Chapter 77
After Albert slipped out of the narrow door, it sealed shut behind him, vanishing into smooth stone once more. On closer inspection, he noticed a small carving of two stacked letters etched into a single brick, marking the hidden entrance.
He memorized the spot and began walking down the dim hallway. He quickly realized he had never been here before.
The corridor had no windows, only the flickering light of wall-mounted torches. Albert pulled out his pocket watch. Nine o'clock in the morning. Judging by the faint chill and the stonework, he was still deep underground.
After walking for a few minutes, the sound of footsteps echoed from around the corner. Instinctively, Albert cast a disillusionment charm, vanishing into the shadows of an alcove.
Moments later, a group of students in silver-and-green scarves rounded the bend. They paused, spoke a brief phrase to a section of wall, and a hidden door swung open. The students slipped inside before it closed again.
Albert exhaled quietly.
The Slytherin common room must be close by.
He retraced his steps toward the direction the students had come from, and after a few minutes, he reached a broad staircase. Recognition struck immediately: the very stairway leading to the Potions classroom he attended every week.
When the corridor fell silent, Albert dispelled his concealment charm and ascended to the upper floors.
---
Upon returning to the Gryffindor common room, he nearly collided with Fred and George Weasley.
Fred wrinkled his nose the moment he saw him.
"Albert! Where on earth have you been? And… what is that smell?"
"Yeah," George chimed in. "We could smell you before we saw you."
Albert's stomach tightened. Then it hit him: he'd spent hours crawling through a century-old sewer pipe beneath the school. Any experienced mischief-maker would recognize that odor instantly.
Fred and George exchanged a knowing glance. Albert realized they knew he'd been out exploring at night.
He forced a casual smile.
"Oh… I discovered a secret passageway last night. Took a long walk down it and didn't get back until this morning."
Fred's eyes lit up.
"A secret passage? Where does it lead?"
Albert hesitated, then invented a plausible story.
"I found a route that goes behind Gregory the Smarmy's statue and all the way to the far side of the Black Lake."
George gave a low whistle.
"Not bad for a 'model student.' We actually found that one during our first week here."
Albert chuckled, masking his relief.
Fred leaned closer, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone.
"By the way, we're testing a new product tonight. Care to join us?"
Albert's mind worked quickly. Partnering with the twins early could be… profitable. Their joke shop in the original timeline had become wildly successful, and getting involved now might open doors later.
He grinned.
"Of course. I've been curious about your research. Thanks for letting me in."
George elbowed his brother with a smirk.
"Told you! Even the studious types get curious eventually. A few clever friends make the perfect test subjects."
Albert laughed lightly, said his goodbyes, and finally retreated to his dormitory.
After scrubbing himself clean and changing into fresh robes, fatigue crashed over him like a wave.
Despite absorbing the basilisk's power, the events of the past night—the battle, the adrenaline, the endless tension—left him utterly drained. He collapsed into bed, surrendering to deep, dreamless sleep.
To be continued …