Chapter 8: Crossing Paths

The Hogwarts Express rattled on through the evening, the sky outside darkening as the stars began to emerge. Inside the compartment, the atmosphere had shifted from lively discussion to quiet contemplation. The students were lost in their thoughts, the weight of the journey ahead settling over them like a shroud.

Alaric glanced out the window, watching as the landscape blurred past. The conversation with his new companions had confirmed what he already knew: these were not just his classmates—they were his allies, his rivals, and possibly his future court. Each of them had a role to play in the grand tapestry of their shared destiny, and Alaric was determined to ensure that his role would be the most significant.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the compartment door. Before anyone could respond, the door slid open to reveal a girl with bushy brown hair and a determined expression. It was Hermione Granger, the girl who had interrupted them earlier with her search for a lost toad.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice brisk and no-nonsense, "but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. I think it's important to remind you that the Sorting Hat doesn't just consider your family background. It also takes into account your personal qualities—your bravery, your intelligence, your sense of justice."

The atmosphere in the compartment immediately grew tense. Draco's eyes narrowed, and Pansy let out a derisive snort. "And what makes you think we care about your opinion, Granger?" Draco sneered.

Hermione's cheeks flushed, but she held her ground. "You should care, Malfoy. Because at Hogwarts, your actions and choices will define you, not just your name."

Alaric watched the exchange with interest. Hermione was clearly intelligent, but her approach was naive. She seemed to believe that appealing to their sense of fairness would somehow change their perspective. But Alaric knew better—power and influence were not gained through moral superiority; they were taken through cunning and strength.

Before Draco could retort, a tall, gangly boy with flaming red hair appeared behind Hermione. It was Ron Weasley, the same boy who had blundered into their compartment earlier. His expression was a mix of annoyance and anger as he glared at Draco.

"Oi, Granger, what are you doing talking to these Slytherins?" Ron demanded, his voice loud and grating. "You should know better than to associate with their kind."

Draco's face twisted in disgust. "And who are you to lecture us, Weasley? Last I checked, your family was barely scraping by. What do you know about our kind?"

Ron bristled, his fists clenching at his sides. "Better poor and honest than rich and rotten, Malfoy!"

Alaric felt a surge of irritation at the interruption. The tension in the compartment was palpable, and he knew that this confrontation could easily escalate into something more serious. But before he could intervene, Hermione stepped forward, placing a hand on Ron's arm.

"Ron, this isn't helping," she said quietly. "Let's just go."

Ron hesitated, his anger warring with his desire to protect Hermione. Finally, he relented, shooting one last glare at Draco before turning to leave. Hermione followed, but not before casting a final, lingering glance at Alaric.

"Remember what I said," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

And then they were gone, the door sliding shut behind them. The tension in the compartment lingered for a moment before Pansy broke the silence with a derisive laugh.

"Unbelievable," she scoffed. "A Mudblood and a Weasley, lecturing us about how we should behave."

Draco smirked, though his eyes were still cold with anger. "They won't last a week at Hogwarts. Granger might be smart, but she's naive if she thinks she can change the way things are."

Alaric remained silent, his mind already turning over the implications of the encounter. Hermione and Ron were clearly going to be trouble, but they were not the kind of threat that could be dealt with through brute force. They were the kind of trouble that required careful manipulation, subtlety, and strategy.

As the train continued its journey, Alaric's thoughts returned to his plans for the future. The Sorting would take place soon, and with it, the first steps toward solidifying his position at Hogwarts. But he knew that the path ahead would not be easy. There would be obstacles, enemies, and challenges that would test him in ways he had not yet imagined.

But Alaric was ready. He had been preparing for this moment his entire life.

And he would not fail.