Arithmancy Class.
Morning. 

Alex ignores the stares he gotten from the students as he sprint through the hallway, with only one destination in his head.

He regretted it for thinking that he can wake up on time and have a short nap. He should have known better that there is no such things as 'Short Nap', especially when he didn't get a wink of sleep last night. Right now, he can only hope that whoever the professor will be, won't deduct any house point or worst, detention.

The wizard was almost reaching the classroom when one of the possible target walked pass him by the hallway. Their eyes met and a small smile curled on her lips as she gave him a short nods of acknowledgement. Not going to lie, she looks like an angel. Even Alex could feel himself blushing at the small nods.

Without himself knowing, he was already stopped on his pace as his eyes were following her gracefully walked through the hallway. Alex shook his head and took a deep breath. He shouldn't let her beauty to sway him from his mission. Now he was contemplating whether he should go to his class or talk to her. 

If he's not going to talk to her now, he might not going to have another chance to meet her, by herself like this. Alex clenched his fist and swung his body to the opposite way of the class and jogged towards the witch.

Detention it is. 

"Hey, wait up!" he called out

The witch turn around, and her soft curls follows along. "Um hey?" her voice is so soft, and soothing. Imagine going to sleep, listening to her talking and even better if she sings a lullaby--

No, no, stop that Alex. Focus.

Yolanda Yves, Ilvermorny. Recently turned 17. Come from a family of muggles whom lives in Wizarding world for centuries, unlike Hermione's. 

Alex smiles, "Hey."

She rolled her eyes as a smiles appears on her lips, "Hello to you too, Evcans."

 "Please to meet you, Ms Yves." Alex grins, "Didn't expect you to know my name,"

Her lips curled into a small playful smile, "You would if you did attend Care of Magical Creature's class."

Alex open his lips to retort to that but he knew better that he should try to gain her trust, even just a little. So he quickly close his lips and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling "I don't have anything against that class, it just y'know-- not in my range of likey-ness. But, now that I know you're in that class, I might attend the next one," he grins.

Yolanda giggles at that, "A charmer aren't you, Evcans?"

"I try to be," he winked. 

Yves shook her head, now grinning at him. She seems to let herself relaxed around him. "Anyway, did you just saying hi to me to drop that cheesy pick-up line or you actually have something you need from me?"

Alex didn't really prepared when he found her, he wonder if he could just wing it and hopefully she won't suspect anything. "Uhh, Well--- Actually, I was just uh, wondering if you have um--- receives any letters lately?"

Yves eyes widened as if the questions reminds her of something, "Did you send them?"

    "Wha--No, no!.. It was uh, A friend of mine," he lies, "I was just a messenger."

Yves looked at him skeptically, "Actually, I do receives the letters-- But I, purposely didn't answer no open any of them," Yolanda said, digging her hand into her bag. "Please, can you tell your friend that I am sorry?" 

Alex facial shrugged, "Yeah, Of course! I mean, they were just wondering why you didn't."

Yves pressed her lips together and presented two envelope that is still in a good condition. She really didn't even bother to open and read the inside of the letters. Alex gotta give it to her, that it was a smart moves. 

 "I--- don't want to sound show off or anything but," she bit her lips, "I already have a boyfriend."

Alex arched his brows and feigning shocked, "Oh? oH! no, don't worry. You doesn't sound anything like that, it's cool actually." 

"Sorry..." she said, "You're seems like a fun guy, and charming., and very good-looking-- I just,"

Alex wanted to deny the allegation but she seems to be too apologetic about it. So Alex decided to just play along. Besides, he had his chance to get the first clue. Taking the letters from her hands, "It's okay. Really, I got you."

 Yves just gave him an apologetic smiles, "I'm sure you'll find someone better, yea? Don't lose hope." she patted him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Ms. Yves. I appreciate your honesty."

Yolanda just smiles. 

"I hope that I'll find someone as loyal as you to your boyfriend."

She blushed, "Awww, and you will."

They talked for a little while before Yolanda told him that she have group studies with her friends and with that, they bid each other goodbyes.

He bet that she'll tell her friends about this encounter of theirs.
      But yeah, it's a small price to pay for an important letter like this.

Alex couldn't help but to grin ear to ear. Now, he just need to make sure that the letter is a possible way used by the killer to keep in touch with their victims. 

****

Thinking that he was already 40 minutes late to class, Alex decided that he just skipped it and went to look for the infirmary to meet the last person that was listed on his notes.

The Matron of Hogwarts. 

     Alex saw the witch he was looking for. She was busy attending one student, who seems to have bruises under his eyes. Slowly, Alex make his way towards the bed which made Mdm. Pomfrey to turn her sight on him.

"Uh, hello..." Alex gave her a small awkward waved. The matron looked at him curiously, as if she was trying to think of where have she ever saw him. "Alexander Charles Evcans, reporting for duty?" 

At the mentioned of his name, Mdm. Pomfrey clapped her hand and gasped, "OH! Yes, Mr. Evcans. I've been expecting you," said she and then tell the other student to finish his potion before going back to rest. 

"Now, come along Evcans. Let's go to my office," she said again, smiling at Alex before leading their way back to her office.

