From Azkaban to Hogwarts.

The third type is a potion that can change gender... it's a version of your own gender, also a modified version of Polyjuice Potion—or rather, an unexpected version created in an attempt to save on materials.

The fourth type is a face-swapping potion—sounds good, but it has a big problem: facial features will always have their own ideas…

If they hadn't laid a solid foundation, the two of them would never have dared to attempt a compound herbal decoction that could be considered dangerous, but the results were not encouraging...

Unfortunately, these things happened to come across the voodoo dolls that Ron had set out. The two of them, who had roughly grasped the production process, suddenly had a whimsical idea—after studying the Polyjuice Potion to turn people into humans for so long, why not try turning people into living beings?

The process of making voodoo dolls is somewhat similar to making magical items. After discussing it for a long time, the two finally finalized their plan at home.

Without further ado, the two of them, having experimented at home before, gathered some household items and began to create a giant voodoo doll, then tried every possible method to make it a success.

This isn't too difficult—it might be hard to scale up other things, but voodoo dolls are inherently difficult to make delicate, while making them bulky and clumsy is incredibly easy.

Because the scarecrow was large enough to withstand the spell's effects, the two experimented with all sorts of ideas on it—so many that they couldn't even remember them all. By around Christmas Eve, they were close to success.

It can perform some simple actions, mimic the voice of a designated object, and mimic the appearance of a designated object after applying the ointment—aside from its lack of dexterity, it can almost become the person the twins wish for.

The two were greatly surprised and became even more concerned, focusing on solving the final problem: how to make it flexible enough.

As for going further, the two considered it, but both decisively chose to give up—that is, to let it have its own thoughts.

What might be difficult for others... but the two knew they could do it, because their father, Mr. Weasley, had once modified a Muggle car in his house, and that car was currently running freely in the school's Forbidden Forest...

Without a doubt, that car had its own ideas... Mr. Weasley never told anyone else, but you can guard against a thief in your own home, and there wasn't much in the Weasley family that could escape the twins' wrath. In the past, when they didn't have enough experimental equipment, they would go to Mr. Weasley's repair shop to get materials, and the two of them had already seen the relevant experimental records.

"All we need to do is make it move on its own, like that car..."

The two nudged 'Ron' and watched him complain, finally understanding their father's feelings—it would be wonderful to make an inanimate object move…

This is probably what the professor meant when he said that you can only really conduct experiments after you have mastered the knowledge.

-

"Have you heard? What's happening in Azkaban!"

While the twins were hiding in their carriage marveling at their new invention, everyone on the train was talking about Azkaban.

Minister Fudge bravely stepped forward and admitted to this huge mistake—in order to prevent something like what happened in the American wizarding world from happening in Diagon Alley and other areas where wizards mainly live and shop, they had no choice but to redeploy a large number of Aurors and Strikemen for security, which led to the raid on Azkaban prison by the still unidentified perpetrators.

The remaining Aurors and strikers fought bravely against the Dementors on the island, but due to insufficient manpower and the overwhelming strength of the enemy, the enemy managed to escape after paying a heavy price.

Due to manpower shortages, the strikers even lost four members, but they managed to capture those the other side was trying to rescue and successfully killed Umbridge, the former Death Eater and the most important target the masked men were trying to take, as well as a large number of Death Eaters who had already begun their escape.

We suspect those individuals are Death Eaters remaining in the magical world, but we cannot confirm this. The Ministry of Magic will not easily conclude the identity of the attackers; we will conduct a thorough investigation!

The newspaper recorded the Auror Director's statement, in which he also promised the public that, due to the students' outstanding performance in self-defense courses over the years, the Auror force would soon expand, and they would have more manpower to meet all challenges.

The newspapers even provided detailed accounts of the attack—how the attackers infiltrated, how they bypassed security, how they incited prisoners to escape, and how they provided them with sufficient weapons. The newspapers even mentioned where and how many escapees were killed, which greatly satisfied everyone's needs.

