The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

XIV

That evening, we had a team meeting of sorts to help me decide where to take Rose on Saturday.

"Take her to Hogsmeade," Harry suggested when we had all assembled in common room.

"I don't know how she is for rule breaking," I admitted. "Plus, I'm not sure if we want to tell her about the cloak."

"Good point," Ron agreed. "Walk in the grounds? Visit Hagrid's?"

"You know Hagrid." Will shook his head. "He won't leave Sam alone."

"Fred, George?" I looked at the twins, who were sat two sofas along and trying to pretend they weren't listening. "I can't believe I'm asking this, but do either of you have any ideas?"

"Can't believe you're asking us this?" Fred mimicked, acting outraged. "How insulting," George added.

I raised an eyebrow and they chuckled together. "Alright, alright," said George. "As a matter of fact we do," Fred grinned. "Good thing you're asking us, we know romance like the back of our hands," they finished together.

"Go on, then," Harry scoffed.

"Ah - ah," George smiled. "This information is just for Sammy." Fred beckoned and I reluctantly crossed the room to listen to what they had to say.

———

The next day, news was circulating that one of the professors was starting a duelling club. Harry and Hermione seemed especially excited, Will and I were intrigued, while Ron just seemed irritated. "This wand won't win me any duels," he said, as sparks erupted from the end while we were eating breakfast.

"Come on, Ron," Hermione gave him her best pleading eyes. "It'll be fun!"

"I reckon Professor Flitwick will be running it," Will said with a nod of his head. "He was a super famous dueller when he was young - at least that's what someone told me, I can't remember who."

"It was me," said Hermione acidly.

"No it wasn't," Will replied immediately, and laughed when she scowled. "Whatever. Anyway, I think it'll be good."

"You think Malfoy will go?" I wondered.

"Probably," Hermione said. "You'd better watch out, Sam. And you, Will - he really wasn't happy about his new haircut."

"Malfoy doesn't hate me," Will argued. "It was Ron that tried to curse him."

Ron paled. "Did you have to mention that?"

The rest of breakfast passed with more bickering, but we soon found out who was running the duelling club. About seventy students were gathered expectantly in the Great Hall after lessons, mostly first, second and third years, when Gilderoy Lockhart appeared in the doorway with lavender-coloured robes and a strong scent of the plant to match. Almost immediately, nearly half of the waiting students turned and left. I was tempted to join them, but Hermione managed time persuade us all to stay. "How can it be bad, guys? He's the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

"Just think of his lessons," Harry pointed out.

Hermione was about to protest when Lockhart whipped off his cloak and flung it into the waiting crowd of students. A group of first-year Hufflepuffs caught it and started to scream with excitement, but Lockhart's voice drowned them out. "Welcome!" he shouted. "It has come to my attention from the way my classes have been passing that you all need some more practice in defending yourselves. So, here we are!"

"Isn't that what his classes are for?" Will hissed in my ear.

"I don't think he realises that the common denominator here is him," I whispered back.