While everyone enjoyed their chips and pork chops, Anthony learned the full story from the house-elf.
He heard about how the Weasley twins had been using an abandoned bathroom for their "inventions" and how they stumbled upon a magical room with the help of the elves while sneaking into the kitchen.
"We use it to store odds and ends," the elf explained, its tennis ball-like eyes twinkling with pride. "For hundreds of years, we've put things in there that have been forgotten by their owners or shouldn't be in the school. If the owner really wants it back, they might find it while feeling melancholy and wandering around. A bit of luck is involved, of course."
"You're conducting experiments in a storage room?" Anthony frowned, concerned about their safety.
When the elf proudly revealed the room was called the Room of Requirement, the Weasley twins slumped on the table in mock despair.
"I shouldn't have come to this meal," Fred groaned. "Don't tell anyone, Professor, and we can... give you a discount."
"Twenty percent off," George chimed in.
Anthony remained noncommittal.
"Forty percent off," Fred countered.
"Fifty percent off," George upped the ante.
Fred's eyes widened. "We can't go lower! Any cheaper and we'll be losing money!"
George gritted his teeth. "Don't stop me, Fred. I'm willing to take a loss today so our dearest Professor Anthony can enjoy the best price!"
Anthony laughed and raised his hand. "Calm down, boys. I'm not your Head of House and have no authority over student transactions. But you must prioritize your safety and that of your classmates. Don't sell anything dangerous or conduct experiments in the Room of Requirement, alright?"
"Of course not!" the twins assured him. "We only sell Chocolate Frog cards. Besides, that room is perfectly safe. It's not a storage room when we use it."
They explained to Anthony that the Room of Requirement earned its name because it would transform to meet the user's needs, even becoming the most secure laboratory imaginable.
"I reckon it's the most magical room in the entire castle," said Fred. "We first found it while hiding from Filch, and it just appeared out of nowhere."
George added, "It looked like a broom cupboard at the time."
Anthony asked curiously, "Could you remove the brooms inside?"
"If someone else put them there, probably," Fred replied thoughtfully. "But if the room had transformed into something else, then no."
Anthony chuckled. "Sounds like you've experimented with it."
Lee Jordan piped up, "Professor, you have no idea what they've tried to conjure up in there."
"Keep talking, and I'll fill your dormitory with Cornish pixies," Fred threatened.
His friend quickly surrendered, and Anthony asked with a grin, "Where would you even get Cornish pixies, Mr. Weasley?"
...
When Anthony handed a sack full of pixie eggs to Professor McGonagall, she didn't even bat an eye.
"Weasleys, I presume?" she asked, as if by rote. "How many points did you deduct?"
Anthony shook his head. "None. They promised to pass all their subjects at the end of the term... well, except for History of Magic and Astronomy."
Professor McGonagall peered into the bag. "I'm particularly looking forward to their Divination results. Was Lee Jordan involved?"
"...He was."
"Splendid," Professor McGonagall said with a hint of mischief in her voice.
...
The weekend arrived in a blink of an eye. The sun shone brightly on the Quidditch pitch, the stands were packed, and the players were making final preparations in their locker rooms. As Anthony left his office, he encountered Professor Quirrell, who was also heading to the match.
"Is Professor Quirrell also a Quidditch enthusiast?" Anthony inquired politely.
He couldn't quite picture the pale, frail-looking wizard, whose arms were no thicker than broomsticks, riding a broom with any enthusiasm.
Quirrell clutched his turban and stammered, "Yes, I-I'm quite interested."
"Which team are you rooting for?" Anthony asked Quirrell as they walked down the stairs together. Quirrell being a Ravenclaw graduate, it seemed natural to inquire about his Quidditch allegiance.
Quirrell paused for a moment, then whispered, "Gryffindor."
"Ah, me too!" Anthony exclaimed happily. "I hear Gryffindor is the strongest Quidditch team. But Slytherin's playing style... I've heard about that too. I hope Gryffindor can defeat them fair and square."
"Yes, yes," Quirrell agreed quietly.
Upon reaching the stadium, Quirrell excused himself.
Anthony didn't seek out Professor McGonagall, who had invited him, but instead found an empty seat. She had informed him that she'd be monitoring their commentator, Lee Jordan, from the commentary box "in case he says anything outlandish again."
"Of course, I'm not saying his commentary isn't entertaining," Professor McGonagall had said when Anthony questioned her decision. "It's just... a bit too subjective at times. And the students seem to love it."
Anthony suspected she might secretly enjoy it too.
"Over here, Anthony!" Hagrid waved from the top row of the stands.
Anthony nodded, squeezed through the crowd, and was pulled up the last few steps by Hagrid. "Thanks. It's more crowded than I expected."
"It's Gryffindor! Whenever Gryffindor and Slytherin play, the crowds are massive." Hagrid said proudly. "I was going to watch from my hut, but I thought you might need some commentary. Gryffindor matches are always top-notch, especially with Harry playing, eh?"
His last words were directed to his side.
Anthony then noticed Hagrid was surrounded by a group of first-year Gryffindors: Ron with his fiery red hair, Seamus, who was usually seen copying Ron's homework, Hermione bundled up in warm clothes, Neville beaming and clutching his toad, and another student Anthony didn't recognize, all huddled together under a large blanket.
Anthony eyed the grubby blanket. He'd heard rumors in class that students were planning to hold up mattresses to catch Harry Potter if he fell. Was someone actually prepared to put this into action?
"Harry! Harry's coming out!" the student holding the blanket shouted, nearly smacking Neville in the face as he unfurled it. Ron quickly grabbed the other end and raised it high.
Anthony stepped back to see the giant banner that read "Potter for President." It also featured a Gryffindor lion, looking majestic as the cold wind whipped the banner around.
"Did they make that themselves?" Anthony asked Hagrid in a low voice.
"Of course! They're Harry's friends." Hagrid watched the slender Seeker in red walk onto the Quidditch pitch, pumping his fist. "Go on, Harry! Show those Slytherins what you're made of!"
Anthony watched as the young player glanced towards them and gave his friends a wide grin.