Days passed quietly inside Hogwarts Castle.
Alexander couldn't help but notice something interesting.
In the movie he remembered, everything seemed to happen one event after another.
But in reality?
Days went by, and nothing happened.
Students still whispered nervously about the attacks.
Some students were thinking about going back home and quitting this year.
Alexander occasionally heard the distant rumbling of the basilisk moving through the pipes.
At the same time, rumors began spreading.
Headmaster Dumbledore left the school, and many students believed he might never return.
Some even thought the school might close.
Alexander didn't bother with the useless chatter.
He was far too busy with his spells.
Recently, he realized something important about his magic.
All his spells were too ordinary.
Sure, he had mastered many ordinary spells and advanced spells.
But they were spells anyone could learn if they asked around.
He had no unique spells.
Great wizards didn't just master spells.
They created them.
Every legendary wizard had their own unique magic spells.
And Alexander wanted his own unique magic spells.
The problem was… he didn't know what kind of spells he wanted to create.
After thinking about it for several days, he finally gave up trying to force the idea.
Instead, he decided to focus on something important for the future.
Expecto Patronum.
He would definitely need it next year.
So he began practicing it with Cho.
For weeks, they trained together.
Trying to focus on their happiest memories.
But strangely—
Cho was improving much faster than Alexander.
Her Patronus was beginning to take shape.
Meanwhile, Alexander's result was barely more than a weak spark.
He stared at the faint silver mist leaving his wand.
"…Seriously?"
For the first time in years, Alexander felt frustrated.
He was supposed to be a prodigy.
Yet Cho—who was also a talented witch—was progressing far ahead.
It bruised his pride a little.
To make matters worse, the chaos at Hogwarts had ruined many of his plans for the year.
He originally wanted to host more magical shows and events.
But with the attacks and Dumbledore gone, those plans had been cancelled.
He had also wanted to ask Flitwick and McGonagall for private tutoring, but the attacks made them too busy to have any spare time for him.
Time moved forward quickly, and Alexander was still trying to squeeze all the knowledge out of Tom.
Exams were approaching.
Alexander and Cho spent many nights studying together.
One evening, however, something unusual happened.
Lockhart approached them while Alexander was explaining something to Cho.
He smiled dramatically.
"Miss Chang, I require your assistance with something important."
Cho looked confused.
But she agreed and left with him.
Alexander briefly wondered.
Was that part of the original story?
He shrugged and continued studying.
A few hours had passed, and he finished writing some extra notes for Cho.
When he looked at the time.
Hours had passed, and Cho hadn't returned yet.
Alexander stood up.
"I'll check on her later."
He went to his room first to freshen up before heading back to wait for her.
But the moment he stepped inside his room.
His instincts warned him of danger.
Alexander instantly drew his wand.
His eyes scanned the room carefully.
Everything looked normal, except for one thing.
He looked at his desk.
Tom Riddle's Diary was gone, and someone or something else just entered his room.
Alexander looked at a random wall.
A ghostly figure quietly stood there.
Alexander focused his eyes.
It was the teenage version of Tom Riddle.
Alexander smile.
"So that's what the teenage version of you looks like."
Tom smiled coldly.
"Hello, Alex."
"You truly thought you could fool me?"
He laughed softly.
Alexander crossed his arms.
"Yes, because you're a prodigy like me."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But you lack common sense."
Tom's smile widened.
"You dare say I lack common sense?!"
"I've taken your little girlfriend."
"Why don't you come find me?"
Alexander's eyes widened with shock.
Tom chuckled coldly.
"If you don't find me… She dies tonight."
Alexander's expression darkened instantly, and he said coldly.
"I thought we were friends."
He slowly lifted his wand.
"Friends don't go kidnapping each other's girlfriend."
He smirked slightly.
"I'll see you soon…"
"Oh, Tommy boy."
Tom's ghostly image vanished.
Alexander didn't waste a second.
He ran straight out of the Ravenclaw tower.
Through the corridors.
Down the staircases.
Until he reached the second-floor bathroom.
The bathroom of Moaning Myrtle.
He rushed inside.
The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was already open.
Alexander immediately jumped into the tunnel.
Sliding down the dark pipe.
Landing inside the ancient chamber below.
He stood up slowly.
Wand already raised.
"Alright, Tom."
"I'm here."