Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

032 Failed Plans

"Please, tell me this isn't just a dream, George," Fred exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief, as he slowly pulled back the black curtain. The twin brothers stood in front of the mysterious investigator's office, a mix of pride and exhilaration coursing through their veins. They had successfully broken in, and now, they were about to uncover the secrets that lay within. However, as they stared at the wall before them, their excitement turned into frozen disbelief.

Rubbing their eyes in utter disbelief, the twins stood there, their expressions a bizarre blend of shock, awe, and wonder. Their faces mirrored the comical bewilderment of Muggles witnessing real magic for the first time. George, his voice barely a whisper, murmured an apology to his brother, still trying to process the sheer incredibility of the invention that unfolded before them. "I can't make any guarantees, but I think we might have just stumbled upon the very means by which Mr. Watson has been covertly spying on all of Hogwarts from this very office. It's mind-boggling!" he exclaimed, his words filled with a mixture of astonishment and excitement.

"Yeah, mind-boggling indeed," Fred echoed, his voice tinged with a stunned sense of amazement, as he lowered his head to examine the parchment with floating words, then shifted his gaze to the grid pictures, each one containing a mesmerizing scene. With each passing moment, his breathing grew heavier, his mind struggling to fully comprehend the magnitude of what they had stumbled upon. "Our map and this... they're incomparable. But I still can't wrap my head around the hows and whys of it all!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a blend of admiration and perplexity.

After what felt like an eternity, the twins finally snapped out of their bewildered state, the fog of disbelief gradually lifting. As their consciousness fully returned, their first instinct was to slump against the wall, seeking solace in its sturdy presence, their minds reeling from the mind-bending discoveries they had just made.

Filled with a mix of exhilaration and bewilderment, George, despite the slight trickle of blood from his nose, ignored the paleness on his face and the lingering dizziness in his head. His entire being was consumed by an insatiable desire to analyze and understand the groundbreaking invention of Mr. Watson, alongside Fred. How did these simple devices transform into such epoch-making marvels? What hidden mechanisms lay behind their seemingly magical functionality?

Lost in their thoughts, the twins delved deep into the inner workings of this remarkable creation. They eagerly explored the endless possibilities and profound implications that now lay before them. Their minds raced with excitement, contemplating the boundless potential that Mr. Watson's ingenuity had unleashed upon the world.

"I bet you, Fred, with Percy's prefect badge, that he must have employed highly advanced transfiguration," George exclaimed, his voice filled with reverence, as he prodded the wall with a mixture of curiosity and awe. "There must be some sort of alchemy tool involved, capturing images of various parts of the castle and transferring them onto this transformed wall, converting them into understandable visual representations—" "It's even more than that!" Fred interjected, his voice rising with a sense of wonder and discovery. "Look at the perspectives of these pictures, George. It's as if he has installed hundreds of alchemical props throughout the castle, enabling him to monitor every nook and cranny. What kind of device could possess such remarkable functionality?"

The twins stood before the wall, engaged in a non-stop discussion, dissecting and analyzing the technical means employed by the system. Gradually, they reached a consensus that this monitoring equipment harnessed a wide range of magical disciplines and a depth of knowledge that surpassed their own current capabilities.

"You know, Fred, if we approach him sincerely, maybe Mr. Watson would be willing to share some insights with us," Fred expressed his hope, his gaze fixated on the screen, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities. He glanced at the map in his hand, which suddenly seemed inferior compared to the awe-inspiring technology before them.

"That's a possibility, bro," George, with an ugly face due to his persistently bleeding nose, interrupted. "But if Mr. Watson has been monitoring everyone's actions from this very office, does that mean..." The twins exchanged glances, a realization dawning upon them. Their late-night adventures sneaking out of the common room must have been observed by Mr. Watson the entire time.

"He didn't report us to Professor McGonagall. Perhaps he coincidentally fell asleep while we were out," Fred conjectured, a mix of relief and disbelief coloring his voice.

Though the matter lingered in their minds, they knew it wasn't the right time to delve into it further. They hadn't forgotten that Bryan Watson would soon finish his bath and return to the monitoring room. With the curtains drawn, Fred held his head in his hands, feeling a throbbing headache, while George, still feeling a bit dizzy, made his way toward the door. As his hand touched the doorknob and twisted it, a mournful expression washed over his face.

"Fred, there's some very interesting information that I can't wait to share with you!" George said, squinting his eyes and pressing his hand against his forehead. "But I have a feeling you'll have to wait until I'm lying in Madam Pomfrey's hospital bed for me to tell you."

"I'm afraid we won't have the luxury of waiting, George," Fred replied, his voice tinged with urgency, as he vigorously twisted the doorknob, only to find it immovable. "I believe we should brace ourselves for an ambush."

An awkward silence fell between the twins as they stared at each other, realizing the carelessness of the experienced wizard entrusted by the school board to investigate the danger. How could such a wizard leave this crucial monitoring room unguarded?

Ten seconds passed, and then the twins swiftly initiated their self-rescue operation. They cast spell after spell, desperately trying to break through the door's defenses, but to no avail. The door remained stubbornly impenetrable, repelling all their efforts.

George, with determination burning in his eyes, broke free from Fred's support, wand firmly in hand, and took aim at the doorknob from a distance of three feet. With a shared look of resolve, they simultaneously shouted, "Reducto!" However, the feeble light that accompanied their spell flickered momentarily before returning to its original state, leaving the door unscathed.

"Damn it, that sly fellow!" Fred cursed through gritted teeth, his frustration mounting. "He must have anticipated the arrival of curious little wizards like us and set up a trap to catch us!" In a last-ditch effort, Fred attempted several more spells, but each one was deflected by the powerful defensive spell protecting the door. Anxiously glancing at the parchment in his hand, Fred realized that the most primitive method might be their only option—trying to break the door down, hoping to seal it shut.

"Stop with the foolishness, Fred!" George looked around, his gaze landing on the window overlooking the Forbidden Forest. "Come and help me, brother. Perhaps we can find a way to escape from here!"

"Are you out of your mind, George?" Fred exclaimed, his eyes widening with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension. "We're on the third floor! I'd rather face Mr. Investigator and be handed over to Professor McGonagall than risk jumping out and breaking my neck!"

Despite Fred's objections, George persisted, making his way to the window, his mind searching for a solution. However, after another round of futile attempts, the twins collapsed on the ground, defeated by the impregnable barriers that stood before them.

"Can you believe it, George?" Fred frantically scratched his head, his face contorted with despair. "Who in their right mind would put a protective spell on a window?"

Unbeknownst to the twins, Bryan Watson emerged from the prefect's bathroom with wet hair, humming a tuneless ditty, his spirits high. As he passed the statue of Stupid Boris, he couldn't help but reflect on his decision to become a prefect during his school days. The privileges that came with the position were far beyond what ordinary wizards could even dream of. His office boasted a well-worn floor adorned with luxurious snow-white marble, and the spacious bathroom resembled a private swimming pool—a sight that evoked envy in those who glimpsed it.

However, the only downside was the portrait of a sleeping mermaid on the wall, who always seemed to sneak glances at his chiseled eight-pack abs whenever he rested, occasionally leaving Bryan feeling a tad embarrassed.

With just two minutes left until the little wizards would finish their classes, Bryan leisurely descended from the sixth floor to the third. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he stood outside his office door, wand at the ready. His voice brimmed with excitement as he declared, "Now, it's time to unravel the mystery of the intruder!"