Chapter 215 – Rita Skeeter's New Gains
Next to Kuroto Pier, two phoenixes danced around Alexander Smith.
The phoenix that had suddenly appeared sang a strange and beautiful melody, its holy, high-pitched voice harmonizing with the bird conjured from Alexander's wand.
"Is this Ravenclaw's phoenix?" Ron asked breathlessly, staring at the radiant creature in awe.
"Alexander, your spell can summon a phoenix too?!"
"This is more likely to be Professor Dumbledore's phoenix—Fawkes," Draco said after regaining his composure.
Not only the phoenix but also a group of students outside the castle were drawn to the spectacle.
"Look! That's a phoenix!"
"I bet you a galleon Alexander Smith just turned into one himself!"
"So Ron Weasley's story is true! They really stopped the poachers! Where's the Invisible Beast?"
"Alexander, let's get out of here!" Draco hissed. He hated crowds watching him like some sideshow. The irony struck him—he had once schemed tirelessly to draw Alexander's attention. Now, if a Time-Turner really could safely change the past, he'd cast a Confundus Charm on his younger, foolish self.
"Alexander, how do you cancel this spell?" Ron asked, his stomach audibly growling. He didn't oppose leaving, but he wasn't about to miss dinner over it. Their reputation was already sealed, whether they stayed or not.
"I'm not sure. Before, the phoenix flew to attack my target—like the back of Quirrell's head. Now, all I feel is this warmth spreading through me." Alexander looked down at his wand, glowing with a steady, radiant heat.
As the crowd drew closer, Alexander thought desperately: I'm safe now. Can you disappear, just for a while?
The phoenix hovered in mid-air, blinking at him like a wise old sage. Then, instead of vanishing, it dove forward—straight into Alexander's chest, sinking into his heart, just as it had once merged into Quirrell's head.
Fawkes, who had been circling nearby, tilted his head curiously and then vanished in a burst of red sparks.
The three boys took the chance to sprint back into the castle.
"Alexander, are you alright?" Draco panted. He hadn't forgotten what he'd just witnessed. As a Malfoy raised among tales of dark magic, he recognized the phenomenon immediately.
"This could be backfire," Draco muttered grimly. "If a dark wizard tried summoning holy magic, they'd get devoured. Your phoenix didn't fade—it sank into your body, like a twisted Patronus gone wrong."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, eyes wide. "Alexander's healthier than the rest of us! Look at him—he's not even out of breath!"
"Alexander! Since when are you so fit?" Ron added, astonished.
"That phoenix hasn't disappeared!" Draco snapped. He yanked at Alexander's robes, baring his pale, bony chest.
"Draco, you've lost it! What does this have to do with the phoenix? And Alexander—you are too thin. Look at these ribs!" Ron scolded, but quickly grew curious. He poked Alexander's chest experimentally, his cold hands making squeaky noises against the skin.
"Oi! You two are freezing me!" Alexander shivered. "Hands off!"
Ron laughed awkwardly and pulled back, but Draco continued examining intently.
"I'm fine," Alexander insisted, brushing them off. "The only difference is… I feel stronger. Normally I'd be gasping after that run. Now, it's like… I have two hearts beating inside me."
Draco reluctantly let him cover up, still suspicious.
They thought they were safe in a secluded corner of the castle, but they had forgotten one thing: from above, everything was visible. Sunlight glinted off the sweat on Alexander's skin.
A small beetle, with curious glassy markings around its antennae, buzzed past and captured the moment with a faint flash of light.
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Meanwhile, in the Room of Requirement, Alexander's classmate Kate was startled when Alexander—now recovered—spoke seriously.
"Kate, let me ask you something. If you were a reporter who had once been bribed or threatened into silence… but then you discovered proof of your old report—would you ask for more money, or publish it again?"
Kate wrinkled her nose. "You mean Rita Skeeter, don't you? That woman thrives on twisting secrets about you and your friends."
She scoffed. "Honestly, Ron runs his mouth so much I could write a whole romance novel about you three just from his slip-ups. Rita doesn't even need evidence. But to publish again, she'd need more than gossip. A photo, maybe?"
Alexander nodded grimly. "Exactly. She has one."
Kate's eyes widened. "Wait—you mean…?"
"She's an unregistered Animagus," Alexander said quietly. "A beetle."
Kate froze. Then she exhaled slowly, her expression darkening.
"That explains everything."
(End of this chapter)
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