Because we got on the train just before departure, there were basically no empty compartments left... but we didn't need one either.
After walking ahead for a while, they encountered Cedric, who had just come out of a compartment and was heading towards the engine.
"Oh, Mr. Cedric." Fred jogged a few steps to stop in front of him, bowing and saying, "It's such an honor to meet you here."
"An incredible honor indeed," George followed closely behind.
Cedric cautiously took half a step back.
"You two are up to no good again."
Having spent these years with them, he knew the twins' nature all too well.
To put it this way, from the moment Fred smiled upon seeing him, Cedric could tell if it was genuine joy at meeting again or a facade with ulterior motives.
And the answer was clearly the latter.
Being this polite could only mean there's a problem.
"It's faded, the affection has faded."
Fred sighed, "You used to come over and hug us, but just now you took half a step back."
"Growing distant, huh," George looked pained, "You weren't like this before you became a prefect."
"That's obvious, George," Fred said, "Cedric the prefect probably wants to be friends with Percy now."
"Be friends with Percy?" Fred stared in horror, "Then you'll have to carry that 'Prefects Who Gained Power' book around all the time."
"I'm afraid that's exactly it," George nodded seriously.
"Kael, you must never become a prefect."
"Because it would make your life very dull."
Kael, who was enjoying the show, suddenly stopped smiling... he hadn't even said anything, so why was he caught in the crossfire?
He's only in fourth grade, and Fred and George are already worrying about next year for him?
How much do these brothers have against prefects!
"What are you talking about?"
At this point, Cedric frowned and looked at them disdainfully, "And how do you know I became a prefect? I don't remember telling you."
Again, having spent so long with these friends, Cedric knew their nature extremely well.
And their teasing of Percy wasn't new.
So from the start, he hadn't planned to tell them, thinking he could delay it as long as possible. He wasn't even wearing his prefect badge when he came out just now.
"Do you need to say it?" Fred rolled his eyes, "You've been the top of the class four years in a row; who else could be the prefect besides you?"
"I bet you haven't been to the Ministry of Magic," George suddenly couldn't help but laugh, "There are two pieces of news mentioned most in the current Ministry."
"The escaped Sirius Black..."
"And that you've become the new prefect..."
"Mr. Digory is really something," Fred said, "His promotion alone matches the reach of the Daily Prophet."
Cedric's face immediately turned red, "He promised me before not to spread it everywhere."
Kael shook his head beside him.
Cedric was still too naive; it's like telling Percy not to flaunt his Head Boy badge... impossible!
"So, are you going to the prefects' compartment now?" Kael asked.
"I didn't really want to," Cedric said, "but Percy reminded me three times in five minutes, telling me I must go."
"Then you should go," George patted his shoulder, "Oh, and remember to ask him if the previous Head Boy would also tell people he has an extraordinarily big head."
"And wear it on his chest... personally, I think that's kind of ridiculous."
"What are you doing here?"
Just then, Percy suddenly appeared behind them.
"What were you saying was ridiculous..."
"Nothing," Fred mumbled, "We just saw someone wearing a really ridiculous badge... it was so amusing."
Percy frowned, intuitively feeling that Fred and George were up to something, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
"I warn you, you'd better behave, or else..."
"Lose points?"
"Or detention?"
"We were just chatting a bit in the hallway," Fred said, "That can't be against school rules."
"I'll be watching you..."
Percy's face looked a bit unpleasant; he ignored the two and looked at Cedric, "Hurry up, I still have to announce some things on behalf of the professors, just waiting for you."
Cedric shrugged and followed him towards the engine.
Later, Kael and the others found the compartment from which he came out.
Conna and Cho were already inside, along with Ginny and Luna.
The four girls sat together, reading The Quibbler, but except for Luna, the other three didn't seem very enthusiastic.
When Kael and the others came in, Cho even yawned.
"What are you reading?" he asked.
"Some... interesting speculations."
Conna whispered, "This magazine says that Sirius Black was actually let out by Fudge on purpose, to secretly eliminate those who don't support him."
"Perhaps that's actually true," Luna looked up and said, "Otherwise, why would the Ministry of Magic have found nothing after searching for a month?"
"What about this..." Ginny craned her neck, reading, "There may be some unknown relationship between Sirius Black and Fudge.
After Fudge took office, he was oppressed everywhere and unpopular, so Black voluntarily gave up his free life, risking certain death to enter Azkaban, to help Fudge recruit those heinous criminals.
After over a decade, he might have formed a secret army dedicated to clearing obstacles for Fudge, and everyone who opposed him was controlled by poison.
But Fudge couldn't bear to let Black stay in that dark place any longer, so he released him secretly... their bond is much deeper than we imagined."
Kael clicked his tongue.
What is this, a story that must be told between Black and Fudge?
The person who wrote this article is really something.
If Black saw this, his expression would surely be priceless.
It's a pity The Quibbler's circulation is so low; it would be great if it was published in the Daily Prophet.
"But everyone knows Sirius Black is a Death Eater," Ginny questioned puzzled, "How could he possibly be one of Fudge's people."
"That's just his surface identity," Luna said, "The contributor mentions that Black is the only Death Eater who wasn't put on trial, which could very well be Fudge using his privilege for behind-the-scenes manipulation."
"But wasn't he not the Minister then?"
"But he became the Minister later," Luna said, "And without any competition."
The compartment fell silent.
Why does it seem... like it actually makes sense at first glance? If they hadn't known about Black's deeds, they might have believed it.
Kael couldn't help but shake his head, remembering a certain issue of The Quibbler from a few years ago.
Back then, there was an article saying Fudge had the Department of Mysteries develop a type of poison to control opponents.
It almost made Diana so angry she wanted to go talk things over with Mr. Lovegood with her wand in hand.
Unexpectedly, years later, this content actually connected... so the poison Black used was developed by the Department of Mysteries, huh.
No wonder Chris said wizards abroad might enjoy this magazine; such tales of love and resentment concerning the Minister of Magic and gossip make for great entertainment,
And if it's about the minister of another country, the fun multiplies.
After all, they don't know much about other countries' affairs, so they can read it without thinking, just for fun.