“Uhm, Scarlet?”

Scarlet glanced up from her practice, the spear she'd been wielding at her side. She wiped sweat from her forehead with the towel draped around her neck and turned toward the door to find Fred lingering hesitantly.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Somethings funny’s going on with Alexis,” Fred said, pointed at the next door. “George and I were planning to drop by and talk about the game-making schedule, but, uh... we found her in a really weird trance.”

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, slung her towel over her shoulder, and strode to the next door, pushing it open without hesitation. Alexis had placed both Scarlet and the twins on her approved visitor list for the room – a perk the twins had taken full advantage of, turning a spare corner into their invention lab.

Inside, Alexis stood motionless before the wall-length mirror. Magic glimmered around her, swirling like ethereal fairy dust, gently encircling her form. Her hair shone faintly, catching the light in a way that gave her an almost otherworldly appearance.

George was near the back of the room, wand held cautiously, ready for any unforeseen accidents.

“Ah!” Scarlet murmured with an air of understanding. Her calm tone seemed to ease the tension in the room. She gestured for the twins to stay quiet, shut the door behind them, and lowered her voice. “She’s connecting with her wand on a deeper level.”

Fred and George exchanged puzzled glances, but before either could ask more, Alexis suddenly raised her wand. She spoke softly, almost dreamily, “Alejandro.”

The wand tip glowed faintly, and the shimmering magic dissolved instantly, dissipating as if swept away by a sudden breeze. Pastel colours streaked through strands of Alexis’s hair, and her eyelids shimmered with a delicate eyeshadow that hadn’t been there before.

“...Huh?” Alexis stared at her reflection in confusion. Turning quickly, she spotted Scarlet and the twins watching her from the doorway. Fred and George wore expressions that mingled both confusion and relief, while Scarlet – much to Alexis’s irritation – was quietly chuckling, tears of amusement polling in the corner of her eyes.

“What’s so funny, Sensei?” Alexis asked, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t think I’ve done anything stupid just now.”

Scarlet shook her head, still smiling. “Not stupid at all - it’s brilliant!” she said warmly. “You’ve discovered one of your innate traits!”

“...By giving myself a new hair colour and eye makeup?” Alexis asked, still perplexed. She’d been intent on asking her wand its name – was this really the result of that focus?

“It all depends on what you were thinking,” Scarlet said, snapping her fingers to demonstrate as her own hair shifted seamlessly to a deep black, and with another snap, to stark white before returning to its original red. “Whatever was on your mind at the time must’ve shaped the spell. It could’ve been scattered thoughts, not just your primary focus. Try to recall what else you might have been thinking.”

Alexis frowned, studying her wand in contemplation. “I was focus on asking its name...and your song from yesterday - the lullaby.”

“And?” Scarlet prodded gently. “Were there any other thoughts floating around? Even fleeting ones?”

Alexis tilted her head. “I thought magic could only be shaped by focused thoughts.” She rubbed her chin, turning back to study her reflection in the mirror. “Did I really think of something else?”

Fred and George exchanged a glance, a silent, knowing conversation passing between them as only twins could. They wisely chose to stay quiet, recognising this as a teaching moment between a Sensei and her student.

“Hair dye?” Alexis muttered to herself, frowning slightly. “I ran into Ginny earlier and brought up the hair dye, like, just casually asked what she thought about it.”

Behind her, the Weasley twins exchanged long-suffering glances before shooting her a glared, both clearly remembering the aftermath. They’d been nearly mobbed in the Great Hall by a horde of girls – all clamouring for their hair dye invention. Ginny, of course, had been the loudest, grabbing their hair and demanding that the product allow for highlights like Alexis’s.

“And? There’s more,” Scarlet prompted, her amusement evident as she observed Alexis.

“And...” Alexis trailed off, peering at her own reflection from the mirror, noting the faint eyeshadow that still shimmered on her face. “I also ran into Jessica and thought she should totally keep her long, curly hair. But what else...?” Her voice faded, and then realisation dawned. She buried her face in her hands, groaning, “No! It can’t be! I wasn’t thinking that when I asked my wand for its name!”

