One quiet afternoon, Alexander walked alone through the castle corridors on his way back from the Owlery.
He had just finished sending several letters — supply confirmations, garden updates, and one inquiry about rare serpent-handling equipment.
Typical planning.
His mind was elsewhere when—
Thud.
Someone ran straight into him.
A bushy-haired girl stumbled backward from the impact.
She didn't even look up.
"Sorry," she muttered quickly, trying to hurry past.
Alexander blinked.
"…Hey, Ms. Granger — are you okay?"
The girl froze mid-step.
Slowly, she turned around.
It was Hermione Granger.
Her eyes were red.
Clearly, she had been crying.
Alexander's expression softened slightly.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head.
"It's nothing."
He raised a brow.
"If it's nothing, you shouldn't be crying."
She didn't respond.
He sighed lightly, then gestured down the hall.
"Come with me."
Hermione hesitated — but something about his calm tone made her follow.
He led her into an unused classroom.
Dusty desks.
Quiet air.
Safe from wandering students.
Alexander then cast Scourgify to clean up the desk area, then Tergeo to wipe everything away.
Then he sat down and said, "Sit".
She did.
He leaned against the desk.
"Now… what's really the matter?"
She looked down at her hands before speaking quietly.
"Ron made fun of me… for being a know-it-all. And Harry didn't defend me."
Alexander nodded slowly.
Ah… first-year social politics.
He'd expected something like this eventually.
He spoke casually.
"It's okay to be a know-it-all."
She looked up, surprised.
He continued:
"Look at me. I ranked first in my year academically and magically. And I plan to stay first throughout all my Hogwarts years."
Hermione blinked.
She'd heard the rumors:
Ravenclaw prodigy
Barrier genius
Sorting Hat attacker
But hearing him say it so confidently still surprised her.
He smirked slightly.
"It's fine to be smarter than others… but sometimes it's better not to say everything out loud."
She tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Because," he chuckled, "We smart people make others feel inferior without meaning to."
Realization dawned on her face instantly.
"Oh…"
He shrugged.
"Doesn't mean you're wrong. Just means timing matters."
Hermione's shoulders relaxed.
Her mood visibly lifted.
She started asking him questions:
Study methods
Spell practice routines
Class preparation
He answered casually, giving practical advice without sounding preachy.
Time passed faster than expected.
Soon, Alexander glanced at the window light.
"Dinner time."
They walked toward the Great Hall together, still talking about coursework and magical theory.
When they entered, they split towards their house tables.
Cho was already seated at the Ravenclaw table.
She watched Alexander approach with a teasing smile.
"Are you cheating on me with a first-year?"
He sat down calmly.
"No. Just a lost smart student."
He leaned closer playfully.
"I'm teaching her the ways of being a genius."
Cho laughed.
Before she could reply—
Two familiar redheads appeared behind them.
Fred Weasley
George Weasley
Fred grinned.
"Oi, Chen — trying to get another girlfriend already?"
George added immediately:
"Well, he's rich enough to afford two."
Fred nodded solemnly.
"It's okay, Cho. We support you."
George finished:
"Emotionally, of course."
They both burst out laughing and ran off before retaliation arrived.
Alexander and Cho just shook their heads, laughing.
Dinner passed peacefully after that.
Before parting, Alexander told her.
"To make up for the rumors…"
Cho raised a brow.
"…Come with me tonight."
After detention with Filch ended—
The twins met up with them.
Cho joined this time.
Alexander cast Disillusionment Charm.
They played their favorite game once again:
Hide-and-seek with Filch and Mrs. Norris.
Laughter echoed through the corridors as they ran through hidden pathways, casting spells, and armor statues moving around, creating a lot of noise.
Before Mrs. Norris could screech, she got hit with a Silencio.
Filch shouted threats into the darkness.
Cho nearly got caught twice — but Alexander's shields deflected Mrs. Norris both times.
By midnight, all four collapsed behind a tapestry, laughing quietly.
Another successful night.
And somewhere in the castle—
A first-year girl with bushy hair felt a little more confident about being smart.