Advancing Side by Side

"Then next Wednesday night."

Harry said, "We'll decide on the times for the other activities then. I think we should leave quickly now."

He pulled out the Marauder's Map again and carefully checked whether there were any teachers on the Eighth Floor. He had everyone leave in groups of three or four, anxiously watching their little black dots to make sure they returned safely to their dormitories: the Hufflepuffs returned to the basement corridor that also led to the kitchens, the Ravenclaws returned to the tower on the west side of the castle, and the Gryffindors followed the Eighth Floor corridor back to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

Hufflepuff Common Room.

Fren sat in a recliner reading the newspaper. For some reason, the Fat Friar had been appearing and disappearing these past few days, as though he were occupied with something. He rarely showed up in the Common Room anymore.

So naturally, someone else had taken his chair.

Fren had a purpose for being here. He was waiting for Smith and the others to return so they could report on the first gathering.

—Of course, this Smith was not Jon. Jon was no longer the Smith he had once been. Smith had become his middle name. If his name were shortened, it should be Jon Hufflepuff.

Still, the matter was not that serious.

Before long, he saw Smith, Macmillan, and Justin enter through the entrance, chatting and laughing together.

"Looks like you had a good time today."

"Boss Fren."

The three of them immediately grew serious, but they were not particularly nervous. Fren was always mild when he was around them, unlike Boss Stephen, who put them under immense pressure.

"How did it go?"

"Very well." Smith's fingertips tapped rapidly against a sheet of paper. Threads formed from magic