The long waits has finally ended.

The day of the transfers is here and Alex is running late. Making a dash around the corridor with his luggage in tow, he knew he was getting a peculiar stares from the other students but he could careless about it because Principal Julia will kill him if he'll arrive later than he already is.

It's not that he could put a blame on anybody since it was his own doings. He was staying up late last night, studying the notes that he gotten from his uncle last two days ago. The notes contain many important points that could help him, at least a bit on identifying the possible suspect. 

From the notes, Alex notices that the description of the killer wasn't as clear as he was hoping for. They could be anybody but one thing that stands out is that they're most likely be around their victims of all time. But the possibility of them to watch them from a far can't be eliminate as well. 

 Two, brunette strands of hair usually found in the crime scene, and it has been confirmed that it's neither belong to any of those victims, nor human. It's a synthetic wig, but it could be charmed to look like a real human hair or maybe they just bought an expensive hair wig, that look exactly like human hair. 

Also, a distinct scent. Scent of flower, usually is the type of flower that used in potion making. Was detected from the weapon used in most recent murder. Is yet to be able to identify the type of flower; Possible rare type. 

There's so many questions, so many rough theories popped up in his brain that he actually didn't even realised he was falling asleep at some points. Though he regrets it, but he believe that he is making a little progress. So that's what matter the most. 

***

Reaching the same centaur painting, Alex slowed his pace down as his face break into a smile at the two familiar figures waiting outside the painting for him. 

"Hey, sorry for the wait," he said, huffing as if almost out of breath.

"Took you long enough," Michael said. "Do you have everything you need though?"

     Alex nodded, then glanced at his luggage with slight hesitant shown on his face, "--I think?"

Michael just sighs, "You can always buy those over there I guess,"

The Veela just awkwardly laughed. He didn't even know what he had packed. If they had known the fact that he literally just throw random things into his luggage, they would nagged him forever. Best if Alex just kept quiet about it.

"Well, finally it's time for you to go hm?" Max said, pressing his lips together as he looks at Alex with glistening eyes. 

Alex patted his head, "Aw, It'll be over without us even realising it," 

"Yeah, well.. It's gonna be our second Christmas without you though," the blond pouted. Michael put his around around the shorter wizard's shoulder and gave him a squeeze, "We can always owl him," said he.

"Yea, and send each other presents, like last year," 

"OH yeah, last year you weren't with us too," Michael recalled. Alex smile slightly. He was with the Order that time, trying to decode the Death Eater letters to locate their hideouts. Not something he wants to remember but none of the two should knew about it, so he just  cleared his throat and put up a smile. 

Max slumped his shoulder and sighs, "Guess we had to brought forward our plan to go DisneyLand hm,"

"Bet you've been looking forward for that," Michael grins. Alex too. 

"You're unmoving pictures are to blame" Max said in sombre. 

"We'll go there, next semester break," Alex finally spoken. "I'll make sure Michael will pay full expenses by then," he grins,

Michael was about to retort, when the Centaur interrupts them;

     "Boys, as much as I enjoy your conversation, it is time for your friend to enter before the principal went livid," said he, arching his brows at them with slight panicked be seen in his eyes. The trio exchange glanced.

"So uhm, I better get going then," Alex said, giving his hand for shake at them. 

Michael took his hand and gave him side hug, "You better. Also, if you happen to meet Hermione Granger, tell her to hit me up," the wizard winked. 

Alex choked on his saliva. "As if she would dated you," Max commented 

"And why not? I'm good looking bloke, as you can see," 

"Well, cuz I heard she's dating Ron,"

Alex pursed his lips, "You heard. It's not a confirmation." he points out.

"Well, it's all over the news,"

"Yeah, Daily Prophets, pfft... No one in the right mind would believe anything written on that," Michael teased which result him on be getting a smack over the arm. Alex just laughed. 

"I should go," he said, finally and tells the centaur the password.

As the painting swung open, Max pulled his sleeves, "Alex, wait."

Alex turned to him, "Sup?"

