The dungeon doors slammed shut behind them.
Chaos still echoed faintly from inside—students shouting, cauldrons hissing, someone coughing through smoke.
Alexander did not look back.
He walked calmly down the corridor… still holding Cho's hand.
Cho, on the other hand, was very aware of it.
Her face was burning red, eyes flicking between their joined hands and Alexander's completely unfazed expression.
After a few seconds of silent walking, she finally spoke.
"Um… Alexander?"
He glanced at her. "Yeah?"
"Where… are we going?"
"To our next class," he answered simply, as if nothing unusual was happening.
Cho blinked.
Right.
Herbology.
They descended the stone steps leading toward the greenhouses, sunlight gradually replacing the dungeon gloom. Warm, humid air greeted them as they stepped inside the greenhouse, the scent of soil and plants thick around them.
Cho slowed her steps slightly… still being led.
She swallowed, then spoke again, voice much quieter this time.
"H-Hey, Alexander…"
"Mm?"
"…Can you let go of my hand?"
He stopped walking.
Looked at her.
Then slowly looked down.
Their hands were still linked, fingers loosely intertwined from when he had pulled her out of Potions.
"…Oh."
He released her immediately.
"Sorry. I was too caught up in the moment."
Cho pulled her hand back quickly, holding it close to her chest, as it might still be warm.
Her face somehow turned even redder.
Alexander tilted his head, studying her.
"Are you alright? Your face is a little red."
Cho's eyes widened.
"I-It's fine! I was just… embarrassed about what happened earlier."
She looked away.
"Next time, can you warn me?"
Alexander chuckled.
"Then it wouldn't be fun."
Cho puffed her cheeks slightly but didn't argue.
Honestly… part of her wasn't sure if her embarrassment came from the dungeon scene—
Or from him holding her hand all the way here.
While Cho took a moment to recover, Alexander scanned the greenhouse and sat at the nearest workstation.
Instead of preparing tools, he pulled out parchment and a quill.
Cho noticed immediately.
"You're writing a letter?"
"Yep."
He dipped the quill in ink and began writing.
Dear Understanding Mom and Dad,
Professor Snape is racist.
He has been picking on me since day one of class. I, a star student, have been losing points because of him. The only explanation is racism.
I request that the Hogwarts Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic investigate him again. Better yet, he is probably a Death Eater. Yes—definitely racist and a Death Eater.
Otherwise, school has been good. Still getting used to tasteless British food, but I, as your favorite and only child, will survive.
Love,
Alexander
Cho stared at the parchment, eyes wide.
"…You're joking, right?"
Alexander blew lightly on the ink to dry it.
"Not at all."
"You can't send that!"
He folded the letter neatly.
"Watch me."
Cho covered her mouth, half-horrified, half-amused.
"You're going to get in so much trouble…"
Alexander sealed the envelope with calm precision.
"Worth it."
He slipped the letter into his robes, then stood.
"Cho, since there's still some time before class, I'll be back."
She blinked. "Where are you going?"
He gave her a small, knowing smile.
"I have to deliver this very important letter."
And with that, Alexander walked out of the greenhouse—
Leaving behind flustered and silent Cho.