Alexander could feel how much Cho was shaking.
He held onto her until her shaking stopped.
Alexander said.
"Can you walk, or should I help carry you back?"
Cho smiled back at him, but he could tell she was forcing herself.
"I can walk."
She took only one step, then froze.
Alexander saw how much she was struggling, so he picked her up in a princess carry and said.
"You don't have to be tough. I am here for you."
He smiled at her, and she didn't argue or anything.
She just stayed in his arms as he carried her back toward the Ravenclaw tower.
They sat in the common room until Cho finally calmed down.
The news of another attack really scared her.
Before leaving for her room, she held his hand tightly.
"Promise you'll be careful."
Alexander smiled reassuringly.
"I always am."
Cho got up and slowly returned to her room to rest.
Alexander watched her leave before entering his own room and sitting at his desk.
But the moment he looked down—
He noticed that the diary was missing.
Alexander stared at the empty spot for a moment.
Then he shrugged.
"Well… looks like you're busy today."
Instead of worrying about the danger or diary, he opened his rune book and began studying.
Hours passed quietly.
After dinner, Alexander spent time with Cho in the common room before returning to his studies.
He was waiting for the diary to return so he could go to spell practice, but as it got late, he stopped waiting and went to sleep.
The next morning, he woke up and walked to his desk.
The diary was sitting there exactly where it normally rested.
As if it had never disappeared.
Alexander smirked slightly and went to wash up.
During breakfast, new rules were announced throughout Hogwarts Castle.
Because of the recent attacks, strict security measures were enforced.
Students now had to return to their dormitories immediately after dinner.
Students were only allowed to move in groups and were escorted by professors.
There were no exceptions.
Fear and panic quickly spread throughout the castle.
But for Alexander, nothing really changed.
His schedule stayed the same.
He attended classes.
Studied magic and spent time reminding Cho that everything would be alright.
In truth, Alexander already knew something important.
The final stage of the situation was approaching.
He could tell just by how Tom Riddle responded inside the diary.
Tom believed he was being clever.
But Alexander already understood his plan.
Over the past weeks, Tom had begun asking for more and more things.
Questions.
Requests.
Subtle manipulations.
But every time Alexander refused.
His excuse was always the same.
"I only care about spells and runes."
Nothing else.
Because of that, Tom had lowered his guard around Alexander.
During the daytime, when he didn't have the diary, Alexander practiced one spell carefully.
Oculus Obscura.
The Blind Sight Charm from the Chen family spell books.
At night, he continued studying magic and runes with Tom, as usual.
Everything had become a careful balancing act.
By the middle of March, the castle had settled into an uneasy routine.
One afternoon, Alexander sat in the Ravenclaw common room doing homework with Cho.
The fireplace crackled quietly beside them.
Suddenly, a voice spoke behind him.
"Mr. Chen."
Alexander turned.
Standing there was Flitwick.
"Come with me, please."
"You have a guest."
Alexander blinked in confusion.
"A guest?"
He turned to Cho.
"I'll be back."
She nodded.
"Okay."
Alexander followed Flitwick out of the tower.
Instead of heading toward the castle entrance, Flitwick led him toward Hagrid's Hut.
Standing outside the hut were two familiar figures.
Alexander's eyes widened.
"Mom! Dad!"
He ran forward and immediately hugged his mother tightly.
She laughed warmly while hugging him back.
Flitwick smiled slightly.
"Mr. Chen, I will leave you here."
"I trust you know how to return safely."
Alexander nodded.
"Thank you, Professor."
Flitwick left, heading back toward the castle.
Alexander turned back to his parents.
"What are you two doing here?"
His father adjusted his coat slightly.
"We're here on official business for the British Ministry of Magic."
His mother smiled.
"But since we were coming anyway… I wanted to see you."
She looked at him carefully.
"Honey… are you scared?"
"If you want, you can come home."
Alexander laughed and shook his head.
"No."
"Cho and my friends are here."
"I'll stay."
Then he grinned.
"Besides, I still haven't finished preparing your surprise."
His father raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? What kind of surprise?"
Alexander crossed his arms dramatically.
"Not telling."
He pointed at his mom.
"This one might make Mom faint."
Both of his parents laughed.
They chatted happily for a while.
Until the door of Hagrid's hut opened.
Several figures stepped outside.
Albus Dumbledore.
Cornelius Fudge.
Lucius Malfoy.
Lastly, Hagrid, but he was looking sad and defeated.
Alexander's parents briefly introduced him to Fudge.
Fudge looked amused.
"Oh yes, I've read about you."
"A fine young wizard."
He chuckled.
"Perhaps you'll work at the Ministry after graduation."
Alexander smiled politely.
Fudge clapped his hands.
"Well then. Let's be going."
Dumbledore paused before leaving.
He looked at Alexander with a warm smile.
"Mr. Chen. I hope you will take care of Hogwarts while I am gone."
Then he gave Alexander a small wink.
Alexander understood immediately.
"Of course."
"We do have a deal to uphold."
Dumbledore nodded approvingly.
"Be careful walking back."
A moment later—
With several loud cracks, the group Apparated away.
The area outside the hut suddenly became quiet.
Alexander watched the empty space for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Well…"
"You two can come out now."