Hogwarts.
A spy drama starring rookie agents was unfolding, clumsy yet earnest.
The library.
The bookshelves cast long shadows.
The air smelled of old parchment and dust.
Harry and Ron huddled in a corner, pretending to read a copy of Medieval History of Magic heavy enough to crush a troll to death.
Harry held a small mirror, watching his target nervously through a gap in the shelves.
The target: a seventh-year Hufflepuff student.
He sat by the window taking notes, sunlight falling on him.
Gentle. Harmless.
"He moved!" Ron whispered so quietly it was as though he were on a life-or-death mission. "He turned a page of his notes!"
"Shut up, Ron!" Harry hissed, even holding his breath.
The third-floor corridor.
Hermione and Padma were the real commanders.
A notebook lay open, with times recorded in it, as they muttered under their breath.
"The target has stayed for thirty-seven minutes, four and a half minutes longer than he spent reading yesterday."
"There are two routes back to Hufflepuff: the kitchen route and the Charms classroom route."
Padma's quill scratched across the parchment.
"Ernie and Hannah have been notified. They'll arrange separate chance encounters."
Their movements were clumsy, their conversations student-like.
But every face bore a look of professional seriousness.
They were investigators for the Charon Detective Agency.
Professor Moody's special assistants.
They would be more professional than last time.
Inside the library.
Harry watched the older student intently through the mirror.
A first-year came stumbling over, his face on the verge of tears.
He was lost.
Harry's heart rose into his throat.
An opportunity!
A perfect opportunity to observe his reaction!
The older student noticed the little boy.
He put down his quill, without a trace of impatience on his face.
A moment later, he was already crouching in front