"Did you think you wouldn't get caught or that it wouldn't get you in trouble?"

"I thought that I would rather be spending the time trying to figure out why artificial electricity doesn't work."

"...did you get anywhere on that?"

"I think I'm getting somewhere."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out sooner or later."

"I should have it already."

"...why?"

"I would if I were smart enough."

"...uh, how?"

"I don't know! It's hard to guess what someone smarter than you would do!"

"Then how do you know what you'd do if you were smarter would be already knowing why artificial electricity doesn't work here?"

"I'm just sure I would be able to figure it out."

"...oh." Pat pat?

Yeah.

Miranda's mum says she may visit the Ways during the Christmas holidays, though not on the day itself or Boxing Day. Can the Ways arrange a Portkey or should they borrow a broomstick?

She should probably borrow a broomstick, both of Minor's parents are irresponsible at paperwork and there are rules about registering Portkeys in advance.

Karen's parents are good enough at paperwork to have their own Portkey arrangements set up, so two days after Christmas Karen arrives sooner than Miranda does.

The Way estate is pretty, if a little full of half-finished projects. "Karen, you've met most of my brothers already, right? James and Samuel're the little ones -" and he gestures at two twins, easily as tall as him, with Timothy's red hair, "James, Samuel, this is Dwimmer, she's in my year..."

"Nice to meet you," Karen says.

"Nice to meet you! What's Hogwarts like?"

"It's kind of a maze! We've been mapping it, best we can, it keeps moving around but mostly in patterns..."

"I can't wait to go!"

"It's pretty great! What House do you want?"

They look at each other. "Hmmm, dunno. Maybe Gryffindor so Theo's not lonely..."

"Yeah, that could work..."

"As long as we're both in the same one."

"Twins are usually, I think, but not always."