"It has nothing to do with us?"
Harry and the other two exchanged glances, each seeing the surprise in the others' eyes.
Completely at odds with their hulking builds were Crabbe and Goyle's timid personalities.
Ever since Malfoy had stopped backing them up, Crabbe and Goyle had behaved themselves. In recent years, aside from bullying Slytherin first-years, no one had heard of them causing any trouble.
Snort—
Seeing Crabbe's fat face pulled tight, Ron could not help but sneer. He stepped forward and poked Crabbe in the chest with one finger.
"I think you've forgotten that I'm a prefect, while you're wandering around the castle after lights-out—"
Harry saw Crabbe's swollen face darken at a visible rate.
"So you'd better give me an explanation, or I'll tell Snape and have him put you in detention!"
Ron continued threatening him.
"No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Weasley—"
A sinister voice suddenly came from the dark corridor on the third floor, startling all four people at the stairway corner.
They hurriedly looked down the corridor and saw Snape, his face waxy yellow, drifting out of the shadows like a ghost.
His arms folded, he scrutinized Harry and the others.
Harry and Neville showed no change in expression, though both inwardly cursed their luck. Ron, knowing he had struck a nerve with Snape, bit his lip and had nowhere to put his hands.
In the silence, Professor Snape's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"So, Potter, Longbottom, you've earned yourselves the right to wander the castle in the middle of the night as well?"
It was unwise to antagonize Snape now. They had more important things to do!
Harry could only keep telling himself that, desperately suppressing the urge to retort.
"Harry and Neville were helping me—"
Ron said stubbornly.
"Lies!"
Snape snapped