Spirit Of Hogwarts
Sal held up a small stone with intricate carvings etched into its surface. "Okay, I made these," he said, showing it to Tonks and Tulip.
"What is it?" Tonks asked, leaning in closer.
"They're expendable runes," Sal explained. "Basically, they create temporary effects. This one can make you look like someone else. It's like an illusion, but weaker and less stable."
Tonks's eyes lit up with excitement. "Perfect for pranks!"
Tulip chuckled. "And what about those?" she asked, pointing to the silver rings Sal held up next.
"These are rings of invisibility," Sal said proudly. "Not perfect, but they'll make you hard to spot for a short time."
Tonks grinned mischievously. "You're brilliant, Sal. With these, we're unstoppable."
Sal hesitated, then added, "I've also been working on something special, but it's not quite finished yet."
"What is it?" Tulip asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sal waved a hand dismissively. "You'll see when it's ready. For now, we've got enough to start."
Tonks clapped her hands together. "Right. I say it's time for the prank war to officially begin. Fred and George have been getting way too cocky lately."
"Agreed," Tulip said, nodding. "But how are you planning to get into their common room? They'll never let us in."
Tonks smirked. "That's the easy part. With Sal's runes, I can sneak in unnoticed."
"And what about the password?" Tulip asked.
"I got that from a first year," Tulip said with a sly grin. "They were all too eager to show off what they knew."
Sal raised an eyebrow but couldn't help smiling. "Alright, but be careful. If Fred and George figure out what we're up to, they'll double down."
"That's half the fun," Tonks said, slipping the invisibility ring onto her finger. "Let the games begin."
The plan was simple yet effective. While Tulip kept watch near the Gryffindor common room entrance, Tonks slipped inside under the cover of invisibility. Sal, meanwhile, set up the next phase of the prank outside in the corridor, ensuring their escape route was secure.
Inside the common room, Tonks carefully placed the expendable runes around the twins' favorite armchairs. Each rune was set to activate the moment someone sat down, triggering a harmless illusion that would turn them into an exact copy of Professor McGonagall for ten minutes.
"This is going to be priceless," Tonks whispered to herself, suppressing a giggle.
As she crept back out, she gave Tulip a thumbs-up. "All set."
The next morning, Fred and George strolled into the common room, completely unaware of the trap. A group of first years watched as Fred flopped into his chair, and in an instant, the room erupted into laughter. George turned to see his brother—or rather, a perfect illusion of Professor McGonagall—scowling at him.
"Fred, why are you…" George began, only to sit down himself and undergo the same transformation.
The Gryffindor common room was in chaos, with students laughing, pointing, and snapping photos with enchanted cameras. Fred and George, confused at first, quickly realized they had been pranked.
"Alright, whoever did this, you've declared war!" Fred shouted, his voice a perfect mimic of McGonagall's stern tone.
From a safe distance, Sal, Tonks, and Tulip watched the scene unfold through an enchanted mirror that Sal had set up.
"This is gold," Tulip said, clutching her sides as she laughed.
"I'm giving it two days before they try to retaliate," Sal predicted. "We'd better be ready."
"Oh, I've got a few ideas," Tonks said with a wicked grin. "This is just the beginning."
Sal had been experimenting with his magic to see if he could connect with Hogwarts. He figured that the Founders must have imbued their magic into the enchantments and wards of the castle. When Sal connected, it was unlike anything he'd experienced before. The magic was old, almost alive, and it felt as though his own magic wanted to merge with it.
"Sal! Snap out of it!" Tulip's voice cut through the haze.
Sal blinked, realizing she was shaking him. "Tulip? When did you get here?"
"You missed breakfast," Tulip said, concerned. "When I found you, you were glowing like a Lumos spell gone wrong."
"Really?" Sal asked, bewildered. "I was just trying to connect with the wards of the castle."
"Did it work?" Tulip asked.
"Yes, but let's go find Tonks, and I'll tell you both together," Sal said, standing up. As soon as he took a step, he collapsed.
"Sal!" Tulip cried, kneeling beside him.
When Sal woke, he found himself in his dreamscape. "How did I get here?" he wondered aloud.
"I brought you here," said a voice behind him. Sal turned to see a young woman standing there, her presence radiant and calming.
"Who are you?" Sal asked.
"I am the spirit of Hogwarts," she replied. "You can call me Sarah."
"No offense, but why now?" Sal asked.
"When you used your magic to connect with the wards, I tried to merge your magic with mine," Sarah explained. "It almost killed you. I'm sorry for that. It has been a long time since I felt a connection like yours."
"What do you mean?" Sal asked.
"When the Founders decided to build this castle, they found me. Back then, I was just a wisp, a fragment of Albion magic. In exchange for a place to reside, I helped them connect to the magic of Albion to protect Hogwarts. Over time, I became a part of the castle, a part of their family magic."
Sal's curiosity grew. "So the castle's wards are tied to you?"
"Yes. And your magic is already a part of me," Sarah said. "That's why I gave you a forge and access to knowledge you won't find in the library. I've learned a great deal from every student who's come here, but you—you're different. You want to learn and create, not just hide or hoard."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Sal asked.
"You weren't ready," Sarah replied. "But now we're bonded. What can I do for you?"
"I want to make a map of Hogwarts," Sal said.
Sarah smiled. "That's already been done. A student named James Potter created it with his friends. They called themselves the Marauders. You'll find it in my room."
"James Potter? Harry's dad?" Sal asked in shock.
"I don't know a Harry Potter, but James was a prankster. I liked him and his friends. They made this place lively," Sarah said fondly.
Sal laughed. "Well, that's a conversation I'm going to have with Tonks. She's a prankster too."
"I like pranksters," Sarah said. "I'll have the map ready for you when you return to my room. And I'll make it special. Through the map, I'll be able to talk to you directly. Think of it as a way for us to stay connected, no matter where you are."
"Really? That's brilliant," Sal said. "I've got so many questions."
"We'll have plenty of time to talk," Sarah assured him. "For now, your friends are trying to wake you. But remember, only Tulip and Nymphadora can know about me."
"I promise," Sal said.
When Sal woke up, he was in the hospital wing.
"Welcome back, Mr. Cross," Madam Pomfrey said briskly.
"Hello, Professor. Why can't I move?" Sal asked groggily.
"You have a very bad case of magical exhaustion," Pomfrey replied. "Care to explain why? It's not from overwork, I can tell you that much."
"I was experimenting with my magic," Sal admitted.
"Then perhaps you should show more restraint in the future," said a familiar voice. Albus Dumbledore stood by the doorway, his expression a mix of amusement and concern.
"Sir?" Sal asked, confused.
"Sal, you need to be more careful. Otherwise, you won't be able to help Miss Tonks with her pranks," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
Sal's face turned red. "Sir, I…"
"So you're telling me those weren't your runes on the Gryffindor chairs?" Dumbledore asked. "Because the only other person capable of that level of work is Professor Flitwick, and I don't think he did it."
"You really thought they were that good?" Sal asked, surprised.
"That's your takeaway?" Madam Pomfrey said incredulously. "Drink this. It will help you sleep. The rest of you should get to class."
After Tonks and Tulip left, Pomfrey turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, his magic was completely drained. He almost died. I've never seen anything like it from a student."
Dumbledore's expression turned serious. "Yes, there's more to this than he's letting on. But don't worry, Poppy. I'll keep an eye on him."