"We think you shouldn't have been sorted into Ravenclaw, but Gryffindor."
"That's true. I've never seen a first-year sneak out at night right after school starts. Even we waited a month!"
The twins bantered back and forth. When they saw Ethan's name pop up in the hall, they couldn't believe their eyes.
A Ravenclaw student sneaking out at night just after the term began? It made them question if there was something wrong with the Sorting Hat. This behavior seemed more like a typical Gryffindor—bold and reckless.
Since obtaining the Marauder's Map, the twins had observed that the Gryffindors were the most active during nighttime excursions. Aside from themselves and Lee Jordan, who occasionally joined, other students weren't particularly quiet either.
Slytherins came second in their nocturnal activities, leaving Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff with very few exceptions.
"Actually, the Sorting Hat did say I had the spirit of Gryffindor," Ethan replied, "but I chose Ravenclaw after some thought."
"Well, you're definitely an oddball, but we still think you belong in Gryffindor," George said with a grin. "A wizard who enjoys sneaking out and taking on Slytherins—wasting that talent in Ravenclaw seems like a shame."
"You can't say that! Ravenclaw has plenty of witches, and they're quite beautiful. You have to admit that!" Ethan gave them a knowing look.
"Pah!" Fred exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "Why didn't I think of that? I should have made George go to Ravenclaw. He could've proven I was smart."
Some of their classmates were already dating, but their partners were Gryffindors. Others had tried confessing to Ravenclaw witches, only to be rejected with the excuse, "You're too dumb."
"Why don't you go instead?" Fred nudged George. Though finding a girlfriend was important, Gryffindor remained the best house in Fred's heart.
"You're my brother; you should listen to me," Fred said, patting George's shoulder solemnly.
"You were only born a little earlier than me!" George shot back.
"Alright, you two," Ethan interrupted, "you're both born Gryffindors, and you're not going to Ravenclaw!"
"You're right—we are born Gryffindors!" the twins chorused, their argument just a playful exchange.
"By the way, you mentioned earlier that the Disillusionment Charm doesn't work well. Shouldn't Filch not be able to see through it?" Ethan asked, still curious, since it related to his nighttime plans.
Although Shadow Stealth was useful, Ethan preferred the Disillusionment Charm for blending in unnoticed. Shadows could be a problem if seen by portraits, who might report him to Dumbledore. Going out at night was usually fine, as long as he wasn't caught in the act. But using unknown magic at his age could raise suspicions.
"I heard one of our Gryffindors got caught last year using the Disillusionment Charm," George explained. "Filch didn't catch him—it was Mrs. Norris. She has Kneazle blood and a keen sense for magic."
"Ah, that makes sense," Ethan nodded. In the original story, Hermione's cat Crookshanks also had Kneazle blood and could tell that Scabbers wasn't just an ordinary rat. It was surprising how animals with Kneazle blood could sense magic like the Disillusionment Charm.
"Filch has gone to the first floor. We can go now," Fred said, checking the Marauder's Map to confirm Filch's location.
"This map is a brilliant piece of alchemy. Whoever made it was a genius," Ethan said, awed.
The Marauder's Map was more than just a map—it combined various spells and alchemical techniques. It was true that the wizarding world had lost some of its inventiveness over time. Even Snape had invented several spells during his school years, including dangerous ones like Sectumsempra.
The Marauders, except for Lupin, had also become illegal Animagi during their time at school, demonstrating their skill in Transfiguration and magic. They even created the Marauder's Map, proving their expertise in spells and alchemy.
But nowadays, young wizards seemed less ambitious. Few aimed to become Animagi or invent spells—they mostly stuck to simple charms and jinxes.
"I wish I could meet the creators of this map someday," Fred said. "George and I are learning alchemy ourselves, and we hope to create even better and more popular magical items."
"Exactly," George chimed in. "Our dream is to open Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, a joke shop filled with our inventions."
"Have you heard of Zonko's Joke Shop or Gambol and Japes? They're the most popular joke shops in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, but our goal is to surpass them," George added, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
The two brothers had been planning this since their first visit to Zonko's. Though they'd been saving money for their future shop, their large family made pocket money scarce.
"I believe you will open the best joke shop one day," Ethan said with confidence. He admired their dream and wouldn't belittle it.
And in the future, the Weasley twins would achieve their goal, with some help from Harry. Their shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, would become wildly successful, even gaining the Ministry of Magic as a customer. Their products, which required skill in potions, alchemy, and spells, were proof of their undeniable talent.
If only they had pursued their ideas earlier, perhaps they could have avoided the tragedy that awaited them.
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