Sense Of Threat

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~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Flourish & Blotts, Diagon Alley, London)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: August 30th, 11:04 AM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 12 Years)~~~

All the people I've come to know and call friends are gathered at Flourish & Blotts. Albus was right at the beginning of last year. Telling me I'd find friends and comrades in my time at Hogwarts.

I didn't believe him at first, and I was right. For a long time, I was a loner. Preferring it that way. But that changed thanks to Daphne and Hermione.

I've even come to call the two who are more foolish among my friend group. I didn't think I'd enjoy the company or conversations with Ron and Harry. Sure, they don't like studying or spending time improving themselves.

That doesn't mean they're bad people. They're 12 and still growing up. I know I'm different in my take on life. My priorities are different. My vision starts scanning the popular bookstore for the people I've come to know.

Ron and Harry are on the bookstore's second floor, going through the sections, hoping to find any textbooks that haven't been sold yet. There is a thinking and stressed look on Ron's features. He's not an idiot, but he's not smart, either.

Harry doesn't have the same trouble as Ron regarding what he's looking for. His eyes keep darting from the bookshelf and the third occupant sharing the second floor.

Malfoy is watching the door, waiting with a smile. Using legilimency would tell me why he's so focused on the door, but I can take a good guess. He's probably here with his Father.

Hermione is standing in line for Lockhart's autograph. You'd think she'd see Lockhart for the fool and liar he is, and I'm positive she'll come to see him that way. When I looked into his mind, his thoughts on being our DADA teacher this year were on the surface.

Daphne hasn't left my side since her Mother left the store to pick up more supplies. Most of the time, pure-blood families have their shopping done for them. Some of them shop with their kids when they can, though.

Adorabella being out with Daphne proves that point. Lucius Malfoy is somewhere in Diagon Alley, given how hard Draco is watching the door.

My thoughts are interrupted by a gentle tug on my shirt sleeve. My attention turns to Daphne, and she's holding a book up. The novel title is in French, so I don't know what it is. Based on her smile, it must be a good one.

"I know you study a lot of academic books. But have you read anything more emotional and storytelling?"

The slight embarrassment in her voice is foreign to me. She doesn't act like this often, and the times she has, I've always been confused afterward. To be honest, I'm more interested in things that benefit me. I don't see how a fictional tale can do that.

An argument can be made, though. Extraction of wisdom from words that aren't based in reality. Who am I to say what's real and not? A year ago, I didn't believe in magic.

"That depends on what you're referring to, Daphne."

She smiles brightly and opens the first page. Showing the language to be English despite the French title. Now that the book is open, she hands it to me. Motioning with her head for me to read the first few pages.

It only took me a minute to get threw them, and that's when I learned this is a romance novel. I've never read such a book and don't see the benefit of doing so.

"I didn't take you for someone who enjoyed romance novels. I've never read any myself."

She looks at me with a slight frown and a hurt glint in her eyes. She is my friend; it's not like I can't read a novel like this.

"But if it's you, I'll give it a read."

The frown and hurt instantly disappear as she wraps me in a hug. Repeatedly saying thanks and pulling away after a few seconds too long for a hug. The same red tinge appears on her cheeks as she looks away from me.

I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to girls, but I am a smart guy. I think Daphne might have a crush on me. But I'm not going to jump to conclusions without evidence.

But giving me a romance novel and extended physical contact might be enough of a sign she likes me.

"I'm glad to hear that you're taking my suggestions to heart."

The tone in her voice has a slight tease to it; the happiness drowns out most of it. Her eyes turn to the line that fills most of the bookstore, and she smiles smugly as she does.

I look to the line to see why, and that's when I see Hermione looking in our direction. An unhappy look on her face. Once she sees that I see her, she looks away. But after a second, she looks back at us.

Daphne grabs my arm and hugs it. Moving her form closer to mine as she does. Never breaking eye contact with Hermione.

"I was wondering if you'd like to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour with me. We can leave this crowded and uncomfortable store for something more... Our style."

She was just loud for my friend in the line to hear her words before anything else could happen. Hermione instantly shoves her books in her parent's hands and walks to us.

I don't know what's happening, and I don't want to find out. If my suspicions are correct, then getting away from these two is a better idea for the time being. Once Hermione reaches us, she looks eye-to-eye with Daphne.

"I thought pure-bloods weren't allowed to assort amongst people of our status."

That's when I feel Hermione's arm wrap around my free one and tug me away from Daphne. I've never been in a situation like this, and I don't know what to do.

I feel the grips of both girls tighten around the respective arm they have, and I'm soon a prop for a tug of war between them. I'm about to stop them when the door opening to our side forces them to.

A man with red hair enters the store and looks at us. I instantly recognize the man as Arthur Weasley. After a few seconds of staring awkwardly at us, both girls let me go and take a step away. All Arthur does is smile.

"Ah, you must be Alexander Aevum. It's a pleasure to meet you; Ron has talked about you. But I've heard more about you thanks to your stunt this summer. Y'know, you've caused quite the ruckus at the Ministry, young man."

That's right, Arthur works at the Ministry of Magic. He's likely heard all about my recreation of Sorcerer's Stone.

Both girls look at me with curiosity in their eyes. Wanting to know what I got up to when they weren't around.

I'm about to respond, but the door opens again, and this time it's Lucius Malfoy. The eyes of the two adults lock, and a loud silence overtakes the area. It's only a few seconds before the Weasleys stand behind their Father.

Draco is standing at the side of his Father. After a few seconds, a strange scene plays out. One I can only describe as ancient houses having a moral and phycological battle.

As the back and forth comes to a close, Lucius gives back Ginny Weasley's books. His attention shifts to me for a moment. Hardening on my features, and before I can use legilimency to see what he's thinking.

He turns and leaves with his son. There have been many rumors about the Malfoy family, and I'm betting most of them are true.

When he looked at me like that, it felt like I was being assessed. Like a man going shopping for tools. That's how Lucius looked at me.

~~~(POV: Albus Wulfric Dumbledore)~~~

~~~(Location: Headmasters Office, Hogwarts, Scotland)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: August 31st, 1:11 PM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 111 Years)~~~

Tomorrow, Hogwarts Express will pick up the kids and bring them here. After the sorting ceremony is done and the children are off to bed. I'll talk with Alex. Minerva wants to be there for the discussion.

I considered rejecting it, but that's not the right course of action. She's the head of house Gryffindor, and Alex is ultimately her responsibility.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Alex will do this year. After last year, he has to change his approach to disregarding the rules. He won't get away with it like last year.

"James will want me to write him back after I talk with Alex... The question is what I should tell him when I learn the story."

James wants me to inform him if Alex tells me anything he didn't share with the Ministry. Duvale knows I'm the only one who can get any accurate information that isn't already what the Ministry wants to hear from Alex.

Now that the Ministry is watching Alex closely, it stands to reason any leftover Death Eaters are too.

My hands are full with Potter and Aevum. Both are very important but in different and unique ways.