After Malfoy got hit by Ron for quite some time, Alex grabbed Ron by his arm and flung him like a dirty rag. Ron rolled on the floor before coming to a stop near the Gryffindor students. The two houses were at a standoff with each other neither of them making the first move. While the two houses were at the neck with each other, neither of them noticed Harry zoom past Snape to grab the shinny snitch hovering over his head. They only came to know that the match ended when they heard Lee Jordan announce the result. Harry held the snitch in his hand high above his head, showing it to all the students present with pride. Nobody noticed when, but Dumbledore was standing beside Potter. He said something to Potter which only the latter could hear, before disappearing the same way he appeared. The Gryffindors came spilling to the ground and lifted Potter on their shoulders. The Slytherins were once again forced to leave the Quidditch ground with bitterness in their hearts. The gambling houses were set up once again. Students were bustling around in groups. Some were happy others sad, but when Daphne and Alex walked past the gambling houses, all of them gave way to them. Students wanted to know how much the emerging 'Lord of Gambling' made this time around? But to their disappointment, both of them walked away without stopping. * * * * * In Slytherin's common room, Malfoy was fuming with anger, he was walking to and fro breaking things all around. Malfoy's face was red with anger, and his face had black and blue patches, he looked hilarious. Most of the Slytherin students were afraid to go anywhere near him. Today, Malfoy needed to set things straight with Alex. While he was thinking about how to get an explanation from Alex, he grabbed a vase from the desk and threw it in frustration. Alex and Daphne just walked in only to find something flying towards them. Daphne let out a shriek in fear and closed her eyes. On the other hand, Alex calmly grabbed the vase and placed it on the table near the entrance. The Slytherins were impressed by the swiftness he just showed. "You, why did you do that?" Malfoy asked in anger. "Why wouldn't I? You don't expect me to get hit by the vase, like an idiot, do you? Alex asked as he walked in. "I am not talking about this" Malfoy said. "Then what are you talking about?" Alex asked. "You know very well what I am talking about". "Can we talk about what you are really talking about instead of going in a roundabout manner to guess what you are talking about?" Alex said. "Very well, tell me why did you not let anyone help me today?" Malfoy asked. "And why should they help you?" Alex stood in front of Malfoy and asked in an earnest tone. "Because we are from the same house," Malfoy said. "Just because they are from Slytherin do they need to help you in your pointless skirmishes? That too, when you were clearly in the wrong" Alex asked. "You---". "If Ron or the Gryffindors started the fight, it was right of us to help you. But since you provoked the other party needlessly, then why do they need to fight for you? Just because you are a Malfoy? Don't be childish" Alex continued to ridicule Malfoy. The whole room fell into silence. Malfoy could not utter a single word to refute Alex. Looking at Malfoy's face, Alex continued, " I don't like that Weasle any more than you do. But I don't go around pointlessly creating trouble". Alex knew that what Malfoy wanted was not to create trouble but it was the innate quality of the Slytherins, 'To be famous' and 'Better than anyone else'. Right now he was well known among the students, but that was only because he was a Malfoy. Alex placed his hand on Malfoy's shoulder and said so that only he could hear it," If you want to make your presence known more than certain someone and by someone I mean Potter, then you need to stop using your family's name every now and then and stop creating trouble needlessly. Beat him fair and square, be it in 'Magic', 'Quidditch' or 'Exams'. "Think about it". Alex walked away, leaving Malfoy alone in his thoughts. * * * * * In the Gryffindor locker room, the students surrounded Harry and were celebrating their win. "I would like to see Malfoy's face right now," Potter said, he felt really ecstatic today. He may not be good in other aspects, but he was a natural in Quidditch, and he proved that today. "I am sure you will be doubly pleased after you hear what I have to say, But I have to say I owe it to Alex today," Ron said as he could hardly control his laughter. "What happened?" Potter asked. Then Ron told him everything that happened in the stands. Both Harry and Ron burst into laughter. "I need to take my Nimbus to Broomshed. I will meet you at the 'Great Hall'". Harry said as he picked up his broomstick and walked out of the locker room. Harry had reached the shed. He leaned against the wooden door and looked up at Hogwarts, with its windows glowing red in the setting sun. Gryffindor's in the lead. He'd done it, he'd shown Snape... And speaking of Snape... A hooded figure came swiftly down the front steps of the castle. Clearly not wanting to be seen, it walked as fast as possible toward the forbidden forest. Harry's victory faded from his mind as he watched. He recognized the figure's prowling walk. Snape, sneaking into the forest while everyone else was at dinner — what was going on? Harry jumped back on his Nimbus Two Thousand and took off. Gliding silently over the castle he saw Snape enter the forest at a run. He followed. * * * * * During dinner, Alex noticed on the Gryffindor's table that the man of the hour, Potter was not there. When Alex looked towards the teacher's table, he found that both Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell were not there either. Finding the circumstances a bit odd, Alex excused himself from the dining table and went out. After coming out of the 'Great Hall', Alex found an isolated corner and took out the map. On the map, he looked for Professor Snape, Professor Quirrell and Potter. Soon three footsteps appeared on the map way outside the castle. Professor Snape and Quirrell were together while Potter was closing onto them. 'What's going on?' Alex was in deep thoughts, so he decided to follow Potter. * * * * * Harry followed Professor Snape into the forest. He found him with someone else, on closer look, he found that it was Professor Quirrell. He looked very frightened, and his shuttering was worse than ever. Harry strained to catch what they were saying. "...d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all p-places, Severus..." Professor Quirrell said in his usual shuttering tone. "Oh, I thought we'd keep this private," said Snape, his voice icy. "Students aren't supposed to know about the Sorcerer's Stone, after all." Harry leaned forward. Quirrell was mumbling something. Snape interrupted him. "Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?" Professor Snape asked. "B-b-but Severus, I —" "You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell," said Snape, taking a step toward him. "I-I don't know what you —" "You know perfectly well what I mean." Harry tried his best to hear what they were talking about, but he could only take bits out of it. "Students are not supposed to be out of the castle, not to mention the forest at this time. Don't you know that?" Harry heard someone from behind and almost fell from his broom. * * * * *