A Way into the Principal's Office

The holiday time was like dog food fed to Fluffy —it vanished in the blink of an eye.

Kyle felt like he had just flipped through a few books about Basilisk in the library, but when he looked up, he realized that there were only a few days left before school started.

Three days before school started, Fred and George excitedly found him.

"Kyle, I have great news for you!" Fred said excitedly, unable to hide his smile. "We've found the last clue to the Marauder's Map password!"

"So... there really is a complete password hidden in the castle?" Kyle asked in surprise.

Like Cedric, he believed that the last word of the password simply did not exist.

Anyway, if he were part of the Marauders, he wouldn't have left behind the complete password.

There always has to be some suspense; it's no fun if everything is revealed. Besides, the previous words were already quite obvious. If you still can't guess the complete password, it just proves that the person who got the Marauder's Map is not meant to be with it.

I doubt anyone would think the slogan is "I solemnly swear I will study hard."

Furthermore, if someone, like Fred and George, becomes too obsessed with finding the complete password, the hidden last word becomes the perfect prank.

People who frequently break school rules shouldn't be too law-abiding.

Kyle had thought he was right since Fred and George hadn't been found yet.

You would never guess where it is.

George exclaimed eagerly, "It's right there on the railing next to the school gate! You can see it just by looking up when you pass by!"

"We should have thought of that," Fred said with some annoyance. "Everyone who graduates from the school eventually leaves Hogwarts through the school gates, so it symbolizes not only the beginning but also the end."

"Why didn't we think of that before...?"

"So how did you find it?" Kyle asked.

George shrugged and said, "We were planning to explore the Forbidden Forest, but after Hagrid kicked us out, we went to Hogsmeade instead."

"It's just too early; many shops haven't opened yet."

"We can't take a shortcut back through the secret passage, so we have no choice but to go back the way we came."

"I spotted the words on the wall as I passed by the school gate."

George suddenly sighed, "We shouldn't have returned to school through the secret passage every time we went to Hogsmeade."

"But speaking of secret passages..."

Fred seemed to have thought of something, patted Kyle on the shoulder, and whispered, "After getting the complete password, we discovered two new secret passages."

"One path is on the fourth floor, behind that hunchbacked One-Eyed Witch Statue; her hunchback is the entrance."

"The other one is even more hidden..." Fred said mysteriously, "Want to guess where it is?"

"Um... behind the bookshelves in the Headmaster's Office?" Kyle stroked his chin, speaking with feigned seriousness. "If that's the case, I guess its exit should be in the lounge of some shop in Hogsmeade, maybe the Three Broomsticks, or perhaps Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop ..."

Fred and George were stunned.

It wasn't because Kyle guessed correctly; in fact, there was no secret passage in the Headmaster's Office at all.

But Kyle's words piqued their great interest.

Just imagine, the greatest headmaster in Hogwarts' history has a secret relationship with a shopkeeper... Wow, that's thrilling.

Who doesn't enjoy gossiping about the principal? Fred and George couldn't help but join in.

They analyzed from different angles where the exit would be if such a secret passage truly existed... and finally concluded that all the shops in Hogsmeade could be the exit.

Even Hog's Head Inn is no exception.

"If it weren't for Dumbledore's backing, that old goat-like fellow would probably have been driven away by others long ago," Fred said confidently.

They've gotten to know Hogsmeade quite well over the years. Many shop owners have complained in private conversations that the chaotic Hog's Head Inn severely lowers Hogsmeade's prestige, which is why they haven't been selected as "the most worthwhile wizarding village to visit of the year" more than a dozen times in a row.

"Unfortunately, there's no secret passage in the Headmaster's Office on the Marauder's Map," Fred said regretfully. "And all we know so far is that it's on the Seventh Floor, but we've never been inside, not even once."

"That's the Headmaster's Office, after all, one of the most mysterious places at Hogwarts," George said, shaking his head. "Even the upperclassmen who created the Marauder's Map probably rarely get to go there, let alone search for any secret passages inside."

"I really wish we could go in and take a look, even if it's just for a few minutes..." Fred said wistfully.

"Want to get into the Headmaster's Office?" Kyle thought for a moment and said, "That's easy."

Fred and George's eyes lit up, and they excitedly put their arms around Kyle's shoulders.

"Kyle, I knew you'd have a way! Tell me!"

"If you can get us into the Headmaster's Office, Fred and I will be your most loyal subordinates from now on!"

"We'll save you a seat..."

"We offer food delivery service..."

"Eliminate everyone who opposes you."

"But that's on the condition that we don't get points deducted... or put in solitary confinement."

"Don't worry, none of that will happen," Kyle said calmly. "You just need to get a Special Award for Services to the School, and you'll also get a 100-point bonus."

Fred and George's smiles froze; they stared at Kyle in disbelief, as if he were a Three-headed Dog that could tap dance.

In fact, Fred and George would rather find Three-headed Dog that could tap dance than award them Special Award for Services to the School.

At least there's still some possibility.

"If you find that troublesome..." Kyle, observing their expressions, continued, "Then the Order of Merlin will do; that should add two hundred points."

"Hah..." George and Fred both uttered a dry sound at the same time, then turned and left.

"Hey, you guys still haven't told us where the last secret passage is," Kyle called out from behind.

But the twins ignored them and instead quickened their pace.

Actually, the last secret passage they mentioned is located beneath the Whomping Willow".

Initially, the two came to invite Kyle to go there with them and see if there was any way to avoid the Whomping Willow. But now, they just wanted to find a place without Kyle and stay quietly for a while.

Order of Merlin is also an option... What did he think it was, some roadside stone? Something you could just pick up whenever you wanted?

If it were that easy, why doesn't he have it himself?