Alex’s sharp gaze locked onto Louis like a predator sizing up its prey. The tension in the room was suffocating, and Louis suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were standing under the shadow of something dangerous.
"You think that justifies giving up?" Alex said, his tone deadly quiet. "If you were my soldier, that attitude would’ve landed you flat on the ground."
Louis swallowed hard, unable to respond under Alex’s intense stare. "It seems you’ve grown accustomed to losing, even numb to it," Alex said, his voice cold and cutting. "So it seems my words were wasted. Let me make myself clear." He closed his eyes briefly, a calm before the storm. When they reopened, a wave of magical energy rippled out from him.
The three sitting across from Alex felt their surroundings dim, as if the light had been snuffed out. A bone-chilling cold crept over them, rooting them in place with a sense of dread that clawed at their very core. It was as though their deepest fears had materialized, standing just out of sight. Wendy and Jane’s teeth chattered uncontrollably, while Louis turned as pale as a ghost, sweat beading on his forehead and dripping down his back. "I said, do it. Understand?" Alex’s voice sliced through the oppressive atmosphere like a ghostly whisper, leaving the three frozen in terror. They barely hesitated before nodding frantically, as if defying him would plunge them into an unending abyss.
Satisfied, Alex sighed inwardly. ‘Fear spells always work better than reasoning.’ He eased back his magic, letting the suffocating tension dissipate. The trio exhaled in relief, their bodies slackening as the room returned to normal. "Now, listen carefully." Alex leaned forward, his tone flat but commanding. "Louis, once we get to school, go to the dean and get the password for the common room. Wendy, your job is to take note of every first-year Slytherin’s name during the Sorting Ceremony. Assign their dormitories and hand me the list immediately." He continued without pause. "Before the Opening Feast ends, Wendy and Jane, head back to the common room and clear the hall seats. Move them to block the corridor leading to the dormitories. Understand?"
The three nodded, their attention laser-focused on Alex. He went on, "After the feast, Louis, you’ll escort all the students back to the common room and keep them there. No wandering around. Everyone gathers in the common room—I have something to say to them." His eyes hardened. "From now on, there’s only one rule in managing the House: follow my orders without question. That applies to everyone. If any student disobeys, write their name down and bring it to me. Clear?"
Wendy stammered, her voice shaky as she still reeled from earlier. "Y-yes, I understand."
Alex’s expression darkened. "When I ask a question, I expect clear, crisp answers. If you understand, say it clearly. If you don’t, say that too. Now—do you all understand?"
"Yes!" the three chorused loudly, shaken into compliance by his firm tone. Alex nodded, satisfied for now. His sharp gaze landed on Louis, who hesitated. "What is it? Spit it out."
Louis swallowed hard. "It’s just… will the dean be okay with this? I mean, your… methods?"
A smirk played on Alex’s lips. "Do you think I took the prefect badge because I enjoy dealing with this nonsense? I have better things to do." His meaning dawned on them, and their expressions shifted. ‘This was the dean’s idea?’
"I promised the dean I’d bring the House Cup home this year," Alex said, his tone steady but laced with determination. "And when I make a promise, I keep it. Anyone who gets in my way will deal with the consequences."
None of them doubted him now. After witnessing his earlier display, they knew he meant every word. Nodding fervently, they affirmed their agreement. Just then, a knock came at the door. Marin’s voice filtered through. "It’s Slytherin’s turn to patrol the train compartments."
Louis and Jane glanced at Alex for approval before leaving. Only after a nod from him did they step out, visibly relieved. For the rest of the train ride, Alex alternated between patrols and walking the trio through his plans. He explained the management system in detail, ensuring they understood the structure and their roles. He wasn’t just commanding obedience—he was fostering order, ensuring the groundwork for his authority. By the end of the trip, Wendy, Jane, and Louis understood that Alex wasn’t merely ambitious—he was playing for keeps. His meticulous planning left them uneasy, but they dared not voice their doubts. His methods would leave little room for error, even among prefects themselves.
When the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into Hogsmeade Station, the trio immediately sprang into action. They busied themselves with their assigned tasks, while Alex strolled leisurely to the Great Hall. The Opening Feast proceeded as usual, with the Sorting Ceremony led by Professor McGonagall. This year, however, the number of new students was noticeably higher than the year before.
Alex spotted a familiar face among the first-years: Charlie Weasley, who stood out with his red hair and confident demeanor. But another name called by McGonagall caught Alex’s attention. "Nymphadora Tonks." The girl had long, rare light-blue hair, sharp facial features, and lively eyes that seemed to brighten the room. What caught Alex off guard, though, was when the Sorting Hat announced she was sorted into Hufflepuff House—her hair suddenly turned yellow, a striking symbol of her new house. This caused a stir among the students in the Great Hall. Even Tonks herself looked surprised at the reaction. With a playful shake of her head, her hair shifted again, this time to a vibrant light pink.
“What’s going on?” Alex asked Vivian, who was sitting next to him. In the school, Vivian was like a living, breathing gossip column. Whenever Alex wanted to learn something about the wizarding world, she was his go-to source.
“She’s a Metamorphmagus—a natural-born shapeshifter,” Vivian explained with excitement, sitting up straighter at his question. “It’s even rarer than being an Animagus.”
Vivian’s face lit up with a conspiratorial smile. “But that’s not all. Her mother’s story is even more legendary,” she added with a mischievous raise of her eyebrows, practically inviting Alex to ask her for more details.
Alex sighed, already knowing where this was heading. “Fine, tell me,” he said, giving in to her obvious bait.
Vivian leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a juicy secret. “Her mother, Andromeda Tonks, was a member of the Black family. You know, one of the oldest pure-blood families. She’s Sirius Black’s cousin and sister to Bellatrix Lestrange, that Death Eater. After graduating from Hogwarts, Andromeda married Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born wizard, which caused a massive scandal. She was disowned, of course, and the Black family’s been furious with her ever since.” Vivian shrugged casually. “Personally, I think following your heart is more important than outdated family traditions. As for Tonks’ ability, it’s just something she was born with. There’s no spell or rune for it—it’s unique to her.”