Chapter 16: Generation Gap

"This is called Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans," Lee Jordan shook his box and handed it to the three of them. "It contains various flavors, give it a try."

"Be careful when you eat these," George warned. "When he says 'every flavor,' you know it means all kinds of flavors."

"Not only the usual flavors like chocolate, peppermint, and orange marmalade, but also flavors like spinach, liver, and tripe. Oh, and watch out for the earwax flavor," Fred grabbed one and threw it into his mouth. "This one is pumpkin flavor."

"What flavor is this?" Albert picked up a grey bean and asked.

"It's pepper flavor. If I were you, I wouldn't touch it," George kindly advised. "Mine is chicken flavor, like this one."

"What about this?" Albert picked up something resembling a bubblegum.

"That's a Chewing Gum Bomb."

"I know this one, Chocolate Frogs. I had them last time," Albert pointed to the Chocolate Frogs.

"Pumpkin pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands," George began explaining other peculiar foods, some of which would change the color of your entire tongue after eating, and others that would make various sounds.

"Ton-Tongue Toffee, it makes your tongue grow really long," Fred added.

Albert opened one and took out a piece. "What sound does this make?"

"I don't know."

"How long does it last?"

"Probably just a few seconds!"

Albert popped the candy into his mouth and suddenly let out a roaring lion-like growl, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

"Give it a try?" George suggested.

George got the one that sounded like a baboon, Fred got the one that sounded like a cat, and Lee Jordan had the misfortune of getting the one that sounded like an elephant. His cheeks turned red, and smoke billowed out of his ears, which made everyone laugh even harder.

"Oops, I didn't buy enough," Albert found these candies quite amusing, so he went to other compartments to find the witch and bought another portion.

"For my sister," Albert noticed the puzzled looks from the others and explained with a smile.

Of course, Albert had no intention of filling his stomach with these candies. He took out the sandwiches that Daisy had prepared for him and started eating them, under the curious and bewildered gazes of the others.

"Why did you bring food if you're buying so much?" Lee Jordan was quite puzzled.

"Because it's fascinating. If I come across something interesting, I'll send a portion back home to my family," Albert picked up a bottle of peach-flavored soda and asked, "Do you want to try it?"

"What is it?"

"It's a drink you probably haven't tried before," Albert bought a cup of pumpkin juice, which had a unique taste, somewhat similar to drinking soy milk.

"How do you open it?" the twins curiously examined the canned soda.

"There's a pull tab on top. Don't shake it, or the drink inside might spray out," Albert warned, but it was too late. When Fred opened the soda, he ended up with a face full of spray.

"I warned you not to shake it," Albert couldn't help but chuckle, and he took the half-empty can of peach soda from the twins' hands.

He took out his wand and cleared the watermarks on the table and newspaper before asking, "Do you want to try the taste?"

As he said that, he lifted his wand and lightly tapped the candy bag on the table, turning it into a plastic cup.

"Wow!" the twins exclaimed in an exaggerated manner.

"What's wrong?" Albert looked at them in confusion and repeated, "Double the copies."

He used a duplication spell to turn the plastic cup into three cups.

"You just used magic, didn't you?"

"Oh, it's a little trick I learned from the spellbook. It's quite useful," Albert casually replied. "Is there a problem?"

"Is there a problem?" Lee Jordan said weakly. "Of course, there is. I remember you're a wizard from the Muggle world."

"And then?" Albert raised an eyebrow and asked.

"I dare say, there's definitely no other first-year who can use magic as skillfully as you."

"Are you being too exaggerated?" Albert changed the topic and asked, "Do you want to drink it?" He poured a little into each of the three cups.

"The taste is a bit strange, but it's not bad."

"It feels a bit like beer, but different."

"Have you guys tried beer?" Albert asked curiously.

"George sneaked a sip."

"You did too."

"After all, you're not Muggles. It's normal that you're not used to it," Albert understood. It was similar to him drinking pumpkin juice.

"That's not the point. How did you do it? I heard Transfiguration is super difficult to learn," Lee Jordan said dramatically.

"Super difficult?" Albert carefully thought about it and realized it wasn't as difficult as the other person had described. He had asked for tips on turning matches into needles from Dumbledore, and after practicing for a week and mastering the first-level Transfiguration spells, he could easily transform small objects.

"It is a bit challenging. It took me half a day to turn matches into needles, but it becomes easier once you become proficient," Albert explained.

"Half a day." The three of them looked at each other and suddenly felt a bit awkward, not wanting to talk to each other.

You'll lose friends if you keep acting pretentious like this.

"Is it really that simple?"

"Um, how much magic have you mastered?" George weakly asked.

"I've tried all the spells in the textbooks... Haven't you tried magic during the summer break?" Albert looked at them suspiciously.

"Our families wouldn't let us touch wands."

"You could try it secretly, and besides, isn't there a place to buy wands?" Albert sighed.

"Wait, so you've succeeded in everything?" Fred asked weakly.

"I've succeeded in most of them. During the summer break, I also met students from Hogwarts, and we've been corresponding through letters. They have given me a lot of advice in magic..."

Boom! A thunderclap struck from the sky, interrupting Albert's words, and the rain outside the carriage grew heavier.

Is even the heavens disapproving?

Lee Jordan got up and closed the window to prevent rain from coming in.

"I hope the rain stops when we arrive at the school," Albert threw a piece of chocolate into his mouth and chewed slowly.

The long journey on the train was getting a bit boring.

"What's wrong with you guys?" Albert looked at the three silent individuals in confusion.

"It's nothing!" Fred managed to squeeze out a sentence. "We just feel like you're going to be an amazing guy in the future."

"I feel the same way," Albert suddenly said, causing all three of them to pause for a moment.

"Haha, just kidding. No one knows what the future holds."

For the rest of the time, they snacked and talked about the magical world, with most of the conversation led by the trio while Albert listened.

When they talked about Quidditch, Albert listened intently as the three of them tried their best to explain how four balls and seven players participate in a match. It seemed fascinating.

It was evident that the twins both wanted to have a good broomstick and have an exciting match.

"I wouldn't mind experiencing the feeling of flying in the sky," Albert said. "Although riding a broomstick would be a bit peculiar."

(End of this chapter)