After she recovered from her ordeal, Dumbledore asked her to stay at the castle and learn all she could. She was elated, and the headmaster asked the instructors to teach her some of the things that didn't involve magical ability. After sending her parents letters by owl post, Alexi began learning about magical creatures from Hagrid, magical plants and their uses from Sprout, and the history of magic from Binns and the librarian Madam Pince. She also spent time in the hospital ward with Pomfrey learning about magical cures, explored arithmancy with Professor Vector, and even delved into Muggle Studies. She toiled in all of these, and hungered to learn even more. Of course she couldn't perform charms, spells, divination, defense against the dark arts, or transfiguration, but she did learn the theories behind them, and wished she could perform them.
She felt like an outsider, not only because she was a Muggle, but also because she was twenty-six years old – eight years older than the seventh-years. At meals, she tended to eat off by herself, and was afraid of being made a fool among the other students. She had, at this point, decided not to return to the company she left, and to remain at Hogwarts, where she could spend all of her time learning – a dream come true. In exchange for all this – food, a place to sleep, and the opportunity to learn – she helped Hagrid, Filch, and the professors in their duties. Even with the loneliness, she still felt more at home here than she ever did in the Muggle world. Like the others, she celebrated when Ginny was rescued by Harry and the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets was destroyed, but she ached to truly fit in.
Seeing her isolation, Nearly Headless Nick befriended her, and decided to find a special place in the castle that would be hers alone. After much questioning of ghosts and paintings, he was approached by a very commanding lady of the late tenth century – Rowena Ravenclaw. She had heard of his quest through the other portraits and had been watching Alexi for some time. She felt a kinship to this girl; she couldn't explain it, but she felt she ought to assist.
"So you have become friends with the Muggle girl," she stated without prelude.
"Yes, your grace, but how did you know of this?" He bowed grandly, one hand on his head to prevent it from flopping to the side. "You have not been seen for some time." He lamely added.
She sniffed regally, her sapphire blue eyes sparkling. "Just because I have not been seen does not mean I am oblivious to what is going on, Sir Nicholas."
"I apologize, my lady."
She smiled suddenly. With a light voice, she said, "Oh, Sir Nicholas – how formal we have become!" Her merry laugh filled the hallway. He returned her smile. "Now back to business, my friend. I have a solution for you; I know of a secret place for your Muggle associate."
"Great news, Alexi!" Nick called out as he appeared through the wall of her room, where Alexi was studying. "I have found you a place in this castle that no one else knows of!"
She blinked, trying to figure out what he was talking about. "A secret place in the castle for me? Really? What would make you do that?"
"Well, I thought you might like to know something that few others do. But if you're not interested . . ." he started to float away.
"Stop! Tell me!" she insisted. Nick stopped with a big grin, and turned back around to face her. "Where is this place?"
Nick slid up beside her. "Well, I'm not exactly allowed to show you; I am only allowed to tell you, and I can only do that once. I was forced to swear an oath, and as a gentleman, when I make a promise to a lady, I keep it."
Now Alexi was really intrigued. "There's a lady involved too? Wow, I feel popular all of a sudden!" She stood to look Nick in the eye. "So?" she prompted. "Tell me where I may find this special place."
"Yes, this room is actually the property of said lady. It was she who told me of its whereabouts." Nick scratched his head. "Even I did not know of it until now, and I have been through every inch of this castle. Oh, well," he shrugged. "Are you prepared to listen; like I said, I can only give these directions once." Alexi assured him she was, and listened carefully.
He recited, "Go to the North Tower. Take the central stair to the seventh landing. At the landing, take the left hallway. Follow the stair until it ends at a large room filled with paintings. One corner of this room is devoted to landscapes; go to this area. Find the painting that features a road running back to a clearing in the center, with a single tall tree on either side of the road. Take one finger from each hand and place them on the bottom of the trunks. Follow the trees up with your fingers until you reach their tips, and then angle your fingers downwards until they meet. The trees will follow your movements until they form an arch. Remove your fingers from the painting and wait for the arch to grow. It will enlarge until it is big enough to walk through. Go through the painting and you will find yourself in a winding narrow stairway filled with tapestries. Follow the stair up until it ends in a cozy room with a large window. That is your destination." He wiped imaginary sweat off his brow with an exaggerated flourish, and bowed. She laughed and then quickly put on her shoes. "Where are you going?" Nick asked.
"To find my new room, of course!" She grabbed her pack and left, very excited. Nick watched her go, shook his head, murmured "Young people", and then glided out of her room to find the Fat Friar.
She had no problems finding the place, making sure she wrote down the directions as she went. The stairway was carved from marble, and fine tapestries lined the walls. As she neared the top, the torches lit themselves, sending flickering light over the stone. Alexi rounded the last bend and what she saw took her breath away. At the top lay a single room, with a chair and table, fireplace, rugs, and an empty canvas in an ornate gold frame. These were all of fine quality, but what really amazed her was the window. Curving around the entire width of the room, it offered an unparalleled view of the grounds. Stretching from east to west, the window included several benches on the stone sill. She walked up to it, reaching out a hand, encountering crystal-clear glass that hummed with magic. It was dusk, and she was enthralled with the sight; this window made her feel as if she were inside the sunset as the colors washed over and through her body. The sight gave her great peace. She realized that the position of the window would also allow the same effect to happen at sunrise.
As night fell, she turned away from the window to scrutinize the rest of the room. The table and chairs were made from fine wood gilded with gold and silver. The fireplace, which had been empty when she had arrived, now had a blazing fire inside. Alexi surmised that the room was guarded by a powerful magic; she had also noticed that for being a forgotten area, it was immaculate. She walked closer to the canvas, which was completely black. It also hummed with the same magic that emitted from the window glass. The overall effect was of a cozy retreat. She smiled – this was perfect.
