"Alan Cecil!!!"
With a roar, Hagrid's enormous frame barreled into the Great Hall, startling students who were just settling down for breakfast.
A few students gasped in shock—but then, seeing the spectacle, they covered their mouths to stifle laughter. Soon, giggles rippled through the hall, spreading like wildfire.
Hagrid ignored them and stormed straight toward the Gryffindor table. "Where is Alan Cecil?" he bellowed.
"Ha...Hagrid?" Harry blinked at the usually composed giant, stunned by his uncharacteristic fury. Then, spotting Hagrid's face more clearly, he couldn't help but laugh. "Hagrid, what happened to you? Why are the circles under your eyes so dark? You didn't have any problems last night—did you sleep well?"
Hagrid's face still bore faint traces of washing, but dark, circular marks lingered—like unremovable smudges, or very pronounced dark circles.
"I didn't sleep well the day I arrived," Hagrid admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "But last night… someone drew a circle on my face. It must have been Alan Cecil. Where's that boy hiding?"
At that moment, the Weasley twins sauntered into the Great Hall, Percy trailing behind them, looking utterly exhausted. Fred and George leaned over to peek at Hagrid and immediately burst into laughter.
"Hagrid, why are you so ugly?" Fred chuckled.
George grinned, adding, "Did you forget to wash your face after lighting the stove?"
"That's enough, you two troublemakers!" Hagrid growled, his eyes narrowing. "Have you seen Alan Cecil?"
"No," George said, wiping tears from his eyes. "And even if you came to the Great Hall, your chances of finding him here are slim. He rarely eats here."
"Maybe the library?" George offered after a pause.
"Go to the kitchen!" Percy said suddenly, his voice sharp. "He usually hangs around with the house-elves."
Hagrid snorted in approval at Percy, his anger momentarily shifting toward the twins. Then he stormed out in search of Alan.
George and Fred exchanged helpless looks. "Why did Percy tell him where Alan is?" Fred muttered.
"You have to hold someone accountable when they do something wrong, right?" Percy replied coldly.
"But Hagrid has no proof that Alan did this," Fred objected.
"Then let him figure it out himself," Percy said nonchalantly. "Don't interrupt my breakfast for his affairs."
The twins exchanged a resigned glance. They knew there was no reasoning with Percy once his mind was made up.
Just then, Alan Cecil appeared at the entrance to the Great Hall. Counting his visit yesterday, this was only the second time he had come here during mealtime. He peeked in, a triumphant glint in his green eyes.
Spotting Penello preparing to leave after breakfast, Alan approached smoothly.
"What's wrong with Hagrid? I've never seen him so angry," Penello murmured softly.
Alan smirked. "Maybe he had a nightmare about me… then blamed me. Judging by those dark circles, he probably didn't sleep well."
Alan's eyes sparkled as he scanned the long Gryffindor table. Percy Weasley, scowling fiercely, caught Alan's gaze, but Alan only gave him a provocative smile before turning back to Penello.
"Do you have classes this afternoon?" Alan asked quietly. "I have an amazing discovery I want to share with you."
Penello tilted her head, intrigued. As Alan drew closer, sunlight caught his face just right, casting a halo over him. For a moment, he looked like a character from a painting—an effect he knew perfectly how to achieve. Penello's blush spread instantly, her fair skin glowing.
Alan smiled knowingly, a subtle victory gleaming in his green eyes.
"Ahem… Senior, I know I'm handsome, but I'd be shy if you look at me like that," Alan said, trying to sound serious but failing as a small smirk tugged at his lips.
"Did you mean to come here just now?" Penello asked, feigning calmness.
"Of course," Alan whispered conspiratorially. "But don't tell anyone. This is a very important secret."
"Okay," Penello agreed softly. "I don't have classes this afternoon. We can meet in the corridor on the eighth floor at three o'clock."
"See you then," Alan said, watching her depart with a satisfied smile.
Even as she walked away, Penello chatted quietly with her friends, lowering her voice—but Alan caught every word.
"Penello, it seems you like this kind of thing," one of her friends teased. "Although he's really handsome, isn't he too young?"
"Maybe you like this sibling-like rivalry? Percy Weasley is younger than you, isn't he?" another piped in.
"Don't talk nonsense," Penello said, blushing fiercely.
"Ah, Penello is blushing. Could it be true?"
"You have to be careful, that boy is way too arrogant," another warned.
"No, Alan really has talent," Penello argued. "He might even challenge Principal Dumbledore someday."
"Wow, are you defending yourself? Percy has no chance, then," her friend teased as they left.
Alan watched Penello go, then turned his gaze back to the Gryffindor table, gesturing subtly at Percy, who was gritting his teeth.
"It seems their conflict is more complicated than we thought," George said meaningfully, observing the exchange.
Fred shook his head, remembering Percy's embarrassed attempts to confess his feelings yesterday. Alan had clearly planned to intervene, denying Percy any chance to win Penello's heart.
"No wonder," Fred muttered. "Penello is the top girl in Ravenclaw. Any boy would be lucky to date her."
George considered the situation. "On one side, there's Alan, who can provide all the advantages; on the other, Percy's family—less exciting but more stable."
Fred poked his friend. "So what do we do? Can we help Percy?"
George sighed. "No. We can't help. Alan would be angry, and family comes first."
Fred nodded reluctantly. "You're right. Family is more important."
When Alan and Penello came into view, the twins greeted him with carefully measured smiles. Despite the tension, they resolved not to interfere, knowing that some battles must be fought alone.
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