Alexander didn't celebrate his victory.
He moved fast.
Because even stunned and bound… Adrian Blackwood was still a Professor and Death Eater — and whatever he'd been attempting was far beyond student jurisdiction.
The castle was quiet at that hour, corridors dim under enchanted torchlight.
Alexander moved quickly through the halls until he finally spotted a familiar figure standing on a staircase corner.
Professor McGonagall.
She stopped the moment she saw him.
"Mr. Chen," she said sharply. "Why are you out of bed during—"
"I made a major discovery," Alexander cut in calmly. "You need to follow me. Immediately."
Her eyes narrowed.
Not at the interruption — but at his tone.
He wasn't joking.
Wasn't smirking.
Serious.
After a brief pause, she gave a single nod.
"Lead the way."
They descended into the abandoned section of the castle in silence.
When McGonagall stepped through the archway…
She froze.
Blackwood lay bound on the ground, body rigid under the effects of Petrificus Totalus, additional binding charms flickering faintly around him.
The ritual circle — though damaged — still glowed with fragments of dark runic residue.
Before she could speak —
Alexander did.
"He's a Death Eater."
Her head snapped toward him.
"Mr. Chen—"
"Look at the runes," he said, pointing. "He was trying to create — or resurrect — some kind of monster. Said it was meant to kill Headmaster Dumbledore…"
He paused slightly.
"…and then me. Because I was too observant."
Silence filled the chamber.
McGonagall's gaze slowly swept across the floor.
She didn't recognize the full function of the symbols…
But she knew dark magic when she saw it.
Her lips thinned.
"This is beyond my specialization," she said quietly. "Go. Find Professor Snape. Now."
Alexander nodded once — already turning.
Snape arrived minutes later, robes billowing as he swept into the chamber, irritation already on his face.
"I was told this was urgent and—"
He stopped.
Mid-sentence.
His eyes locked onto the ritual circle.
Then Blackwood.
Then the residual magic in the air.
Snape's expression didn't show shock.
It showed recognition.
"…Dark magic runes," he murmured coldly, stepping forward. "Ritual circle… monster construction or summoning."
His gaze slid slowly toward Alexander.
"Explain."
Alexander repeated exactly what he had told McGonagall — what he'd seen, what Blackwood had said, what the creature had been forming into.
Snape listened in silence.
When Alexander finished, Snape gave a faint, grim nod.
Without another word, he raised his wand.
A series of precise, complex spells flowed from him — far beyond standard curriculum magic.
The runes ignited… then unraveled… then disintegrated entirely, leaving the stone floor bare.
He then layered additional binding and suppression spells onto Blackwood — thick, iron-like magic locking him down further.
"If he wakes," Snape muttered, "he will not move… or cast."
McGonagall exhaled quietly.
"Headmaster's office."
Snape nodded.
Alexander followed.
They reached the gargoyle entrance.
"Sherbet Lemon," McGonagall said.
The statue leapt aside.
They ascended the spiral staircase in silence.
When they entered…
Albus Dumbledore was already seated behind his desk.
Waiting.
Hands folded.
Eyes calm — but sharp.
He looked between them… then at Alexander.
"Well done," he said gently. "Mr. Chen."
Alexander stood straight.
"Professor Blackwood is—"
"I am aware," Dumbledore said softly, raising a hand.
Snape and McGonagall moved aside slightly as if handing the report over.
Dumbledore's gaze remained on Alexander.
"You've done more than enough tonight."
He gestured toward the door.
"Off to bed."
Alexander blinked once.
"That's it?"
"For now," Dumbledore replied. "We will investigate thoroughly. You are not to speak a word of this to anyone."
He paused.
"I will also be writing to your parents."
Alexander nodded slowly.
"And you will be informed when the investigation concludes."
Since Dumbledore had spoken, there was nothing he could say or do.
This matter had officially moved beyond student involvement.
Alexander inclined his head slightly.
"Goodnight, Professors."
He turned and left the office.
When he reached his dorm, he paused by the window.
Snow still fell.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
But beneath that calm…
A Death Eater had been operating inside Hogwarts.
Planning an assassination.
Alexander exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "Definitely feels like Hogwarts now."
He drew the curtains shut and climbed into bed.
For the first time in weeks…
The cold, ancient magic he'd sensed was gone.
But he knew better than to believe the danger had ended.
Because next year, Harry Potter will be attending, and the fun will officially begin.