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"Exactly. These potions boost your defense. Consider them an early Christmas gift for your loyalty—and for waiting here for two days without complaining," Yaxley said, holding up one of the larger bottles with pride.

The sight of the potions reinvigorated the group. They hurried to grab their share, their earlier boredom replaced with newfound energy as they geared up for action. Meanwhile, \'Vivian\' set off toward the small path outside the Hogwarts gate, the main route leading to Hogsmeade.

Not long after, \'Vivian\' spotted Alex exiting the Hogwarts gates, heading toward the village. Putting on an eager expression, she ran up to him, calling out loudly, "Alex! Alex!"

Alex looked startled for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "What\'s going on? Didn\'t you say you\'d wait for me at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Oh, that." Amelia-as-Vivian feigned a sheepish smile, waving her hand dismissively. "When Higgs and I were on our way, I realized you\'ve never been to Hogsmeade before. I figured you might get lost, so I decided to wait here and guide you."

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her. "Really? That\'s thoughtful of you. Shall we, then?" He gestured for her to lead the way.

Amelia couldn\'t help but feel smug. This guy\'s supposed to be cunning? Please. He fell for it without me even needing my backup excuses.

Alex followed her as she led the way, wearing a casual smile. But as they walked, his gaze subtly flicked to their surroundings."Strange," Alex said suddenly, his tone light. "This doesn\'t seem like the way to the Three Broomsticks. Why are we heading somewhere so isolated?"

Amelia froze for a split second, caught off guard by his observation. She quickly forced a laugh. "Oh, um… surprise! I\'ve planned something special for Christmas. Didn\'t expect you to catch on so quickly."

"Hah, really? A Christmas surprise? How original." Alex chuckled, his tone casual, but his sharp eyes lingered on her.

Sweat beaded on Amelia\'s forehead as she forced a smile, silently cursing Yaxley for this tedious plan. This kid doesn\'t seem worth all this effort. Finally, they reached a remote corner outside the village. The area was dotted with crumbling, abandoned houses, and a neglected cemetery loomed nearby, its overgrown weeds swaying in the wind. Amelia led Alex to one of the dilapidated huts, but before they could enter, Alex stopped abruptly. "What\'s wrong, Alex?" she asked, her voice filled with fake concern.

Alex adjusted the monocle perched on his face, scanning the area before smirking. "Seventeen people. Quite the welcoming committee. You\'ve really gone all out for Christmas, haven\'t you?"

Amelia\'s expression stiffened, but she tried to play it off. "I… don\'t know what you\'re talking about. Just come inside—I\'ve got a big gift waiting for you."

Alex\'s smirk widened. "You\'re a terrible liar. No need to trouble yourself with the gift. Let me take care of it myself."

Before Amelia could react, Alex sidestepped her and delivered a sharp kick to her knee. A sickening crack echoed as she crumpled to the ground. Alex followed up with a vicious right hook, sending her flying backward. She landed with a heavy thud, unconscious before she could make a sound.

As Amelia lay motionless, her body began to contort and shift. Her features twisted unnaturally, and her frame shrank. Within moments, the guise of \'Vivian\' melted away, revealing the unconscious form of Amelia Osber.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The sound of slow applause echoed through the still air. Behind Alex, a voice drawled, "Impressive, Alex. Now, humor me—when did you figure out the Vivian next to you wasn\'t the real one?"

Alex didn\'t turn around. "From the start, of course. The real Vivian never talks that little." His voice was calm, almost disinterested, but his words carried a razor-sharp edge.

"Well, well." Yaxley stepped forward, a mocking smirk spreading across his face. "Then

what do we call this? Courage? Or arrogance? Coming here all alone... should I applaud your bravery or pity your foolishness?"

Alex tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Chatting like this is a waste of time. If you keep yapping, I might mistake you for Vivian." He rubbed his ear in mock irritation but made no effort to look back. His demeanor was calm, but in truth, he had already used a silent echo spell. It revealed most of the enemies were positioned ahead, hiding in the dilapidated house and its surroundings.

Realizing Alex wasn\'t taking the bait, the hidden guards began to emerge from the shadows, fanning out and surrounding him like wolves closing in on prey. One by one, their eyes gleamed with malice, their wands drawn.

Travers stepped forward, his face flushed with excitement as he sneered, "You\'re not getting away today, you filthy mudblood. I\'ll personally rip out your disgusting eyes!"

Wilkes, standing nearby, sneered as well but remained more composed. "Stop wasting time with threats. Finish him quickly and quietly. This place may be remote, but if he sends for help, someone might show up."

"No need to worry," Travers interjected smugly. "I\'ve cast multiple silencing and shielding spells over the area. I learned it from this mudblood, ironically enough. Even if we blow this place to pieces, no one will hear a thing. He\'s as good as dead."

Yaxley, watching Alex stand amidst the encroaching circle, chuckled. "You still haven\'t answered my question, Alex. What gave you the courage to follow us here alone? You must\'ve known this was a trap. We planned so many contingencies for you, and the Polyjuice plot was honestly the weakest of them all. I never thought Amelia could lure you in."

Alex glanced at the group surrounding him, unbothered by their hostile glares. "Oh, I just didn\'t feel like dragging this out. Taking care of all of you at once seemed more efficient."

He paused, then smiled faintly. "And honestly? I\'m short on cash. You lot might as well make yourselves useful." Before anyone could respond, Alex vanished into thin air.

"Attack! Now!" Wilkes shouted, panic flashing across his face.

"Don\'t let him escape!" Yaxley barked, raising his wand. "Depulso!"

A whirlwind of dust and debris erupted in Alex\'s direction, obscuring the area in a chaotic storm. Through the swirling haze, a figure darted forward, moving with impossible speed.

"There!" Wilkes yelled, raising his wand to fire a curse. Others followed suit, hurling spells with wild abandon.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

"Stupefy!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Repello!"

But Alex moved like a phantom, weaving effortlessly through the barrage of spells. A petrification spell grazed so close to his face it seemed inevitable it would land, but he tilted his head at the last second, evading it with unnerving precision.

In an instant, he closed the gap between himself and Wilkes. Before Wilkes could react, Alex\'s fist slammed into his abdomen with bone-jarring force. The older student gasped in pain, doubling over, but Alex wasn\'t done. Grabbing Wilkes by the collar, he spun and hurled him backward like a rag doll.