"It's just a prank, besides, he's the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Fred shrugged. "If he's competent at all, he wouldn't fail to notice something's wrong with the cookie, wouldn't you say?"
"You have a point." Harry nodded in agreement.
He thought of Dudley again. If he hadn't been to Hogwarts a century ago, perhaps he wouldn't mind taking some cookies home now for Dudley to have a few.
Dudley?
Thinking of his gluttonous Muggle cousin, Harry also recalled the Smelting Middle School Dudley attended, a private boarding school. This meant that those attending... their families wouldn't be lacking financially.
If such a prank gadget were given to his cousin to sell at Smelting, would it become all the rage at school?
The Weasley family's financial situation wasn't great, and making a bit of money with some replicas could help with expenses. At least Ron wouldn't have to wear old robes anymore.
Moreover, the Potter family doesn't have an endless supply of money either—it would eventually run dry, and it'd be wise to find some appropriate ways to earn money.
Hmm, no... Canary Cookies are too conspicuous; they ought to think up some harmless little prank gadgets instead.
With that thought, Harry looked up at Fred and George, "Fred, George, I've thought of something even more interesting."
"What is it?" The twins asked in unison.
"Do you have any other ideas?" Harry tapped on the Canary Cookie, "I mean, aside from this cookie."
"You feel the Canary Cookie isn't potent enough and want to give Professor Quirrell some other ideas?" Fred and George exchanged glances and clapped hands together. "Cool, I knew our Gryffindor Lion King wouldn't be so limited—"
"No, I meant something less..." Harry picked up the cookie, "less magical? Something a bit lighter, something Muggles wouldn't notice."
"We really haven't thought about that," Fred and George said together, and then asked, "So what are you planning?"
Harry looked at them and drummed his fingers on the table, "You should know I've been living with my aunt's family, right?"
"We know." They nodded together.
"I have a Muggle cousin, and he's now studying at Smelting Middle School." Harry said again, "If he promoted your products at their school..."
At this point, Harry fell silent, letting the twins have ample time to imagine.
The twins exchanged glances, still unable to fully grasp Harry's idea.
"You mean, you want your Muggle cousin to take our products to sell at his school?" Fred asked. "But they're Muggles..."
"It's up to your imagination, guys." Harry tapped the table. "Muggle money can be exchanged for Galleons. If I remember correctly, five British Pounds can be exchanged for a Galleon, and the school my cousin attends, 'Smelting,' is full of wealthy families."
"Wealthy?" George's eyes lit up, deeply attracted by the pie Harry painted.
"Wealthy." Harry earnestly said, "Even if they can't match the Malfoy family, they're not far behind."
Harry was comparing with the Malfoy family of his era, during which the Malfoy family was at its peak in the Magic World. Cassandra's father, Septimus Malfoy, wielded significant influence within the Ministry of Magic. Many even considered the then Minister of Magic, Ankheses Osbert, as just a puppet, with Septimus Malfoy being the true leader of the Ministry of Magic.
As for the current Malfoy family... it's somewhat like a weasel having mice—each generation worse than the last.
Yet even so, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse, and the Malfoy family's living conditions remain unimaginable to the Weasley family.
Harry's words immediately sparked Fred and George's thoughts—yes, Muggles have money, why not earn theirs?
"We'll start researching right away!" Fred and George dashed off energetically.
Harry opened his mouth, but he hadn't mentioned his modifications.
But that's fine, let them go and research slowly.
The unexpected part was, for two consecutive weeks, Professor Quirrell didn't appear in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class; instead, there was Professor Snape as the substitute.
This brought trouble for the Gryffindor students—not only was everyone subject to major point deductions, except for a few who were singled out.
Though those singled out wouldn't get major deductions, they would still be picked on for various minor faults, losing a point or two.
In some sense, Professor Snape realized a kind of equality, refusing to let good classroom performance get anyone off the hook.
Seeing Neville perform a perfect Expelliarmus, Snape's face turned even colder.
Not because of Neville's precise spellcasting, but because Neville showed some proficiency in Defense Against the Dark Arts, yet remained like a Giant when it came to Magic Potion—absolutely clueless.
With this comparison, Snape's view of Neville became even more critical.
"Mr. Longbottom..." Snape said to Neville meaningfully, "A very precise Expelliarmus. Gryffindor will gain two points from your proficient spellcasting."
For just a moment, the entire class collectively drew a sharp breath.
Professor Snape? Are you really Professor Snape?
Apart from Potter, he actually awarded points to another student?!
Moreover, it's the student performing poorest in Potions, Longbottom?!
Neville incredulously raised his head, his expression clearly saying, "Did the Professor take the wrong Magic Potion?"
Snape wasn't the least offended, he tugged at the corner of his mouth and coldly said, "Due to Mr. Longbottom's performance, every Wednesday and Saturday, you shall join Potter in the Potions Classroom for individual tutoring."
Neville's face immediately grew miserable. He couldn't believe that a well-executed Expelliarmus could invite such trouble—being placed in detention by Professor Snape.
Individual tutoring?
Come on, everyone knows Professor Snape's individual tutoring amounts to a VIP mid-range service of one-on-one venomous assault?
After class, Neville was still struggling to accept this fact.
"What's wrong, Neville?"
Ron, seeing his dormmate so dispirited, stepped forward with concern.
"I..." Neville shivered, "I'm to be detained by Professor Snape... oh my, I truly hope to see tomorrow's sunrise alive..."
"Relax, Neville," Seamus advised. "Things aren't necessarily that bad, look at Harry, he's still doing fine, isn't he?"
"Exactly, Neville," Harry also consoled him, "Actually, Professor Snape is very gentle and approachable. I've learned a lot of useful knowledge during detention."
Upon hearing this, Neville, Seamus, and Ron all looked at Harry with strange expressions.
Really, mate!
People's constitution can't be compared so generally!