Christmas break arrived beneath a sky of pale winter blue.
Snow dusted the Hogwarts grounds like powdered sugar, softening towers and courtyards in white silence.
The castle buzzed with departure energy.
Students hurried to the train, dragging trunks, carrying owl cages, shouting last-minute goodbyes.
Laughter echoed.
Promises to write.
Holiday plans shouted across staircases.
Alexander stood near the courtyard steps…
And simply watched them leave.
The Hogwarts Express hissed at the station below, steam billowing into the cold air.
Students boarded in clusters.
Families waited beyond the gates.
Alexander remained still, hands in his coat pockets.
There was no excitement in his expression.
Just a faint, distant look.
He wanted to see his family, too.
But nope.
He was stuck at Hogwarts this year.
If this had been Ilvermorny instead of Hogwarts…
He would've been going home without question.
"Stupid Hogwarts," he muttered under his breath.
Footsteps crunched in the snow beside him.
Cho Chang.
She stood next to him, scarf wrapped snug around her neck.
"You know," she said gently, "you could still come join my family for Christmas if you want."
Alexander glanced at her.
"My parents would love to meet you," she added. "They'd be really interested in hearing about America."
For a moment…
He actually considered it.
Warm house.
Family dinner.
Noise.
Then he shook his head lightly.
"No, it's fine."
Cho studied him.
"You sure?"
"Maybe next year," he said casually. "If my lovable parents abandon me again."
Cho laughed.
"You're terrible."
He smirked faintly.
She adjusted her robe, stepping backward toward the train.
"Well… I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Alex."
"Don't worry," she added. "Break will go quickly. Everyone will be back soon."
They both laughed lightly at that.
Then she turned and boarded the train with the rest of the Ravenclaws.
Alexander watched until she disappeared and was about to leave when.
"Oi."
Fred's voice came from behind him.
Alexander didn't turn.
George continued the thought.
"Say goodbye to your lover?"
They both snickered.
Alexander blinked.
"What?"
Fred waggled his eyebrows.
"You and Cho."
George nodded sagely.
"Holiday romance."
Alexander stared at them flatly.
"So because we're both Asian, we have to date?"
The twins froze instantly.
Expressions locking in mild horror.
"…We didn't mean—" Fred started.
Alexander burst out laughing before he could finish.
"Relax."
The twins exhaled in relief.
Alexander shrugged casually.
"I do like her."
They leaned in immediately.
"But we're not official yet," he finished. "Haven't asked yet."
The twins grinned again.
"Respectable," George said.
Fred nodded. "Strategic patience."
Fred suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Wait — you should come stay with us!"
George lit up.
"Yeah! There are loads of us. You'll fit right in."
Fred leaned closer conspiratorially.
"Come on, we'll prank our younger brother Ron together."
George added, barely containing laughter:
"Let's make him pee his bed again."
They both cackled.
Alexander shook his head slowly, amused.
"No, it's fine."
They paused.
"You sure?" Fred asked.
"I've got some things to do," Alexander replied.
That answer carried more weight than they realized.
He smiled slightly afterward.
"But expect a wonderful gift from me."
The twins grinned immediately.
"Oh, we will."
"Terrified already."
They clasped his shoulders dramatically before boarding the train.
Steam roared.
The Hogwarts Express pulled away slowly.
Students waved from the windows.
Voices faded into the distance.
Snow drifted in the train's wake until the tracks were quiet again.
The platform emptied.
Silence returned.
Alexander stood there a moment longer…
Then turned back toward the castle alone.
Hogwarts during term was loud.
Alive.
Chaotic.
But during Christmas break…
It felt like a sleeping giant.
Corridors echoed.
Only a handful of students remained behind.
Alexander walked through the Entrance Hall, hands in his coat pockets.
He entered Ravenclaw Tower quietly.
He set his bag down beside his bed and sat.
For the first time in months…
There was nothing immediate to do.
No prank.
No chase.
No detention.
Just winter silence.
He leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling.
Then—
He felt it again.
That cold trace of magic.
Fainter since Halloween…
But clearer now in the quiet castle.
Like frost creeping along unseen glass.
Alexander sat up slowly.
Eyes narrowing toward the dormitory door.
It was still here.
Something was moving in the depths of Hogwarts.
And now…
With the castle mostly empty—
Whatever Professor Blackwood was planning…
Christmas might be when it begins.