Prefect's Privilage

Ginny was instantly captivated by the bracelet, her little fingers playing with it as bursts of joyful laughter escaped her lips. Watching her, Bill couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. He knew Alex had plenty of incredible items, but aside from the standard brass communication and protection amulets, he'd never received anything quite like this. "Ginny is such a lucky girl to have a godfather who dotes on her so much," Molly said with a chuckle. "Oh, I almost forgot—I came to call everyone to dinner! Let's head to the table."

The meal that followed was lively and filled with warmth. Alex enjoyed the hearty spread with gusto, his spirits high after officially becoming Ginny's godfather. The Weasley family's chatter, especially their humorous Quidditch anecdotes, filled the air, wrapping Alex in a sense of familial warmth he hadn't felt in years.

After dinner, Ginny found her favorite playmate—Fang. Climbing onto his back proudly, she scratched his head, making him run around the yard. The massive dog obeyed reluctantly, his usual composure replaced by an air of resignation. After all, Ginny wasn't just any child now; she was the goddaughter of his master, and Alex's watchful eyes made it clear he expected Fang to humor her. Eventually, Alex had to leave, despite Ginny's reluctant gaze. Taking Fang with him, he bid the Weasleys farewell and departed the Burrow. Fang, however, seemed relieved, finally free from Ginny's playful antics.

In the following days, Alex took a break from his research, using the time to relax and recover from the pressure of his work. He also sent a letter to Karkaroff, instructing him to gather information on Fenrir and the Silver Spear. 

As the holiday wound down, Alex felt recharged. The new school term was approaching, and this year was particularly significant—he'd be sitting for his OWL exams. The results would determine which NEWT-level courses he could pursue in his final years at Hogwarts. Meeting the minimum requirements for a NEWT course meant continuing to the next level, but falling short would force students to repeat the OWL-level course until they passed.

After passing the fifth-year OWL exams, students at Hogwarts entered a unique stage of education. If they chose not to continue their studies, they were essentially considered "half-graduated." However, if they decided to stay for their sixth and seventh years, they would have more flexibility in their schedules. Those aiming for additional NEWT certificates would naturally find themselves busier, but students with fewer courses would have more free time to focus on other pursuits.

Alex had recently received his prefect appointment letter and the corresponding badge, marking the beginning of his new responsibilities. As a Slytherin prefect, he was now in charge of helping to maintain order and discipline within his house—a role he'd promised Snape he would take seriously. For the next one to three years, Alex planned to focus on supporting Hogwarts' reform efforts. This included balancing his duties as prefect with advancing his alchemy research. His primary goal was to finalize his work on the magic lathe and open a fully operational alchemy workshop before graduating, ensuring a steady income to fund his future experiments.

Alex also had long-term plans. He wasn't overly concerned about earning NEWT certificates, intending to take only a few exams as a formality. If his alchemy business took off or his plans shifted, he might even leave Hogwarts without completing them. After all, NEWT certificates were mostly necessary for traditional employment, and Alex had no intention of working for anyone else. His future lay in independent research and entrepreneurship.

After graduation, he planned to travel to mainland Europe to hunt down hidden Death Eaters. Alex had always believed in the philosophy of "removing the weeds by the roots," and he saw these dark wizards as prime targets. They were not only dangerous but also often wealthy pure-blood nobles, making them an excellent source of resources. Robbing them wasn't just efficient—it was justice in his eyes. Additionally, the thought of Fenrir, the infamous werewolf, still haunted him. Fenrir's crimes, combined with the indirect toll on Alex's sleep and mental peace, made him a high-priority target. 

Then there was the tragedy of the Longbottoms. Alex had been quietly gathering information about memory magic, hoping to find a way to heal their minds someday. This task, among others, fueled his determination to push forward.Still, these were plans for the future. At present, Alex stood at King's Cross Station, reading his prefect appointment letter. The letter instructed all prefects to gather in a designated carriage at the front of the Hogwarts Express, where they would receive their instructions from the Heads of the Boys' and Girls' Student Councils.

The prefects' carriage was unique, with a magically locked door that only opened for those with a prefect's badge. Alex chuckled to himself as he approached. "Never thought I'd live to enjoy this kind of privilege," he muttered before stepping inside.

The prefects' carriage was unlike the rest of the train. Instead of standard compartments, the space was divided into a small conference room and four larger, luxurious compartments. The conference area featured a rectangular table with chairs at the head and two rows of seats along the sides. Though not overly large, it was cozy and functional. The four house-specific compartments were far more extravagant. Each was decorated in its house colors, with velvet seats arranged in a semicircle around an ornately carved table. The spaces were draped in rich curtains, and the floors were covered with plush carpets. Cabinets stocked with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks completed the opulent atmosphere. Each compartment could easily accommodate 8 to 10 people.

Alex noted that each house had six prefects: one boy and one girl from each year starting in the fifth. While some seventh-year prefects left early for internships or applied for early graduation, the train still carried a full complement of prefects, leaving plenty of room in the spacious carriage.

When Alex entered, he spotted someone already seated in the conference area. It was Marin McMillan, a seventh-year Hufflepuff and the current Boys' Student Council President. Alex recognized him from the Charms Club, where they'd first met two years ago. "Alex! It's great to see you as a prefect!" Marin greeted him warmly, his broad smile reflecting genuine joy.

"You're one to talk. Congratulations on becoming the Student Council President," Alex replied with a friendly chuckle.

"Don't tease me! If you were in my year, I wouldn't have had a chance at the position," Marin said modestly, his straightforward demeanor embodying the honest and dependable nature of a true Hufflepuff.

Alex sat at the conference table, and the two chatted while waiting for the others. Over the next half hour, the other prefects began trickling in. Alex noticed that most of them were familiar faces, many of whom had also been members of the Charms Club. Each one greeted Alex politely, nodding in acknowledgment. 

As the prefects filed into the carriage, they instinctively made their way to the large conference table at the center of the room. The lively chatter among them filled the air, but it was quickly brought to a halt when Marin McMillan, seated at the head of the table, cleared his throat with a smile. "Everyone," he began, his voice warm but commanding, "please take your seats. We're about to start the first brief meeting before we arrive at school."