The Great Hall was filled with the low hum of conversations, the clinking of silverware against plates, and the occasional laughter that seemed to ripple across the student body.
But at the staff table, things were more serious.
Dumbledore, having just returned to the castle, was seated at the center, listening intently to the updates being given by the other professors. His sharp blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and attention as each head of house spoke in turn.
McGonagall, stern and efficient, filled him in on the students' progress. "They've been diligent, Headmaster, but the events of the past few days have understandably shaken many of them."
Dumbledore nodded, his eyes briefly flicking toward the Ravenclaw table, where Alex sat. He seemed deep in conversation with his friends, though there was a pensive quality to his demeanor.
Across the table, Snape had been watching too. His dark eyes were unreadable, but something about Alex had caught his attention, and it gnawed at him.
When the meeting of the professors began to wind down, Snape caught Dumbledore's eye and gestured discreetly for a private word.
The two slipped into the shadows of a nearby alcove, and Snape immediately began, his voice low but urgent. "Headmaster, there's something about Alex. His talent… it's far beyond what we expected."
Dumbledore tilted his head slightly, amused. "You sound surprised, Severus."
Snape frowned, his usual mask of indifference cracking for just a moment. "Surprised? Yes. Concerned? Absolutely. The boy is a prodigy. His magical control is extraordinary for his age – far better than any student I've taught, even… myself at his age."
Dumbledore smiled faintly, as though hearing a private joke. "And those talents he possesses trouble you?"
Snape's expression darkened. "It should trouble you too. He's powerful, and power can corrupt. If he's not guided properly—"
"Ah," Dumbledore interrupted, raising a hand to gently stop him. "You think he might fall to the dark side."
"Anyone could fall, Headmaster," Snape said quietly. "You of all people should know that."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with the warmth of a man who had lived through countless trials. "Alex won't. I am quite confident in that."
Snape's frown deepened. "You're too trusting."
"Perhaps," Dumbledore admitted, his smile growing. "But I believe in the goodness within people, Severus. Especially in young people like Alex."
Snape was unconvinced. "Even so, we should keep an eye on him. It would be wise to investigate his background a bit more – his family, for instance, we know nothing about them, It's as if he didn't even exist before coming to Hogwarts"
At this, Dumbledore's smile got even wider, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "You might find that more interesting than you expect. Do look into it, Severus, but remember: Alex's destiny is something he should be in charge of. I'll send–"
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Alastor Moody, who approached Dumbledore with his usual abruptness. "Albus, we need to talk."
Dumbledore gave Snape a brief, knowing nod before turning to greet Moody. "Of course, Alastor. Lead the way."
As the two senior wizards strode off, Snape lingered, deep in thought.
His gaze once again landed on Alex, who was now rising from the Ravenclaw table with his friends to head to their first class of the day.
Whatever Dumbledore believed; Snape knew one thing: power needed to be watched carefully lest it would corrupt even the brightest of minds.
In Charms class, Professor Flitwick was bustling around the room, demonstrating intricate wand movements to the students.
His small stature and excitable demeanor always brought a lightness to his lessons, but today, Alex found it difficult to focus.
He sat at the back of the classroom, surrounded by his friends, but his mind was elsewhere – far away from the delicate charms they were supposed to be practicing.
While his classmates followed Flitwick's instructions, Alex was lost in thought, considering the missions he had set for himself.
The events of the last few days had pushed him into a new sense of urgency. If Rakepick was still out there, plotting, they shouldn't waste time.
His mind drifted to the first mission—
[ Mission : Apprehending Patricia Rakepick
Objectives:
1- Apprehend Patricia Rakepick (D)
2- Apprehend Patricia Rakepick alone without any help (B)
3- Find out about the organization behind Patricia Rakepick. (C)
Reward:
1) Dragon's blood & How To Use It – by Albus Dumbledore
2) Branch of a Magical Yew Tree
3) Formula for the potion of Misfortune
Time Limit : 1.5 Years ]
The max rank of the mission objectives was B, hinting that doing them would be fairly easy for him.
The only part where he'll need caution and preparation would be if he faces Rakepick alone, But even then, Alex was confident in himself to take care of her without losing anything.
What made him concerned was the next mission he had set.
