Only professors and Alexander remained — along with the bound mountain troll lying unconscious in chains.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, arms folded within her robes.
"Mr. Chen," she said firmly, "mind explaining what happened here?"
Alexander gave a bright, polite smile — the kind he always used when trouble was involved.
"Of course, Professor."
He clasped his hands behind his back like a model student.
"Before dinner, I wanted to stretch my legs and clear my mind. If you don't believe me, you can ask Cho — I told her I would be late to dinner."
McGonagall listened without interrupting.
Alexander continued.
"Then I heard someone crying. As a star student, it is my duty to take care of fellow students. So I came over to make sure Ms. Granger was okay."
He gestured casually toward the damaged bathroom.
"As we were about to head to dinner, the troll charged towards us."
Several professors exchanged looks.
Alexander shrugged lightly.
"And since you already know I'm quite confident in my Protego Maxima spell… the troll couldn't hurt us."
The professors looked around more carefully now.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
Wall tiles had been shattered.
Fragments of the troll's club lay scattered before being transfigured into chains.
Evidence of a real battle.
Alexander continued his explanation.
"I cast a few spells — but as you know, trolls are highly magic-resistant."
He sighed dramatically.
"And I had to make it let go of its club.
Then I smashed the club into its head and knocked it unconscious."
Several professors were amazed because he said it so casually.
"Then I turned the club into chains and bound it. After that, I started lecturing them… and you all showed up."
He smiled again.
"Any questions?"
Silence lingered briefly.
Then Snape spoke.
"We should reduce points… and send you to detention."
Alexander's smile vanished instantly.
He turned his head slowly toward Snape.
With a sharp glare.
"There it is again," he said flatly. "Racism."
Snape's eyes narrowed.
"I didn't even know there was a troll," Alexander continued. "I was helping a lost student."
Snape opened his mouth to argue further—
But McGonagall cut in sharply.
"That is enough, Severus."
Her tone allowed no debate.
"We will deal with the troll first and discuss everything else later."
She turned back to Alexander.
"Mr. Chen — return to your dormitory."
Alexander's smile returned like a switch flipping.
"No problem, Professor."
He gave a small bow.
"As a star student, it is my duty to always help."
He turned and began walking away.
"Goodnight, professors."
He made it a few steps—
Then suddenly stopped.
Turned back.
"Oh — can I keep the troll?"
Silence.
Every professor stared at him.
McGonagall's eyes slowly lowered to Alexander's left hand.
Where he was holding his enchanted briefcase.
She inhaled slowly.
"I will speak with Headmaster Dumbledore first," she said carefully. "Then we will see."
Alexander beamed.
"Okay! Goodbye!"
He waved cheerfully and walked off down the corridor as if he had merely helped carry groceries.
The moment he turned the corner—
The professors finally spoke freely.
Snape, McGonagall, and the others gathered near the chained troll.
McGonagall exhaled.
"Amazing spellwork."
Another professor nodded.
"Yes… a second-year student defeating an adult troll is splendid."
Snape scoffed sharply.
"He got lucky."
McGonagall glanced at him.
"Maybe."
She paused.
"But you saw how amazed Filius was."
Her eyes returned to the layered chains and residual barrier magic.
"Mr. Chen used a mixture of spells… and did so without panic."
She folded her arms again.
"That is not luck."
She straightened.
"Alright, everyone — clean up the mess."
She then looked to Snape.
"Severus, you and I will move the troll to the dungeons… and speak with the Headmaster."
Snape gave a stiff nod.
Together, they approached the bound creature.
The chains rattled faintly as they prepared to levitate it—
Still analyzing the precision and layering of magic that held it firmly in place.
And both professors, though neither would openly admit it—
Were thinking the same thing.
Alexander Chen…
Will become a powerful Wizard in the future.