Late at night, the Gryffindor Common Room was a mess.
The fire in the hearth was nearly out, its dim light falling on candy wrappers and cheering flags scattered across the floor. The air was thick with the smell left over from the revelry.
Hermione Granger returned alone from the abandoned classroom. She had just settled on an approach for the confrontation with the other two Champions and felt excited.
She immediately spotted Harry, Ron, and Ginny gathered by the fireplace, discussing something in low voices.
She hurried over and opened her mouth, ready to tell them her plan.
Just then, Hermione caught sight of Fred and George in the corner. They lounged there, fiddling with a little metal gadget, amusement in their eyes as they occasionally glanced her way.
Hermione's heart sank, and a chill ran down her back.
Did they know? Or were they part of the examining team?
Hermione immediately realized that they were opponents. She could not discuss secrets here.
She promptly put away her excitement and adopted a serious expression.
She walked up to Harry and the others and lowered her voice, enunciating every word.
"Harry, Ron, Ginny. I need your help."
Ron was about to ask, "Why all the secrecy?" But at the serious look in Hermione's eyes, he swallowed his words. That look was an order, leaving no room for argument.
Hermione gave them no chance to ask questions, delivering her instructions in the simplest terms.
"Tomorrow is Saturday. Come to the classroom on the fourth floor where we hold our Detective Club meetings at eight in the morning."
Harry and Ginny exchanged a look. Both sensed from Hermione's tone that something big was about to happen.
"This is important," Hermione emphasized one last time.
With that, she glanced at the Weasley Twins