THE ALCHEMIST OF HARRY POTTER

As soon as Albert walked into *Honeydukes* in Hogsmeade, the rich, sweet scent of sugar and caramel enveloped him. Shelves upon shelves of magical confections lined the shop, offering every kind of wizarding sweet imaginable.

Albert immediately recognized several familiar treats. The large glass jars near the entrance were filled with *Drooble's Best Blowing Gum*, *Toffee*, and *Nougat* that glittered faintly under the enchanted lights.

Nearby, neatly arranged rows of emerald-green lollipops hung beside a shelf. Albert reached for one, curious about the label, when a familiar voice suddenly broke his concentration.

"If I were you, I wouldn't touch that. That's a *Acid Pop*, mate—super sour," George Weasley warned, placing a friendly hand on Albert's shoulder. "Fred gave one to Ron once—it burned a hole in his tongue. Mum chased Fred around the Burrow with her broom afterward."

Fred shot his twin a glare. "That was *your* idea, George!"

"I didn't *make* you feed it to Ron," George retorted innocently.

Watching their playful bickering, Albert quietly returned the *Acid Pop* to the shelf. The thought of it burning through someone's tongue was unsettling—was it infused with some kind of magical acid?

"What's that?" Albert asked, pointing to a colorful display near the corner, where tiny, vibrantly colored mice seemed to scurry on a plastic board.

"Those are *Ice Mice*," Lee Jordan explained. "When you eat them, they make your teeth feel icy cold, and even after swallowing, you'll hear faint squeaks from your stomach. Similar to *Zonko's Fudge*, but chillier."

"Interesting." Albert moved on to the shelves on the right, where a massive tub of *Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans* sat, alongside containers filled with all kinds of jellybeans and chocolate treats.

He grabbed two boxes of *Chocolate Frogs* and eyed a slab of honeycomb chocolate that looked richer than the frogs—he remembered enjoying that one on the Hogwarts Express.

"Better grab some chocolate beans too," he thought, stacking them with the rest.

At the counter, a cheerful witch greeted him with a warm smile. "That'll be four Sickles and ten Knuts."

Albert blinked in surprise—it was the same witch from the Hogwarts Express trolley! "Oh! I didn't expect you to be here too."

The witch chuckled. "It's you! Stocking up again, I see. Need anything else?"

"Any recommendations?" Albert asked, intrigued.

"*Exploding Bonbons*—big hit with Hogwarts students. They burst in your mouth, but don't worry, they're harmless." She handed him one from a glass jar.

"Try it?" she encouraged, her tone warm and inviting.

Albert popped the sweet into his mouth. The initial strawberry flavor was pleasant, but a moment later, it fizzed and popped with a playful burst. Startled at first, Albert couldn't help but laugh—it was like a joke product disguised as a delicious treat.

The witch, pleased with his reaction, carefully packed his purchases into a neat paper bag, offering more recommendations as she worked.

"Ever tried *Jelly Slugs*? They're a best-seller," she offered.

Albert eyed the slimy, slug-shaped gummies with mild disgust—they seemed more suited for someone with Fred and George's humor. He decided to skip them.

The shop was packed with other magical sweets: *Cauldron Cakes*, *Chocolate Balls*, *Sugar Quills*, and *Fizzing Whizzbees* that made you levitate slightly off the ground when eaten.

Albert's gaze fell on a glass jar filled with what looked like large, black insects. His stomach turned slightly.

"Are those... cockroaches?"

"*Cockroach Clusters*," the witch confirmed cheerfully. "Believe it or not, Professor Dumbledore buys them occasionally. Not everyone's cup of tea, though."

"Have you ever tried them?" Albert asked, glancing at his friends. All three shook their heads in unison.

The witch winked. "We also have *Fudge Flies*—they burst with flavor in your mouth—and *Blood-Flavored Lollipops*, surprisingly popular with certain... darker creatures."

"For pranks, though, *Pepper Imps* are the best," she added. "They make you breathe fire after eating."

They spent nearly half an hour exploring every nook of *Honeydukes*. Before Albert left, the friendly witch handed him a shopping list and whispered, "If you need anything delivered, just send an owl—it's safer than sneaking out."

Albert left with a heavy paper bag, stuffed with treats and a stick of *Candied Pineapple*—ten Sickles well spent.

"Tastes better than I expected," Albert remarked, taking a bite.

"I think the shopkeeper has a soft spot for you," Lee Jordan teased, watching Albert with a hint of jealousy.

The twins nodded, their mouths full of candied pineapple.

"She's more fond of Galleons than me," Albert chuckled.

The witch had even offered to mail some of his bulkier purchases directly to Hogwarts, sparing him from carrying everything.

By the time they returned to the castle, it was already two in the afternoon. Exhausted from hours of exploring Hogsmeade, they all agreed—it had been a magical trip.

"Where have you been?" Percy Weasley asked suspiciously, eyeing their bulging bags.

"That's a secret," Fred and George replied in unison, sharing a mischievous grin.

Not long after, an owl swooped into the Great Hall, delivering Albert's purchases from *Honeydukes*.

"We should take this to the common room," Albert suggested, noticing curious stares from fellow students.

As they carried the package upstairs, Percy's eyes followed them, narrowed in suspicion—clearly pondering what mischief they'd been up to.