Before he knew it, Alvin’s first week at Hogwarts had come to an end.
And with it, his reputation had spread throughout the castle.
Over the course of a single week, he had earned House Points in nearly every class he attended.
The lone exception was History of Magic.
Professor Binns didn’t seem inclined to award points to anyone, regardless of merit.
Then there was Professor McGonagall’s invitation.
Her decision to personally invite Alvin into the Transfiguration Club had caused an even greater stir.
After all, no first-year student had ever received such an invitation before.
As a result, Alvin’s name quickly became known across Hogwarts.
Combined with his handsome appearance, it created a rather predictable problem.
No matter where he went, someone was looking at him.
Most of the younger witches merely stole glances when they thought he wasn’t paying attention.
The moment he looked their way, they would blush furiously and pretend to be interested in something else.
Others were considerably bolder.
A few had even started winking at him openly in the corridors.
Every time it happened, Cho would become visibly annoyed.
And somehow, Alvin’s waist always suffered the consequences.
Friday afternoon.
The Ravenclaw common room was unusually quiet.
Warm sunlight filtered through the tower windows, painting golden patterns across the floor as students worked on homework or relaxed before dinner.
Alvin and Cho occupied their usual spot near the window, surrounded by books and parchment.
As he finished a section of homework, a thought suddenly crossed Alvin’s mind.
He looked up.
“Cho.” “Hm?” “Fred and George invited me somewhere tomorrow night.” That immediately caught her attention.
The quill in her hand stopped moving.
“Where?” “The fourth-floor corridor.” “Midnight.” Cho’s eyes widened.
“The fourth-floor corridor?” The last time she’d heard that location mentioned, it had involved a giant three-headed dog.
Her curiosity instantly ignited.
Alvin smiled.
“They asked me to meet them there.” Then he tilted his head slightly.
“Want to come along?” For a moment, Cho looked almost afraid to answer.
“I can?” The excitement shining in her eyes made the question entirely unnecessary.
Alvin chuckled.
“Of course.” “I don’t even know what they’re planning.” “And I doubt they’ll mind.” He paused.
“Besides, I think they invited other people too.” Cho’s face lit up immediately.
Any interest she still had in homework vanished on the spot.
For the next hour, she enthusiastically theorized about what Fred and George might be planning.
Secret passages.
Hidden treasure.
Forbidden rooms.
Ancient magical artifacts.
By the end, Alvin had long since given up pretending to study and joined the discussion.
Homework could wait.
Saturday night.
A few minutes before midnight, Alvin descended from the boys’ dormitory.
The common room was nearly empty.
Only one student remained awake.
Cho sat curled up in an armchair, a copy of The History of the Irish National Quidditch Team open in her lap.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t reading it.
Every few seconds, her gaze drifted toward the staircase.
Trying—and failing—to appear patient.
A smile tugged at Alvin’s lips.
Walking over, he gently patted her head.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Cho immediately looked up.
The impatience vanished from her face.
“We should get going.” She closed her book at once and stood.
The two left Ravenclaw Tower together.
Once they were outside, Alvin drew his wand.
Holding Cho’s hand with one hand, he lightly tapped her shoulder with the other.
At once, her figure blurred.
Then became transparent.
A moment later, she vanished completely.
Cho gasped.
Her free hand waved frantically in front of her face.
Nothing.
She couldn’t see herself at all.
“That’s incredible!” Her voice was filled with amazement.
“What spell is that?” “The Disillusionment Charm.” Alvin cast the spell on himself.
His own body faded from sight.
“If you want to learn it, I’ll teach you later.” Cho’s eyes brightened immediately.
Then Alvin squeezed her hand.
“But don’t let go.” “Otherwise neither of us will know where the other is.” If Fred and George had heard that exchange, they would have protested immediately.
The twins had to contemplate infiltrating the Restricted Section just to learn the spell.
Cho received private lessons.
The favoritism was outrageous.
Of course, Alvin would have ignored their complaints entirely.
After all, they weren’t adorable girls.
Hand in hand, the two invisible students made their way through the sleeping castle.
