"What about Lee Jordan?"
At dinner, Fred and George arrived late to the Great Hall.
"Hospital Wing. He fell pretty hard while practicing ice skating this afternoon, so he went to Madam Pomfrey for ointment." Albert swallowed his food, looked up at the twins, and asked, "Where did you two go? Why are you only eating now?"
"In the forest." Fred winked.
"You went off by yourselves?" Lee Jordan's voice came from behind, tinged with resentment.
"We told you when we left. Why didn't you come?" George asked, resting a hand on Lee's shoulder. "How's the practice? Can you skate now?"
"If I could skate, would I have fallen this badly?" Lee snapped.
"You're right. Luckily, we gave up long ago," George said seriously. "That sport isn't for wizards."
Albert wanted to retort: No, you just don't want to put in the effort, so you'll never learn.
Lee asked, "Was it like this for you too when you learned?"
"Falling is inevitable," Albert said gravely.
"He's comforting you," George laughed. "With Albert's ability, after a few falls he'd have taught himself."
"What do you think skating is, eating?" Albert said, exasperated.
In truth, George was right—Albert had learned through his panel.
"I understand why Albert doesn't teach you anymore," Fred said suddenly.
"He's not teaching us," Lee corrected irritably. "Don't exclude yourselves."
"Think about it. You're falling so badly now, and still haven't learned. You'd blame him!" George nodded. "So Albert doesn't dare teach you—he won't risk being blamed."
Albert froze mid-bite, muttering, "These two really overthink." He could swear on his fried egg he'd never had such a thought.
Lee eyed him suspiciously. Albert cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So, what's in the forest? You wandered until now before coming back?"
"Just animals. Nothing dangerous," Fred said, sitting down and digging into his dinner. "George and I chased a rabbit, but didn't catch it."
"There are rabbits in the Forbidden Forest?" Albert asked curiously. "Were you planning to roast them? That sounds good—I've never had roast rabbit."
Sanna looked up sharply. "Roast rabbit? How cruel!"
"I just said it. Don't take it seriously," Albert retorted. "Do you even have a rabbit?"
"Yes, a very small one," Sanna admitted.
"Ahem, aren't you off-topic?" Lee interrupted. "What's in the forest?"
"Nothing special. Just a forest," George said, then added, "We saw deer tracks."
"I think they were unicorn tracks. And we found this." Fred pulled white hairs from his pocket. "Unicorn tail hairs."
"You weren't caught by the gamekeeper?" Angelina asked in surprise, examining a hair. "I heard students who trespass always get caught."
"We know how to avoid Hagrid," George said seriously. "As long as he doesn't see us, it's fine."
The conversation ended quickly. Albert planned to visit the library to research Professor Broad. If the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was truly famous, information should be easy to find.
"Want to go together another day?" Fred asked.
"Catching rabbits?" Albert raised an eyebrow. "Try fishing at the Black Lake. Dig a hole, bait it with raw meat—it's more reliable."
"That's a good idea," Lee agreed.
"You're not skating anymore?" Fred asked suspiciously.
"Look at me. I fell badly. How could I skate again?" Lee muttered. Then he asked, "By the way, who can grill fish?"
"I can try—if you catch them," Albert said. "Otherwise, ask Hagrid. He definitely knows."
"I thought you knew everything," Fred teased. "So there are things you don't know!"
"Grilling fish isn't hard. Brush seasoning, sprinkle garlic from the dorm," Albert said earnestly.
"Don't touch the garlic," George protested.
In the library, the four fell silent. If they wanted time for fishing, homework came first.
With Albert's help, homework was never too difficult. Once finished, they could ask him about anything they didn't understand.
"What are you looking for?" Lee asked, picking up a book Albert had set aside. "Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century."
"I heard Professor Broad is very famous," Albert said softly.
"Broad?" George asked, putting down his quill. "Why are you looking him up?"
"Let me see your parchment," Fred grumbled. He was behind and still had a big question unfinished.
"Do it yourself," George said, pressing his parchment flat.
"Found it." Albert opened Who's Who in Contemporary Magic and read aloud:
"Bard Broad, pure-blood wizard, Wizengamot member, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, awarded the Barnabus Finkley Prize for Outstanding Spellcasting. Interests: wizard chess, adventure.
Broad won the International Wizard Chess Championship, and the European Wizard Dueling Championship with a wandless, silent Petrificus Totalus. He once rescued Muggle climbers from a troll attack, earning the Order of Merlin, Third Class.
He maintains friendly relations with many great wizards, and is close friends with Adebe Wolflin and Mog MacDougal."
Albert fell silent. Mog MacDougal? A coincidence? No. Isabelle MacDougal must be related.
Why did she say Broad thinks highly of me? Am I overthinking? Forget it. As long as Broad means no harm, I don't mind meeting more famous wizards through him.
"I didn't expect him to be so famous!" Fred said, surprised.
"Dueling champion?" George added. "No wonder he's the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Albert, however, thought Broad's appointment had little to do with dueling.
"Oh, right." Lee suddenly changed the subject. "I heard older students are opening a betting pool for the Quidditch match this weekend. Who are you betting on?"
"Hmm, I almost forgot. Who are you betting on?" Fred and George asked together.