Discovering a Secret

"Dobby?! Harry, is he the House-elf you mentioned before? Where is he? I want to meet him!"

Hermione spoke excitedly.

"He's probably gone. A House-elf's magic is much stronger than a wizard's. But Draco's broom and mine were probably rigged with explosives beforehand. Dobby most likely didn't do it!"

"Someone's obviously trying to cause trouble at school. I'll say it first: my prime suspect is Salasha Forgini. Three reasons. First, she's new. We didn't have classroom accidents this often last year. Second, she was there every time an accident happened, yet she was lucky enough to escape without a scratch. What are the odds? Third, her personality changed so much in just two days. Doesn't that prove something's wrong with her?"

Hermione laid out her case point by point, while Ron, standing beside her, nodded along from time to time.

Harry was another matter. The more he listened, the deeper his frown grew. "Hermione, I strongly disagree. So far, Salasha hasn't hurt anyone..."

"Harry, she's fooled you. Robin, Ron, let's go. Harry, you can go find your precious Salasha!"

Hermione linked arms with Robin and Ron and marched off in a huff.

"Hermione, aren't you just pushing Harry toward Salasha?"

"It's her or me. He can decide for himself!"

Hermione bristled like a duck protecting her ducklings, her heels clacking against the floor. She shook them both off and stormed... straight toward the Library.

"Robin, women sure can hold a grudge!"

Ron grinned nervously. He was probably thinking of Mrs. Molly.

"Ron, I have something to take care of. Go back and look for Harry, will you? I'm worried Dobby might come after him again."

"No problem!"

After they parted in the Entrance Hall, Robin wandered through the Castle. He crossed corridors and passed classroom after classroom until he reached