Harry Potter: Reborn as a Prisoner in Azkaban

"…Leading your younger brother astray, leading your younger sister astray. Ron started breaking school rules in his first year, and Ginny's been at school for less than a year!"

"Don't tell me you're innocent. You snuck off to the Leaky Cauldron right after term started and got detention from the Professor. Fred, I've stopped keeping track of all the trouble you've caused at school, but leading your younger siblings astray? Let's see how I deal with you this time…"

"And you, George, don't think I forgot about you. You're always in on this mischief together. Since your first year, I've been lenient about your pranks, but today's different. If I hear about you two encouraging your younger brother or sister to do something stupid again, you'll face the same punishment as them!"

The Howler, which had excellent acoustics, startled William.

He was genuinely surprised. Those two pranksters hadn't caused any trouble recently, so why were they suddenly receiving a Howler?

Even after hearing the message, he felt a bit sympathetic toward the twins. Their younger siblings made mistakes, so why were Fred and George the ones getting scolded? If the twins were at fault, wasn't there an older Weasley brother to share the blame?

However, his indignation faded quickly, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of violations in their school records and the undeniable fact that their older brother was a top student and universally recognized as a model student. Ignoring it would make his conscience ache for days.

***

At the Gryffindor table, Fred and George exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

"Another Howler? Haven't heard one since first year—"

A nearby classmate teased them. After all, during their first year, the Weasley twins received a Howler nearly every week.

"No, it's not about getting one, it's another mix-up. A letter meant for George, but directed at Fred, has nothing to do with me."

"Hahaha…" The Gryffindor fourth-years erupted into laughter.

Seizing the opportunity, the twins quickly slipped away from the table.

"Fred, did you tell Ginny the story about the Forbidden Forest?"

"I did. What about you?"

"Without a doubt."

The two sighed in unison. They had taken that Howler for nothing and couldn't even send a letter to plead their innocence.

"But blaming us for Ron's stunt is going too far. How were we supposed to know he'd fly a car to school?"

"Exactly. At least Mum didn't tell us to be more like Percy in this letter. That's progress."

"Should we take Ginny to the Forbidden Forest for some fun?"

"Better not. I'd rather not get another Howler. Besides, what if we get caught and have to file everything ourselves? If that paperwork sees the light of day, I'd rather dance with a troll."

They both shook their heads, banishing the dreadful thought from their minds.

***

By evening, William, who hadn't had the chance to enjoy the midday gossip properly, finally saw the two "sources" of entertainment.

"Good evening, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley. Today's tasks are demanding; you'll need to work overtime to complete them." William smiled and gestured for the twins to come over. Professors had to maintain their dignity; digging for gossip wasn't very dignified, after all.

"This stack of files is yours, and this stack of files is yours. You must finish them tonight. Professor Binns has already started complaining that he doesn't have enough material."

"This much?"

"Yes, because it's so much, tonight I'm making an exception and allowing you to use Quick-Quotes Quills; next time, no exceptions. Transcribing by hand is the only way to give it soul."

William made a light-hearted joke. These case transcriptions were part of their penance. If they used Quick-Quotes Quills, the work wouldn't leave enough time for the lessons to sink in. That would make the punishment meaningless, serving only as punishment for its own sake.

"Professor, writing it by hand is pure torture."

"Don't worry, I'm discussing this with Professor Binns. Maybe we'll have a History of Magic quiz, and anyone who fails can join you in transcribing. We'll have enough people in no time."

Since it wasn't class time, William didn't bother to hold back his exaggerations. Even if Professor Binns actually planned a test, students would have to prepare beforehand, which meant they'd still learn something. William wasn't worried about the twins treating his bluff as actual news.

Would any student ever complain to a teacher about a test they didn't end up having?

What a joke! William had been a student himself once. When it came to exams, exaggeration carried no real consequences.

In truth, Professor Binns had decided to move on to the history of previous headmasters after finishing this section, simply because there weren't enough students in detention. Even William was baffled at how quickly the ghostly professor worked. Not even a spy like 007 could explain that level of efficiency.

After some light banter with the twins, William's gossiping mood subsided, and he began focusing on his own tasks.

While he had already completed most of the first-year test questions, there was still plenty of material to review for the higher years. Preparing exam papers in advance was a prudent measure. Watching over students in detention provided fragmented time that wasn't ideal for focused research or personal study; it might undermine his authority as a professor. Writing exam papers fit perfectly into that spare time without taking up more productive hours.

***

"Fred, do you think the professor is serious?"

While William diligently worked on his papers, the twins exchanged glances, communicating silently.

"Serious? Name one Hogwarts professor who would give an exam before the end of term."

Fred responded with a look.

"History of Magic—if History of Magic starts testing, what else will?"

"Potions probably won't. Snape hates the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. That's at least one good piece of news."

The two shared a mocking glance but then slumped in resignation. Potions was likely the only subject that wouldn't follow the new Professor's lead in giving exams.

"I can feel the aura of doom."

"Me too—do you think he's writing the exam right now?"

After several rounds of silent arguing through their expressions, and nearly breaking into a verbal fight, the twins finally decided who would go and check what the professor was up to.

"Professor, take a look at this file. It seems to be recorded by a different administrator compared to the others. Should we copy it together with the rest?"

"Let me see." William put down the book and exam papers he was holding, commanded the quill to stop writing, and took the file.

"Hmm, it looks like the administrator changed. It's probably misplaced, or perhaps the administrator was replaced that year. Separate this file and any similar ones for now; don't organize them."

"That's great, Professor. This cuts down the workload a lot, it feels like I can breathe again. Are you working on exam papers?"

"Oh, this?" William held up the papers he was working on and glanced at the quill's progress.

"Yes, Professor."

"They're not exam papers." William shook his head and replied with a smile.

This response eased the tension of the two brothers; one nearby, one at a distance. Even though Professor Lockhart looked busy enough, what if he impulsively asked Professor William for exam papers?

"The exams are done. These are assignments for those who fail."

Thud!

Something seemed to have split apart and fallen.

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