Each day, Alex split his time between the library, Hagrid’s hut, and the Slytherin dormitory, throwing himself into a routihat left little room frief. Books became his sanctuary, and before long, his focus turo alchemical pursuits.

  To fuel his experiments, Alex sourced rare alchemical supplies through Professor Bones, spending more than 200 Galleons—a steep cost, but one he didn’t mind paying. Weeks of effort finally paid off when he pleted a new alchemical tool. It sat on his desk in the Slytherin dormitleaming uhe soft light.

  It was a small hammer, its silver-white head made from Goblin silver, one of the wizarding world’s most coveted materials. The handle was ed in supple brown cowhide, making it fortable to hold, while the polished metal shimmered with a cold brilliahough it looked sturdy enough to be a on, Alex had desig purely for research.

  Each side of the hammerhead bore engraved runes. One side carried the symbols for "analysis" and "reveal," allowing him to uncover hidden magical lines on unfamiliar objects. The other side was etched with runes for "hardening" and "strengthening," desigo reinforce alchemical tools. To top it off, Alex added a rune for "harmless," ensuring it wouldn’t damage whatever he struo matter the force.

  "From now on, you’ll be the No Damage Hammer," he said with a grin, naming it simply.

  Excited to test its abilities, Alex picked up the hammer a his monocle oable. With careful aim, he tapped the lens lightly with the hammer’s hardening side. The tool hummed faintly, drawing a bit of his magic to activate the runes. When he picked up the monocle again, he was thrilled to see faint yers of glowing runes cirg its surface. Its crity and durability had been signifitly improved.

  , he tried the analysis side on an old amulet Lily had given him. A few geaps revealed the intricate prote spells she’d inscribed. As he he runes in his journal, Alex couldn’t help but feel a wave of gratitude aermination. The amulet’s magic was fading, but now he had the means to restore it.

  Outside of alchemy, Alex’s studies had branched into other areas. He practiced spells like the Untraceable Extension Charm, the Disillusio Charm, and the fundus Charm. His skill in Apparition had improved steadily, and his mastery of Occlumency was now solid enough to shield his mind with ease. He’d even started dabbling in Legilimency, though practig on living beings was tricky. His first attempt, with Hagrid’s dog, Line, had only revealed a sihought: “meat, meat, meat.” The simplicity of it made him ugh, though he decided against testing it on friends for now.

  After pag the No Damage Hammer into his linen space bag, Alex paused, running his fingers over the fabric. The bag reminded him of Sirius, and for a moment, sadhreateo break through his focus. Shaking it off, he tucked the hammer away and headed for the in the Forbidden Forest, where Charles was training.

  When Alex reached the on room on his way out, he noticed Wilkes, Travers, and a few athered he firepce, ughing loudly. Wilkes noticed Alex and sneered, dragging a thumb across his ne a mog threat. His smug grin was meant to provoke, but Alex simply held his gaze, his expression calm and unreadable. Without a word, he walked past them, refusing to give them the rea they wanted.

  Winter had ed Hogwarts in its icy grip again, and snowfkes drifted zily through the air. As Alex made his way through the courtyard, memories surfaced—st winter, he’d finally mastered his Levitation Spell. Now, after another year of practice, his trol had grown sharper. Though true flight still eluded him, he felt closer thao achieving it.

  Near Hagrid’s hut, Alex spotted Charles standing outside, holding a neer and looking deeply troubled. Notig Alex, Charles waved him over, his face tense.

  “Alex, have you seen this?” Charles asked, l his void gng around as if to make sure no one else was listening.

  Alex’s stomach tighte the serious tone. “What’s going on? What happened?” he asked, his voice steady but edged with .

  Charles hesitated before handing him the neer. “Read it yourself. It’s in the Daily Prophet. They just updated the front page.”

  Alex unfolded the paper, his eyes darting across the bold headline. Each word felt like a punch to the gut.

  "Breaking News: Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom Found Severely Injured. Victims of Cruciatus Curse."

  The article detailed how the Longbottoms had been discovered unscious, tortured by Death Eaters during an iigation. They were now at St. Mungo’s, their dition critical. Alex’s grip on the neer tightehe weight of the news sinking in.

  “I’m so sorry, Alex,” Charles said quietly. “I know you’re close to the Longbottoms. I thought you should hear it from me.”

  For a moment, Alex said nothing. The air around him seemed to still, and then, within a teer radius, the falling snow froze in midair. An intense, almost tangible energy radiated from him, and Charles took a step back, armed.

  “Alex!” Charles shouted, snapping him out of his thoughts.

  Alex took a deep breath, and the snowfkes resumed their dest. His expression softened, but there was a cold, determined glint in his eyes. “Thanks for telling me, Charles,” he said, his voice calm but distant. “Take the day off from training—I o take care of something.”

  Charles hesitated. “Alex, don’t do anything rash. Please.”

  Alex gave him a faint smile, ohat didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” He turned and walked back toward the castle.

  The Slytherin on room was still lively when Alex returned. Wilkes and the others were ughing again, unaware of the storm brewing. When Wilkes noticed him, he leaned back smugly, clearly enjoying whatever joke he thought he was in on.

  Alex met his sneer with a sharp, uling smile. Without a word, he crooked a fi Wilkes. “e o’s have a little chat.”