The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

92. Where's Your Head At?

The next hour was perhaps one of the most frustrating any of them had experienced.

Ideas were thrown around.

Theories were suggested.

Arguments started and ended.

Names were written on parchment only to be crossed out moments later.

Every time they thought they were getting somewhere, they realised they had absolutely no evidence.

The problem was simple.

None of them knew any animals.

"If we're working on the theory that Euan is using creatures to spy on us, then we need a list of possible suspects," Hermione said, writing another note onto a piece of parchment.

Ron stared at her. "A list of suspicious animals."

"Yes."

"Do you hear yourself?" 

Hermione ignored him. "The castle has hundreds of animals."

"Thousands," Luna corrected dreamily.

"Possibly."

"And some insects."

"Definitely insects," Harry agreed.

Ron groaned. "We are literally making a suspect list of bugs."

"It sounds ridiculous when you say it like that." Ginny roller her eyes at him.

Ron scoffed. "Because it is ridiculous."

Blaise tossed another crumpled piece of parchment onto the desk. "I've got nothing."

"Me neither," Ginny sighed.

"Same."

"Same."

Theo threw his quill down dramatically. "We don't know any bloody animals!"

"Goose," Daphne pointed out.

Theo paused. "Fine. We know one animal."

Everyone looked towards the sleeping Niffler. Goose was curled up in Sloane's lap, completely unaware that he was currently the only witness they had. Sloane absent-mindedly stroked his fur. "He's never left the dorm."

"Not willingly," Draco agreed.

"He barely leaves us." Blaise added. 

"Which is honestly adorable." Hermione smiled fondly. 

"It really is." Luna chuckled. 

The conversation died again.

More silence.

More frustration.

Then suddenly Draco sat upright. His eyes widened. "Wait."

Everyone looked at him.

"What?" Harry asked.

Draco was already reaching for his wand. "How did none of us think of this?"

"Think of what?" Harry asked looking around the room as if expecting the answer to be written on the walls.

Instead of answering, Draco pointed his wand towards Goose. The little Niffler lifted his head sleepily. "Dice Nunc."

The spell washed over Goose in a soft shimmer. The Niffler blinked. Yawned.Then looked up.

"Goose?" Draco spoke in a voice much softer than his usual. He knelt down until he was the same level as the little Niffler. 

"Yes Daddy?" Goose yawned and stretched.