Learn From the History

Chapter 6: Meetings

Alex knew he needed to speak to Tom.

From what he gathered in his visions, Tom was being left out, and even abused several times in the orphanage. The man who beat Tom also seemed to regard "wizards" as "freak" and forbidden Tom to say or do anything related to magic. But these were some scattered pieces he gathered in only a month after all. He needed to get a more complete picture of Tom's life if he was to help Tom, or at least lessened the boy's dangerous hatred towards muggles.

Well, he knew he needed to speak to Tom, but he never had the chance. Due to the fact that Nicolas thought Alex was up to fifth year level, Alex had to take the OWLs this year, which meant Alex had numerous homework to do. He barely had time to rest, and although he and Tom always stayed together, Alex couldn't find a chance to have such a conversation with Tom. Besides, though Alex knew it was necessary, deep down in his heart, he dreaded to have this conversation with Tom. It was obvious that Tom didn't want to speak about his life outside Hogwarts. Alex didn't want to break the newly-formed trust between them.

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A week before the Christmas holiday began would be the second Hogsmeade visit in the year. Alex didn't go there last time because of his heavy work load. Besides, he didn't feel like going there alone as Tom, a second year student, was not allowed to go.

This time, however, Alex was looking forward to the visit. Nicolas sent him a letter asking for his well being and said that he wanted to meet him on the next Hogsmeade weekend.

"So you are going this time?" Tom, who was sitting next to Alex in the common room, asked after finished reading Nicolas' letter.

Alex nodded. "I'd like to meet Nicolas again. Besides..."

"What?" Tom asked.

Alex shrugged. "Well, nothing. Anyway, I'd better finish my potion essay if I'm going to Hogsmeade this Saturday."

Tom eyed Alex suspiciously at the sudden change of topic, but he said nothing about it.

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Alex went to Hogsmeade along with other students. He wandered along the crowded streets. It was a strange feeling. He did not remember being in Hogsmeade before, yet he knew this place. He knew where he was heading to, he knew which shop was selling which thing, and he also knew which shop should be existed yet it was not there.

There was still time before Alex's meeting with Nicolas, so he wandered around, looking for the thing he wished to buy.

Soon, Alex wandered into a pet shop, which he knew was not supposed to be there. 'It'll probably be closed down in the future then.' Alex thought. It might be true. After all, Alex seemed to be the only customer in the shop.

Alex looked around. The shop was dark and dusty. The cages and shelves looked as if they hadn't been cleaned for centuries. 'No wonder there isn't any customers here.' Alex thought. Just as he prepared to leave, he heard a voice coming from a dark corner of the shop.

/...and he didn't even try to serve the customer. /

Alex walked toward the corner and finally found the source of the sound. It was a snake. The snake was huge, about eight feet long, but Alex thought it still hadn't grown into its full length.

/Er...are you the one who talked just now? / Alex asked tentatively.

/You can understand? / The snake hissed.

/Of course. You can speak English! / Alex answered in amazement.

/English? No, I was not speaking English, whatever that means. But neither are you, human. You are the first one of your kind I met that can speak our language. /

/What? Your language? / Alex said, confused. Surely he was speaking English, wasn't he?

/Yes. / The snake rose higher in its cage. / Would you bring me out of here, human? I long the leave this place for a long time. /

/Bring you out of here? / Alex touched the snake's cage. It was covered with a thick layer of dust. Alex sighed. 'This place was not suitable for any creatures to live in.' he thought. Yet there was another problem...

/But where can I keep you, you are so huge. And snakes are not allowed in Hogwarts. /

/But you are a wizard. Surely you can do something about it. /

'Well, I may be able to shrink it a little. And there ought to be some place where I can hide it.' Alex thought.

/Please bring me out of here, human. /

Alex eyed the snake, and nodded. /My name is Alex by the way, so stop calling me "human". Um... do you have a name? /

/No, Master Alex. /

/It's just Alex. As for your name... / Alex looked at the snake thoughtfully. /How about Nagini? /

/Nagini? I like the name. /

Alex smiled. /Fine then, I'll go and talk to the owner of the shop... and I will do something about your size. /

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The owner of the pet shop was surprised that Alex wanted to buy the snake, and even more so when Alex said he could talk to the snake. But other than that, the owner was more than happy to sell Nagini to him. Alex then spent some time to shrink Nigini into a size that it could hide inside Alex's sleeve without being discovered.

Alex continued to walk around Hogsmeade, entering a few shops on his way. Eventually, Alex went into an ornament shop and something caught his eyes immediately.

He smiled. 'That's it, it suits him perfectly.'

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In the afternoon, Alex went to the Three Broomstick, where he would be meeting Nicolas. He went into the shop and saw Nicolas was already waiting for him there.

"Eh, here you are. How've you been, Alex?" asked the older wizard.

"I'm fine," said Alex. "Though it is strange, you know. I have memories of certain knowledge, and yet I can't remember learning them. I'm fine, really," Alex added when he saw the worry look on the old man's face.

After Alex's arrival, Nicolas seemed to regard him as his responsibility, as Alex ended up here because of his "crazy invention".

"Did you make any friends in school?" Nicolas asked after a while.

Alex smiled. Nicolas did act as if he was Alex's parent, and Alex didn't mind at all. He did not know why, but he was grateful that someone cared for him as a parent did.

Alex nodded and went on telling Nicolas what happened since the start of school, except the part of Tom's hatred towards muggles.

"Tom Riddle, the one who have connection with you?" Nicolas asked.

Alex nodded again. "We become quite close. I know he will give me the scar, but ...he's a good friend."

"It doesn't matter what is going to happen in the future," said Nicolas. "Do whatever you want and forget about the future for now. You'll be amazed what you find, Alex. And that's what the stone for." He smiled. "I'm glad you find a good friend here."

Alex smiled. Suddenly he felt a movement under his sleeve and remembered what happened that morning.

"Um... Nicolas?" said Alex slowly. "Can anyone talk to snakes?"

Nicolas startled at Alex's question. "What happened?"

Nicolas was deep in thought after Alex told him what happened in the pet shop. Finally he said slowly, "The only one in history who was known to have this ability is Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts." He raised his head and looked into Alex's eyes. "It's rare gift, Alex. And I fear this information will indeed change the future if anyone knows of it. Keep it a secret for now, don't tell anyone else about your special ability."

Alex didn't understand, but he knew its seriousness when he looked into the eyes of the older man. He also knew the consequences of changing the future. Slowly, he nodded. "I won't tell."

"Not even your close friend."

Alex hesitated before he nodded again.

"I'm sorry, Alex," Nicolas whispered. "But we can't take the risk of changing the future."