Unknowingly, Alex Gaunt's first week at Hogwarts had already drawn to a close.
His reputation as a prodigy had begun to spread like wildfire through the castle. On nearly every subject, he had earned Ravenclaw house points — every subject except History of Magic. Professor Binns, being a ghost and lacking any real awareness of his students' lives, had apparently never heard of the concept of rewarding participation.
Even Professor McGonagall had publicly invited Alex to join her prestigious Transfiguration Club — an honor she had never once extended to a first-year student.
Suddenly, Alex's name was everywhere. The whispers followed him through hallways and staircases, not out of fear or scandal like they had for Harry Potter, but out of admiration. Awe. And not just for his brains.
He was beautiful. It didn't matter whether he was answering a question or simply passing through the Great Hall — girls turned their heads. Some shyly looked away when caught, blushing furiously. Others, bolder, tossed flirtatious winks his way.
And Cho?
Cho didn't take it lightly. Alex's poor waist had become the unfortunate victim of several jealous pinches.
...
On Friday afternoon, Alex and Cho were curled up in the Ravenclaw common room, scribbling away at their assignments under the soft glow of enchanted lamps.
Then, Alex suddenly remembered something.
He looked up. "Cho, George and Fred invited me to meet them at midnight tomorrow. Fourth floor corridor, right side. You wanna come?"
Cho blinked in surprise. "Can I?"
Even though she asked, her eyes lit up with an unmistakable excitement.
Alex smiled at her expression. "Of course you can. I don't know what they're planning exactly, but it sounded like others were invited too. Should be fun."
Cho practically beamed. Her homework was instantly forgotten, and she launched into speculation after speculation about what kind of wild mischief the twins had in mind.
Alex didn't bother resisting. He set down his quill, leaned back, and let her babble on with that joyful sparkle in her voice. Homework could wait.
...
Saturday night, just before midnight.
Alex slipped quietly from his dormitory, heading back into the Ravenclaw common room. Cho was already there, perched on a blue velvet armchair with a book open in her lap — A History of the Irish Quidditch Team.
Though her eyes were on the pages, they kept flicking toward the boys' staircase. When Alex emerged, she practically lit up.
He walked straight to her and gave her head a gentle pat. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."
She smiled, warm and radiant, and set her book aside. As they stepped out of the room, Alex drew his wand. One hand in Cho's, he tapped her gently on the shoulder.
She vanished. Completely.
Only a shimmer of air where she stood.
Cho gasped, waving her now-invisible hand in front of her face. "What spell is this? This is amazing!"
"Invisibility charm," Alex replied. "If you want, I can teach you sometime. But for now — hold on tight. If you let go, I'll lose track of you."
Somewhere, Fred and George Weasley would be screaming in protest.
We had to sneak around like rats to learn those spells and now you're just offering her lessons?!
But if Alex had been there to hear it, he wouldn't have cared in the slightest. They weren't soft, lovely girls with warm hands and starry eyes. They could go write a book about it.
...
The two crept down the stairs, hand in hand, and made their way to the fourth-floor corridor.
Fred and George were already waiting in the shadows, whispering to each other. Beside them stood a tall Black boy with a charming grin and a bag slung over his shoulder.
Alex dispelled the invisibility charm with a flick of his wand. "George! Fred!"
All three heads turned.
Fred (or was it George?) let out a loud, theatrical gasp. "Is nothing sacred anymore? Even for a midnight adventure, the great Mr. Gaunt brings a lady upon his arm!"
Cho flushed scarlet. Everyone knew she and Alex were together by now, but hearing it teased aloud still made her shy.
Alex rolled his eyes and gave one of the twins a light punch in the shoulder. "This is Cho, my girlfriend. Now, are you gonna introduce me to your friend or not?"
The boy stepped forward, flashing a broad grin and raising a hand in greeting. "Lee Jordan. Fred and George's partner-in-crime. They've told me all about you, mate. That prank you pulled? Legendary. Haven't seen anyone get one over on them in ages."
He gave Alex a thumbs-up and a big-toothed smile. Cho nearly doubled over trying to contain her giggles. Lee looked like the most adorably earnest prankster she'd ever seen.
Alex chuckled too. He remembered Lee now — the spirited Quidditch commentator from the films, always shouting biased calls and getting scolded by McGonagall.
"Just call me Alex," he said.
...
Once introductions were out of the way, Alex asked, "So what's this all about? And Lee, what's in the bag?"
The twins exchanged a sly glance. They leaned in close, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"We're taking you to one of the most mysterious places in all of Hogwarts," Fred whispered. "Trust me, you're going to love it."
"As for the bag," George added, "you'll find out soon enough."
Before Alex could ask more, they were off, dragging Lee along behind them. Alex and Cho trailed after, exchanging curious glances.
They descended toward the lower levels. No sign of Filch or Mrs. Norris, thankfully. Eventually, they reached the dungeons.
That's when it clicked.
The kitchen.
...
The twins stopped in front of a grand painting. It depicted a feast — roast meats, steaming pies, and bowls of fruit. In the center of the spread sat a silver bowl piled high with fruit.
George stepped up and scratched the surface of a particularly plump green pear.
The pear squirmed.
It giggled.
And then — poof — it morphed into a doorknob.
He gave it a twist. The portrait swung open.
They stepped inside.
...
The Hogwarts kitchens were enormous — nearly identical in size and shape to the Great Hall above. Stone walls rose up to a high arched ceiling, and shelves of copper pans and silver dishes lined the walls. Over a hundred house-elves darted about, busy with nighttime cleaning and preparations.
One elf approached them at once, dressed in a spotless tea towel and bowing deeply.
"Good evening to the honorable Weasley sirs and their esteemed guests. I am Ningon. How may I be of service this evening?"
Clearly, the twins were regular visitors.
Fred grinned. "Evening, Ningon! We'll take some dinner leftovers, a few desserts, and — ooh — a pot of tea. Make that strong. And don't forget the cups!"
The elf bowed again and scurried off.
Alex turned to the others, still a little stunned. "I never imagined this was what you had in mind."
George chuckled. "This is just the beginning, my friend. Welcome to Hogwarts, the right way."
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