Finals were officially over.
For most students, that meant relief, freedom, and the end of sleepless nights spent cramming textbooks. For Alexander, it meant very little.
As expected, he ranked first in the entire year — Perfect O on every subject.
Second place was Cho.
When the results spread through the school, students quickly started calling them "The Perfect Pair."
Cho would turn red every time she heard it, flustered and unable to respond.
Alexander, on the other hand, treated it like any other title — meaningless background noise.
That evening, the Great Hall was decorated for the End-of-Year Feast.
Long house tables shimmered beneath enchanted candles. Plates refilled endlessly, and the air buzzed with laughter and speculation about the House Cup.
Alexander ate calmly with Cho and his roommates, completely uninterested in the outcome.
Finally, Headmaster Dumbledore rose from his seat.
The Hall fell silent.
"Another year comes to a close," he began warmly. "And now, the House Cup results…"
A pause. Anticipation thickened.
"In fourth place… Hufflepuff."
Polite applause.
"In third place… Gryffindor."
Some cheers erupted — the twins looked particularly satisfied, having avoided heavy point losses after they negotiated with Professor Snape about racism earlier that year.
"In second place… Ravenclaw."
Ravenclaw students clapped proudly.
"And in first place… Slytherin, who has secured victory — thanks in part to winning the Quidditch Cup — by a margin of twenty points."
Green banners instantly unfurled across the Great Hall, replacing all others. Silver serpents shimmered proudly in the candlelight.
Many Ravenclaws sighed.
Cho glanced at Alexander, wondering if he'd be disappointed.
He wasn't.
If he truly wanted, Ravenclaw could have won. He simply didn't care enough to bother.
Then—
Alexander stood up.
The movement was small… but it drew attention.
He raised his cup slightly toward the Slytherin table.
"Congratulations, Slytherin."
Polite. Calm.
Several professors stiffened immediately.
Dumbledore slowly sat back down instead of concluding the feast.
He knew that tone.
Alexander set his cup down.
"Everyone…" he said lightly.
"It's time."
Chairs scraped across the floor.
Ravenclaw students began standing.
Then Gryffindors.
Even a handful of Slytherins and Hufflepuffs rose with grins they were failing to hide.
Confusion rippled through the Hall.
Before anyone could question it—
Alexander lifted his wand.
"Verdimillious Periculum."
A brilliant green spark blasted upward like a signal flare, exploding against the enchanted ceiling.
And then—
Dozens.
Hundreds.
Students who had stood all cast the same spell.
"Verdimillious Periculum!"
"Verdimillious Periculum!"
"Verdimillious Periculum!"
Green sparks flooded the Great Hall sky like magical fireworks.
Professors shot to their feet.
"What is the meaning of—"
They never finished.
A shrill, gleeful voice echoed from above.
"IT'S SHOW TIME!"
Peeves the Poltergeist burst into view, cackling wildly.
Behind him—
Mountains of enchanted fireworks ignited all at once.
Explosions of color, sparks, whistling comets, and spinning dragons filled the Hall.
Students screamed — half in fear, half in excitement.
Some tried to run—
But the Great Hall doors slammed shut.
Locked.
Sealed.
Due to Fred and George's handiwork.
The trio's end-of-year plan had officially begun.
Fireworks dived like fighter jets.
Roman candles dueled mid-air.
Spell-reactive explosions burst into house mascots that chased students around before popping into glitter.
A massive phoenix firework erupted over the staff table, singing loudly before dissolving into sparks.
Filch's horrified shriek could be heard even over the chaos.
Peeves zoomed through the explosions, steering rockets like broomsticks.
"WHEEEEE—!"
And in the center of it all—
Alexander Chen stood calmly.
He raised his wand again.
"Protego."
A transparent shield formed around him, sparks bouncing harmlessly off its surface.
Hands behind his back, he watched the chaos unfold like a conductor admiring a symphony.
Then he looked toward the staff table.
Dumbledore.
McGonagall.
Snape.
Flitwick.
All staring directly at him.
Alexander smiled brightly.
Wide.
Innocent.
Completely unapologetic.
Around him, the Great Hall roared with explosions, laughter, and pandemonium—
The perfect ending to the school year.