Chapter - 021 I hope you are in your best state right now. Be safe and healthy. "It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed." – Doe Zantamata Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again. No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the common rooms of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the Slytherin common and the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons were the worst even compared to the Slytherin common room, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons. "I do feel so sorry," said Draco Malfoy, one Potions class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home." He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Though Malfoy was not as wretched like before, but he still won't miss a chance to ridicule Harry. The 'Head of Houses' has been going around making a list of students who won't be going home, for the Christmas holidays. Alex was not going to stay here, he wanted to check how are things going on at the orphanage. After the class ended Alex was the last to leave, he was waited by Daphne outside. "Let's go together". She said. "Do you know where I am going?" Alex asked. "For lunch?" Daphne guessed. "To the dormitories". "Then let's go I don't feel like having lunch today". Just as she finished, grumbling sounds were heard from her stomach. She was left embarrassed. "Let's go for lunch". Alex said. Though it was true that he wanted to keep his distance from other people especially Daphne, he was not heartless enough to just ignore all the efforts she was putting. Maybe it was not bad to have someone other than Nicole, to be by his side and listen to his story someday.** Daphne just nodded. On their way to for lunch, they saw Ron and Malfoy fighting, which was also witnessed by Professor Snape resulting in Gryffindor losing some points. "Malfoy is getting smarter day by day". Daphne said. "Why would you say that?" Alex asked. This was news to him Malfoy getting smart. "Our families have known each other for a long time, we can be considered as childhood friends. Malfoy used to be very rash, and won't even consider the consequences of his actions, how should I explain, yeah... he had a bratty personality. He has changed a lot after coming to Hogwarts". Daphne recounted. Well after what Alex did to him, Malfoy did begin to consider the consequences of his actions. He was from a magical family, so he knew how people were differentiated from their auras, and the frightening feeling he got from Alex made him go numb. He could ask his father for help, but if he did that it would be a point of no return. And he felt like the chances of Alex being on the losing end was not so slim. So he chose the best way, which was to avoid Alex. If they can't be on the best of terms there was no need to be enemies, right? Alex and Daphne followed behind Potter, Weasley and Hagrid to the 'Great Hall', where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations. Hagrid placed the tree he was carrying with him in one of the corners. While they were having their lunch Alex saw Nicole along with Hermione and the two trouble makers rushing out. "I am done, you go to the dormitories yourself, I have some business to attend to". Alex said and darted off like usual before giving Daphne a chance to process the situation. Alex looked at the map and saw that the four of them were in the library. Alex sighed in relief. But if they were just going to the library, why were they in such a hurry? On top of that, no one other than Hermione was studious enough to go to the library one day before the holidays. Alex entered the library and soon spotted them, he grabbed a random book and found a corner from where he can observe them. All four of them were looking around, and going through different books like 'Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century', 'Notable Magical Names of Our Time', 'Important Modern Magical Discoveries', 'A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry' and many more. They were even going through 'Hogwarts: A History'. Alex was quite confused as to what they were looking, for as they don't have the slightest idea as to where to look for it. Nicole spotted Alex while going through the books. She came to Hermione "Should I ask my brother"? She asked for Hermione's opinion. "Do you think he will know?" Hermione asked. "The number of books my brother has gone through might even shock you". Nicole said, not exaggerating in the slightest. While they were discussing whether to ask Alex or not, Daphne came to the library and walked straight to Alex after spotting him. "So this is the important business you were talking about? Coming to the library to read books?" Daphne asked with her arms crossed across her chest. "It's not like that". "Do I distract you so much?" Daphne asked. When Hermione saw Daphne with Alex, she grabbed Nicole's hand and walked towards Alex. "Alex we need to talk to you, do you have a moment?" Hermione said. "Yeah, go on". "She...?" Hermione hesitated, glancing at Daphne. "She can stay don't worry about her". "Brother do you know anything about someone by the name Nicolas Flamel?" Nicole cut to the chase. Daphne wanted to say something but Alex stopped her. "Why do you ask?" Alex asked. "The thing is...". Nicole wanted to tell him what Harry and Ron found from Hagrid but was cut short by Harry. "Just tell us whether you know or not," Harry said as he approached. "What are you being so haughty for? You came for help be a bit humble and we might help you" Daphne said, defending Alex. Alex smiled towards her and gestured her to calm down. "Potter, I certainly know about him, and I am very much willing to tell you, if and only if, I find your reason for searching about him plausible". Alex explained his stance on the situation. "You..." Harry felt humiliated. "But I am surprised that you didn't ask Madam Pince about it, she can certainly help you". Alex said, giving them a way to find it on their own. "Don't you think we know that," Ron said as he snorted, but when he saw Alex looking his way, he could only get behind all of them. "Now the question is why are you searching for Mr Flamel in such secrecy?" Alex once again asked Harry and the others. "Are you going to tell us or not?" Harry did not want to tell the reason to Alex. He was sure that Alex was in all this with Snape. "I have decided not to," Alex said as he stretched back. "You..." "And you better come clean with me, later" ignoring Harry Alex said to Nicole. Then Alex stood from his seat, leaving others behind walked to a certain section, grabbed a book and went to Madam Pince. "I would like to issue this book," he said. "Sorry dear, no books are allowed to be issued during holidays" Madam Pince who had a good impression of Alex said to him. "Sorry to bother you then, Merry Christmas" Alex went away. "Merry Christmas dear" "I want to issue this book" the boy behind Alex came up to her. "Are you deaf, I just told you that no books will be issued during this time, now get a move on" Madam Pince snapped at the boy. The boy was left dumbfounded. Alex took the book with him and returned to his seat, All the others except for Daphne have left. Noticing the book in Alex's hand Daphne asked, " You certainly know about Nicolas Flamel, why didn't you tell them?" "You also know about him, why don't you go and tell them?" Alex asked. "I was about to but you stopped me remember". Daphne said. "You can go now" "You know I won't" "Well, to answer your question, they are trying to find about someone without anyone noticing. This means they are snooping around something they are not supposed to. Things can get dangerous later on". Alex explained. "How can it be dangerous to know about Nicolas Flamel?" Daphne was confused. "Tell me how do you know about him?" Alex asked. "Well, he is very famous among us magical families mainly due to his invention of..." Daphne said but stopped as if realizing something "Now you understand right?" "Even so why are they interested in that?" Daphne asked. "Do you remember the news about Gringotts and Professor Dumbledore's warning for the corridor on the third floor? Connect the dots" Alex said. "You mean to say..." "Shhsshh... don't say that loud, just keep it yourself, we should not be bothered by it. The headmaster and the teachers can handle it themselves. Let's go" Alex stopped her from saying anything out loud. Daphne nodded and both of them walked back to the Slytherin common room. Daphne was impressed by how easily Alex deduced everything from the vague hints and even more so was not at all interested in that. Today the holidays begin, children can be seen carrying their luggage, bidding farewells to those who are staying. Alex was waiting for Nicole along with Daphne in the 'Great Hall'. Harry and Ron were playing the wizard chess. Nicole showed up with Hermione. Hermione first walked up to the trouble makers said something and then joined Alex and others. And so the vacations finally begin. **Those who are concerned about Alex's age, in this issue please look into the fact that he has gone through many life-changing events in his life before[ that's the part of the story different from Canon] and after meeting Professor Snape. These events helped him mature early enough. * * * * *