The tension in Hogwarts had become palpable. Whispers spread like wildfire among the students, rumors of strange magical disturbances and inexplicable phenomena taking hold in every corner of the castle. While most dismissed them as mere coincidence, Alex knew better. The Leviathan's influence was growing, its power seeping into the very fabric of Hogwarts.
For Alex, the pressure was mounting. Radwick's warnings, the escalating danger, and the fraying bonds within his own group created a storm he could no longer ignore. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed a plan—and he needed his companions to trust him if they were going to survive what was coming.
The day after their harrowing escape from Madam Pince in the library, Alex gathered Lily and Imogen in the Slytherin common room. The room was mostly empty, save for a few first-years whispering over their textbooks in the corner. The eerie greenish glow of the lake filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the stone walls.
"We need to talk," Alex said, his tone brooking no argument.
Imogen crossed her arms, leaning against the armrest of her chair. "Let me guess—more bad news?"
"It's not about Radwick or the Leviathan this time," Alex said, his silver eyes serious. "It's about us."
Lily frowned, glancing between the two. "What do you mean?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "We've been at each other's throats ever since the lake. I understand why—this is bigger than anything we've dealt with before—but if we don't trust each other, we're going to fail."
Imogen's eyes narrowed. "You think I don't trust you?"
"I think you're questioning everything right now," Alex said evenly. "And I don't blame you. But if we're going to make it through this, we need to be on the same page."
Imogen's jaw tightened, but she didn't respond.
Lily leaned forward, her brown eyes earnest. "He's right. We've been second-guessing each other, and it's not helping. We need to work together, not against each other."
"And what exactly do you propose?" Imogen asked, her tone edged with skepticism.
"A clear plan," Alex said. "No more half-measures, no more guessing. We decide what we're going to do and stick to it."
Imogen sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But I'm not going to sit here waiting for Radwick to fix everything. If we're making a plan, it has to involve action."
"Agreed," Alex said. "But we can't act recklessly. We've seen what happens when we underestimate the Leviathan."
Lily nodded, her expression determined. "Then what's the plan?"
Alex took a deep breath. "First, we gather as much information as we can—about the Leviathan, the runes, and any potential weaknesses it might have. Radwick might not want us involved, but we can't afford to stay in the dark. Second, we prepare for the worst. If the bindings fail completely, we need to be ready to act."
"And how exactly are we supposed to 'act' against a magical entity that's been bound for centuries?" Imogen asked.
"We don't fight it directly," Alex said. "We focus on containment. Strengthening the bindings, finding alternative methods to keep it dormant. There has to be a way."
Imogen stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding. "All right. I'm in."
Lily smiled faintly. "Me too. Whatever happens, we're in this together."
Alex felt a flicker of relief. For the first time in days, the tension between them seemed to ease, replaced by a fragile but growing sense of unity.
The next morning, the trio put their plan into action. Lily, ever resourceful, managed to procure a key to the Restricted Section of the library—a feat she refused to explain but that Alex suspected involved some creative mischief on her part.
They slipped into the library late at night, their wands casting faint beams of light as they navigated the shadowy shelves. The air was heavy with the scent of old parchment and ink, and the silence was broken only by the faint rustling of pages as they searched for anything that might help.
Alex pulled a thick tome from one of the shelves, its cover embossed with runes that glowed faintly in the wandlight. He flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning for anything relevant.
"Found something," Lily whispered, holding up a book titled Bindings and Barriers: A History of Magical Containment.
Imogen joined her, peering over her shoulder. "Does it mention the Leviathan?"
"Not by name," Lily said. "But it talks about binding rituals for entities with immense magical power. Listen to this: 'The strength of a binding is proportional to the caster's understanding of the entity's nature. To bind what is unknown is to invite disaster.'"
Alex frowned. "That matches what we found earlier. It's all about understanding the entity. The question is, how much does Radwick know about the Leviathan?"
"More than he's telling us," Imogen muttered.
"Probably," Alex said. "But if he's missing something—anything—it could jeopardize the entire ritual."
Lily's expression darkened. "Then we have to make sure he has everything he needs."
As they continued their search, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. The Leviathan's influence was spreading, and every passing moment brought them closer to a breaking point.
The breaking point came sooner than expected.
Two days later, during Defense Against the Dark Arts, the classroom was rocked by a sudden surge of magical energy. Spells fizzled and sparked uncontrollably, and the hum of the Leviathan's presence filled the air, louder and more oppressive than ever before.
Radwick acted quickly, his wand flashing as he cast a containment charm over the room. The hum faded, but the damage was done—several students were shaken, their faces pale with fear.
After dismissing the class, Radwick pulled Alex aside.
"It's worse than I thought," the professor said, his voice low but urgent. "The bindings are failing faster than anticipated. We're almost out of time."
"What can I do?" Alex asked.
Radwick hesitated, his sharp eyes studying Alex carefully. "I don't know if I can trust you with this."
"You don't have a choice," Alex said firmly. "You need help, and I'm offering it. Let me prove myself."
Radwick's gaze softened slightly, but his expression remained grim. "Meet me tonight. Bring your companions. If you're serious about helping, you'll need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."
Alex nodded, his resolve solidifying. The time for waiting was over. Whatever lay ahead, he and his companions would face it together.