Chapter - 015 Even after coming to his room, Alex was lost in thoughts. What happened today made him realise that he still has a lot to learn. He remembered when children first show their affinity to the magic they don't have a wand with them. Professor McGonagall too, when first visited them used magic without a wand. Alex has never tried using magic without a wand. When he did not have his wand, Snape gave him one. Now it's time for him to discover this uncharted territory. Days passed by, and they had been at Hogwarts for two months now, it was already Halloween. On Halloween morning, student woke to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors. But what excited the first years was Professor Flitwick's announcement in Charms. He thought they were ready to start making objects fly, something they had all been dying to try since they'd seen him make Neville's toad zoom around the classroom. Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice. Harry's partner was Seamus, the one who picked up the fight with Alex. Ron with Hermione, Nicole with Dean Thomas and Alex was with none other than Malfoy. Each pair had different emotions right now. It was hard to tell whether Ron or Hermione was angrier about this. She hadn't spoken to either Ron or Harry since the day Harry's broomstick had arrived. Dean, on the other hand, was trying to strike a conversation with Nicole. Watching this Seamus almost chewed his fingers. On Alex's side, there was complete silence. Malfoy was trying not to let out even a squeak. Seeing Malfoy sitting so stiffly Alex could not take it any more. "You can relax. I am not going to kill you" Alex said. "Who said I am not relaxed? I am completely fine" Malfoy said while trying to put on a brave front. "Suit yourself" Alex could only shrug. Regarding Malfoy, Alex didn't have much of an opinion. As far as Alex can understand, Malfoy's behaviour can only be regarded as naive. His behaviour was all due to what he has seen since childhood. If one could help him look at things from a different perspective, he might change. Soon the class started. "Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practising!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, perched on top of his pile of books as usual. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important too, never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f ' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest." It was difficult than it sounded. But for Alex, it was like a walk in the park. He took out his wand to cast the spell. The feather rose from the desk and flew around the class. "Very well done, Mr Ashbridge" Professor Flitwick squeaked once again. On Harry's side Harry and Seamus swished and flicked, but the feather, they were supposed to be sending skyward just lay on the desktop. Seamus got so impatient that he prodded it with his wand and 'BOOM' the feather exploded. Both Harry and Seamus were covered in black. Nicole was also able to make her feather float. Dean was praising her non-stop. "The Ashbridge siblings are something else" Professor Flitwick was very happy. Ron, at the next table, wasn't having much more luck. "Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted, waving his long arms like a windmill. Alex looked at Ron then turned towards Malfoy who was also having trouble with the spell. "Do you want some help?" Alex asked Malfoy. "Well..." Malfoy was about to agree when he heard Hermione. "You're saying it wrong," Hermione snapped. "It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long." "Listen to her she is better at explaining than me," Alex said to Malfoy. "You want me to learn from a mud..." Malfoy was about to curse Hermione, but then he remembered what happened last time. Alex looked towards Malfoy, shook his head in disappointment and laid back. Malfoy thought Alex would refute and say something, but the silent treatment made it worse for him. He looked towards Hermione and listened to her. "You do it, then, if you're so clever," Ron snarled. Hermione rolled up the sleeves of her gown, flicked her wand, and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Their feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads. "Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick, clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's has done it too!" Malfoy felt his cheeks burning with shame. Ron was in a very bad mood by the end of the class. "It's no wonder no one can stand her," Ron said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, "she's a nightmare, honestly." Someone knocked into Harry as they hurried past him. It was Hermione. Alex caught a glimpse of her face, she was in tears. Nicole gave a look to Ron and ran after Hermione. "I think she heard you," Harry said "So?" said Ron. "She must've noticed she's got no friends." Although Alex did not talk to Hermione much but looking at Ron and Harry, he felt a bit angry. But since Nicole has already gone after Hermione, there was nothing much he could do. In the evening when Alex came to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, he gazed towards the Gryffindor table. Hermione was nowhere to be found. Alex came to Nicole. "Where is your friend?" Alex asked. "Hermione? She has been crying in the girls' bathroom since the afternoon. She didn't turn up for the class and wasn't seen all afternoon" Nicole replied solemnly while eyeing Ron and Harry. "Why are you not with her?" Alex asked. "I was until now, but she wanted to be alone, so I left," Nicole said. No one would want anyone else to see them crying their eyes out. After hearing this Alex looked at Harry and Ron who were munching their food with gusto. Alex felt disgusted towards them, especially towards the red hair. He left the Gryffindor table. He contemplated for a while and finally came to a decision. He picked up baked potatoes, sandwiches, sausages, roasted turkey, Yorkshire Pudding, custard tart, ice cream, treacle tart and stored them in his bag. Since Hermione has been with Nicole all this time, so 'to return this favour', 'Yes, he was just returning the favour'. He is going to bring all these things to her. "Where are you taking so much food? Why don't you sit here and eat with us?" Daphne, who saw Alex storing dishes one after the other asked. "I have somewhere else to go". Alex replied and left. Alex stood outside the girls' bathroom for a while. No one went in or came out, so he was sure no one was inside except for Hermione. Alex went in and began to check the cubicles one by one. Only one was locked from inside. Alex knocked once, but there was no reply. Alex knocked again. "Who is it? I want to be alone, so please leave" Hermione replied in a hoarse voice. "It's me, Alex, Nicole's brother," Alex said. Listening to her voice it was evident that, she has cried until now. After a while, Alex could hear some scuffling sounds from inside, and soon the door opened slightly. Hermione peeked from inside. "What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, still peeking. "Why don't you come out first". Alex said. Hermione was about to come out but then remembering the state she was in she hesitated. "You turn around". Hermione said meekly. "Why?" Alex asked confused. "Just do it". Hermione insisted. Alex could only comply with her wishes. Hermione swiftly walked to the sink and washed her face vigorously. When she was done, Alex passed his handkerchief to her. "Why are you here?" Hermione asked again after she finished wiping her face. Alex pointed towards the pouch he was holding. Hermione kept on looking unable to understand. Alex took out a baked potato from the pouch. "I heard you missed the feast today, so I brought some for you". Alex said. "But I am not hungr..." Hermione was touched by Alex sincerity. But as Hermione tried to refute, her stomach betrayed her. "Well, consider it as thank you for being with Nicole all this time, she can be a major pain, so not many people can hang in there". Alex said. Alex thought to himself that he was changing with each passing day after coming to the school. Earlier, he never cared about doing anything for anyone other than his sister. But now, he slightly liked the company of Daphne. He liked when Hermione and Nicole try to outsmart others in the class. He sometimes even liked Malfoy's snobbishness in front of others. These are things he never had the time to experience for the past five years. "It's nothing". Hermione said. "Why don't we go somewhere else, I don't like the idea of eating here". Alex said while looking around. He was afraid that someone might come in any second. "No one comes here, so there is nothing to worry about". Hermione said, understanding Alex's worry. "Why won't they?" "Because of Moaning Myrtle, she is not here right now". Hermione replied. "Well if you say so". Alex started bringing out dishes one after the other and made them float in mid-air. Hermione was in awe, the magic they learned today came in quite handy. Soon all the food items were floating, and it looked artistic. * * * * *