When they are finished dinner the group made their way up to the common room where they had a few games of Wizard Snap and Gobstones before turning in for the night. Before sleeping, Jack asked the twins if they knew about any joke shops in the Wizarding World. This causes the twins to sit up in bed and say at the same time ‘Now you're speaking our language!’ while giving off a slightly evil laugh.
Jack then feels that it might have been a mistake to ask them as they managed to bring out catalogues of all the Wizarding joke shops. there were not very many and they didn't have a great selection, but there were some funny pranks. It was really late at night when they finally managed to get to sleep. Before sleep, Jack once again put his points into boosting his body but it was almost 2000 points this time causing his countdown timer to be at 36 hours instead of the 24 he had before.
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When Jack tests his Lumos and Wingardium Leviosa spells the next morning he can notice a very slight improvement in his magic, it's just a tiny bit smoother and less... jumpy? Feeling happy about the fact that his magic was getting better Jack was then thinking about how many times he boosted his magic and was mentally trying to calculate how many times he will have to hold off on boosting his magic in the future. During breakfast, Jack, Lee, Fred, and George were discussing how to get the Slytherins back, from dungbombs to smoke bombs to something that would make them look like they came out of the Hindu festival of Holi. (A.N: for those who don't know, it's the festival with bonfires and coloured powders)
The thoughts of having revenge like that made them all laugh, thinking about the stern proud purebloods who pick on others for not having as much as they do look like they were puked on by a rainbow made the boys laugh so hard. Jack was thinking about actually doing the pranks on them, but he will wait and see if any more Slytherins will be like the gang that they met before.
Making their way out of the Great Hall they went to their first class of the week while still whispering to each other about how they would get all of the Slytherins in the prank coming up with more and more ideas. Jack almost felt sorry for them.
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As the second week was passing more and more people were finding themselves in the school. It was easier to go to class, talk with everyone in the same house. Some even made friends with those in different houses, except Slytherin. It seems that they don't get along with anyone and barely tolerate their own.
When it came to the second Thursday of the term it was time for flying lessons with both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Everyone was incredibly excited about the first flying lesson, many of the students from wizarding families all talked about their accomplishments on a broom and all the near misses with muggles. Even the twins had some stories about almost getting caught by Muggles when flying around the countryside.
When the lesson started Madam Hooch, the flying instructor, told everyone to stand by their brooms and call it into their hands. Jack waited for a few of the other students to stand and call their brooms, but it was incredible how many couldn't get the broom to rise into their hands. It was the ones who boasted so much that had the biggest fails.
The twins summoned their brooms on their first try, so Jack thought he should try it. When Jack called up his broom it just raised about a foot into the air, so he commanded it the second time and it slapped into his hand with so much force Jack thought he might have a bruise. After a few seconds though he could feel the broom like it was connected to him. He knew he could tell it with his mind how he wanted it to move.
When enough time had passed Madam Hooch just told everyone who had not summoned their broom to just pick them up so she could continue the lesson.
‘Now, when I blow my whistle, I want you to kick off from the ground, hard.’ Madam Hooch said to them while looking around at the class. ‘When you do that I want you to hover a few feet off the ground, then touch back down. Understood?’ when she got some nods from the students she blew sharply on the whistle and Jack crouched slightly before telling it to take off.
Jack was a bit nervous because it was the first time flying but he could feel a cushioning under him so it wasn't uncomfortable to be sitting on a stick. Getting his feet onto the foot stands made him feel a lot more balanced on the broom. When he touched back down he almost couldn't wait to get back on the broom. When the twins noticed his expression they clapped him on the back congratulating him for his first flight.
When everyone was done with the taking off and landing it was a chance for everyone to fly around the courtyard the lesson was taking part in. Everyone wanted to show off how well they can fly. Jack really liked flying; moving fast while flying was incredible up until he took an insect to the forehead much to everyone's amusement, even Jack was laughing at his own misfortune.
‘We have to do that more!’ Jack says.
‘Yeah, we will.’ comes from the other three.
‘Just without the bugs, ok.’ Jack finishes causing the other three to laugh uproariously.
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Days pass and it gets more common seeing the group of four going to the flying lesson area to fly around on brooms. They all had good fun, Lee had even found an old Quaffle in one of the broom cupboards so they played 2 a side Quidditch, or race around the courtyard.
Jack still goes to the Room of Requirement but only every so often or when he wants an empty place to practice his magic. Sometimes he goes into the room of lost things to see if there is anything he could take, it's not stealing if it's ownerless, is it?