"I almost forgot, uh... I actually owled an acquaintance of mine who is a student from Hogwarts, mentioning about your arrival,"

Alex arched his brows, silently giving him the permission to finish his words. Max gave him a reassuring look, "Just look for Blaise Zabini, he's a Slytherin if I'm not mistaken and I can assure you, he's a good guy," 

Alex smiles at him, "Okay, I'll definitely introduce myself to his friend of yours," 

With that, the trio bid each other goodbye and Alex took the last glance at his friends as the painting swung closed.

****

The atmosphere inside the Principal office is a quite intense that Alex couldn't help but to shiver a little. His veela's side is preparing itself to fled from the place just in case something bad like killing curse would suddenly aimed towards him.

Hopefully nothing like that happen.

He could hear muffles of familiar voices being thrown back and forth at each other, without even letting the other the chance to listen. Alex saw a charm bubbles that contain the voices of people within from being heard by outsiders like him.

By just the silhouette, he could tell that it was his uncle and Principal Julia. He wonder if he should interrupt them or he just let them finished whatever they're fighting about and wait.  But he need to be presence at Hogwarts before three though. 

Looking at the watch on his right wrist, Alex sighs. 25 minutes left before three. 

Meaning, he got no choice but to interrupt. Merlin, give me strength.

The young veela cleared his throat, "Uhm, I'm here?" he guessed that his voice was loud enough that the voices inside the bubbles abruptly stop and the bubble slowly disperse into the air. 

Alex straightened up at the sight in front of him. Both his uncle and the principal is now looking at him. "You're late." Principal Julia points out. 

Alex just muttered sorry under his breath. He knew that there's no way he could make something up because right now, her mood is bad; like really bad. 

Dorian sighs, "Give the boy a break, Julia. I'm sure he didn't mean it," 

Julia rolled her eyes in annoyance, "This is why your nephew always do whatever he wanted," 

"Oh? So now you're questioning my way of raising my own flesh and blood, hm?" 

    "Why not? You're clearly not doing a very good job for letting their son's getting into something as dangerous as this? Do you think Isla and Declan would approve of this, Hm?"

"Don't. You dare, bringing my brother and his wife into this,"

Julia stood up, glaring at Dorian, "His wife is my best friend, don't you ever forget that," she hissed. The two adults went into a glaring contest. If looks could kill, Alex would be the one who dies.

It's scares him. Funnily enough, it seems like the two of them tolerate each other because of his parents. It must've been chaotic for them. "Um, I--uh,--"

"WHAT?" the duo growled in unison, Alex took a few step back as he tightened his gripped by his luggage handle, "uUh, um... Well, e--isn't it time to go?" he stuttered.

Dorian shut his eyes and took a deep breath. He can't believe that he's behaving unprofessionally in front of his nephew. Maybe Julia is right. No, she is right. He shouldn't have getting Alex involves in something like this. There's no guaranteed for his safety. Hell, he can't even join him and protect him. But what done is done. 

There's not much he can do anymore. Even he himself is tied. "Sorry..." is all he said, brushing his fingers through his slick greyish hair, "You're right, it's time." he forced a smile on his lips. 

Julia bit her lips. There's so many things she wanted to say but she can't. She knew that Dorian must've look for many alternative way so that he wouldn't let Alex involves but she just can't stop herself from saying those things. There is just no way she could contain her true feelings when it comes to this man, in front of her. He irritates her.

"Julia, I hope you'll understand why I'm doing this," is all Dorian said before letting himself engulfed by the green smokes. 

Alex stayed rooted and let his eyes wandered toward his principal. He never actually paid attention to this whenever the two of them having a fight like this but now that he does, he realised that there's a trace of guilt could be seen on her facial and the way she stares at where his uncle last seen, just too sad as if someone just broke her heart into million pieces.

 Alex come to a revelation that brought an unintentional gasps escape from his lips; behind all those harsh words and deathly glares, Principal Julia actually cares about his uncle.

Dannnggg

Julia sudden movement startled the young wizard that he quickly close his mouth and clears his throat, again. He wanted to say something but he stopped himself when he noticed that Julia is taking her coat from the hanger and turn to him with fire in her eyes, "Come on, Alex. We can't be late." said her, grabbing his arms, and dragged the poor boy towards the fireplace. 

This definitely isn't how he planned to go but Sighs,

Hogwarts, here I come.