Now that their relationship was official—
Alexander and Cho did the responsible thing.
They informed their parents.
Alexander wrote first.
Dear Best Parents in the World,
I am writing to inform you that I am now dating Cho Chang of Ravenclaw.
She is intelligent, disciplined, and has excellent magical control.
I approve of my own decision.
— Your loving son Alex
Cho's letter was… far more nervous.
She rewrote it three times before sending it.
But eventually, two owls departed into the winter sky.
The replies came within the week.
Cho read hers first.
Her parents congratulated her warmly—teasing her lightly but expressing happiness that she had found someone kind and capable.
Alexander then read his.
Inside a formal but warm response.
Dear Our Loving Son Alex,
Congratulations. We are happy to hear you've found someone you care about.
Treat her well. We know the Chang family personally through Ministry work.
Good people.
We look forward to meeting her someday.
— Love, Mom & Dad
He paused mid-bite.
"…They already know her parents?"
Cho blinked.
"Mine said the same thing…"
They stared at each other.
Realization hit at the same time.
Because both families worked at the Ministry—
They already knew each other.
Which meant…
While the two of them dated at Hogwarts—
Their parents had likely already started chatting.
Comparing notes.
Discussing their children.
Possibly getting closer as family friends.
Cho hid her face behind her hands.
"That's embarrassing…"
Alexander just shrugged.
A few days later—
After Defense of the Dark Arts class—
A familiar cackling echoed through the corridor.
Peeves.
He swooped down from the ceiling and landed before Alexander with exaggerated flair.
Then—
He bowed.
Deeply.
"Young Master Chen!"
Students nearby froze in confusion.
Alexander didn't even flinch.
"Yes?"
Peeves floated closer, whispering excitedly—
"I've run out… got any more?"
Alexander smirked slightly.
"Already?"
Peeves nodded rapidly.
"Big booms! Screams! Filch cried!"
Alexander pointed casually toward a concealed alcove behind a moving suit of armor.
"Hidden compartment. Third brick up."
Peeves gasped dramatically—
Then zoomed off at high speed.
Cackling the entire way.
Thanks to Alexander—
Peeves now had an unlimited supply of fireworks.
Not ordinary ones either—
Custom enchanted stock.
Result?
Chaos.
Fireworks blasted randomly across corridors.
Exploding above students' heads.
Shooting sparks.
Sometimes chasing Filch down hallways.
Peeves would always appear moments later—
Laughing hysterically before vanishing.
Teachers tried to stop it.
Failed.
Because the fireworks supply never ran dry.
Alexander considered it a strategic investment.
Better to have Peeves as an ally—
Than an enemy.
Peeves was unpredictable.
But loyal… if bribed with entertainment.
He became incredibly useful.
For example—
Valentine's Day.
Peeves had acted as an aerial cameraman.
Capturing everything.
Including Alexander and Cho's Astronomy Tower date.
With Alexander's help—
Those photos became motion pictures.
Moving memories frozen in time.
He gifted Cho a private copy.
It showed:
Fireworks exploding behind them.
Moonlight over the tower.
Her stunned expression when the show began.
She treasured it deeply.
Kept it safely stored.
Only watching it when alone.
It was her favorite gift.
Alexander didn't stop there.
He also gave the Weasley twins…
A large collection of motion pictures.
Specifically—
Students confessing on Valentine's Day.
Some romantic.
Some awkward.
Some are disastrously funny.
The twins nearly fainted from happiness.
"This is GOLD."
"Historical GOLD."
Originally, they planned simple teasing.
But then—
A business idea formed.
They began…
"Selling memories."
Not blackmail exactly—
More like… optional privacy purchases.
Students could buy the photos to keep…
Or buy them to ensure they weren't widely circulated.
Either way—
Money flowed.
Fast.
For the first time in their lives—
Fred and George held stacks of coins.
Real profit.
They stared at their earnings in awe.
"We're rich."
"Temporarily rich—but still!"
Their only fear?
Their mother finding out…
And confiscating their "hard-earned income."
Alexander?
Not his problem.
He had already gained what he wanted:
A loyal poltergeist ally
Castle-wide chaos on demand
Valuable intelligence network
Strengthened friendship with the twins
Efficient investments.
As for him and Cho—
They simply enjoyed their time together.
Studying.
Walking the corridors.
Watching sunsets from tower windows.
Sometimes reviewing their Valentine's motion picture quietly.
No chaos.
No schemes.
Just peace.
Well—
Peace for them.
Elsewhere in the castle—
Fireworks exploded.
Peeves shrieked with laughter.
And Filch screamed in frustration.
Alexander, hearing the distant boom while sitting beside Cho, only smiled slightly.
Alliance management was going perfectly.