As for complaints, there aren't many—mainly because the raid on Azkaban hasn't affected anyone's lives so far. People can clearly see the increased guards placed in various locations before the attack. Compared to what's happening across the ocean, a sense of happiness has actually emerged...

Besides, the Ministry of Magic has already said they're preparing to recruit another batch of strikers to deal with the current situation, so what more could they ask for? Compared to the attack on the shopping street across the street, this is a minor issue. Moreover, they didn't even manage to rescue Umbridge, the Death Eater that the enemy was most concerned about, so it's not like the Ministry of Magic has completely failed...

In short, this incident didn't have much impact on the students' lives. There were just a few more street thugs, and they hadn't heard of any other crimes. It was basically an interesting topic to discuss.

For example, if a student's self-defense skills suddenly improve, students in fifth grade and above can proudly claim that they contributed to it, while fifth graders can mutter a few curses and complain about the massive amount of holiday homework.

For example, expanding the roster of strikers and the roster of Aurors sounds really cool.

In addition to some random discussions, everyone was very happy.

Even Harry wasn't spared from these discussions.

"So, Professor William really went to Azkaban to investigate?"

In the box, which was mostly filled with Ravenclaw girls, Harry was trying to deal with Cho's somewhat annoying best friend.

"Yes, the Ministry of Magic sent a letter asking the professor to conduct an on-site simulation, and the professor went to see it that afternoon."

Harry tried his best to make up lies without blushing or turning pale.

He knew that Dumbledore was visiting, but obviously he couldn't say that.

"Wow! I knew it! How could professionals from outside the department not go to professors!"

The others nodded in agreement—although Hogwarts had never made such an announcement, many people considered Hogwarts professors to be the best in the field, and the students were even more convinced of this.

"By the way, what do Professor Lupin and Professor Lupin usually do during their holidays?"

"Yeah yeah!"

A new question arose, and Harry tried hard not to show his impatience—all he really wanted was a date alone…

-

"It's time to get off the bus."

Everyone was thinking the same thing the moment the Hogwarts Express came to a stop again.

The Christmas holidays are great, but for most students, returning home is an impossible dream. Although their longing for home is still there from just a few hours ago, everyone is already eagerly waiting to get back to their beds and rest.

They discussed the Azkaban attack and the attack on the commercial district in America with great enthusiasm, speculated about the Ministry of Magic's affairs, and even judged the Death Eaters who were dead and alive. They were exhausted.

Now, everyone is thinking about taking a break.

But—what's going on here?

"Line up in an orderly fashion to disembark and undergo security checks!"

William stood below the station, where rain clouds were now openly used to concentrate the rainfall in one place.

"Alright, it's been a holiday since we last met. I hope everyone had a great time. Just bring your carry-on luggage; we've arranged a drying area for you afterwards!"

"These are safety measures that have passed the Ministry of Magic's inspection and will be approved once. In addition, based on our tripartite discussions with the Ministry of Magic and the Examination Authority, the self-defense course for all students will be changed this year, with a large amount of practical content added. The corresponding changes will also appear in the exams!"

"Therefore, even for fifth-grade students, the following courses will include a lot of practical content!"

The students, who were initially somewhat dissatisfied, immediately cheered, especially the fifth graders—the magic theory was more exciting!

Amidst the cheering crowd, the twins' faces were somewhat pale.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with despair.

'I knew something was wrong; it turns out it was here.'

'We completely forgot about the professor…'

'It's over...'

"What are you two standing there for! Come and check!"

Under William's dedicated search, the twins couldn't escape—or rather, whoever came to check, these two students who had been playing pranks for six and a half years were the focus of the investigation.

Naturally, half an hour later, the two men, carrying the suitcase, entered William's office with a look of grim determination.

Chapter 542 The First Lesson of the New Semester

"You two..."

William felt a headache, a toothache, and general discomfort all over his body.

He was beginning to understand Professor McGonagall's feelings—what had the vice-chancellor been through all these years?

