The young girl had a rare shade of light blue hair, sharp features, and lively eyes. To Alan's surprise, the moment the Sorting Hat declared her a Hufflepuff, her hair shifted to a vibrant yellow.
The transformation sent a gasp through the Great Hall. Tonks, clearly aware of the stunned stares, gave her head a playful shake, and her hair transitioned again, this time to a soft pink.
"What's the story there?" Alan asked Vivian. She was more effective than a gossip rag; whenever he needed to sift through the news of the wizarding world, she was his primary source.
"She's a natural Metamorphmagus," Vivian said, immediately perking up. "She can change her appearance at will. It's even rarer than being an Animagus." She then leaned in closer, her eyes flashing with a hint of mystery. "But compared to her ability, her mother's history is the real legend. Do you want to know? You'll have to ask nicely."
*I'll deal with you once we're back in the common room,* Alan thought, giving her a flat look. Satisfying her need for attention, he asked, "Is there something special about her mother? And how does that ability work?"
"Ha! Andromeda Tonks's story is famous. She was born into the House of Black—a sister to Bellatrix, that captured Death Eater, and a cousin to Sirius Black. Her most notorious act was marrying Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born wizard, right after Hogwarts. The Blacks disowned her on the spot. They're still ashamed of her." Vivian shrugged. "I think it's romantic, honestly. As for the ability, it's innate. You're born with it or you aren't."
So she was Sirius's niece. Alan found himself less interested in the pure-blood family drama and more fascinated by the mechanics of the transformation. *Is it a studied magic, or are there specific runes tied to her bloodline? I'd like to research that.* Tonks seemed to have a spirited personality; perhaps he could find an opening to study her later.
The feast began shortly after the sorting concluded. A few minutes in, Wendy approached Alan and handed him a parchment filled with names. Under his earlier pressure, she had completed the task with surprising efficiency.
"What's that?" Vivian asked, pulling a lamb chop from her mouth.
"The freshman list. I'm a Prefect now, remember?" Alan said, looking at her grease-stained face.
"But you're a fifth-year. Why is Wendy, a sixth-year, delivering reports to you?" Vivian's mind was sharp when food wasn't the only thing on it, and she quickly sensed the power shift.
"You guess," Alan replied with a thin smile.
"Stingy," Vivian pouted, returning to her meal, blissfully unaware of the evening Alan had planned.
Alan gave a subtle signal to Wendy and Jenny. The two witches immediately stood and slipped out of the Great Hall. Up at the High Table, Snape watched the exchange with a flicker of curiosity. He wanted to see if his gamble on Alan would pay off, but he knew Dumbledore would be sending him back out to track Death Eaters within the week. He cast a resentful glance at the old Headmaster, who sat unperturbed behind his silver beard.
As the banquet ended, Louis stood and called for the Slytherins to follow him. Alan brought up the rear, ensuring the group stayed together. The students were split into their usual cliques, chatting excitedly—especially the first-years.
The mood changed the moment they crossed the threshold into the common room.
As they moved through the narrow passage into the main dungeon hall, they found it unrecognizable. The sofas and armchairs were gone. The carpets had been rolled up and removed. The grand stone hall was completely empty.
The furniture hadn't vanished; it had been moved to block the corridors leading to the boys' and girls' dormitories.
"What is this?" a senior student asked, looking at Louis with a scowl. "Why is the way to the dorms blocked? Are we not allowed to sleep?"
"I..." Louis hesitated. Alan hadn't shared the details of the plan, only the specific orders to be executed.
"Is everyone inside?" Alan's voice boomed. He held his wand to his throat, and the magically amplified Sonorous Charm echoed deafeningly against the stone walls.
The students froze, staring up at Alan as he stood at the top of the entrance stairs. Even Rozier and William looked bewildered. Most had only just noticed the silver Prefect badge pinned to his chest. The freshmen wondered if this was a standard House tradition, while the older pure-bloods felt a sinking sensation in their chests. *What is this monster doing now? Is he finally coming for us? We've been paying the monthly fees!*
"What are you waiting for?" Alan frowned, his gaze cold. "Line up by year. One arm's length between every person—front, back, left, and right. Louis, Wendy, Jenny—organize them. Now. Time is a resource we aren't wasting."