Chapter 7

Alex heard a knock on his door the next day. He set down his cup of tea and went over. He opened the door to see all seven of the group on his doorstep.

"Hello," Alex said.

"Hey Alex," Hermione said. "Listen, can we talk about something?"

"What is it?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"These three say they went outside yesterday, but you said you didn't feel them leave the wards around your house," Hermione said, gesturing to Mark, Rose, and Hugo. "I think something happened to them yesterday and their memories could've been wiped. Are you sure this area is safe? You haven't seen anyone suspicious?"

Alex sighed.

"I have never been bothered here, Hermione," he said. "And I have never seen anyone suspicious, but I could be wrong. I did only move in a year ago. But I have swept the area with my magic; I never sensed anyone near the cottage."

"Still...I know something happened yesterday. I'm worried," Hermione said.

"If it makes you feel better, I will check everything again," Alex said.

"Please, that would make all of us feel better," Hermione said. "You have a lovely place...but something isn't right about this area."

Alex closed his eyes and spread his magic out. He didn't sense anyone strange nearby.

He had no idea what his twin was planning.

Then...he felt it. Alex opened his eyes and stepped outside and closed the door behind him. He walked around the house, the others following him.

"Where did you guys exit the house from?" Alex asked the three kids.

"From the back porch," Mark said.

Alex felt his eye twitch in annoyance. That sneaky bastard...

Alex waved his wand and covered up the small hole in his wards.

"Alex?" Eric asked.

"There was a small hole in the wards," Alex said.

"Did someone try to get in?" Hermione asked, frowning in concern. "You don't normally make this kind of mistake."

"Not normally, but even I am not perfect," Alex said. "The hole is what prevented me from sensing the kids going outside. It's fixed now. Nothing else happened."

The four adults sighed in relief.

"That's good to hear," Eric said. "Well, at least we know the whole story now."

"I guess there really was nothing to worry about," Ron said.

"We should get back to the hotel. We're leaving this evening to go visit the Western states," Ginny said.

"We'll be gone for about three days. We'll send you pictures, Alex," Ron said.

"You seemed to have gotten rid of your worry rather quickly," Alex said.

"Well, if you said there was a hole in the wards, there was a hole in the ward. Nobody else other than you could've sensed it, especially if it was so small." Eric said. "And you said this place is safe and nobody goes near it; I know you wouldn't joke around about that since you love being alone so much."

Alex nodded.

"Very well then, I will see you in three days," he said.

"Bye Alex," Hermione said, smiling.

As soon as they were gone, Alex stormed into the cottage. Harry was sitting on the couch, curled up with Hedwig and a book.

"Harry," Alex growled. "How dare you mess with the wards?! You know how reckless that was?!"

"I was careful," Harry said, calmly turning a page in his book.

Alex snatched the book away from Harry. Harry blinked and looked up. Alex was barely able to restrain himself from throwing the book across the room; he forced himself to set it down on the table gently. His magic was crackling around him angrily.

"I don't think you understand how risky messing with the wards are, Harry," Alex said, his voice strained. "Those wards are not only to prevent people from getting into the house but also to hide your presence from the world. I don't know if you've realized, but your magical aura is very dark, much darker than mine, especially since you've started absorbing dark magic. If that hole was any bigger, those nosy morons would've found out about you!"

"It was a mere pinprick, something only you would've sensed," Harry said. "Nobody else I know is able to sense something so small."

"And you don't think those four will realize that even I didn't know about the hole until I was actually looking for it? They know I don't normally make mistakes in magic, especially in wards! They'll get suspicious because of your actions," Alex exclaimed. "You should've warned me of this beforehand!"

Alex clenched his hands into fists tightly to the point blood was dripping down. It was clear Alex was struggling to restrain himself from any violence. Harry nudged Hedwig off his lap. The black cat reluctantly got off before curling up on the next cushion, dozing off quickly enough, ignoring the malicious aura coming from Alex.

Harry reached for Alex's hands and uncurled them. He rested his own hands over the small crescent shaped wounds, healing them instantly. Harry conjured a cloth and wiped the blood off Alex's newly healed hands.

"I understand your anger, Alex, but it was the best option at the moment," Harry said quietly. "Yes, I know they will be suspicious, but even they know that we are all human and humans make mistakes every once in a while. I know what I'm doing, Alex. Have you ever doubted me?"

"There are times I do," Alex said.

Alex gently pushed Hedwig to the far cushion, earning a meow of protest. Alex sank onto the couch next to Harry.

"I've always come through with my plans," Harry said, resting a hand on Alex's hand. "Trust me, Alex."

"How can I? You never tell me anything. I swear, you're going to be the death of me," Alex muttered.

Harry gripped his hand tightly, making Alex wince slightly in pain.

"Don't joke about death to me, Alex," Harry warned. "Especially not your death."

"I know, sorry," Alex said, closing his eyes.

Harry released his hand.

"I think...you should be more worried about our friends knowing us when you never told anyone you had friends in the past," he said quietly. "It could cause trouble for us."

"We'll deal with it when that comes," Alex said. "I have no qualms eliminating those who get too close to the truth."

Harry hummed.

"I know."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Positive, sir."

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, sighed. The Auror that had brought him the information stood calmly before him.

"So two of the best Aurors in England are suddenly best friends with an unknown but very good Curse Breaker all the way in America," he said. "What is this man's name again?"

"Lucas Sanders, but an eye witness, one of the clients of Sanders, says Mrs. Granger-Weasley addressed Sanders as Alex. Sanders told our eye witness it was his middle name. Sanders also told his fellow Curse Breakers and the Aurors at the bank that he had no previous friends. There's no record of a Lucas Sanders ever attending Hogwarts either, but the Potters and Granger-Weasleys seem to know him very well, so well it can only stem from a childhood friendship." the Auror said.

"A Curse Breaker? It does seem like a reasonable occupation for this criminal, who specializes in Dark Magic." Fudge said. "Do we have any kind of past on Sanders?"

"None," the Auror said. "I and the others searched through records. He appeared at Gringotts, demonstrated his skills, and was hired as Curse Breaker; all a year ago. Anything before that is unknown, at least fourteen years worth. No records of where he went to school; he just appeared out of thin air."

"Well, Alexander Riddle has been evading capture for fifteen years. With such a dangerous criminal like him running loose throughout the world, we can't to ignore even the slightest tip. Contact the Magic Congress in America and tell them to investigate Mr. Lucas Sanders."

"Yes sir, right away."