40 Three-Headed Doggy (2/2)

”What are you doing here? And isn't this the restricted area on the third floor?” Harry asked, looking at Casimir in suspicion.

”You know, I could ask you the same thing.” Casimir replied, equally as suspicious but still smiled to cover it up.

”... We were supposed to pick Neville up from the Hospital wing but-” Harry tried to explain.

”Filch caught you?” Casimir had an eyebrow raised.

”Almost! We ran in different directions to confuse him.” Harry denied.

”... You have terrible luck.” Casimir commented with a snicker.

”You haven't answered my question yet!” Harry said, pulling back Casimir by the sleeve just when the boy was about to exit the room.

”Well... Let's just say I was helping a puppy with sleeping problems.” Casimir winked at Harry and left. Only then did Harry notice the violin Casimir was carrying.

A puppy with sleeping problems? Just what could that mean?

Outside the room, Casimir was surprised to see three people running along the hallways. Oh Harry's friends..? Looking for him, I suppose.

”Good evening, Miss Granger. Lovely night for a stroll, isn't it?” Casimir smiled at Hermione and ignored the other two people beside her, earning him scowls and an eyeroll. ”If you're searching for Potter, he's in the room twenty two paces down to the left. Have a good night.”

He then left, as silently as he came.

What he didn't notice though, was the look of suspicion Neville shot him.

...

”Harry? Are you in there?” Hermione whispered to the door which Casimir had pointed to them.

”Hermione?” Harry creaked the door open. ”Is Filch gone?”

”I think so...?” Hermione answered, unsure.

”Bloody hell, Harry! What were you thinking, going here of all places! Don't you know that this is the exact room Dumbledore was forbidding everyone from entering?!” Ron exclaimed.

”It wasn't my idea! Casimir just pulled me in right when I was running away from Filch.” Harry explained.

”Proulx did?! Why would he save you though? He's a Slytherin for Merlin's sake!” Ron was aghast.

”B-b-behind!!!” Suddenly, Neville stuttered out in horror, looking at something behind Harry.

Confused, the other three turned to look at what Neville was looking at and, similarly, their faces turned pale.

Deep inside the room laid a huge, three-headed dog. Fortunately, it seemed to be asleep but, to not take their chances in case it suddenly woke up, the four of them quickly ran out, heading back to the Gryffindor tower.