Exams were almost upon them, and the students had been having a very hard time of it lately.
The Weasley twins' "Messaging Ritual" had suddenly become all the rage, though not because of messaging notebooks, but because it was being used on scrap paper—students quickly realized that draft paper capable of synchronizing what another person wrote was simply the ideal cheating tool.
Unfortunately, the professors also realized this problem and announced that no draft paper, coins, or any magical tools capable of communication were allowed into the exam room—they would use the Summoning Charm during exams to make sure of it.
Harry and the others had more to worry about than the other students.
A few days earlier, they had finally managed to send Norbert away, but no matter how they tried to feel him out, Hagrid simply would not tell them how to get past Fluffy.
What vexed them even more was that their detention punishment had finally arrived: they had been ordered to go and patrol the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid at night.
They were all frightened by this order. Sending a few first- and second-year students to patrol the Forbidden Forest at night was utterly outrageous. Did these professors think they could beat a black bear, or take on a werewolf?
Harry received Professor McGonagall's letter at lunch, when Tom was not there.
Lately, this little companion of theirs had become increasingly mysterious. He often disappeared, and from time to time he showed up with dark circles under his eyes. No one knew what he was busy with.
They tried using a Goblin Coin to contact Tom, but could not reach him, and there were no afternoon classes with Slytherin either, so Harry decided to go to the Slytherin Common Room to find Tom and tell him