Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Magic Break Can't Be Seen

The Hogwarts Express rocked back and forth gently, an almost relaxing sensation. As it raced across the countryside toward Hogwarts, it was full of laughter, cheer, and reunions between friends, catching up on the summer apart and sharing tales of their adventures. It was a pleasant time for all, save one.

Alexander Dantes sat alone in a compartment, watching the countryside pass him by with disinterest. He was bored by the long train ride, wishing he could be using it productively but having already read through his coursebooks over the summer.

He smiled softly at remembering his summer. His father, Adrian Dantes, kept his word about homeschooling Alexander. When he arrived, he was met with a stack of non-magical books and coursework almost as tall as he was. Alexander shouldn't have been so excited about learning, he knew that, but it was a sign that his parents cared about his wellbeing, that they wanted him to have options after Hogwarts. That simple fact would always bring a smile to his face.

His younger brothers, David and Jack, were upset that he couldn't join them for playtime, but he made a point to play board and card games with them in the evening. It was nice, but after spending so much of the last year alone, he found himself yearning for the solitude. Which his mother, Cynthia, provided.

Anytime dealing with his brothers became too much, she always seemed to know and created a distraction for them. He was very thankful for her actions, and any time she asked him to take out the trash, he did so without complaint. But he did draw the line at helping to get his brothers into the bath.

It was a stray comment from his father that made Alexander angry with the Wizarding World. "So, what kind of post-Hogwarts magical education is there? Is there a magic college somewhere?" Adrian asked one evening.

Alexander didn't know. It took him two trips to Diagon Alley with his father to find the necessary books, and the information was infuriating: There was post-Hogwarts education in the form of masteries, but no muggle-born had been accepted for one in over eighty years.

Alexander was so furious that his magic slipped from his control and wrecked a rather ugly vase that his Aunt Amy had given them two years ago. He immediately began to panic, remembering the notice they were all given at the end of the year at Hogwarts, saying that they did not have permission to cast spells in the muggle world over the break. He sat their morosely, thinking that he was about to be expelled and jailed for breaking the Statute of Secrecy.

Only nobody ever came.

Hours came and went, his parents came home from work, and his brothers came scurrying soon after, dropped off from football practice. His mother faked being sad about the broken vase, and baked cookies, giving him the first one off the platter. Hours later, he was sitting in his room, levitating his spellbooks, and not a single notice from the Ministry of Magic could be seen.

Alexander reasoned that the Ministry only tracked wanded magic and that since accidental magic, and wandless magic, were done without a wand it meant they couldn't be traced. He eagerly dove back into his books, convincing his father to buy more in Diagon Alley took a little effort, but was well worth it as he pushed his studies ahead.

Which left him back here, on the Hogwarts Express, bored out of his mind and with nothing new to read until they arrived. Alexander couldn't even look at the pretty shard of philosopher's stone he found at the end of the last year as he wisely chose to leave that behind in the muggle world, buried in his sock drawer, after he realized it was still beyond him to figure out.

A knock on the compartment door startled him, and he turned to see it open. Hermione Granger stood there, nervous, but looking him in the eye. "Do you mind if I join you? Everywhere else is full."

Alexander blinked in confusion but reluctantly nodded his head.

"I suppose?" he replied. Hermione beamed at him.

"Thank you!" She tucked herself into the seat across from him and stared expectantly at him. Alexander didn't know why.

"Why are you staring at me?" he finally asked. Now Hermione was confused.

"You haven't introduced yourself," she replied.

"Granger, we've been in the same classes for a year now."

She flushed red. "Well, yes, but we haven't talked until now. I'm Hermione Granger," she said, sticking out her hand.

Alexander reluctantly shook it. "Alexander Dantes," he replied shortly. An awkward silence fell over the compartment that even Hermione could feel. Not wanting to spend the rest of the train ride like this, Alexander tried to be friendly. "Where are your friends?"

He nearly winced at the lost expression that crossed over Hermione's face. She fiddled with the edge of her robes before answering. "I don't know. I couldn't find them on the train."

Realizing he might have made the situation worse, he quickly apologized. "Sorry, I should have figured when I didn't see them following you around like lost puppies."

Hermione laughed quietly. "They're not that bad. Well, maybe, Ron. Do you remember when they got lost on the first day of classes last year? Professor McGonagall threatened to turn them into a pocket watch!"

Alexander's jaw tightened at the mention of the Transfiguration teacher. He still wasn't overly fond of her. "So what's your favorite thing about magic?" he asked, trying to move the conversation to more comfortable grounds.

She noticeably lit up. "I like Charms. Professor Flitwick makes the practicals fun, although I wish he'd spend more time on theory, like Professor McGonagall. Did you know that she..."

Alexander suppressed a sigh as Hermione began to wax poetic about their professors. In truth, he was disappointed. She was a bright witch, who often got her spells right quickly. That she worshipped the professors instead of just respecting their position and power was slightly annoying in his mind. Still, this was the most pleasant conversation he'd had with any of the students at Hogwarts yet, and he wasn't going to run her off simply because of her conversation skills.

That'd be impolite.

Magic Break Can't Be Seen

AN: And Year Two! If it wasn't obvious, Alexander left the shard of the Philosopher's Stone at home in the non-magical world. Why? He's twelve, as smart as he is, there's still a lot for him to learn about magic. The Philosopher's Stone is the pinnacle of Alchemy, something that's only been created once in all of history. Give him a year or two to figure it out.

I hope you all enjoy the story!