[Breaking News: Shocking changes at Hogwarts! The school board has decided to appoint a second Deputy Headmaster.]
Early that morning, many wizards were drawn in by the front-page article of The Daily Prophet.
After all, for centuries, Hogwarts had always operated with one Headmaster and one Deputy Headmaster. The sudden addition of another Deputy naturally came as a surprise.
Even more intriguing was the question: who could possibly inspire the board to break with a tradition established by the Four Founders?
"In a decision sure to stun the entire wizarding world," wrote Rita Skeeter, "I'm thrilled to announce that the newly appointed second Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts is none other than the Head of Hufflepuff House, Kyle Chopper."
"This is truly thrilling news—you can't imagine how loud the cheers were! Many people screamed themselves hoarse, myself included."
"Clearly, everyone saw this as a natural decision. No one questioned whether Kyle was qualified for the role... and by the way, he has a lovely personality."
"We spoke briefly, and I asked, 'What should I call you—Head of House? Professor? Deputy Headmaster?' But he said he preferred being called Kyle, like an old friend, rather than anything formal."
"Of course, I'm not suggesting that Headmistress McGonagall or Headmaster Dumbledore were overly particular about titles—just that Kyle's warmth is surprising."
...
On Platform 9¾, someone looked up from the paper with a dazed expression and rubbed his eyes hard.
He thought he must have misread it. Since when did Rita Skeeter praise someone like that?
Behind him, Cedric, also reading the article, was far more composed.
Rita Skeeter didn't praise people—except for Kyle.
When it came to him, her enchanted Quick-Quotes Quill could write volumes of praise. It had been that way for years, and everyone had long grown used to it.
"I knew it!"
Suddenly, Cedric felt a weight on his shoulder and turned to see two identical faces.
"Fred, George!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "What are you two... I thought Percy wasn't old enough to start school until next year?"
"That's true," Fred said with a cheeky grin. "But today is our beloved godson's first day at Hogwarts. As his godfathers, of course we had to be here."
"Oh, right—gift time!"
He pulled a massive box from his pocket and quickly shoved it through the carriage window, handing it to a boy inside.
How he managed to fit something that large into his pocket, no one knew.
Cedric and Cho's expressions changed at once—they instinctively tried to stop him.
But Fred moved too quickly. They didn't even have time to react before the boy took the gift and bolted down the corridor, vanishing in seconds.
Cedric made to follow him onto the train, only to be stopped by a hand.
"I swear, there are absolutely no Firework Dungbombs in that box," George said with a grin.
Cedric gave him a doubtful look.
Firework Dungbombs did exactly what their name suggested—exploded like fireworks but with a much more unpleasant payload. The thought of one going off at Hogwarts was... difficult to imagine.
Just then, the train began to move. Cedric had no choice but to sigh and trust them one more time.
"Really, you should be grateful," George muttered. "Kyle and Kanna's kids won't start until next year. At least little Beddy gets to enjoy normal school life for a bit longer."
"A normal school life," Fred added pointedly.
At that, Cedric and Cho—who had been standing beside him—fell unusually silent.
They were all thinking of the boy who looked almost exactly like young Kyle.
To be honest, having Kyle as a friend had been a stroke of luck. He'd turned their dull school days into something extraordinary. But if their own children ended up in school with a Kyle 2.0—one even more outrageous than the original—that would be a nightmare.
Cedric would never forget how, at just eight years old, little Kyle had completely played an old wizard who had sinister intentions. He'd baited him with a staged "mistake," then struck back justifiably, commanding a Wampus Cat to string the man up on the tallest spire of the Ministry of Magic.
Honestly, if Hogwarts ever sent a letter saying Beddy had been expelled for dumping dragon dung on Head of House Snape's head, Cedric wouldn't even be surprised.
Because it was entirely possible.
Oh, wait—that's right. Kyle was Deputy Headmaster now. Beddy probably wouldn't be expelled at all.
For a moment, the four of them stood silently together, no one saying a word.
"Thankfully, Lya takes after her mother," Cho murmured.
Lya was Kyle and Kanna's second child, a daughter whose personality was the exact opposite of her brother's—a model young witch, through and through.
Frankly, that was a blessing worth throwing a feast for.
Just imagine if Hogwarts ended up with two Kyles at the same time. The chaos... Headmistress McGonagall might well retire on the spot.
Then again, maybe that's exactly what Kyle hoped for.
The train gradually pulled away, rounded a bend, and disappeared from sight.
"Speaking of which, want to head to Hogsmeade?" Fred said. "Kyle just became Deputy Headmaster—we've got to celebrate."
"Of course. Even if you hadn't said anything, we would've come looking for you in Hogsmeade anyway," Cedric replied with a smile.
The group agreed without hesitation.
There was still time before the train arrived—plenty for a good drink.
In the next instant, they all Apparated and appeared on the streets of Hogsmeade.
The village was quiet. Two witches stepped out of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes at the street corner—Angelina Johnson, Fred's wife, and Alicia Spinnet, George's.
Incidentally, Alicia had also been a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and like Angelina, she had played as a Chaser.
Sometimes, you really had to admit—Fred and George were alike in every possible way.
"To celebrate Kyle becoming Hogwarts' Deputy Headmaster—same place as always, The Three Broomsticks," Fred said with a grin as he walked up. "I heard Madam Rosmerta's got a new drink on the menu, and I can't wait to try it."
They made their way into The Three Broomsticks, ordering their favorite drinks with practiced ease.
"Just us?" Alicia asked, a little puzzled. "If it's a celebration, shouldn't we invite Kyle and Kanna too?"
"Technically, yes—but we don't need to," George replied, glancing toward the door.
"Look, they're already here."
The door to The Three Broomsticks swung open again, and Kyle and Kanna walked in from outside.
The bell above the door jingled as a breeze swept through, ringing with a crisp, familiar chime.
Almost instinctively, as if rehearsed, everyone in the room turned their eyes toward the bell.
That sound—it hadn't changed at all.