“But clearly, your wand picked up on those stray thoughts and brought them to life,” Scarlet replied with a chuckle, “Wands are highly attuned to a user’s intentions, even the subconscious ones. They’re your antenna, remember? You definitely thought of those things, and...” she paused, eyeing Alexis’s reflection, “...it looks like the transformation wasn’t even complete.”

“Of course it’s incomplete!” Alexis wailed, her face bright red. “Those were just random thoughts, I did not ask for anything on purpose!”

Scarlet patted her shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. This traits of yours just shows that you’re meant for the spotlight! Who knows - you could be a great singer or actress someday.”

“...Really?” Alexis asked, her tone uncertain but hopeful. “You think I could be a great singer?”

“It’s not guaranteed,” Scarlet replied gently. “It’s one of the many possibilities open to you. Whether you explore it or not is entirely up to you.”

Alexis stared at her reflection again, eyes narrowing as determination began to replace her embarrassment.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“How about giving it another try?” Scarlet encouraged. “This time, make it a more complete attempt.”

“Okay...” Alexis took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and nodded. She turned back to the mirror, holding her wand firmly in her hand.

Scarlet stepped back, leaving room for Alexis to focus. Fred and George took the opportunity to sidle up to Scarlet bombarding her with hushed questions.

“What were you just saying?” Fred whispered.

“Why do you think Alexis could be a great singer?” George added?

“And what is she even doing right now?”

“Did she say she was asking her wand for its name?”

Scarlet raised a hand to silence them, speaking in a low tone, “Do you remember when you asked about my pendant and wanted to learn how to make one yourselves but failed?”

“Yeah,” Fred nodded, “but couldn't make sense of the whole ‘imagine a room above out dimension’ bit.”

George grumbled, “And the instructions about ‘dividing the space by rules’ were just as baffling.”

Scarlet smiled. “So I tested a different approach - with Alexis. Looks like she picked it up just fine.”

Fred and George gawked at Alexis, now radiating confidence as pastel strands of her hair shimmered in the light.

“Bloody hell!” Fred muttered under his breath.

"Seriously?” George exclaimed.

It was rare for the inventive twins to feel outpaced, but there it was – a newbie like Alexis mastering something they hadn’t. The boy exchanged glances, grinning with newfound determination.

Meanwhile, magic swirled around Alexis once again, fairy dust gathering like glittering snow. Her expression was one of fierce focus this time. Raising her wand high, she commanded, “Alejandro, transform!”

A sudden whirlwind of shimmering air enveloped Alexis, blocking her from sight. The magic sparkled as the gust spun faster and faster, the energy in the room palpable.

Then, as quickly as it started, it stopped. When the wind dispersed, Alexis stood in front of the mirror, her reflection a vision of brilliance.

Her outfit had transformed into a fluffy, layered dress, paired with gleaming boots and sparkling twin ponytails. A microphone rested in her hand, her wand nowhere to be seen. Her thick, flowing hair seemed enchanted, bouncing lightly as though it were alive, shimmering in soft pastel shades.

Fred and George stared, mouths agape.

Scarlet chuckled softly. “Now that,” she said, her voice full of pride, “is what I’d call a spotlight moment.”

However, after flashing a smile at Scarlet and the twins, Alexis expression turned deadpan as she studied her appearance in the mirror.

“...” She spoke in a grave tone, “I swear, I had no idea I was this into Magical Girl series.”

Scarlet chuckled, crossing her arms. “But it’s cute, isn’t it? I guess my pendant must’ve left a deeper impression on you that you thought.”

“Probably,” Alexis admitted as she straightened up, giving a confident wink at her reflection. “Well, I guess it’s not too bad, considering this could work as a stage costume.”

Scarlet snapped her fingers, conjuring a delicate cherry blossom that floated gently onto Alexis’s hair. “A little congratulatory gift - for uncovering one of your traits. Keep exploring. There’s much more to discover.”

“Okie-dokie, sensei,” Alexis replied, making an “OK” hand gesture at Scarlet, who simply waved her off dismissively before leaving the room. No sooner had the door closed behind the ever-respectful sensei than Fred and George cornered Alexis, their grins radiating mischief.

“...wait, I can explain.” Alexis quickly waved her hands.

“Well, explain,” Fred said, his eyes alight with curiosity.

