Alexander returned from the Owlery just before class began.
He slipped into his seat beside Cho as Professor McGonagall stood at the front, already prepared to begin.
Cho leaned slightly closer.
"Letter delivered?"
He nodded.
"Evidence included."
She laughed, already knowing what that meant.
McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Today we will begin with a review."
With a flick of her wand, a matchstick appeared on her desk.
"Last year, you learned the fundamentals of transfiguring inanimate objects. Matchstick into a needle and other things."
She cast the spell smoothly.
The wood shimmered — reshaped — sharpened into a perfect steel needle.
She let the class observe briefly before continuing.
"This year, however, we advance."
Her wand moved again.
A small beetle levitated into the air, legs wriggling.
Several students leaned back uneasily.
"Living to inanimate transfiguration requires significantly more precision."
A second spell.
The beetle shimmered…
…and transformed into a polished black button.
She passed it around the classroom.
Students touched it carefully, inspecting the craftsmanship.
When it returned to her desk, she resumed lecturing.
They then began their review practice.
Matchsticks shimmered across the room as students worked.
Some bent.
Some snapped.
Some were partially transfigured.
Most of the matchsticks turned into a perfect needle.
Eventually, the bell rang.
History of Magic was their second class.
Professor Binns droned on monotonously, floating inches above the floor as he lectured about—
"…failed Ministry negotiations of 1847…"
Students wilted visibly.
Quills slowed.
Students started to sleep.
Halfway through the lecture, Cho woke up Alexander.
They quietly packed their things…
Slipped out the door and escaped into the corridor unnoticed.
They went to the Hospital Wing.
Madam Pomfrey stood ready as always when they arrived.
She adjusted her glasses.
"What have you done this time, Mr. Chen?"
"Academic overexertion," he replied calmly.
She gave him a look that told him she did not believe a word of it.
After a brief examination, she handed him several potions.
"Drink."
They tasted horrible.
Bitter, metallic, lingering.
Cho winced just watching.
Within minutes, the bruising from the Stupefy impact faded.
The lingering exhaustion lifted.
Energy returned to his limbs.
Pomfrey nodded, satisfied.
"You're fine. Try not to get blasted across the Great Hall again."
"No promises," he said politely.
Cho elbowed him lightly.
They thanked her and left.
Lunch passed peacefully.
Students still talked about the Sorting incident.
Alexander ate normally, energy fully restored.
Cho watched him carefully anyway.
After lunch, they had Charms class with Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick stood atop his usual stack of books, beaming as students entered.
"Welcome back, everyone! This year, we begin defensive spellwork review before advancing further."
He waved his wand.
"Basic charms you've learned will serve as the foundation… but now we introduce something more practical."
He paused dramatically.
"Shield Charms. Protego."
Murmurs spread across the class.
Flitwick's eyes twinkled.
"Mr. Chen, if you would be so kind as to assist?"
Alexander stood and moved to the front.
He cast a standard Protego first — a clean, translucent shield forming before him.
Flitwick lectured as students observed angles, wand motion, and magical output.
Then he smiled wider.
"And perhaps… the advanced variant you demonstrated recently?"
Alexander nodded.
He raised his wand.
"Protego Maxima."
A massive translucent blue barrier dome expanded outward, filling the front half of the classroom before stabilizing.
Students gasped.
Even those who'd seen it before were impressed again.
Flitwick floated upward slightly, examining it closely.
"Layer density… structural reinforcement… remarkable control…"
He turned to the class.
"This is what shield mastery can become."
He continued lecturing.
"Supporting spells such as Fianto Duri reinforce structural durability…"
A tap of his wand demonstrated the effect.
"And Repello Inimicum can repel hostile forces attempting to breach the barrier."
Students scribbled notes rapidly.
Finally, Flitwick clapped his hands.
"Twenty points to Ravenclaw! Amazing work, Mr. Chen!"
Applause followed as Alexander returned to his seat.
Cho smiled proudly.
Most Ravenclaw students already knew the basics — Alexander had helped many of them practice the previous year.
Hufflepuffs, however, looked overwhelmed.
Several struggled just to produce a stable Protego.
Flitwick moved around, assisting them patiently.
The bell rang.
Class dismissed.
Students packed up, still discussing shield mechanics and the barrier demonstration.
Alexander slung his bag over his shoulder.
Cho walked beside him as they exited.
A normal academic day…
Finally restored.
Though judging by the whispers still trailing him through the corridor—
His legend was far from fading.