Somehow the next day was worse.
Alexander walked into the Great Hall expecting one thing.
A letter from home.
He had sent photos and enchanted photos.
A full report of the troll incident.
His parents always replied quickly—especially when danger was involved.
So when he saw an envelope waiting at his seat, he picked it up immediately.
But there were two items.
One was the Daily Prophet newsletter.
The other was the letter he had been waiting for.
He ignored the newsletter entirely and opened his parents' letter first.
Dear Our Fearsome Troll Slayer Son,
We received your letter and photos.
Your father says, "Job well done. I taught you well."
I, however, remember telling you to stay safe.
I understand you were protecting a student, but you should have run like the others. Stop and think next time before charging danger head-on.
Anyway—we are glad you are safe.
We have already spoken with Headmaster Dumbledore. If you place first at the end of the year again, you might be allowed to keep the troll.
Also… somehow the Daily Prophet got word of everything. Our little star student is becoming quite famous.
Keep Cho safe—and stay safe yourself, our little Troll Slayer.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Alexander laughed quietly under his breath.
"Of course Dad said that…"
He folded the letter and handed it to Cho beside him.
While she read, he finally opened the newspaper resting on the table.
The Daily Prophet.
The moment he unfolded it—
He regretted it.
Front page.
Large moving headline.
ATTACK ON HOGWARTS
TROLLS INVADE CASTLE
TARGETING THE BOY WHO LIVED?
Below it…
A massive moving photograph of Alexander mid-fight—wand raised, troll collapsing.
Another headline beneath:
NEW HERO EMERGES — TROLL SLAYER ALEXANDER CHEN
And as if that wasn't enough…
Smaller side columns showed enchanted photos from the Halloween Eve prank.
Students frozen in the hall.
Costumes running wild.
Chaos everywhere.
Alexander slowly lowered the paper.
"…Crap."
Cho finished reading his parents' letter, smiling softly.
"They called you Troll Slayer too."
"Yeah…"
He lifted the newspaper again, scanning the article.
"…Now I'm getting lumped together with Harry."
The article speculated wildly.
Was the troll sent to target the Boy Who Lived?
Was Alexander a hidden guardian figure?
Was Hogwarts hiding elite prodigy students?
Pure nonsense—but the paper didn't care.
Alexander leaned back slightly, thinking.
Everything I did last year…
No reports.
No coverage.
Nothing.
But now?
Full articles. Photos. Speculation.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…I wonder who leaked it."
He handed the newspaper to Cho.
Her eyes widened as she read the front page.
"Alexander… you're famous now."
He shrugged and went back to eating breakfast.
"Temporary."
Before Cho could reply—
Chaos erupted again.
From the Gryffindor table.
Fred and George had upgraded their operation.
Fred stood on the bench holding a stack of photos.
George waved another stack dramatically.
"I have signed copies!" Fred announced loudly.
"Chen's personal signature on the Troll Slayer photos!" George added.
Students rushed over instantly.
Coins clinked.
Hands reached.
A full crowd formed.
Cho blinked.
"…When did you sign them?"
Alexander didn't even look up from his food.
"They forged them."
Cho stared.
"You're not going to stop them?"
"Nope."
He took another bite.
"Let them have their fun."
He smirked slightly.
"That way they leave us alone for now… haha."
Cho laughed, shaking her head.
"You're unbelievable."
Breakfast finished, the noise of commerce still raging behind them, the two stood up and headed to class together—leaving the twins to their booming black-market fame business.
Behind them, the legend continued to grow.
Alexander Chen.
The Troll Slayer.
Front page hero.