Chapitre 114: Why Waste Sympathy
He rubbed his temple, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "The temperature-control and energy-storage spells are nearing the experimental phase. And honestly, if it weren't for the gold I took from those pure-blood wizards, I wouldn't even have the resources to keep going. The material costs alone are ridiculous."
Still, despite the criticisms he heaped on himself, Alex knew the battle wasn't without its gains. "Avis Protego spell exceeded expectations. Its versatility in combat, from attack to defense, is impressive. And I can't neglect further research on control-type spells." Unlike mainstream classifications—ordinary spells, jinxes, hexes, and curses—Alex categorized magic based on the fundamental runes they employed: control, elemental, alteration, mental, soul, bloodline, and foresight. He'd also discovered that space-time magic, despite its advanced nature, stemmed from control-type runes, so he grouped it into the control system.
His Avis Protego spell was a product of this research. The summoned ravens not only had significant individual strength but also operated under a strong mental link with Alex. This allowed him to command them to perform complex tasks—attacking, defending, retrieving items, or even transmitting messages. He was working on adding a long-distance surveillance feature, but the technical challenge of "shared vision" was proving tricky. The ravens' current range was less than a kilometer, but even within those limits, the spell had shown immense potential. During the battle, the flock had withstood over a dozen hexes while providing critical tactical support.
His elemental spells had also proven their worth. Obscurifumus disrupted enemy vision, while the combination of Aguamenti and Freezing Charm created effective terrain obstacles. Alex had designated elemental magic as his second training priority, though even with this system, time constraints loomed over him.
"There's never enough time," Alex muttered, shaking his head. "Researching and optimizing spells, upgrading equipment, and practicing techniques takes up everything. I barely have a moment to breathe."
The Christmas holidays passed quickly. Alex spent the break secluded in his hut, refining his spells and enjoying brief moments of leisure by cooking and chatting with Hagrid.
On the first day of the new term, Alex returned to the Slytherin common room. It didn't take long for Rozier to show up, carrying a large bag and wearing a hesitant expression.
Alex smirked as Rozier stepped into his room. "So, have you and your little friends finally accepted the reality of your situation?"
Rozier stiffened but forced a grin, his eyes flicking to the bag in his hand. "We're ready to negotiate."
Alex chuckled, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Good. Let's talk business."
"They're not fools, you know. Problems that can be fixed with money won't spiral out of control. I've done everything you asked me to do. Here's the list." Rozier handed Alex a piece of parchment, his mood visibly better than usual.
Alex unfolded the parchment and scanned it briefly. "Hmm, Travers still hasn't learned his lesson. By the way, have all the madness-laced potions been destroyed?"
Rozier nodded quickly. "I only slipped some into Yaxley's batch. Once he drank it, he tossed the bottle away, but I retrieved it that same day. You don't need to worry about any loose ends—it's clean."
Alex gave an approving nod. Rozier had shown a good sense of restraint, which was rare. Maybe this guy was worth training further.
With that mess out of the way, Alex turned his attention to the day's earnings. The young wizards under his 'protection' had paid up quite honestly this month. After double-checking everything, he counted 200 gold Galleons and six rare magic books. Flipping through the titles, Alex's lips curved into a faint smile. The books contained unique knowledge he hadn't come across before, and the haul left him in a good mood.
"Huh?" Alex paused, his expression sharpening. "Why are there only 16 shares here? Eighteen of them took part in the attack that day, and with you, Rozier, that makes 17. Who's missing?"
Rozier hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "It's Yaxley," he admitted reluctantly. "He's run off."
"Run off?" Alex raised an eyebrow, though he didn't look particularly surprised.
Rozier nodded. "Yeah. He's been gone since that day and hasn't contacted anyone since. My guess? He bolted out of fear. Using the Unforgivable Curse isn't a small thing, and with Aurors hunting down Death Eaters worldwide, he probably figured his chances were better if he vanished."
Alex leaned back in his chair, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Smart move. If he hadn't run, why would I have gone to the trouble? The fact that he didn't even try to retrieve his wand shows he knew the stakes. He's more decisive than I expected. Still..." His voice trailed off as he tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking. "Keep an eye on Travers. See if he has any contact with Yaxley. That guy won't let things go so easily."
