For Alexander, very little changed after the rumors about Parseltongue spread through Hogwarts Castle.
Students still whispered and stared.
But most kept their distance, which Alexander actually preferred.
The only real change was how some of Cho's friends were treating her. A few of them had begun giving her the cold shoulder, unsure how to react to the strange rumors surrounding Alexander.
On Saturday, Alexander and Cho sat together at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop in Hogsmeade.
Cho stirred her tea quietly.
"They've been acting strange lately," she admitted.
Alexander held her hand and said.
"They're just afraid."
"Only true friends will treat you normally."
Cho looked a little upset, but after a moment she nodded slowly.
Alexander grinned.
"At least you still have me, right?"
Cho laughed lightly.
"That's true."
She added with a playful smile,
"By the way, Captain Adrian still wants you to play tomorrow."
Alexander blinked.
"Are you sure?"
Cho nodded.
"Yeah."
Alexander shrugged.
"Alright. As long as they're fine with it."
Then he smirked.
"Besides, I bought them those broomsticks."
Cho laughed.
"If they start treating you differently," Alexander continued jokingly, "I'll just take them back."
They both burst out laughing.
Later, they met the twins and a few other friends at The Three Broomsticks, where the evening passed with jokes, drinks, and plenty of laughter.
Sunday arrived quickly.
Alexander put on his Quidditch gear and walked out onto the field.
The stands erupted in cheers from both sides.
He mounted his broom and flew into the air.
He positioned himself in front of the goal posts as the Keeper.
Cho flew over beside him briefly.
"Be careful," she said.
Alexander laughed.
"The Slytherins should be careful themselves."
They both smiled before Cho flew back to her position.
At the center of the field, Madam Hooch blew the whistle.
The match began.
Alexander calmly flew back and forth in front of the goal posts.
A Quaffle came flying toward him.
He caught it easily and tossed it toward one of the Ravenclaw Chasers.
The game continued like that for a while.
Each time Slytherin tried to score, Alexander blocked the shots with effortless precision.
The Slytherin captain noticed how Alexander was blocking all their shots.
Since they couldn't score on him normally.
So they changed tactics.
Bludgers began flying toward Alexander.
He dodged them smoothly.
Then he did something incredible.
One Bludger flew straight at him—
Alexander tilted sideways, redirected the Bludger slightly with the tail of his broom, and then kicked it.
The Bludger slammed straight into the ground below.
The crowd erupted in amazement.
Cho flew past him briefly.
"Are you okay?!"
Alexander shouted back with a grin.
"I'm perfectly fine! Hurry up and find the Golden Snitch!"
Time passed.
Ravenclaw led 60–0.
Frustrated, the Slytherin Chasers started playing rough.
They began shoving Alexander whenever they flew close.
Eventually, they managed to score one goal.
Alexander frowned slightly.
Dirty Slytherins.
Fine.
Let's play dirty.
He smiled slightly.
Penalty shots… I can block them all.
One Slytherin Chaser charged directly toward him.
Alexander dodged smoothly, then flew after the Chaser, who was still turning around.
At the last moment, Alexander released the magic, assisting his broom's movement, and used pure momentum to fly at the Slytherin Chaster with both feet first.
According to the rules, players cannot kick one another, and Alexander didn't kick.
Instead, he drop-kicked the Chaser and used the Chaser to push himself back on his broom.
The Chaser lost control and flew straight into the ground.
The whistle blew, and the game paused.
Madam Hooch flew over.
"Penalty shot! Mr. Chen, you cannot kick other players!"
Alexander looked innocent.
"I didn't kick him. I only used my foot to push off."
He shrugged.
"It's not my fault he's weak."
Madam Hooch sighed.
"Penalty shot."
The Slytherin Chaser took the shot.
Alexander blocked it easily.
The game resumed.
A few minutes later, another Chaser charged at him again.
Alexander dodged sideways.
At the same moment, he extended his right arm.
The charging Chaser ran directly into it.
A perfect clothesline.
The Chaser crashed hard into the ground as his broom flew somewhere on the field.
Alexander winced.
"Ouch. That definitely hurt."
Madam Hooch blew the whistle again.
The game paused once more.
Professor Snape flew down to check on the injured player. After a quick inspection, he made some Slytherin students carry the Chaser to the Hospital Wing.
Madam Hooch glared at Alexander.
"Mr. Chen, you cannot hit other players."
Alexander raised his hands.
"Madam Hooch, he charged at me."
"I got scared and dodged. My arm just happened to be there."
He looked thoughtful.
"Maybe you should tell the Chasers to stop charging at me."
Madam Hooch could only sigh.
"Penalty shot."
Again.
Alexander blocked it easily.
Slytherin team was down two Chasers and only had one substitute to replace one of the Chasers.
Ravenclaw quickly extended its lead.
Finally, after twenty-five minutes, a cheer exploded from the stands.
Cho had caught the Golden Snitch.
The match was over.
Ravenclaw had won.
Alexander landed on the field.
Cho landed beside him.
Before he could say anything—
She kissed him.
Alexander froze in shock.
Then suddenly—
Fireworks exploded across the sky.
Cho pulled away and grinned.
"I asked Peeves to help."
She pointed upward.
"Now smile for the camera."
Alexander laughed.
They held each other as colorful fireworks filled the sky.
After several minutes, the final message appeared in sparkling lights:
Congratulations to Young Master Chen for winning his first match!
Alexander shook his head, still smiling.
Then he and Cho walked off the field to celebrate with the Ravenclaw team.