[106] A Dagger's Edge

"George, I did it!" Fred's voice trembled with excitement. He turned and gave Hall a big hug, planting two enthusiastic kisses on each cheek. George, of course, couldn't wait. His face was beaming with anticipation. He quickly grabbed a parchment with his name on it and went over too.

Hall, exasperated, wiped his cheek and shook his head.

Just then, Ron and Harry, having finished eating, came over. They happened to see George cross the age line and toss the parchment into the Goblet.

Ron's eyes widened like saucers, his mouth agape. "How did he do that? Wasn't there an age limit? Oh, Merlin's stockings! How did he do it?!"

George, his face flushed with joy, ran back and hugged Fred tightly. Both of them radiated victory.

"Hall, you've done us a huge favour!"

"Thank goodness for you."

Ron turned his head slowly back to Hall. "Did you do this?"

"Dear Ronnie, isn't this wonderful!" George walked over, pinched Ron's cheek, and grinned.

"You can't do this! It's too dangerous!" Hermione came closer, her face stern. She glared at George and Fred, cutting short what Ron and Harry were about to say.

Harry was already looking at Hall with an unmistakable expression: please give me one too.

Hermione was about to say more when Ron pleadingly put his arm around Hall's shoulder. "My dear Hall, give me one too! It's the Triwizard Tournament! I've been dreaming of participating!"

Hall was happy to grant his brother's wish. But this was out of the question.

"No." He refused decisively, shaking his head. Ignoring the utter disappointment on Ron and Harry's faces, he stood up. "I have second-year Potions class soon."

He waved and left quickly. No chance — he didn't want to be yelled at by Mum again. Ron wasn't like the twins.

Hall hummed a cheerful tune as he left the Great Hall. He glanced at his pocket watch — time was running out. He decided to take the secret passage, which would save him a lot of time. He hurried toward a secluded path in the Great Hall, and just as he was about to pass through the hidden door behind the portrait, a voice boomed in his ears.

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"Hall Weasley, what are you doing here?"

Hall looked up, textbook tucked under his arm. It was Snape, standing with Dumbledore. The two seemed to have been talking, but the topic hadn't satisfied Snape. His jet-black robes billowed around him as he stood beside Dumbledore, who was dressed in white and purple wizarding robes — the contrast was stark, like day and night standing side by side.

Snape stared intently at Hall, trying to read something from his face.

Hall's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly regained his composure. They were standing so far away — they shouldn't have seen anything. And even if they had, it was all George and Fred's doing, wasn't it?

"Professor, I just finished breakfast and was about to go to your office to get the teaching materials for today's first class," Hall said calmly, emphasising the words. "You haven't forgotten that today's first period is second-year Potions class, have you?" It was Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, so Hall hadn't called the Gryffindors.

Snape's face darkened. However, Hall noticed that when Snape's gaze fell upon his brilliant red hair, Snape's eyes narrowed slightly before quickly averting to the side. Hall raised an eyebrow. Was Snape's feigned aversion to his hair because he was a Weasley? Or for some other reason?

"I don't need you to remind me," Snape said coldly.

"Alright, Severus, you must believe our young Mr. Weasley, won't you?" Dumbledore winked mischievously at Hall.

As they were talking, a burst of laughter suddenly erupted in the Great Hall. Dumbledore and Snape exchanged a glance and hurried towards it. Hall followed curiously, wanting to see what had happened.

A student suddenly rose from the ground, sporting a white beard that looked utterly comical, like a little old person. Hall nearly burst out laughing but desperately held it in.

"Look at you. You'd better not be hiding anything from me!" Snape glared at Hall, trying to discern something.

Hall shrugged. Dumbledore had already walked towards the student. It was Jost Silvia of Hufflepuff.

"I warned you all..." Dumbledore waved for the crowd to disperse. "Miss Silvia, you should go see Madam Pomfrey. Friendly reminder — getting a little older doesn't do any good."

Silvia, deeply embarrassed, covered her face with her robes and sobbed as she ran toward the infirmary.

Hall's eyes darted around. He turned away, intending to slip away in the chaos. Before he could take two steps, he felt a sudden tug on the back of his collar — Snape had grabbed him.

Hall gave a helpless shrug.

"Tell me how George and Fred crossed the age line and threw their names into the Goblet," Snape said, leaning forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Hall.

"Well, Professor, you saw it all..." Hall scratched his head. Seriously? You two could see that from so far away? Your eyesight is amazing, isn't it.

Hall waved his arms dramatically, his expression one of remorse. "I saw it too, but they're my brothers. How could I betray them?" He changed the subject. "Besides, the Goblet of Fire has already accepted their names, which means it tacitly approves of all this happening. Professor, you don't think that's inappropriate, do you?"

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Don't think I don't know. You played a significant role in this."

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