Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 146: Cedric the Great Savior

On the first day of the new school year, Fred and George were the undeniable center of attention. Even back in the Hufflepuff common room, students couldn’t stop talking about their antics.

“Do you really think the Weasley twins can actually sell that candy?” Cedric asked doubtfully, sinking into the sofa. “Professor McGonagall won’t approve.”

“They probably won’t make a big fuss,” Kyle replied thoughtfully. “As long as they’re careful not to get caught, they’ll be fine. Technically, the rules do forbid Dungbombs and fireworks in the castle, but we still see those all the time. The professors have too much on their plates to worry about every little thing.”

“That’s different,” Cedric argued, frowning. He remembered Fred and George mentioning that those sweets could help students skip class. Could the professors really overlook that?

Kyle shrugged, not entirely certain. But he was pretty sure the twins already had a plan up their sleeves. As long as they didn’t get caught in the act, the professors would likely just assume the sweets were from Zonko’s or another joke shop. Worst case, they’d add Fat Tongue Toffee to the list of banned items.

As was tradition in Hufflepuff, the first week back meant a scramble to catch up on unfinished summer homework. With the common room growing more crowded, Kyle and Cedric gave up their seats to students hoping for some last-minute miracles and headed back to their dorm.

The dorm looked just as it had last year, except for a new sign on the door reading “Second Year.” The room was spotless, as if the house-elves had given it a thorough cleaning before term started. Kyle lay back on his bed, gazing at the familiar surroundings until he drifted off.

Because he’d turned in early, Kyle woke before dawn the next day and decided to visit the eighth floor alone. When he reached the Room of Requirement, he found the flowerbeds in good shape, thanks to the Room’s natural environment simulation and the Mooncalves’ regular soil fertilization—even after two months without tending.

But there were definite changes. The Devil’s Snare, closest to the Mooncalf’s lair, had grown substantially. Its tendrils were now as thick as Kyle’s wrist, darker in color, and more imposing. The Chomping Cabbages he’d planted before the holidays had also sprouted. Their fist-sized mouths opened and closed, and Kyle guessed they’d start growing teeth in another week or two.

Nearby, the Dittany and Rue had spread into a dense, lush carpet of green.

The Mooncalf was sound asleep, while the Billywig zoomed around joyfully. As soon as it spotted Kyle, it zipped over, its propeller-like wings buzzing with excitement. Kyle took a cautious step back, greeting it briefly before making his exit.

The little creature seemed especially lively today, darting around Kyle with abandon, oblivious to the poisonous stinger it carried. Kyle wasn’t about to risk getting stung.

After leaving the Room of Requirement, Kyle made his way down to the Great Hall. It was already packed with students, who sat in clusters, whispering and sneaking glances toward the Gryffindor table.

“There, look!”

“Where?”

“Next to the tall red-haired boy—the one with glasses.”

“Harry Potter!”

“Did you see his scar?”

Harry looked distinctly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, keeping his head down as he hurried through his breakfast.

Kyle joined the Hufflepuff table, where he found Fred and George in deep conversation with Cedric.

“Cedric, please, you have to help us,” Fred pleaded dramatically. “We didn’t realize we’d have Potions on the first day back, and if we don’t hand in our homework on time…”

“Snape will kill us,” George finished, shuddering at the thought.

Cedric chuckled. “I can lend you mine, but class starts soon. Are you sure you’ll be able to finish it in time?”

Fred nodded quickly. “Our Potions lesson isn’t until second period, so we’ll finish it during Divination.”

“Alright, then,” Cedric said, shaking his head with a smile. “I’ll get it for you after breakfast.”

“You’re a lifesaver!” Fred and George beamed gratefully. “You’ve saved our lives!”

Kyle took a seat beside them and asked curiously, “So, you both chose Divination?”

“Divination and Care of Magical Creatures,” Fred replied. “Divination’s a must. Charlie says it’s an easy O.W.L., and the class is relaxed.”

“Yep,” George added. “Professor Trelawney loves it if you make your predictions sound a little dramatic. That way, you can do whatever you like. You should consider it next year—it’s practically paradise.”

“Sounds tempting.” Kyle nodded thoughtfully, then added, “But if you can, I’d recommend taking Study of Ancient Runes as well.”

Fred looked puzzled. “Why’s that? Isn’t that class notoriously difficult?”

“It’s worse than difficult,” George said with a grimace. “Percy spent his entire holiday studying for it.”

“That’s true,” Kyle agreed, “but since you’ve both got your sights set on opening a joke shop, Ancient Runes would help a lot with alchemy.”

“Alchemy?” Fred and George exchanged glances, starting to catch on.

Magical joke products were a type of alchemical creation, and if they wanted to make their own, Ancient Runes would indeed be valuable.

“Kyle, why did you wait until now to tell us something so important?” George groaned, scratching his head.

Now that the course selection deadline had passed, adding Ancient Runes would mean going to Professor McGonagall to request an extra course. It would be a big commitment—taking a fourth elective would take up their free time, cutting into their hours for mischief.

But opening a joke shop was their dream, and if the class could really help with alchemy, they couldn’t ignore it. Fred and George suddenly found themselves in a tough spot.

“Maybe we should just go talk to Professor McGonagall,” George suggested after a moment. “Do you think she’d let us replace Care of Magical Creatures with Ancient Runes?”