Loren quickly converted the old potion-brewing room into a simple alchemy workshop, ready to get to work.
Drawn in by his movements, the twins immediately crowded closer, eager to observe his alchemy up close. Loren was already skilled in potion-making, but surely his alchemy wouldn't be quite as refined.
In truth, their own grasp of alchemy was much stronger than their skill with potions—otherwise, how would they ever manage to open Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in the future?
Loren didn't mind their presence behind him. In his eyes, the twins counted as friends, and he never held back when it came to helping friends—just as he did with Harry.
They watched Loren melt down the materials with ease, then deftly carve runes into them. From the sheer smoothness of his technique, it was clear his alchemy far outstripped theirs.
At first, the twins had thought they might offer him some pointers. That thought was quickly discarded as they watched, mesmerized, drinking in every detail of his method.
Yet soon they realized they couldn't even follow his movements. Why did the runes carve themselves into the material with just a flick of his finger? Why did runes already carved shift on their own into better positions?
By the time the two of them were staring at him like he was some kind of miracle-worker, Loren had finished the item: a transformation ring.
It needed testing, and Loren's gaze slid toward the brothers, still reeling in shock.
That look sent a shiver down their spines. They snapped back to awareness and immediately took a step back.
Loren didn't speak. Instead, he turned in his chair, resting his cheek in his palm. The chair beneath him silently shifted into a plush armchair from Gryffindor's common room—a perfect recreation of the very first time the twins had tried joking around with him.
The sight of Loren exuding quiet authority, combined with the floating ring before them and the casually transformed chair, made George and Fred swallow hard. They were as stunned by his magical prowess as they were worried about what he might do next.
"George, I've loved you for a long time—marry me!"
Fred was the quicker of the two. He snatched the hovering ring and dropped to one knee, thrusting it onto George's hand.
George, completely dumbfounded, barely had time to react before the ring was forced onto his finger.
The transformation was immediate. George's figure shifted into that of a girl with a devilishly voluptuous body—while still wearing his own face.
Fred shuddered at the sight. A gorgeous figure paired with a familiar male face—utterly unsettling.
Loren studied the result thoughtfully, already noting what to adjust. With a wave, the ring flew back into his hand, and George's form reverted.
George, who had just started eagerly exploring his new body, was left disappointed when it vanished.
Fred, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief. Being next to an excited, sensual figure bearing his own brother's face had given him goosebumps.
But their reprieve didn't last. Loren turned again, and once more the transformation ring floated before them.
"Oh, Fred, I accept your proposal! Let me put this on you!"
This time George lunged first, laughing as he slipped the ring onto Fred's finger.
Fred's body shimmered, shifting into a female form. The figure remained mostly unchanged, but his face transformed into that of a young woman, still faintly reminiscent of Fred.
George leaned in, carefully comparing his brother's new look with his own prior transformation.
"No—!"
Fred's cry of anguish rang out. He clutched his crotch and collapsed to the ground.
Loren and George both jumped at the sound.
"What is it, Fred? What's wrong?" George asked, genuine concern breaking through.
"It's gone… it's gone…"
Fred lay there, eyes vacant, hands frozen in place, muttering the words over and over.
"It's fine, Fred," Loren said at last, feeling a touch of pity. "The earlier version wasn't complete. I've adjusted it so that the ring now turns the wearer fully into a girl, body and mind both. It's just a magical effect. Take the ring off, and it'll be over."
At that, Fred sprang up as if reborn, yanking the ring free and tossing it back to Loren.
"I'm back! I'm back!"
He immediately checked himself over with frantic relief, only calming once he confirmed he was restored.
Catching the ring, Loren set it aside. He intended to remake it as a bracer instead.
The issue hadn't been obvious at first, but thanks to the twins' theatrical antics, he realized the problem.
He had made the artifact in the form of a ring for convenience. But giving Harry—a boy—a ring that turned men into women? That sounded like something that could give Hermione ideas dark enough to end in a bad ending.
The finished product became a black bracer, strengthened so that the transformation was complete—from body to mind—and supplemented with a few extra functions. He bound it to Harry's magical signature so only Harry could use it.
As for the experimental ring, Loren tossed it to the twins. It was, after all, their "token of love," and could serve as their reward.
The twins were surprised by his generosity. They hadn't contributed much this time, yet had gained valuable treasures. They'd made quite a profit.
Exchanging a look, they seemed to come to a decision. Pulling out a folded piece of parchment, they offered it to Loren with both hands.
"Oh great Lion King, this is a treasure we discovered in our first year while battling Filch. Now we offer it to you—for only you are worthy of it."
Loren recognized it instantly: the Marauder's Map, created by Hogwarts' notorious prankster James Potter and his friends.
One of his goals in befriending the twins had been to acquire this very map. He hadn't expected them to hand it over so readily.
He accepted without hesitation, opening it at once.
George stepped forward to explain, only to freeze in surprise—because on Loren's side, the map had already revealed itself.
Still, George stayed and began his explanation:
"Great Lion King, this is Hogwarts itself. It shows everyone's movements within the castle. See—here are Hermione, Ron, Harry, and all the other students in this classroom."
Loren glanced at where George pointed, and his mind quickly pieced together their intent.
"I see. I'll study it carefully. Maybe I can even make a copy. When I return it, you'll be able to spy on your little brother every day."
He emphasized the words "little brother" as he patted George's shoulder, letting them know he understood their meaning.
The twins caught the nuance, smiled, and bowed before taking their leave. They had unburdened themselves of a concern and gained a curious magical artifact—time to put it to use.
At first Loren had been puzzled. He had given them much, but the map was invaluable. Why would they part with it?
It wasn't until George pointed out Ron and Peter's names that he understood.
They had long known Peter wasn't truly a rat—the Marauder's Map showed names, not animals. A strange man, living with their brother, always near Harry… and a rat that had lived twelve years with no one questioning it.
That rat had once belonged to Percy, sharing his bed for two years.
The twins must have suspected for a long time, quietly testing it with spells on the sly. Ron had even mentioned once that his brothers taught him to hex Scabbers.
But revealing the truth risked exposure. If people asked how they knew, the map would be discovered. And Peter might strike at their family to protect himself.
Now, seeing Loren's overwhelming skill—and knowing he shared a dorm with Ron—they had handed the problem to him.
It was a clever move: they secured Loren's goodwill, ensured Harry and Ron's safety, and rid themselves of a dangerous secret.
A neat solution to a thorny problem.
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