He was still checking over there when he saw the two of them acting suspiciously, trying to hide their luggage. Naturally, he asked them to let him check their luggage—but the moment the suitcase was opened, Ron's head popped out!

Yes, a head, a head that can blink and talk!

Then there are limbs and torso folded up like fractures, and they can still move!

William had seen plenty of terrifying things in Azkaban; if a different professor had examined him, like Adams, he probably would have screamed on the spot!

His students, the younger brothers of the two unfortunate students, crawled out of the open box as if their bodies had been smashed apart, barely breathing and half-dead. If it weren't for his trust in the two of them, William would have hung them upside down for an examination on the spot if it were anyone else!

Fortunately, just as he was about to use their wands, Ron stepped in to fulfill his duty as prefect and help maintain order; otherwise, William would have been preparing to pull out a potion for emergency treatment.

But such a strange thing happened on the first day of the formal examination. He planned to deal with it and then send the person to Professor McGonagall's place. One treatment wasn't enough, so he decided to do it again.

"call…"

William tried to catch his breath and calm himself down. "Tell me—how did you two manage to make this thing?"

"that is…"

Fred and George exchanged glances, knowing full well that they were in deep trouble today; if they didn't confess, they might face a tirade from home.

"... "

After giving his explanation, William stared at the two of them and refused to say anything more.

He had never seen students so adept at integrating and utilizing resources. It was one thing for them to try to improve and separate complex potions like Polyjuice Potion—but these two students actually wrote letters to Karkaroff to get the potions for free!

It's outrageous!

This semi-forbidden potion is hard to come by in Britain, but in Durmstrang, where black magic can be legally taught, it's just a slightly more difficult-to-make high-grade potion.

More importantly, Karkaroff's package to Hogwarts couldn't possibly be checked at the border... because it was most likely a private letter between the two headmasters, and even an Auror wouldn't be allowed to check it without Fudge's authorization, let alone a striker...

"The items are confiscated..."

William struggled to avoid looking at the two bastards' faces. "You two clean the toilets today, then report to Filch tomorrow for a month of solitary confinement..."

"Gryffindor -50 points..."

"Also, before you go clean the toilets, go to Professor McGonagall and report your entire behavior to her..."

He slammed his fist on the table, and 'Ron' lifted his head from the box. "Fred, George, stop arguing!"

The scene looked ridiculous, but the two of them didn't even laugh out loud; their faces were tightly pressed together, as if afraid of revealing even the slightest hint of their madness—they could both tell that the professor was about to go insane.

“Now, leave the office and report to Professor McGonagall…” William said through gritted teeth, and the two quickly made their escape—although they didn’t know why the professor was suddenly so angry, leaving was undoubtedly the safest course of action.

After the two closed the office door and hurriedly left, William roughly tore open the chocolate frog, took a bite out of half of it, and sighed as the feeling of happiness from eating the chocolate emerged.

He couldn't help but be angry—the twins were too smart, smart enough that as long as they put in the effort, they could become outstanding figures in that field.

Take his talent for curses and dark magic, for example. Ron is indeed quite good, but the twins are definitely not inferior in this area—why doesn't he offer them courses on dark magic and curses? It's because they are too audacious and reckless!

Most Gryffindors only have enough courage in specific circumstances, but these two have it all the time—William has seen quite a few Gryffindors, but only Sirius Black can compare to them.

Sirius Black has toned down his behavior somewhat since he went to Azkaban. Are these two students going to follow suit and go to Azkaban too?

Setting up a dummy would be a slightly larger prank, but asking Karkaroff for help is a different story—not only is he a genuine former Death Eater, but William knows all too well what they're doing sending things: it's legal smuggling through official channels!

'I'll have to make them submit another written apology tomorrow, telling them where they went wrong... Not today. Seeing those two scoundrels makes me think of punishing them like the inmates of Azkaban...'

William angrily marked this in large letters on the itinerary.