Care of Magical Creatures

That day, Scott and Roger were walking along a path outside Hogwarts Castle, heading for the Care of Magical Creatures lesson grounds near the Forbidden Forest.

Of the three boys in their dormitory and year, Milton hadn't chosen this class.

Just then, Scott noticed the Weasley Twins sneaking up behind them and reaching out to sling their arms around their necks.

He grinned and took a big step to dodge Fred's arm, but George managed to grab Roger.

"Good morning!"

Fred shrugged regretfully when his ambush failed.

George, however, shouted right into Roger's ear, "Ravenclaws!"

"Oh, give me a break, Fred!" Roger wriggled free of George's arm, rubbing his ear with one hand while brushing at his robe with the other.

"Is this payback?" Scott turned around and asked with a laugh. "Weasleys?"

"Oh, don't be like that, Scott." Fred put on a wounded expression.

George immediately chimed in. "You're so petty, Scott. We were only getting a little revenge, and you lumped us in with Percy. By the way, I'm George, Roger."

Scott looked disdainfully at the mud-spattered robes the twins were wearing and asked, "Did you roll around in a mud pit, or have you already forgotten how to use a cleaning charm?"

As he spoke, he pulled out his wand, pointed it at Fred, and said, "Scourgify."

"No!" Fred nimbly dodged the spell. "These are our badges of honor!"

"And proof of Wood's persecution!" George shouted.

"Have you been training every day lately?" Roger asked.

Fred nodded. "That's right. Rain or shine. We think Wood's gone mad."

"He drags us out of bed every day before dawn," George said with a grimace.

"Looks like Gryffindor's determined to win the Quidditch Cup this year?" Roger smiled. "But I think the Cup will go to Ravenclaw."

Fred immediately sneered. "Oh, stop bragging, Roger!"

"I remember Ravenclaw hasn't won the Quidditch Cup in ages!" George made a contemptuous gesture.

"Hey!" Roger protested. "Ravenclaw will surprise you all this year!"

"Surprise us?"

Fred and George exchanged a glance, then laughed in unison. Moving quickly, they each grabbed one of Roger's arms.

"So Ravenclaw's got some amazing new players this year?"

"Or has Bruce come up with a new formation?"

"Come on, tell us, Roger."

"No, let go!" Roger struggled with all his might. "Forget it. I'm never telling you!"

"You don't get to decide that. Heh heh heh."

The twins reached out their wicked hands at the same time and tickled Roger all over.

"Hahahaha... Let me go... Haha..."

Roger immediately laughed so hard he could barely stay on his feet.

"Gentlemen, class is about to start."

Scott reminded them wearily from the side.

He shook the copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in his hand. "If you're late, Professor Kettleburn will probably make you stay behind and feed the Flobberworms."

With that, he turned and continued toward the Forbidden Forest.

"What have you been busy with lately, Scott?" Fred immediately let go of Roger and walked up beside Scott, pretending to be perfectly serious.

George released Roger, who was looking a little limp, and straightened his own mud-spattered robe. "It's been a month since term started, but we haven't seen you on any of our wonderful nighttime adventures."

Scott chuckled. They really were relentless when it came to sneaking out at night.

In fact, after satisfying his curiosity with all the nighttime adventures he'd had in his first and second years, Scott had completely lost interest in them.

They weren't actually fun.

He suspected the main reason the twins remained so keen on these nocturnal escapades was that they enjoyed matching wits with Filch.

But his plans regarding the Diary and the Basilisk would also require the twins' help, so he explained, "Sorry, I've had a lot of essays to write lately, and I'm also attending Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall's after-class clubs."

"Oh! Writing essays!"

"Attending after-class clubs!"

"Just what you'd expect from a model Ravenclaw student."

"Professor McGonagall's little darling!"

The twins began trading sarcastic remarks again.

"I know you've changed, Scott!"

"While we've been foolishly reminiscing about the wonderful nights we used to spend together."

"Shut up. The way you're putting it is disgusting." Scott nearly choked on their words.

"It is a bit disgusting."

Fred made a face as though he were about to vomit, then changed the subject.

"By the way, one of Ravenclaw's new students has become famous lately."

George laughed. "Jacob Kent, known as the second Davis of Ravenclaw."

"What happened?" Roger Davies the First was still completely baffled.

"Quite a few people have seen that boy hanging around with several different girls. There's a rumor going around that he's dating several girlfriends at once," Fred said.

"That inevitably makes people think of you, Roger," George said. "After all, you're famous among Hogwarts students for how quickly you change girlfriends."

"Do you know, I've been single for three whole months this time!" Roger protested loudly.

"..." Scott stared at his roommate, speechless. "So? Do you want us to congratulate you?"

"No, I'm just saying that kid Jacob and I are different." Roger stylishly brushed his hair back. "After all, I'm a boy who's completely devoted in love. I only date one girl at a time."

"..."

This time, not only Scott but even the twins were too stunned by Roger's boast to speak for a while.

At length, Fred grimaced. "That kind of statement makes you want to argue, but you can't. Honestly, it's kind of disgusting."

"As expected of the first Davis of Ravenclaw. You've beaten us this time." George gave Roger a mock bow.

Roger strode ahead with his chest puffed out, but as he passed Scott, he shot him a covert glance.

Scott understood what he meant and gave a slight, discreet nod.

As they chatted, they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where Professor Kettleburn, who taught the class, was already waiting.

The elderly professor had only one arm and half a leg left. Even with a prosthetic leg, he still had to rely on a cane to get around.

"You're here!"

The old wizard was still in good spirits.

"Come and take a look. Today's lesson is all about getting to know Crups!"