When the four of them left the kitchen, their bellies were full of cake and tea, while the pockets of their robes were stuffed with custard biscuits and pies generously handed to them by the house-elves.
"The curfew starts in ten minutes. We'd better hurry back to the common room," Albert reminded them.
As they passed through the hall, they were spotted by Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. Moments later, Filch himself appeared before them.
For some reason, Fred and George felt an odd sense of guilt as Filch approached.
Fred instinctively slipped his hand into the right pocket of his robe, where the Marauder's Map, stolen from Filch's office, was hidden.
"You two…" Filch growled at the Weasley twins, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Your detention is at seven o'clock tomorrow night. You'll be polishing all the trophies in the prize room—without magic. Maybe that will teach you some respect for Gryffindor's house points. Gryffindor's score is already dead last."
The four remained silent as Filch finished his reprimand. However, the tension was somewhat ruined by George, who was still munching on a piece of pie.
"Now get back to your common room, and don't let me catch you wandering around after curfew again, or next time, the punishment won't be so simple," Filch barked before turning on his heel and leaving.
"What an annoying old bat," George muttered, making a rude gesture behind Filch's back.
"You were going to teach us the Scouring Charm, right?" Fred asked Albert, glancing at him hopefully.
"It's too late to master the Scouring Charm in one day," Albert replied, checking his pocket watch and heading toward the moving staircase.
"Don't worry about it. Polishing trophies isn't as bad as cleaning chamber pots. Remember poor William?" Lee teased, patting George on the shoulder. "And at least there are two of you—it'll go faster."
"Get lost, you smug git!" Fred retorted, glaring at Lee.
Fred turned back to Albert. "You wouldn't happen to know a spell to—"
"Transfiguration Club," Albert interrupted.
"What?" Fred looked puzzled.
"He means the Transfiguration Club is also tomorrow at seven," Lee said, draping an arm around Fred's shoulder. "So, no escaping this one."
As they climbed the moving staircase to the third floor, they took several secret passages, eventually reaching the eighth floor.
At one corner, they nearly bumped into Professor Bud Broad from their Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"Good evening, Professor Broad," Albert greeted him politely.
"Good evening, Mr. Anderson," Professor Broad said, his gaze lingering on Albert with a curious expression before addressing the group. "It's almost curfew. I suggest you all return to your common room."
After the professor left, Fred turned to Albert in surprise. "Professor Broad knows you?"
"I'm not sure," Albert replied, glancing toward the wall where the Room of Requirement was rumored to appear. He thought he had noticed a faint shimmer earlier. Professor Broad's scrutinizing look also felt a bit strange.
"There's no secret passage behind this tapestry," Lee pointed out as they passed the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. "I checked earlier—nothing."
Lee wasn't wrong to suspect hidden passages, as many Hogwarts tapestries concealed secrets. This one, however, concealed the Room of Requirement, located on the opposite wall.
When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, they found her humming a song softly.
"Nonsense," George said, giving the password.
The Fat Lady didn't budge, continuing to hum.
"Nonsense," Fred repeated, louder this time.
Looking annoyed at being interrupted, the Fat Lady reluctantly swung open the entrance to the common room.
"She has no talent for singing at all," Albert muttered as they entered.
Inside, a few students were still working on their homework. Charlie, dressed in pajamas, approached them.
"Quidditch practice tomorrow at six-thirty," he announced. "You'll have half an hour for warm-ups before we start."
"Sorry, Charlie, we can't make it," George said, sighing. "We've got detention with Filch."
"What about you two?" Charlie asked, looking at Lee and Albert. He sighed before they could respond. "Fine, next time then. If you want to make the team next year, start taking practice seriously."
Not long after Charlie left, Percy arrived, clearly finished with his homework.
"Don't start, Percy," George grumbled before Percy could say anything. "We've already been lectured by Charlie."
Albert nudged Lee, signaling him toward the stairs. "Let's go."
"Don't provoke Filch again," Percy warned the twins. "You're embarrassing Gryffindor with your antics."
George mimicked Percy's nagging tone sarcastically, earning a round of laughter from the group.
As they climbed the stairs, Albert's thoughts drifted. His latest task had just appeared:
[The Glory of Gryffindor
Gryffindor has gone five years without winning the House Cup. It's time to step up and help your house reclaim the trophy.
Reward: 1 skill point.]
Albert smirked. There was no time limit on the task. He could wait until Harry Potter arrived and win it easily then.
Now that was a good plan.
The End.
STONES+_+!!