Chapter Five: In Which Scales Are Dropped
"What did they row about?" he asked, trying to sound casual as they turned onto a seventh-floor corridor that was deserted but for a very small girl who had been examining a tapestry of trolls in tutus. She looked terrified at the sight of the approaching sixth years and dropped the heavy brass scales she was carrying.
"It's all right!" said Hermione kindly, hurrying forward to help her. "Here. . . ."
She tapped the broken scales with her wand and said, "Reparo." The girl did not say thank you, but remained rooted to the spot as they passed.
Harry stopped walking suddenly. "Wait . . . this is the seventh-floor corridor. . . . Tapestry of trolls in tutus . . . they were doing the ballet!" he said frantically.
"I'm sorry, but you aren't making much sense right now," said Hermione, sounding concerned.
"No time to explain! Let's go!" said Harry urgently, running in the opposite direction as fast as he could.
He saw the same girl trying to act casual drop her scales. There was a flash of red light and she fell to the floor, Stunned.
"Nice," said Ron appreciatively at the same time as Hermione shouted, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"I can explain," Harry placated her. "See this tapestry? That's Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach ballet to trolls. Ring any bells?"
"The Room of Requirement," said Hermione, realisation dawning on her. "The girl's a lookout. She dropped her scales to warn whoever's inside."
"The problem is, we have no idea whether she's an imposter or not. Magic's a bitch sometimes," Harry said, making a what-can-you-do gesture with his hands. "Then again, I have an idea on how to use it to our advantage."
Harry told them the plan after using the Half-Blood Prince's Muffling Spell.
"Brilliant!" exclaimed Ron.
"Got your conk, Malfoy."
They were standing in the corridor outside the Room of Requirement, looking at the Malfoy heir sprawled on the floor.
"Trip Jinx. We have you to thank for the idea," guffawed Harry. "It's kind of ironic."
AN: That girl was very obvious, examining the tapestry outside the RoR like that. It should have clicked immediately because they've done DA meetings there a million times. Anyway. . . .
Also, trolls in tutus. Ewww.