By dinner time, Hogwarts was alive again.
The Great Hall buzzed with noise — students returning from Christmas break, exchanging stories, gifts, and last-minute homework panic.
Alexander sat at the Ravenclaw table beside Cho, calmly eating while the chaos of returning students unfolded around them.
Alexander said.
"Thanks again for the snow globe. I love it."
She laughed lightly.
"Thank you for the motion picture. My parents had a great laugh too."
He shrugged.
Before he could reply—
They were rudely interrupted.
Fred and George Weasley slammed down onto the bench across from them.
Laughing.
Loudly.
"OH MY GOD," Fred announced.
"I still can't believe it," George added.
"You actually gave it to us—"
Fred pulled it out dramatically.
"The motion picture!"
George finished:
"—of you beating up the Sorting Hat!"
They flashed the enchanted photo into the air like a trophy.
The moving image looped endlessly:
Alexander standing victorious…
The Sorting Hat flailed helplessly beneath him.
Within seconds…
Students nearby noticed.
Then gathered.
Then crowded.
Laughter exploded around the Ravenclaw table.
"No way—that's real?!"
"He actually did it!"
"Replay it!"
The twins held the picture higher, proudly displaying it like a championship banner.
All students had heard the story…
But until now, only professors and prefects had witnessed it firsthand.
This was proof.
Visual.
Moving.
Undeniable.
The crowd doubled.
Then tripled.
Soon, even students from other houses pushed in — including Slytherins pretending they "just happened to be walking by."
They watched.
Then laughed.
Then clapped.
And just like before—
Chants started.
"Hero who defeated the Racist Hat!"
"Hero who defeated the Racist Hat!"
Alexander sighed, chewing calmly.
Cho covered her mouth, laughing.
"You're never escaping that title."
He shrugged.
"I've accepted my legacy."
A sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Silence."
Professor McGonagall.
The entire hall froze instantly.
She walked forward, stern gaze locking onto the photo still floating in Fred's hand.
She confiscated it without a word.
The crowd slowly dispersed, grumbling but amused.
Alexander expected detention.
Or at least a lecture.
But McGonagall simply turned and walked away with the photo.
The twins sat back down beside him.
Grinning.
Fred leaned in.
"Relax."
George smirked.
"It's only a copy."
Fred finished:
"It'll disappear in a few hours anyway."
They both burst into laughter.
Alexander exhaled.
"…Good."
Cho shook her head.
"You three are impossible."
After dinner, reality set back in.
Homework.
Students across all houses scrambled to finish winter assignments at the last minute.
Library packed.
Common rooms filled.
Parchment everywhere.
Ravenclaw Tower, however…
Was quieter than most.
Students worked diligently — discussing essays, comparing notes, debating theories.
Inside Alexander's dorm room, his roommates gathered around his desk.
They held up the motion pictures he'd gifted them.
"We love these," one said.
"Best Christmas gift ever," another added.
Then came the real question.
"…Can we borrow your homework?"
Alexander stared at them.
Long pause.
Then handed it over to them.
"You can reference it," he said calmly. "No copying word for word this time."
They nodded vigorously.
"Of course."
"Definitely."
Then immediately started copying.
Alexander sighed and climbed onto his bed.
He lay back, staring at the ceiling.
Castle was loud again.
Students back.
Routine restored.
Blackwood gone.
He folded his hands behind his head.
"The rest of the year should be fine."
Alexander drifted off to sleep.