Under everyone's gaze, Douglas...
...disappeared up the stairs in a few bounds.
The three following behind could only marvel at how good it was to be young.
A stir ran through the students in the Great Hall as well.
They very much wanted to follow and find out what had happened to make Professor Holmes so nervous.
But Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, together with the prefects, calmed them down.
When Douglas reached the staircase nearest the way to that bathroom, it had just moved to another position.
Dumbledore called from behind:
"Wait, Douglas!
What on earth happened?"
Then Douglas saw the staircase move back again.
Apparently, Dumbledore had exercised his authority as headmaster.
Douglas said only:
"The Chamber of Secrets... Voldemort!"
The three behind him froze, and Professor McGonagall even shuddered.
Dumbledore and Snape exchanged a glance.
By then, Douglas had already stepped onto the still-moving staircase.
As it approached the corridor, he jumped straight across.
He ran directly toward the bathroom.
When he reached it, there was no one inside.
Douglas carefully checked every stall.
There was no one in those, either.
By then, the other three had arrived as well.
Professor McGonagall said incredulously:
"Are you saying that the legendary Chamber of Secrets is in this girls' bathroom?
And You-Know... I mean, Voldemort is also in the Castle?
Just like last year?
Douglas, how did you know?"
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall had already drawn her wand, a measure of wariness in her eyes.
Whether it was directed at Douglas or at an enemy who might appear was unclear.
Douglas surveyed the entire bathroom.
He did not know whether the other party had already entered the Chamber of Secrets or escaped.
At Professor McGonagall's question, he gave an awkward smile.
Then he pointed at the tap marked