A chilly breeze swept across the lake as Fred and George Weasley wandered towards the Whomping Willow at midnight. They had planned to meet at the spot, near the Greenhouses, to make some mischief and fulfill a mission. The mission? To blow up the Whomping Willow at the roots!
George took a deep breath when he reached the tree. He slid the hood of his black cloak down, unveiling his mischievous eyes and smirking smile. Fred, standing beside him, lifted his wand ever so slightly and grinned.
"Ready, Fred?"
Fred maintained his prepared expression and nodded. "Ready, George."
The twins raised their wands together, took a deep breath, and attempted to channel all their energy into their fingertips as they'd been practicing.
"1… 2… 3…" whispered Fred…
"BOMBARDA MAXIMA!" cried the Weasleys. The Whomping Willow whirled around rapidly and dangerously as though caught in a whirlwind, then shriveled down and exploded into tiny pieces of flying bark and leaves.
"Shield your eyes!" yelled George, diving behind a greenhouse for safety. And then he heard it- the blast of a wand shooting through the darkness.
"Fred!"
"George!" The twins gaped, squinting at a shape with its wand arm outstretched.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" yelled a voice. Then she muttered, "Lumos." Fred and George peered at the light and saw… Professor McGonagall. She glared at them with such fierceness in her eyes that it was scary even for the twins.
Fred and George looked at each other with a hint of fear. They said nothing, but the look in their eyes told the whole story.
Shocked and anxious, they ran.