     "I have been waiting to personally meet you," Mdm. Pomfrey said, closing the door behind Alex.

 The wizard nodded, "Thank you, and so do I. But I have to make appearance at class somehow," he said.

Mdm. Pomfrey rolled her eyes, "Oh shush, as if I didn't hear about you skipping class on your first day," 

Alex arched his brows at that, "How--"

"Hmph, you'd be surprise at how fast words flew around here, sweetheart," she smirks. "And of course, being the matron of the school has all its perks of knowing all the juicy gossips," she adds. 

Alex laughs softly at that. 

"Coffee?"

    "Please, and thanks." 

With a swish of her wands, the kettle poured the black liquid onto two cups. Mdm Pomfrey stood up and place one cup in front of the wizard. 

   Warm and caring, Mdm Poppy Pomfrey is born to be a healer. She also have this motherly vibes to her. Even her office look homey, where pictures of people who Alex's think is her family; is being hung over the wall, and books about healing charms and potions are neatly arranged in her bookcase. 

He can see why his uncle trust this women. Alex could feel himself relaxes around the witch. 

"I'm still trying to comprehend my thought about you, handling the case." Mdm. Pomfrey said, her eyes looked deeply concerned as she said it. 

Alex just put a weak smiles, "It's what I do,"

"How long have you being this-- mystery solver?"

      "Eh, long enough?" Alex said, unsure. "I--'ve been following my uncle to his workplace for as long as I can remember,"

"And you choose to do the same job as he did?"

Alex nodded, "It's-- I guess, it's the feeling of solving the puzzles and the satisfaction when the case closed is what making me interested to pursue the same path,"

Mdm Pomfrey breathe, "I guess, I can relate to that. The feelings I mean,"

Alex smiles. 

"How are you doing so far, Little Evcans?"

       Alex shrugs, "So far, okay? I think.. I mean, I meet people, makes friends--"

"Ah, of course. I saw you having dinner with Mr. Zabini and his friends."

Alex nodded, "But, correct me if I'm wrong, Ma'am...I wonder if it actually a huge thing around here for someone from  a different houses to have dinner together?"

"Your school isn't?"

The veela shook his head. "Back in Moxarths, everyone just sat wherever they want, except for during the yearly house point assessment. But that's it."

"How about during the war?"

     "During the war?... Er, well... Principal Julia sent muggle-born students home and separate half-blood and pureblood from one another, by giving us different timetables and re-arranging our dorm placement."

"Dear Julia did so much," a proud smiles curled over the old witch's lips.

    Alex smiles. Well, looking back at how she handle their academy, she most likely was one of the smartest witch back then.

"Julia was one of the greatest lost for Hogwarts when she decided to moves to the newly build academy."

   "My principal was a student here?"

"And so do is your uncle and your father." Mdm Pomfrey said, "Though, the two were just like you, an exchanged student from Durmstrang."

Alex scoffs. He didn't know about it but it was all make sense though. His mother used to be a student in Hogwarts and according to his uncle, this place was where the two met. Alex brought his cup to his lips as he processed the thought of having to walk in the same hallway, same building, and even sitting in the same classroom, as to his parents once were. It brought a small of joy to his heart.

 "Have you gotten any sleep, Evcans? You look awful if you asked me," 

   Alex coughed his coffee out. That comment was out of nowhere. "Um---" He wipes the coffee bits with the back of his hand, "I er-- had sleep,"

Mdm Pomfrey eyeing him skeptically. "How much sleep?"

"Em.. Enough?"

The witch tutted at him and stood up to grab some potion from the small table next to her bookcase. "It's no good for a mystery solver as you are,"

   "I'm-- fine, honestly. I had my nap before,"

Mdm Pomfrey let out a loud sighs at his answers. "You reminds me of young Dorian, really." said she, turning back to face the wizard with potion bottle in her hands. "He used to roam around the school ground doing who-know-what, solving mysteries as he said

He often came here looking almost colourless!" the witch dramatically said. "I do hope he's able to take care of himself by now,"

Alex scoffs, "Hard to say."

Mdm Pomfrey shook her head, "I always thought he would end up marrying Julia," she adds, pouring the potion into another cup before pouring coffee on top of it. "That girl can definitely take care of a reckless boy as he is,"

Alex chuckles at that. She was right. Principal Julia is definitely the only person can tamed his uncle for sure. "-- Here, drink this. I mixed up with some potion to replenish your energy," said the witch.

The wizard arched his brows, hesitating to take the cup. Mdm Pomfrey chuckles, "My dear boy, I'd poison your first cup of coffee if I wanted to harm you,"

Alex awkwardly grinned, "Just-- being cautious."

"I understand." A motherly smiles appears on her lips, "And you should be, especially when the cup isn't coming from me," she warned. 

Alex laughs and took a sips. As soon as the first sip hit his tongue, he felt his world started to spin and his eyes fluttered shut.

"You need a good rest, dear boy," Mdm Pomfrey voice started to sound far, "I had to give you the sleeping draughts,"

He felt himself swaying and slowly slide from the chair. "-- Filch told me--- not sleeping last " her voice was fading, "-- You-- worn out-- Sleep well, Alex---"

 "Oh-- shi..." and everything turns black.