Immortal Bird

As the Transfiguration class concluded, Alexander packed his belongings with quiet efficiency. Without a word to his classmates, he slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way out of the classroom. Artemis nestled comfortably in the hood of his robes, her feathers ruffling slightly as he walked.

The corridors of Hogwarts were bustling with students heading to their next classes or toward the Great Hall, but Alexander paid them little mind. His focus was entirely on his own thoughts, still replaying the intricacies of the spell and the results of his earlier transformation.

Reaching the Great Hall, he stepped inside, the enticing aroma of lunch wafting through the air. The long tables were already beginning to fill as students gathered with their respective houses. Alexander made his way to the Slytherin table, his movements unhurried and deliberate, as Artemis peeked out from his hood, observing the lively hall with her sharp, curious eyes.

As Alexander calmly ate his lunch, his attention divided between his meal and the pages of his Charms book, an all-too-familiar voice echoed from the Slytherin table.

"Look there," Draco Malfoy sneered loudly, ensuring others could hear him. "It's the Mudblood who stains our noble house, pretending to understand magic better than us. Remember your place beneath us, you Mudblood!"

Alexander didn't even glance in Malfoy's direction, his expression remaining impassive as he turned another page in his book. With a tone of sharp sarcasm, he replied, "Ah, look, it's Malfoy and his mighty pure-blood entourage. The group of 'noble' wizards so gifted in magic that they couldn't manage the most basic transfiguration spell earlier today."

His words cut through the air like a blade, silencing Draco's group momentarily. Some Ravenclaws nearby stifled laughter, while Malfoy's face reddened with a mix of embarrassment and fury.

"How dare you mock us!" Pansy Parkinson snapped, glaring at Alexander, her voice shrill enough to turn heads.

Alexander finally lifted his gaze from his book, locking eyes with her briefly before responding with a cool, calm tone. "Mock you? Why would I mock you?" he asked, his voice laced with subtle sarcasm. "It's not like you're all strutting around as if you own the world when your only achievement in life is being born to two magical parents."

He let the weight of his words linger for a moment before adding, "And yet, here you are, mocking an orphan who doesn't even know his lineage and discriminating against others because they're Muggle-born. Fascinating logic you have there."

His calm demeanor only heightened the sting of his words, leaving Pansy and Draco's group momentarily speechless. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Alexander's lips as he returned his attention to his book, as if the entire interaction had been nothing more than a fleeting distraction.

Few minutes later

Alexander entered the Charms classroom, finding it empty of students but not devoid of activity. His sharp eyes quickly caught sight of Professor Flitwick, perched precariously atop a tall pillar of books. The diminutive professor seemed entirely at ease with his precarious position, his wand moving with delicate precision as he directed a piece of chalk across the blackboard.

Alexander paused at the doorway, watching the chalk scribble in perfect cursive, laying out the day's lesson plan. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the level of control Flitwick demonstrated. A practical example of fine magical manipulation, Alexander thought, admiring the professor's skill.

Not wanting to disrupt, he quietly made his way to a seat near the front, pulling out his diary to jot down his observations. Every detail mattered to him—this was Hogwarts, after all, a place filled with magic and wonders he was only beginning to explore.

As Alexander settled into his seat, the quiet was broken by a sudden gasp. He looked up just in time to see Professor Flitwick wobble on his precarious tower of books before losing his balance entirely. With a flurry of motion, the professor toppled off the stack, landing in a comical heap.

Alexander immediately stood, his expression showing genuine concern. "I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to disturb you," he said, stepping closer to offer assistance.

Professor Flitwick, already brushing himself off, waved a hand dismissively, his usual cheerful demeanor intact. "Oh, no, no, my dear boy! It's entirely my fault. I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings." He adjusted his robes and looked up at Alexander with a thoughtful expression. "You must be Mr. Ravenwood, yes?"

Alexander nodded, still feeling slightly guilty. "That's correct, sir."

Flitwick's face lit up with recognition. "Ah, yes! I've heard about you. Welcome to Charms class! It seems you're quite the early bird."

Alexander gave a small smile, his interest piqued. "Charms has always intrigued me. I thought I'd take the chance to get a head start."

"Well, I admire your enthusiasm!" Flitwick said with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling. "Now, let's hope the rest of the students arrive soon so we can dive into today's lesson. In the meantime, feel free to make yourself comfortable."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You heard about me?"

Professor Flitwick nodded enthusiastically, his small stature making his gestures seem even more animated. "Oh, yes! During lunch, Professor McGonagall was showing off that marvelous needle you conjured in Transfiguration. She couldn't stop praising your creativity and skill. She called you a true Transfiguration prodigy! Quite the compliment coming from her, I must say."

Alexander tilted his head slightly, processing the information.

Flitwick continued, his voice warm and encouraging. "She also mentioned your insatiable love for knowledge and remarkable curiosity. Traits that are rare and valuable in a young wizard." He gestured toward the book Alexander held. "And seeing that you're already diving into advanced spells only confirms her words. It's admirable, but I must caution you—some spells, especially advanced ones, can be quite dangerous if improperly cast. Always approach your learning with care and respect for the magic."

Alexander gave a small nod of acknowledgment, his expression calm but with a glint of determination in his eyes. "Thank you for the advice, Professor. I'll keep that in mind.Can you answer some of my questions on Lumos and Nox?"

Professor Flitwick raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Alexander's initiative. "Of course, Mr. Ravenwood. What would you like to know about Lumos and Nox?"

Alexander leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Well, I've been studying them, and I'm curious about the nuances. Lumos is a simple spell to create light, but I was wondering, can you control the intensity or color of the light it produces? And Nox—is it purely the counter to Lumos, or can it have other uses, such as vanishing all the light ?"

Professor Flitwick nodded, clearly impressed by the depth of Alexander's inquiry. "Ah, excellent questions! You've clearly been thinking deeply about your magic.

For Lumos, while it's mainly used to produce a steady light at the tip of your wand, with practice, some wizards can control its intensity. It's not typically used to change colors, but theoretically, with an advanced spell or modification, it could be done. However, intensity control is much more common—some wizards can make their light brighter or dimmer depending on the situation."

He paused, looking thoughtful. "As for Nox, it is indeed the counter-charm to Lumos, designed to extinguish the light. However, there are other practical uses for Nox as well. Some witches and wizards use it to maintain darkness in an area or to disrupt the magical flow of light-based spells. It's not a very advanced charm on its own, but when used in combination with other spells, it can have more complex applications."

Flitwick smiled at Alexander's attentive expression. "I hope that helps clarify things for you. Any other questions?"

Alexander eagerly ask"How are spells made?"

Professor Flitwick smiled at Alexander's enthusiasm. "Ah, I see you're eager to learn. Well, spell creation is quite complex and often taught in more advanced classes like Arithmancy and Advanced Charms, usually by the third year. But seeing as you're so interested, I can give you something to start with."

He walked over to a bookshelf and pulled down two books. "These should give you a good start: An Introduction to Arithmancy by S. P. H. Haversham and The Art of Spell Creation by Lysandra Abernathy. These will explain some of the foundational principles behind how spells are created and their connections to magical mathematics and incantations.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I can already tell you're ahead of the curriculum, so if you'd rather not follow along with the rest of the class, I can make an exception."

Alexander smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I've nearly finished the curriculum," he replied, taking the books with a nod of appreciation.

Flitwick chuckled. "I thought so. I'll be around if you need any help. Otherwise, enjoy your reading."