Rozier spilled everything. "Since Evan died, my family’s tried to stay ral. But Travers has been hanging around Wilkes, a fourth-year who’s a big supporter of You-Know-Who. That’s all I know, really."

  Alex nodded. "Alright, I’ll let you off this time. Tell everyone you ‘barely escaped,’” he surning away and leaving Rozier trembling.

  Returning to the Slytherin dormitory, Alex knew more frontations like this were iable. Tensions were rising at Hogwarts, with more Slytherins choosing sides, and those trying to remairal were under pressure. Avoiding flicts was being impossible.

  The m, Vivian filled him in oermath of his attackers. After Alex left, Rozier had preteo be unscious, lying on the floor until Filch arrived. Filch assumed they’d thrown the dung bombs and puhem on the spot. Rozier and his friends were forced to scrub the corridor until midnight and got a month’s detention.

  Vivian sighed. “The pure-blood families in Slytheritiless, pushing everyoo choose a side. Even Vanessa, the head of the female student cil, ’t keep them in line anymore. ral students are targeted if they refuse to join.”

  Alex listened, nodding. He could feel the rising hostility among his cssmates. With things growing more dangerous, he decided to prepare himself.

  As a Muggle-born in Slytherin, Alex knew he’d always be a target for pure-blood supremacists. But after a year of intense self-training, he wasn’t afraid. Still, he decided it was best to avoid unnecessary fights, so he moved to a small hut he Forbidden Forest, hoping the distance would give him some peace to focus on his studies and training.

  After setting up in his new pce, Alex followed a strict routine: practig spells daily, studying advanced spell theories, and training with Professor Bo night. The hut became a refuge where he could push himself without interruptions.

  One evening, as Alex was deeply engrossed in a book on Runes, learning ways to optimize spells by adjusting ruructures, he discovered teiques to manipute soundwave frequend harmony. He was absorbed in these discoveries when a knock at the door interrupted him.

  Opening the door, Alex saw Charles standing outside. Alex grinned. “You’re here. Looks like reason won over impulse.”

  Charles stepped inside, gng around the hut. “You’re living here now?”

  “Yep. Things are tense in Slytherin. The pure-bloods are f everyoo pick a side. They won’t leave me alone, so I figured I’d step away from the chaos and focus oing stronger.” Alex shrugged, though his voice held a determined edge.

  Charles frowned. “It’s crazy that they’d even turn on their own cssmates like that. What about Vivian? She hates those pure-blood types.”

  “She’s from a strong family, and even though she’s mixed blood, she won’t be directly targeted. Plus, Vanessa is keeping an eye on the girls, so she’s safe,” Alex assured him.

  Charles nodded but looked troubled. “I feel useless, like I ’t do anything right. There’s been tensioween our house and Slytherin, but I’m not strong enough to make a difference. I’m ready to work hard, but I need yuidaell me what to do.”

  Alex reached into his desk, pulling out a piece of part. “I’ve put together a training pn for you. From now on, you’ll have to it to some serious exercises.”

  Charles sed the paper, his brow furrowing. “Running? How is that special training? Shouldn’t I be practig spells?”

  Alex tapped Charles’s shoulder with a knowing smile. “Your body isn’t strong enough yet. Improving your stamina and strength will boost your rea time and make yic more effective. Regur exercise will also help you build a strong will, which enhanagic.”

  Before Charles could respond, Alex id out the schedule. “Every m, we’ll start with a run to build up your endurance. After csses, e here for spell-casting exercises and enduraraining. This won’t be easy, so get ready.”

  Charles looked determined. “I don’t mind hard work. I just want to get stronger.”

  Seeing the resolve in Charles’s eyes, Alex gave an approving nod. He khat with the right guidance, Charles had the potential to grow stronger.

  “Alright, let’s start with some spell extension training,” Alex said, setting down a rge pot of water and floating it above Charles’s head. “Use a Levitation Charm to keep it steady.”

  Charles hadn’t heard of this training teique, but he plied, pulling out his wand and casting the spell. The pot hovered shakily above him.

  “Now, keep it there as long as you . Focus on feeling the flow of magi your body and try to serve your strength,” Alex instructed.

  Charles stared at the heavy pot, feeling nervous. “And then what?”

  “Just hold it,” Alex replied, settling down in his chair and flipping through his book. “This kind of tinuous casting will improve your trol over yic.”

  Charles managed for a few minutes, but soon his arms ached, and his neck stiffened from looking up. “Is this really helping? I’m not sure how much longer I keep this up!”

  “It’s only been a few minutes,” Alex said, not even gng up. “When I was younger, I could go for much longer. Push yourself—enduraakes time to build.”

  Charles huffed but kept going, struggling to maintain his focus. His legs started shaking as he held the spell, beads of sweat f on his forehead. Alex knew Charles would tire quickly at first, just like ah a raining routine. But he wanted Charles to learn resilience.

  “You have to st at least ten minutes,” Alex reminded him.

  “Alright!” Charles gritted his teeth, determination shining in his eyes.

  Time ticked by, and Charles mao hold the spell for a full ten mihough Alex hadn’t told him time . He wao push Charles a little further to test his limits.

  Charles’s arms were trembling, and his magic felt nearly drained. With a slightly dazed look, he asked, “Is it do? It feels like I’ve been holding this forever.”

  "Just 30 seds left," Alex replied, gng at his watch. "I've been keeping track. Don’t give up now—you’re so close.” It had already been 13 minutes, and it was clear Charles was reag his limit.

  Charles pushed himself for another minute, but his legs started to wobble. Alex enced him, “Just ten more seds, hang in there!”

  As Charles gathered the st of his strength, he began ting down in his head. But as he reached the end of ten seds, he felt his body start to give out. His trol slipped, and he nearly colpsed. Just before he could fall, Alex raised his hand, giving Charles the support he o stay on his feet.

  “Alright, let’s get you seated,” Alex said, guiding Charles to a nearby chair and handing him a full gss of water. “Drink this—you o recover.”