On the shore of the Black Lake, the frontline command tent of Marauders Power was as warm as spring, a world apart from the wind and snow howling outside.
Remus Lupin stood before an enormous magical sand table, intently reviewing the data streams of the defensive magic array.
On the table, points of light representing the entire Black Lake defense system blinked steadily. Everything was under control.
"Hahahaha! Chief, look at this!"
Fred's exuberant voice broke the silence.
He and George were huddled before a small magical replay screen. On it, enormous squid tentacles were gently "nudging" two huge colored bubbles enclosing the champions, as though playing with marbles.
The brothers rocked with laughter, nearly falling off their chairs.
Lupin switched off the replay screen in front of the twins, gently putting a stop to them.
"Celebration time is over, gentlemen."
There was a trace of a smile on his face, but his eyes were serious.
"Our clients may have been left in a sorry state, but they didn't leave empty-handed. They still took our promotional brochure."
He meant the runes Group C had taken a rubbing of from the alchemical pedestal.
At this, Fred broke into an extremely smug smile, like a child whose prank had succeeded.
"Of course, Mr. Chief Engineer."
He winked slyly. "How could we let our clients leave empty-handed?"
George immediately caught his meaning and picked up the explanation, his face brimming with an inventor's pride.
"The runes on that rubbing were our forgery from the start. Spoils we deliberately left behind."
Lupin's eyebrows rose slightly, his expression turning interested.
Fred walked over to a table covered in drafts, picked up a diagram, and began explaining their design approach.
"We studied every unique volume on lost ancient magic in the Hogwarts Library, then... stitched their