Chapter 39

The second class for Gryffindor first-years was history. The majority of students regarded it as the least useful class at Hogwarts. On the second floor was the history classroom. There should be a twenty-minute break between each class for all students. The four boys had no time to waste because Albert and Professor Flitwick engaged in a lengthy conversation. To get to the history class, they had to hurry.

Caretaker Argus Filch had arrived to open the door ten minutes before the class had started and waited there until the professor arrived. Filch was standing outside the classroom when the four entered the history classroom and gave the boys a dirty look. Professor Bins was incapable of opening a door. After all, he was a ghost. It taught history alongside the Ravenclaw students. Everyone chatted in their seats prior to the professor.

Albert pulled out a box of Bertie's Every Flavoured Beans from his bag while he ignored the twin brothers playing next to him. He chose one at random and put it in his mouth. He discovered it tasted like blueberries as he chewed. While he was there, he also got 'A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot' and 'Disillusionment Charm and Co. The Basic Guide for any Aspiring Aurors'.

Albert discovered he had learned another skill after completing the charms class: {Magic Theory}. He read the skill's description and realised it would be very helpful to him, so he raised it to level one. He could recall and understand knowledge Professor Flitwick had mentioned it class that he couldn't, and he couldn't help but frown. Raising a level didn't seem to have a great impact.

His charm theory has evolved, but Albert believes it is still the same. He could draw connections between pieces of information that he hadn't previously noticed. Although useful, it would only reach its full potential once he had a thorough understanding of the subject and an array of knowledge regarding its sub-branches.

Albert threw a Bertie's Every Flavoured Bean into his mouth as he recalled information about the Wand Lighting Charm. He then reached out to cover his mouth just as a hot odour escaped from it. Oh no, the bean he just consumed was the Carolina Reaper Every-flavoured bean. Albert vowed to never eat Bertie's Every Flavoured beans without paying attention to its colour and smell.

"Carolina Reaper Every-Flavoured Bean," On the table, Albert indicated to a small box. They had not yet consumed the pack of Bertie's Every Flavoured Beans they had purchased on the train.

"Every bite is a new experience, they say." Without forgetting to recite the catchphrase for sweet tease Albert, Fred grinned gleefully.

While giving the man in front of him a stern look, Albert snatched a toffee from his bag and shoved it into his mouth to soothe the heat. He then handed Fred a pack of Bertie's Every Flavoured Beans.

"You must use extreme caution when eating these," Fred took one, and he put it in his mouth to chew. He said, "Lucky, it tastes like spinach."

Then he gave his identical twin brother the packet, who did the same. "Strawberry flavour is mine." George exclaimed with joy.

"Let's give it a shot." Lee Jordan came over, selected one, and put it in his mouth.

"Do you want one?" Albert questioned the students seated close to him while shaking the box.

A few moments later, Lee Jorden's voice could be heard nearby.

"It's disgusting and tastes like rotten eggs." Lee Jorden spat out the Every-Flavoured Bean as his stomach churned.

The Ravenclaw student standing next to Lee Jorden gave him a repulsive look. When Lee Jorden saw the other person's eyes, he felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head.

Lee Jordan's vomit was the target of Albert's "| Scourgify |" spell as he raised his wand.

"I'm never going to touch one of those again." Lee Jorden made a vow.

"Even though you've said it many times, you continue to accept something when it is offered to you." As he ate another bean, George joked. "I've never had marmalade before," he said.

Everyone walked over to Albert's table after the incident involving Lee Jorden to investigate the commotion.

"What spell did you just use?" The Ravenclaw's girl, who was sitting next to him, said. Afterward, she introduced herself, saying, "My name is Katrina McDougall."

"Hello, Katrina. I am Albert Anderson." Albert consumed a piece of chocolate. After chewing, the taste of the chilli gradually vanished from his mouth. "That, Katrina, was the scouring charm. It's a common household charm."

"Even if they are taught by family members beforehand, most First years purebloods are not as skilled at magic as you are. As well..." Katrina paused for a second to catch her breath from speaking so fast and as she saw the 'Disillusionment Charm and Co: The Basic Guide for any Aspiring Aurors' on his desk. She then said, "I dare say the Sorting Hat must have put you in the wrong House. Also, I've never heard of a pureblood house with the surname Anderson. Then you must be half-blood."

"There is nothing wrong with Gryffindor who likes to read." Albert didn't care about the other person's words. "As well... I come from a Muggle family."

"This is impossible. How can a muggle born do a spell most pureblood first years can't do?" The expression on Katrina's face was warped.

"I overheard. If you want to enter the Ravenclaw Common Room, answer a question first. Is that true?" Albert changed the topic because he did not want to talk about his ancestry.

"Yes, in order to enter the Ravenclaw common room, you must respond to the question posed by the bronze eagle knocker." Katrina questioned Albert as she regarded him suspiciously. "But I'm curious. How did you know about this? Many people are unsure of how to access other houses' lounges."

"I overheard a Ravenclaw first year complain he was left outside because he could not respond to the question." Albert made absurd comments.

"Oh!" Katrina continues to harbour some suspicions regarding Albert. Such an occurrence is extremely unlikely and even if it happened, no-one would speak of it because of two reasons. One: the embarrassment and Two: no-one wants to spread the secret of how to enter their Common Room to the other Houses.

"Look at our boy. He only needs a few words to charm any girl." George muttered from the table next to Albert.

Fred nodded, and Lee Jorden agreed. He reached out and took out a bean from the box. This guy is actually unbelievable. He said he will never touch one again, yet he's having one right in front of us.

"Tell me what is the hardest question it ever asked you," Albert asked as he glared at the three of them and coughed lightly.

"Which came first, the Phoenix or the flame?" Katrina chose a query for which she already knew the answer.

"What do you guys think?" Albert looked at the twin brothers as he turned his head.

"I think a phoenix should come first." said Fred.

George concurred, "I think so too."

"Why?" Lee Jorden enquired.

"Of course we guessed it!" The twins spoke in unison, and everyone found the twins' expression amusing.

Without even trying, Albert laughed.

"What do you think?" Katrina re-asked.

"We have a similar question in the world of Muggles," Albert continued without answering the question. "What came first, the chicken or the egg?"

"What's the answer?" Katrina asked with interest. She thought she knew the solution.

"Obviously the chicken," he said. The response from Albert differed greatly from what Katrina had expected.

"Why?"

"Who lays the eggs? The chicken. So Chicken is the answer."