Chapter 8: Solving One Problem At A Time

The next morning, a very tired Simon and Hugo exited the common room with their bags hauled over their shoulders. Last night, with what happened to Simon almost turning into a creature of some kind, Hugo was afraid at first, then amazed that his friend was half-human. Simon, however, was none too happy about it. He was terrified. The two boys stayed in the bathroom until Simon changed back into a normal wizard. They weren't back into the common room until three in the morning, not caring to go back and grab their telescopes, which was lucky as Joey and Raphael had brought them back.

"So, you've been having these strange visions since your visit to Diagon Alley," Hugo started as him and Simon moved passed the portrait of the Pink Lady. "And now you change into this half human, half monster thing, which we don't know what it could be yet."

"Yeah, pretty much," Simon agreed, wiping his face. "And I don't get it. This has never happened to me before; before I even got here at Hogwarts or when I was introduced into the Magical world."

"But you told me you always had weird dreams," Hugo replied.

Simon nodded. "I did," he agreed. "But dreams are weird. They're…well…dreams."

"Right," Hugo said. "But maybe there's a connection of something."

"I don't think so," Simon said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if they were connected."

Minutes later, Simon and Hugo entered the Great Hall. The two first years walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down, close to Alice. Hugo sat next to her while Simon sat on the other side of him. Nobody was really talking, just quiet and eating breakfast. Simon began to grab some food, sneaking a glance towards Alice. Alice saw that Simon looking at her out the corner of her eye, and tried to ignore it.

"Good Morning," said Simon aloud yet tiredly as he helped himself to some bacon and eggs.

"Morning," said Taylor.

"Morning, Simon," Penny greeted as Lori grave him a nod. Joey and Raphael both groaned their response, obviously still sleepy, and Alice didn't say anything at all. She actually stood up and left early for class. Simon looked at her retreating form, feeling a little guilt pull inside him, but he ignored it for now.

For all of breakfast, no one talked. Hugo tried to but was met with silence. Taylor was next to leave, and then the rest of the girls. Simon sighed and stood up along with Hugo who had another bacon strip in his hand.

"What's the matter mate?" asked Hugo. Simon looked at Hugo.

"Nothing," Simon answered. Hugo shrugged, and the two walked towards their Charms class. On their way there, Hugo spoke up.

"Look Simon, I'm not totally stupid," spoke up Hugo. Simon gave him a confused look. "I know you're hung up about Alice not talking to you, and I'm going to tell you this." Simon looked at Hugo and waited for his answer. "You should be a wizard and fix it."

Simon nodded and two continued to follow the rest of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws to Charms class. Simon sat next to Hugo in Charms, Alice sitting on the other side of the classroom with the Ravenclaws, next to Lily.

Simon was not paying attention to the class at all. He was thinking about how he had already ruined one of his new found friendships. He looked across the room to get a look at Alice. She was busy taking notes, he then felt guilt rising up, but then he thought about the forest and how she followed him, which he thought she didn't have to and just could have stayed at the edge. His guilt turned to anger so he turned back towards the front to listen to Professor Banter talk about Charms.

In Herbology, Simon tried very hard to focus in class, but the nagging sensation of getting his friend in serious danger kept poking his mind. He tried to ignore and listen to Professor Longbottom lecture; and that was another problem on his mind. Simon had taken Professor Longbottom's daughter into the Forbidden Forest. He was nervous when at the end of the class; he dropped his book right in front of the professor, who stared down at him. His face was blank, but then he gave a half smile and said, "We were all children once, and we all made dumb mistakes."

Simon let out a breath of relief when he heard those words, fearing the worst. He left to Lunch which turned out to be the same a breakfast. Quiet. Hugo kept talking about Charms stuff but no one really talked back, but that didn't stop him. Joey and Raphael did talk but only amongst themselves, as the girls were quiet, some of them sneaking some glares at Simon.

The bell rang and it was time for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Simon was the last one to walk into the class room having lagged behind and taking his time. He saw that two seats were open, one by Alice, and the other one by a Slytherin by the name of Griffin Reed, a quiet boy. Since Simon thought it would be better, he sat next to Griffin who didn't mind at all, but he did have to sit behind Markovics and Murphy. Simon ignored his bully and listened to Professor Wolpert lecture about defense spells, one in particular which was a disarming spell.

