Through the gaps in the bars, she could see the pitch-black entrance. It seemed as though a tunnel had been built inside.
The lock on the bars looked simple too, as if it could be opened with nothing more than an Alohomora and required no special key.
But bank vaults looked heavy and complicated, yet they could still be opened by a single Alohomora. Things were often not what they appeared to be.
Pomona carefully inserted the key into the lock and gave it a gentle twist. An invisible barrier seemed to vanish at once, and then a gust of wind blew straight at her from the entrance.
She removed the key again, hung it around her neck, and continued inward. The underground space was surprisingly vast. Though there were several branching paths, they were not particularly complicated, making her almost think it was all too easy.
Yet after searching for a long time, she found no stairs leading upward. Finally, in the "hall," she saw an enormous circular mosaic. This time, she saw it more clearly. It really was a bird-shaped family crest.
"This crest belongs to the Lockwood family."
Pomona looked toward the direction the voice had come from in the darkness.
"It seems you've found something interesting, Pomona."
Then Snape emerged, dressed all in black, his eyes filled with suppressed irritation.
"I only wanted to come find you after running into trouble," Pomona said with a smile. "If it were too easy, there'd be no challenge. Wouldn't that be disturbing you?"
He gave a hypocritical smile. "There is a challenge waiting for you when you return. Peeves asked me to ask you when you intend to drive that intruder out."
"Intruder? Paul?" Pomona asked.
"Who else did you think it would be?" Severus said.
"I wasn't the