HP: Hogwart's Journey

"This place is really amazing," Fred remarked with a sense of wonder. 

"Especially these tree roots. They really look like steps. If we knew some plant-related spells, Fred, maybe we could make the forest outside the Burrow look like this." 

Robert, curious, asked, "The forest outside the Burrow? What's in the forest?" 

Fred slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, I completely forgot! I was supposed to show you our secret base, Robert." 

George interrupted, "Don't even think about it, Fred. Do you remember the last time we went there? What year was it?" 

Fred was left speechless. 

"Well, this..." he stammered, "I feel like it wasn't too long ago." 

"Alright, kids, come on over! We need to set up the tents ourselves. This is a Muggle skill!" Mr. Wesley's voice called out from the campsite. 

The three of them exchanged looks and walked over to two large tents. Robert was shocked as he stared at the two gray cloths on the ground, unable to comprehend how magical items could be created. Once opened, these two pieces of cloth would transform into a portable house. 

Mr. Wesley was looking very excited as he grabbed one of the cloths, his mouth babbling, "We're on Muggle land, so we need to set up the tents the Muggle way... It should be pretty simple. You know, this is how Muggles do it..." 

Fred and George looked at Robert. "Is he serious?" 

Robert awkwardly chuckled. "Well, I haven't seen tents like this in years. These days, we use those automatic tents when we go camping." 

The moment felt a bit awkward, and Mr. Wesley froze. Mrs. Wesley, looking confused, asked, "Is that so, Arthur?" 

Mr. Wesley shrank his neck and muttered, "Uh, well, Molly, you know, I usually just handle Muggle items. I don't really go to the Muggle world to buy things..." 

"So you just want to set up the tents yourself and let the kids freeze outside?" Mrs. Wesley's expression was unreadable. 

"Actually, it's not that cold today. We can set up the tent ourselves, uh, it should be fun." Robert quickly tried to cover for Mr. Wesley. 

Mr. Wesley flashed a grateful smile, but Mrs. Wesley wasn't letting him off the hook. 

With a flick of her wand, the gray cloth on the ground instantly transformed into a small gray tent. 

"Kids," she said, "you go inside and chat for a while." 

Mr. Wesley opened his mouth to say something, but at the sight of her sharp gaze, he quickly fell silent. "Explain yourself, Arthur. What else are you hiding from me?" 

The younger ones exchanged glances, and very obediently, they crawled into the seemingly small tent. 

Inside, the space was much larger than it appeared, with three bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a bathroom and kitchen on one side. Colorful paper streamers hung from the ceiling. 

"Dad's in trouble now," Fred whispered. "He hasn't told Mum about turning that old car into a flying magical vehicle." 

George leaned in and added, "He even wanted to install air conditioning, but it failed." 

Fred continued, "The cold air from that air conditioner froze the pig we were raising, and Dad had to secretly buy a replacement under the cover of night." 

Bill, curious, asked Robert, "Do Muggles set up tents like this when they watch Quidditch?" 

"We don't have Quidditch, but we have football," Robert explained. "We set up fields and bleachers, and there are plenty of hotels around. I mean, tall buildings where people can stay. Muggles don't set up tents by themselves, and their tents are nothing like wizard tents—just a few sleeping bags, and they're cramped." 

"Football? What's that?" Ginny seemed to be very interested in all kinds of ball games, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Is it like Quidditch?" 

"I think it's a game where you kick a ball with your feet," Percy said. "You know, football... it has to be played with your feet." 

"Really?" Ginny's eyes widened even further, looking adorably surprised. No wonder she'd grow up to be the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts. Even at this age, her looks already outshone many of the first-year students. 

Thinking about it, Robert mused, Hogwarts would probably have the most attractive students in its hundred-year history during the next three years. 

He pulled a black-and-white ball out of his bag and handed it to Ginny. "It's this." 

Ginny took the football, curiously shook it, and asked, "Does it fly?" 

"Nope. Muggles don't use magic," Robert said, explaining how football works before concluding, "It's the most popular sport among Muggles, just like Quidditch." 

Bill stroked his chin thoughtfully for a while before speaking. "Hmm, it sounds like it has more rules than Quidditch, but I still think Quidditch is more interesting." 

Robert winked. "I was actually planning to get Charlie a book on football tactics, but I figured he'd probably prefer this instead." 

He pulled out an orange basketball and continued, "This one's more like Quidditch." 

After explaining the rules and gameplay of basketball, Ginny's eyes lit up even more. 

"Cool!" she exclaimed. "Can we go watch a basketball game?" 

"Ginny, that's not funny. You have no idea where we can find a basketball game!" Percy said in a panic. "If we get lost, Mum will definitely worry!" 

Ginny lowered her head, looking a bit disappointed. 

"Maybe we can suggest to Mrs. Wesley that we stay in the neighboring country for a few days. You know, the place across the border—it's the birthplace of basketball. For them, as long as there's a court, they can play basketball." Robert raised an eyebrow. "I think if we just go to watch a game, Mrs. Wesley wouldn't mind." 

"By the way, shouldn't we go get some water?" Bill pointed to the stove in the middle of the tent. "I'll figure out how to light this. You guys go get the water." 

The six of them exchanged looks. 

"Well... how about this? Fred, Ron, and I will go collect firewood, and Ginny, you can go with the others to fetch the water?" 

Ginny frowned. "I want to collect firewood!" 

"Really?" Robert scratched his head, not thinking firewood would be more interesting than fetching water. "Okay then, you come with Fred and me to collect firewood, and the others can go get the water." 

The twins looked serious. "You want to separate us? That's something even Mum hasn't managed to do. We won't let you!" 

Robert shot them a glare, but the two of them were back to their mischievous selves. 

"But we'll get it done!" Fred grinned. "This is a rare experience." 

George made a face. "Finally, I don't have to do the same thing as you, Fred. Now, everyone will know who we are." 

In a flurry of banter, they flung open the tent and crawled out. 

(End of Chapter)