The noisy shaker

The Weasley twins had struck gold with their latest business venture. They had sold a juicy piece of information to their father, Arthur Weasley.

Mr. Weasley's pen pal was taking students on a trip to the Muggle world, and the highlight was a visit to the zoo. Mr. Weasley, a man fascinated by Muggle vehicles, had to part with more of his hard-earned Galleons to get the details from his sons. Initially reluctant to spend the money, he relented when Professor Anthony refused to divulge any further information. With a veiled threat of telling Molly, he sent a letter filled with coins to Hogwarts.

The twins put their earnings to good use. Besides stocking up on ingredients for their mischievous pranks, they splurged on a dusty old lottery machine from Zonko's Joke Shop. They discovered that a simple Confundus Charm could make the contraption spit out any desired number.

Fred attempted to make the 1 to 100 lottery machine roll out 0401. After some contemplation, the machine produced a 100 and a 4.

"Why not 10 and 40?" George questioned, giving the machine a shake.

It responded by spitting out a ball labeled 41. Then, after a brief pause, it emitted an ominous buzzing sound and a puff of black smoke. Fred quickly tried to appease it by requesting the number 78.

"I think we confused him," Fred said, catching the red and white ball. "Sorry, pal. We really wanted to be the lucky zoo visitors."

George chimed in, "Sorry, Professor. Turns out drawing lots isn't the fairest method after all."

Fred mimicked Anthony's tone, saying, "The Confundus Charm is arguably one of the most essential spells for wizards who interact with Muggles."

"We deserve a reward for our diligent practice," George nodded.

Together, they conveniently omitted Anthony's disapproval of their little scheme.

...

As Anthony entered the classroom carrying a large cardboard box, he was puzzled to find all eyes on the Weasley twins.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

Angelina Johnson spoke up, "What's in the box, Professor?"

Anthony glanced down at the box with a hole cut into the top. "Ah, didn't I mention we'd be drawing the lottery today? Weasley?"

Fred, who rarely volunteered to speak in class, piped up, "Professor, shouldn't we be drawing lots with something a bit more, um.. exciting?"

"Like a raffle drum?" George added.

"Instead of a packing box?" Fred gestured towards the words "Modular Bookshelf (5 feet x 2 feet x 12 inches)" printed on the corner of the box.

"Oh, there's no need for that," Anthony said. "There are only a dozen of you who signed up, so writing your names on slips of paper will be just fine."

Under the knowing gazes of his classmates, Fred sank back into his seat, rubbing his forehead vigorously as if trying to spark an idea through friction.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Anthony added, "The class next door got lucky; everyone who signed up got picked. Let's see how fortunate you are."

George muttered, "I don't think we're that lucky."

"Seems not," Fred agreed.

Angelina chimed in, "You could always try a Confundus Charm on the Professor."

Anthony ceremoniously shook the box, the cardboard rattling loudly. "I heard that, Miss Johnson," he said.

...

"You know, I was just thinking about Trelawney's dream analysis," Fred whispered to George. "The knife means things will backfire, and eating the fried pork chop means others will get dragged into it."

"Then how do you explain my 'darkness lurking around me'?" George asked. "Who could that be, Wood?"

With their misfortune confirmed and the ominous darkness looming, both Weasley brothers were relegated to the larger group heading to the pet shop.

Angelina, on the other hand, had been successfully selected and sat back with a triumphant smirk, glancing at the scheming Weasleys. The other name drawn belonged to a fourth-year Ravenclaw student.

As Anthony noted down the names, the Weasley twins were already pestering Angelina for details about driving.

"Forget about elephants and giraffes," they pleaded. "Just show us how to shift gears, alright?"

...

About a week later, Anthony heard a rumor that the Weasley twins were selling answers to their Divination homework. Apparently, they had a magical contraption that could randomly generate bizarre combinations, which they passed off as their classmates' dreams.

The confounded machine churned out dream scenarios that included swinging on a wardrobe in the Forbidden Forest, racing Professor Dumbledore on hippogriffs, and having fleas claiming descent from vampire bats infesting one's hair. The corresponding interpretations predicted broken legs, crashing into trees, and beheadings.

Professor Trelawney was delighted with the students' honest recordings and insightful analyses, even declaring they had "more talent for divination than Minerva."

Professor McGonagall, sipping her tea, remarked dryly to Anthony, "I'm thrilled that Trelawney thinks so highly of them. Now I actually believe the Weasley brothers might pass Divination."

...

During that same week, Anthony attended his first Apparition class.

When he inquired about it, Professor Sprout didn't hesitate to add him to the roster and inform the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry instructor who arrived to teach Apparition was visibly uncomfortable, refusing to make eye contact with Anthony throughout the entire session.

The instructor, Wilkie Twycross, was as pale as Professor Quirrell, if not thinner.

Anthony overheard students speculating whether Twycross, like Quirrell, felt constantly pursued by a vampire.

The students watched Anthony with keen interest as he attempted to spin on the spot alongside Twycross's graceful demonstration. Then, like all the students, nothing happened.

"Eyes front, Shunpike!" Professor Sprout barked at a student whose gaze was practically glued to Anthony.

Stan Shunpike, in his effort to observe Anthony while practicing the spin, had swung his head around like a ballet dancer, nearly hitting the four Deans standing nearby with his flung hat.

For the third time, Twycross emphasized the importance of the three D's (Destination, Determination, and Deliberation) and encouraged them to practice Apparating on their own towards the wooden hoops in front of them. Anthony raised his hand.

"Yes, Professor Anthony?" Twycross inquired calmly, finally looking at him.

"I apologize, but I don't have a hoop," Anthony explained.

Twycross replied calmly, "That's correct. Experienced wizards such as yourself don't typically require visual aids. Please select a destination of your choosing."

Anthony gave him a quizzical look, then extended his arms and spun.

He envisioned a corner of the Great Hall, next to a stone pillar with a chipped brick. Then he felt an unpleasant squeezing sensation.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself still in place, but everyone was staring at him in stunned silence.

"What's the matter?" Anthony asked, confused.

Then he realized he was splinched. Most of his body had successfully Apparated to the Great Hall, as intended, but his head remained where it was.

"Oh dear, I apologize," Anthony said sheepishly. "I must look quite alarming."

"Remarkable," Professor McGonagall declared, rushing forward and reattaching his head. "I've never seen splinching like that before."

"Nor have I," Twycross added quietly.