"Wow we're done early," said Wolpert, looking at his watch when his lecture was over. He then looked around and his eyes landed on Simon. "Ok I'm going to try something; kind of a first time thing. Who wants to learn a new spell? We only have time for one person," said Professor Wolpert, and everyone's hand shot into the air; a few weren't raising their hands like Alice or Simon who were a little nervous to cast a spell in front of the class. Simon just wanted to watch someone else cast a spell, and learn from that. "Ok Mr. Ares come on up," said Wolpert. The class groaned while Simon looked surprised because he was chosen without even having to raise his hand. The class stared at Simon who got uncomfortable. "Now Simon, I want you to try…let's see…the Reductor Curse." Simon nodded. "The incantation is Reducto," explained Wolpert as a Slytherin first year raised their hand; to which Wolpert noticed. "Yes?"

"Excuse me sir, but my brother told me about that curse and it's a fourth year curse," said the girl who raised their hand, by the name of Rachel Nelson. "No offense but wouldn't that be too hard for someone like Ares." Even though Simon didn't like the statement, he did agree with her.

"Yes it's possible, but the spell I heard Mr. Ares had preformed was also fourth year spell as well, plus, we're just experimenting, aren't we?" explained Wolpert. Rachel shut her mouth as Simon swallowed. "Now Mr. Ares, this curse doesn't really have a wand movement," said Wolpert as he conjured a wooden board a few feet away from Simon, at an end of the classroom. "Just point and say the incantation, but you need focus and hard concentration."

Simon nodded and took out his wand and pointed it towards the wooden board. He looked at the board and concentrated. You can do this; I know you can, thought Wolpert as he stared at Simon.

I can do this, I think, thought Simon as he had a look of determination on his face. "Reducto!" He yelled, but nothing happened and all the Slytherins laughed out loud. Wolpert looked puzzled, knowing that Simon had the potential to do this. Maybe he was not maintaining focus or concentrating hard enough.

Simon clenched his jaw, breathed heavily through his nose, gripped his wand tighter, and looked at his wand then back at the wooden board. He pointed at it determinedly and then yelled once more. "Reducto!" He shouted loudly and a jet of orange light came out of his wand, zoomed, and hit the wooden board which exploded loudly. Everybody ducked under their desks as pieces of wood shot throughout the classroom. They slowly raised their heads with shocked expressions, especially Simon and Wolpert.

Suddenly, the bell rang, and nobody moved. They were either staring at Simon or the spot where the wooden board was, in disbelief. The door opened and Mr. Potter walked in, looking around curiously. Wolpert looked over to see his colleague.

"Class dismissed," He said with an awe expression. The class started leaving except Simon who just stood there.

"What is it?! What's going on!" yelled Mr. Porter as he came huffing in, mop in hand, and with his German Sheppard dog, Mister Norrington at his side. Mister Porter was a heavy set man with a handlebar mustache. He had taken over last year as caretaker as the last one had retired.

"I thought I heard an explosion, and as I can see, someone did cause it, and that person must have been Mr. Ares," said Potter. Simon slightly nodded as well as Wolpert. "The Reductor Curse I believe," he said as he examined the pieces of wood everywhere which Simon was still staring at looking nervous.

"Am I in trouble?" asked Simon. Potter and Wolpert chuckled.

"No of course not Simon," replied Potter. Simon nodded. "You should head to your next class." Simon nodded, grabbed his stuff, and left, but he didn't really leave, he just stayed on the other side of the door.

"What do you think?" asked Wolpert.

"He's very strong indeed, but why," replied Potter as he stared at the door where Simon stood on the other side of. He even knew Simon was on the other side of the door, for a couple of reasons and one of them was that he saw a little of himself in Simon.

"What do you mean? I mean, some Purebloods are just naturally that powerful," Wolpert commented as Porter began sweeping up the dust. Mr. Norrington sat down and watched his owner sweep.

"Yes, but we know he used the Impedimenta Jinx perfectly on his first try and then this," Potter said, waving towards the wood shards. "Those are pretty powerful and hard for the average first year to use."

"Maybe he's just an ordinary powerful wizard who will do great things when he gets older," Wolpert said. "Like Dumbledore."

"That could be true, but that's not what my gut tells me, and plus, the prophecy remember?" Potter reminded as he thought of his past.

"Oh yeah," Wolpert said. "When a..."

"Not here, Nigel. I already know it by heart; I'm one of the few who heard it," Potter replied. Wolpert nodded.

"And you think it's tied to Everyn Steele?" Wolpert said quietly. Potter nodded.

"Yes I do, and his father, they are the only dark creatures of the night who have their own small loyal supporters, but Everyn Steele is the only known dark wizard who has been happen to be known for trying to raise the dead, allegedly," Potter explained. "Let's just hope none of his research isn't real or we could be dealing with some old enemies." he finished.

