Chapter 57
Chapter : White Magic and Rivalries
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Alex’s POV
I was in the Room of Requirement, my wand raised as I practiced white magic spells, honing techniques I had only read about in the most ancient of tomes. White magic, though less flashy than dark magic, had its own strength. It was centered on protection, healing, and bringing light into the darkest places—a power that was subtle but formidable.
“Expecto Patronum!” I called out, focusing on the purest memories I could muster. My wand glowed, and a shimmering blue light burst forth, forming a misty raven that soared around the room. The raven—the symbol of my house, Ravenclaw—glided elegantly before dissipating into thin air.
The Patronus Charm was difficult for most wizards to master, but I had been determined to perfect it. In the study group I had formed, I wanted to help students—particularly the younger ones—learn the charm. A Patronus could be the difference between life and death, especially with the dangers looming in both the wizarding world and beyond.
“Good,” I muttered, wiping sweat from my brow. “Time to teach the others.”
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Harry’s POV
The study group was growing larger by the day. What had started as a casual gathering of friends had turned into something far bigger. Alex had been right—breaking house boundaries was the key.
Today, the group was gathered in the library once again. Hermione had taken charge of organizing the notes, as usual, while Daphne, Tracey, Susan, Neville, Ron, and others were scattered around, discussing their latest assignments. It wasn’t all about studying, though. Sometimes, the conversations drifted into personal stories, friendly banter, and even house politics.
I found myself thinking back to Sirius’s advice: “Make friends in every house, Harry. It’s more important than you realize.” He was right, of course. The more I spent time with people like Susan and Padma, the more I realized how small the world inside Gryffindor Tower could feel. There was so much more to Hogwarts than just one house.
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The Study Group Conversation
Hermione was lecturing Ron about Charms theory, but Ron—as always—was half-listening, his mind elsewhere. Daphne and Tracey were talking quietly with Susan and Padma, while Neville practiced his wand movements with a determined frown on his face.
“Harry,” Susan said, turning to me, “you’re really good at bringing people together. How did you get all of us to actually sit down and study like this?”
I shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I just... wanted to get to know people better. We’re all here to learn magic, right?”
Daphne smirked. “You’d think, but most people are too wrapped up in house rivalries to see that.”
“Well, not anymore,” I said, grinning. “We’re breaking down those barriers.”
Tracey leaned in with a mischievous smile. “Speaking of breaking things... heard you’ve got a plan for Malfoy?”
I chuckled, thinking back to the prank the Weasley twins were helping me with. “Let’s just say Malfoy won’t be as popular after tonight.”
Ron perked up. “Tell me you’re going through with it!”
“Oh, I’m going through with it.”
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The Teacher’s Meeting
Meanwhile, the teachers at Hogwarts were gathering for one of their regular staff meetings. The topic of Harry’s study group had come up, as it had become something of a phenomenon among the students.
“Potter’s study group has students from all four houses participating,” Professor McGonagall said with a note of approval in her voice. “It’s quite remarkable, really. He’s building bridges between houses that I’ve not seen in years.”
Snape, however, was less impressed. “If Potter thinks his little group will make a difference, he’s gravely mistaken. The divisions between houses run deeper than a few study sessions.”
“Maybe,” said Professor Flitwick, “but he’s getting results. The students are helping each other. That’s not something we should discourage.”
Dumbledore nodded sagely, stroking his long beard. “Indeed. I believe young Mr. Potter is showing true leadership potential. Unity among the houses may be key in the days to come.”
Snape’s eyes narrowed slightly but he didn’t respond. He’d been suspicious of both Harry and Alex lately, particularly after the Halloween incident.
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The Prank on Malfoy
Later that evening, the Weasley twins came through brilliantly. As I had predicted, Malfoy had tried to set me up for a midnight duel, a trick I had seen coming from a mile away. Thanks to Fred and George, the word spread quickly through the school that Malfoy had called for an honor duel but never showed up. Worse still, the Slytherins were starting to see Malfoy’s cowardice as a serious flaw.
By the next morning, rumors had spread throughout Hogwarts that Draco Malfoy was dishonorable—unthinkable for someone in Slytherin. His standing in his house took a nosedive, and I could tell from the sour look on his face that he knew it too.
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Alex’s POV
Watching the fall of Malfoy from the sidelines was... satisfying, to say the least. He had always relied too much on his family’s status and wealth to get ahead, but his little stunt with Harry had backfired spectacularly. It didn’t hurt that Harry was also making strides to befriend students like Tracey and Daphne, who had once been loyal to Malfoy but now saw him for what he truly was.
In the meantime, I had my own work to do. While Harry’s group focused on study and connection-building, I was diving deeper into white magic. I had been helping students in my own study group practice the Patronus Charm—a skill many found difficult, but one that I considered essential.
The more I practiced, the more I realized how much magic responded to intention. Pure magic—whether light or dark—required control, but more importantly, it required purpose. With the rise of danger around us, I knew mastering these spells could save lives.
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Harry’s POV
The next day, I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Malfoy slinking down the corridor, his usual smirk replaced by a sour scowl. His reputation was in shambles, and I could almost feel the weight of his lost standing among his Slytherin peers. Daphne and Tracey weren’t bothering to hide their amusement either, though I noticed Daphne’s quick glance at me, a look of something between appreciation and curiosity.
That day in the library, our study group met as usual, and the conversation was lighthearted, for once.
“Honestly, Potter,” Daphne said dryly, “you’re causing quite a stir. First, you save Slytherin girls, then you make Malfoy look like a fool. What’s next? Going to run for Minister of Magic?”
“Not a bad idea,” Ron grinned, “I’d vote for him.”
“Shut it, Ron,” I said, though I was smiling too.
“Maybe I will,” I added, with a wink at Hermione, who rolled her eyes at my theatrics.
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Alex’s POV
Harry was growing into his own. He was breaking down the house barriers, and it was only the beginning. The school was abuzz with talk of his leadership and his success in navigating the politics of Hogwarts, and even some of the professors were beginning to take notice. Professor McGonagall, for one, seemed quietly impressed with Harry’s initiative.
I watched from afar, keeping to my own plans, but knowing that Harry was laying the foundation for something far more important. The future of the wizarding world might very well rest on his shoulders. If anyone could bring unity to Hogwarts—and to the magical community—it would be him.
Now, I had my own work to do.