"Mr. Weasley, I need to remind you of something. Your holiday homework, apart from a few differences, is practically identical."
After class, Professor McGonagall called Fred and George over, handing back their homework. "Take it back and redo it. Next time, if this happens again, you'll be given detention. You must do your work yourselves—don't always think of copying others."
"We both did it ourselves. Our minds are connected; we just have too much chemistry," the twins argued in unison, exchanging a grin.
Professor McGonagall was momentarily taken aback by their words. She studied them, then sighed. "Alright, I'll let it go this time. But if there's a next time, it's detention."
As she walked away, the twins high-fived happily and winked at Lee Jordan and Albert.
"Professor McGonagall saw through your trick long ago. I doubt the Potions Professor will be so lenient," Albert warned.
His words were quickly proven true. Their excuse didn't fool Snape. He simply stared coldly and said, "Take it back and redo it."
"At least he gave you a chance," Lee Jordan said cheerfully, patting Fred's shoulder. "That's Snape. Not getting detention means you're lucky."
"I think he can read our minds," George muttered.
"Don't look him directly in the eyes—it's easy to be seen through that way," Albert advised. "That's definitely some kind of magic, though I haven't figured out which."
The three exchanged uneasy glances but believed him seventy to eighty percent.
"Soon, I plan to…" Albert gestured as if walking. "I need to go through the rope on the fifth floor."
"When?" Fred's eyes lit up. They knew Albert had mastered the Disillusionment Charm. With that, sneaking around Filch was far less risky.
"Soon." Albert stopped suddenly, catching a piece of chalk flying toward them.
"Good afternoon, Peeves!" Albert raised his wand, deflecting the barrage of chalk boxes Peeves hurled.
Peeves made a face, preparing to throw more.
"This is for you…" Albert tossed the chalk back. It passed through Peeves's head and struck the wall. Peeves made a rude gesture and floated away.
"That's a good place," Fred whispered. "I've always wanted to see inside. They say the books there are dangerous."
"What are you talking about?" Lee Jordan asked, confused.
"Library. Rope," George reminded him.
"You mean…" Lee began, but the others glared at him until he swallowed his words.
"Just keep it to yourself," Albert said, patting his shoulder.
"Still, those things are too profound for us," Lee admitted. He knew his limits and hadn't considered going there—he simply couldn't learn them.
"Old magic is dangerous for people nowadays," Albert said calmly. "In ancient times, wizards were unrestrained. The spells they created were chaotic, unstandardized, and hard to understand."
That was why Hogwarts kept such books in the Restricted Section—so students wouldn't harm themselves by attempting them.
But Albert was different. He had his system panel. As long as he finished reading a book, any spell that appeared there could be mastered with his experience pool. Expanding his magical repertoire was essential.
"That reminds me of 'Open Sesame,'" Fred said, recalling when Albert dismantled McGonagall's office door.
"I looked it up. Before Alohomora, people used the unlocking spells 'Portals Open Wide' and then 'Open Sesame,'" Albert explained. "It's like a rude visitor kicking down a door—forcing it open."
"In contrast, Alohomora is more refined. That's the hallmark of modern charms."
"That's unbelievable," Lee Jordan said, astonished.
"That spell is just too cool," the twins said eagerly, eyes gleaming.
After lunch, the twins hurried to the library. Their homework load was heavier than most, and if they didn't finish, Snape might actually give them detention—a nightmare they couldn't risk.
"What strange thing are you studying now?" Lee Jordan asked, glancing at Albert's parchment covered in unfamiliar symbols.
"Runes," Albert said, pointing to one with three intersecting lines, resembling a star. "This symbolizes wealth. It's said that making it into an amulet can increase financial luck."
"I think your luck is good enough," Lee muttered.
"Nobody minds having more," Albert replied calmly.
"Does this stuff work?" the twins asked, leaning over. "We need some luck lately."
"Then you need Felix Felicis," Albert said.
"What's that?"
"Liquid luck. Drinking it makes you lucky for a time."
"There's such a thing?" the twins exclaimed.
"Yes, but brewing it takes months."
"Months!" George blurted, earning stares before shrinking back.
"Felix Felicis is very difficult. A tiny mistake turns it into poison," Albert explained.
"How do you know?"
"I found it while researching for Snape's homework. I got curious and looked it up again. Unfortunately, I didn't find the recipe," Albert said casually.
"I'm more curious—do these runes actually work?" Field asked suddenly.
"I can guarantee they don't," Albert rolled his eyes. "The rune you were looking at is for increasing male charm."
"Oh? Then where's the one for female charm?" Field asked lightly. She had studied Ancient Runes herself, earning only an E, but she could tell Albert had unusual mastery.
It baffled her how he acquired such knowledge. The complex runes weren't easy to draw. She had struggled to decipher them even with annotations.
"Oh, there isn't one," Albert said matter-of-factly. "After all, I'm male. If these runes worked, I'd use them on myself first."