As winter slowly faded and spring approached, Hogwarts remained as lively as ever. However, for Ezekiel, the stakes had never been higher. With his growing abilities, increasing influence, and recent warnings about potential enemies, he knew he couldn't afford to slow down.
Between classes, magical research, and his rising Quidditch career, his days were filled with constant motion. But despite it all, his mind kept returning to the same thought—power without control is meaningless.
He needed to be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
---
Late at night, Ezekiel sat once more in the hidden Ravenclaw chamber, Rowena's grimoire open before him. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows as he examined the next set of spells—one of them caught his eye.
"Glacialis Corpus—The Art of Ice Manifestation."
It was an advanced technique. Not just controlling ice but turning it into an extension of the body itself.
"A true wielder of ice does not simply summon the element—they become it."
Ezekiel exhaled slowly. This was beyond anything he had attempted before, but that only made it more intriguing.
He closed his eyes, reaching inward toward his magic. He focused, feeling the familiar cold spread through his veins.
Then he willed it outward.
A faint shimmer covered his arm before frost began to form, creeping along his skin like a second layer. It hardened, forming something akin to a translucent ice armor.
He flexed his fingers. The ice moved with him, perfectly synchronized.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
"Now this... this is useful."
---
The next morning, Ezekiel sat at the Ravenclaw table, eating breakfast while reading over a letter from home.
Alys and Celeste had written to him, detailing everything that had happened while he was away.
"Celes misses you terribly, and she's already demanding that you teach her magic. Alys, of course, is still teasing Daphne about you, but I think she enjoys it more than she admits."
Ezekiel chuckled, shaking his head. He could practically picture Celes pouting, her big blue eyes demanding that he hurry home.
Then his father's postscript caught his attention.
"There are whispers in the Ministry about your recent rise in influence. Keep your guard up—people will begin testing you soon."
Ezekiel's smirk faded. First Pucey's warning, now this?
He folded the letter, his mind already calculating his next steps.
"Bad news?" Elena asked, sitting across from him.
"Not unexpected news," he replied.
Adrian leaned in. "People are starting to notice you. That's a good thing... and a dangerous one."
Ezekiel nodded. He had expected this. Now it was just a matter of dealing with it.
---
That afternoon, as Ezekiel was making his way across the courtyard, he heard raised voices.
Turning the corner, he found a group of Slytherins gathered—and in the center of it was Adrian Pucey, wand drawn against a nervous-looking third-year.
Ezekiel sighed. Typical.
"That's enough," he said, stepping forward.
Pucey turned, his smirk widening. "Malverne. Always in the middle of things, aren't you?"
Ezekiel's gaze was cold. "Back off."
"And if I don't?"
Ezekiel tilted his head slightly. "Then we see just how much you've actually improved since our last duel."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Everyone knew that Pucey and Malverne had unfinished business.
Pucey grinned. "Fine. Let's settle this."
The duel began.
Pucey struck first—a sharp flick of his wand sent a curse flying toward Ezekiel, but he sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a precise Disarming Charm.
Pucey barely dodged, sending another hex toward Ezekiel's legs.
Ezekiel smirked. He had already anticipated that.
With a flick of his wrist, ice spread across the ground beneath Pucey, causing him to slip.
The Slytherin barely caught himself, but Ezekiel was already moving. He raised his hand, summoning shards of ice midair and sending them toward Pucey.
They stopped just inches from his face.
The crowd gasped.
Pucey's eyes widened, realizing he had lost.
Ezekiel lowered his hand, letting the ice dissipate. "Learn your place."
Pucey scowled, but said nothing as he walked away.
The crowd dispersed, whispering about what they had just seen.
Ezekiel exhaled. Another challenge dealt with. But he knew it was only the beginning.
---
As the days passed, Ezekiel continued his training—his magic, his influence, and his understanding of the political landscape.
His first year at Hogwarts was coming to an end, but it was only the beginning of his true journey.
---