Blown Sky-High

The next day, Albert woke early. After stuffing his packed suitcase into his Undetectable Extension Charm bag, he headed downstairs with his three roommates for breakfast.

Since there was still some time before their appointment with Professor Slughorn, Albert and Isobel decided to spend the remaining time on a date in the Room of Requirement.

Go to class first? Naturally, that was impossible.

They were both geniuses. Missing that one class would not affect them in the slightest.

Near ten o'clock, they knocked on Professor McGonagall's office door right on time. When they entered, they found Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and another elderly man with an enormous belly waiting inside.

That unfamiliar old man had to be Professor Slughorn. His stomach was truly something else.

The moment Albert and Isobel entered, Professor Slughorn's gaze settled on them.

"These two..." Dumbledore stepped forward to introduce them. "Mr. Albert Anderson and Miss Isobel McDougal. This is an old friend of mine, Horace Slughorn. Because of Sirius Black, it is inconvenient for me to leave Hogwarts for the time being, so I can only ask my former colleague to take you there. He has led teams to the Magical School Potions Tournament many times."

"Don't worry, leave them to me!" Professor Slughorn said, just short of pounding his chest in assurance.

The office door was knocked on again. Hagrid pushed it open and said to Dumbledore, "The carriage is ready. We can leave whenever."

Professor Slughorn pulled a pocket watch from his robe, checked the time, and said, "I can tell them everything else on the way."

"What about your luggage?"

Hagrid asked Albert and Isobel in confusion, seeing that their hands were empty. He had actually come to help carry their luggage.

"On us."

Albert gave Hagrid a look, signaling him to keep