After a few more days of practice, Cael's spellwork steadily improved. His wand movements grew sharper, his pronunciations clearer—but true mastery still required time. So far, the Charms he'd picked up included Lumos, Nox, Alohomora, Petrificus Totalus, Wingardium Leviosa, Revelio, Accio, Stupefy, Expelliarmus, and even Scourgify, a handy little cleaning spell. Most of these weren't even part of the standard first-year curriculum—but then again, Cael wasn't exactly the standard student.
That evening, after finishing his spell drills and enjoying a hot shower, Cael made his way to bed, expecting a quiet night. Instead, he walked into the dormitory to find Fred and George Weasley sitting on their beds, grinning like lunatics ready for admittance to St. Mungo's psychiatric ward.
The moment he stepped inside, he arched an eyebrow and smirked.
"What are you two grinning about like mentally challenged pixies? Planning your grand escape to the asylum?"
Fred's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Oh, mate, you're not gonna believe what we found," he said, practically vibrating in place.
Cael crossed his arms. "Do tell, Weasley. What groundbreaking discovery made you both smile like you've overdosed on sugar quills?"
George leaned forward, whispering like they were about to share state secrets.
"We found a secret passage. Leads straight to Honeydukes."
Fred's grin widened as he nodded enthusiastically.
"Yep, yep. The Marauder's Map showed it to us. Easy as pie."
Cael tilted his head. "Isn't that interesting… So, I assume you two didn't wait up for me just to chat about candy."
Fred clapped him on the shoulder.
"Tonight. Eight o'clock sharp. Midnight adventure to Hogsmeade." ✨
George wiggled his eyebrows.
"So, you in or out?"
Cael smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Hell yeah, I'm in."
The twins exchanged an exaggerated high five.
"Brilliant!" Fred beamed.
They changed into warmer clothes—thick cloaks, scarves, and gloves—as snowflakes danced softly outside the castle windows. ❄️ Once ready, they made their way down the dark, quiet corridors, careful to avoid Filch and Mrs. Norris.
"So," Cael whispered, tugging his scarf tighter, "where exactly is this legendary secret passage?"
Fred gestured ahead.
"Third floor, under the statue of the One-Eyed Witch."
George added,
"Got a password too—vital information for any aspiring rule-breaker."
When they reached the third floor, Cael spotted the statue in the dim torchlight: an old witch hunched in the corner, a single, stony eye glaring blankly at the corridor. It was tucked away, easy to overlook unless you were specifically looking for it.
Fred grinned.
"Prepare to be amazed."
George stepped forward, clearing his throat dramatically.
"Dissendium," he declared.
With a faint rumble, a small entrance—about the size of a cushion—opened at the witch's feet, revealing a narrow, sloping tunnel just large enough for one person at a time to crawl through.
Fred winked.
"Activation word's Dissendium. Say it, the passage opens. Easy peasy."
Cael eyed the dark hole suspiciously.
"And how exactly did you two stumble across the magic password?"
George puffed out his chest.
"From the greatest pranksters in Hogwarts history—the Marauders themselves. Map practically whispered it to us during one of our, shall we say, expeditions."
Cael snorted.
"And you believed them? Those lunatics probably set this up to drop idiots straight into McGonagall's office."
Fred shrugged.
"Worth the risk, mate. Besides, now that you're here, even if we get caught, detention's more fun with the whole gang."
George grinned like a cherub caught red-handed.
"Exactly. Getting punished without you? No entertainment value."
Their ridiculous innocence made them look like children trying to sneak biscuits from the kitchen.
Just then, Cael's system chimed softly in his mind.
"I envy you, boy. Such loyal friends you have gathered around you…"
Cael rolled his eyes at the system's sentiment.
"Alright, enough chit-chat," he muttered, adjusting his cloak. "Let's get on with this break-in."
Fred and George, ever the dramatists, stepped aside and gestured grandly toward the opening.
"After you, my lady," they said in unison, bowing with exaggerated grace.
Cael groaned but couldn't suppress his grin as he ducked into the passageway.
"Idiots," he muttered fondly.
And with that, their snowy midnight adventure to Hogsmeade began.