"I understand, but no one seems to have any idea where that guy is now. I even asked around during Christmas, but his family doesn't seem to know anything either," Rozier said, frowning slightly.
"Stay cautious. It's better to be prepared than caught off guard," Alex replied. Reaching into his interspatial bag, he pulled out a large bundle of wands and handed them to Rozier. "These belong to those boys. Return them. Once I've finished copying these books, I'll send back the originals. Make sure they understand that I keep my word and expect them to do the same."
Rozier nodded, taking the wands. His eyes lit up slightly when Alex handed him 20 Galleons. "This is your share. Don't let your guard down. Keep a close watch on everyone involved."
The hint of a smile broke across Rozier's face at the sight of the money, and he quickly agreed to Alex's instructions. After Rozier left, Alex turned his attention to Yaxley's wand.
The wand's body was crafted from a rich, brown sorbet wood with a dragon heartstring core, measuring 11 inches. It felt well-balanced and in excellent condition. Alex smirked as he examined it.
"Looks like your master abandoned you," he said softly, spinning the wand between his fingers. "No matter. From now on, you're my backup. Let's hope you're more reliable than your previous owner." As for Yaxley himself, Alex felt confident he had joined up with other Death Eaters. It was part of his plan, after all, and everything was proceeding as expected.
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, a different conversation about Yaxley was taking place. "So, Yaxley is still unaccounted for?" Dumbledore asked, feeding Fawkes a treat.
"Yes," Snape replied, his voice calm but sharp. "After he cast the Killing Curse on Alex that day, I suspected something was off. I followed him when he left but never confronted him directly. Instead of going back to his family, he disappeared in Diagon Alley. I've been tracking him since, using sensory spells to narrow his location, but I haven't pinned him down yet. Someone must be helping him."
"As I feared," Dumbledore said, sighing. "It seems the exiles are still active. If Yaxley sought them out instead of his family, it's clear he's completely lost his way."
Snape sneered. "You're growing soft, old man. Why waste sympathy on someone who's likely headed straight for the Death Eaters?"
Chapitre 115: Hogsmeade
"The Dark Lord has fallen, Severus. Now is the time to bring as many back to the light as we can, especially young ones like Yaxley," Dumbledore replied, his tone even. "Still, your suspicion is valid. Check Diagon Alley again. Judging by his behavior, there might be a Death Eater stronghold there."
"You don't need to remind me," Snape said dismissively. "But Diagon Alley is a chaotic place, full of questionable figures and old pure-blood connections. Without Auror authority, I can't exactly go barging into every shop or residence."
"Give me the general location," Dumbledore suggested. "I'll have Moody investigate. It might not be as effective as we'd like—Millicent is under considerable pressure as it is."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Millicent? She's riding high now, isn't she? People are saying she could be one of the greatest Ministers in history. Don't you support her?"
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "I do, and the public view isn't entirely wrong. But the situation within the Ministry is more fragile than it appears. Many families that once supported her have shifted to neutrality now that the Dark Lord has fallen. They're even aiding pure-blood families tied to Death Eaters. It's creating a challenge to convict known criminals. Millicent's facing significant opposition."
"Ah, the usual political games," Snape said dryly. "Balancing power, shielding allies—it's nothing new. Still, are you suggesting some of these families might be hiding wanted Death Eaters?"
"It's possible," Dumbledore admitted. "We're working to apply pressure, but it will take time. Meanwhile, I'll have the Order of the Phoenix monitor Yaxley's case."
"And the other students he dragged into this?" Snape asked, crossing his arms.
"They've likely been frightened out of their wits," Dumbledore said, his lips curving slightly. "Accessories to murder, all because of one impulsive spell."
Snape scoffed. "That's thanks to Alex. Now they're being blackmailed by that cunning snake. Speaking of which…" He hesitated, then added in a lower tone, "I felt something that day. Alex knew I was there."
"Oh?" Dumbledore tilted his head, intrigued.
"When Yaxley cast the Killing Curse, I was stunned by his audacity. I almost intervened, but Alex reacted too quickly. He handled it, but he definitely sensed my presence," Snape explained.
"Seem he's testing the waters, seeing how far we'll let him go," Dumbledore mused. "Still, it's best not to let this escalate. Take some time to speak with him."
