Note: This is another decently short chapter, but I'm sure that the next ones will be more lengthy. This one and the previous were a little over 700 words, but I'm guessing the next ones will probably be about as long as most of the others or more: about 1,100+ words. I'm aiming for longer chapters in general as well now, so they're probably going to be closer to 2,000 words or so from now on. Anyway, enough of this. Let's get to chapter ten!

Chapter 10

Jamie was sprinting full-speed down the corridors, his heart hammering in his chest as he struggled to keep up with Nick's floating pace. It seemed his friend was traveling a lot faster than he did on the way to Snape's office.

Suddenly, Nick stopped, causing Jamie to catch up and skid to a halt. He began to feel light-headed and bent forward with his hands on his knees, attempting to catch his breath. "Why did...you...stop?" He asked breathlessly and winced when noticing a sharp pain in his side from the constant running. He really needed to ask Nick to teach him how to float around...

"I thought I heard someone speaking," Nick replied in a confused tone.

"What?...Who?" Jamie croaked as he fought a strong urge to cough. How would Nick have heard someone, and who would it have been?

"I'd be careful if I were you," said a greasy voice from behind, causing Jamie to jump. He could've sworn he'd been alone with Nick just moments before! "Oh...looks like someone's been given quite a fright," the man continued. "Seems everyone does these days."

"Who are you?" Jamie demanded, spinning around and forgetting about his cough or attempts to catch his breath.

The man responded with a small tight smile, and Jamie looked down at his feet after hearing a small mew. He noticed a dust-colored cat sitting patiently there, thrashing its tail back and forth and staring at him with lamp-like eyes.

"Mrs. Norris," The man replied, noticing Jamie's attention on the cat. Jamie reached down to pet her, but when he touched the cat's fur, he was greeted with a loud hiss and a quick snap that made him withdraw his hand as swiftly as possible.

"A little aggressive, isn't she?" He asked, shock showing in his tone.

The man smiled once more, "Don't like to be pet."

"Clearly!" Jamie exclaimed, and he grabbed his flowing black robe and shielded himself with it like the wings of a sleeping bat.

"Ah, so I heard you," Nick stated quickly. "I guess Jamie and I can move onward, then!" Mrs. Norris watched as the two ghosts continued down the corridors.

"Who was that man?" Jamie asked, slowly making his way down the corridors with Nick floating beside him. He was very glad his friend had decided to slow down.

"Argus Filch, the caretaker. His cat Mrs. Norris even knows the rules of the castle. Break one in front of her, and she'll go running to Filch."

"Pretty smart cat," Jamie said, and the two ghosts continued walking (and floating) in silence.

—

After what felt like forever, Jamie and Nick heard the sound of Hermione's voice, "I'm telling you, Ronald, Snape does not seem like himself lately! Don't you think that's odd?"

"Hermione, even though Snape didn't give me detention, that doesn't mean he's acting odd," Harry's voice responded.

"Well, he always does, doesn't he?" Ron sounded annoyed and as if he were crossing his arms impatiently at his friend. "He always tries to find an excuse to punish you, so it is pretty weird that he suddenly isn't. I hate to admit it, but I think for once, Hermione is right."

"Jamie?" Hermione asked, and Jamie could just begin to see her, Harry, and Ron rounding the corner.

"Is this a bad time to be here?" he asked awkwardly, and he noticed Hermione with her arms crossed.

"Jamie, you need to take care of yourself!" She demanded. "You need to rest."

"But this cold is not going to go away!" He complained, looking off to the side, sniffing, and rubbing his nose.

"Jamie, I'm worried about you. You need to—"

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Let's just try to sort things out with Snape," Jamie suggested quickly, trying to change the topic. "Me and Nick just came back from seeing him. He's pretty cranky lately. Why don't you guys try to help us out?"

"With what?" Ron seemed curious at Jamie's suggestion.

"I don't know just yet, but I'll tell you once we figure it out, right Nick?" Jamie looked to his left for Nick, but realized the ghost had disappeared. "Nick?" He looked around frantically and began to call out his friend's name. He then looked at the trio fearfully. "Do any of you know where Nick went?"

"I'm not sure," Hermione replied, "but it looks like finding him will be our first priority over Snape."