The Curse of Time (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Author's note: I think I'll put this story from Evelyn's perspective. If I change my perspective, I'll let you know.

I searched for an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express, not because I didn't want to be with someone, but because I have trouble making the first move to approach people.

I placed my suitcase down and took out a book about magical creatures of the American continent.

Shortly after the train started, the door opened, and I saw two reddish-haired people who are similar—probably twins—standing in the doorway.

"Sorry to bother you, but is it okay if we sit here too?"

"No problem. I wasn't expecting anyone anyway."

They entered with their suitcases, stowed them away, and then sat side by side across from me.

"By the way, I'm Fred Weasley, and this is my twin brother George. We're in our second year at Hogwarts, in Gryffindor House."

"Evelyn Longbottom. I'm starting my first year, and as you might guess, I'm not in a house yet."

"Get ready for the Sorting Ceremony because it's going to hurt."

George, whose voice I hadn't heard yet, spoke.

"If your goal is to scare me, you've failed. I know a little about the sorting criteria, though I'm not yet sure how they do it. But I know that with the criteria for each house, there's no test that will hurt me."

They looked at me in surprise, not expecting such a detailed explanation.

George sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"At least we tried, but I didn't expect a long explanation. I feel like I've heard your name before."

"You've probably seen it in The Daily Prophet; I've appeared there a few times."

As soon as I said this, the twins looked at me with wide-eyed astonishment.

"Wait, aren't you the little scholar?"

"Youngest ever to win the thesis contest."

In case there was any doubt, the Weasleys were indeed twins, finishing each other's sentences.

"Yes, that's me."

Their attitude changed immediately, to the point where they were almost prostrating before me.

One of the twins looked at me, clearly wanting to ask a question.

"You can ask if you want. I don't guarantee an answer, but I'll try my best."

"Okay, are there any areas of knowledge where you have trouble?"

"I have a solid foundation in almost every type of knowledge, though I'm more advanced in some areas than others."

"So if we asked you for a favor about a problem we're having, could you solve it?"

They were holding their breath.

"Could I at least get an overview of the situation to be sure I can answer correctly?"

They almost did a facepalm, realizing they had forgotten something so important.

"Actually, we create jokes and tricks, but some of the formulas for our creations have issues and don't produce the expected effects, so we were wondering if you could help us."

I was intrigued by this subject because these kinds of objects are usually quite ingenious and funny.

"I agree to help you as long as it's not too dangerous for others."

"Thank you! We can guarantee that it's just for fun or other contexts, but nothing very dangerous."

"Thank you, and as my twin said, we promise it won't be dangerous."

We spent most of our time traveling, talking about the things they had made. This conversation even gave them ideas for new products they would try to make later.

"You'll definitely be in Ravenclaw," said Fred.

"It's not certain. You're very smart, and yet you're in Gryffindor."

"That's because all our brothers and other members of the Weasley family before us have been in Gryffindor."

"It's true that from that perspective, we can't argue otherwise, but I'm also sure it's largely because of the risks you take, which can be dangerous at times, that you're in Gryffindor."

Our conversation flowed without a moment of silence, and as we kept talking, we even came up with a contest to guess the taste of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. I even had an internal contest with myself to guess the next flavor. We were surprised when George got one that tasted like bogey.

"Is that really a flavor?"

Even Fred was skeptical, but George's expression made it clear he wasn't lying. After that, we were a bit afraid of getting another unknown and disgusting flavor. But the thrill of risk and the game of trying to guess the next flavor made us dispel this fear.