This is a bonus chapter for the 1-star review i received yesterday.
Don't say i didn't keep my word.
Peace Out!
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"These are called Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," Lee Jordan said, shaking his box before offering it around. "They come in all sorts of flavors. Go on, try some."
"You have to be careful with those," George warned. "When he says every flavor, he really means every flavor."
"Not just nice ones like chocolate, peppermint, or marmalade," Fred added, grinning, "but also spinach, liver, and tripe. Oh, and beware of earwax." He picked up a bean and tossed it into his mouth. "This one's pumpkin."
"What about this gray one?" Albert asked curiously.
"Pepper," George said with a grimace. "If I were you, I'd avoid it. I've got chicken flavor here."
Albert pointed to a piece of candy that looked like bubblegum. "And this?"
"Oh, those are Blown-Up Super Bubblegums."
"I recognize this one," Albert said, gesturing toward a chocolate frog. "I had one last time."
"Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands," George continued, introducing the rest of the wizarding snacks. "Some of them will turn your tongue different colors, and others make strange noises when you eat them."
"Animal Sound Candies," Fred said proudly, "they make all sorts of animal noises."
Albert unwrapped one and held it up. "What sound does this one make?"
"No idea," George said.
"How long does it last?"
"Just a few seconds."
Albert popped it into his mouth—and a thunderous lion's roar erupted from him. The others burst into laughter.
"Want to try?" he asked between chuckles.
George's candy made him sound like a baboon, Fred's came out like a cat's meow, and Lee Jordan's produced a deep elephant trumpet that sent steam puffing from his ears. The compartment filled with laughter.
"Oh, I didn't buy enough of these," Albert said, amused. Finding the candy fascinating, he went to look for the trolley witch and bought another pack.
"They're for my sister," he explained with a grin when the others gave him curious looks.
Of course, Albert had no intention of filling his stomach with sweets. He took out the sandwich Daisy had packed for him and began to eat under the others' puzzled gazes.
"You brought your own food," Lee said, frowning, "so why buy so much?"
"Because they're new to me," Albert said, smiling. "If I find something interesting, I send some home to my family." He picked up a bottle of peach soda. "Want to try?"
"What's that?" Fred asked, eyeing the can suspiciously.
"It's a drink you probably haven't seen before," Albert replied, then bought himself a cup of pumpkin juice for comparison. It tasted strange—somewhere between sweet soy milk and mashed vegetables.
"How do you open this?" George asked, studying the can.
"There's a pull tab on top," Albert explained. "Just don't shake it, or—"
Psshhh!
It was already too late. Fred yanked the tab, and a spray of soda hit him square in the face.
"I warned you," Albert said, laughing as he took the half-empty can and cleaned the mess with a flick of his wand. The table and newspaper dried instantly.
"Want to taste it?" he asked, tapping a candy wrapper with his wand. It transformed into a small plastic cup.
"Wow!" the twins exclaimed in unison.
"What?" Albert asked innocently, then tapped his wand again. "Geminio!"
Two more cups appeared beside the first.
"You just used magic!" Lee Jordan said, wide-eyed.
"Oh, just a little trick I learned from a spellbook," Albert said casually. "Handy, isn't it?"
"Handy?" Lee sputtered. "You're a Muggle-born, aren't you? No first-year should be this good!"
Albert raised an eyebrow. "You're being dramatic. Want a drink or not?"
He poured each of them a small portion of soda.
"The taste's a bit odd," George said, taking a sip. "But not bad."
"Kinda like beer, but sweeter," Fred added.
"You've had beer?" Albert asked in surprise.
"George snuck some once," Fred said.
"You drank it too," George shot back.
Albert chuckled. "Well, that explains it. I guess wizard drinks take some getting used to—just like pumpkin juice for me."
"That's not the point," Lee said. "How did you do that? I heard Transfiguration's really hard!"
Albert thought about it. "It is, a bit. Took me half a day to turn a match into a needle. But once you understand the principle, it's simple enough."
"Half a day?" the twins echoed in disbelief, exchanging defeated looks.
Show off too much and you'll lose friends, Albert thought wryly.
"Is it really that easy for you?" George asked weakly.
Albert shrugged. "I've practiced all the spells in our textbooks. Haven't you tried magic during the holidays?"
"Our parents wouldn't let us," Fred admitted.
"You could've practiced secretly. Didn't you buy your wands?" Albert said, half exasperated.
"Wait, you mean you succeeded with all of them?" Lee asked.
"Most of them," Albert admitted. "I also met a Hogwarts student over the summer—we've been writing to each other. He's taught me quite a lot about magic."
A crack of thunder suddenly split the sky, interrupting him. Rain lashed against the window.
"Guess even the heavens are jealous," Fred muttered.
Lee Jordan got up and shut the window before the rain could blow in.
"Hopefully it stops before we reach the school," Albert said, unbothered, popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth. The long ride was beginning to feel dull.
"What's wrong with you three?" he asked, noticing their silence.
"Nothing," Fred said after a pause. "Just… I have a feeling you're going to be a really powerful wizard someday."
Albert grinned. "I think so too."
The three of them stared, speechless, until Albert burst out laughing. "Kidding. Who knows what the future holds?"
The rest of the journey passed in cheerful chatter and laughter. They shared snacks, traded stories, and Albert listened intently as the others talked about the wizarding world.
When they explained Quidditch—four balls, seven players, and endless excitement—Albert found himself genuinely intrigued.
"It sounds incredible," he said. "I'd love to try flying someday, even if riding a broomstick sounds… odd."