A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ Before Edmund quite realized it, his first week at Hogwarts had passed.
His reputation as a genius had begun spreading through the castle.
He had earned points for Ravenclaw in nearly every class.
Except History of Magic.
Professor Binns never awarded points to anyone.
Even Professor McGonagall had publicly invited Edmund to join her Transfiguration Club.
It was the first time she had ever invited a first-year.
For a time, Edmund’s name moved quickly among the young witches and wizards.
Combined with his striking looks, it meant that wherever he went, little groups of girls would steal glances at him.
Whenever Edmund noticed, they hurriedly looked away in embarrassment.
A few bolder ones did not.
They met his gaze openly and even gave him a playful wink.
Cho grew jealous more than once, and Edmund quickly learned that she could pinch hard when she wanted to.
On Friday afternoon, Edmund and Cho were working on their homework in the Ravenclaw common room.
Suddenly, Edmund remembered the Weasley twins’ invitation and looked at Cho.
“Cho, George and Fred invited me to meet them tomorrow night at midnight in the third-floor corridor.
Do you want to come?” Cho looked up in surprise.
“Can I?” She asked the question, but Edmund could clearly see the anticipation in her eyes.
He smiled easily.
“Of course.
I do not know what they want yet, but there should be no problem with you coming.
They seem to have invited someone else too.” Cho brightened at once.
She abandoned any pretense of focusing on homework and began talking excitedly about what the twins might be planning.
Clearly, she was looking forward to it.
Edmund set down his quill and talked with her.
Homework could be finished at any time.
Soon enough, Saturday night arrived.
As midnight approached, Edmund left his dormitory and entered the common room.
Only Cho was waiting there.
She held a copy of The History of the Irish Quidditch Team, though her eyes kept drifting toward the boys’ dormitory.
Her mind was obviously not on the book.
Seeing her impatience, Edmund crossed the room in a few steps and lightly patted her head, smiling at her with open fondness.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.
Shall we go?” Cho gave him a warm smile, set the book aside, and followed him out of the common room.
Edmund drew his wand.
With one hand, he held Cho’s.
With the other, he tapped her gently.
Her figure became transparent.
Then he tapped himself, and he vanished as well.
Cho found it fascinating.
She lifted her free hand and waved it, but she could not see it.
“What kind of magic is this?
It’s amazing.” “The Disillusionment Charm.
If you want to learn it, I will teach you later.
For now, hold my hand and do not let go.
Otherwise, I will have no idea where you are either.” If Fred and George had been there, they would have loudly accused Edmund of double standards.
They had to sneak into the Restricted Section and learn it the hard way, while Cho received private, hands-on instruction.
If Edmund had heard that complaint, he would not have cared.
Neither Fred nor George was a soft, pretty girl.
Why would they expect the same treatment?
The two of them walked hand in hand to the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side.
There, they found the twins standing in a corner with another Gryffindor beside them.
Edmund released the Disillusionment Charm and waved.
“George.
Fred.” All three turned at once and saw Edmund and Cho standing hand in hand.
One of the twins spoke in a theatrical tone.
“As expected of Lord Gaunt.
Even for a midnight stroll, he brings a beautiful girl.” Cho lowered her head shyly.
Many people already knew about her relationship with Edmund, but being teased by the twins still embarrassed her.
Edmund punched one twin lightly on the shoulder.
“This is Cho, my girlfriend.
Are you going to introduce our friend here?” He looked at the boy beside them.
Before the twins could answer, the boy introduced himself.
“Hi.
Lee Jordan.
Good friend of George and Fred.
They told me about you, Edmund Gaunt.
Nice work the other night.
It has been ages since anyone managed to prank them properly.” He gave Edmund a thumbs-up, flashing a wide grin.
Cho pressed a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
Edmund had to resist laughing as well.
He remembered Lee now: the future Quidditch commentator who would constantly get scolded by Professor McGonagall for biased commentary.
He was one of Fred and George’s closest friends.
Edmund nodded to him.
“Call me Edmund.” After the introductions, Edmund asked curiously, “So why did we all come out this late?
And Lee, what is in that bag?” George and Fred exchanged a mysterious smile and leaned close with identical expressions.
“We are taking you to one of the most mysterious places in Hogwarts.
Trust us.
You will like it.” “As for the bag, you will know soon enough.” Without waiting for Edmund’s reaction, the twins pulled Lee ahead and led the way downstairs.
Edmund and Cho looked at each other, then followed.
Their luck was good.
They did not run into Filch or Mrs.
Norris.
When they reached the level below the ground floor, Edmund understood.
They were going to the kitchens.
Sure enough, the twins stopped in front of a painting full of food.
In it, a silver bowl was filled with fruit.
One twin stepped forward and tickled a large green pear.
The pear squirmed, giggled, and pushed out of the painting, twisting itself into a door handle.
When the handle was pulled, the door opened.
Inside was a huge room with a high ceiling, almost the same size as the Great Hall.
Clean copper pots and dishes were stacked along the stone walls.
More than a hundred house-elves were working busily.
When Edmund and the others entered, one house-elf who seemed to be in charge came forward and bowed respectfully.
“Good evening, honored Mr.
Weasley and companions.
My name is Nim.
How may I serve you?” Clearly, the twins were regular visitors.
Even the house-elves recognized them.
The twins were not shy.
“Bring us some supper, some desserts, and a pot of tea with cups.”
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.