The Serpent’s Heir

It was a quiet day.Too quiet for Hogwarts.

No winds. No owl post.Even the staircases had stopped moving.

Theo said it felt like the castle was holding its breath.

The Snap in Transfiguration

Professor McGonagall was demonstrating rune-weaving through wandwork.

Harry's hands shook.

When it was his turn, he lifted his wand, but the rune didn't form —Instead, the lines twisted midair into a serpent of red smoke, which hissed and shot toward the windows.

The glass shattered.

Everyone ducked.

McGonagall looked up, shaken.Not angry — concerned.

"Mr. Potter. Your wand — try again."

He tried.

The wand sparked. No light.Then it burned red-hot in his palm.

He dropped it, gasping.

Theo caught his shoulder.

"Harry—what's going on?"

That Night in the Common Room

Theo waited until the others were asleep.

Then sat across from Harry in the low green glow of the dungeon hearth.

"You haven't been sleeping," he said.

"No."

"You've been hearing… him?"

Harry didn't deny it.

Theo leaned forward. His voice low. Firm.

"Then you need to tell me the truth."

"When you speak lately — it's not always you anymore.I hear it in your voice.Something older. Something… wrong."

Harry's throat tightened.

"I know."

Theo whispered:

"Then fight it. Before the others notice. Before you can't anymore."

The Mirror Test

Rowan met them with a mirror the next day.

An old Seer's tool — polished obsidian, meant to reflect the soul.

Harry sat before it. Looked in.

His reflection blinked.

Then it smiled — while he didn't.

Rowan paled.

Theo swore under his breath.

Harry stared.

His reflection's eyes had turned red.Not completely.Just… starting.

And in the glass, the voice echoed faintly:

"Almost ready."

Final Scene – A Warning on the Wall

That night, red runes scorched themselves onto the stones above the Slytherin beds.

Ancient script, dripping like blood.

Theo translated one line.

"The Heir is splitting."

"When the soul can no longer hold both names, the body will burn."

And below it, written by an unknown hand:

"Choose before Kaelen does."