Alex Hale Book 1 by Spielar

Chapter 11

We went back to the castle in the carriages this time and I got to see the invisible steeds for the first time. I rather liked them and wondered if I should make one a familiar. It was a pack animal though so if I took one I would have to take the rest or it would become lonely.

After we got to the dorms Ron and Harry rushed us and started rambling until Hermione managed to stop them telling them to tell us one at a time, slowly.

We found out that they had found a mirror called the Mirror of Erised which showed what they desired and Harry had gotten a cloak of invisibility.

I thought it was funny how Dumbledore was playing them so well. He was even playing Voldemort like a fiddle.

After the return feast, classes resumed like normal. Winter passed without note for everyone including myself and after most of spring had passed it was time for finals.

I of course passed all the tests the teachers gave with perfect marks. I even wrote an extra essay on the witch burnings in medieval Europe as being a power play used by other wizards in an attempt to keep foreign wizards out of Europe so that they could better solidify their powers since there had been constant wars going on at the time that had weakened the European wizards to a dangerous degree.

Professor Burns kept me after to discuss it some more and we decided to write a paper and turn it in to the national wizards research center.

The rest of the classes went similarly with me exceeding the expected amount of skill and knowledge. Even Snape who seemed to hate everyone outside of Slytherin gave me full marks and watched my test intently hoping to learn more of my technique. I of course explained what I was doing and gave some pointers on the processes.

It shocked Snape to learn that if you heated a boil curing potion from one side and put the other side against a block of ice it would cause the effects to rise by 50% and become much less painful.

It is safe to say I hit top marks in all classes and all the teachers were incredibly happy with my Christmas gifts.

After the tests Ron and Hermione were complaining to me about them when Harry rushed up talking about how he had found Nicholas Flamel.

About dang time. I thought to myself.

We all ran to Hagrid's hut, which I thought was a nice stretch after sitting all day and Harry talked to him about the dragon and Fluffy. Learning that Hagrid had told the dealer how to get past Fluffy Harry ran off and ran into McGonagall and found out Dumbledore had left. Though I'm sure he simply went to Hogsmeade for some tea or something.

Snape showed up and acted like his usual awkward self causing Harry to freak out and rush off to the third floor a little while later along with Hermione and Ron.

I went to the dorm and just waited knowing they would fail.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione came in looking depressed when Ron saw me sitting there eating some chocolates.

"Where were you Alex?" Ron asked angrily. "We could've used you to at least make McGonagall less angry at us. The teachers all love you."

"I was sitting here waiting for you to come back." I said as I popped in another candy.

"What, why?" Harry and Hermione said at the same time.