Future Players

"Filch makes him sound like some Great Demon King." Albert found the Twins' assessment of Filch rather amusing. It reminded him of how students used to treat a strict dorm matron like an Old Hag.

"No, everyone hates him." Fred wore a serious expression. "Even someone like Percy says so. I honestly can't think of any reason not to believe it."

"What do you mean, 'someone like Percy'? Isn't he your brother? Is it really okay to talk about your family like that?" Resisting the urge to make a sarcastic remark, Albert took out his pocket watch and checked the time. Then he turned to the three of them. "All right, it's about time. Let's have breakfast in the Great Hall first, then take a look around the castle."

This time, they took the route Albert had used that morning. The Twins showed tremendous interest in the secret passage. When they passed the Moving Staircase, they did not have to wait and arrived at the Entrance Hall without incident.

When they entered the Great Hall for breakfast, the four long tables were mostly empty. The enchanted ceiling was a dull gray, and it looked as though it might rain at any moment.

"We're probably among the earliest people up." George Weasley was cutting the potatoes on his plate with a knife. He looked around the empty Great Hall and spoke with slight resignation. "I can't even remember the last time I got up this early."

"Three years ago," Fred suddenly said.

"You actually remember?" George stared at his brother in disbelief. "Don't tell me you guessed?"

"Of course I guessed." Fred could not help laughing. "You actually believed me?"

"So that's how it is."

"What are you drawing?" Lee asked.

"Recording the places we just passed through. I'm planning to draw a map of Hogwarts." Albert turned the Parchment around so they could see what was on it.

"I'm more curious about what you're holding." Fred stared at Albert's Fountain Pen. He had noticed that Albert had been drawing the whole time without ever dipping it in Ink. That was highly unusual.

"You mean this? A fountain pen. Muggles use it for writing. You can't exactly carry a Quill around and use it whenever you want, and it isn't very convenient." Albert handed his fountain pen to Fred. It had been a birthday gift from Herb. It was nothing special, but he had used it for many years already.

"It feels a bit like a Quill." Fred examined the nib.

"Of course. A fountain pen works on much the same principle as a Quill. Its advantage is that it can store Ink and be used continuously for a long time." Albert held the Parchment out before the three of them. "We're currently in the Great Hall. Going out leads to the Entrance Hall. Going up the Marble Staircase takes you to the Moving Staircase. Filch's office is nearby. There are also two doors here leading down to the basement. The door on the left leads to the kitchen—on the left when coming down the stairs. I haven't been through the right one yet. The kitchen is probably around here. Its entrance is a huge silver bowl overflowing with fruit. Touch the big pear, and a doorknob will appear."

"You recorded all this in such detail." Lee took the Parchment and looked at the kitchen's location. He felt that he should be able to find it himself now. Handing the Parchment to one of the Twins, he asked, "Where are we going later?"

"I'm planning to find the exact locations of our classrooms first, so we don't get lost when classes start." Albert put away the Parchment George had handed back to him. "Then, along the way, we can see whether we can find any secret passages. They're usually hidden behind tapestries, Stone Sculptures, stone walls, or even portraits."

"If that's the case, finding secret passages shouldn't be difficult." After finishing the roast potatoes on his plate, Fred was already eager to get started.

"No, the key is that some secret passages require a specific Password, or you have to touch certain special spots." Albert shook his head. "I only found the kitchen because I felt all over that painting and happened to find the entrance."

"Why did you think that painting had a secret?" a girl's voice asked from nearby. Albert turned to look. It was Angelina, a first-year from the same house. They had exchanged a few words the previous night.

"Because it was too suspicious, of course. That fruit portrait was nearly the same size as the Fat Lady's portrait. It was practically telling everyone that there was a secret passage there." Albert spoke as though it were only natural.

"Oh!" After hearing this, the four of them found Albert's thought process somewhat difficult to understand.

Yet the facts proved Albert's guess right.

This guy's brain really worked well.

"Johnson, are you by yourself?" Albert asked curiously. "Where are your roommates?"

"You actually remembered my surname." Angelina looked surprised. In fact, even her roommates could not remember her name clearly.

After all, they had only known each other for a short time and had barely exchanged a few words. Forgetting was the normal thing, wasn't it?

"I've always had a good memory." Albert smiled and introduced them. "This is Lee, and these Twins are George and Fred. Though don't ask me which is which—I can't tell them apart either."

"I'm George. George Weasley."

"No, no, no, I'm George. He's Fred," the other Twin objected.

"Lots of Twins enjoy playing that trick. They like wearing the same clothes and dressing alike, making it impossible for people to tell who's who." Albert suddenly looked toward the owl flying in their direction.

"You forgot to introduce yourself, Albert," Lee Jordan reminded him.

"Oh, sorry. I saw my owl." Albert picked up a piece of bread, tore it apart, and fed it to Shera, who had landed in front of him.

"My name is Albert Anderson."

"Anderson, aren't you eating?" Angelina asked in confusion as she made herself a Sandwich.

"I already ate in the kitchen. Just call me Albert." Albert stroked his owl. "I have something to send home over the weekend. Remember to come to the Great Hall in the morning."

Shera hooted, indicating that she understood.

Another owl flew into the Great Hall and dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet onto Albert's table. Its aim was not very good, and it nearly knocked over George's Pumpkin Porridge. If Fred had not reacted quickly, it would have landed in the porridge. Add some jam afterward, and it would probably have been ready to eat.

"Can I borrow it?" Angelina picked up the newspaper and asked, "I want to read the Quidditch section."

"Oh, of course," Albert said.

"You like Quidditch too?" the Twins asked in unison.

"Of course I do. It's just a shame first-years can't try out for Quidditch." Angelina was quite disappointed by that.

"You can, though, if the Quidditch team is short-handed and you can get Professor McGonagall to agree." Noticing that they were all staring at him, Albert shrugged helplessly. "They say first-years can't take part in tryouts, but there are always exceptions, aren't there? Rules are meant to be broken."

"Ah, forget it." Angelina did not think she could change Professor McGonagall's mind. "I've heard that a Gryffindor Chaser will graduate Next Semester. I'm planning to sign up and give it a try then. What about you?"

The Twins answered in unison, "Beaters suit us better."