Alex's return to Hogwarts was reasonably eventful in comparison to the rest of his Christmas break; he didn't catch up with any of his primary school friends (or his Muggle friends as he had been starting to think of them). Which he thought would be the right thing to do seeming that didn't want to have friends that he would only have to lie to all the time. His Uncle approved of this, as did Jack. Besides, he had new friends now and so would they. He was also cool about Jack and Uncle Ian being together. He was glad they were happy.

Theodore, whom Alex was worried about during their break, returned without saying a word about his holidays but it was obvious that he was glad to be back at school. He would have let Screeches Too Much out to send Theodore a Christmas card but he figured that Theodore's father would be pleased to find out his son had been hanging around a 'mudblood'. It sounded like Theodore's father really wasn't a nice guy.

Tracy however, spent most of her time back on the train telling Theodore , him and the others about how her sister Amethyst taught her some advanced appearance altering spells and how Hugo had managed to stick bubblegum all though Xylia's hair.

Ron, Harry and Lisa didn't say much about their Christmas at Hogwarts but Alex suspected that a lot had occurred. Harry received an invisibility cloak from a mysterious person and Lisa had overheard Snape and Quirrell arguing about a 'Philosopher's Stone' in the corridors outside the Ravenclaw common room.

"The Philosopher's Stone? What's that?" Tracey asked.

Lisa, took a book out of her bag. It was an average looking Hogwarts book but old and decrepit by non-magical standards. Why she was lugging it around with her on the train, he did not know. She quickly opened it up to an earmarked page and started reading:

"The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal."

"That sounds like something I would want." Tracey remarked.

"It sounds like something you-know-who would want more like it." Ron retorted.

"That must be what Snape is going for." Said Harry.

"Why do you think it is Snape?" Theodore questioned, "Sure he can be a bit funny but I think he's a good guy. He gave me some good advice before going home for Christmas. Besides, there is no hard evidence that he is working for the Dark Lord. Disliking Harry and being prejudice to Gryffindor students isn't enough evidence to suggest that he's into such a dark plot."

This made Ron flare up, "Have you really seen Snape?! Even if your intuition doesn't instantly say that he's evil, you can just tell he's up to something. Did you see that after the Halloween incident, he had a huge bit on his leg? Maybe he was trying to get past that bloody three headed dog?"

Hermione who was deep in thought, offered some insight "Being creepy and having an unpleasant character isn't enough to make one a suspect but I agree that something is up with Snape. Besides, we don't have any other ideas as to who would help you-know-who. I had just remembered that Quirrell was the one who warned us all in the Great Hall, maybe he had more involvement with the troll than we think."

Alex nodded at this, "I think there is something not right with Quirrell and I don't think it's because Snape is bullying him. The other day, I remember an older girl saying that she overheard Quirrell talking to himself. That's not normal. Remember how he said he got his turban from an African prince he protected from Zombies? I looked it up and apparently Zombies only live in South America. My Uncle always said that if in doubt about someone's story, search it."

"That is really odd." Hermione frowned, "Yeah, I think we better keep an eye on him too."

"You know, you guys… you know this isn't any of our business. I've said this numerous times." Tracey mumbled, "Whatever is going on, Dumbledore and the Professors can deal with it. We could be seriously hurt."

This time, everyone except Harry and Ron agreed. Harry felt like it was his duty to defend against a threat that destroyed his parents and it seemed that Ron felt similarly but the reason wasn't obvious. Alex would like to help but previous experiences and a few words from his uncle about 'being safe'.

'Alex, out of all the things I've told you this afternoon, please remember this… It is foolish to rely purely on talent and luck.'

Surely his uncle could be over protective of him but he did have good reason. Being a spy, his uncle would have had a lot of experience with survival and close encounters. What if Harry's Wingardium Leviosa had not knocked the troll unconscious? What would have happened if Alex had not disintegrated the troll? They could have been seriously injured or in serious trouble. Or even dead.

"I have to agree with Tracey this time," Hermione stated, "We are only first years."

With that, it was supposedly sorted. They started a new conversation, one about Quidditch and when Harry would be playing next. Alex had to admit, he liked Quidditch better than football. That was saying something considering that Alex liked football a lot.

Over the next weeks, Alex did his best to maintain a low profile. He didn't engage in Harry and Ron's conversations about Hagrid's new Norwegian Ridgeback dragon called Norbet or their plans to help sneak the dragon to Ron's brother Charlie in Romania. As time went by, he was becoming more and more suspicious that something wasn't right. It was as if something had disturbed the natural balance of Hogwarts with the presence something malevolent. It was only a matter of time before these disturbances would reach a peak. Somebody could get hurt.

