The history of Magic was boring.
Professor Binns floated through the blackboard like an ominous bookmark and launched into another lecture about goblin treaties that no one remembered signing.
Alexander didn't even pretend this time.
He leaned toward Cho and whispered, "Wake me up when it's lunch."
Cho sighed. "You're impossible."
"Efficient," he corrected, already resting his head on his arms.
Within minutes, Alexander was out cold.
Professor Binns droned on. Quills scratched. A few Ravenclaws dutifully took notes.
Alexander dreamed of absolutely nothing useful.
Then—nudge.
"Alex," Cho whispered. "Lunch."
He lifted his head instantly. "Perfect timing."
Lunch passed pleasantly enough, mostly because it involved food and no lectures. Afterward came Herbology.
Professor Sprout was practically glowing with excitement as she welcomed them back into the greenhouses.
"Today," she announced, "we'll continue our work with Devil's Snare."
A few students groaned.
Alexander did not.
He raised his hand immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Chen?"
"It constricts when panicked," he said. "Relaxes with warmth and light. Fireworks, but Lumos is safer indoors."
Sprout beamed. "Excellent!"
She asked another question.
Alexander answered.
Then another.
And another.
By the end of the lesson, he was casually holding a Devil's Snare vine like it was a pet rabbit, gently coaxing it into knots while explaining its growth patterns.
"Twenty points to Ravenclaw," Professor Sprout declared proudly. "For answering every question in class."
Alexander nodded, satisfied.
House study period followed.
Which, to Alexander, meant one thing.
Nap time.
He made it back to Ravenclaw Tower, collapsed onto his bed, and slept until dinner.
After dinner came—inevitably—detention.
Again.
Professor McGonagall paced as Alexander sat quietly, hands folded, listening.
"A wizard's strength," she said, "comes from discipline. Consider the Headmaster—always calm, always deliberate. Power without control is dangerous."
Alexander nodded thoughtfully.
"Wow," he said.
"Oh. Cool."
McGonagall paused.
Decided that was… better than arguing.
When she finally dismissed him, Alexander stepped into the corridor and stretched.
Tomorrow's the weekend, he realized.
His lips curved into a grin.
That meant no early classes.
No lectures.
Just another night of exploring hidden passages, mapping shortcuts—
—and playing hide-and-seek with Mrs. Norris and Filch.
Hogwarts was a big place.
And Alexander Chen intended to know it better than anyone else.