013 - Love and Responsibility

It had been a week and a half since the start of the OWL exams, and while most students were breathing sighs of relief, Alex felt the pressure mounting on slowly.

The majority of Hogwarts had finished their exams, leaving them with a newfound sense of freedom. But for Alex, crucial days still lay ahead of him

The three remaining days of the week were reserved for electives Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination – subjects he had chosen carefully to broaden his understanding of both the magical and natural worlds.

However, there was one more paper today that stood apart from the rest – Alchemy.

Alchemy, though technically an extracurricular subject, had been granted special approval by Professor Snape for Alex and Victor to take at the NEWT level, despite not having completed their OWLs yet.

It was an extraordinary challenge, and Alex felt the weight of that decision every time he thought about it.

Arithmancy, though demanding, was manageable. The advanced mathematical formulas combined with magical theory – calculus, linear algebra, trigonometry – all made sense to Alex.

Numbers had a kind of logic that grounded him, their patterns comforting in their consistency. The swirling complexity of Arithmancy was something he could handle.

But Alchemy was different.

Alchemy wasn't just a science; it was a mystery. A blend of magic and metaphysical principles that aimed to transform the very essence of matter.

And while Alex had always admired the discipline, he knew this was a subject where the smallest mistake could lead to disastrous consequences.

Today's exams were no joke.

He stood in the Great Hall, waiting for the clock to signal the beginning of the first test, his heart thudding a little faster than usual.

He wasn't nervous often, but today felt different. He knew the subjects. He had studied for hours on end. Yet something tugged at his mind, making him uneasy.

By evening, Alex had given two exams in the same day, and by a surprise, Arithmancy paper had been rescheduled due to some issue with professor's health and as such, the time slot was exchanged with Care of Magical Creatures.

Since it was one of the easiest electives, students really didn't have much complain to it being preponed a bit.

The castle buzzed with excitement as students flooded the halls, discussing summer plans, futures, and the weight of exams that had been lifted from their shoulders.

Alex, however, found himself seeking solitude – or perhaps just some quiet company.

He sat atop one of the highest towers of Hogwarts under the inky night sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across a velvet backdrop. A soft breeze brushed against his skin, and the full moon bathed the scene in a serene, ethereal glow.

To his right sat Tonks, her hair now a calm shade of lavender, leaning her head on his shoulder.

 To his left was Beth, her soft breath steady as she rested on his other side.

Both of them held onto his arms, their fingers entwined with his. The three of them had found a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of exams.

"I can't believe we're finally at the end of it all," Tonks muttered, her voice soft and reflective. "Well, most of it anyway. How did Alchemy go, Alex? I heard Snape made it as tough as possible for you two."

Alex chuckled quietly, though the weight of his upcoming exams was still in the back of his mind. "Tough is an understatement. It was more like a trial by fire."

Beth shifted slightly; her voice thoughtful. "You've always handled things well, Alex. You'll be fine. Still... I don't know how much of a success my exams were. I mean, they're done, but I don't feel like I gave it my best."

Tonks lifted her head, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight. "Yeah, I get what you mean. I flubbed my Care of Magical Creatures exam. Poor blast-ended skrewts – might've singed a few too many tails." She grinned, though there was a hint of disappointment behind it.

Alex leaned back, feeling the soft press of their heads against his shoulders. "As Dumbledore said it's not just about exams. They're important, but they don't define us."

Tonks snorted softly. "Wise old man, that one."

Beth, still looking up at the stars, sighed. "Yeah, but sometimes... it feels like everything rides on these tests. Like it's the only thing that matters."

A comfortable silence stretched between them for a moment, broken only by the gentle rustle of the wind and the distant hoot of an owl.

The world seemed so much bigger up here, under the wide sky, where the concerns of exams and the future felt far away. But only for a moment.

"Have you thought about what you'll do after this?" Beth asked quietly, turning her head slightly toward Alex. There was a vulnerability in her voice, a sincerity he hadn't expected.