If Alex was to pinpoint where and why he felt this way, it was about something in the forest. It was as if something was moving stealthily between the trees, using the cover of the forest and night to do bad things. Sometimes he would wake up in the middle of the night to a screech he heard from the wilderness. It was starting to become paranoia. At least he was relieved to know that he wasn't the only student to feel this way. Harry was more easily irritated and had more trouble concentrating than usual; he was so convinced that Snape was behind it all.

He had even overheard from one of Ron's older twin brothers in the common room one afternoon:

"You know for some reason the forest isn't fun anymore. Even though there is just so much to do there, we just don't want to be there anymore. It's a little creepy."

From someone as adventurous and daring as Fred or George, it was definitely saying something. He had heard from Theodore that he had been having trouble sleeping, but he didn't know if that was because of the general atmosphere or because of something his father had said in a letter.

When Alex had told his uncle about what was happening, there was only a small reply:

'Alex, remember what I have told you. Leave this to your teachers and keep to yourself. This goes for your friends too. If you are feeling unsafe, often there is a reason why but in this incidence, you should not leave yourself to investigate it.'

To his surprise, his uncle had also sent him a small Swiss army knife. Alex could only smile; although ineffective against magic the knife did remind him of old times. He would always look up to Uncle Ian no matter what. Magical or not.

Something was definitely going to happen. The only question was when.

"Alex! Alex! Alex! Wake up!"

Alex slowly and reluctantly opened his eyes. He was surprised to see Harry there shaking him. He had no idea why Harry, Ron and Hermione had disturbed him but it had to be for a good reason, otherwise there would be hell to pay. They had just come back from their detention with Hagrid which they had received because of their escapade regarding Hagrid's dragon.

"We have so much to tell you," Harry whispered rapidly.

Alex sat up and saw that all three of them were dead pale with panicking eyes. Something bad had happened.. He knew it.

"Ok, I hope you guys are alright."

"Alex," Hermione pondered, "You weren't asleep were you?"

"Yes, I was," he lied; he could just not sleep for some reason. He was too wired.

"You aren't drowsy," Hermione frowed, "Anyway, our detention was finding injured unicorns in the forest with Hagrid –"

"What? That's dangerous." He couldn't believe it.

"I was paired with Malfoy to search," Harry continued, "when we came across a hooded figure that drinking unicorn blood. It was lucky that a centaur called Firenze saved me. I think it was Snape – he wants the stone. Alex, we need to do something. We need your help."

Alex frowned. There was no way to escape this. He could say no to them in this state. They could all get killed. Uncle Ian would be most disappointed in him, so would Jack.

Alex drifted to sleep shortly after they had left him. It was a troublesome sleep though, where he turned through the night and his dreams were disturbing. It was one of those dreams that were so disconcerted and bizarre that it did not make much sense at all. Yet, it would be a dream he would never forget because it was so vivid.

Alex found himself in a dark room that looked like a forgotten corridor. In the middle of the room was a large mirror within a beautiful golden frame, only it was not a real mirror as instead of giving his reflection there was only darkness. The mirror was devoid of anything other than selfishness, greed and pain. It was a doorway into evil.

He turned around to see a multi-headed serpent behind him. It circled him and slithered to stand tall beside him. They looked into the mirror together and gazed into the unknown beyond.

"I would give anything to have what you have or what the other boy has…" it hissed, "I will give you anything you desire if you should assist me on my path to greatness-ss-ss –sss…"

Ripples occurred in the mirror, a man stepped out. It was a man who looked like he came from his uncle's world, an agent. He was a tall man with cropped blond hair and a distinctive line that ran along the side of his neck – as if had been made from a ruler. He looked at Alex with a blank expression before vanishing into dust.

"I will help you to vanquish anyone who will threaten the lives of the people you love …"

Then out of the mirror came a flood of gold and sounds of applause. This quickly vanished as well in an identical manner.

"I will give you all the wealth, approval, recognition and success you so effortlessly deserve…"

Ripples occurred in the mirror again; his friends, uncle and Jack appeared only they were older. They appeared frighten

"I will give you whatever else your heart desire-ss-sss-ss including peace for your family. All you have to do is to give me what I desire…"

Alex turned towards the snake; he knew all of this was an illusion and an outright lie. At the same time he knew he would be making a powerful enemy for the rest of his life.

"No."

The multi-headed snake hissed in rage and beared it's fangs. All the heads struck him in unison. In the dream he could almost feel blood trickling down him. He woke up. He was thankful not to feel any pain.