With a thunderous bang, a riot of color exploded overhead, unfurling into the shape of a roaring lion made entirely of fireworks.
Fred and George threw their arms around each other, whooping with delight. "We did it! It's even better than we imagined! That gold—it's gorgeous! Better than a pile of Galleons!"
Wyzett couldn't help but grin along with them. The twins had a knack for spreading joy—just being near them made it hard not to smile.
Honestly, he hadn't done much—just helped the ingredients reach their full effect, making sure the final product would be as dazzling as possible.
But to Fred and George, his contribution was everything.
The twins didn't stop there. With their test firework a success, they immediately set to work on an even bigger one, chattering excitedly as they scribbled out a patent application. They insisted Wyzett add his name too.
…
In the secret passage, Wyzett still found the patent idea hard to believe. "You're really going to take this to the Ministry of Magic and apply for a patent? You can patent magic?"
He knew little about the Ministry—most of it came from Luna's wild stories.
For example, she claimed the Ministry's elite Aurors were actually part of the "Rotfang Conspiracy"—a plot involving magic and gum disease to rot the Ministry from within.
It sounded utterly bonkers, and therefore, perfectly magical. Since it came from Luna, Wyzett believed every word.
Wanting to learn more about this "Rotfang Conspiracy," he naturally grew curious about the Ministry itself.
"The Office of Whimsical Product Patents—that's the place," Fred explained cheerfully. "It's under the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Shouldn't be too hard to get approval."
"Mr. Bagman is easy to talk to. He used to be a professional Beater!" George added, miming a dramatic bat swing.
Wyzett shook his head in admiration. "You two know everyone at the Ministry, don't you?"
Fred grinned, "Well, you're our materials consultant now. The people we know—"
George slung an arm around Wyzett's shoulders, beaming. "—are the people you know!"
Their sincerity was infectious. Wyzett smiled, feeling a rare sense of belonging.
When they emerged from the passage, the first floor was eerily silent. The three exchanged uneasy glances.
"Let's check the Great Hall," Wyzett suggested.
They hurried over, only to find the vast room empty. The only signs of life were the black-draped bats still swooping under the enchanted ceiling.
Suddenly, shrill shouts echoed from down the corridor.
The trio dashed outside and spotted Hermione, Ron, and Harry fleeing in terror at the far end of the hall.
A massive shadow loomed behind them—a creature as gigantic as Hagrid himself.
Its hulking body was rough as granite, gray-black skin mottled with moss and warts. Every step made the floor tremble.
Its arms were absurdly long, dragging a huge wooden club that screeched against the stones.
Fred whooped, "Halloween really does have surprises!"
"And it's a troll!" George shouted.
Wyzett frowned, "Did you see Ron? He was with them!"
"Of course we did!" the twins chorused. "We're going to check it out! Wyzett, you stay here!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ducked into a side room, but the troll smashed through the wall, burying them in rubble.
After the destruction, the troll paused, sniffed the air, and turned—heading straight for Wyzett.
Hearing the crash, Fred and George sprang into action, sprinting toward the troll with fireworks already blazing in their hands.
The situation was growing stranger by the second. Wyzett had no idea where the professors were, and it was definitely unsafe to stay alone.
He gripped his wand tightly and, after a moment's hesitation, hurried after the twins, every sense on edge.
BOOM!
The fireworks streaked through the corridor, erupting into two magnificent lions of flame. The lions roared and pounced, engulfing the troll in a cascade of sparks and thunderous explosions.
The troll staggered, dazed by the sudden assault. It lost its balance, crashing sideways into a wall. Stones rained down, burying the creature beneath a mound of rubble.
Dust billowed everywhere. The troll's massive form vanished in the haze, its low growls muffled beneath the debris.
George threw his hands up in triumph. "Whoo-hoo! Wyzett, those fireworks you helped us with are absolutely brilliant!"
He waved his wand, sending a gust to clear the dust.
As the air cleared, the troll was revealed, pinned under the rubble—its massive arm, still clutching the club, the only thing visible.
Fred laughed, "This year's Halloween is the best yet! I love it!"
Wyzett cut in, voice serious, "Can you two focus? This is dangerous—"
He didn't finish. The troll's arm twitched, swinging the club in a wild arc straight at Fred.
"Fred, look out!" Wyzett shouted, instantly casting the Ancient Magic: Enhanced Summoning Charm. "Accio Fred!"
Silver-blue light burst from his wand, forming a spectral hand that yanked Fred back just in time to dodge the club's crushing blow.
The troll, frustrated, hauled itself upright, snorting in anger.
"Oh no—Stupefy!" George cried, firing a jet of red light at the troll's chest.
The spell fizzled almost harmlessly, scattering into faint sparks.
The troll shook its potato-like head, then fixed its gaze on Wyzett.
A chill ran down Wyzett's spine. The troll had chosen its next target.
With a furious roar, it moved—faster than before. With a mighty whoosh, it hurled its club straight at Wyzett.
He was ready. The moment the club left the troll's hand, Wyzett shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The club froze in midair, suspended by invisible magic.
Only in the wizarding world, he thought, could a child so easily stop a weapon that size. In his previous life, lifting such a thing would have been impossible.
His mind raced. He remembered from his reading—the troll's weakness was its head.
For most creatures, the head was the most vulnerable spot. Trolls were no exception.
But their heads were tiny—potato-sized—and a moving target.
Wyzett didn't hesitate. Channeling ancient magic, his wand blazed with silver-blue light. He flicked his wrist, hurling the club forward with supernatural force.
Ancient Magic: Projectile Mastery!
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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