The Serpent’s Wing was quiet that evening.
Hidden deep within the Slytherin quarters of Hogwarts, the private chamber Mira Silverthorne had been granted by special permission was softly illuminated by floating globes of pale silver light. The glow reflected gently off the dark green stone walls and the polished wooden tables that had slowly transformed the room into something between a study, a workshop, and a sanctuary for magical creativity.
Outside the tall arched windows, night had already settled over the Hogwarts grounds. The Black Lake lay still and glassy beneath the moon, its dark waters reflecting the stars like scattered diamonds.
Inside the room, the air hummed faintly with magic.
Tools were spread across Mira’s main worktable—tiny enchanted screwdrivers, rune-carving chisels, thin silver wire, crystal lenses, and sheets of parchment filled with precise diagrams.
At the center of the table sat a small object no larger than a walnut.
It looked like a Golden Snitch.
But not quite.
The wings were slightly different—more delicate, more articulated. The gold shell shimmered softly, and faintly glowing runes in pale blue traced elegant patterns along its surface.
Mira sat before the table, carefully adjusting the tiny mechanism with the focus of a master craftsman.
Her silver-white hair was tied neatly into a bun, the delicate hairpin Draco had given her catching the candlelight with every movement.
Her luminous, teal eyes were narrowed in concentration.
"Alignment… two degrees left…” She murmured quietly to herself as she worked.
The Snitch twitched.
Mira tapped the casing lightly, “Not yet.”
Behind her—
The door opened.
Draco Malfoy stepped into the room, brushing a speck of dust from his sleeve, “I suspected I’d find you here.”
Mira glanced up, “Hello, Draco.”
He crossed the room slowly, examining the table with growing interest.
Pip the Niffler sat in a small pile of glittering gears nearby, happily sorting shiny objects into careful little stacks.
Draco raised an eyebrow, “You’ve been busy.”
Mira smiled faintly, “A little.”
His attention landed on the small golden object in the center of the table.
He leaned closer, “…Is that a Snitch?”
“Not exactly.” Mira stated.
Draco circled the table, “It certainly looks like one.” He crouched slightly, examining the glowing runes, “Except Snitches don’t have runic enchantments.”
Mira lifted the object carefully, “This is something new.”
Draco straightened, “I should have guessed.” He leaned against the table, “So… what does it do?”
Mira turned the tiny device gently in her hands, “This,” she said softly, “is a Snitch Camera.”
Draco blinked, “A what?”
Mira placed the device on the table.
The tiny golden wings fluttered once, as if testing their movement.
“It’s an enchanted camera,” she explained.
Draco frowned thoughtfully, “But we already have magical cameras.”
“Yes,” Mira agreed, “But those require someone to hold them.” She tapped the Snitch lightly, “This one flies.”
Draco’s eyebrows rose, “…Interesting.”
Mira continued, “It can capture still images.” She turned the Snitch slightly, “And moving images.”
Draco folded his arms, “Like wizard photographs?”
“Yes.”
“But it can also transmit them.”
Draco paused, “…Transmit?”
Mira reached into her robe pocket.
She pulled out a second golden Snitch.
Its wings were folded neatly against its sides.
Draco leaned closer, “That one doesn’t have runes.”
“It’s the receiver.” Mira set both objects on the table, “They’re magically linked.”
Draco tilted his head, “So… if the first one records something…”
Mira nodded, “I can see it through this one.”
Draco blinked, “In real time?”
Mira smiled softly, “Yes.”
Draco stared at the devices for several seconds.
Then he slowly said: “…You’ve invented flying magical surveillance.”
Mira laughed quietly.
“Not exactly.” Mira lifted the runic Snitch, “Watch.”
She whispered a soft activation charm, “Aperio Oculus.”
The runes glowed brighter.
The tiny wings began to beat rapidly.
Then—
The Snitch lifted into the air.
Draco’s eyes followed it as it hovered above the table.
