Although Albert had told the three the harsh truth, it didn't stop Fred and the others from dreaming of fortune.
Over the next few days, they frequented the Forbidden Forest, hoping to dig up snow mushrooms and strike it rich.
Reality, however, was cruel.
Despite several attempts, they found nothing. Their repeated ventures into the woods angered Hagrid, who complained to Albert and eventually marched the twins straight to Professor McGonagall.
The result was detention.
Filch was delighted. His rare, terrifying smile unsettled the three, and in the following days he made their lives miserable.
"Don't be depressed. Life is still beautiful," Albert said, patting Fred's shoulder. "How about fishing by the lake on Saturday?"
"Forget it. We're not going. We don't want another lecture from Hagrid," Fred grumbled, still bitter about being handed over.
Albert let the matter drop.
"What are you doing?" Angelina asked curiously, setting down her quill. "I thought you finished your Transfiguration homework ages ago."
"Writing a paper for Transfiguration Today. Professor McGonagall asked us to during the last club meeting," Albert explained casually, unaware of how surprising his words were.
"For a magazine?"
"You're publishing in Transfiguration Today?" Angelina and several others stared in astonishment.
"Not yet. The draft goes to Professor McGonagall first. She'll select suitable ones, revise them, and then send them on." Albert's paper was titled How to Apply Transfiguration in the Combat Domain.
This was an area where Dumbledore and McGonagall excelled. Albert was simply combining what he had read with theory. He doubted his paper would be published, but the process had benefits. McGonagall's careful revisions and evaluations helped club members improve.
Every time Albert wrote such a paper, his grasp of Transfiguration theory deepened. That was why he took it seriously.
"I suddenly feel McGonagall's club is very high-end," Sanna said admiringly. "I wonder if she's still accepting new members."
"Forget it," Alicia said bluntly. "Unless you're exceptional, you won't be invited."
"I was just thinking. Transfiguration is already difficult. I don't have time for more advanced work, let alone papers that kill brain cells," Sanna muttered.
Albert agreed—it did take effort. He always felt his knowledge insufficient, but decided to hand in the paper anyway. Publication didn't matter. His current knowledge was more than enough for class in the coming years.
Unless a task demanded it, he wouldn't invest more experience points. Running at a deficit wasn't wise.
He had even tried to trigger tasks in this area, but never succeeded.
"Finished?" Alicia exclaimed. "Your speed is amazing."
"It took me several days."
"Mind if I look?" she asked.
Albert handed over the parchment. As expected, Alicia returned it quickly—she didn't understand it.
Deep research was too difficult for most students. They focused on basics. Whether to delve deeper was a personal choice. Few graduates could truly master spells beyond level two.
"You look tired," Sanna whispered.
"This paper is just so-so. It took effort. I haven't reached that level yet." Albert packed his books, planning to visit the kitchen for tea—and hopefully cake.
"If you haven't reached that level, then what level are we?" Lee Jordan grumbled.
Albert ignored him. "Anyone going to the kitchen?"
"Me!" Fred jumped up.
"Finish your homework first," George said firmly. "If you leave now, you'll never finish later."
Fred sat back down, sulking.
"See you later," Albert said, heading out.
Passing through the corridor, Albert descended the moving staircase to the first floor. Filch glared at him while mopping the hall, but Albert ignored him and went straight to the kitchen beneath the Great Hall.
Albert was a regular there. The house-elves welcomed him warmly, serving milk tea and pies.
"Thank you," Albert said with a smile. His gratitude always flustered them, but he knew they liked hearing it.
"Preparing dinner?" he asked curiously.
"Yes, sir," a house-elf nodded.
"Do you mind chatting for a bit?" Albert asked, sipping tea with a sigh of relief. "I'm interested in everything here—including you hardworking fellows."
"It is my honor."
"What's your name?" Albert asked gently.
"Kara," the elf replied.
"Sit down, I don't mind," Albert said, pointing to a chair.
But Kara refused. Albert didn't press, instead asking, "Your magic is very special. It's not the same as ours, is it?"
"Yes, sir. It is different," Kara said hesitantly, reluctant to elaborate.
"Can you use our magic?" Albert asked. Kara shook her head but stayed silent. Albert changed the subject. "Alright, something else. Can you make garlic scrambled eggs?"
"Garlic scrambled eggs?" Kara repeated, puzzled.
Albert began explaining the recipe, mischievously trying to lead the elves' cooking astray.