"And you think that..."

"We'll talk about this later, the Seventh Years will be here at any moment and I left my things in the lounge," Mr. Potter said.

Simon then heard footsteps coming towards his, so the next thing he did was high tailed it to his History of Magic class, hoping Potter or Simmons didn't see him. Once Simon turned his third corner, he ran into someone who grabbed him by his robes. Simon looked up to see who it was. It was and older teen from Gryffindor. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes and looked to be around the age of fifteen.

"Simon Ares I believe?" the older teen said. "You're a hard guy to find. I have been looking for you everywhere."

"Yeah," Simon gulped and looked into the eyes of the older teen, and nodded. "Who are you?"

"August Longbottom, Alice's older and very protective brother," the older teen replied making Simon pale in fear.

"Er, hello," Simon said stubbornly.

"Don't 'hello' me you little squint! I heard you put by little sister in harm's way!" August said angrily. Simon slowly nodded bravely causing August to tighten his grip on Simon's robes and drag him upwards. "Look here Ares, I'm going to give you your first and only warning, and if you do put my little sister in harm's way again, I swear to Merlin I will hex you so bad, the Healers at St. Mungo's won't know what you used to look like. You got it?" Simon nodded eagerly and August dropped him. "Get lost!" The older teen ordered, and Simon ran off again after picking up his bag, nearly tripping over his feet.

A few minutes later, Simon arrived at his History of Magic class. Binns didn't stop his lecture as Simon bust opened the door loudly, causing some students to jump in fright and turned to him. Simon, while looking through the halls, quickly backed into a few shelves of books, falling while breaking the shelves and causing the books to fall on him. He stood up quickly, and looked at Binns who hadn't missed a step in his lecture. Quietly, Simon made his way over to Hugo and sat next to him. All eyes were looking at him.

"Where were you?" asked Hugo as Simon sat down.

"I just left the Defense class room," answered Simon catching his breath deciding not to tell them about his encounter with August.

"It seems you were in a hurry to leave," said Hugo who picked at a piece of paper off of Simon's shoulder.

"Yeah I was listening in on Professor Wolpert and Mr. Potter talk," replied Simon not noticing Alice was in a desk in front of him.

"What did you hear?" asked Hugo turning his full attention to his friend.

"What do you know about a man named Everyn Steel?" asked Simon. Hugo snorted. "What?"

"Everyn Steel is just a wanna be dark wizard who is supposedly a creature of the night trying to raise pureblood ideas again, but so far he doesn't have any followers that people know of, and people say he's an educated necromancer," Hugo explained .

"Creature of the night?" Simon repeated confusedly, remembering that that was the same thing he heard Mr. Potter say.

"Vampire," Hugo simple said.

Simon's eyes widened in shock. "A vampire, seriously? Those are real?" he asked. Hugo nodded. "Is that what I am?" he silently asked.

Hugo scoffed. "Of course not. You wouldn't have burnt up in the sun, but you haven't," he explained. "But don't worry, that stuff about Everyn Steele are just rumors."

"And you know this How?" Simon asked.

"I read the Daily Prophet," Hugo said. "But my parents told me the truth is never printed in the paper, only lies and rumors."

Simon nodded, his breath finally slowing to a steady and normal pace. "So, what's a necromancer?" He asked.

"Someone who tries to talk to the dead or bring them back to life," Hugo answered.

"Does it actually work?" asked Simon.

"Well there haven't been any known successful necrology activities in centuries I think," said Hugo. "But really, no one thinks it actually works so that's why people who know who Steele is think he's stupid and insane. The Aurors don't think he's that much of a threat so they're not even trying to hunt him down," he explained.

"Well Potter thinks that as well, but he also thinks it might possible because of Prophecy," Simon stated. "And what's a Prophecy?"

"It's like a message sent through a seer to warn people about something or something like that," explained Hugo.

"And are those real too? I mean have they really come true or anything?" Simon asked. "Plus, has there been one before?"

Hugo shrugged. "I don't know," he answered. "But in my opinion, no I don't think they're real, but maybe we should head to the library and check on it."

"Sounds like a plan," Simon said.

After History of Magic, Simon and Hugo left to the library and began looking up information on Prophecies and Necrology. After an hour of searching, neither Hugo nor Simon had found any books on Prophecies or Necromancy.

"Maybe they're in the restricted section," Hugo said as he plumped into a chair at one of the tables. Simon sat across from him.

