In the end, Harry still failed to find where Malfoy had hidden himself.
He could not linger there for too long, because Filch returned after lunch, limping along.
"Oh, my precious darling, why are you sleeping here? You'll catch a chill!"
At the sight of Mrs. Norris basking in the sun on the corridor floor, Filch quickened his pace.
He carefully scooped Mrs. Norris into his arms and, right in front of Harry, affectionately rubbed his red, bulbous nose against the spot where her long whiskers grew. Then, humming a cheerful tune, he walked into his office.
The students in the Great Hall had begun to leave as well. Harry had to remove his invisibility disguise before the stream of people heading upstairs grew too dense.
For the entire afternoon, including during Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class, Harry kept getting distracted, wondering where Malfoy had secretly hidden that day and what he had intended to do.
"I think that's enough, Harry—"
During the post-dinner run, Hermione was growing a little impatient with Harry's endless speculation.
"I think you should focus more of your energy on your studies. I hope you haven't forgotten that this is the year of the O.W.L.s!"
"But what if a Death Eater has infiltrated Hogwarts—"
Harry was rather shocked that Hermione seemed so indifferent to the matter.
"That's only your guess, Harry."
Hermione said, slightly out of breath.
"I don't think Malfoy can do anything harmful to the school under Professor Breen's nose."
Harry looked to Ron, hoping to get some support from him, but Ron did not seem to have heard a word he said. He merely kept running while watching several students practicing flight on brooms over the lawn.
Biting his lip, Harry suppressed the resentment in his eyes and fell silent.
Over the next