Plan in Motion

"How did the date go? Smoothly?"

The moment he returned to the Common Room, Albert found Lee Jordan staring at him with a resentful expression, as though Albert had done something unforgivable to him.

"I wasn't on a date. I went to..." Albert had just begun to defend himself when Lee Jordan cut him off.

"Then you should have come to help me. I couldn't handle things over there by myself." Lee Jordan slung an arm around Albert's neck and complained, "Today completely wore me out."

"Wasn't it a great way to train your abilities?" Albert said solemnly. "Look, aren't you getting more skilled at handling these things now?"

To soothe his wounded feelings, Albert pulled several sweets from his pocket and stuffed them into Lee Jordan's hand.

Lee Jordan unwrapped one and tossed it into his mouth. "You think I'd believe that excuse?" he mumbled through the sweet.

"Yes, don't believe Albert. That guy was just trying to slack off. Absolutely despicable," Fred and George chimed in cheerfully from the side, clearly delighted to stir up trouble. They also casually swiped the sweets from Lee Jordan.

"You two bastards!"

"Who won this time?" Albert asked, changing the subject.

"The Ravenclaw girl," Fred answered without hesitation.

"Luna Lovegood, the mad girl," George added.

"It was perfectly normal for her to win. She loves Wizard Cards more than anyone, and she's smart enough. Her personality is just a little odd." Lee Jordan corrected him, "Also, you shouldn't call people mad girls. That's rude."

"Don't tell me you fancy her?" Fred and George looked Lee Jordan over strangely, wearing the expressions of men spotting some creepy old uncle.

"Shut up," Lee Jordan snapped irritably.

"He means a successor. We'll all graduate someday, and we need someone to help us keep managing the