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?"