After several long and surprisingly productive days, the mountain of holiday homework was finally finished.
Out in the Burrow's yard, snow still lightly covering the ground, Alexander stood across from the twins.
"Again," he said calmly.
Fred and George raised their wands together.
"Protego Maxima!"
Twin shield domes flared to life.
Alexander flicked his wand.
"Protego Maxima."
His barrier expanded outward — larger, thicker, layered.
The twins' shields trembled on contact and crumbled.
He lowered his wand, and his Protego Maxima vanished.
"You're improving, but your layering is still too slow. Advanced shields need stacking speed. Otherwise, the shield will fall apart."
Fred wiped imaginary sweat from his brow.
"You say that like it's easy."
George added, "We're trying not to die while learning, you know."
Alexander smirked.
"You'll survive."
A few steps away, Ron was practicing regular Protego.
His shield flickered… then collapsed.
He tried again.
"Protego!"
Flicker.
Collapse.
Alexander sighed and walked over.
"Wrist angle wrong. Magic output is uneven. Focus your core."
Ron groaned.
"I am focusing!"
Ginny sat nearby watching everything, eyes full of envy.
She wanted to practice too.
But she didn't have a wand yet.
Alexander noticed and spoke casually while correcting Ron.
"It's good you're watching. Build a foundation first."
Then he glanced at Ron.
"And don't end up like your brother. Look how bad he is at casting."
Fred and George burst out laughing.
Ginny covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Ron was offended and shouted.
"It's because I don't have my own wand! This is Charlie's old wand. It doesn't feel right!"
Alexander paused.
Then held out his own wand.
"Want to try mine?"
Ron's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?!"
He grabbed it eagerly—
The moment it touched his hand—
ZAP
A sharp jolt of electricity shot through him.
Ron yelped and dropped it.
Alexander caught it mid-fall before it hit the snow.
He examined it calmly… then looked at Ron.
"See? Even my wand says you're bad at casting."
The twins howled with laughter.
Ginny laughed too.
Ron rubbed his hand.
"What was that?! I've never felt that before!"
Alexander twirled his wand casually.
"Thunderbird core. Highly reactive. Only those it accepts can handle it properly."
Ron groaned.
"Great… even wands hate me."
He went back to practicing with his own.
Ginny looked up at Alexander.
"So… will I get my own wand when I go to Hogwarts next year?"
Alexander thought for a moment, and before he could answer—
Fred spoke first.
"No problem, Ginny. We'll help you get one."
George immediately turned.
"Hey, why are you saying that? Let the rich boy pay."
Fred nodded seriously.
"You're right. Never mind, Ginny. Alex will buy you one."
They both laughed.
Alexander laughed too.
Ron suddenly froze mid-practice.
"…Wait."
He turned slowly.
"I forgot. You two are rich now."
He pointed dramatically.
"Buy me a new wand!"
Fred and George answered instantly.
"NO!"
Ron gasped.
Then bolted toward the house.
"I'M TELLING MOM!"
The twins shouted and sprinted after him.
"GET BACK HERE!"
They even fired spells while chasing him.
"Stupefy!"
"Impedimenta!"
Shockingly, Ron was dodging them.
Running left and right.
Jumping over obstacles.
Alexander raised a brow.
"His survival instincts are improving."
Ginny laughed as they both followed behind at a casual pace.
Ron kept running and yelling.
The twins kept chasing, yelling louder.
Pure chaos across the snowy yard.
Alexander glanced down at Ginny and spoke calmly.
"If they don't buy you a wand…I will"
Ginny stopped walking.
Her face lit up brighter than Lumos.
"Really?!"
Alexander nodded and kept walking.
She smiled so brightly it almost rivaled the snow's reflection.
Ahead of them—
Ron screamed as the twins finally tackled him into the snow.
Outside the Burrow was filled with screams and laughter.