As Alexander heard them rushing over.
Alexander, however, didn't even look at Filch.
Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back and began pacing slowly in front of the trio like a disappointed instructor.
"You three," he said calmly, voice low but sharp. "Breaking curfew. Roaming the castle at night."
He stopped in front of Hermione first.
"I expected better from you."
Hermione blinked, stunned.
Alexander turned to Ron next.
"I will be writing to your mother about this."
Ron's face went pale instantly.
Then Alexander pivoted toward Harry and prepared to continue.
But Filch had finally had enough.
"YOU FOUR — COME WITH ME!" he screeched.
Alexander raised a finger without even turning.
"One moment."
He pointed casually toward a dark corner of the corridor.
"Come out, Mr. Malfoy. I know you're there."
Silence.
A few seconds passed.
Alexander sighed.
"If you don't come out, I'll hang you in the Great Hall tomorrow morning in your underwear."
Another pause.
Then slowly but reluctantly, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the shadows.
Scowling as he joined their group.
Alexander nodded.
"Good. Follow along."
As they started to walk, he turned his head toward Harry.
He was ready to resume the lecture.
Only to stop mid-step as he nearly collided with a tall, stern figure in emerald robes.
Professor McGonagall.
Alexander blinked.
Every time I want to lecture Harry… someone shows up.
He tilted his head slightly.
Is this plot armor? …Maybe.
McGonagall looked between the group, then at Filch.
"What is going on?"
Filch pointed dramatically.
"Troublemakers! Breaking curfew!"
Her eyes moved to Alexander.
He smiled brightly.
"Oh yes, Professor. I caught them wandering and was about to report it."
He placed a hand over his chest proudly.
"As a star student, I'm already practicing to be a prefect in the future. Sometimes when I can't sleep, I take walks to clear my mind."
The four beside him stared in silent disbelief.
McGonagall didn't know how to respond, so she turned toward the four offenders.
"Ten points from each of you and two weeks of detention."
Harry winced.
Hermione lowered her head.
Ron groaned.
"Gryffindor loses a total of thirty points. Slytherin loses 10," said McGonagall.
Ron protested immediately.
"That's too much!"
Malfoy cut in.
"I helped catch them! I shouldn't get detention!"
"Also, you will all serve detention with Hagrid," she finished.
Before McGonagall could add more —
Alexander spoke calmly.
"That's what you get. You're getting off easy."
McGonagall raised a brow at him… thought for a moment and said.
"Since you are such a star student, Mr. Chen… why don't you join them? Supervise."
Alexander answered immediately.
"No, I'm good. I already lectured them. I did my job professor."
Then McGonagall added smoothly:
"Well… if you can locate a certain missing hat… I may pretend this entire incident never happened."
Alexander froze for half a second.
Then smiled brightly.
"No problem professor, I will supervise detention."
His tone flipped instantly into model-student enthusiasm.
"I am a star student, after all. It's my duty to help educate the younger students."
McGonagall nodded.
"Good. Take them back to their dormitories. Then return to your own."
Alexander bowed slightly.
"Of course. As a future prefect — consider it done."
He hurried them along.
The moment they turned a corner.
The atmosphere relaxed.
Malfoy was dropped off first without ceremony.
No one spoke until he was gone.
Then Harry exhaled.
"We're sorry for getting you in trouble."
Ron nodded.
"Yeah… sorry."
Hermione studied Alexander closely.
"Why does it feel like you wanted to join us?"
Alexander waved it off.
"Apology accepted."
He looked at Hermione.
"And why would I want detention? I've already served my time."
She hesitated… then asked quietly:
"What's this about a hat?"
Alexander didn't even slow his walking pace.
"The less you know, the better."
She frowned.
"Curiosity isn't a bad thing," he smirked.
"But sometimes being curious gets you into trouble."
They walked in silence for the rest of the time.
The castle at night was calm.
Moonlight spilling through tall windows, corridors empty, and torches crackling softly.
Alexander said.
"Enjoy the walk. Hogwarts is nice at night. No noise. Very peaceful."
The trio didn't respond and continued to walk in silence.
Soon, he escorted them to the Gryffindor entrance and left them there.
Later, back in his dormitory.
Alexander slept soundly.
And somewhere between dreams and waking thought, he murmured into the dark:
"It's almost time… noseless parasite."