Hogwarts was blanketed in thick snow on Christmas Day, silent and still. The warm holiday atmosphere Dumbledore had announced at dinner the night before struck Snape as especially ironic. He stood by the window of an abandoned classroom, gazing at the white expanse outside with cold, focused eyes.
"They are very familiar with the castle's surveillance gaps," Snape suddenly said, his voice especially clear in the empty classroom. "The covered bridge, the top of the West Tower, even the gaps in caretaker Filch's patrol route. This is not something ordinary students could manage."
Lin Yanqing was inspecting the protective gloves he had finished the night before when he looked up. He could sense that familiar, predator-like focus in Snape—the same focus he had when staring at a potion formula until he found its most elegant solution.
"You think they are outsiders who used Polyjuice Potion to infiltrate the school?" Lin Yanqing guessed. It was the most reasonable explanation; otherwise, it was difficult to explain their familiarity with the castle and their elusive movements.
A cold curve formed at the corner of Snape's mouth. "Or students within the school who have ties to the Borgin Family. But either way..." He turned and took a small vial filled with muddy-brown liquid from his dragonhide pocket. "We need a suitable way to confirm it."
Lin Yanqing recognized the potion in the vial—Polyjuice Potion. Clearly, Snape had prepared for this long ago.
``` Ding-dong! (?????)? A limited-time quest has been triggered: [Identity Swap]!
Quest Description: Cooperate with the contracted target to conduct a disguised investigation and obtain enemy intelligence.
Quest Requirement: Successfully maintain your disguise during this operation and obtain at least one crucial piece of information.
Quest Reward: Mimic Mask (can temporarily alter facial features without potion) x1, System Points +150.
Failure Penalty: