Alice had no choice but to keep walking, steeling herself.
The Bloody Baron drifted over. By the time he reached her side, Hagrid was long gone.
His eyes were dead serious. "Why are you out here like this?"
Alice met his gaze, calm but puzzled. "Is that a problem, sir?"
The Baron faltered—she looked so sure of herself. Then he snapped, "Of course it's a problem, Alice!"
"You leave the castle, you leave the protection. You have no idea what's out here in the wizarding world."
"You came from the Forbidden Forest. There are powerful magical creatures in there—some with soul-based abilities. If something goes wrong, who's gonna save you?"
Alice blinked. "When you say soul-based… you mean thestrals?"
"Thestrals are one, yeah. But they're gentle. They're not the real danger in there."
He paused, eyes narrowing. "You've seen thestrals? How?"
Alice's face dimmed. "I watched my parents die."
"…Sorry."
The Baron went quiet for a beat, awkward. Alice waved it off.
He pressed on. "That's exactly why you need to protect yourself. I get it—you kids want to explore Hogwarts. But you've gotta stay safe."
"The wizarding world looks peaceful, but it's full of dangers. From people. From things."
"Mostly from you lot being reckless and clueless."
Alice nodded. She was pretty sure she could handle herself, but she felt the worry in his voice. She wasn't heartless—she treasured it.
The Baron saw she got it. A small smile tugged at his lips. He'd been worried she'd get cocky, think she was untouchable. Plenty of gifted kids at Hogwarts did.
But Alice? She listened. His expression softened.
"So… what'd you see in the forest?"
They floated side by side toward the Slytherin common room. Alice picked through her night, mixing truth with half-lies.
The Baron sounded shocked. "So in one night you ran into a unicorn and thestrals—and touched them?"
Alice nodded.
"That's impressive."
She frowned. "Not common?"
"Not even close. Unicorns keep to themselves—most people never spot one. Thestrals? Even rarer. You've gotta see death to even know they're there."
"Not many folks who've watched someone die hang out in the forest on the regular."
Alice nodded, quiet. She'd been hoping to chat with the thestrals more—maybe snag a weaker Myriad Soul Banner vibe. Sounded like tonight was a fluke.
Under the Baron's hawk eyes, she slipped through the dorm door.
He planted himself outside. "I'm camping here tonight. No more ghost-mode field trips."
What could she say? It was late anyway. Bedtime.
…
The half-night flew by.
A sliver of sunlight snuck through the curtains.
Alice opened her eyes.
Sunday—no classes. Millicent and the girls were still snoring.
McGonagall had rolled out the "Norton-Flitwick Study Method" lately. First-years were stressed. Millicent was even sawing logs.
Thinking about the method made Alice smirk. Flitwick—Ravenclaw legend.
He'd tested Alice's technique on upper years, saw it speed up Protego and Expelliarmus, then bam—published papers.
Named it "Norton-Flitwick" without even asking. Alice hadn't expected her fake last name to debut in academic journals.
A few days ago, Butler Taylor—who'd been cramming wizarding basics—sent a letter gushing about her "genius."
"Miss, you are a genius!"
He'd dropped the "almost" this time. Said it was an insult.
Alice's review? She shoved that letter in the deepest drawer. If Pansy saw it, she'd die of embarrassment.
The common room was quiet. She didn't know most of the kids there, so she kept to herself.
A couple fourth-years whispered, waving parchment and side-eyeing her.
…
Yup. Victims of Flitwick's "spell worksheets." Alice had given him tons of feedback on the Protego and Expelliarmus drills.
Her magic reserves were still small, so her spells weren't powerhouse-level yet.
But her understanding? Way beyond fourth- or fifth-years. Thank you, Nicholas's notes floating in the banner's soul space.
When she glanced over, the two sat up straight. Flitwick had warned them: stick to those two spells, and they might not beat Alice.
Slytherins know when to pick battles.
A first-year with that kind of skill? Future big shot. No need to make enemies.
Alice gave them a half-smirk.
The door opened. Theodore Nott stumbled in, looking wiped.
The second he spotted Alice, exhaustion turned to rage.
Alice cringed.