[ Mission : The Last Cursed Vault
Objectives:
1- Open the last cursed vault and recover the cursed object hidden within it (S)
2- Find the secret of the Cursed Vaults (B)
Reward:
1) Merlin's Grimoire
2) Morgana's Magic Mirror
Time Limit : 2 Years ]
This was his first S rank mission in this world.
And if there was anything he knew about S ranks missions, it was their difficulty.
Alex was quite excited, because despite their difficulty, the rewards were always game changing for him. Giving a boost that lets him cover power the gaps of generations and talent, making him strong exponentially.
But while the rewards were good, caution needed to be taken. Because unlike the missions up to A rank, Missions of S rank affected not only him, but also the people around him.
Alex had lost many close subordinates and friends while being in greed of the rewards from missions of S rank.
It was a route that Alex did not want to take in this life.
Although he may love the benefits from his trait, after dying and getting another chance at life, Alex had grown to appreciate the bonds he forms with the people around him.
Not only that, but with Beth and Tonks in his life, Alex had decided to not be as reckless as he was before started formulating a plan in his mind to keep them away from harm.
Alex knew that he and his friends needed to be better prepared. If they were going to face a dark witch like Rakepick, and tackle mystery of the Curse Vaults, they had to be trained properly.
And who better to teach them than one of the greatest duelists Hogwarts had ever seen?
"Alex, are you paying attention?" Flitwick's sharp voice cut through his thoughts, and Alex blinked, snapping back to reality.
"Yes, Professor," Alex lied smoothly, though Flitwick's raised eyebrows suggested he wasn't fooled.
After class ended, Alex stayed behind, waiting until the rest of the students had filtered out. Flitwick looked up at him, a curious smile playing on his lips. "Something on your mind, Alex?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, then plunged ahead. "Professor, I was wondering if you could help me and my friends with something… outside of regular class."
Flitwick's eyes twinkled with interest. "Oh? And what would that be?"
"I want us to train in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Properly. I know you were once the best duelist in the wizarding world. We need someone like you to teach us… to help us prepare for real fights."
Flitwick's expression turned serious, though there was a hint of pride in his voice as he responded. "Three years, I held the title. Those were exciting times." He glanced down at his desk, thinking. "This is a bold request, Alex."
"I know," Alex said, his voice steady. "But we need to be ready. She is still out there, and I'm afraid the danger isn't over."
Flitwick considered this, tapping his small fingers against the desk. "I'll need to discuss it with the Headmaster. But if he approves… well, I've never been one to turn down eager students."
A wave of relief washed over Alex, and he smiled. "Thank you, Professor."
"Don't thank me yet," Flitwick warned with a wink. "Training with me won't be easy."
Alex laughed. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As he left the classroom, Alex was suddenly pulled aside by a familiar figure.
Before he could even react, Tonks pressed her lips against his in a playful, impulsive kiss. Her bright, bubblegum-pink hair brushed against his face as she smiled mischievously.
"I can't let Beth get ahead of me," she teased, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.
Alex grinned, catching her waist and pulling her back toward him. "I wouldn't let that happen."
Tonks laughed, a soft, infectious sound, and kissed him again. "Good. Just making sure you remember."
Alex chuckled, his thoughts of dark wizards and dangerous missions temporarily forgotten.
For a brief moment, everything else melted away, and he allowed himself to get lost in the simplicity of the moment.
Later that evening, deep within the dungeons, Snape sat in his dimly lit office.
The room was lined with shelves filled with potions ingredients, and boiling pots, the scent of dried herbs and old parchment filled the air.
At his desk, Snape read through a set of documents, his expression unreadable.
The papers in his hands held the answers he'd been searching for – answers about Alex.
Snape now understood why Dumbledore had been so certain about Alex's fate. But even with that knowledge, Snape couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding. Talent like Alex's needed to be cultivated carefully, or it could grow uncontrollable.
"Caution," Snape muttered to himself, setting the papers down. "Caution must be taken, no matter what Dumbledore believes."
With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, staring into the flickering flames of the fire burning underneath the pots. The shadows danced along the walls, mirroring the darker thoughts lingering in his mind.
For now, they could only watch. But soon, Alex would need more than just observation.
He would need guidance.