The Room of Requirement and the Phoenix (IV)

He took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped and looked back at the stone beast that had withdrawn into the wall. Its eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness, as though it were watching him—or perhaps it was only ordinary stone reflecting the firelight.

He could not say why he had stopped. Maybe it was because Dumbledore had said in the office, "You have taken an interest in certain forgotten corners of the castle's history"—he knew. Dumbledore knew they had been investigating the Room of Requirement. He even knew how far they had gotten.

The old man knew everything, yet he had not pressed him or forced him to say things he was not ready to say. He had merely given him a lamp—the Two-Way Mirror—and let him decide when to light it.

Harry took a deep breath, turned, and headed for Gryffindor Tower.

The Fat Lady did not seem to be in a very good mood tonight. With her arms folded, she leaned against her frame and gave Harry that look that said, "Why are you children back so late again?" But she said nothing. After he gave the password, she lazily tipped forward and opened the passage.

There were not many people left in the common room. The fire in the fireplace had burned low, with only a few embers glowing dark red, bathing the entire room in a dim, warm light. Ron and Hermione were still sitting on the largest sofa by the fire, several open books before them, though neither of them was clearly reading anymore.

Ron's head bobbed like a pecking chick, with a trace of drool at the corner of his mouth. Hermione was not asleep, but the quill in her hand had been still for a long time. Ink had gathered at its