Snape’s Grudge

           NooneinGryffindorTowersleptthatnight.Theyknewthatthecastlewasbeingsearchedagain,andthewholeHousestayedawakeinthecommonroom,waitingtohearwhetherBlackhadbeencaught.ProfessorMcGonagallcamebackatdawn,totellthemthathehadagainescaped.

           Throughouttheday,everywheretheywenttheysawsignsoftightersecurity;ProfessorFlitwickcouldbeseenteachingthefrontdoorstorecognizealargepictureofSiriusBlack;Filchwassuddenlybustlingupanddownthecorridors,boardingupeverythingfromtinycracksinthewallstomouseholes.SirCadoganhadbeenfired.Hisportraithadbeentakenbacktoitslonelylandingontheseventhfloor,andtheFatLadywasback.Shehadbeenexpertlyrestored,butwasstillextremelynervous,andhadagreedtoreturntoherjobonlyonconditionthatshewasgivenextraprotection.Abunchofsurlysecuritytrollshadbeenhiredtoguardher.Theypacedthecorridorinamenacinggroup,talkingingruntsandcomparingthesizeoftheirclubs.

           Harrycouldn’thelpnoticingthatthestatueoftheone-eyedwitchonthethirdfloorremainedunguardedandunblocked.ItseemedthatFredandGeorgehadbeenrightinthinkingthatthey—andnowHarry,Ron,andHermione—weretheonlyoneswhoknewaboutthehiddenpassagewaywithinit.

           "D’youreckonweshouldtellsomeone?"HarryaskedRon.

           "Weknowhe’snotcominginthroughHoneyduke’s,"saidRondismissively."We’d’veheardiftheshophadbeenbrokeninto."

           HarrywasgladRontookthisview.