The next morning, the students began the yearly ritual of packing and saying their goodbyes.
Last-minute promises to write over the summer.
Inside his dorm, Alexander moved far faster than everyone else.
He didn't "pack."
He simply opened his briefcase and tossed everything inside.
Finished in less than one minute.
Because he had something far more important planned.
He ran across the castle grounds until he reached an elevated hill that overlooked nearly the entire school.
Waiting there, floating upside down, was Peeves.
The two immediately began debating angles like professional photographers.
"No, no, Young Master Chen! Too much sky!"
"We need the towers centered."
"What about the train smoke in the background?!"
They repositioned several times.
Left.
Right.
Higher ground.
Lower slope.
Until they finally found it.
The perfect photograph location.
Behind them stood the full majesty of Hogwarts.
Towers gleaming in the morning light.
And in the distance was the Hogwarts Express preparing to depart.
Peeves hovered into position with a camera, ready.
Alexander adjusted his uniform, smoothing every crease.
Perfect posture.
Perfect smile.
Then—
Crack.
Someone Apparated beside him.
It was Headmaster Dumbledore.
Fulfilling the promise he made earlier this year.
The two stood side by side.
Dumbledore maintained a dignified, legendary composure.
Alexander had a bright and charming smile fit for a magazine cover.
Peeves took photo after photo.
Flash after flash.
Different poses.
Different angles.
When they finished, Alexander thanked Dumbledore but asked him to wait a moment.
Peeves handed over the developed photos and vanished.
Alexander immediately enchanted them and made multiple copies.
From his briefcase, he pulled out many enchanted frames he had already prepared.
After putting the enchanted photos into the enchanted frames.
He made sure everything looked good before he handed them over to Dumbledore.
The Headmaster examined it and smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Chen. I shall treasure these. See you next year."
And with a soft crack—
He was gone.
Alexander then sprinted toward the station to find Cho.
Once he saw her, he ran with excitement and gave her a big hug.
"Why are you so happy?" she laughed.
Alexander said with joy in his voice.
"Look at these photos!"
He showed her the photos of him and Dumbledore.
Her eyes lit up as she flipped through them.
After they boarded the train together and found a private compartment.
Alexander quickly made copies for Cho to keep.
Before she could say anything—
Alexander raised a hand.
"Wait. They'll be here soon."
He pulled out snacks and extra photos.
The door slammed open.
The twins barged in dramatically.
Fred Weasley and George Weasley looked upset.
They immediately began complaining.
"How did Ravenclaw win BOTH cups?!"
"Highway robbery!"
"Cho cheated with her broom!"
Cho fired back instantly.
"Harry has the same one!"
They argued about points next.
Cho calmly dismantled every complaint.
"Ravenclaw had been leading already."
"Harry's bonus points counted too."
"Alex earned what he deserved."
The twins lost the argument.
Knowing they lost, they changed topics.
"How did YOU get so many points anyway?"
"Yeah, tell us your secret!"
Alexander grinned and pulled out photos to try to make them switch the topic.
The Sorting Hat incident series.
From being cleaned and beaten up at the Black Lake to chickens pecking it.
The compartment erupted with laughter.
The twins immediately made copies for themselves.
After laughing, the twins pressed for details on how he got points.
Alexander shrugged.
"Dumbledore told me not to say anything. If you want answers, ask the Headmaster."
The twins went quiet.
They looked at each other and laughed.
The twins pulled out their favorite moments for this school year.
As they were talking, Alexander turned to Cho and said.
"Oh yeah. I'll be gone for about a month this summer."
Cho blinked and said.
"Write to me when you're back."
"I will. Also, tell your parents to come over for a cookout at the Weasley home."
She nodded with a smile.
"Okay."
The twins groaned loudly.
"Great. Summer just got MORE boring."
Alexander laughed.
Outside the window, the castle faded into the distance.
Another year finished, and summer vacation officially started.