With Valentine's Day behind them—
Alexander Chen and Cho Chang were now officially dating.
Even though they were dating.
They had already spent so much time together before that, becoming a couple simply felt like a natural continuation rather than something new or awkward.
If anything—
Only the small details shifted.
They studied together more often now.
Ravenclaw's common room became their usual evening spot—books spread out, parchment stacked neatly, quills scratching in quiet rhythm.
Alexander would often finish his assignments first.
And once he did—
He'd slide his chair beside Cho's.
"Show me your wand form," he'd say casually.
Cho would sigh but comply.
He corrected her grip gently.
"Too stiff. Defense magic needs flow, not tension."
Her biggest focus lately—
Protego.
Alexander insisted on it.
Again and again.
"Protego."
The faint shield shimmered.
He nodded.
"Good. But too slow. In a real situation, you don't get three seconds to think."
Cho puffed her cheeks slightly.
"I'm trying."
"I know," he said calmly. "That's why I'm teaching you."
He never said it dramatically.
But his reasoning was simple—
He wanted her safe.
Especially after everything with Blackwood.
Defense first.
Occasionally—
Cho even joined his nightly "adventures."
Though the first time she witnessed one…
She nearly had a heart attack.
It started when Alexander casually asked—
"Want to see something fun tonight?"
She assumed stargazing.
Or exploring the library after hours.
Instead—
She found herself hiding behind a statue at midnight…
With Alexander and the Weasley twins…
Watching Mrs. Norris patrol the corridor.
Filch's lantern light flickered in the distance.
Cho whispered frantically—
"Why are we hiding?!"
Fred grinned.
"Hide-and-seek."
George added—
"With castle security."
Cho stared at them like they were insane.
Alexander just smiled slightly.
"Rule one—don't get caught."
Before she could protest—
The game began.
They split.
Running silently through corridors, ducking behind armor, slipping through secret passages.
Cho's heart pounded so loudly she was sure Filch could hear it.
Then—
Mrs. Norris turned the corner.
Glowing eyes locked forward.
Cho panicked.
Alexander whispered—
"Silencio. Now."
Her wand moved before her fear could stop her.
"Silencio!"
The charm landed.
Mrs. Norris let out a silent meow—confused as no sound came out.
He grabbed her arm and ran.
Fast.
Laughing.
Adrenaline flooded her system.
They didn't stop until they reached a hidden stairwell.
Cho bent over slightly, catching her breath—
Then suddenly started laughing.
Nervous at first.
Then uncontrollably.
"I—I've never broken the rules before!"
Fred gasped dramatically.
"First crime!"
George added—
"We're honored!"
Cho's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"That was… fun."
Alexander smirked slightly.
But still said—
"Only sometimes."
Despite her enthusiasm—
He always ended the night early for her.
"Alright, that's enough."
She'd protest.
"But we just started!"
"You need sleep," he'd reply calmly. "Beauty sleep."
Her face would turn bright red instantly.
The twins would jump in immediately.
"Oooooh!"
"Beauty sleep?!"
Cho would hide her face with her hands, but still nodding shyly.
And Alexander would escort her back to the Ravenclaw dorm entrance.
Every time.
Without fail.
Before parting—
He'd give her a small kiss.
Sometimes on the cheek.
Sometimes on the forehead.
Never the lips.
Not yet.
One night, she asked softly—
"Why not?"
Alexander answered honestly—
"We're too young. I want it to be special."
Cho blinked…
Then nodded.
She didn't really have an opinion on pacing or romance rules.
She was simply happy being with him.
And that was enough.
After she entered the dorm—
Alexander would head back to meet the twins again.
Their nightly debrief always followed.
Planning pranks.
Discussing castle rumors.
Brainstorming future chaos.
Or—
Alexander would lean casually against the wall and smirk.
"So… still single, huh?"
Fred clutched his chest.
"Low blow."
George added—
"Betrayed by our own teammate."
Alexander shrugged.
"Skill issue."
The twins gasped in mock offense.
Then immediately started plotting ways to get revenge—
Usually involving Valentine's leftovers or enchanted confetti explosions.
So while the castle saw Alexander and Cho as Hogwarts' newest couple…
To them—
Life simply continued.
Studying.
Training.
Adventuring.
Laughing.
And for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts—
Alexander found himself thinking maybe Hogwarts wasn't such a bad school.
He looked at the Cho next to him, and he made sure the girl beside him stayed smiling.