Chapter 33: The End of the School Year
What makes a person truly charming?
Is it appearance, conversation, or knowledge?
Appearance isn't just about facial features. To win someone's affection, you need more: good skin, a fresh, non-greasy look, and a well-proportioned figure. These are all part of what makes someone attractive.
Conversation refers to communication skills—the ability to say the right thing at the right time and make people feel good.
As for knowledge, some fans of learning find intelligence irresistible. They may start off distant or indifferent, but once they have a chance to get closer, it becomes hard to pull away.
In Penelope's eyes, Alexander Smith was charming in every way.
She was initially drawn to his appearance—smooth skin, clean and glossy hair, perfectly matched features, and a slender, balanced figure. What she didn't know was that Alexander had used body-modification magic to subtly refine his looks, though he had already been attractive to begin with.
More importantly, he wasn't like other boys his age who constantly tried to get attention by teasing girls. He was mature, respectful, and... mysterious.
And then there was his knowledge—especially the kind not found in textbooks. Alexander understood all kinds of non-mainstream magical theories, many of which Penelope had secretly tried and found to work better than what was taught in class.
Although she sometimes hated how emotionally distant Ravenclaw felt, her thirst for knowledge was something she couldn't abandon.
Over time, Penelope realized that she was becoming deeply attached. Alexander helped her in both studies and life. Most importantly, he helped her mend her friendship with Kate.
Back during the incident with the crying boy, Rocky, Penelope had misjudged Kate's actions and had considered distancing herself. But Alexander made her realize that Kate was actually helping her. Later, Kate even helped expose that red-haired informant, Percy.
Sometimes, Penelope wondered if Alexander was really a child. Could he be an adult wizard using Polyjuice Potion to pose as a student?
But Kate had looked it up in the Book of Admission and confirmed that Alexander Smith was indeed a Hogwarts student—just one who, mysteriously, should've started school four years later and been in the same year as Harry Potter!
That was the secret Alexander had been hiding. Penelope considered exposing him to get back at the "little liar"... but with Kate's teasing reminder, she realized she wasn't so innocent either. After all, she pretended to be a Muggle-born student and constantly sought conversation with him.
And then there was the phoenix transformation.
Alexander could become a phoenix—what he called an "avatar." Penelope knew how profound and ancient phoenix magic was. It was powerful, elegant, and fascinating.
She had finally made up her mind and given her answer on Christmas Day.
But recently, something strange had been happening. Whenever Alexander transformed into a phoenix and chatted with her at night, he seemed energetic, yet oddly tired—like he had just come out of a magical duel.
"What will Alexander write to me tomorrow?" Penelope wondered aloud from her dorm bed.
But the very next day, upon receiving his letter, her excitement turned to horror.
"Ugh! I came here just to enjoy Easter—why is this happening?! I'm going to die! I've been studying Transfiguration too much lately, and I haven't even finished memorizing the History of Magic yet!"
Alexander had "accidentally" reminded her in his letter that exams were coming up in June.
"Kate!" Penelope shouted, catching her friend tiptoeing out.
"Let's head to the lounge and find old exam papers. We need a study plan!"
"Nooo! Aren't the exams in June? I was going to relax!" Kate groaned. "Penelope, don't be cruel!"
"Resistance is futile," Penelope said as she picked Kate up like a chicken.
Knowing it was pointless to fight, Kate gave up with a defeated look.
"Oh—and I'm writing to Alexander," Penelope added. "I've got more questions for him about the exams."
And so, that evening in the Ravenclaw common room, Alexander, still in phoenix form, found himself being bombarded with study questions once again.
At the end of the letter, Penelope added a final note: "Check the letter carefully—there's more inside."
On the other side, Alexander groaned as he sat in his secret training room, unlocking more of his phoenix transformation.
"Did I just shoot myself in the foot?" he muttered. "Penelope's getting harder and harder to read lately. I swear, she might just be obsessed with my phoenix head."
The grueling three months of exam prep finally ended, and June arrived. Though in different places, both Kate and Alexander sighed in relief—the hellish study schedule was finally over.
For Kate, the exams weren't even that bad. The real joy was escaping Penelope's daily drill sessions.
Better yet, after the results came out in mid-June, the final feast would be held. Then, summer vacation would begin in the third week.
In September, Kate would become a second-year student. She wondered, "Will I be taller by then?"
Kate quickly wrote to Alexander, asking if they could meet up in London over the summer. She also decided that, for now, she wouldn't mention any of this to Penelope.
She knew Alexander had also been suffering from what they jokingly called "Penelope Syndrome." For now, letters would be their best form of communication.
Besides, didn't Penelope always prefer written conversations anyway? "I'm such a good friend," Kate said as she sent the letter.
"Kate's letter?" Alexander said, receiving it from Jack.
"Good thing Penelope's family is going on a trip. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a moment's peace," he sighed.
"I've gotten so strong lately. No, I can't just hide away—I should check out the wizarding travel agencies for something exciting over the summer."
After writing a reply, Alexander handed it to Jack and asked him to arrange the owl delivery.
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"A horror trip? I've always wanted to go on one, but my parents never let me!" Kate exclaimed after reading Alexander's letter. "Now that they're away on business for the summer, I'm in!"
The next day, after confirming the plan, Alexander arrived at No. 59 Diagon Alley.
Horrible Tours was a wizarding travel agency that offered thrilling vacation packages: renting out Dracula's Castle in Transylvania, hiking the Zombie Trail, or even visiting the Bermuda Triangle.
The agency proudly claimed it took no responsibility for injuries or deaths during these trips.
But Alexander had already done his research—no wizard had ever died on one of these "thrilling vacations." The disclaimer was just a marketing trick.
And now, it was the perfect chance to bring Kate along.
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