Each day, Alex split his time between the library, Hagrid's hut, and the Slytherin dormitory, throwing himself into a routine that left little room for grief. Books became his sanctuary, and before long, his focus turned to 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 completed a new alchemical tool. It sat on his desk in the Slytherin dormitory, gleaming under the 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 wrapped in supple brown cowhide, making it comfortable to hold, while the polished metal shimmered with a cold brilliance. Though it looked sturdy enough to be a weapon, Alex had designed it 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," designed to reinforce alchemical tools. To top it off, Alex added a rune for "harmless," ensuring it wouldn't damage whatever he struck, no 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 and set his monocle on the table. 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 layers of glowing runes circling its surface. Its clarity and durability had been significantly improved.
Next, he tried the analysis side on an old amulet Lily had given him. A few gentle taps revealed the intricate protection spells she'd inscribed. As he noted the runes in his journal, Alex couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude and determination. 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 Disillusionment Charm, and the Confundus 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 practicing on living beings was tricky. His first attempt, with Hagrid's dog, Line, had only revealed a single thought: "meat, meat, meat." The simplicity of it made him laugh, though he decided against testing it on friends for now.
After packing 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, sadness threatened to break through his focus. Shaking it off, he tucked the hammer away and headed for the cabin in the Forbidden Forest, where Charles was training.
When Alex reached the common room on his way out, he noticed Wilkes, Travers, and a few others gathered near the fireplace, laughing loudly. Wilkes noticed Alex and sneered, dragging a thumb across his neck in a mocking 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 reaction they wanted.
Winter had wrapped Hogwarts in its icy grip again, and snowflakes drifted lazily through the air. As Alex made his way through the courtyard, memories surfaced—last winter, he'd finally mastered his Levitation Spell. Now, after another year of practice, his control had grown sharper. Though true flight still eluded him, he felt closer than ever to achieving it.
Near Hagrid's hut, Alex spotted Charles standing outside, holding a newspaper and looking deeply troubled. Noticing Alex, Charles waved him over, his face tense.
"Alex, have you seen this?" Charles asked, lowering his voice and glancing around as if to make sure no one else was listening.
Alex's stomach tightened at the serious tone. "What's going on? What happened?" he asked, his voice steady but edged with concern.
Charles hesitated before handing him the newspaper. "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 unconscious, tortured by Death Eaters during an investigation. They were now at St. Mungo's, their condition critical. Alex's grip on the newspaper tightened, the 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 ten-meter radius, the falling snow froze in midair. An intense, almost tangible energy radiated from him, and Charles took a step back, alarmed.
"Alex!" Charles shouted, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Alex took a deep breath, and the snowflakes resumed their descent. 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 need to take care of something."
Charles hesitated. "Alex, don't do anything rash. Please."
Alex gave him a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry. I'm fine." He turned and walked back toward the castle.
The Slytherin common room was still lively when Alex returned. Wilkes and the others were laughing 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, unsettling smile. Without a word, he crooked a finger at Wilkes. "Come on. Let's have a little chat."