The circular office went quiet the moment Alexander walked in.
Headmaster Dumbledore smiled warmly.
"Well done, everyone," he said gently.
His eyes moved between Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and finally Alexander Chen.
"You all did a remarkable job tonight."
He folded his hands calmly on the desk.
"As Mr. Chen suggested... There was no basilisk."
The trio didn't say anything and accepted the result.
Dumbledore continued smoothly.
"Only a greedy professor who wanted to write a new book and a dangerous magical artifact that manipulated events within the school."
He looked at everyone again.
"That will be the official story."
"And everyone will get their rewards as I stated earlier."
The trio looked happy and smiled at each other.
Dumbledore then pulled out a small piece of parchment and began writing quickly.
After sealing it with a flick of magic, he handed it to Ron and Hermione.
"Please send this letter immediately."
Hermione took it.
"What is it for, Professor?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"We must bring back our Keeper of Keys and Grounds."
Ron grinned.
"Hagrid!"
The two students ran out of the office immediately.
Alexander casually walked forward and placed the destroyed diary onto Dumbledore's desk.
The headmaster studied it silently.
Alexander leaned slightly on the chair in front of the desk.
"Do you want me to stay or go?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"You may stay."
Alexander nodded and sat down.
Meanwhile, Harry was staring at the diary.
"Professor… what exactly was that?"
Dumbledore gently picked up the ruined book.
"A very dark object."
He looked toward Harry kindly.
"But tonight you proved something important."
Harry frowned slightly.
"What?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"You truly belong in Gryffindor."
Harry blinked.
"But… the Sorting Hat said—"
"Only the brave can summon Fawkes," Dumbledore said calmly.
Harry looked surprised.
"I… did?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"The phoenix came to aid you."
He placed the diary back down onto the table and leaned back in his chair.
Harry looked down nervously.
"But I can speak Parseltongue… like him."
Dumbledore's expression softened.
"That is because Voldemort unintentionally transferred some of his power to you the night he tried to kill you."
Harry looked troubled.
"That means... I'm like him?"
Dumbledore shook his head gently.
"No, Harry."
He pointed lightly toward Harry's chest.
"It is our choices that define who we truly are."
Harry listened quietly.
Dumbledore spent several minutes explaining things carefully.
By the end, Harry looked much calmer.
Alexander watched the conversation silently.
Not bad, he thought.
The old man really knows how to give a motivational speech.
Then suddenly—
The office door slammed open.
Lucius Malfoy stormed inside.
Everyone looked toward whoever came into the office.
Behind Lucius stood a familiar house elf.
Harry's eyes widened.
"Dobby?!"
The house elf flinched slightly.
"Yes, Harry Potter…"
Harry pointed at Lucius.
"He's your master?!"
Dobby nodded sadly and quickly hid behind Lucius's legs.
Alexander quietly stood up.
He gently pulled Harry aside.
"Let's step back and watch."
Harry blinked and nodded.
In the office, Lucius began arguing loudly with Dumbledore.
"You have returned rather quickly, Headmaster."
Dumbledore remained perfectly calm.
"I was invited back."
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"That… decision will be reviewed."
Dumbledore casually picked up the destroyed diary.
Lucius froze.
His face drained slightly of color.
"This," Dumbledore said softly, "was found tonight."
Lucius tried to regain his composure.
"I see."
Dumbledore watched him carefully.
"You would not happen to know anything about it?"
Lucius quickly looked away.
"I have no idea what you are implying."
After a few more tense exchanges—
Lucius finally turned toward the door angrily.
"Come, Dobby."
He grabbed the elf roughly.
"We are leaving."
Lucius threw Dobby down.
As they exited the office—
Lucius kicked Dobby harshly.
"Move!"
Harry's expression darkened.
Alexander quietly said.
"Maybe we should return the diary to Lucius. Harry, do you know how to free a house elf?"
Harry quickly thought.
"When their master gives them clothing?"
After saying that, he quickly understood, and he turned to Dumbledore.
"Professor… can I have the diary?"
Dumbledore looked slightly confused.
"Of course."
He handed it over.
"Now go find your friends. I must speak privately with Mr. Chen."
Harry nodded quickly and ran out.
Alexander stood up.
"Give me a minute, Headmaster."
"There is something I would like to see."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
Alexander flicked his wand.
"Disillusionment Charm."
His body blended into the surroundings, and he quickly ran out of the office.
Dumbledore watched him leave and chuckled.
He took a sip of his sweet tea and waited patiently.
Outside the office in the corridor—
Harry caught up to Lucius and Dobby.
"Wait!"
Lucius turned slowly.
Harry held out the diary.
"You forgot this."
Lucius grabbed it impatiently.
Then he tossed it to Dobby.
Harry smiled slightly.
"Let's go, Dobby."
Lucius turned and walked away.
Harry leaned closer and whispered.
"Open it."
Dobby opened the diary.
A single sock fell out.
Dobby froze, and his eyes widened.
"Master… has given Dobby clothes…"
He trembled with excitement.
"Dobby… is free!"
Lucius spun around.
"No! I did not—"
Then he noticed something.
Harry was standing there with one sock missing.
Lucius's face twisted with rage.
"You…!"
He drew his wand instantly.
"You cost me, my servant!"
Before he could cast a spell—
Dobby jumped in front of Harry.
"You shall not harm Harry Potter!"
With a burst of powerful house elf magic.
Lucius was thrown backward across the corridor.
He crashed into the wall.
Humiliated, Lucius quickly stood up.
He glared at Harry.
"This is not over."
Then he stormed away furiously.
Alexander leaned against the wall, invisible, laughing quietly.
Once Lucius disappeared.
He climbed back up toward the office.
As he entered, the Disillusionment Charm faded.
Alexander casually sat back down across from Dumbledore.
"Alright," he said.
"I'm back."