Chapter 026 "Love is not as important as good health. You cannot be in love if you're not healthy. You can't appreciate it". -Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) Mr Granger stared at Alex's face for a while before letting out a big sigh, " I feel ashamed, to think that I was swayed by prejudice. You are a good boy Alex and more mature than most in this very room". "I think you misunderstood me once again, Mr Granger. Though your concerns are partly the reason I am distancing myself from your daughter, it's not the sole reason". Alex said as he surprised Mr Granger once again. "Why do you say that?" Mr Granger asked confused. "Let me tell you something, Mr Granger. In the near future, I would say in about six to eight years, there will be a blood bath in the wizarding world. I am just making sure that your daughter is not implicated by it". Alex said with a serene face. Mr Granger could tell right away that this kid was not joking around. "Does this have something to do to that mad man from a decade ago?" Mr Granger who has read about ‘the one who shall not be named’ asked. "No, Mr Granger, I don't know about him, but the one I am talking about is something that I will start. Your daughter though a bit odd, I feel is someone if left unhindered will sweep the wizarding world with her brilliance. I don't plan on being that hindrance to her". Alex said as he swept his gaze towards Hermione who was sitting along with Nicole, and gave a rare smile. "But why would you do that?" Mr Granger asked. He thought why would a kid who was barely old enough to understand the working of the society, was talking about how he would go around killing people. He felt a chill ran down his spine. "This should not be your concern, Mr Granger. Your concern should be to make sure even my shadow should not approach your daughter" Alex said with a serious face, "While we are at Hogwarts there is nothing I can do to cut off our interaction completely, but I can assure you that I will make sure to have very minimal contact with her to the point that she would forget my existence over time". Alex said with an earnest expression that even though the two of them are talking about something gruesome, Mr Granger could not bring himself to feel disgusted towards this boy. "Why are you telling me all this?" Mr Granger asked. "Because if I am gone, there will be no one for my sister. She may not say it in front of me, but she has longed for a family all along. I am hoping you can be that family to her. If you want money I can even give that to you". Alex was waiting for Mr granger's reply, on the other hand, Mr Granger was in deep thoughts after hearing out Alex. For Alex each second which passed, made him suffocated bit by bit. He had laid all his cards in front of someone he met for the first time. Having felt this feeling of letting his guard down made him look at Mr Granger with hope. Alex could turn to Snape to look after Nicole, but he won't be able to give her the familial love, she longs for. "I cannot promise you that I can merely look after your sister, but what I can promise you is that whenever she needs a family to support her when she stumbles, advise her when she is at a dead-end, love her when there is no one by her side. The Granger's will always be there and mind it I am not doing it for money". Mr Granger said and looked at Nicole who was with Hermione and Mrs Granger," I don't know what you went through that you are even willing to leave your last kin to someone else, but I can feel the pain from you. I don't want that little girl to go through that". When Alex heard Mr Granger's first sentence, he was disappointed, but the later part almost made him get on his knees and thank Mr Granger. "Thank you, Mr Granger, I won't be able to repay this debt, in my entire life". Alex said earnestly. "You don't have to, just make sure you keep yourself safe". Alex nodded and said, " But Mr Granger you can't rule out the possibility of the man you were talking about returning". "You mean Volde...." "Shhssshh... Mr Granger, we don't say his name". Alex stopped Mr Granger from saying his name out loud. "Why? Are you so afraid of him?" Mr Granger asked. "That's not about fear, the world of magic is something way beyond you can comprehend. Many rumours are going around, and one of the most prominent among all of them is that his name has been enchanted by ancient magic making it possible for him to track those who say it" Alex explained. He has read all the books related to 'You-Know-Who' and among most of them, this reason was widely acknowledged. "Why would he do that?" Mr Granger asked confused. "Those who followed him had complete obedience, but how could he find those who went into hiding or rebelled against him? He needed something. Now those who were against him were not afraid to say his name and that led to their demise. He would track them all and killed them in the most torturous way possible. But soon many people may have found this and hence this led to the notion that we don't say his name. Whether it is true or not is irrelevant. It is also different if I want to showcase my bravery by saying his name. As you know there is a very thin line separating bravery and foolishness. For me, bravery is something that helps me keep my family and loved ones safe and for that, if I had to get on my knees in front of the devil himself, I am willing to that" "You really are an outstanding man Alex, but when you say I can't rule the possibility of that man's returning, what do you mean". Mr Granger was deeply moved by Alex's way of thinking. He was the kind of boy one could turn to if needed help. "When he returns no one will be safe, be it the wizarding world or the world of you muggles". Alex said. "You are saying we will be in danger?" "There is a very high possibility of that". Alex nodded. "What do you suggest?" "Make a contingency plan". Alex said. "Make a contingency plan?" Mr Granger asked with a complicated look on his face. He was a bit confused. "We don't know when will he return, maybe he will be back tomorrow, the next month, in a year or maybe ten years. What you need is an escape plan. Buy yourself a home somewhere far from here, if possibly the east" Alex said, as he gave him the most obvious advice. "East?" "We wizards are more prominent in Europe and the west, but the East is mostly uncharted territory for us. You will be safe there even if hell breaks loose here". Alex explained. "But what you are saying is only if, a big 'IF' he returns right?" "Yes". "It is not certain right?" "Yes". Alex affirmed Mr Granger's speculations. "So..." Mr Granger was about to refute the idea of shifting to some other place, but he was cut off by Alex. "But don't you doctors say precaution is better than cure?" Alex said. Mr Granger was left speechless, they truly have this saying, and to be honest, there was no harm in following Alex's plan. "I am not trying to scare you or anything, and if you don't want to, there is no need for you to heed my words". "No, I will start making preparations soon". While the two of them were talking, Mrs Granger walked up to them. "Alex come join us for dinner". "Thank you, Mrs Granger, but I don't think that would be a very good idea. You have been entertaining us, neglecting your other guests. We better get going". Alex said as he stood up, ready to leave. "Oh... Don't be silly. Honey, say something". Mrs Granger said. "Alex there is no need to think otherwise. After, all we talked about, I don't think we need to persuade each other over something as trivial as this". Mr Granger said with a smile. Mrs Granger who saw this was wondering as to what these two have been talking about. "Yes, Mr Granger, I was acting shallow". Alex said and followed Mr and Mrs Granger for dinner... * * * * *