Professor McGonagall walked up to the Trio and said sternly:
"Given the circumstances, and since a professor was with you, you won't be punished this time. But you are absolutely not allowed to leave the Castle on your own at night again... come back to the Common Room with me now..."
The Trio lowered their heads and followed Professor McGonagall silently, not daring to speak.
Douglas headed for the Hospital Wing alone.
Professor McGonagall, meanwhile, escorted the three to the Common Room entrance and left straight away.
When they climbed through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor Common Room, they found it surprisingly lively.
George and Fred were the center of attention, sharing piles of snacks and desserts with everyone.
A banner hung on the wall as well: [The Weasley Brothers' last bash of the term].
Only after Ginny explained did they learn that the Weasley Twins knew perfectly well they would be spending much of the term in detention.
So they had taken advantage of the window before their detentions began to organize a Back-to-School Bash.
Ron said angrily:
"But that banner's bad luck! Doesn't 'the Weasley Brothers' include me? I don't want to spend a whole term in detention with them. Didn't Percy object?"
Ginny split a pastry in half and gave Hermione a piece before saying:
"Percy hasn't come out at all. He's probably still in the Dormitory writing to that little girlfriend of his."
Ron stamped his foot indignantly, then shooed Ginny away and pulled Hermione and Harry aside, saying quietly:
"I've got a new discovery to tell you about."
Hermione and Harry exchanged a look, then turned to Ron.
Looking as though he had uncovered a great secret, Ron said:
"Perhaps neither of you noticed, but I heard it perfectly clearly from where I was