awed.

"Something like that," Dana replied with a shrug. "Let's get out of here."

As they hurried along, Fred whispered, "Your Disillusionment Charm—almost as good as an Invisibility Cloak. You're untraceable."

Dana already regretted staying out so late. But there was no going back now. He'd learned what he needed.

They reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. Dana released the Charm. The Fat Lady's portrait swung open.

She scrutinized him, then smiled. "Back so soon—and the twins?"

Dana answered, "Late-night treats."

The Fat Lady scolded gently, "Don't follow their example. They lost over three hundred points last year—Professor McGonagall was furious!"

Dana nodded. "Of course, Fat Lady. I find night excursions… dull, really."

She beamed. "Good boy. Now, what's the password?"

"Dragon Dregs."

Notes on Key Moments:Memory Charm planDana considered using a Memory Charm on Dunat to erase the memory of Dana's presence in Slytherin.

Twins' prankFred and George set off enhanced dungbombs, creating yellow smoke and terrible odor.

Dana impersonates SnapeTo prevent suspicion falling on Dunat, Dana mastered a superb disguise and used "Scourgify."

Risk of Imperio exposureDana feared Snape would detect signs of Imperio on Dunat—leading to investigation.

Twins' aweImpressed by Dana's magical prowess: Disillusionment charm, metamorphosis skill, potent combative ability.

Learning missionDana amassed crucial Hogwarts intelligence during the night's chaos—but realized the dangers of staying out.

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