Alexander didn't just glare... He exploded.
"YOU'RE RACIST!"
His voice echoed across the bookstore and into the entire street.
People stopped walking.
Shop doors froze half-open.
Owls mid-flight flapped away in alarm.
"How DARE you call me a Muggle just because I look Asian!" he shouted, pointing straight at Lucius Malfoy.
"I am OFFICIALLY lodging a complaint to the Ministry! Get ready to feel my WRATH! You white-haired old fart!"
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"DAILY PROPHET! DID YOU HEAR THAT? This man is being racist! Is THIS how British wizards treat people?!"
A photographer from the Daily Prophet nearly dropped his camera before frantically snapping photos.
The entire bookstore and surrounding street went silent.
Parents.
Students.
Shoppers.
Everyone froze.
Alexander kept ranting until Mrs. Chen stepped forward with a long sigh.
"Alex, dear… he's not racist. He just... doesn't know who you are."
That pause gave Draco time to recover.
Draco quickly rushed to his father and whispered something urgently into his ear.
Lucius froze.
His face paled slightly.
He realized immediately how badly he had misstepped.
He straightened his robes and forced a polite smile.
"Oh… It's Alexander Chen. My apologies. I didn't recognize you. I thought you were another Muggle hanging around the Weasleys."
Alexander's glare sharpened.
"Oh? So pure-bloods can't hang out with Muggles?"
His tone turned colder.
"How dare you insult my friend just because she's a Muggle?"
Then he turned dramatically to his mother.
"Mom. Let's go to the Ministry. Time to file an international complaint. Let's see how the Malfoy family handles this fallout."
Lucius knew this was no longer a simple social slight.
Political consequences.
International ties.
Reputation damage.
He moved quickly, pulling Mrs. Chen aside for a hushed conversation.
They spoke briefly.
Lucius returned and gave a final apology.
He left immediately with Draco.
Mrs. Chen returned and said to everyone.
"It's nothing everyone. We won't be filing a complaint."
People kept whispering and continued with their shopping.
Once the crowd was gone, they went outside the bookstore.
Mrs. Chen looked at Alexander and said.
"Alex dear… You really have to stop causing trouble."
Alexander crossed his arms.
"I only said the truth."
She laughed softly.
"Well… you're definitely going to be front-page news now. The reporters took plenty of photos."
Alexander groaned.
"More famous… Can I pass it on to Harry instead?"
That earned laughter from everyone nearby.
The parents resumed buying books while the kids gathered outside the bookstore, still laughing about the scene.
Ginny hesitated before asking quietly,
"Are you really buying me new books?"
Alexander nodded casually.
"Yeah, I already told my mom. She is buying your books and mine."
Ginny still looked nervous.
Alexander laughed.
"It's fine, it's only money."
Ron shot him a jealous glare.
Alexander noticed and laughed.
After waiting half an hour, the parents came outside, and Mrs. Chen handed Alexander the books.
He put his books away, then handed Ginny her new schoolbooks.
He also passed a small pouch of Galleons into her hands.
"For your wand, new robes, and anything else you need."
She tried to refuse, but he wouldn't take it back.
Eventually, she accepted shyly.
Hermione chose to finish shopping with the Weasleys.
So Alexander and Mrs. Chen waved them goodbye and continued on their own.
As they walked past Quality Quidditch Supplies.
A display caught his eye.
The newly released Nimbus 2001.
He paused briefly, thinking, and kept walking.
Mrs. Chen noticed immediately.
"Planning to buy a new broom for Cho?"
He sighed.
"I might have to buy the whole team new brooms."
She blinked and asked.
"Oh? Why is that, dear?"
He shrugged.
"They'll probably force me onto the Quidditch team. I don't like playing—but they'll ask Cho, and she'll force me to play."
He added with mild dread,
"Even if I say no, Professor Flitwick will pester me to join."
Mrs. Chen laughed.
"Honey, just play with your friends."
"I'd rather duel than play Quidditch," he muttered. "But if things change, I'll write home."
She nodded warmly.
"Just let us know, dear."
They spent the rest of the afternoon shopping peacefully in Diagon Alley—
No one was aware that Tom Riddle's diary was now sitting inside Alexander's briefcase.