"Mr. Weasley."
Professor Marchbanks called them back from behind.
The twins turned around together.
The old witch stood beside the exit.
She held two scoring boards.
"I have a question."
"Please, go ahead."
"Why didn't you use a safer magical dismantling method?"
George spoke first.
"Because the core principle of prank products is that nobody dies."
"Safety isn't a slogan."
"You have to be able to calculate it."
Fred continued.
"When magic might trigger a secondary explosion."
"Muggle pliers are more reliable than a wand."
Professor Marchbanks stared at them.
"You treated the exam like a workshop."
"You put a workshop in the exam."
George answered quickly.
Several examiners nearby exchanged glances.
Professor Marchbanks fell silent for a moment.
She looked at the accident report.
"Your wording sounds very much like an official document."
"We've practiced."
"Under duress."
Fred sighed.
"The regulatory environment is terrible."
The corner of Professor Marchbanks's mouth twitched very slightly.
"Good."
"At least you know there are limits even to fooling around."
"We've always thought so."
"I can tell."
She closed both scoring boards.
"Off you go."
"Thank you, Professor."
The two walked out of the simulation area.
The sky had already turned golden.
A breeze blew over from the edge of the woods.
It swept the heat from their shoulders in an instant.
Someone stood beside the stone steps at the exit.
Sirius leaned against the railing.
He held two new approval documents between his fingers.
"You were quick."
"Because we love exams."
Fred sounded utterly sincere.
"And budgets."
George added.
Sirius handed over the documents.
"Your funding is gone."
Both froze at once.
Sirius leisurely turned the papers over.
"Old budget voided."
"New budget approved."
"Up a bracket."
Fred snatched the documents.
George immediately leaned in to look.
The signature on them was crisp.