One day near Hallowe’en Jack is in the Room of Requirements library going over the books thinking about how many books are in it when he has a thought of trying to bring as much knowledge as he can out of the Room. Leaving Jack asks for the Room to give him what he needs to make it happen. Opening his eyes he sees an ornate door, much more decorated than anything else he has seen in the castle. Jack tries to keep from getting too excited, but when he sees a massively decorated room full of tapestries depicting victorious battles and the triumph of Witches and Wizards against demonic-looking creatures, he can't help it.
Inside the hall is an office desk that is also decorated with similar motifs, with a lectern on the desk holding a single book. The book has a soft brown leather cover with two clasps on the opening of the book; Vellum for pages and incredibly detailed calligraphy. Inside the book is a single heading How To Create Your Own Codex.
Inside the book are descriptions of what a codex can do, how it is created and most importantly how to protect your codex at all costs. In the books and movies from Jack's past life, a codex never came up. This made him wonder if that was how a noble stayed a noble, hoarding magic and preventing others from making their own.
When Jack reads more details of making a codex he is astonished at how much work goes into it. A book with more pages than is commonly seen sold in shops; ink infused with his own blood, a lot of ink needed enough to write a book; spells which use the readers thoughts to transcribe all the spells they use; spells to copy other books while getting around the anti-duplication spell on them; transfiguration and charms combined to make the book able to bring up the information needed by the reader and lastly an alchemy created quill with an ink refilling charm that will be bound to the book and only able to be used on the book.
Seeing all of this Jack takes the book out of the Room only to have the book turn into smoke and seep out of his hands and go back into the Room and reform back onto the desk. When Jack tries to go back into the Room he is blasted back, like from a knockback jinx, and sees the Room door slam shut. Jack tries the door only to find it sealed shut, taking out his wand to use the unlocking charm does not help as the door is still locked and now starts to disappear in front of him.
Resolved that he may have overstepped a hidden rule of the Room Jack tries the next evening only to find the door is still shut. When Jack tries to enter a different Room there is no problem so he figures he is being punished by the Room.
Jack makes his way back to the Gryffindor common room and sees Lee, Fred, and George struggling with the latest homework from the teachers so he helps a bit.
‘Do you guys know where I can buy a blank book?’ Jack asks them suddenly, confused by the question they just look confused for a moment.
‘Can't you get one from the ink and quill place in Diagon Alley?’ Lee answers.
Thinking it a good idea he goes to leave only to be stopped by the Gryffindor prefect.
‘Where do you think you’re going at this time? First-years curfew is in 10 minutes.’ the prefect states. Not knowing how to reply, Jack just goes back over to his friends who are snickering at him.
‘Oh shut it.’ Jack says while smiling a little feeling a bit embarrassed.
The next morning, Jack goes to Professor McGonagal’s office to ask her the name of the ink and parchment place in Diagon Alley.
‘If you need more ink and parchment, Mr. Smith, the school has no problem with providing replacements for free.’ Professor McGonagal tells him.
‘Well Professor, I um. I wanted to keep a diary of what I’m doing here so, um, I wanted to get a blank book to write in.’ Jack tells her while being slightly nervous about sort of lying to her.
‘That is quite a commendable thing to do, Mr. Smith.’ Professor McGonagal replies to him while smiling. ‘I have also noticed that your spellcasting is coming along a lot better since your first week.’
‘Yes, Professor. I’ve been practicing a lot of different spells and it is getting easier for me.’ Jack tells her with a big smile. Writing something on a piece of parchment Professor McGonagal hands it to him and says to have fun in his lessons. Reading the note as he walks down the hallway he sees:
There is a shop in Hogsmeade called
The Affordable Scroll
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
You should be able to buy it from there.
Seeing this, Jack makes it to the Great Hall to grab some toast before running off to his first class.
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Later in the day, Jack goes to the Room of Requirement looking to get a book on Goblin culture and how to interact with them but doesn't find much of anything except a single book about various metal-smiths.
Jack decides to write a letter to a teller in Gringotts, the wizarding bank and asks them if he can buy a pouch with expanded space for money. Jack has close to 30 Galleons saved in his trunk and about 30-40 pounds in the bottom so he wants to get a pouch to keep it all together.
Jack also sends a letter to The Affordable Scroll shop to ask about how much it would cost for a book like the one he wants. Not expecting a reply until at least the next day from Gringotts, Jack returns from the Owlery to get started on his homework.
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The next morning, Jack receives a letter about his price inquiry for a blank book to be used as a diary:
10 GALLEONS FOR A BLANK BOOK
THE PRICE IS SO BECAUSE IT
HAS TO BE ALCHEMICALLY MADE
TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS
IT WOULD ONLY NORMALLY BE 13 SICKLES
Later the same day he receives a reply from Gringotts telling him that it is two Galleon for a small pouch or free when One opens an account. Jack had started carrying some of his gold to reply to the Bookseller and had brought some extra with him so pays for both.