"The restricted section?" Simon repeated. "You mean over where those books are locked up?"

Hugo nodded. "Yeah, I bet they're in there, but we need a teacher's signed permission form to get in there," He explained. "But I don't know if anyone would want give us permission."

"Yeah, especially on the first week of school," Simon agreed. "To us first years. I mean, we've barely learned anything."

Hugo sat up straight as a thought had popped into his mind. "Maybe we could get an older student to help us," he suggested.

"What older student would want to help us first years gain access into the restricted section of the library?" Simon asked.

"Well, what older students do you know were impressed with you and your encounter with an acromantula?" Hugo asked, smirking at Simon who looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

"An acro-what?"

"A giant spider," Hugo said as realization appeared upon Simon's face, not because of the spider, but because of a pair of older Gryffindors who seem to be inseparable.

Simon and Hugo left the library after deciding to get a head start on some homework, and headed to the Great Hall for dinner. Once there, Simon sat in front of Hugo silently. He didn't feel like talking because he had something else on his mind. He was thinking about how to rekindle his new found friendship with Alice. The news about him fighting a spider had spread through Hogwarts like wildfire, but he didn't care anymore. All he cared about was his friendship.

Back at the common room, Simon sat in front of the fire and stared into it, thinking. His eyes feeling tired, He closed them. When he opened up his eyes and randomly turned his head to the right, Alice was sitting by the window staring at him, and when she saw that he saw her, she quickly looked away. Seconds later, she went up to her bed. Simon did the same as well, but he couldn't sleep, so he just lay there for a while till he finally fell asleep.

Over the next week, Simon tried to keep his and Alice's broken friendship from his mind as he tried to focus on his studies and Magic. In Transfiguration, Hugo was the first to Manage to turn a matchstick into the needle perfectly and Simon was right there behind him. In Charms, Hugo was also the first to get the Lumos spell first. He wasn't the only one as most of the class easily figured it as well. However, Simon would say the spell and his wand would light up one second then go out. When he yelled Lumos, he practically blinded the whole class. Then in DADA, they learned the tripping spell that would trip your enemies, and in Potions, it turned out Simon was pretty good at brewing. Whenever he had free time, Simon would sometimes go into the library and look up simple spells to keep his mind off his broken friendship with Alice.

And then on a Friday, Simon thought they were done being friends with Alice as she didn't sit with him or Hugo during mealtimes. Simon saw Alice sitting and talking to the other Gryffindor girls laughing and having a nice time. What he didn't notice when he turned away was that She would always look back towards Simon and Hugo. Hugo would keep pestering Simon to go apologize to Alice, but Simon already thought it was too late to apologize. He thought he already lost his chance.

That same night, Hugo and Simon approached Fred and James who were sitting in the corner of the common room, silently talking and laughing. Fred noticed them first and nudged James as Hugo and Simon stopped in front of the fifth years.

"Well, if it isn't the spider slayer," Fred said, smirking.

"I didn't really slay the…never mind," Simon changed. "Look, do you think you two could help us?"

"Help you how?" James curiously inquired.

"We need to get into the Restricted Section of the Library," Hugo answered quietly.

"Oh really?" James said as he and Fred's eyebrows rose.

"What does our little cousin and his spider-slaying friend need from the restricted section?" Fred asked.

"Just a couple of books," Simon answered, feeling anxious.

"What kind of books?" James asked. Hugo and Simon looked at one another, both wondering if they should tell them, which they kind of had to.

"Books on Prophecies and Necromancy," Simon straightly answered.

"Those are some interesting kind of books," Fred said, crossing his arms and leaning back into his chair.

"I agree," James agreed, nodding. "And pray tell, what would a couple of first years need what books like those."

"Yeah, not trying to fulfill a destiny and raise the dead, are you?" Fred joked, and then laughed with James. Hugo and Simon looked at one another and laughed nervously.

"But really," James said, getting serious. "Why do you want those books?"

"Just for research," Hugo answered. "You know, challenge our minds and keep them healthy."

"Really?" Fred said, glancing at James. "If I didn't know any better, James, I'd say our little cousin could be…" he stopped and looked at Hugo and Simon. "…up to something."

Simon sighed in aggravation. "Look, if you you're not going to help us – "

"Whoa, there Ares," James interrupted. "We never said we wouldn't help you."

"Wait what?" Hugo said. "You're going to help us out." James and Fred nodded at the same time. "This is great! Now we can get our questions answered! When can we expect to get these books?"

Fred and James shared a look and looked at the younger boys. "A week," they said at the same time.

