After returning to the Castle, Douglas first took a hot bath.
He glanced at the Marauder's Map and saw that Dumbledore was in his office.
Then he took the Diary to the entrance of the Headmaster's Office.
Facing the Gargoyle, he began making up passwords. Yes, making them up.
"Iced Lemon Juice!"
"Cockroach Clusters!"
"Acid Pops?"
"Toffee Fingers?"
"Fizzing Whizzbees?"
"..."
Douglas reeled off a whole string of dessert names. He even tried names of hot pots.
The stone beast remained unmoved.
He even used the Ear-to-Ear Communication Charm, but the Headmaster's Office seemed to have the highest level of protection. No method could pinpoint the office's location.
(He had merely invented the Ear-to-Ear Communication Charm based on the Patronus Messaging Charm. Dumbledore had invented the Patronus Messaging Charm, and only members of the Order of the Phoenix knew how to use it.)
This left Douglas rather disappointed. He had wanted to share this fresh news with Dumbledore.
But the man would not open the door.
Shout and yell?
Dumbledore's office was on the Seventh Floor, but its entrance was on the second floor. Even if he shouted himself hoarse, Dumbledore would not hear him.
"Forget it. I might as well use this time to get a late-night snack from the Kitchen."
With that thought, Douglas turned to leave.
After just two steps, he still could not give up. He suddenly turned back and said to the stone beast:
"Dragon's Beard Candy?"
"Wife Cake?"
Having said that, he prepared to turn and leave.
Suddenly, the stone beast sprang aside, and the wall behind it split open, revealing a staircase spiraling upward.
Without time to think, Douglas hurriedly jumped onto the stairs.
As the spiral staircase rose, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
He swore to heaven that the last