Moonlight spilled through tall windows.
Shadows stretched across deserted corridors.
The occasional suit of armor gleamed faintly as they passed.
Before long, they arrived at the fourth-floor corridor.
Three figures were already waiting.
Fred.
George.
And a dark-skinned boy Alvin didn’t immediately recognize.
The moment Alvin canceled the Disillusionment Charm, the twins noticed him.
“Fred.
George.” All three turned.
One of the twins immediately spread his arms dramatically.
“Ah, the illustrious Lord Gaunt.” The other shook his head.
“Even on a midnight adventure, you’ve brought a beautiful young lady.” Cho instantly lowered her head.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
Even though half the school already suspected the nature of her relationship with Alvin, she still wasn’t immune to teasing.
Alvin lightly punched the nearest twin in the shoulder.
“Behave.” Then he looked toward the unfamiliar boy.
“Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?” Before either twin could answer, the boy stepped forward himself.
“Lee Jordan.” He flashed a broad grin.
“Fred and George talk about you all the time.” “The prank you pulled on them was brilliant.” “It’s been ages since anyone managed to get the better of those two.” He gave Alvin an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Cho immediately covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.
Lee’s sincerity made the whole thing even funnier.
Only then did Alvin place the name.
Lee Jordan.
Future Quidditch commentator.
Professional Gryffindor supporter.
Part-time recipient of Professor McGonagall’s wrath.
And one of the twins’ closest friends.
“Nice to meet you.” Alvin offered a handshake.
“Just call me Alvin.” After introductions were finished, Alvin pointed toward the sack hanging from Lee’s shoulder.
“So what’s the plan?” “And what’s in the bag?” The twins exchanged a mysterious glance.
Then leaned forward dramatically.
“We are about to reveal one of Hogwarts’ greatest secrets.” George nodded solemnly.
“A place you are absolutely going to love.” “And the bag?” Alvin asked.
Fred grinned.
“You’ll see.” Without offering another explanation, the twins turned and headed down the corridor.
Lee followed immediately.
Alvin and Cho exchanged confused looks before following after them.
Fortunately, they didn’t encounter Filch.
Or Mrs.
Norris.
Or Peeves.
A minor miracle by Hogwarts standards.
Several minutes later, they reached the ground floor.
The moment Alvin recognized where they were headed, everything clicked into place.
The Hogwarts Kitchens.
The twins stopped before a large painting depicting a magnificent bowl overflowing with fruit.
Near the center sat a bright green pear.
Fred reached out and tickled it.
The pear immediately began squirming.
A goofy smile appeared on its face.
Then it swelled outward and transformed into a brass door handle.
George grabbed it and pulled.
The hidden door swung open.
The group stepped through.
Alvin’s eyes widened slightly.
The room beyond was enormous.
In fact, it was nearly the same size as the Great Hall above.
Rows of polished copper pots and pans gleamed beneath the warm light.
Long wooden worktables stretched across the room.
More than a hundred house-elves hurried about their duties, carrying trays, preparing ingredients, and organizing food for the next day’s meals.
The entire kitchen buzzed with activity.
The moment they entered, one of the house-elves hurried over.
He bowed respectfully.
“Good evening, Mr.
Weasley and friends.” “My name is Nien.” “How may I assist you tonight?” Alvin raised an eyebrow.
Clearly, Fred and George were regular customers.
The house-elves already knew them by name.
Fred grinned.
“The usual.” “Dinner.” “Desserts.” “And a large pot of tea.” George nodded seriously.
“The tea is very important.” “Extremely important.” Nien bowed again.
“Right away, sir.” The house-elf hurried off.
Around them, other elves immediately sprang into action.
Watching the bustling kitchen, Alvin felt a growing sense of fascination.
Compared to the grandeur of Hogwarts itself, this hidden corner of the castle felt different.
Warmer.
More welcoming.
Alive in a way few students ever had the chance to see.
And somehow, as he looked around the busy kitchen, Alvin had the distinct feeling that tonight’s adventure was only just beginning.