"It makes Filch sound like a big devil." Albert found the twins' evaluation of Filch very funny. It was a bit like the way his former students mistook the strict housekeeper for an old witch.
"No, everyone hates him." Fred said seriously, "Even someone like Percy said so. I can't think of any other reason not to believe it."
"What do you mean by talking about someone like Percy? Isn't he your brother? Is it really okay to say that about your family?" Albert resisted the urge to complain, took out his pocket watch from his pocket, checked the time, and turned to the three of them and said, "Well, it's almost time. Let's go to the hall to have breakfast first, and then walk around the castle."
This time, they took the same route Albert had taken that morning. The twins showed great interest in the secret passage. When they passed the moving staircase, they arrived at the hallway without waiting.
When we walked into the auditorium for breakfast, the four long tables were mostly empty, and the enchanted ceiling was gray and it looked like it might rain at any moment.
"We are probably the first ones to get up." George Weasley was cutting potatoes on a plate with a dinner knife. He looked up at the empty hall and said with a slightly helpless tone, "I can't remember the last time I got up so early."
"Three years ago," Fred said suddenly.
"You actually still remember it." George looked at his brother in disbelief, "Did you guess it?"
"Of course I guessed." Fred couldn't help laughing. "You actually took it seriously?"
“It is indeed the case.”
"What are you drawing?" Li Kan asked.
"Record the places we just passed. I'm going to draw a map of Hogwarts." Albert flipped the parchment and let them see what was on it.
"I'm more curious about what's in your hand?" Fred stared at Albert's pen. He found that Albert had been drawing but never dipped it in ink, which was very abnormal.
"What are you talking about? Fountain pens are what Muggles use to write. You can't carry a quill pen with you and use it. It's not very convenient to use." Albert handed his fountain pen to Fred. It was a birthday gift Herb bought him. Although it was not a good product, he had used it for many years.
"It feels a bit like a quill," said Fred, glancing at the tip of the pen.
"Of course, the principle of a fountain pen is similar to that of a quill pen. Its advantage is that it can store ink and can be used for a long time." Albert handed the parchment to the three people. "We are now in the Great Hall. If we go out, we will reach the front hall. Going up the marble steps will lead to the movable staircase. Filch's office is nearby. There are two doors leading to the basement. The door on the left leads to the kitchen (on the left when you go down the stairs). I haven't been to the right one yet. The kitchen is probably here. The entrance is a huge silver bowl filled with fruit. Touch the big pear and a door handle will appear."
"You wrote it down in great detail." Li took the parchment and looked at the location of the kitchen. He thought he should be able to find it if he went there. He handed the parchment to one of the twins and asked, "Where are we going later?"
"I plan to find the exact location of the classroom first, so that I won't be lost next time I go to class." Albert put away the parchment George handed back and said, "Then, I'll see if I can find the secret passage along the way. These secret passages are usually hidden behind tapestries, stone carvings, stone walls, or even portraits."
"From what you said, it shouldn't be difficult to find the secret passage." After Fred finished the baked potatoes on the plate, he was already eager to try.
"No, the point is that some secret passages require specific passwords or touching certain special locations." Albert shook his head and said, "I was able to find the kitchen because I touched the portrait and found the entrance by chance."
"Why do you think there is a secret in that painting?" A girl's voice sounded beside him. Albert turned his head and saw Angelina, a freshman in the same college. He had chatted with her last night.
"Of course it's because it's too suspicious. The size of that fruit painting is almost the same as the one of the Fat Lady. It seems to be telling everyone that there is a secret passage here." Albert said as a matter of course.
"Oh!" After listening to Albert's logic, the four people found it a little difficult to understand.
However, the facts proved that Albert's guess was correct.
By the way, this guy has a really good brain.
"Johnson, are you alone?" Albert asked doubtfully, "Where are your roommates?"
"You can actually remember my last name." Angelina's face showed a surprised expression. In fact, even her roommate couldn't remember her name clearly.
After all, we have only known each other for a short time and haven't even spoken a few words, so it's normal that we can't remember.
"My memory has always been good." Albert introduced with a smile: "This is Li, and the other twins are George and Fred. Of course, don't ask me who is who, I can't tell them apart."
"I'm George, George Weasley."
"No, no, no, I'm George and he's Fred," the other twin retorted.
"Many twins like to play this trick. They like to wear the same clothes and dress the same way, making it difficult for people to tell who is who." Albert suddenly looked at the owl flying towards them.
"You forgot to introduce yourself, Albert," Lee Jordan reminded.
"Oh, sorry, I saw my owl." Albert picked up a piece of bread, tore it into pieces and fed it to Sheila who fell on the table.
"My name is Albert Anderson."
"Anderson, aren't you going to eat?" Angelina asked puzzledly as she made herself a sandwich.
"I just ate in the kitchen. You can just call me Albert." Albert stroked his owl and said, "I have something to send home on the weekend. Remember to come to the hall in the morning."
Sheila cried out, indicating that she understood.
Another owl flew into the hall and dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet on Albert's desk. However, its aim was not very accurate and it almost hit George's pumpkin porridge. If Fred had not been quick, the owl would have been soaked in the porridge and dipped in jam.
"Can you lend it to me?" Angelina asked, picking up the newspaper. "I want to read the Quidditch column."
Albert said, "Oh, of course."
"Do you like Quidditch too?" the twins asked in unison.
"Of course I like it, but it's a pity that I can't participate in Quidditch trials in my first year." Angelina expressed regret.
"Sure, if Quidditch is short of players and you can get Professor McGonagall's approval." Albert noticed that everyone was staring at him, and shrugged helplessly, "It's said that first-years can't participate in the selection, but there are always exceptions, right? Rules are meant to be broken."
"Oh, forget it." Angelina didn't think she could change Professor McGonagall's mind. "I've heard that a famous chaser will graduate from Gryffindor next semester. I plan to sign up and give it a try then. What about you?"
The twins said in unison: "Hitters are more suitable for us."