Su Er held the door knocker. Sure enough, there was a special spell for removing the eagle-shaped bronze ring from the door. At least he would not have to tear the thousand-year-old door to pieces.
Just as Su Er placed the knocker in the recess to the left of the statue's base, wind blew in through the doorway, which stood a little taller than a person, carrying faint voices.
"Why isn't anything happening?"
The keys were all in place. Shouldn't the normal procedure be...
Hermione glanced back anxiously.
"What do we do next, Grey Lady?"
"I wonder whether you know how to enter the Hufflepuff Common Room?" The Grey Lady asked.
"You mean..." Su Er understood at once and drew his wand.
"Rowena Ravenclaw. Tap anywhere to those syllables." Helena nodded. "I'll go in first and wait for you."
The voices and footsteps on the spiral staircase drew closer and closer. There was little time left. Su Er seized Hermione's small hand and tapped rapidly with his wand tip.
A hazy glow rose from the lettering, which might have been there since the statue was cast or might have been carved later, and swiftly formed a shimmering doorway of light.
Hand in hand with Hermione, Su Er stepped through and vanished. At the same time, the Diadem and knocker beneath the statue gradually faded away.
"Where's the door? Where's our great big door?!" a young voice shrieked-
The Grey Lady had not lied. At a glance, this was clearly no place for treasure.
Two sofas facing each other, a small coffee table between them, and a bookcase that was not full: that was everything in the room.
"So there really isn't any treasure or legacy here?" Su Er surveyed the entire room and shook his head.
"That's right. This