Chapter 61

Hermione stood there in shock. The man chuckled in amusement.

"Hermione," he said.

Hermione broke out of her shock and flung herself at him, hugging him tightly.

"You look so different!" she exclaimed, pulling back to study him.

"A simple Transfiguration."

Suddenly, the true Alex stood in front of her, although he still wore the glasses.

"Better?" he asked.

Hermione smiled.

"Much," she said. "Not that the other look didn't suit you, but you look better like this."

Hermione suddenly hit Alex on the chest. Alex grunted slightly and raised an eyebrow at her.

"You promised to keep in touch! You didn't send a single letter in fifteen years!" Hermione exclaimed. "I was worried about you!"

"Sorry," Alex said. "I've been a little busy. I thought I'd make it up to you by visiting instead of sending a letter."

Hermione sighed.

"Thank you, Alex," she said. "It's great to see you."

"Bloody hell! Alex!" Ginny exclaimed, coming up behind Hermione.

"Yes," Alex said.

Ginny grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him inside. Alex stumbled a little. Ginny hugged him briefly. Eric and Ron smiled when they saw him.

"Good to see you again," Ron said.

Eric shuffled uncomfortably.

"Eric, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see Alex after fifteen years?" Ginny asked, frowning in concern.

"Eric," Alex said.

Eric looked at him.

"It's okay. I don't hold a grudge," Alex said calmly.

Eric visibly relaxed.

"Sorry, it's just..." he trailed.

Alex smiled slightly in understanding.

"It's okay," he said again.

"So, where have you traveled?" Hermione asked. "I want to hear everything Alex. Don't leave anything out."

"I've been all over," Alex said. "I toured Western Europe, Scandinavia, and America. I stayed in China for a few months."

"What have you been doing? You can't have just been touring around," Eric said.

"No, I wasn't just touring around. I was also on the run from people after me," Alex said.

"That's not what I meant," Eric said. "Surely you took a few jobs here and there."

"Sure," Alex said.

"And what about now?" Ginny asked.

"I settled down in America about a year ago." Alex said. "It's still dangerous for me to go anywhere without a disguise, especially in the wizarding community there. Apparently, there's a worldwide hunt for me, but it's died down a little now. That's why I finally settled down. I'm a professor now."

"At Ilvermorny?" Hermione asked.

"No, actually," Alex said. "That's still a little too risky for me. I'm a muggle professor at a lowkey university. I teach Literature."

"I honestly never expected that from you, no offense. What name do you go by these days?" Eric asked.

"Lucas Sanders," Alex said. "Something I came up on the spot when applying for the job."

"Professor Sanders...interesting," Hermione said, frowning thoughtfully. "Why Literature?"

"I read a lot and I understand what to look for in a book," Alex said. "I was good enough for the university's standards, so I got hired. Of course, since I don't have any sort of professional degree, I had to manipulate the recruiter's mind."

Hermione frowned slightly before sighing. She nodded.

"It's good you found something to support yourself with," she said.

"What's with the glasses?" Ginny cut in.

Alex touched the black frames.

"Part of the disguise," he said. "Does it look okay?"

"It's...different," Ginny said, nodding. "A good different."

Hermione suddenly took Alex's hand in her own. Alex blinked.

"Alex...are you happy?" Hermione asked softly.

"What do you mean by that?" Alex asked. "I am doing well, if that's what you mean."

"No, no, not that," Hermione said. "Are you happy...without Harry here with you?"

Alex's eyes softened in understanding.

"I do miss him," he admitted quietly. "But...it was his choice. As I said before, Hermione, there was nothing I could say or do that would change his mind. Besides, he'll always be with me."

Alex huffed in laughter.

"He was always so troublesome. He got into a lot of trouble when we were younger. I always had to look out for him, even if I didn't do it like any other sibling would. I was always cold and harsh towards him, trying to make him understand...he was the best brother I could ask for though." he said.

Alex looked at Hermione.

"It did take some getting used to. He was always just there, you know? All our lives, the only thing we had was each other," he continued. "It was hard for the first couple years, but I got used to it eventually."

"I don't know what to say," Hermione said. "You were traveling around the world, constantly on the run, with nobody but yourself to rely on. I can't even imagine what that must've been like."

"Well...not exactly alone; I had Hedwig with me," Alex said. "But she died several years ago."

"Poor Hedwig," Hermione said. "She was a beautiful cat. Harry seemed to care about her a lot."

"Yeah," Alex said. "Did I tell you I was the one who got Hedwig for Harry?"

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"I'm pretty sure Harry told us about that," Eric said.

Alex nodded.

"Well, now that you know what Harry was like, truly like, you should know that he was never allowed to have a pet. He wasn't very fond of animals and usually used them in experiments," Alex said. "Why he suddenly asked for a cat...let's just say it surprised me to say the least. I saw Hedwig and I liked her immediately. I was actually really reluctant to give her to Harry since I didn't know if he would actually treat her correctly given his track record with animals in the past. But I was relieved to see he took care of Hedwig. He did scare her a couple times, but he never meant to."

"That's good to hear," Hermione said. "Hedwig was always just a sweet cat. She had the most beautiful golden eyes I had ever seen."

Alex nodded in agreement. He held up his finger and a tempus appeared.

"I should get going soon," he said.

"So soon?" Ginny asked. "Why not stay a few more hours?"

"Sorry," Alex said, smiling apologetically. "Being a professor can get hectic sometimes. I need to prepare for all the classes."

"Right," Hermione said. "Will you visit another time?"

"Sure," Alex said.

"Or we could come to America and visit you instead," Ginny suggested.

At that, Alex hesitated. Then he nodded slowly.

"Sure," he said after a few seconds.

Ginny chuckled.

"Don't want us visiting you while you're teaching a class?" she asked.

"Something like that," Alex replied.

Alex's smile grew slightly strained, almost imperceptible. Only Hermione noticed it, but her thoughts were quickly put aside as Alex stood up. Everyone else stood up as well.

"Well, next time we see each other, I hope we can introduce the kids to you," Eric said, holding out a hand.

Alex shook his hand and then Ron's hand. Ginny and Hermione hugged him briefly, ignoring that Alex slightly stiffened before relaxing into the hug.

"Still not used to being hugged?" Hermione asked, chuckling slightly.

"No."

"You were always so aloof when it came to interacting with other people," Hermione said. "Try to get out there more, Alex, okay? It'll be good for you."

"I have tried, but it doesn't work very well," Alex said. "But I'll try harder."

"Good enough," Ginny said, smiling.

They walked Alex to the door. Alex was suddenly wearing his disguise again as he stepped through the door.

"We'll send you a letter when we come visit," Ron called.

Alex nodded curtly before raising a hand to wave. Ron, Eric, Hermione, and Ginny waved goodbye. Alex took something out of his pocket and a second later, he was gone.

"He looked well," Eric said. "He seems...happier, more relaxed."

"Yeah," Hermione said, leaning against the door. "He does."