"Lalala, I have a date with Evelyn at Lard Meadow. Lalala."
Mary was so happy that if you put her in a dark room, she would light it up.
Today was the day we were going to the meadow with bacon. First, we'd look for a date, then later in the day, we'd visit the other shop because there was a good chance it would be too crowded if we went there first.
As I was leaving with Mary, two hands landed on my shoulders.
"Hello, Mary. Can we borrow Evelyn for a little hour at Lard Meadow?"
The voice belonged to George.
"If you dare to do that, I promise you'll wake up in the hospital. Evelyn is dedicating her whole day to me!"
That's not what we agreed on.
"Oh, come on! It's only for a short hour, and we could expand our trick-and-treat business. She'll get some references, and then I can help her brainstorm more ideas."
Now Fred was talking.
"No, she's mine! I've been waiting for this day since I was born."
Aren't you exaggerating a bit?
"It's up to Evelyn to decide whether she comes or not, not you."
"She won't come, I promise."
"Evelyn, if you come, we'll show you our map that lists the entire school."
I have to admit, the twins are very good at negotiating. Now I actually want to go.
"She's not really thinking about going, is she?"
"I'm sorry, but is it okay if we go a bit later? I'd planned to go in the evening and don't want to mess up my date with Mary."
"As long as you give your word, that's fine."
"Do I still get to see the map?"
"You'll get to see it—that's not bad, right?"
Little do they know, I just need a glimpse to make a mental picture of the map and finally know all of Hogwarts.
"We'll meet at Honeydukes at 4:00 p.m. How does that sound?"
"Yes, make sure you stick to the schedule, or you'll be our new guinea pig for our inventions."
"Try that on Evelyn, and I swear I'll report you to your mother."
They looked at Mary in shock.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Mary, where's your sense of honor?"
"Oh, I would. And my honor doesn't exist if I'm angry."
I thought of poor Lockhart, who once managed to anger Mary. She and I have been gathering evidence to bring him down, with Mary being the most meticulous, treating even the smallest detail as proof. Not even Rita Skeeter, known for her lies and career-destroying stories, is as thorough.
The date went wonderfully; I felt like I got to know Mary a bit better, even though I thought I knew her perfectly. As they say, it's often those closest to us that we know the least.
At 4 p.m., we headed to Zonko's shop, which was quite entertaining and gave me some ideas for tricks and pranks the twins could try.
We got back to school so late that they couldn't show me their map but promised they would another time. As I walked to the Great Hall, I noticed the trio heading toward the dungeons for Sir Nicholas's Deathday Party.
The meal was delicious, even though the pumpkin was less rich and juicy than usual.
After that, we all headed to our common rooms, only to encounter a traffic jam.
"What's going on?"
"Mrs. Norris was found petrified."
Whispers spread everywhere, and at the same time, a bit of water trickled toward our feet. Myrtle must have been having a tantrum in the bathroom.
"Move aside, move aside!" Filch ordered us to clear the way as I took advantage of the opening to move forward and see what was happening.
On the wall, it was written: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware."