A black cat and a little black-and-white badger hid in the shadows, pressed close together, their bright eyes fixed on the blank wall in front of the tapestry.
As everyone knew, staring at one place without moving brought on a persistent drowsiness. What was more, even though Hermione had turned into a cat, her scent had not disappeared.
Another thing everyone knew was that cats were nocturnal. Although Su Er was too, he had spent this period going against the normal habits of his Animagus animal form, becoming just like a human.
Just as the two of them-no, to be precise, only Su Er-were about to fall asleep waiting...
A black paw gently nudged Su Er.
"Meow..."
Su Er jerked awake and lifted his head. The Room of Requirement, which the two little animals had been watching for so long, had finally reappeared.
Eddie and his roommate ran out looking thoroughly disheveled. Although their faces and bodies were streaked with gray and black, their eyes shone with unconcealed excitement.
Each of them carried a bulging cloth bag, and faint clinking sounds could be heard from inside as Eddie and his roommate ran.
The two young wizards never noticed Su Er and Hermione hiding in the shadows. With their heads lowered, they jogged along without a word.
"This time, it must be right." Su Er and Hermione distinctly heard Eddie say this to his roommate.
As Eddie and his roommate receded into the distance, Hermione and Su Er emerged from the shadows together and exchanged a glance. The understanding they had developed growing up together led them to the same decision.
Follow them!
They wound their way through turn after turn without incident, encountering neither Filch and his cat nor any strange people. Following Eddie and his roommate, they successfully reached