George and Fred forced their faces into normal expressions. Though they looked stiff, it was still within the range of someone who had been about to do something bad and got caught red-handed.
Or rather, instinctively, they had put on the expressions they were most familiar with.
Luke immediately activated Legilimency and almost instantly braced himself mentally.
"It's nothing, Professor. We weren't saying anything."
Luke wore the expression of someone whose little secret had been discovered and spoke somewhat awkwardly.
A gentle smile rested on Quirrell's face.
"Don't worry, Luke. If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me. If I can, I'll offer you the appropriate help."
His tone was so gentle that Luke almost felt as though he were looking at Dumbledore.
Now that he was close, the garlic smell on Quirrell was enough to choke the Twins. The two of them were trying their best to breathe as little as possible.
Luke focused, doing his utmost to sense Quirrell's emotions.
As he concentrated, Luke vaguely felt that he could see something floating around Quirrell, like colored dust.
Dark red dust, the color of congealed blood.
And for no reason at all, Luke knew that it represented contempt.
Fortunately, it was only contempt, not the far more terrifying hostility. In other words, Quirrell—no, Voldemort—had not overheard much of their conversation.
Luke then spoke somewhat sheepishly. "It's like this, Professor. Peeves pranked me once before, and I was wondering if I could teach him a lesson."
"George and Fred told me to ask Bloody Baron directly, saying he should help me. But I don't think that's a long-term solution. So I wanted to tell Professor Dumbledore about it and get a little help from him."
Luke spoke with utter sincerity.
And the strong nerves George and Fred had