Chapter 208: A Drool of Fear in an Instant

Dylan strolled toward Honeydukes Sweetshop, where a gaggle of young witches and wizards milled about.

The moment he stepped through the door, Fred's booming voice echoed from inside.

"Dylan! Finally, mate! We've been waiting so long the daylilies have gone cold!"

—Daylilies, a term Dylan had once casually mentioned to Ron, and somehow, Fred and George had picked it up and run with it.

Dylan glanced toward the sound. The Weasley twins were loitering by a shelf, joined by a bloke with classic dreadlocks—Lee Jordan, Fred and George's mate.

"Thought you'd be here early," Fred called out. "We rushed over, and you're nowhere to be seen!"

Dylan sauntered over, casual as you like. "I stopped for a drink."

George's eyebrows shot up. He leaned in, sniffing the air around Dylan. "Blimey, you reek of Butterbeer! You've been to the Three Broomsticks? Should've known to look for you there!"

Fred nodded. "Could've got you to buy us a round."

George sighed dramatically. "Such a shame."

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Ever since you two made a name for yourselves with those charmed necklaces, haven't you got loads of people buying your dodgy prank gear? You telling me you're skint for a pint?"

Fred grinned, winking. "Save a Knut where you can, mate!"

George chuckled. "Rosmerta's brews are cracking, though. That buttery kick's impossible to resist—especially since it's the only booze we underage lot can have."

Fred grabbed Dylan's arm, dragging him toward another shelf. "Come on, I've got something brilliant to show you!"

Dylan followed, and when they stopped, Fred let go, fishing a Zizzling Honeybee sweet from a sample box. He twirled it between his fingers with a flourish—Dylan half-suspected he'd nicked the move from Lockhart.

"What's this, then?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.

"Shh. Just a little trick," Fred said, clapping his hands. He held out his palm, revealing not one but two sweets where there'd only been one.

Dylan glanced at the sweets, then up at Fred, saying nothing.

Fred winked. "Fancy a bet? Guess which one's got the prank inside. Just a bit of fun—surely you're not *scared*, Dylan?"

"That weak goading won't work on me," Dylan said, smirking. He reached out, plucking the original sweet from a hidden pocket in Fred's sleeve. "Neither of these looks safe to eat."

With a flick, he tossed the Zizzling Honeybee into Fred's mouth.

"Mmm! Sweet!" Fred mumbled, the honeyed flavor bursting on his tongue. Then he snapped out of it, grimacing. "Oi, Dylan, that's not fair! You're using divination to ruin my fun? You're no sport!"

He sucked on the sweet, muttering, "These sample sweets are always the best. The ones you buy never taste quite as good."

Dylan rolled his eyes again. "Your sleight of hand's so clumsy I didn't need magic to spot it. I saw you hide the sweet."

Fred's eyes widened. "You know about Muggle magic tricks?"

George chimed in, "Course he does—he's from a Muggle family!"

Fred looked gutted. "I was hoping to shock you with my tricks!"

Dylan shook his head. "I'm the one who should be shocked. You lot are off learning Muggle magic tricks instead of proper spells? All flash and distraction to fool people."

Fred, grinning like a kid caught nicking biscuits, spilled the beans. Apparently, their dad, Arthur Weasley, had been diving deeper into Muggle culture lately. Over the summer, he'd shown the twins some basic magic tricks. Even with his clunky technique, Arthur's wizarding skills hid the flaws, easily fooling Fred and George. The twins pestered him to teach them, and while they'd picked up the basics, they were still a bit rubbish.

Dylan didn't care much either way. With his own skills, he could pull off Muggle tricks smoothly if he wanted. But why bother with sleight of hand when you've got *real* magic? Honestly, it was mental.

"We reckon these tricks could work with our prank gear," Fred said.

"Yeah, they've given us loads of ideas," George added.

Dylan nodded. "Fair enough. But if you're serious about Muggle magic, cut down on the flashy nonsense. The real trick is creating misdirection—visual or mental. Sleight of hand's just a tool for deception."

The twins nodded, half-understanding but fully impressed. "Blimey, Dylan! You're ace at magic *and* Muggle tricks!"

Dylan smirked. "Magic's about creating reality; tricks are about fooling people. But both bend the rules of the world to make something extraordinary, so of course I get it. Plus, my dad used to do tricks for my mum—mostly to win her over, mind, but I'd get a show now and then."

"Wow, your dad sounds like a laugh!" Fred's eyes sparkled.

"We'd get on with him!" George added.