"Alright, we can wait a week, right Hugo," Simon replied. Hugo nodded in agreement, and the two boys walked away. "A week and we'll have some of our questions answered."

That Saturday night, Simon and Hugo were doing homework by the fire. Simon then felt as if someone was watching him again. He turned around and saw that Alice was looking at him from the Window again. When she saw he noticed she turned her head towards the window. Simon turned back to his homework, and when he was done, he took a look toward the window, but Alice was there no more. She most likely went to bed.

So Simon went into his own Dorm to fall asleep, but he couldn't. After trying to go to sleep for a few hours, He left his bed and went back down to the common room only to find Alice curled up into one of the chairs looking into the fire. Simon stood frozen at the bottom of the stairs. Then Hugo's words popped into his head from some days ago. And He knew. He knew he still wanted to be Alice's friend as she was a great friend, so he took a deep breath and walked in front of the fire. He and Alice locked eyes with each other, and then Simon sat on the couch. They were quiet for a while. Simon spoke first.

"You know, you didn't have to follow me into the forest," spoke up Simon not looking at her. Alice looked over to him and sort of glared. "You could have stayed behind."

"You shouldn't have gone in there in the first place." spoke up Alice not looking at Simon.

"I was curious, and I saw something in the forest." replied Simon.

"Doesn't mean you should barge into the forest when you're not experienced enough to handle it," argued Alice. Simon suddenly stood up.

"But i did handle it, i used the spell i got from Simmons and almost stopped the spider in time for Simmons to save us," argued Simon.

"What if it didn't work? You wouldn't be here right now!" yelled Alice as she stood up. Simon sighed and ran a hand through his hair and stood next to the fire. He turned and looked towards Alice. The story and talk with Simmons came to mind. "This world is very different from yours, Simon. It's much more dangerous!"

"I know, Alice. I know." he said quietly. Simon sat down on the couch and covered his face with his hands. He moved his hands and stared into the fire. "I'm sorry, okay. I didn't mean to put you or me into any danger at all. I wasn't expecting it. I just thought i saw something strange, alright, and I'm sorry for telling everyone and acting like a jerk. I hope you can forgive me," was the last thing he said. Simon stood up and started walking to the stairs to his dorm when he felt a hand on his arm, and turned around.

"Simon, i do forgive you," said Alice. "And I'm sorry for yelling, and you were right." Simon's eyebrows rose. "I didn't have to follow you, but i did. I wanted to follow you because i didn't want you to go alone and get hurt. Even though you didn't get hurt, I sort of did." Alice and Simon stared into each other's eyes. "Thank you."

"For what?" asked Simon with a puzzled expression.

"Saving my life," she answered and before Simon could reply, she wrapped herself around him in a hug. Simon was surprised, but then wrapped his arms around her. The hug lasted longer than the first one. I like this, she's nice and warm. Wait what, thought Simon who then let go as well as Alice. She was blushing, so was Simon who scratched his head.

"Um...I'm going to bed," said Simon.

"Me too," replied Alice. "Goodnight."

"Night." said Simon and went up to his dorm. He smiled as he lied down on his bed, yet he didn't know why. He thought it was him and Alice being friends again, but there was also another reason as to why he was smiling.

Simon woke up nice and refreshed. He looked around. The room was empty. He slept late again, but he didn't care and it didn't matter as it was a Sunday. Plus, Simon was in a good, no a great mood. Why? Maybe because he fixed his friendship with Alice or maybe it was something else. He smiled as he got ready for the day. He walked down to the Great Hall and saw that His three friends were already there, eating. Simon sat next to Alice, across from Hugo and Lori who exchanged a worried glance.

"Good Morning," said Simon, smiling as he poured some orange juice in his goblet.

"Morning," said Hugo and Lori, looking worried.

"Morning," replied Alice, smiling back. Hugo and Lori looked surprised.

"Pass me some syrup, please," asked Simon to Alice, who passed him the syrup. They smiled at each other. "Thank You."

"I'm guessing you two are friends again?" asked Hugo. Alice and Simon smiled and nodded.

"I guess you could say that," answered Simon as he ate his breakfast. Hugo looked at Lori and shrugged.

"When?" asked Lori.

"Last night," answered Alice. Hugo smirked and Lori raised her eyebrows.

"Oh really," said Hugo wagging his eyebrows. Alice and Simon nodded.

"Shut it, Hugo," Said Alice. Simon and Lori looked confused as Hugo laughed.

A/N: Wooo! There you go, Chap 8. Hope you enjoyed it. Please Read and Review.