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Before anyone realized it, Erwin's first week at Hogwarts had passed.
His reputation as a prodigy had spread throughout the school.
He'd earned points for Ravenclaw in nearly every class, except History of Magic, where Professor Binns never awarded points to anyone.
Professor McGonagall had even extended an unprecedented invitation for Erwin to join her Transfiguration Club, the first time she'd ever invited a first-year student.
Between his academic brilliance and striking appearance, Erwin had become something of a celebrity among the students.
Wherever he went, young witches observed him with barely concealed interest. When he noticed their attention, most would look away shyly, though a few bolder, older girls would wink at him openly.
These encounters made Cho increasingly irritated, and Erwin's waist suffered accordingly from her retaliatory pinches.
On Friday afternoon, Erwin and Cho were doing homework in the Ravenclaw common room when he suddenly remembered the twins' invitation.
He looked up at the girl beside him.
"Cho, George, and Fred invited me to meet them in the fourth-floor corridor at midnight tomorrow. Do you want to come?"
Cho raised her head, surprise evident in her expression.
"Can I go?"
Though phrased as a question, Erwin could clearly see the eager anticipation in her eyes.
With a relaxed smile, he replied affirmatively.
"Of course you can. I don't know what they're planning, but I'm sure they won't mind. I think they've invited others, too."
Receiving Erwin's confirmation, Cho abandoned her homework entirely and spent the rest of the afternoon pulling him into excited speculation about what the twins might have planned.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, so Erwin simply set down his quill and chatted with her.
Homework could wait.
****
Saturday night arrived quickly.
Near midnight, Erwin left his bedroom and entered the common room.
Cho sat alone in the space, holding a copy of A History of Irish Quidditch, though her eyes kept darting toward the boys' dormitory entrance.
Clearly, her mind wasn't on the book at all.
Seeing her anxiety, Erwin crossed to her side in a few quick strides and patted her head gently, smiling with fond indulgence.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."
Cho returned his smile warmly, set down the book, and followed him out of the common room.
Erwin withdrew his wand, took her hand, and gently tapped her body with the tip.
Her figure immediately became transparent.
Then he tapped himself and vanished as well.
Cho found the sensation fascinating.
She lifted her free hand and waved it before her face, but saw nothing.
"What kind of magic is this? It's amazing!"
"The Disillusionment Charm. If you want to learn it, I'll teach you later. For now, hold my hand tightly and don't let go, or I won't be able to find you."
If George and Fred were here, they would certainly have complained about Erwin's double standards; they'd been forced to search the Restricted Section themselves, while Cho received personal instruction.
Of course, if Erwin had heard such complaints, he wouldn't have cared in the slightest.
'Am I married to you? Where do you get off making demands?'
The two made their way hand-in-hand to the right-side corridor on the fourth floor, where they found the twins standing in a corner with a dark-skinned boy beside them.
After dispelling the charm, Erwin waved at the three.
"George. Fred."
All three turned instantly. Seeing the two kids holding hands, one twin spoke with an amused tone.
"As expected of Master Gaunt, even on a night tour, you bring a beautiful girl along."
Cho lowered her head shyly at the teasing.
Though many people knew about her relationship with Erwin (The two crushing on each other), she still felt embarrassed when the twins called attention to it.
Erwin swatted both twins on the shoulders in mock annoyance.
"This is Cho. Aren't you going to introduce your friend?"
He gestured toward the unfamiliar boy.
Before the twins could speak, the boy introduced himself.
"Hi, my name's Lee Jordan. George and Fred are my best mates, and they've told me about you, Erwin. What you did the other night was brilliant. It's been ages since anyone successfully pranked them."
He finished with a thumbs-up and a wide, bright grin.
Cho barely managed to stifle her laughter behind her hand.
Lee Jordan looked so endearingly earnest.
Erwin couldn't help but smile.
He recognized the boy immediately, the Quidditch commentator who would spend years being reprimanded by Professor McGonagall for his biased commentary.
Fred and George's best friend.
He nodded to Lee.
"Pleasure to meet you."
After everyone had been introduced, Erwin asked curiously.
"So, what exactly are we doing out so late? And Lee, what's in that bag you're carrying?"
George and Fred exchanged mysterious smiles and leaned closer conspiratorially.
"We're going to show you one of the most mysterious places in Hogwarts. Trust us, you'll love it. As for the bag, you'll find out soon enough."
Without waiting for Erwin's response, the twins grabbed Lee Jordan and headed downstairs.
Erwin and Cho exchanged glances, then followed behind.
Fortunately, the group encountered neither Filch nor Mrs. Norris along the way.
They descended to the basement level, and Erwin immediately understood their destination.
'The kitchen.'
Sure enough, the twins stopped before a painting filled with various foods.
A large silver bowl overflowing with fruit occupied the center.
One twin stepped forward and gently tickled a large green pear.
The pear wriggled, giggled foolishly, and suddenly transformed into a large green door handle.
With a pull, the door swung open.
Walking through, they entered a vast room with an extraordinarily high ceiling.
The space was nearly as large as the Great Hall, with countless gleaming copper pots and pans stacked against the surrounding stone walls.
More than a hundred house-elves bustled about inside.
When they noticed Erwin's group entering, one elf who appeared to be in charge approached them and bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Mr. Weasley and companions. My name is Ning. How may I be of service to you?"
Apparently, the twins were regular visitors, and the elves already knew them well.
The twins showed no hesitation and spoke casually.
"Could you get us some dinner, some dessert, and a pot of black tea with cups, please?"
The house-elf bowed again.
"Of course, sirs! Ning will prepare everything immediately."
Within moments, a long table materialized in the center of the kitchen, laden with an impressive spread.
Roasted chicken, shepherd's pie, treacle tart, chocolate cake, and various other delicacies appeared alongside a steaming pot of tea and several cups.
Cho's eyes widened at the sight, and even Erwin looked impressed.
The twins gestured grandly toward the feast.
"Welcome to the Hogwarts kitchen, the best-kept secret in the castle."