Sitting at the Ravenclaw table, Lucien watched the first-year girl run up to him and quickly recalled a casual conversation with the Sorting Hat:
"Once I've sorted the new students into their houses, I'll mention your name and have them thank you…"
"After all, ever since you wore me, I feel like I've become much smarter…"
The Sorting Hat's words seemed to echo in Lucien's ears, and an unsettling thought surfaced:
It's been a whole year… it can't still remember that, can it?
Seeing the girl's expectant gaze, Lucien stiffly nodded.
The girl blinked her large eyes.
"Hehe, that's great! I didn't mistake you, or it would have been so awkward."
"The Sorting Hat said it can sort much more accurately now—though it was already accurate before—and it said it's all thanks to you, Lucien!"
"It said it wants to thank you properly, take you as an example, and learn from you. It also said you're very easy to recognize, with your dark golden hair, distinctive dark green eyes, and… well, you're very handsome…"
Lucien couldn't hear the rest. He felt completely numb.
His name was bound to spread among the new students.
A legend of rising to fame at lightning speed.
Lucien could already imagine the Sorting Hat whispering in the minds of the first-years.
Wait… no.
Lucien recovered from his initial shock and embarrassment and thought of something else.
To sell Alchemy tools and potions, his original plan had been to handle design, production, sales, and promotion all at once.
Since everything was under his own name, his products and his reputation were closely tied together.
As more people recognized and praised the quality of his work, it would naturally draw attention to Lucien, the inventor and designer.
And as Lucien's reputation spread, it would in turn promote his products.
Although the Sorting Hat's actions were outrageous… they were still helpful, weren't they?
With that thought, Lucien temporarily gave up the idea of throwing the Sorting Hat into the Black Lake for a thorough washing.
The first-year girl bowed to Lucien again, then ran back to the group of new students and took her seat.
"Hey, hey, Lucien, why did the Sorting Hat mention you specifically?"
His roommate, Terry, nudged him lightly, curiosity written all over his face.
Lucien glanced at the Sorting Hat, which was still hovering above the new students' heads.
"Ug.. I paid it for advertising."
Fortunately, there were no more overly outgoing Ravenclaw first-years like the girl from before. No one else came running over to greet him or express their gratitude.
But without exception, they all stole glances at Lucien from time to time.
And just like that, this year's Sorting Ceremony concluded smoothly.
There was no repeat of a student taking several minutes without being sorted.
…
Gryffindor common room.
"All right, this is our common room. Remember, this year's password is 'Honeydukes.'"
"If you have any questions, you can always ask me—I'm the prefect."
Percy led the new students into the common room and, after giving his instructions, prepared to leave.
The young witches and wizards who had just entered the magical world were clearly excited, looking around their house's common room, eager to find traces of magic.
Before long, everyone noticed a counter.
It was impossible to miss—the dazzling banner hanging above it.
The letters on it flowed slowly, giving off tiny sparks like fireworks.
At both ends of the banner, above the words "Seventh Workshop (Hogwarts Exclusive)," several holographic magical projections floated in midair, rotating to display themselves from every angle.
The border of the banner was not static either. It was formed by four creatures—a lion, an eagle, a serpent, and a badger—chasing and playing with one another as they circled the text, occasionally letting out cries.
At the very bottom of the banner, a line of elegant silver script streaked past like a shooting star:
"The secrets of wisdom and courage lie within...."
Behind the counter stood a pair of twin brothers with identical red hair and freckles.
Noticing the new students looking over, their eyes lit up, and they called out in unison:
"New students, lads and lasses alike, come take a look, come and see!"
"You probably don't realize how troublesome the staircases at Hogwarts can be!"
"The way they change—tsk, tsk~~"
"You won't remember their patterns unless you've been late for a few years!"
"If you're late to class, other professors might be lenient, but Professor Snape in Potions~~"
"He'll turn you into a toad for testing potions!"
Most of the new students turned pale with fright.
After all, being turned into a toad by an evil wizard appeared in plenty of fairy tales.
The twins waved their hands grandly.
"But don't worry—a Ravenclaw senior has already prepared 'passage tools' for you!"
"Ta-da!"
Fred, as if performing a magic trick, produced a bronze-colored, uniquely shaped compass from beneath the counter.
Its needle wasn't fixed, but rotated lightly on its own.
"First, for all the little lions who struggle with directions, we proudly present—the 'Staircase Compass'!"
George immediately followed up, explaining in an exaggerated tone:
"It won't show you those dizzying routes! All you have to do before you set off is tell it—'I want to go to the Potions classroom!' And then, trust me, even if the stairs spin you around three times, its needle will still point firmly toward your destination!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Fred flicked open a piece of parchment that appeared blank.
With a light tap of his wand, inky lines spread across it like living things, quickly forming the outline of the castle. A glowing blue path then appeared, winding clearly through the complex network of staircases.
"And for customers who value convenience and efficiency—"
"We also offer the 'Shortcut Map'!"
"See this glowing path? It will plan the most stable route for you over the next five minutes! Allowing you to move elegantly through the shifting staircases—always in style!"
"Of course!" the twins said together, wearing knowing smiles, "we're also accepting pre-orders for an upgraded 'Map' that will provide even more information!"
"As for the price… you must understand, knowledge has weight."
The new students were completely captivated by the dazzling demonstration, their earlier unease replaced by curiosity.
A few bolder ones had already pushed their way to the front, clutching their coin purses.
"Um… how much is the most basic compass?"
A short boy asked timidly.
George leaned down, flashing a bright smile that practically said, "This is a bargain":
"Since you're our first customer today, it's only ten Sickles!"
After a moment of hesitation, the sound of coins clinking could soon be heard at the counter.
The Weasley twins exchanged a glance, both seeing the same meaning in each other's eyes:
Funds—no, the foundation of their dreams—were finally in their hands!
________
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