THE ALCHEMIST OF HARRY POTTER

"Who goes first?"

A group of Gryffindors who had just finished their breakfast stood in front of the entrance to the secret passage on the fifth floor, hidden behind a mirror.

"Do you really need to ask? Obviously, it should be one of you three!" Albert stated. "You've already used this passage before; you have experience."

"Alright, I'll go first." Fred carefully stepped into the dark passageway. The other three followed closely behind as the mirror swung shut behind them, sealing them inside.

The passage was narrow, the incline was steep, and the air smelled of damp earth. The four of them moved cautiously down the stairs.

Albert raised his wand and muttered, "Lumos."

"I hate cramped, dark places like this," Lee Jordan muttered under his breath.

"Stop complaining and keep moving," Fred instructed as he tried to keep his wand alight while carefully descending the steps.

The space was so tight that they had to shuffle sideways, with the passage twisting and turning in strange directions. The dampness made the stone steps slightly slippery. Fred's Lumos flickered several times.

"You really ought to practice the Wand-Lighting Charm," Albert commented. "It's one of the most basic spells."

"I don't need a lecture," Fred grumbled, trying again to relight his wand.

"Once we're past these stairs, the passage widens a bit," George pointed out, eager to move faster.

After descending the stairs, they found themselves in a tunnel with an uneven dirt floor. Drops of water occasionally dripped from the low ceiling, and one landed on Albert's face, making him shudder. He wiped it away quickly and pressed on.

They walked in silence, navigating the rugged ground. The tunnel twisted unpredictably, making them wonder who had dug it in the first place.

"Odd that we haven't suffocated in here," Albert mused.

"What are you looking at?" Fred asked as Albert raised his wand and examined the ceiling.

"There must be ventilation shafts," Albert said.

"Where?" The others looked up but saw nothing unusual.

"Back where we just walked," Albert replied casually.

After an exhausting hour and twenty minutes of walking, the passage finally widened. This signaled that they were nearing the exit. With renewed energy, they quickened their pace.

Five minutes later, a cold breeze indicated they were close to the surface.

The secret passage's exit was hidden beneath a large boulder. The gap was tight; a larger person might get stuck.

It was still raining lightly when they emerged.

Albert stepped out first, pulling out his wand to cast Impervius on himself, ensuring he wouldn't get soaked. The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan squeezed through the gap behind him.

"You didn't bring an umbrella?" Albert asked, noticing they were unprepared for the weather.

The three shook their heads.

Albert duplicated his umbrella with a casual wave of his wand and handed them out.

"You're always reliable," Fred said with a grin.

"Wait, this umbrella is odd. It stretches?" Lee Jordan examined it curiously.

"Muggle invention from Germany. Compact and easy to carry," Albert replied, casting a Drying Charm on his boots before stepping onto the rain-drenched grass.

"Careful!" George exclaimed as Lee Jordan slipped and fell into a muddy puddle.

"Are you alright?" Fred hurried to help him up.

"Ugh, my robes are soaked," Lee Jordan groaned.

The twins turned toward Albert expectantly.

"What?" Albert frowned. "I didn't make him fall."

"Do you know the Drying Charm?" Fred asked.

"Why do you assume I know every spell?" Albert retorted.

"Oh, just a guess. You seem to know everything," George said with a shrug.

"Can we get out of the rain first?" Lee Jordan snapped. "I hate being wet!"

They made their way toward Hogsmeade. Because of the rain, the streets were relatively empty.

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks," Lee Jordan suggested. "I need something warm."

The others agreed.

A few minutes later, they spotted the pub, easily identified by the three broomsticks hanging above the door in a triangular formation.

Albert noticed the pub's slightly askew triangular roof. It looked as though it ignored basic physics and aesthetic sensibilities—typical wizarding architecture.

A wooden sign in front clearly read: *The Three Broomsticks*.

Inside, the pub was surprisingly quiet. A single wizard sat at the counter, chatting with Madam Rosmerta. The fire in the hearth blazed warmly, its glow a stark contrast to the dreary weather outside.

Lee Jordan immediately went to the fireplace, shedding his damp robe and holding it near the fire.

"I'll get the drinks," Albert said, heading toward the counter.

"Four Butterbeers, warm," he ordered.

The wizard at the counter scowled at the interruption and muttered something under his breath before turning back to his drink.

Madam Rosmerta, surprised to see Hogwarts students, glanced at them curiously. "How did you four manage to get out of the castle?"

Albert merely smiled. "How much?"

"Eight Sickles," Rosmerta answered before disappearing into the back to heat their drinks.

Albert took the opportunity to survey the pub. Compared to the Leaky Cauldron, this place was much cleaner. The large windows let in ample light, the tables were neatly arranged, and the whole place smelled of wood polish rather than stale beer. The decor reminded him of medieval-style inns from stories he had read.

A few minutes later, Rosmerta returned with four steaming tankards. Albert paid and carried them to the table by the fireplace.

The rich, buttery aroma of Butterbeer filled the air. Albert took a sip, finding it smooth, with only a hint of alcohol.

"Well?" Fred asked eagerly.

"Tastes like a fizzy butterscotch drink. Not bad, just unusual," Albert admitted.

The twins exchanged amused looks before bursting into laughter. "We knew you'd say something like that."