The Serpent Prince

The next day began like any other at Hogwarts, with the familiar buzz of students hurrying through the corridors and the occasional swirl of mischief—a Weasley Wizard Wheeze firework bursting in the middle of the Great Hall, much to the annoyance of a flustered Professor McGonagall.

For Alex, the novelty of Hogwarts hadn't worn off, but the steady rhythm of classes had started to settle into something approaching normal. Defense Against the Dark Arts had been enlightening again, with Professor Radwick guiding them through recognizing minor hexes and how to dispel them. Charms had delved into basic shielding spells, and while many of his classmates struggled with the flick-and-swoosh movement required, Alex's calm focus and methodical approach made the task feel almost intuitive.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, Alex found himself with a rare block of free time. It wasn't long before he made his way to the library, eager to explore the castle's vast collection of magical texts.

The Hogwarts library was everything he had hoped for. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, crammed with books of every size and age. The faint scent of parchment and ink hung in the air, mingling with the warmth of sunlight streaming through tall, arched windows. Enchanted lamps floated silently, their soft light creating an almost reverent atmosphere.

He walked slowly through the aisles, his fingers brushing against the spines of ancient tomes. Titles leapt out at him: Advanced Magical Theory, The Art of Wandless Casting, The History of Hogwarts. Each seemed to hold the promise of discovery.

He eventually selected a book titled The Foundations of Magical Discipline and carried it to a secluded corner near the Restricted Section. The table there was tucked away from the main thoroughfare, offering a quiet sanctuary.

As he sat and opened the book, the system chimed softly in his mind.

[Objective Progress: Integrate into Hogwarts culture – 10% Complete.]

He smirked faintly, his silver eyes scanning the first page of the text. The book was dense, filled with diagrams of magical currents and theories about how wizards shaped them. It was fascinating, though not immediately practical.

"Light reading, I see."

The voice startled him, though he didn't show it. Looking up, he found Imogen Greengrass standing across the table, her arms crossed and her usual smirk in place. She nodded toward the book.

"Foundations of Magical Discipline? Ambitious for your first week."

"I prefer to start with the fundamentals," Alex replied smoothly. "A strong foundation, and all that."

Imogen raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You're serious about this, aren't you? Most first-years are content figuring out how to make their quills dance on command."

"Some things are worth taking seriously," Alex said, his tone light but firm.

Imogen studied him for a moment before sliding into the seat across from him. "Fair enough. Though you might want to be careful. Ambition's a good thing, but it can paint a target on your back here."

"Do I look worried?" Alex asked, his lips curving into a faint smile.

She chuckled. "Not yet. But give it time. Hogwarts has a way of testing everyone eventually."

For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the sound of distant whispers and the rustle of turning pages filling the space between them. Alex returned to his reading, though he was acutely aware of Imogen's presence. She had a way of watching people that felt both curious and calculating, as if she were constantly piecing together a puzzle.

"I hear you impressed Slughorn," she said casually after a while.

"He seems… encouraging," Alex replied, carefully choosing his words.

Imogen grinned. "That's one way to put it. He's always had a soft spot for students he thinks are 'promising.' Don't be surprised if he invites you to one of his little dinner parties before the year's out."

"Dinner parties?"

"Slug Club," she explained. "It's his way of collecting people he thinks will go on to do great things. Connections, alliances, that sort of thing. You'd probably fit right in."

Alex tilted his head slightly. "And you? Are you part of this 'Slug Club'?"

Her smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by something sharper. "I've been invited. Let's just say I prefer to keep my options open."

Her answer intrigued Alex, though he didn't press further. Instead, he returned to his book, letting the conversation drift into quiet observation.

As the hours passed, the library began to empty, the waning sunlight casting long shadows across the room. Alex had just finished a particularly intricate section on magical stabilizing fields when a low, murmuring voice caught his attention.

He glanced up, his sharp eyes narrowing as he scanned the shelves beyond their table. The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange cadence—almost like a chant.

Imogen must have noticed his distraction. "What is it?" she asked, her voice low.

"Someone's there," Alex murmured, nodding toward the far corner.

Imogen followed his gaze, her expression shifting to one of mild curiosity. "Probably some sixth-year trying to impress a girlfriend with forbidden spells. Happens more than you'd think."

"Still," Alex said, closing his book quietly, "it's worth checking out."

She sighed but stood, following him as he moved toward the source of the sound. The shelves grew darker as they neared the Restricted Section, the light from the enchanted lamps dimming to a faint glow.

The murmuring grew louder, though the words were indistinct. Alex and Imogen rounded a corner and stopped abruptly.

A boy—tall and wiry, with sandy hair and a nervous energy—stood in front of the barrier separating the main library from the Restricted Section. His wand was out, the tip glowing faintly, and he was muttering an incantation under his breath.

"Travers?" Imogen said, raising an eyebrow.

The boy jumped, nearly dropping his wand. "Greengrass? Lorian? What are you doing here?"

"We could ask you the same," Alex said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "What are you trying to do?"

Malcolm shifted uncomfortably, his wand-hand lowering slightly. "I, uh… I was just curious. Thought I'd take a peek."

"At the Restricted Section?" Imogen asked, her tone dripping with skepticism. "You know you can't get in there without a professor's permission, right?"

"I wasn't going to do anything," Malcolm protested. "I just wanted to see what was in there. You know, get a sense of the place."

Alex studied him for a moment, noting the nervous fidgeting, the way his eyes darted between them and the barrier. There was more to Malcolm's curiosity than simple mischief.

"What were you chanting?" Alex asked, his voice even.

Malcolm hesitated, then sighed. "It's nothing dangerous, okay? Just something I read in a book. It's supposed to reveal hidden doors or something."

Imogen crossed her arms. "And you thought you'd try it out on a magical barrier? Brilliant plan, really."

Malcolm flushed. "I didn't think anyone would catch me!"

"Relax," Alex said, his tone softening slightly. "We're not going to report you. But next time, maybe try not to draw attention to yourself if you're breaking rules."

Malcolm's shoulders sagged in relief. "Thanks. I owe you one."

Imogen rolled her eyes but said nothing, and the three of them returned to their corner of the library.

As Alex resumed his reading, a thought lingered in the back of his mind: Malcolm's actions might have been reckless, but his curiosity mirrored Alex's own. And in a place like Hogwarts, curiosity often led to secrets—and secrets were always worth uncovering.