Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the first day of the new school year, Fred and George became the center of attention.
Even back in the common room, the young wizards' conversation still revolved around them.
"Do you really think the Weasley brothers can sell those candies?"
Cedric asked skeptically, sitting on the sofa. "Professor McGonagall probably wouldn't agree."
"Making a big fuss about it is definitely out of the question," Kyle thought for a moment and said, "But as long as they don't get caught, it'll be fine. The school even forbids bringing dung balls and pyrotechnics into the castle, but haven't you seen enough of those things?
The professors are usually very busy; they don't have time to deal with such trivial matters."
"That's different," Cedric frowned.
He remembered the Weasley brothers telling him before school started that the candies were for helping young wizards skip classes… Could the professor really ignore that?
Kyle shrugged, indicating he didn't know either.
However, based on his understanding of Fred and George, the two of them had probably already figured out a solution.
And unless they're caught red-handed, the professors probably won't suspect Fred and George.
They'll just assume the candy is from Zonko or some other joke shop, and end up adding Ton Tongue Toffee to the contraband list.
Hmm... that's probably how it will be.
As a regular feature of Hufflepuff, catching up on homework after the start of the semester is inevitable.
As the common room filled up, Kyle and Cedric returned to their respective dorms, giving their spots to students looking to create miracles.
Their dorms were the same as last year's, except there was a sign on the door that read "Second Year."
The furnishings were unchanged, and the room was spotless, probably cleaned by the house-elves beforehand.
Lying in bed, Kyle looked at everything familiar before him, his consciousness quickly fading.
Because he had gone to bed early, Kyle woke up early the next day and went alone to the eighth floor of the castle.
Thanks to the Room of Requirement's perfect simulation of the natural environment, and the Moonbeast's daily fertilization, the flowerbeds were still thriving even after two months of neglect.
However, there were definitely changes.
The most obvious was the Devil's Snare; being closest to the Moonbeast's lair, it was much larger than two months ago, its tendrils now almost as thick as a wrist, and a darker color.
Also, the chomping cabbage he had planted before the holiday had sprouted, its fist-sized mouths opening and closing; Kyle estimated that in another week or two, they would start growing teeth.
The white daisies and rue were also growing well, a lush, verdant patch.
The Moonbeasts were sleeping.
The Billywig Bug, frolicking in the sky, immediately flew over, its propellers swishing.
Kyle instinctively took a step back, gave it a brief greeting, and left the Room of Requirement.
The little guy seemed a bit too excited today, flitting around Kyle and completely forgetting he had a poisoned needle.
Kyle didn't want to get stung.
After leaving the Room of Requirement, Kyle went down the stairs and returned to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was already quite full, with people gathered in small groups, whispering and looking towards the Gryffindor tables.
"It's over there, look!"
"Which way?"
"Next to that tall red-haired boy, the one with glasses."
"Harry Potter!"
"Did you see his face... that scar!"
Harry seemed uncomfortable with the stares; he kept his head down and quickly ate his breakfast.
Kyle walked to the Hufflepuff table.
Fred and George were there too, talking to Cedric.
"Homework, Cedric, you have to save us,"
Fred said pitifully. "I didn't expect Potions class to be on the first day of the new school year. If we don't hand in our homework on time…"
George shuddered and said, "Snape will kill us."
"I can lend you our homework," Cedric said, "but class is about to start. Are you sure you can finish it now?"
"We should be able to,"
Fred nodded repeatedly. "Our Potions class isn't until the second period, so we can finish it during Divination class."
"Alright then," Cedric thought for a moment and said, "I'll come get it for you after breakfast."
"Thank you so much!"
Fred and George looked at Cedric with gratitude.
"You saved our lives!"
Cedric just smiled slightly. Since last night, he has saved many people.
Kyle sat down next to the Weasley brothers and asked curiously, "Did you take Divination?"
"Divination and Care of Magical Creatures," Fred said. "Divination is definitely a must. Charlie said it's easy to get high marks in it, and the classes are quite relaxed."
"As long as we make ourselves sound pitiful when Professor Trelawney asks questions, we can do whatever we want," George said. "I suggest you take Divination next year too; it's a student's dream."
"That's something to consider," Kyle said, looking at the two of them. After a moment's hesitation, he suddenly said, "If possible, I suggest you take Ancient Runes as well."
"Why do you say that?"
Fred asked, puzzled. "It's said to be very difficult." "Extremely difficult," George frowned. "Percy spent most of his vacation studying it."
"That's true," Kyle nodded. "But haven't you always wanted to open a joke shop? Ancient Runes are very helpful for alchemy."
Alchemy?
Fred and George exchanged a glance; they understood what Kyle meant.
Those joke products are also alchemical items, so if that's the case, then Ancient Runes would indeed be very useful to them.
"Kyle, why are you only telling me now? It's so important!" George scratched his head.
Course selection is over now, and if they want to take Ancient Runes, they'll have to ask Professor McGonagall to add an extra class.
But three elective classes… that would undoubtedly take up a lot of time, and if they really went to Professor McGonagall, they wouldn't be able to do what they like.
But opening their own joke shop has always been their dream, and if Ancient Runes are really helpful for alchemy, then they definitely can't give it up.
The two were immediately caught in a dilemma.
"How about we talk to Professor McGonagall?"
After thinking for a moment, George tentatively asked, "Do you think she'll agree to let us change our Care of Magical Creatures class to Ancient Runes?"
[End of the chapter]