While Harry and Ron were busy working together to help Ron adjust to his new wand, Alice and Theodore headed to the library to find Triste—who was still buried under piles of books. Long hours of nonstop research had clearly taken a toll on her. Her face was pale, dark circles smudged under her eyes, making her look rather like that "panda" creature Alice's grandfather once told her about.
"Triste, you need to rest. Theodore, if I don't have time to supervise her while I'm researching magic, you should be the one making sure she doesn't run herself into the ground!"
For the first time, Alice's tone carried a sharp edge. She refused to let her people burn themselves out like this.
Before Theodore could defend himself, Triste spoke in a weak voice,
"It's not Theodore's fault—it was my own decision. I want to finish the research on the flying sword as soon as possible. Then I'll finally have time to study for the O.W.L.s."
Alice raised a brow, smirking.
"And here I was thinking you weren't worried about exams at all. There's no need to rush the flying sword. You could just continue the research in sixth year."
Triste shook her head and—perhaps for the first time since Alice walked in—actually looked up from her books. Her eyes were serious.
"No, Alice. Theodore and Pansy told me about your ambitions. Fascinating plans—but haven't you noticed you're missing something?"
Huh?
Alice blinked. Missing something?
She tilted her chin, signaling Triste to continue.
"You're missing a symbol—something that represents you. And the magical flying sword would be perfect. A mark of who you are."
Alice had never thought about it from that angle. But it was intriguing.
"You know what some of the pure-blood Slytherins think of your sword?" Theodore added from the side.
Alice looked at him, puzzled. She rarely paid attention to the pure-blood clique's opinions.
"They say your sword is a 'Muggleborn's strange toy.' Don't you think turning that so-called strange toy into your symbol is downright brilliant?"
Alice clicked her tongue softly.
She had to admit—Theodore and Triste had clearly discussed this a lot behind the scenes, and their idea was genuinely clever.
She accepted their proposal and turned to Triste.
"Well then, Miss Triste Rayland, how far along is your research on the flying sword?"
At this question, color immediately returned to Triste's face, and she practically buzzed with excitement.
"Remember that old family rune notebook Theodore gave me?"
Alice nodded.
"I used to think it was useless. But after taking another look… I realized how foolish that was. Those runes describe a way to give a lifeless object living qualities."
"I've worked through the theory. If, during the forging of the sword embryo, we can imbue it with a trace of life, the sword will balance the runes on its own and briefly remain alive. After that, if a skilled potions brewer tempers it, and the sword's master offers a drop of blood, the magical flying sword becomes completely feasible."
Alice studied Triste's confident expression. As a proper heir of a major family, she knew full well the value of trusting experts with expert work. Still—she needed to understand the basics.
"So how exactly do you give a sword embryo the qualities of life?"
Triste explained,
"It requires emotion and soul power. You need the emotions of someone who has truly faced death and survived. You need the genuine feelings of someone brave and loyal. And you need a person capable of channeling soul energy."
Alice glanced at Theodore.
"So that's why you had Hermione arrange for Harry to be included?"
Theodore nodded.
"Exactly. Nothing embodies the first requirement better than the Boy Who Lived."
"And the brave and loyal emotions—whose are those?"
"My first thought was Neville," Theodore replied. "But Neville recommended Ron. After that, you used the wand connection to bring Ron into the plan."
Alice nodded—now understanding why Theodore had never objected to Ron participating.
"Honestly," she added, "I think you could have been the provider for that emotion."
Theodore froze for a second, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly—so slightly he didn't even seem aware of it. Alice and Triste both pretended not to notice.
"And the one who can provide soul power?" Alice asked.
Theodore stared straight at her.
"We all have our secrets. But as your subordinate and your ally, it'd be insulting to pretend I haven't noticed. Alice—who do you think that person is?"
Ah. So he'd been aware all along.
Alice wasn't surprised; she simply remained calm.
"So," she said, "let me summarize our Christmas flying-sword experiment."
"Triste handles imbuing the sword embryo with life. Throughout that process, Harry, Ron, and I will each contribute the required emotions and power."
"Once the sword embryo comes alive, Triste will carve the ancient runes. Then Theodore will prepare the alchemical quenching potion, and I'll contribute the blood."
"And finally, we'll have our magical flying sword. Correct?"
Triste and Theodore nodded.
Theodore added, "Everything is correct—except that it's your sword, not ours."
Alice shook her head.
"No. What we're doing is shaping our will into something that will reshape the wizarding world. I'm not claiming this glory alone."
"Just one concern: this requires a hidden, stable location. Granting life, carving runes, potion-quenching, blood infusion… none of this is simple. Do we have a place where we can work safely and uninterrupted?"
Triste grinned confidently.
"Don't worry. I've already secured a location. Very hidden—and very magical."
"Good," Alice said. "Then I'm satisfied."
At Alice's insistence, Triste was then practically dragged back to the Ravenclaw common room to rest—Alice would tolerate no risks.
On their way downstairs, Alice ran into an excited Harry and Ron.
"Alice, you should've seen it! With his new wand, Ron's spells are amazing now!" Harry said excitedly.
Alice wasn't the least bit surprised.
She spoke calmly to Ron,
"Mr. Weasley, your old wand was holding you back terribly. Replacing it was the right choice—before it injured you or someone else."
Ron's smile instantly stiffened.
Alice chuckled softly.
"Of course—congratulations, Ron. And one more thing: tomorrow morning at nine, meet us outside the Ravenclaw common room. We're starting the flying-sword experiment."