"So, this was why you sneaked over here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"
Inside the cabin, Kyle, who had just returned from the castle, looked at the three Gryffindors standing against the wall as punishment, one eyebrow slightly raised.
"Just as expected of Gryffindor. You've even learned how to pick locks and break into places. Are you really that eager to go to Azkaban?
"Or just nod, and I can call in a favor to have you sent straight to Azkaban. Private cell, single occupancy—I guarantee you the best treatment."
"Well? Say something!"
Hermione's face was burning red, and she wished she could crawl into a crack in the floor. How could she possibly have the nerve to speak?
The other two were not much better off, but they had thicker skins, so it did not show as clearly.
"We... we didn't pick the lock or anything..." Ron stammered. "I just gave it a little push... and the door opened."
"The underground vaults at Gringotts aren't locked either. Why don't you try giving those a push?" Kyle said expressionlessly. "The gold inside is piled higher than mountains. You can grab as much as you like, and no one will stop you."
Ron fell silent.
"Sorry..." Hermione took a deep breath and said quietly. "We shouldn't have broken in without your permission."
"Are you apologizing to me?" Kyle said irritably.
He was not actually angry that the three of them had broken in during the night.
The place had only just been tidied up, and there was nothing particularly secret inside. He simply had not expected the three of them to be so bold.
It was not as if they had never seen a dragon before. During the Death Eaters' riot at the Quidditch World Cup, they