"Over here!"
Albert had barely stepped into the Great Hall when he saw George rise from his seat and wave him over. After Albert sat in the spot the three had deliberately saved for him, Lee Jordan, who had been chatting with someone else, turned and asked, "What were you talking to Professor Flitwick about? Why did you take so long?"
Just then, a younger girl hurried over, lowered her head, and handed Albert a note. "Professor Snape asked me to give this note to Mr. Anderson."
"Thank you." Albert accepted the note and smiled at her.
"Y-you're welcome."
The moment the girl met Albert's gaze, her face flushed bright red. She ducked her head, stammered out a "You're welcome," then stumbled away.
"You're as popular as ever."
"If you're jealous, hurry up and find yourselves girlfriends." Albert shot the grinning trio a sidelong glance and said blandly, "Once you have girlfriends, you won't envy this sort of thing anymore."
"Ahem, don't tell me Snape wants to invite you for afternoon tea too?" George coughed lightly and teased with a grin.
That was practically impossible. The day Snape actually invited someone for tea, The Dark Lord would probably come leaping out of a graveyard the next day.
Albert unfolded the note and quickly read its contents, his mouth falling slightly open in surprise.
"What is it?"
Seeing Albert's startled reaction, the others craned their heads forward, eager to see what was written on the note in his hand.
"See for yourselves." Looking somewhat strange, Albert handed the note to George.
George took it and spread it open to share with Fred beside him. Lee Jordan leaned over as well, reading it with them.
Then all three of them widened their eyes, their faces full of disbelief.
"I've never heard of