It is the next morning when he receives his pouch and a receipt from the book place with an approximate time of delivery. 14 Days
Getting closer to Hallowe’en he also puts in an order for some sweets for his friends.
With the pouch now, he can begin to expand it with his ability maybe store some of the objects from the room of lost things. Jack is mentally hoping that he can find some decent stuff.
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After Hallowe’en Jack is writing up a letter. This letter is to the Matron of the children's home he is from.
Dear Matron,
Hope everyone is well at home.
I am having a lot of fun here at school,
I miss you all a lot sometimes.
I am writing to you because I am unsure of
What to get everyone for Christmas.
I have made a small bit of money from
Tutoring some others here.
Guess what, there is nobility here!
They pay out the nose for stuff to not look bad.
Lots of love,
Jack
P.S - You can send a reply with the owl
If you put my name on the envelope he will find me.
I put a few treats for him in the tube.
Feeling happy about sending the letters and ordering his things Jack makes his way back up to the castle greeting some other students he recognizes.
When Jack gets back to the castle he decides to go straight to the library to check out alchemy for making the ink and quill. Unfortunately for Jack, when he gets there he finds out that the books are all in the restricted section and he has to have a teacher's signature to get it.
Leaving the library to check the Room of Requirement Jack asks for a room with all the knowledge of Alchemy. Getting a room with a very small library and table with a magic circle engraved on it with traces of dusk and metal in the engraving. Brushing his hand over the desk Jack then looks at the dirt on his hand he gives a sigh and dusks his hand on the side of his robes mentally reminding himself to learn some household magic.
It takes a further week of reading through the Alchemy books, it is through the week Jack has began to understand just how monumental of a task he has set for himself.
Deciding to just go back to his friends Jack asks the twins if they bought anything from the joke shops to prank the Slytherins. This brings a smile to their faces and they reply.
'No, we were looking through the catalogues and we were thinking that there isn't much of a selection-' '-so we were thinking of making our own.'
Jack is wondering if this is where the Weasley twins started to get the idea for a joke shop.
'What do you need to make it happen?' Jack asks them. They take a moment to talk between themselves and then reply.
'Well, ingredients to make them, then money. We have some money saved up, not a lot but maybe enough to get a few sets of ingredients.'
'What if I could give you a workshop, could you do something for me?' Jack says to them.
'Where would you get a workshop?' They ask dubious of his intentions.
'I found the greatest secret of Hogwarts.' Jack says back to them. “I'll tell you if you can do something for me.”
This is enough to get the twins undivided attention.
'Jack, why didn't you tell us before. We spent ages going around looking for secrets together?' They ask.
“You'll understand when you see it. That's all I can say.” Jack replies determined not to say more.
“What do you need then, Jack?” one of the twins asks.
“I need someone to order me a lot of ink and some silver. I might be able to get a decent feather from Hagrid, but I’m not sure. I already ordered the book, so just some silver and ink.” Jack tells them.
“What’chu doing that you need all that!?” they ask incredulously.
“My Diary or Journal.” Jack states.
“What kind of diary are you making!” Lee interjects.
“One that will have ink hidden and a bound quill just for it. The quill will have a hardened silver tip with a silver handhold. And an ink refilling charm-” Jack is explaining.
“If it's going to have an ink refilling charm what d’you need so much ink for then?” one of the twins cut in.
“It's for the book, I want to spell it to be able to pull up information that I had wrote in it whenever I need it too.” Jack tells them.
“So what else, then.” all of them ask, getting into Jack's project themselves.
“What?” Jack says. “Oh right, so an ink refilling charm so I never run out-”
“Why would you need all that ink then if you got a refilling charm on the quill. Where would the extra ink go?” Lee cuts in this time. This question stumps Jack as he hadn’t thought of it.
“I’ll have to look into it.” Jack says getting up. “ see ya in a bit” and then leaves.
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In the days that pass Jack has gone to the room of hidden things in the Room of Requirement searching for things to look for to use for his new Codex. In the room, Jack has found many things but they are mostly useless broken junk. Jack has gotten a few clumps of silver but nowhere near enough for the quill, it is alloyed with other metals to be of any use.
“Sometimes I wish things could be easy.” Jack mutters to himself while thinking about how hard it is for the one book.
During the evenings Jack spends his time in the Room of Requirements going around the course completely draining himself both physically and magically. In the beginning, Jack was wondering if he should just let his points do all the work for him, but Jack has decided to do some of the work himself. It is too easy to allow his gift to do all the work but Jack has noticed a very big improvement when he practices along with using the gift. Although it might not be any bigger than any other child his age, it is big for Jack.
