The next day already, the Duellists departed. Where they really went to none of the students could say for sure, but Harry guessed that they had to spy out their mysterious enemies. This was all he could make of Sirius's hints. He didn't even have the time to try and ask any further questions because he, like every other student, heard of the Duellists' departure only two or three minutes before they Disapparated. In addition, he felt the little pain in his scar again just then, and when he said good-bye to Sirius and Remus, he was too busy with marvelling at their uniforms, seeing them from near for the first time, that he didn't really understand what was happening. When he finally wanted to ask, it was too late. He could only hope Sirius and Remus would return safely.
Yet he couldn't think about them for too long. There was much and difficult work to do for the Marauders.
But when the three friends sat together late this evening, they were not too tired to discuss what the Duellists might be up to.
"They're spying out what those Shudderstone people are doing, for sure", Harry said.
"Right", Ron agreed. "But what then? And what should they find out?"
"There are a lot of things you might like to know about your enemies", Hermione commented, as if this was only too obvious.
"I'd like to accompany them", Ron went on dreamily, ignoring her. "Well, not Snape, but the other two. I should have gone instead of him. I'm sure Remus and Sirius would prefer me."
"I wouldn't be too sure", Hermione snorted.
Ron decided not to talk to her for the next five minutes.