The Crowd.

When he entered, he realized that his place near Sheron was occupied by some other boy. If his memory didn't fail him, and that is literally impossible, the boy's name is Fideo. Just your average student, Alan has nearly zero impression of him. Well, fine, there was only one place left – alone at the back.

He looked at McGonagall, who currently was silently observing him with strict gaze, that never the less was filled with compassion and a bit of rage. Still it would be inappropriate for a professor to take care of the matter concerning student interactions.

So she just looked at what choice Alan will make.

And he just sat down, took out books and started to read, not minding others.

'I have better things to do. First – study several new spells and potions to make, second, I need information. Looks like there is a need to visit Walling Cavern again.'

Alan opened a map of Britain, looking for a village Little Hangleton. In this magical atlas there were even some moving pictures. Quite a grotesque place for his taste. Poor, gray all over, many dilapidated houses... not the best living conditions overall.

Gaunts shack was in the outskirts surrounded by trees.

"Photo of a year before from a local newspaper." - Alan read the news. Apparently someone wanted to buy the place and thoroughly remodel it. A noble cause, if not for Voldemort horcrux hidden inside.

Why it never played out is hard to say, as the buyer was a muggle. Seems like Ministry pulling strings or locals telling all sort of horror stories. All in all it remained unused and abandoned until today.

'Works well for me. Come, take, go. Simple, easy to remember.' - Alan thought while reading more news about the place and actually, there were none. It was quite and dead with nothing going on.

"Why not let the specially trained wizard answer this question?" - suddenly a voice of a boy broke the lesson, which Alan paid virtually no heed. The later raised his eyes from a geographical encyclopedia and looked around confused.

Well, not that confused to misunderstand what it all meant. Still he really doesn't care. This place never gave birth to any strong emotions or attachment.

"I can. What question?" - he asked.

"Look. He is so well trained by them that he didn't even need to follow the lesson." - another boy said with clear mock in the voice. What he was really mocking is hard to understand, his excellence in studying? Strange.

Alan looked over the faces and showed no emotions whatsoever. If anything, he just rolled his eyes at them all.

'Bitches please... I saw way more threatening shit that your cute little faces. Even if they are like so today. Try harder, kids. Grandpa here is unimpressed.'

They all were hostile and sinister. But under strong front there is and always will be only one emotion that forced humans to do monstrous deeds. The very emotion little people can take under control.

Fear.

The funny thing is, it was not directed at Alan precisely, but of what the very words Death Eaters represent. On the contrary, they don't fear him as much, and so found it easier to show superiority to the one they thought is weaker than them. Sad truth of the world.

'Look like their parents really overdid it with scary fairytales to read. How can they instill such a dread of some useless dickweeds into their own kids? What purpose does it even serve, except for them being weak to confront the killers when needed?'

"Enough, mister Grut, we are not here to listen to your comedies. Minus ten points to Ravenclaw." - sternly admonished him McGonagall, but it proved detrimental, as everyone now thought that Alan is responsible for their loss of points.

Lesson ended while Alan through all it's time found his destination and prepared a rough plan for the travel. How he made it back to his room? He didn't pay attention as he preferred not to look around and just walked determinedly ahead.

He knew what has to be done. For Selena, for his three uncles, for Fleur. Anything else was just brushed of as irrelevant interruptions and disregarded completely. Time and actions will show who is who.

Sheron looked at his back and suddenly felt very bad inside. It felt so lonely, as if the whole world rejected him, but at the same time he radiated the same aura of confidence like someone with a purpose.

Alan entered the room and packed his things. Perhaps there is no need for a year. But before that he placed a schedule delivery for Fleur. It was a simple necklace in replace of what she gave back. Alan didn't know whether she will like it or not, but it was made with his own hands.

A bit clumsy, still he put his heart into it.