At the Weasley brothers' urging, an idea that had long since died down began stirring again in Silvan's mind.
According to them, Professor Sprout had to prepare for the upcoming O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams, so she had little time to keep watch over the Whomping Willow.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
So that very night, the three of them went through the passage again, ready to pull off something big.
"How are things looking...?" To make sure nothing went wrong, Silvan looked at Fred before they got close to the Whomping Willow and asked, "No professors around, right?"
Fred was looking at a very old piece of parchment, frowning slightly.
"What is it? Is Professor Sprout here?"
"No, she isn't." Fred quickly shook his head. "She's still in her office. It's perfectly safe here. I just saw our little brother."
"Your little brother... Ron?" Silvan asked. "What about him?"
"Just upholding the fine traditions of the Weasley family, of course." George looked up and winked at Silvan. "That's our brother, all right. First year, and already sneaking around at night with a friend."
"I remember Charlie's first night out was in his first year, too."
"Bill's as well..."
"Oh, in that case..." Fred grinned. "I guess Percy really is the odd one out."
"Maybe he's the neighbors' kid."
The two of them were getting more and more ridiculous, but Silvan really didn't feel like joining them in discussing Mr. Percy Weasley's parentage.
It was just a first-year sneaking out at night. As long as it wasn't Professor Sprout or Filch, it was fine.
Something still felt off, but he had no time to think it over just then. The Whomping Willow was more important.
Silvan took a deep breath, forcibly tamped down the restlessness inside him, and turned to remind