Fred and George and the Toilers of Trouble (Year 1) ✔

Chapter 22:6

Day turned to night, and the ever bustling hub of the Gryffindor common room went silent as, one by one, the students retreated to their dormitories, massaging their tender hands from hours of writing lines and their aching foreheads from falling asleep on stacks of books. Only a few remained in the circular tower room, including Fred and George, who were studying for their practical exam in Transfiguration and taking turns identifying potions from a list of ingredients.

At the moment, George was slouching deeper into the sofa, stumped by whether it was Liquid of Paradise that required a dash of ground snail shell or Knickerbocker's Fade, when he heard Fred's inner voice butting in with the correct answer.

I need to know this for myself, thanks, George thought back, irritably. You can't go giving me the answers all the time.

Before Fred could respond, George caught a glimpse of the Marauder's Map in his mind and turned to see that his brother had abandoned their Transfiguration work.

"You promised we weren't going to look at that tonight," said George aloud.

He was quick to receive a scathing eye-lashing from their female prefect, Reza Prasad, who was stationed at one of the shabby armchairs by the fire. It was obvious that she had taken over for Charlie as warden of the common room.

Careful, now, thought Fred. The members of Weasley Watch are always watchful. I mean, it's in the name.

You're going to get us expelled!

We're practically expelled already. And you should be thanking me. Quirrell's on the move...

George stole the map from Fred's grasp. With so many students in bed, it was easy to see who was awake. On a typical night, they would have found Quirrell pacing his office nervously, but the room was empty. In fact, their Enchantments professor seemed to be missing from the castle entirely.

Where is he?

On the grounds, thought Fred. He scooted across the cushion so they could share the map. Bloke's headed to the Forbidden Forest.

Maybe he needs to Apparate somewhere. You don't know.

I don't, that's true. But I do know that a frightened little man like him would rather take the road to Hogsmeade until the Anti-Disapparation Jinx wore off.

What's he doing out there in the forest this late at night?

If only we knew the reason...

George saw a glimpse in his brother's mind of the two of them running freely across the lawn.

I don't think so. We can't risk going out again.

Just a peek, is all. You know, make sure he doesn't get hurt out there, thought Fred, smirking. He's so fragile.

And how far d'you think we'll get before Reza goes snitching to Charlie? George questioned distantly, as he glanced over at their prefect. She set down her book and glared at them.

"What are you up to?" asked Reza, her voice trembling with suspicion.

"Just studying," Fred stated plainly, lifting his Transfiguration text.

"It's upside down."

"What? You do all your magic right-side up?"

"And she was made prefect."

"Just be quiet, will you?" Reza demanded. "And...stop looking at me."

The twins shrugged and turned back to one another.

As I was saying, George continued inwardly. How do you propose we do this without getting caught?

Oh, George. Do you think so little of me?

In his mind, he saw flashes of Fred hiding the Invisibility Cloak in his schoolbag, along with some snacks and the spyglass that belonged to Lee's great-uncle.

You've planned it from the start. I knew I couldn't trust you, George thought with a grin, as he gazed down at the bag on the sofa.

You know what Dad always says. 'Expect the worst!'

I think it's actually, 'When it comes to the twins, expect the worst.'

Close enough, Fred thought, as they pretended to leave for the dormitories. When they reached the stairs, Fred attempted to snoop into his brother's mind. The fear of a headache stopped him. Why are you so worried?

No reason, really, said George, while they unrolled the cloak in the privacy of the stairwell. Just that it's literally called the Forbidden Forest.

We have to find out what's going on, George! Fred suddenly backed away, wearing a tiny smile. "Wait — it's the spider, isn't it?" he muttered, completing his thought in a soft, sly tone.

"You didn't see the thing!"

"Well, that's what these are for!"

Fred pulled out his wand and snared his brother's, while George draped the cloak over their heads.

"Really? My scrapper from the Ministry...and your ruddy twig?"

"Precisely!" said Fred with triumph, as he held them aloft. Admiring the wands, he twirled them about foolishly. "THE SCRAPPER and the RUDDY TWIG!"

George shook his head as they returned to the common room and crept softly towards the portrait hole. When the frame opened, Reza Prasad peered over the top of her book, expecting to see someone entering Gryffindor Tower. A moment later, she was on her feet and scolding the Fat Lady for falling asleep on the job.