"Later, perhaps. A little suffering might be good for those brats, but it's reckless to create such division in Slytherin," Snape muttered, his frustration showing.
"Slytherin House matters are yours to handle," Dumbledore said with a faint smile. "I trust Alex understands the boundaries."
Snape leaned back slightly, recalling Alex's behavior that day. "He knows his limits. The boy only used basic spells and self-defense charms to deal with those little wizards. Not a single drop of blood was spilled. He even healed their wounds with potions afterward. Everything was handled so professionally that it's obvious he planned it in advance."
What still puzzled Snape was the exact details of what happened in the hut that day. A powerful shielding spell had been cast over the area, making it impossible to observe. He could only assume Alex used potions to treat the injuries, based on what he had seen afterward.
"You should be proud," Dumbledore remarked with a light chuckle. "This is real Slytherin talent. He's resourceful and understands boundaries—qualities worth acknowledging."
Snape's lip curled into a slight sneer. "I can't stand talents like him. As long as he doesn't bring trouble to my doorstep, I'm content." His words carried a mocking tone, but Dumbledore could see the faint satisfaction in his expression.
"Still, keep an eye on Alex," Dumbledore advised, his tone more serious now. "After what happened to Lily and the Longbottoms, who were close to him, I was concerned he might lose control. But it seems he's managing his emotions well."
The mention of Lily's name made Snape's face darken. He grunted noncommittally and abruptly turned to leave the office. Dumbledore watched him go, shaking his head with a soft sigh.
The next month passed peacefully. With the pure-blood faction subdued and Yaxley—the seventh-year prefect and student council president—fleeing, the atmosphere in Slytherin had shifted drastically. Under Alex's subtle influence, significant changes were made. The Purity Committee was disbanded, and confiscated Muggle artifacts were returned to their owners. Alex's reputation as someone who kept his promises only strengthened.
The remaining pure-blood students didn't dare oppose him. With their leader gone and Alex still present, most opted to steer clear of him entirely. Even Travers, once the most vocal troublemaker, had grown quiet and withdrawn. With no one left to stir up conflict, the house settled back into a state of calm. Meanwhile, Vivian's poker club reopened, and the common room was once again alive with activity, laughter, and games.
However, while Slytherin found peace, tensions outside the house flared. The rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin reached a boiling point during the latest Quidditch match, which escalated into a near-physical brawl. The pure-blood students, frustrated and repressed, seemed to channel their anger toward Gryffindor. Pranks and retaliations between the two houses became almost a daily occurrence.
None of this concerned Alex. He had his own project to focus on: a spell he had been developing since the battle at Hogsmeade. Drawing inspiration from the freezing charm he used during the fight, Alex was experimenting with a new type of magic. Using his accumulated knowledge of temperature manipulation and magical energy flow, he created what he called the Incapacitating Curse.
This spell combined principles of hypothermia and magic depletion, designed to sap the magical energy of its target over time. His ultimate vision was a spell capable of completely draining a wizard or magical object of its power, leaving them helpless.
Initially, Alex had envisioned an energy-absorbing curse that would allow him to siphon magic from others for his own use. However, this idea required extensive knowledge of blood magic—a field in which he was still lacking. For now, the Incapacitating Curse was a simplified version, though he was satisfied with its potential.
But testing the spell presented a problem. He had already experimented on magical items with great success, but living targets were another matter. Ordinary animals lacked the necessary magical reserves for accurate testing, and larger magical creatures were both difficult to obtain and potentially dangerous. Hagrid's collection of magical creatures outside the Forbidden Forest was off-limits—Alex had no desire to involve the gentle giant in his experiments.
Ideally, he needed a wizard to act as a test subject. While it was one thing to spar with acquaintances for training, spell testing was far riskier. The memory of his mishap with the infrasonic spell was still fresh, and he had no intention of repeating that mistake.
Just as Alex was mulling over the issue, a knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it to find Higgs standing there, looking cheerful.
"Alex, you've been cooped up in here for days. It's the weekend! Vivian and I are heading to Hogsmeade to relax. You should come with us," Higgs said, his tone light and inviting. He had been in high spirits lately, especially since the Quidditch team was no longer dominated by the pure-blood faction. With the changes, Higgs was back in his old position as Seeker, and it showed in his enthusiasm.
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