Several days had passed, and Alex spent most of his time observing Mín Heimr, fine-tuning its ecosystems and ensuring balance across its vast expanses. September 1, 1992, arrived, marking the start of his year at Hogwarts.
Early that morning, Alex summoned Edmund and entrusted him with overseeing the house affairs during his absence. "Take care of everything," Alex instructed. "I'll be back for the holidays."
Marcus, his trusted chauffeur, drove him to King's Cross Station in London, arriving precisely at 10:30 AM. As they pulled up, Alex adjusted his magical energy and appearance, seamlessly transforming into a 13-year-old boy. He casually strolled toward the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, merging into the bustling crowd of Muggles and wizards alike.
Finding the enchanted barrier, Alex walked through it without hesitation, feeling the subtle magic envelop him. On the other side, the vibrant scene of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters greeted him: a bustling crowd of students, parents, and the iconic scarlet steam engine waiting majestically.
As Alex stepped onto the platform, his youthful charm and slightly otherworldly aura caught the attention of several students.
"Who is that?" one girl whispered, her voice a hint of curiosity.
"A first-year? So handsome," another speculated, her eyes lingering on him.
"Is he of Veela blood?" a third asked, her tone filled with wonder.
"His hair is golden brown, though," someone else pointed out.
"Maybe half-blood? Look at the silver strands," the first girl replied.
Alex pretended not to notice the murmurs, walking confidently past the crowd. While a few senior students cast intrigued glances his way, he kept his composure, eventually locating an empty compartment near the back of the train.
Without any luggage to manage, he slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
Settling into his seat, Alex reached into his ring and retrieved a two-tailed snow fox. The creature, only as small as a kitten, stretched lazily before curling up in his arms, purring contentedly as Alex stroked its soft fur.
"Are you enjoying your time playing with the pixies?"
[Shush, don't bother me. We're trying to jump on an eagle's back.] Lily replied in whispers.
Alex leaned back, asking with a smile, "Pixies are favorite snacks of eagles you know, can't you just fly with it? You can fly yourself."
[That's different, just don't bother me.] Lily huffed.
Alex chuckled, since a few days back Lily spent her time inside Min Heimer. Mixing with the pixies and fairies, playing with them and joining their pranks.
Moments later, the door to the compartment slid open. Alex looked up, momentarily surprised to see a young girl standing there. She had long blonde hair that was slightly disheveled, an absent-minded expression, and a curious gaze fixed on the fox.
"Can I sit here? They won't let me in elsewhere," the girl said softly.
"Sure," Alex replied, gesturing to the seat across from him.
The girl, whom Alex recognized as Luna Lovegood, entered quietly and closed the door behind her. Her gaze remained fixed on the fox, her curiosity evident but unspoken.
"Do you want to touch him?" Alex asked after a moment of silence.
Luna's gray eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "Can I?" she asked hesitantly.
Alex stood, gently placing the fox into her arms. Luna hugged the small creature close, her lips moving as she whispered softly to it.
Watching her, Alex felt a pang of sympathy. He knew Luna's journey at Hogwarts would be marred by bullying, but he admired her resilience and unique perspective.
Taking out his golden wand, Alex directed a subtle spell at Luna. Her clothes mended, her hair smoothed and gleamed, and her overall appearance became tidier.
Luna looked up, a question in her eyes. Realizing what Alex had done, she gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thank you," she said softly.
Two other first-year students soon joined the compartment: a shy boy and a quiet girl. They hesitated at first, perhaps intimidated by Alex's composed demeanor, but they eventually took the seats opposite him and Luna.
As the train began to move, Alex extended his senses across the carriages, searching for Harry Potter. To his mild amusement, he found no trace of him or Ron Weasley aboard.
Extending his awareness back to King's Cross, he located the pair near the barrier, clearly stuck.
'As expected, it still happened,' Alex thought, recalling the infamous incident from his memories of the series.
A trolley witch passed by their compartment, offering snacks. Though Alex wasn't particularly interested, he bought a generous assortment for the younger children.
The two first-years warmed up to him, their initial shyness fading as they began to chat about Hogwarts and the Sorting Ceremony.
Luna, now more relaxed, nibbled on a chocolate frog while absently stroking the snow fox. Her smiles while playing with the fox added to the warmth of the compartment, making it a pleasant journey for all.
Hours passed, and the train finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station, Alex's anticipation grew. He had never met Hermione Granger or the Weasley family, and the thought of surprising them during the Sorting Ceremony brought a playful smile to his face.
Hagrid's booming voice rang out, gathering the first-years for the traditional boat ride across the Black Lake. Though Alex technically wasn't a first-year, Dumbledore had requested in a letter that Alex partake in the ceremony.
Alex blended into the group, climbing into a boat with Luna and the two first-years from the train. As the boats glided across the glassy water, Hogwarts came into view, its towers and turrets illuminated against the evening sky.