Alexander ignored the feeling for now.
The cold trace of magic lingered in the back of his mind like unfinished homework…
But Halloween was tomorrow.
And priorities mattered.
All day, the castle buzzed with nervous excitement.
Students hurried through corridors in groups, glancing over their shoulders.
Some clutched wands despite school rules.
First years practically ran between staircases.
Even older students — who tried to appear calm — walked faster than usual.
Alexander observed it all as he leaned against a corridor window.
"Fear saturation nearing peak," he murmured.
Fred nodded proudly.
"Evil Ghost legend success rate: catastrophic."
George added, "Students now fear pumpkins and darkness."
Alexander smirked faintly.
"Good. That sets the emotional stage for tonight."
The Great Hall had transformed completely.
Floating jack-o'-lanterns filled the air.
Black and orange banners draped from enchanted rafters.
The enchanted ceiling glowed twilight purple, stars barely visible through gathering clouds.
Alexander sat at the Ravenclaw table beside Cho, who was watching the decorations with bright eyes.
"This is incredible," she said. "It feels… alive."
Alexander rested his chin on his palm.
"It can be improved."
Cho laughed lightly. "Of course you'd say that."
Before he could reply—
Fred and George slid onto the bench across from them in perfect synchronization.
Fred leaned forward.
"It's all set."
George grinned.
"Starting soon."
Cho blinked. "Starting what?"
Alexander didn't answer.
He simply lifted his goblet slightly.
"Observe."
It began subtly.
A thin illusion fog rolled in along the floor, drifting between tables like ghostly breath.
Students noticed immediately.
Whispers spread.
Then—
The ghosts arrived.
Nearly Headless Nick led them.
But this time…
Their voices were amplified.
A ghostly choir echoed through the Hall — haunting, layered, theatrical.
Some students clapped nervously.
Others looked unsettled.
Cho's eyes widened.
"Alex…"
He only smiled faintly.
Above them, the enchanted ceiling darkened.
Storm clouds gathered.
Thunder rumbled.
Lightning flashed silently across the sky.
The entire Hall flickered in dramatic silver light.
Fred whispered, "Phase two?"
Alexander nodded once.
And that's when things got louder.
Animated suits of armor lining the walls suddenly stepped forward—
And began dueling each other.
Metal clashed.
Swords rang.
Students gasped and stood from their benches to watch.
One armor disarmed another with theatrical flair.
George covered his mouth, laughing.
"Okay, that's brilliant."
Alexander allowed himself a small smile.
Then—
Something changed.
Pumpkin juice across the tables suddenly shimmered…
Then changed color.
Gold.
Blue.
Purple.
Students stared into their goblets in confusion.
Fred blinked.
"…Did you do that?"
Alexander frowned slightly.
Before he could answer—
One floating pumpkin near the ceiling inhaled deeply…
And breathed a small stream of fire.
Students screamed.
More pumpkins followed.
Short bursts of controlled flame lit the Hall like dragon breath.
George's grin froze.
"Okay… that wasn't us."
Alexander stood up slowly.
Watching.
Calculating.
This magic signature…
Wasn't theirs.
Professors were already on their feet.
McGonagall drew her wand instantly, scanning the ceiling.
Flitwick looked startled but fascinated.
Sprout ducked as a flaming pumpkin drifted overhead.
Snape—
Looked ready to commit murder.
A vein throbbed violently in his temple as green candlelight reflected off his glare.
His eyes locked directly onto Alexander.
Alexander didn't react.
Because for once…
He wasn't responsible.
At the staff table, Dumbledore simply watched.
Hands folded.
Eyes twinkling behind half-moon glasses.
Amused.
As if he knew more than he was saying.
After several minutes, he lifted his wand calmly.
A soft golden wave spread across the Hall.
Fog dissipated.
Armor froze mid-duel.
Pumpkins stopped breathing fire.
Goblets returned to normal color.
Within seconds…
Everything reset.
As if nothing had happened.
Students erupted into applause.
Some out of relief.
Some out of excitement.
Cho turned to Alexander, clapping enthusiastically.
"Alex, that was amazing! How did you do all of it?"
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Because Fred and George were staring at him.
Confused.
He looked back at them.
They looked at each other.
Fred spoke first.
"…You added the juice thing, right?"
George just looked at him, confused, and said.
"And the fire pumpkins. Dramatic touch."
Alexander's brow furrowed.
"I didn't."
Silence.
The twins' smiles faded.
"Wait," Fred said slowly.
"You're serious?"
"I layered fog, choir amplification, ceiling storm, and armor animation," Alexander said calmly.
"Nothing else."
George's eyes widened slightly.
"…Then who did the rest?"
All three of them slowly looked around the Hall.
Students laughed.
Talked.
Celebrated.
Completely unaware that the chaos had gone off-script.
Alexander's gaze drifted toward the staff table.
Specifically—
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Professor Adrian Blackwood sat composed, hands folded, watching the aftermath.
He wasn't clapping.
He wasn't surprised.
He was watching Alexander.
And when their eyes met…
Blackwood smiled faintly.
A knowing smile.
The same one from before.
As dinner ended, students filed out in noisy groups.
The illusion fog residue had fully faded.
But Alexander paused near the hall doors.
There it was again.
That cold trace of magic.
Not illusion.
Not festive.
Real.
Ancient.
It lingered in the air like breath in winter.
The same presence he'd felt before.
Stronger tonight.
Closer.
Fred nudged him.
"You good?"
Alexander didn't look away from the corridor shadows.
"…Yeah."
But his voice was quieter than usual.
Because somewhere deeper in the castle…
Something else was moving through the dark.
And unlike their ghost…