Alex pulled out a folded dot from inside his robes. “I’ve got an unsigned nd deed here. you help me vert it into a personal one? Carrying this around is making me nervous. If I lose it or something happens to it, that’s going to be a huge headache.”

  Vanessa g the deed and froze, her eyes widening. “Wait a sed—an unsigned nd deed? Alex, these things are ridiculously rare! There aren’t ma iire wizarding world. verting oo a personal deed is simple, sure, but turning it bato an unsigned ohat’s near impossible!” She stared at the deed again, then at Alex, clearly astonished. “Where did you get this? And—hold on—is this for property in Diagon Alley?”

  Alex shrugged as if it were no big deal. “Found it on a Death Eater. It’s fair game. Nothing in the rules against it.”

  Vanessa’s jaw dropped. “Fair game or not, most people would only find a few Galleons at best. You’re telling me you ended up with property in Diagon Alley? That’s insane!”

  “It’s just luck,” Alex said, smiling modestly. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll get lucky one day too. Anyway, let’s get this paperwork sorted. Dinner’s oerward as thanks.”

  Vanessa ughed. “Deal. You’ve officially bee a small-time ndlord, huh? Let me take you through the process—it’s really simple. After that, we head to the Minister. She’s probably busy right now anyway.”

  “Lead the way,” Alex said with a grin.

  They headed to the fifth floor aered the office of the Iional Magical Trade Standards Association uhe Department of Iional Magical Cooperation. The entire process was surprisingly straightforward. After a few forms, three official seals, and some quick record-keeping, the deed was officially verted into a personal title.

  As Alex handed over the st dot, he noticed something iing. “So, almost all trade-reted matters gh this department?” he asked curiously.

  Vanessa nodded. “Yep. It’s because of the goblins. Sihey’re responsible for minting Galleons and py such a big role in erce, their influeretches across iional magical w. Pretty much all trade has to be standardized here. It’s a hassle sometimes, but it keeps things anized.”

  Alex hummed thoughtfully. “Makes sense.” Ohe paperwork was dohey headed to the Minister’s office. Alex kwi the door.

  “e in,” came the clear voice from inside.

  Alex stepped in and found not just Minister Bagnold but also Bartemius Crouch aka Barty, Director of Magical Law Enfort, and Moody. The two seemed to have just finished a meeting, as Crouch was busy anizing a stack of dots.

  Seeing Barty immediately brought to mind some of the Death Eaters’ fessions. Alex suppressed a frown, remembering the rumor about Barty’s son. While there was no direct proof of his involvement, Alex made a mental o tread carefully around the man. Minister Bagnold greeted him warmly. “Ah, Alex, perfect timing. We were just talking about you. How have you beeing?”

  Alex smiled politely. “Thank you, Mihe lounge Moody arranged for me was very fortable. I got some mueeded rest.”

  "That's goarding this m's battle, Moody has written a very detailed report. As a young wizard, you showed incredible bravery and mao indepely defeat the five Death Eaters led by Torquil Travers. Your as are an outstanding tribution to the entire British wizarding world, and we believe you deserve to be rewarded and enced for it." Millit Bagnold, ever the capable and effit official, went straight to the point.

  Moody, standing off to the side, was grinning and winking at Alex, his behavior surprisingly light-hearted for a man of his usual stern demeanor. Though his smile bordered on uling, there was no mistaking the twinkle of pride in his magical eye as if he already knew some good news was on its way.

  "You ftter me," Alex said, standing tall with a posed expression. "I was only proteg myself, not doing it for any reward. Death Eaters threaten the safety of our world and disrupt peace at every turn. Ah a sense of justice would take a stand against them. It just so happened I was there." His tone was steady, and he looked pletely sincere.

  If Yulia had bee, she might have fainted on the spot. Alex's words were more hypocritical than anything she had ever heard, and she had met plenty of Slytherins. But to the three Ministry officials standing before him, Alex's response came across as humble and noble, only deepening their admiration for him. In their minds, this young wizard was a shining example of iy, modesty, and bravery—a rare find indeed.

  "There's o be so modest," Millit said with a smile. "Your exceptional tribution will not be overlooked, and we’ve already decided on your rewards." She unfolded a dot and gave it a quice before reading aloud.

  "First of all, Mr. Alex Wilson, the Department of Magical Acts and Catastrophes has reviewed the off-campus spellcastied i’s Park this m and in downtown Londoerday afternoon. I hereby decre that all your previous instances of spellcasting outside school grounds are now officially deemed legal," she announced in a tohat left no room fument.

  "Sedly, for fag five Death Eaters single-handedly this m, resisting their attack with remarkable ce, subduing them, and promptly handing them over to the Department of Magical Law Enfort, you have made a signifit tribution to the Ministry’s fight against dark forces. In light of your heroic as, the Ministry has decided to award you the following honors."

  Millit Bagnold took a deep breath before tinuing. "First, you will be awarded the Order of Merlin, third Css. Sed, the Ministry will present you with a moary reward of 1,000 Galleons. Third, you will be bestowed the title of 'Wizard Hero' and receive a Medal of Honor. And finally," Millit added with a warm smile, "the Ministry will hold a public celebration ba in your honor in a few days. During this event, you will be officially reized for your heroism. The Ministry’s Publiformation Office has alsed an exclusive interview with you, so please be prepared."

  As the endation was read out, Alex froze. He had expected some kind nition—maybe a medal or a modest reward—but this? A title, a publiquet, and an exclusive interview? It all felt too much.

  Moody’s ughter broke through his thoughts. "Well, how about that, Alex? Didn’t see that ing, did you? Looks like you’ll be in the spotlight this time."

  "Wait, hold on," Alex said, pointing to himself, his expression a mixture of disbelief and fusion. "A wizard hero? Me?"

  "Why not?" Moody chuckled, g Alex on the shoulder. "Most people would jump at the ce to be called a hero. What’s got you so flustered?"

  "I think Alex is w why we’re making such a big deal out of this," said Barty, who had been quiet until now. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce through Alex’s unease as he spoke with a small smirk.

  "Exactly," Alex admitted. "I’m just a student, not an Auror or a Ministry employee. Why would you give me such title?"