Work Text:
Alex found himself staring at the age line around the Goblet of Fire, a thought slowly rising to the surface of his mind as he heard all the voices blending around him, noting absently as the Weasley twins attempt to cross the age line themselves, only to be sent backwards rather violently as their bodies crashed into the floor, the sound echoing in the packed hall, white beards forming on their faces and growing to their waist. As they startle him out of his thoughts, he notes absently that it almost looks like Dumbledore’s beard was transplanted onto their faces. After considering the age line once more, he steps away, making note to return later that night.
When the darkness of night envelops the castle, he moves silently through the dim halls, mind turning over the potentially foolish decision he is about to make. For all he knows, the age line takes into account only physical age, but if Dumbledore cast it with the intent to keep out the young and inexperienced, he may just be able to pass. He reaches the Goblet of Fire in the Hall, the flickering torch light shadowing his face as he takes a deep breath.
As he moves his foot to hover over the line, he murmurs a quote he had heard once in school, “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more….”
HIs foot meets the stone floor on the other side of the line, the rest of his body quick to follow before he pauses, breathing shallow as he waits, knowing his physical body is not of age. Silence settles over his shoulders as nothing happens, not push of air, no wall of magic, simply still air and crackle of the torches providing dim illumination.
Shaking off the weight of the fact he is considered old enough, he approaches the Goblet, his hand holding a small scrap of paper as he speaks to the magical artifact, “I only wish to join if you are forced to pull Harry’s name, please, don’t force me to watch as he is put in danger.”
Silence as he drops the paper in, the white vanishing in a small burst of flames before all that is left is his form in front of the cup.
~~~~
After all was said and done, Alex found his mind returning to how he had been able to cross the age line. Now that Harry was safe and not in danger of Voldemort attempting to kill him, Alex felt the urge to experiment. It may be his only chance to genuinely try it.
“Headmaster, would you be willing to perform an experiment with me?”
The old man’s eyes twinkle in his normal kind expression as he speaks cheerfully, “Of course, my dear boy! I owe you for keeping young Harry safe!”
Alex, ignoring his instinctive urge to retort, nods, “Please cast several age lines in increasing age.”
After a moment of preparation, Dumbledore and Alex find themselves in the Great Hall, deciding they needed that amount of space. Once the lines are set, Alex moves forward, ignoring the crowd forming, his feet passing age after age, his mind noting which adventure fits where. Five lines pass with him not able to go past the age line for twenty-two. He turns, finding the Twins stopped at the age line for eighteen, their seventeenth birthdays having already passed, the silence of the crowd deafening as their shocked gazes bore into him. After a moment, he clears his throat, a bit taken aback at the audience.
His eyes lock with Dumbledore, trying to keep his voice calm, “I believe I have found my answer, thank you for your aid, Headmaster. I believe I should go work on studying for my exams now.”
Alex quickly flees, forgetting the fact that he did not have to take exams due to having been a tournament participant.