The courtyard had gone still.
Breath fogged the cold air.
Only two banners remained standing—
Ravenclaw.
Slytherin.
From across the battlefield, the Slytherin commander raised a hand.
"Fifteen-minute break," he called out. "We finish this properly."
Students murmured.
Some booed.
Others appreciated the sportsmanship.
Alexander glanced at Cho.
Then back at Slytherin.
"…Deal."
The temporary peace treaty was set.
Both sides withdrew to their fortresses.
But unlike the earlier chaos—
Strategy will win this war.
Inside the Ravenclaw base, Alexander immediately began issuing orders.
"No relaxing. Reinforce walls. Load catapults. Prepare aerial constructs."
Students moved instantly.
Snow artillery was rolled into position.
Barriers layered.
Raven constructs quietly formed behind the walls.
Cho approached, arms crossed.
"You think they'll honor the break?"
Alexander didn't even look up.
"Yes, but we planned for that."
Ten minutes passed.
Then—
A horn blast.
Before the full fifteen minutes ended—
Slytherin attacked.
Snow serpents surged forward in waves.
Larger than before.
Faster.
Fangs glowing green.
Students behind them advanced with shield lines.
Ravenclaw didn't panic.
They were ready.
Alexander raised his wand calmly.
"Defensive formation."
Snow walls thickened.
Shield charms layered.
Serpents slammed into the defenses—
But held.
Alexander's eyes sharpened.
"…Now."
He lowered his hand.
"Launch."
Catapults fired.
Hundreds of snowballs soared into the sky—
Then rained down onto advancing Slytherins.
Explosions of powdery snow erupted everywhere.
Students slipped.
Formations broke.
But Ravenclaw didn't stop there.
This time—
No stealth.
No tricks.
They wanted a true battle.
A front assault.
Slytherin retaliated quickly.
Dozens of students raised their wands together—
Snow from the battlefield lifted.
Compressed.
Then surged forward—
A rolling mini avalanche.
Students gasped.
But Alexander stepped forward.
"Protego Maxima."
A massive translucent barrier erupted outward—
Towering.
Unbreakable.
The avalanche slammed into and stopped it.
Snow cascaded harmlessly to the sides.
Before Slytherin could react—
Alexander countered.
"Return fire."
Snowballs launched again—
But this time mixed within them—
Snow ravens.
They dove through the barrage like guided missiles.
The sky filled with chaos:
Snowballs.
Ravens.
Serpents leaping upward.
It looked like a storm of living snow.
But Alexander still hadn't played his final move.
He was waiting.
Watching.
Timing.
Then—
Cho came running through the fortress.
Breathless.
Eyes shining.
"We're ready."
Alexander nodded.
Perfect timing.
He stepped forward.
Raised his wand.
Casted a levitation spell—
Floating slowly above the battlefield.
All fighting slowed.
Students from every house looked up at him.
Snow drifted around him.
His voice echoed across the courtyard.
"The war ends now."
He raised his wand high.
"Ravenclaw—Final Assault."
Ravenclaw students roared.
But Slytherin braced—
Expecting a direct charge.
They scanned the field.
Prepared for impact.
Then—
They heard battle cries…
From behind them.
Snow badgers burst through one flank.
Hufflepuff had returned.
Roaring snow lions smashing into their Serpents.
Gryffindor had joined the attack too.
Slytherin froze in shock.
"All three houses?!"
Cho smirked from the Ravenclaw lines.
"Temporary alliances exist for a reason."
The combined assault hit at once.
Snow badgers rammed walls.
Gryffindor lions tackled serpents.
Ravenclaw ravens dove from above.
Students from three houses stormed the fortress.
Within minutes—
Slytherin defenses collapsed.
Their walls fell.
Their constructs crumbled.
Their banner stood alone—
Unguarded.
Alexander walked through the breached gates calmly.
Snow crunching under each step.
He reached the flag.
Gripped the pole.
Pulled it free.
He turned—
Raising it high for all to see.
His voice rang across Hogwarts grounds:
"The First Hogwarts Snow War Victory… belongs to Ravenclaw."
The courtyard erupted.
Ravenclaw students cheered wildly.
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff joined in applause.
Even many Slytherins clapped despite defeat.
Because it had been—
Fun.
Glorious.
Unforgettable.
Snow fell gently as the war ended.
Students laughed.
Collapsed into the snow.
Retold moments already like legends.
Alexander landed beside Cho.
She smiled up at him.
"Not bad, General."
He smirked.
"Not bad, Lieutenant."
All four banners were raised together afterward—
Not in rivalry—
But in celebration.
The First Snow War ended not with bitterness—
But with laughter.
Though…
A few defeated students still swore quietly—
That next year—
They would take Ravenclaw down.