“Well,” he admitted, “that’s impressive.”
Mira turned toward the smaller Snitch.
She touched it lightly.
The golden shell shimmered and its tiny golden wings fluttered once, as if testing their movement. It hovered near Mira's right shoulder.
Then—
Light formed above it.
A translucent projection appeared.
A shimmering holographic image.
Draco leaned forward.
“…Is that…”
The image showed the room.
From above.
From the Snitch’s perspective.
Draco’s jaw dropped slightly.
“…You’re seeing what it sees.”
Mira nodded.
“In real time.”
The Snitch darted across the room.
The projection shifted instantly.
Now the image showed Pip the Niffler stacking gears.
Draco stared, “That’s extraordinary.”
Mira guided the Snitch gently through the air.
It moved gracefully, wings humming softly.
Draco watched the projection carefully, “What’s the purpose?”
“For connection.” Mira spoke quietly.
Draco looked puzzled, “How do you mean?”
Mira guided the Snitch toward the window.
The projection now showed the moonlit lake outside.
“Imagine,” she said softly, “a Quidditch match at Hogwarts.”
Draco nodded, “Alright.”
“Now imagine families watching from miles away.” Mira suggested.
Draco blinked, “…From their homes?”
“Yes.” Mira confirmed, “They could see the match as it happens.”
Draco leaned forward, “Through the projection.”
Mira nodded, “Exactly.”
Draco’s expression slowly changed from curiosity to realization, “That would change everything.”
“Magical schools could broadcast tournaments.” Mira continued, “Families could watch ceremonies.”
“Parents could see their children’s accomplishments.” Draco thought for a moment, “Even concerts.”
Mira smiled, “Yes.”
Draco’s voice softened slightly, “…And children who can’t attend school.”
Mira nodded gently, “They could still feel part of it.”
The Snitch returned to hover above the table.
Draco watched it carefully, “You’re creating a magical broadcasting system.”
Mira shrugged lightly, “I suppose so.”
Draco walked slowly around the table, “You realize how powerful this could be.”
Mira looked thoughtful, “It could help people feel less distant.”
Draco smirked slightly, “You always think about helping people.”
Mira smiled, “Someone should.”
Draco examined the runes again, “They’re light-blue.”
“Yes.”
“They control recording, projection, and navigation?”
Mira nodded, “And safety limits.”
Draco looked impressed, “You’ve thought of everything.”
Mira gestured to the Snitch, “Catch it.”
Draco blinked, “What?”
“Like in Quidditch.”
The Snitch shot forward suddenly.
Draco lunged.
Missed.
The Snitch zipped past his shoulder.
He turned quickly, “Oh, you’re going to regret that.”
The Snitch darted around the room at incredible speed.
Draco chased it.
Pip squeaked excitedly.
Draco leapt again.
Missed.
The Snitch hovered smugly near the ceiling.
Draco crossed his arms, “Alright.”
He raised his wand, “Accio—”
Mira raised a finger, “No summoning.”
Draco sighed dramatically, “This is unfair.”
Mira laughed softly.
Eventually the Snitch returned to Mira’s hand.
She deactivated it.
The projection faded.
The room fell quiet again.
Draco looked at the small device thoughtfully, “You’re going to show this to Dumbledore.”
Mira nodded, “When it’s finished.”
Draco leaned against the table, “You know…”
“What?” Mira blinked.
“This might be one of the most useful inventions I’ve ever seen.” Draco complimented.
Mira tilted her head, “You think so?”
Draco nodded slowly, “It connects people.” He gestured toward the Snitch, “And it’s brilliant.”
Mira smiled warmly, “Thank you.”
Draco smirked, “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Pip chirped happily.
The Snitch’s blue runes flickered faintly on the table.
And somewhere deep within the ancient castle of Hogwarts—
A new kind of magic had just been born.
ns216.73.216.175da2
and then Add to home screen.