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Chapter 195: Gaining Access to the Headmaster's Office
Chapter 195: Gaining Access to the Headmaster's Office
The holiday break vanished like dog food placed before Rover, leaving Kyle feeling as though he had merely flipped through a few books about basilisks in the library, only to look up and realize that the start of term was just days away.
On the morning three days before term started, Fred and George sought him out, brimming with excitement.
"Kyle, we've got great news!" Fred exclaimed, barely containing his enthusiasm. "We've found the final clue to the password for the Marauder's Map!"
"So, the complete password really is hidden somewhere in the castle?" Kyle asked, surprised.
Like Cedric, he had assumed that the last word of the password simply didn't exist.
If he were one of the Marauders, he wouldn't have left the entire password intact.
It was always more intriguing to leave some room for mystery, especially when the preceding parts were already so obvious. If someone couldn't guess the full password with those hints, then they probably didn't deserve to possess the Marauder's Map.
Surely no one would believe the password to be 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good'.
Additionally, if, like Fred and George, someone became too obsessed with uncovering the complete password, the hidden last word would serve as the perfect prank.
Those who frequently broke the rules couldn't afford to be too rule-abiding.
Since Fred and George hadn't found it until now, Kyle had assumed his guess was correct.
"You'll never guess where it was," George said eagerly. "It was right there on the railing next to the school gates. You just had to look up as you passed through."
"We should've thought of it sooner," Fred said with a hint of annoyance. "Everyone who graduates eventually leaves Hogwarts through those gates. So it symbolizes not just the beginning but also the end."
"Why didn't we think of that before..."
"So, how did you discover it?" Kyle asked.
George shrugged. "We were just about to venture into the Forbidden Forest, but Hagrid chased us out, so we ended up making a trip to Hogsmeade."
"It was too early, though, and many shops weren't open yet," Fred continued.
"We couldn't take the shortcut back through the secret passage, so we had to return the way we came," George explained.
"And that's when we spotted the words on the wall as we passed through the school gates," Fred finished.
George sighed. "We shouldn't have always taken the secret passage back to the school after our trips to Hogsmeade."
"Speaking of secret passages..." Fred trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eye as he patted Kyle on the shoulder. "After getting the complete password, we discovered two new secret passages."
"One is on the fourth floor, behind the statue of the hunchbacked one-eyed witch. Her hunchback is the entrance," he revealed.
"The other one is even more covert..." Fred said mysteriously. "Want to take a guess at its location?"
"Hmm..." Kyle stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Behind the bookshelves in the Headmaster's office? If that's the case, I'd wager the exit is in the back room of a Hogsmeade shop—perhaps the Three Broomsticks or Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop."
Fred and George stared at him, mouths agape.
Not because he had guessed correctly, as there were no secret passages in the Headmaster's office, but because his suggestion had piqued their interest immensely.
Imagine, the greatest Headmaster in Hogwarts history having a secret connection with a shop owner in Hogsmeade... now that was a tantalizing thought.
"If it weren't for Dumbledore backing that old goat, he would've been driven out by others long ago," Fred declared confidently.
Over the years, they had gained a good understanding of Hogsmeade, and they knew that many shop owners had privately complained about how the chaotic atmosphere of the Leaky Cauldron was dragging down the reputation of Hogsmeade, preventing it from being awarded the "Annual Most Worthwhile Wizarding Village to Visit" for over a dozen consecutive years.
"It's a pity that there aren't any secret passages to the headmaster's office on the Marauder's Map," Fred said regretfully. "And we only know that it's on the eighth floor, but we've never been inside, not even once."
"After all, it's the headmaster's office, one of the most mysterious places in Hogwarts," George shook his head. "Even the seniors who made the Marauder's Map probably rarely had the chance to go there, let alone search for secret passages within."
"I really wish we could take a look, even if it's just for a few minutes..." Fred mused.
"You want to enter the headmaster's office?" Kyle thought for a moment. "That's simple."
Fred and George's eyes lit up, and they excitedly grabbed Kyle's shoulders.
"Kyle, we knew you'd have a way! Spill it!"
"If you can help us get into the headmaster's office, Fred and I will be your most loyal subordinates from now on!"
"We'll reserve a seat for you..."
"...provide food delivery service..."
"...and take care of anyone who opposes you."
"But on the condition that we won't get any detentions or lose any house points."
"Rest assured, none of that will happen," Kyle said calmly. "You just need to earn a Special Contribution Award for the school, and you'll even get a hundred points as a reward."
The smiles on Fred and George's faces froze, and they stared at Kyle in disbelief, as if they were looking at a three-headed dog performing a tap dance.
In fact, compared to getting them a Special Contribution Award, Fred and George would rather go search for a three-headed dog that could tap dance.
At least that seemed slightly more feasible.
"If you think that's troublesome..." Kyle continued, seeing their expressions. "...then a Merlin Knightage Medal should also work. That should get you two hundred points."
"Oh..." George and Fred simultaneously made dry noises and turned to leave.
"Hey, you haven't told us where the last secret passage is yet!" Kyle called after them.
But the twins ignored him and quickened their pace instead.
In truth, the last secret passage they mentioned was located right below the Whomping Willow.
Initially, they had come to invite Kyle to explore that area with them and find a way to bypass the violent tree. But now, all they wanted was to find a place where they could be alone and have some peace and quiet, away from Kyle.
A Merlin Knightage Medal...as if it was that easy to come by! If it was, why didn't he get one himself?!
...
(End of Chapter)
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