Dylan gave them a look. *Sure, you two. Dad barely bothers with me, his own son. Good luck getting his attention.*

"Alright, what's this thing you're so keen to show me? Just your shoddy magic trick, or these prank sweets?" Dylan asked, eyeing them.

"Oi, don't underestimate us!" Fred said.

"Those prank sweets are just the warm-up," George added.

The twins exchanged a glance, then stepped apart, revealing a paper bag they'd been hiding between them.

*Clap, clap, clap!* Lee Jordan, who'd been quiet till now, burst into applause.

Dylan squinted. Lee's name always puzzled him—maybe his mum was from the East or something.

"Look at this!" Fred announced, holding up the bag.

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Wow, a paper bag?" He clapped along with Lee, playing along.

"What? No, not the bag!" Fred said, flustered.

"It's what's *inside*," George clarified. "The Weasley Prank Exclusive Mega-Pack! Made just for you!"

"For someone who's always backed us, never put us down, and even chipped in with money and ideas," Fred said.

"Some of your ideas were bloody brilliant!" George added.

The twins looked genuinely grateful. "Dylan, we really owe you."

"Oh?" Dylan's curiosity piqued. He eyed the bag. "So, this is full of your new prank gadgets?"

"Exactly!" the twins said, nodding eagerly.

"…Let's not choke on it. Hand it over," Dylan said, taking the bag.

Fred winked. "Loads of stuff in there, each with its own trick. You'll have to figure them out yourself—we're not spilling!"

George added, "And no using divination! That's cheating!"

Together, they said, "We've hidden a proper gift for you in there. See if you can find it!"

Dylan looked at the bag, then at the twins, and after a moment's thought, said, "Thanks, but… this bag looks a bit knackered."

The twins' eager expressions froze.

"Er…" George scratched his head.

"It's Mum's old shopping bag," Fred admitted, sheepish. "I might've torn a hole in it, so I nabbed it."

*Typical.*

"You sure Mrs. Weasley won't hex me for this when I visit next?" Dylan asked.

"Nah, she'd never!" Fred said.

"She'll only hex *us*," George added confidently.

"That's not exactly reassuring," Dylan muttered, sighing. He just hoped his next trip to the Burrow wouldn't end with him dodging Molly's wrath over a dodgy bag.

He glanced down at the "Weasley Prank Exclusive Mega-Pack." The brown paper bag was stuffed full, its corners rebelliously curled, with a hole glaring from the back—or front, now that he held it. His fingers brushed the contents through the paper: round things like prank sweets, sharp-edged mysteries, and small, clinking glass vials.

He had a hunch about those vials. Not long ago, Fred and George had pestered him about potion-making—likely for prank brews.

"Maybe I'll show these to Professor Snape," Dylan said, smirking as he lifted the bag. "Thanks, lads. This lot'll keep me entertained for months. As for your 'real gift,' I'll hunt for it."

The bag rustled as he raised it, the gadgets inside clattering.

"Hope you're chuffed when you find it!" the twins said, grinning.

They chatted a bit more before Fred and George, eager as ever, dragged Lee off—probably to the Three Broomsticks.

Dylan watched them go. The pub had started serving non-alcoholic drinks for the young witches and wizards who flocked to Hogsmeade. Most went for the vibe, since the real party was at night, but students had to be back at Hogwarts by then. It was just a tradition now.

Dylan tossed the prank pack into his inventory space, then browsed Honeydukes a bit longer. Unlike Zonko's, Honeydukes always had new treats. He bought a heap—not just for himself, but for his cat, Coal, who loved the dairy sweets. This time, he grabbed extra to share with Luna back at school.

After paying, he stepped outside, tossing the sweets into his inventory. Hogsmeade's cobblestones were dotted with jack-o'-lanterns, and the air carried a sugary frost that tickled his nose in the chilly breeze.

He slipped along the wall of Honeydukes, dodging the crowd, and ducked into an alley's shadows. There, he slipped on his Shadow Ring, vanishing instantly. He pulled his tiny Dementors—Little A and the others—out of his pocket, and they vanished with him.

Now invisible, Dylan wove through waves of young wizards, heading for the Ministry's temporary office in Hogsmeade. His Dementors made the air around him icy, and students shivered as he passed.

At the Ministry outpost, he stopped before an iron gate, its new jack-o'-lantern lock glowing with orange flames.

"Dementors celebrating Halloween now?" Dylan muttered, his lip twitching.

He aimed his wand at the lock, tempted to blast it open, but thought better of it. Instead, he slipped through the wall.

Inside, a lone guard stood watch, surrounded by a swarm of Dementors.

Dylan's mouth watered with fear in an instant.

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