The office of Headmaster Dumbledore fell quiet.
Alexander was completely unfazed by the situation.
"First question," Alexander said calmly. "Is Professor Lockhart taking over my Dueling Club?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes. He made a rather considerable donation to the school. Professor Snape will be assisting him."
Alexander nodded.
"Alright. First condition."
Dumbledore waited.
"Since he took over my Dueling Club," Alexander continued, "Cho and I want out of his class. We will still take the final exam at the end of the year."
He folded his hands on the desk.
"As the number one student, and Cho also being a star student at number two, we'll pass with Outstanding easily."
Alexander gave a small smile.
"Sounds reasonable, right?"
Dumbledore sat silently for a moment, thinking.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. That is acceptable."
Then he added,
"Anything else?"
Alexander did not hesitate.
"I also want Cho and me out of Professor Binns's History of Magic class."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"I feel it is wasting my time this year," Alexander continued casually. "I will attend it again next year."
Dumbledore leaned back slightly.
"Why do you wish to leave these classes?"
Alexander answered honestly.
"This summer, you probably heard that I had a duel with my childhood friend from the Strongman family."
Dumbledore nodded slightly. The story had circulated among certain circles.
"I realized during that duel," Alexander continued, "that I was lacking in several areas. I want to spend this year improving myself."
The office remained quiet for a long moment while Dumbledore thought carefully.
Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I will make the arrangements."
Alexander smiled.
"One last thing."
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Make it reasonable, Mr. Chen."
Alexander spoke plainly.
"If I happen to capture the monster from the Chamber of Secrets, it belongs to me."
Dumbledore immediately sat upright.
"No! Absolutely not!"
His voice carried rare firmness.
"That creature is extremely dangerous!"
Alexander laughed.
"Only for those who don't understand it."
He leaned forward slightly.
"For me, it would simply be a magical pet."
Dumbledore stared at him carefully.
"You know what it is?"
Then suddenly—
Dumbledore attempted Legilimency again, this time with far more force.
Alexander reacted instantly.
He stood up, wand already in his hand.
His mind locked down behind powerful Occlumency shields.
"Headmaster," Alexander said sharply, "try that one more time, and this will turn into an international matter."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Dumbledore immediately stopped.
After a moment, he sighed.
"My apologies, Mr. Chen. That was… impulsive of me."
Alexander slowly lowered his wand, but did not look amused.
"So," he asked calmly, "do we agree to the terms?"
Dumbledore thought for a moment before answering.
"Yes, but on one condition."
"From now on," Dumbledore said, "before you decide to perform one of your… pranks or shows, you will inform Professor Flitwick first."
Alexander sat back down and smiled.
"Of course."
He quickly pulled out a parchment and began writing.
Within moments, he finished drafting a magical contract.
Alexander signed it and slid it across the desk.
Dumbledore examined the document carefully before signing as well.
"You are a very interesting student," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
Then he asked curiously,
"Are all American children your age like this?"
Alexander picked up the contract and shrugged.
"You could say that."
He stood up.
"Anything else, Professor? I still need to hand over my precious Dueling Club to Professor Lockhart."
Dumbledore suddenly remembered something.
"The Restorative Draught."
Alexander paused and slapped his head.
"I forgot."
He opened his enchanted briefcase.
"Silver, bring out ten bottles of Restorative Draught."
A moment later, the small house-elf appeared.
She carefully placed ten potion bottles on the desk.
"Anything else, Young Master?" she asked politely.
Alexander nodded approvingly.
"Good job. Nothing for now."
Silver bowed and disappeared back into the briefcase.
Dumbledore looked at the potions with clear satisfaction.
Then his eyes drifted toward the open briefcase.
"May I see inside it?"
Alexander closed the case with a soft click.
"Can you afford to?"
Dumbledore chuckled.
"Perhaps another time, Mr. Chen."
He gestured toward the door.
"You may go."
Alexander waved casually as he walked toward the exit.
"It has been a pleasure, Headmaster."
Then he left the office, already thinking about the chaos that Professor Lockhart's Dueling Club would soon become.