It was not a week later that Rast was determined to see that runespoor again. He, Teddy, and Valerie had been discussing this in Professor Longbottom's Herbology class. They were out in the greenhouse, going over seed types, which gave the trio ample time for talking and making funny faces at Teddy.

Teddy was scrunching up his face, trying to control his hair, but it was not cooperating. It fluctuated between a platinum blond similar to Professor Malfoy's and a dirty brown that blended in well with the soil. "I... just... want... red!" he grunted, eventually making his hair settle into a sort of brick red colour.

"Nice one, Ted. You've certainly started to get the hang of that now," Valerie said excitedly as Rast nodded his agreement. Teddy blushed, thinking that the encouragement of friends may have been playing key roles in his greater ability to tame his ability.

"Thanks. I wonder if mum had such a hard time with it for so long. It really doesn't seem like it should be so difficult," Ted reflected, thinking to ask his grandmother when the opportunity arose.

"Maybe it's just one of those abilities that is easier for girls to master," Rast suggested. "So, I've been thinking about that runespoor some more, and I think we could rescue it and keep it in the dormitory."

"I thought we told your uncle that it was illegal to have one of those without the proper permits. Weren't you listening?"Valerie asked, eyeing him quizzically as if to be sure he was thinking straight.

"Seems like a right stupid plan to me. Wouldn't a runespoor be poisonous, Rast?" Teddy commented in his own attempt to dissuade Rastaban from this notion.

"Nothing in any book I've read about them says that they're poisonous. As for the legality, I reckon that if Uncle Lucius has a permit to keep a runespoor, that permit will extend to his family, which would make it completely legal," he explained excitedly, proud of finding such a loophole in wizarding law so as to be able to keep such an exquisite creature.

"He's your uncle, though, Rast. Wouldn't it be right to say that the law would not apply?" Valerie inquired, no longer as confident in her legality argument.

"See, my parents are dead and my they adopted me. Legally, I'm a Malfoy and their son, and they're my guardians, so the permit should technically extend to me. And that means we can keep the runespoor," Rastaban proclaimed with utter delight.

"Let's just not deal with this inane scheme right now, guys," Teddy said, trying to lighten his hair as he talked. "What are we going to do about finding a portrait to watch over Professor Malfoy?"

"I talked to a few of the portraits the other day," Valerie began. "They told me there's this one, a knight, up near the Divination classroom that Professor Trelawney uses. The Fat Lady said that he had been a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole some time ago. I think we could get him to track Professor Malfoy."

"That sounds like a good plan, Val. So, how about we go find him now?" Rastaban asked. The glow in his eyes from his plan for the runespoor was still evident.

"Well, Rast, we're in a lesson right now. If you can wait ten minutes until we're done for the day, then sure, I suppose we could go find our knight," Teddy replied, chuckling slightly as Rastaban looked disappointed by the fact that they could not go immediately.

Once done with Herbology, the three young Gryffindors made their way up to the castle and to Gryffindor Tower, where they thought to drop off their things before trying to find this knight. Rastaban and Teddy took the staircase to the boy's dorm rooms, neither saying a word, though Rast winced when they passed the seventh year's dormitory.

"They haven't done anything like that since, have they, Rast?" Teddy asked once they were in the first year dormitory.

"No. I think they were just trying to scare me and get me to leave Hogwarts. But, I really don't think I want to get caught alone by them again," Rast replied, placing his Herbology textbook on his bedside table along with his others.

The two stayed silent for the rest of their time in the dormitory. Once back in the Common Room they waited for Valerie to return from her dormitory. Little was said, and when Valerie returned there was only a series of nods to indicate all were ready.

They stepped out of the portrait-hole and then turned around to face the Fat Lady.

"What was the name of that knight, if you could tell us?" Valerie asked politely, hoping the portrait would be helpful.

"You mean the one who guarded Gryffindor Tower for me? You're looking for Sir Cadogan, though I'm not entirely sure why..." the Fat Lady replied, muttering the last part to herself so that none of the three students before her could hear.

"Thanks!" they exclaimed in unison before making their way up toward the North Tower, hopeful the knight would be there.

The three asked the other portraits, and after being pointed in nearly seven different directions, they finally came upon the knight. He was short and scruffy, and an old monk appeared to be holding a sword just out of his reach. The knight's jumps were fruitless, as he simply could not get high enough to retrieve the sword.

"Hand back my sword, you fiend! Return my weapon to me at once, foulest coward!" The knight shouted, not seeing the three young people outside the portrait who watched on with amusement etched into their faces.

"And who might these loathsome beasts be that come to scorn my misfortune like many a braggart before?" Sir Cadogan asked indignantly. The monk put the sword down and left the portrait, apparently content that someone else would torment the knight. Seizing his weapon, Sir Cadogan shouted after the monk, "And do not return, you scurvy rogue!"

"Actually, we're here to beg a favour of you, sir Knight," Rast said politely, refraining from laughter.

"You seek me with a quest in mind, young squire?" Sir Cadogan asked, his interest obviously attained by this request.

"We do," Teddy replied as his hair settled to a light brown shade. "We would like for you to keep a watchful eye on one of the professors. You know who those are, right?"

"How could I not know? They often stop to mock my misfortune."

"You know who Professor Malfoy is, then. Right?" Valerie asked this time.

"Aye, I do indeed, fair lady. What would you like me to do, as it is evident that I am in no position to engage him with arms," the knight said, almost disappointed.

"Could you keep watch on him and report back to us if it seems like he is plotting to harm anyone?" Rastaban asked, hoping the knight would assent and be useful.

"Of course! I shall go forth immediately. Come, my steed! We ride again, for a quest has been bestowed upon us!" Sir Cadogan shouted with glee, mounting a fat pony that was grazing nearby.

"This won't turn out to be a waste at all, Rast," Teddy said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as the three returned to Gryffindor Tower.