Chapter 22
Chapter 22: A Plan Deferred and Yule at Home
After securing Peter Pettigrew, Alex felt a weight lift from his shoulders, though not entirely. The traitor was now contained, but what to do with him was an entirely different question. The logical step would be to hand him over to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE) and free Sirius Black—his father—from the unjust sentence in Azkaban. Yet, Alex knew all too well that the politics of the wizarding world were far from straightforward.
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**The Complex Web of Wizarding Politics**
As Alex sat in the quiet Ravenclaw common room one night, mulling over his next move, he knew that simply turning Pettigrew over would not end well. The current Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was too much of a fool to handle the situation with any subtlety.
If Pettigrew were handed over, Fudge would likely make a grand spectacle of it, seeking the approval of the public and more importantly, the old pure-blood families like the Malfoys. Lucius Malfoy, with his close ties to the minister, would undoubtedly intervene to ensure that Sirius Black never saw the light of day. Pettigrew might even "escape" before the trial, or worse, Sirius could be killed in his cell under suspicious circumstances.
Alex shook his head, staring out of the window as the snow began to fall on the Hogwarts grounds. "The timing isn’t right," he murmured to himself. He needed more leverage—more control over the situation. The wizarding world was too fragile and corrupt for a straightforward solution.
For now, the best course of action was to wait. He would keep Pettigrew hidden until the time was right, but there were other priorities for him—like spending the upcoming Yule holiday with his mother, Marlene.
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**Yule Holiday: Returning Home**
When the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station at King’s Cross for the Yule holidays, Alex found himself both eager and apprehensive to return home. His mother, Marlene McKinnon, was one of the few people he felt truly close to in this world, but their time together was often limited. She was still cautious, keeping a low profile to avoid attracting the attention of Death Eaters or the Ministry, given her history during the first war with Voldemort.
As he stepped off the train, a familiar face greeted him—Marlene, waiting patiently near the platform. Her bright eyes, framed by golden blonde hair, immediately softened as they met Alex’s.
“Alex, darling,” she said, pulling him into a warm hug. “You’ve grown again, I swear.”
Alex returned the embrace, feeling a sense of relief he hadn’t realized he’d needed. “Good to see you, Mum.”
Marlene pulled back, inspecting him. “You’re doing well at Hogwarts, I hope?”
He smiled. “Better than I expected. Ravenclaw suits me.”
She smiled back, but there was always a hint of sadness in her eyes—knowing that they lived in the shadow of a past they couldn’t quite escape. She knew that Alex had started to uncover more about Sirius, though they rarely spoke of it openly. For now, they chose to focus on the present, even if the future loomed large over their heads.
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**The McKinnon Home**
The McKinnon home, nestled in a quiet magical neighborhood far from the chaos of London, felt like a sanctuary. Wards protected the house from unwanted visitors, and the simple yet cozy decor gave it an air of safety that Hogwarts sometimes lacked.
Over the next few days, Alex and Marlene spent time catching up on everything that had happened. They talked about his studies, his friends, and the usual events at Hogwarts. Alex, of course, carefully omitted certain details—like the capture of Pettigrew or his dealings with ancient dark magic.
One evening, sitting by the fireplace with mugs of hot cocoa in hand, Alex finally broached a subject he had been avoiding for some time.
“Mum,” he began cautiously, “have you thought any more about what happens when Sirius is proven innocent?”
Marlene’s eyes darkened, and she sighed, staring into the fire. “Alex, I want nothing more than for Sirius to be free. He’s your father, and what happened to him was a grave injustice. But the Ministry… they’re not like you and I. They’ll protect their own interests above all else. Even if we clear his name, there’s no guarantee they won’t come after us, or worse—after you.”
Alex frowned, already knowing she was right. “I know. That’s why I’m not going to rush into things. There are too many pieces still moving. But when the time comes, I will make sure Sirius is freed.”
Marlene smiled weakly, reaching out to take his hand. “I’m proud of you, Alex. You’re far more careful than Sirius ever was. But just promise me you’ll be safe. That’s all I care about.”
“I promise,” Alex said, though he knew the promise was one he might not be able to keep in the long run. The stakes were getting higher, and danger was inevitable.
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**The Yule Feast**
The Yule holiday itself was quiet, yet comforting. Marlene decorated the house with enchanted wreaths and holly, and the air was filled with the warmth of the season. On Yule night, they sat down to a hearty feast, prepared by Marlene with a bit of magical assistance.
Alex, despite everything on his mind, found himself enjoying the peaceful holiday. For a few days, he allowed himself to relax, knowing that soon enough, he would be back at Hogwarts, facing the challenges that awaited him.
After dinner, as they sat together by the fire, Marlene handed Alex a small, wrapped gift. “I know you don’t need much, but I thought you might like this.”
Alex unwrapped the package to find a beautifully bound journal, its leather cover shimmering faintly with protective magic. It wasn’t just any journal—it was charmed to hold magical theories, experiments, and research without fading or getting damaged.
“I figured it might come in handy for all those projects you’re always working on,” Marlene said with a warm smile.
Alex smiled, touched by the gesture. “Thanks, Mum. It’s perfect.”
The peaceful evening carried on, but Alex’s mind never strayed far from the looming challenges of his world. Pettigrew, the Horcruxes, Voldemort, and now his father’s freedom—it was all intertwined. For now, he would bide his time, but the pieces were slowly coming together. Soon, it would be time to act.
For now, however, Alex allowed himself to enjoy the Yule holiday with his mother, soaking in the rare tranquility before the storm he knew was coming.