Secret passages?!
The corridor leading to the edge of the forest flashed in David's mind, and his body instantly tensed.
Did the professors know about that hidden path? Could animals have already entered through it?
The basement exit was blocked by a wall, but the third-floor entrance was merely concealed by a painting—one that could be easily pushed aside. Wouldn't that allow creatures to slip inside and ambush the professors?
"What's happening?"
Hermione, resting against David's shoulder, stirred at his sudden movement.
"I need to go out," he whispered, his gaze locking onto the door where Percy and a few prefects stood guard, ensuring no students sneaked out.
Hermione studied him for a moment, then leaned closer and murmured, "Is it important?"
David nodded solemnly.
"Alright then." Without hesitation, Hermione straightened up and turned toward Harry and Ron. She gave them a few light pats to wake them, whispering instructions.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances before nodding. They gestured their understanding, then turned their attention to Fred and George.
"You make it look like you're still here. I'll lean against the decoy, so no one checks too closely." Hermione positioned herself carefully, shielding David as he muttered under his breath.
With a flick of his wand, the chair behind Hermione morphed into an exact replica of himself. At the same time, he vanished from sight.
They were positioned in a secluded corner of the classroom, far from the others. Originally, the professors had arranged them this way to prevent any magical escape attempts. But with Hermione orchestrating the plan, things were looking up.
After ensuring everything was in place, she signaled Fred with a discreet hand gesture.
Fred nudged George, and the two of them strode toward Percy.
"Keep up with them," David thought to himself as he carefully maneuvered through the classroom, avoiding the watchful eyes of fellow students.
Most of Gryffindor was in this room, while students from other houses were scattered in different locations—some in their common rooms, others even in the kitchens, likely the happiest of them all. Then again, Hufflepuffs had it best; they could go straight to their dormitories.
"Fred and George! What trouble are you two up to now?" Percy stepped forward, arms crossed. "Professor Flitwick specifically told me to keep an eye on you."
The students perked up, shifting their attention toward the unfolding scene.
"Percy, come on," Fred said, waving a hand dismissively. He stepped closer, resting a hand on Percy's shoulder. "We just wanted to tell you something."
George nodded. "Yeah, it's Harry. He doesn't seem too well."
"Huh?" Percy shot them a suspicious glance before turning toward Harry and Ron. "Harry, is this true, or are they just making excuses?"
Harry did his best to look unwell, slumping slightly, while Ron chimed in, "He's really not feeling great."
Percy hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. You two come with me."
"No problem." Fred raised his hands in mock surrender, while George gave an exaggerated shake of his head.
As Percy turned toward Harry, Fred subtly slipped a small firework from his pocket, flicked it with his fingers, and sent it toward the door.
The prefects standing guard didn't notice until—
Boom!
Sparks exploded in all directions, startling the guards into stepping away from the door.
Seizing the moment, Fred and George lunged forward, pushing the door wide open while simultaneously blocking the stunned prefects from reacting.
"Fred! George! You two never change!" Percy bellowed.
"Oh? Percy figured it out," Fred mused dramatically.
David, taking advantage of the chaos, slipped through the opening.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Percy glared at them, fuming.
George smirked. "Well, do you?"
Laughter erupted across the room, drowning out Percy's furious shouting.
David took one last glance at the mayhem before heading upstairs. As he approached the stone slab blocking the secret passage, he flicked his wand and reappeared on the other side.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the distant sound of fierce battle met his ears.
"So the stone didn't just block the passage—it muffled the noise, too," he noted.
With a quick assessment, David turned and made his way down another corridor, descending toward the hidden passageway. When he reached the familiar wall, he tapped it with his wand.
"I need to get out."
Dust shifted, revealing a narrow opening. With a firm push, the thick stone door slid open, exposing a dimly lit passage.
Listening carefully, David detected faint noises up ahead. The creatures must have already entered.
Taking no chances, he flipped open his enchanted book to the page on the Diricawl. The floor beneath him shimmered, allowing him to move swiftly through the corridor.
But as he turned a corner, he froze.
Scarlet eyes glowed in the darkness.
A swarm of eight-eyed giant spiders lay in wait.
Before David could react, the spiders lunged, their venomous stingers rattling.
They were waiting for him.
Reacting on instinct, he spun on his heel and sprinted in the opposite direction, waving his wand to seal the passage behind him.
The spiders, realizing their ambush had failed, screeched and gave chase, their clicking limbs echoing through the tunnel.
"Cunning beasts!" David cursed under his breath.
He needed a way out—and fast.
Spotting an opening, he leaped into a side pipe, his eyes flashing yellow.
With a deep breath, he summoned his power. Heat surged through his body.
The nearest spiders shrieked, their limbs weakening as they collapsed.
"Engorgio!" he commanded, causing their bodies to swell, temporarily blocking the passage.
But the other spiders wasted no time. They devoured their fallen brethren, clearing the obstruction within seconds.
David grimaced. "Figures."
Darting forward, he called upon the last trick up his sleeve.
"Time to work, buddy."
A distant rumble filled the passage as the earth trembled.
Then, through the shadows, a colossal basilisk burst forth, its golden eyes gleaming with hunger.
The eight-eyed giant spiders hesitated, their instincts warring between hunger and sheer terror.
"That's right. You better think twice."
With a deafening hiss, the basilisk lunged.
David didn't stay to watch. He turned and ran, knowing full well the nightmare he had just unleashed upon his pursuers.