When he has finished his magical training Jack spends the next while before curfew looking over the Alchemy lab searching for beginner stuff he can do. So far all he has found is ancient style documents with a load of flowery words he doesn't quite get the meaning of, but he was able to find that the engraving on the table is a real Alchemists magic formation or magic circle however so much time has passed that the engraving has crumbled or been plundered by someone else. If he wants to fix it he will need to liquify silver and fill in the engraving while passing magic through his wand, but not casting a spell, to infuse the silver with magic to better allow it to channel magic.
“What the fuck is this shit! When I find the fucker who ruined the circle I’ll hex his fuckin’ balls off!” Jack screams in the Room after reading the information. Feeling incredibly angry at the amount of expenses to replace or fix stuff that he will probably only use once has made his pockets hurt.
“I just hope this God Damned book is worth it!” Jack grumbles to himself.
Leaving the Room of Requirement while quite annoyed, Jack goes back to the common room and just talks with the Weasleys and Lee for the evening.
“What's got your wand in a knot, Jack?” Lee asks him.
“Why can't anything be easy?” Jack replies.
“What do you mean?” one of the twins asks.
“Well, every book I have ever read that talks about people going off to do great things never mentioned how difficult it was to get the great thing done!” Jack states back still annoyed.
“Is this about the Journal you want to make?” the other twin asks.
“Yeah. I found out the Alchemy station in the castle was badly damaged by someone a few years back and to fix it will take a lot of money.” Jack tells the group. Not knowing what he is going through but only that it annoys him a great deal they try to take his mind off it with different topics or games.
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The next day after lessons Jack asks the twins about making their own jokes. They tell him that they have some ideas but not anything solid yet.
“Just some sweets to make you ill, short-time love potions, dungbombs, and smoke bombs, voice changing sweets and a few others for now.” When Jack asks about the ideas they just tell him.
“Anything I can do to help you guys?” Jack asks.
“Not right now-” “-Unless you can show us that workshop?” the twins reply.
“Fine but I need you guys to order me the silver. I need more than what I told you before.” Jack tells them while they make their way up the staircase from their last class.
“So where is it?” both twins and Lee ask Jack.
“It's called the Room of Requirement. It's the greatest secret of Hogwarts because it can become a room for whatever you need at the time. Most who find it never find it a second time because they don't know how they summoned it the first time.” Jack tells them as he leads them along the seventh-floor corridor. When they make it to the area of the door Jack decides to play a joke on them.
“To summon it you gotta walk to the wall, press your head to it and concentrate really hard on what you want the room to become.” Jack says this with a completely straight face although he is laughing inside.
When Jack is explaining this to the twins he has already walked up and down the stretch of wall three times while asking the room to become his library but not show itself just yet. He then walks up to the wall and places his forehead against the wall and with his eyes closed asks it to show up now. When he feels the wood of the door forming under his forehead he is shocked that it actually worked and has to try hard to keep the smile off his face, but can't do it completely. Luckily they don't seem to notice as all they can do is stare as Jack opens the door and shows them the library.
When they see the library they are just looking at all the shelves of books. It is a few moments later that they turn to him with a questioning look.
“So where is the workshop?” one of the twins asks.
“You need the workshop not me, so you guys have to summon it.” Jack tells them. “You can only do it from outside and if no one is already using it unless you look for the same thing they did.”
“I feel like a prat doing this.” When they all make it out of the room for the twins to summon the workshop one of them can't help but say something.
“Don't worry it's fine.” Jack can't keep the smile off his face or completely keep the laughter out of his voice but only Lee notices anything.
When Lee looks at Jack he just silently shushes him while giving a wink. Figuring that Jack is just playing a prank on the twins Lee almost bursts out laughing when the twins place their foreheads against the wall and close their eyes for a few seconds. When they open their eyes and see no door they turn to ask Jack something but instead see Jack and Lee burst out laughing instead.
The twins are a little annoyed at being pranked but just shrug it off after a moment.
“Ha ha ha, laugh it up-” one twin says “-We’ll get you back for this-” the other says “-now just make the room appear.” they both finish.
When Jack is still laughing he walks up and down the corridor asking for a workshop to make pranks and notes of any previous attempts. When the door appears he goes in and is followed by the others. When they see the inside the twins can't help but have a smile come to their faces. After about a half-hour of the twins rooting through the pile of books, notes, and samples of tried pranks over the years of Hogwarts Lee and Jack just leave back to the common room as they feel like they just became invisible to the twins.