Tonks, sensing the shift in the conversation, nodded. "Yeah, we're all getting serious about careers now, aren't we? I've got my eyes on Auror training, though that's no surprise to anyone."

Alex felt his breath catch slightly. The question weighed on him heavily, more than they could know.

'What do I want to do?'

He could feel the words on the tip of his tongue – his heritage, the Du Lac legacy, the family he was destined to lead, and the mantle of Holy Knight that would soon be his to bear. It wasn't just a choice; it was a responsibility, a duty bound by blood and ancient promises.

But something stopped him from saying it aloud, like an invisible barrier that kept his secret locked inside. It wasn't just fear – It was deeper than that.

He had lived with his secrets for so long that sharing them felt impossible. Would they understand? Would they see him differently?

As much as he trusted them, revealing that side of himself, the side tied to his family's long history, to his duty, felt too soon. Too risky.

"I don't know," Alex admitted, his voice low and uncertain. It wasn't often he felt vulnerable, but right now, the uncertainty weighed on him more than ever. "I honestly don't know what I want to do."

Both Beth and Tonks remained silent for a moment, but their fingers tightened around his arms, a silent reassurance.

They didn't press him further, but their support was palpable. They were with him, no matter what.

Tonks, ever the optimist, broke the tension first. "Well, you've got time. Loads of it, actually. Not everything has to be decided today."

Beth, her voice quieter but just as firm, added, "You don't have to carry all the weight by yourself, Alex. We'll figure it out together. Whatever path you choose."

Alex's chest tightened at their words. He wanted to tell them the whole truth, about his family, his past, his obligations.

But it felt like there was still something holding him back, something that told him it wasn't the right time yet. He didn't know if he ever could tell them everything.

Instead, he just nodded. "Yeah. I guess... I'll figure it out when the time comes."

But even as he said it, a deeper shadow loomed over his thoughts – one that neither Beth nor Tonks could sense.

The S-rank mission that had somehow drawn him into the orbit of dangers that echoed through time.

Connecting him with figures of past, the ones that had shaped the very magical landscape he was in to what it was right now.

The most revered Wizard of all Time, Merlin and The most feared dark witch of all time Morgana.

The more he tried to push thoughts of them away, the more they invaded his mind. He wasn't just a student with exams and uncertain futures. He was a part of something much larger, something far more dangerous.

And that was another reason he couldn't tell them. How could he explain that a mission tied him to these figures of legend?

Beth's voice, soft and steady, brought him back from the spiraling thoughts. "Whatever happens, we're with you. You know that, right?"

Tonks nodded; her own voice filled with quiet resolve. "Yeah. Wherever you go, whatever you decide – you've got us."

Alex felt a surge of emotion, a rare feeling that reminded him just how different this life was from his last.

He was no longer an emotionless killer, no longer a live weapon of mass destruction.

He was no longer alone. He had people who cared about him, people he cared about.

The weight of the future might be heavy, but it wasn't something he had to carry by himself alone this time.

As the night deepened, both Tonks and Beth drifted into sleep, their heads still resting on his shoulders. Alex, however, remained awake, gazing up at the stars. The peaceful sky seemed to mock the turmoil inside him.

For the first time in both of his lives, Alex felt truly uncertain about the path ahead. The weight of his decisions, the expectations of his family, and the looming specters of past weighed heavily on his mind. There was no easy answer, no clear direction.

He glanced down at the two sleeping girls beside him, feeling more than just the weight of their heads resting on his shoulders.

For the first time, he felt the weight of Love, and of Responsibility. And that, more than anything else, was what made the future so complicated.

The serene night sky stretched above them, endless and full of possibilities. But Alex knew that sooner or later, he would have to choose. And whatever that choice was, it would change everything. Not only for him, but the world around him too.

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A/N : Those who give power stones be blessed with big PP.

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