Moody's theory of verification by elimination sent the Detective Club's morale soaring, almost to the point of fanaticism.
They congratulated themselves on their professional performance.
Yet they also found themselves lost again.
They had ruled out one wrong answer, but where was the right one?
What should they do next?
Moody gave them no answer.
He announced a day's rest for everyone, surveying the young wizards he had wrapped around his finger with his good eye.
"Take some time to digest today's victory."
He said.
"Tomorrow, we'll have a new direction."
Of course Moody had a new direction.
Plan A, using Harry Potter as a blade, had struck stone.
Then it was time to activate plan B.
When one path proved impassable, an excellent Auror would change course without hesitation, or even... create a path.
He needed an opening from within.
A pawn who could provide clues while keeping him out of it.
Hogwarts never lacked souls led astray by ambition and jealousy.
The corridor after Potions class was cold and damp.
The bitter smell of herbs hung in the air, mingling with the stale, moldy odor peculiar to the dungeons.
Students left in twos and threes, their chatter receding, swallowed by the darkness.
Draco Malfoy stood stubbornly by the classroom door like a pale statue.
The person he was waiting for finally appeared.
Snape glided out through the doorway, radiating an unapproachable chill.
"Professor."
Malfoy summoned his courage and stepped forward, blocking Snape's path.
Snape stopped, but did not look at him.
His eyes remained fixed on the darkness ahead, treating Malfoy as though he were air.
"I can explain."
Malfoy's voice was tight. He struggled to maintain his aristocratic composure, but his trembling fingertips betrayed him.
"I only wanted to help you that day. I didn't think Potter