While Ginny excitedly flipped through the Magic Notebook, testing its features again and again, Alexander stood there, half-listening to Fred and George.
They stopped trying to focus on Alexander and started to focus on their own inventions.
"…we could expand production."
"Or test explosive ink."
"…Or both!"
Alexander smirked.
In canon, they open a joke shop.
But they are thinking too small.
His eyes sharpened as he watched them.
A single shop in Diagon Alley? No.
They need scale. Influence. Innovation.
If they learn Ancient Runes properly… they could revolutionize their prank products.
He crossed his arms.
They're smart enough.
They just lack motivation.
Also, they have me. They have the resources to do great things!
Time passed quickly.
After nearly an hour, the twins stopped planning.
Fred said.
"Alright, this is ridiculous."
George nodded.
"Ginny, go check what's taking Ron so long."
Ginny walked inside.
A few minutes later, she came back laughing.
Fred blinked.
"…Why are you laughing?"
George frowned.
"…What happened?"
Ginny tried to speak but kept laughing.
"The wands—"
She giggled.
"—they're rejecting him!"
The three of them froze for a second, then burst out laughing.
Fred clutched his stomach.
"No way!"
George wiped a tear.
"Even the wands said no?!"
The twins immediately rushed inside to witness it themselves.
Alexander stayed behind with Ginny.
She quickly returned to the notebook.
"This is amazing…"
She was still trying to figure out the best way to organize the notebook.
Alexander showed her interesting ways to use her notebook.
"This makes studying so much easier!"
Alexander nodded.
"It's still a prototype."
"I'm planning to upgrade it; the Muggles have some new interesting inventions that I want to add to it.
Ginny looked even more amazed.
"You're… incredible."
Alexander chuckled.
"Just ideas."
They continued talking for another fifteen minutes.
The door to Ollivander's Wand Shop finally opened.
The twins walked out first, still laughing.
Behind them was Ron, who had lost all excitement from getting a new wand.
Alexander smiled at him.
"Well, what type of wand did you get?"
Ron sighed and held up his wand.
"…Fourteen inches. Made of Willow wood with Unicorn hair core."
Alexander nodded thoughtfully.
"Willow wood…"
He glanced at the wand.
"Wands made of willow wood often choose those with hidden potential… or self-doubt."
"And unicorn hair means steady and loyal."
Alexander gave a small smile.
"It suits you."
After hearing Alexander speak Ron looked a little better.
"Yeah… I guess."
Alexander clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright. Let's continue shopping."
As they walked through Diagon Alley, laughter and chatter filled the air.
But Alexander's mind wandered.
That wand…
No wonder it took so long.
Ron's magic isn't refined yet, but he's loyal.
That combination of his wand is tricky.
He frowned slightly.
Didn't he use a different wand later?
…My memory's getting fuzzy.
He shrugged internally.
I'll figure it out when the time comes.
The group went to many shops.
Alexander picked up:
Special metals and materials for new Dueling Club badges.
Alchemy ingredients.
Various rare materials.
The twins stocked up on joke items.
Ron bought snacks.
Ginny quietly picked up a few personal items.
After a few hours of walking, they regrouped at the meeting point.
Everyone looked exhausted and hungry.
Soon, Percy arrived.
Without much delay, they used Floo Powder and returned to the Chen residence.
Alexander quickly dropped his purchases in his room.
Grabbed his bag.
Then headed out again with the group to the Burrow.
The afternoon passed peacefully with homework, small games, and occasional arguments.
As evening approached, Alexander returned home for dinner.
And came back again to do more homework.
The next few days followed a simple rhythm of homework, spell practice, and relaxation.
Rhythm broke when the Weasley family left for Egypt.
Alexander waved as they activated the Portkey.
"See you soon!"
And just like that, they were gone.
Back at home, Alexander began organizing his belongings.
Carefully placing items into his enchanted suitcase.
When dinner time came, he walked downstairs and froze.
There was a guest.
A familiar one.
Alexander's face lit up.
"Uncle Kenny!"
He rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"Did you bring me a dragon?!"
Ken Chen burst out laughing.
"Even I don't have one!"
"How are you going to get one before me?!"
Alexander pulled back, grinning.
Dinner was lively.
Ken shared stories of his travels.
Dangerous lands.
Ancient ruins.
Hidden clans.
After dinner Ken looked at Alexander.
"Alex, did your parents tell you why I'm here?"
Alexander blinked.
"…No?"
Ken glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Chen.
Then back at him.
"This summer you're coming with me."
Alexander straightened.
"…Where?"
Ken's eyes gleamed.
"It's time you learned your family heritage."
Alexander instinctively glanced at his parents.
His mother looked worried.
His father rubbed his temples.
That alone told him this wasn't simple.
He asked.
"…So we're going to the US?"
Ken laughed and shook his head.
"No! We're going to China!"
Silence.
Alexander froze.
China?!
What?!
Ken watched his expression and burst out laughing.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this."
Mr. Chen sighed.
"We'll talk tonight."
"Let him prepare."
Ken waved it off casually.
"The Elders won't like the delay… but they'll understand."
He stood up and looked directly at Alexander.
"Be ready."
"Tomorrow your exciting summer begins!"
With that, he activated his Portkey.
Whoosh.
Gone, leaving behind a spinning coin on the table.
Alexander picked it up.
One side is a dragon, and the other side is a single word in Chinese.
Chen
Alexander started to play with the coin and thought.
Looks like this summer just got interesting.