Hermione's plan

"Don't worry. It was only a few chicks, killed by some small creature that likes eating innards. They can't attack people, but you might catch some unknown germs, so it's best not to go there too often!"

"Oh, all right. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me? If not, I'll head back to the Dormitory!"

"No, that's all. Off you go!"

Like a prisoner granted a pardon, Ginny turned and hurried away. After that warning, "she" ought to behave herself for a while. Only when the red-haired figure had vanished completely did Luo Bin stroll toward the long dining table.

After dinner, Hermione strode toward Luo Bin, carrying a thick, oversized copy of Hogwarts: A History. "Luckily, Patil brought it to school, or I'd have had to wait another two weeks to get it from Madam Pince. Ever since those red words appeared on the Gray Wall, every book about Hogwarts has been checked out!"

"What did you find in it?"

Hermione pursed her lips without saying a word. Behind her, Ron stood on tiptoe, waving his hands and pulling faces to signal that all her efforts had been useless.

"Checking them one by one takes far too long. Why not ask someone who's been at the school for ages and knows a lot?"

Luo Bin offered the suggestion.

"Luo Bin, I thought about asking someone too. But if Dumbledore wanted to tell us, he would have done it that night when he 'questioned' Harry alone!"

"It doesn't have to be the Headmaster. We could ask someone else!"

"Ask Snape? Not only would he refuse to tell us, he'd take points off me!" Harry said, pushing up his glasses.

"Ask Professor McGonagall? Then get punished with a three-thousand-word reflection essay? I don't want to end up like Percy,