The first Hogsmeade weekend of the term arrived with cold wind and bright laughter. Students poured down the cobbled streets, crowding Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop — yet in a quiet back lane, far from the main square, Roy Valvas walked with purpose, followed by Fred and George Weasley.
Fred whispered, "Are you sure about this place, Roy?"George added, "It looks like a broom closet that gave up on life."
Roy just smiled. "That's the point."
The Location
He stopped before an old, boarded-up shop. Its sign hung crookedly — 'Caldwell's Clockworks', long abandoned since the owner retired to France.
Roy pressed his palm against the dusty door. A faint golden light spread from his fingers, and the old boards vanished with a shimmer.Inside was a narrow but deep room filled with cobwebs, shelves, and cracked glass.
Fred and George looked around, unimpressed. "Bit gloomy," George said.Roy chuckled. "Then let's brighten it up."
He snapped his fingers.
Instantly, the shop transformed — the air freshened, the dust vanished, and the shelves restored themselves. A glowing Liyue sigil appeared above the door frame, casting warm amber light across the room.
A wooden sign floated into place behind the counter:
'Prototype Testing Facility — Liyue Research Division (Confidential)'
The twins stared in disbelief.
Building the Workshop
Roy walked behind the counter and opened a dimensional case. Dozens of enchanted crates appeared, unfolding into testing racks, cauldron stations, rune printers, and even a small section for food and tea.
"This," Roy explained, "is your testing branch. Everything new you make will be stored, tested, and improved here before it's sent to the Liyue main lab. Officially, this shop doesn't exist."
Fred grinned. "Unofficially?"Roy smiled. "It's yours."
He tapped the counter twice, and two sleek badges appeared — golden pins with the emblem of twin phoenix tails.
"Project Weasley Division," Roy said. "You're now officially research interns for the Liyue Store."
The twins took the pins like sacred relics.
First Customers
A knock came at the door. Roy flicked his wrist, activating the disguise spell. The shop front shimmered — to any passerby, it now read 'Weasley & Weasley Curiosities – Private Testing'.
The door opened slightly.Cedric Diggory stepped in, holding a small parchment. "Roy, I got your owl. You said you needed a volunteer?"
Fred whispered, "He's the perfect tester. Noble, brave… unsuspecting."George grinned. "We'll name the next prank after him."
Roy smirked. "You'll like this one, Cedric. Mood Bombs, new version."
Cedric raised a brow. "This won't explode in my face, will it?"Roy smiled innocently. "Define 'explode.'"
The twins tossed a marble near him.It burst into shimmering violet mist, and Cedric immediately started reciting poetry about his reflection in a window.
Fred snorted. "Mood: Overdramatic."George scribbled notes. "Lasts ninety seconds. Reduce by half next batch."
When Cedric came back to normal, he blinked in confusion. "Did I just—?"Roy handed him a Honeydukes bar. "You were magnificent. Payment for your service."
Cedric laughed. "You're mad geniuses, all of you."
The Lesson
After Cedric left, Roy leaned against the counter."Remember," he told the twins, "this place isn't just for chaos. It's for innovation. You're building your future here — one laugh at a time."
Fred saluted dramatically. "Understood, Lord Valvas of Mischief."George bowed. "And his humble jesters shall obey."
Roy rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Just don't blow up the shop."
They grinned in unison. "No promises!"
By nightfall, the alley was quiet again. Only the faint golden sigil of Liyue shimmered behind the closed shutters.
Inside, Roy looked over the glowing prototype racks."From broomsticks to laughter," he murmured. "Let's see how far this magic can go."