George added, “Loving the outfit. By the way, where’s your wand?”

“Here.” Alexis held up the microphone in her hand with a sheepish smile. “It transformed into this.”

“...” The twins exclaimed simultaneously, “Your wand can transform?!”

Scarlet wasn’t sure what happened that night after she left Alexis’s singing room. She had other matters demanding her attention.

Sitting at her desk in her training room, Scarlet stared at the synopses she had drafted for several stories. None of them felt right for her next book. Something was missing – a crucial element she couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Business matters, fortunately, were progressing smoothly. William had decided to remain on standby in London and delegated business trips to his assistants. He was ready to step in if Peter Pettigrew resurfaced or if Scarlet encountered anything suspicious. The staff in the Red House were actively assisting in tracking down the rat, doing their part to ensure her safety – a gesture she deeply appreciated, even if she wasn’t entirely sure how they operated, given that she was at Hogwarts rather than home.

Recently, she had a private meeting with Kingsley Shacklebolt and Professor Dumbledore. As a result, she began occasionally joining the patrols within Hogwarts, while heightened security measures had been implemented in Hogsmeade. The quant village, a favourite weekend hangout for Hogwarts students above second year, was now quietly patrolled by Aurors members of the Order of the Phoenix, keeping watch for any potential threats.

“Lupin has returned,” Professor mentioned warmly during the meeting. “He’s stationed in Hogsmeade as a consultant, helping resolve conflicts between wizards and Muggles. It’s a role that suits him well.”

He smiled gently, perhaps relieved that his former student was finally from the torment of being a werewolf.

Scarlet’s face lit up at the news. “Mr. Lupin is in Hogsmeade? It’s such a shame I can’t leave Hogwarts on weekends to meet him. I haven’t heard from him since the summer holiday. The last time he wrote to me, he mentioned being in the wild, searching for a particular herb.”

“Oh, Lupin’s doing quite well,” Mr. Shacklebolt chimed in with admiration. “In fact, if he were to apply to become an Auror today, I’m confident he’d be appointed immediately. His skills are remarkable – he's helped us with several delicate cases involving Muggles, and his handling of those situations has been nothing short of brilliant.”

“Good to know he’s in great shape,” Scarlet replied with a nod. The knowledge that Lupin was nearby provided some comfort. With Hogwarts entrances sealed, Hogsmeade had effectively become the school’s most vulnerable point. If Peter Pettigrew or any Death Eaters sought to infiltrate Hogwarts, that village would be their best – and possibly only – entry.

Before Mr. Shacklebolt left the Headmaster’s office, he raised an eyebrow and said, “I heard that Hogwarts’s new professor is rather...entertaining?”

Professor Dumbledore sighed, a faintly weary smile playing on his lips. “Though I would prefer to respond with pride, I must admit he is, indeed, quite entertaining to the students.”

Scarlet chuckled softly.

Ever since Lockhart had exposed his incompetence during lessons – and been thoroughly humbled by Scarlet’s advanced magical prowess – the fourth-year students had found a new pastime. Gryffindor and Slytherin students, surprisingly united, began working together to prank Lockhart once in a while. Watching him fumble his way through hexes and jinxed in his uniquely disgraceful style had become a favourite shared activity.

Some students had attempted the same tricks on Scarlet. However, unlike Lockhart, she not only deflected the spells with graceful precision, but also caught the prankster red-handed, delivering equally matched counter-spells in return. This only bolstered her reputation as “The Never-Falling Lady in Red”, solidifying the unspoken rule among students: unless you had a truly clever prank in mind, you didn’t challenge Scarlet.

To maintain some semblance of order, Scarlet warned the students not to take things too far. While Lockhart’s teaching was undeniably subpar, he still followed the syllabus she provided. Without her intervention, Lockhart might well have spent more time in the hospital wing than the classroom.

“If he doesn’t do anything extraordinarily foolish, we just might keep a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor alive and well until the end of term,” Scarlet commented as she walked alongside a chuckling Auror out of the Headmasters’s office.

Unfortunately, Lockhart was still Lockhart. True to form, he managed to devise the same brilliant idea from the original storyline, despite being overwhelmingly out of his depth – and despite many students now clearly seeing through his facade.