Breakfast the next morning, Alexander sat beside Cho at the Ravenclaw table, calmly cutting into his toast.
Cho, however, noticed the faint tiredness in his eyes.
"Late night again?" she asked.
Alexander nodded.
"I have to supervise detention with Hagrid at night for the next two weeks."
Cho blinked.
"Who are you supervising?"
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco."
She stared at him for a moment.
"…Supervision?"
Alexander lifted his chin slightly.
"Professor McGonagall trusts me as a star student."
Cho laughed softly.
"Of course she does."
Later that night, under moonlight, the three Gryffindors and one Slytherin followed Alexander across the grounds toward Hagrid's cabin.
Hagrid opened the door and walked out.
His eyes were red, and his beard slightly damp.
He looked like he had been crying.
Alexander stepped forward first.
"You okay?"
Hagrid sniffed loudly.
"I still can't believe Norbert's gone…"
Alexander nodded sympathetically.
"It'll be fine."
Hermione added gently, "He'll be with his own kind."
Hagrid wiped his face but kept muttering sadly about the dragon.
Alexander eventually cut in.
"What's our task tonight?"
Hagrid cleared his throat.
"We'll be patrolling the forest."
Draco's face paled instantly.
"THE Forbidden Forest?"
Hagrid nodded.
Hagrid gathered his things, and they crossed the boundary into the Forbidden Forest.
The air changed immediately — colder, heavier, alive with distant sounds.
As they walked, Alexander's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
So many magical creatures here…
Maybe I should acquire a few.
Silver and Copper would be thrilled.
He was already mentally planning habitat expansions inside his briefcase estate when Hagrid suddenly raised a hand.
"Stop."
They stopped and gathered around.
On the forest ground.
The dirt was glowing faintly, along with a trail of silver liquid.
Alexander crouched.
"What is that?"
Hagrid's expression darkened.
"That's why we're here."
He looked at them gravely.
"Unicorn blood."
Silence fell.
Hagrid explained how he'd found a dead unicorn weeks earlier… and now another had been wounded somewhere deeper in the forest.
"And tonight," he finished, "we're gonna find what's responsible."
He split the group.
Ron and Hermione would follow him.
Alexander, Harry, and Draco would patrol another route with Fang accompanying them at Draco's request.
The forest grew denser the deeper they walked.
Branches creaked.
Leaves rustled.
Distant howls echoed.
Draco jumped at nearly every sound, clutching Fang's fur.
Harry stayed alert.
Alexander walked calmly, hands in his cloak pockets, quietly enjoying the scenery.
Then Fang growled.
Low.
Threatening.
All three looked in the direction Fang was growling.
In a clearing, hunched over something glowing was a dark figure.
The dark figure seemed to be drinking from a fallen unicorn.
Alexander's eyes narrowed instantly.
There you are… noseless parasite.
Beside him, Harry groaned in pain.
Clutching his forehead as his lightning scar burned.
The dark figure looked up slowly.
Draco screamed.
He bolted into the forest with Fang, whimpering and running with Draco.
The dark figure began slowly gliding toward the remaining two.
Before it could close the distance.
Alexander stepped forward, wand already drawn.
"Protego Maxima."
A massive shield barrier erupted outward.
The barrier slammed into the dark figure, pushing it back violently across the clearing.
The air cracked with magical pressure.
Harry was in pain but stared in shock.
He was amazed by how calm Alexander was.
He didn't expect Alexander to be able to cast Protego Maxima.
He himself was still in shock and in pain from his scar, but Alexander was perfectly fine.
Alexander prepared another spell.
His eyes filled with excitement.
Finally… a real duel.
But before he could cast another spell.
Something ran at the dark figure.
Alexander was disappointed and said.
"A centaur."
The dark figure retreated into the forest.
Alexander clicked his tongue softly.
Stupid horse… I wanted to duel him.
The centaur turned to them — tall, imposing, bow in hand.
It was Firenze.
He looked directly at Harry.
"Harry Potter… you must leave. It is not safe for you here."
Harry, still shaken, tried to ask about the dark figure.
Firenze spoke in calm, echoing tones — about unicorn blood, about drinking something so pure that it grants life… but curses the drinker to a half-life forever.
Before he could continue.
Alexander said sharply.
"Okay. Enough talking."
Firenze looked at him.
"He doesn't need to know more," Alexander demanded.
The centaur began to speak again —
Alexander raised his wand.
"I said enough."
His voice carried resolve now.
"It's not your job to explain it to him."
Harry looked between them anxiously.
"Alexander… let him talk—"
But Alexander didn't lower his wand.
He kept it aimed at the centaur.
Alexander's eyes became cold, ready to cast if Firenze spoke another word.
The forest fell silent again.