"Whoa, don't get so worked up, boys."
Zheng Qing spread his hands to show that they were empty—yet this did not make Fred and George relax. They still looked tense, and even Harry, sitting nearby, unconsciously touched his wand.
He smiled at the young wizards before him, who looked like startled rabbits.
Suddenly, he felt a little old.
"Mister Zheng Qing?"
Hermione's pleasantly surprised voice rang out. She nervously tugged at her bushy brown hair. "You came here... is something the matter?"
Ron's lips moved soundlessly, as if he were cursing.
Only after confirming that the Lockhart brothers had calmed down did Zheng Qing speak unhurriedly. "It's Professor Dumbledore. He has a task for Harry... Of course, if you two are interested, you can go with Harry."
His gaze passed over Ron and Hermione before finally settling on Fred and George. "As for you two, there's no need..."
"That's discrimination!" Fred muttered, putting away his wand.
"We need to protect our little brother." George unusually did not follow Fred's lead.
"Sorry, I can take care of myself!" Ron snapped, interrupting his two brothers. "And I haven't even agreed to go yet... Go where?"
He shot Zheng Qing a quick glance.
"It's right inside Hogwarts Castle." Zheng Qing reassured everyone.
"I'll go!" Hermione raised her hand without hesitation.
Ron hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded reluctantly beneath Harry's pleading gaze. "Since it's inside the castle... I'll go too."
"You said it was a task from Professor Dumbledore?" Harry gathered his courage and asked. "Why didn't the professor tell me himself?"
"Because Mister Fudge from the Ministry of Magic will be arriving at Hogwarts shortly, and Professor Dumbledore has more important guests." Zheng Qing explained patiently. At the same time, he pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and gave