On his way back from Hagrid’s hut, he had run into Vivian, who was heading to watch the Quidditch match.

  Feeling unusually generous with his time, he decided to join her, even if the game itself dide him much.

  Alex’s flying skills were average at best. He had det band could stay steady on a broom, but he never cared enough to excel. Every time he flew, his mind wao bat sarios—he imagined how vulnerable one would be in an aerial battle, moving too slowly and being an easy target. To him, broomstick flying wasn’t worth the effort.

  Vivian, oher hand, was a natural. She picked up flying quickly, and by her sed css, she was already pulling off simple maneuvers in the air. Disc she had a talent for something Alex wasn’t good at only fueled her excitement for broomsticks, and she had bee obsessed with the idea of flying ever since.

  "Who’s pying today?" Alex asked as they walked, trying to make versation. "I’ve heard these matches go on for hours. How anyone find that iing?"

  Vivian looked at him, shocked. "Are you serious, Alex? You’re in Slytherin! Don’t you know we’re pying against Gryffindor today? Merlin’s beard, do you live under a rock? You never seem to care about anything unless it involves hiding in your room all day."

  Alex raised an eyebrow, realizing what was driving her excitement. "Ah, now I get it. You’re not here for the game, are you? You just want to see the drama betweewo houses."

  "Of course I want to watch the game! And I do love some good drama," Vivian replied, not bag down. "Unlike you, who never has fun. You’re only ever ied in your books."

  "Trust me, if you knew where the real fun in this world was, you wouldn’t be so eager to watch people chase after a flying ball," Alex shot back, rolling his eyes but still following her lead.

  As they he Quidditch pitch, Vivia chatteriedly about the rules of Quidditch, something Alex was already familiar with, thanks to Charles expining it to him orain ride to Hogwarts. Viviahusiasm was relentless, and Alex found himself pting casting a Silencio spell on her just to get some peace.

  "It’s said that in one Quidditch match, someone pulled out a machete and tried to decapitate the goalkeeper!" Vivian excimed, moving on to Quidditch legends.

  Suddenly, her attention shifted. "Hey, isn’t that Charles? Why’s he standing there alone?"

  Alex followed her gaze and saw Charles he entrance of the Quidditch pitch, standing by himself.

  Without hesitation, Vivian rushed over to greet him.

  "Charles! Long time no see. Are you here to watch the game too? Why are you just standing here?" she asked cheerfully.

  Charles smiled when he saw them approag. "Vivian, Alex, good to see you both. I’m just waiting for some cssmates. We’ve got seats upstairs, and I’m leading the way for the ones who e ter."

  Turning to Alex, Charles added, "I haven’t seen much of you tely, Alex. You’re either missing from css or too focused on your own things. I also wao thank you for what happe time."

  "There’s that up," Alex said quickly, keeping his tone light but not wanting to delve into the topic. "The situatioween our houses is tense enough as it is."

  Charles nodded in uanding, and wisely dropped the subject. However, the brief exge sparked Vivian’s curiosity, and she began lookiweewo of them with a knowing smile.

  Before anyone could say more, a sharp, mog voice cut through the air.

  "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Gryffindor idiots hanging around with Slytherins? Don’t you know mixing with these fools will make you just as stupid?" Travers sneered as he sauntered over, his eyes filled with disdain.

  Charles frowned and immediately snapped back, "Shove off, Travers. I don’t want to see yly faywhere near us."

  Vivian wasn’t having it either. "Travers, mind your own business. I talk to whoever I want."

  Alex, however, remained calm, not even b to address Travers. He simply watched with a ral expression, not letting Travers get under his skin.

  Travers, seeing how Vivian and Charles dismissed him, grew angrier. He turned his soward Alex. "Hmph, Gryffindor idiots and a filthy Mudblood. What a lovely bination. Alex, you’re a disgrace to Slytherin. And you, Vivian, don’t you feel ashamed to associate with this scum? You’re tainting the Bulstrode family’s name."

  Alex finally spoke, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

  "Ah, yes, because the great and ravers family is so honorable, right? Aside from being the Dark Lord’s pdogs, what else are you known for? Spreading rumors and barking like a dog. You’d better be careful, Travers. One day, the master might kick you for barking too loudly, especially with that big mouth of yours spewing nonsense like you’ve just e out of the toilet."

  "You… how dare you!" Travers turned red with anger, his hand reag for his wand. His temper was fring, and he was moments away from starting a duel right there.

  Alex, however, didn’t flinch. If Travers wao make the first move, he was more than ready to teach him a lesson.

  Just as tensions reached their peak, a stern voiterrupted the brewing flict. "What’s going on here? Why are you blog the entrao the stadium?"

  Professonagall appeared, her face serious as she eyed the group. Travers, who had been moments away from drawing his wand, paled. He was clearly furious but didn’t dare a front of a professor. His face twisted with frustration, but he held back, his eyes filled with hatred.

  "Nothing, Professor," Travers muttered, st off toward the entrance. His face was flushed with rage, but he kept his head down, not wanting to challenge Magall.

  After watg him leave, Magall turo the remaining three students. "I suggest you all head inside and enjoy the match. Don’t cause any more trouble."

  With that, she gave them a final stern look before heading into the stadium herself.

  Once Magall was out of earshot, Vivia out a breath of relief. "Whew, that was close. Travers is such a jerk. I ’t stand him."

  Alex just shrugged. "Don’t let him get to you. People like him are all bark and no bite. e o’s get inside before we miss the start of the game."

  With that, the three of them made their way into the Quidditch pitch, ready to watch the match—though Alex was far more ied iertai off the field than anything happening in the game itself.