Gloom hung over Hogwarts Castle, but at the Marauders Power Company's Frontline Command Center on the shore of the Black Lake, the atmosphere was another matter entirely.
The tent was comfortably warm, its air mingling the smells of machine oil, hot metal, and fine parchment, giving it a tense yet efficient feel.
The commotion Warrington and the others had caused by triggering the Canary Trap hardly counted as a big deal here. If anything, it had been like watching a good show.
Fred and George were huddled in front of a magical screen displaying the latest notice from the Academic Affairs Office.
The notice was politely worded, with an air of academic rigor.
It warmly invited the Contest Strategy Think Tank, which had performed so well in the Second Task, to give a public academic presentation in the Great Hall this Friday evening, before all the school's teachers and students and representatives from all three schools.
The presentation's topic was theoretical and practical explorations of the Black Lake Ecological Resonance Ritual.
To those in the Castle, the invitation was no different from a public sentencing, but to the Weasley Twins, it was an incredible honor.
Neither was worried in the slightest. Instead, they exchanged an excited high five.
"Brilliant!"
Fred's eyes shone like two Galleons. "Our stuff actually lured out that big shot!"
"He's actually willing to join in and play with us himself!"
George's voice brimmed with pride. "That means our forged Ancient Runes and Canary Trap have won that big shot's recognition. That's the best acknowledgment we could get as inventors!"
To them, Douglas raising the game's stakes like this was the highest praise for their work, and it excited them far more than money.
Fred threw an arm around George's shoulders, lowered his voice, and said conspiratorially: