I barged into the common room and angrily kicked the chair that Neville was seated in, causing him to squeak in surprise.

"Who does he think he is?!" I shouted. "That stupid, big-headed..." I was at a loss for words.

"Poohead?" suggested Brooke.

"Poohead!" I yelled. "He thinks that I need saving? Who was the one that cut him loose from that tree Fred and George tied him too?" I whirled around and looked at Brooke.

"You?"

"ME!" I sat down on the couch and folded my arms. Brooke sighed and sat next to me.

"Ron's an insensitive idiot, you know that. He speaks, well before he thinks," she said, trying to comfort me.

I gave a loud, exasperated sigh and flopped my head against the back of the couch.

"Yeah, but he treats me like I'm some weak little girl,"

"Well, look at it this way." I leaned my head up to look at Brooke. "Ron and his brothers are protective of Ginny, right? You saw how Fred and George didn't want her to play Quidditch. Well, Ron thinks of you as his sister, so wouldn't he just be trying to protect you in his own right? He'd never forgive himself if you got hurt in that duel tonight."

"I hate it when you make sense."

"Yes, but it does make sense."

"So, you think I should apologize?"

"Yes and no. Ron, even though he was trying to protect you, shouldn't have done it that way, but you also shouldn't have just walked off. It's called 'growing up', my child."

"You're wise beyond your years, Brookie Cookie."

I turned my head when I heard the portrait hole open and saw Harry and Ron walk in. They both walked over and sat down beside us. I guess I had better apologize to him. Sometimes I hate being the bigger person.

"Ron," he turned his head toward me. "I'm sorry I got mad at you. I shouldn't have gotten so upset and walked off."

He had a look of surprise on his face at my sudden apology.

"Oh…um…thanks….no problem," he said awkwardly.

"And don't you have something to say back?" prodded Brooke. Ron shot her a look saying "why should I?" She countered, by narrowing her eyes at as if to say "because I said so." I think she's spent too much time with Mrs. Weasley. Their non-verbal debate continued until Ron finally broke eye contact. He looked at the floor in submission and then back at me.

"Sorry," he mumbled. For Ron, that was as good as it was going to get and I was satisfied. He was as stubborn as a mule, and didn't like apologizing or admitting he was wrong, if he could help it.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" asked Harry. I could tell he was changing the subject. He didn't like being in awkward situations.

"What do you mean? I thought we were meeting here at 11:30 and then going to the trophy room," said Brooke.

"I mean, how are we going to avoid Filch and Mrs. Norris?"

"Luck?" I suggested, shrugging my shoulders.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear." Hermione was standing behind us looking rather cross.

"Bet you could," muttered Ron. She ignored him and continued without skipping beat.

"You mustn't go wandering around the school at night! You'll get points taken away from Gryffindor. It's really very selfish of you."

"And it's really none of your business," Harry shot back.

"Fine!" she huffed away up the stairs to our room.

"She's so nosy!" complained Ron. Harry nodded his head in agreement.

"She's just trying to make sure we don't lose any points," I reasoned. "She did get us some in Transfiguration for knowing about Switching Spells."

"Yeah, but every time we turn around, there she is," said Harry.

"She's not as bad as y'all are making her out to be. Sure, she's bossy, a know-it-all, stiff-"

"Brooke, you're not helping," I cut her off.

"Right," she continued "But she's also sweet, caring, and hard-working."

"I don't know who you're talking about, but I don't think its Hermione Granger," said Ron.

"She's never once, been 'sweet' to me," Harry said, using air quotes.

"You haven't exactly given her a chance though, have you?" said Brooke.

"She hasn't exactly presented one," replied Harry.

"Ugh! Y'all are so stubborn!" I exclaimed. Honestly, they couldn't see past the ends of their noses!

"I think I'm going to hit the hay," said Brooke standing up. "I'd like to get some sleep before tonight."

We headed up to our room and I set my alarm clock for 11:20 so we could meet Harry and Ron down in the common room. After a short amount of sleep, the alarm went off. I had to turn it low so the other girls didn't hear. I woke up Brooke and we walked down to the common room.

It was dark and the only sources of light were the moon shining through the window and the fire embers dying in the fireplace.

"Ron. Harry." Brooke whispered into the darkness.

"We're over here." It was Harry's voice coming from the portrait hole. Brooke and I tiptoed over to them and then we all jumped when a light flicked on in the room. Turning around, Hermione was sitting in an armchair, in a pink bathrobe, with her arms folded. Busted.

"I can't believe you're doing this."

"Go back to bed!" Ron whispered harshly.

"I almost told Percy! He's a prefect he'd put a stop to this!"

"Come on," Harry said angrily. He ushered us through the hole and we heard it close behind us. "Don't you care about anyone but yourselves?" Hermione continued. I jumped at the sound of her voice. I hadn't expected her to follow us through.

"Go away!" Ron seethed.

"Fine! Suit yourselves!" She turned around to go back through, but the Fat Lady was no longer in her portrait.

"Ugh! What am I supposed to do?" she asked, rather aggravated.

"Not our problem," said Harry.

"What the heck are you two wearing?!" Ron was giving us a horrified look.

Now that we were out in the corridor, there were plenty of windows with the moonlight shining through, so we could see each other fairly clearly.

"Um, pajamas. What else would we be wearing?" I asked. Brooke had on a tiger onesie complete with a hood with ears and a tail.

"I get what Brooke's supposed to be, but what about you?" he asked.

"I'm offended Ronald McDonald! I'm obviously a Pikachu!" I scoffed. I had on a bright yellow Pikachu onesie with a hood and tail. I was adorable!

"You like?" asked Brooke. Both of us began posing like we were models.

"Oh, I know what that is!" said Harry. "Pokémon right? Dudley was really into it for a while, but then he got mad that he lost a card game to one of his friends and he tore up all of his cards."

"What a waste!" I said shocked. "Tearing up perfectly good Pokémon cards."

"I don't know what this Poke Your Mama rubbish is, but are going to the duel or not?" Ron asked impatiently.

"Yes, yes! Don't get your undercrackers in a knot!" I said.

"Well, I'm going with you!" said Hermione.

"You've got a lot of nerve!" replied Ron. We were walking down the corridor now.

"Well, I'm not staying out here by myself!" she said.

"If you get us caught, I'm going to curse you as soon as I learn how!" replied Ron.

"Everyone, shut up!" Harry suddenly went still and all was quiet expect for a small sniffing noise. He peaked his head around a corner and swiftly moved it back.

"It's Mrs. Norris," he whispered. "What are we going to do?"

"I got this." Brooke stepped forward, flipped her hood over her head, and got on all fours.

"Are you an idot?!" hissed Ron.

"Watch and learn, Ronald," I grinned confidently.

Brooke crawled around the corner imitating a cat. I leaned across Harry and peaked around. Mrs. Norris was looking straight at her. He red eyes narrowed in suspicion, but she didn't rush off like she usually did to go inform Filch. Brooke had her confused.

Brooke crawled toward her, meowing, and Mrs. Norris backed up, unsure of what this new creature was. Brooke drove her into another hall and Mrs. Norris hissed and slashed at paw at her defense. Deciding she'd had enough, Mrs. Norris took off down the hall.

"I'm stunned that actually worked," Hermione said to Brooke.

"Y'all are gonna learn not to doubt my skills," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "These pajamas serve another purpose, besides looking fabulous." Ron and Harry snorted.

"I'm sure she ran off to get Filch," I said. "We'd better hurry up and get to the trophy room before he comes wheezing after us."

We snuck quietly up to the third floor and entered into the trophy room. The trophies were shimmering with the reflection of the moon.

"Guess Malfoy's not here yet," said Harry, looking around for the blonde imp.

"Bet he chickened out," said Ron.

"He's too proud for that," said Brooke.

I walked around the room while we waited and looked at all of the different trophies. They were mostly for Quidditch and the House Cup, but some of them were for the house chess teams. There was even a Gobstones team. One particular plaque, however, caught my eye.

"Harry, come here!" I said excitedly.

"What?" he asked, walking over.

"Look at this trophy!" I pointed. He squinted his eyes and then widened them. On the plague of the trophy it said:

Gryffindor

Chaser

James Potter

"Blimey, Harry, is that your dad?" Ron said looking over his shoulder.

"Yeah…" he said in disbelief.

"It's no wonder you're so good with a broom," said Hermione. "It's in your blood."

"What was that?" Brooke said, tensing up.

"Did you find them yet, my pet," whispered a gravelly voice. It was Filch! Mrs. Norris had found him! He sure was fast, for an old man with a limp.

"Run!" Brooke mouthed frantically. All five of us bolted out of the room and down a hall filled with suits of armor. We could here Filch in the distance huffing behind us. He must've heard our hurried footsteps.

I looked behind and I could see the light of a lantern shining from the trophy room. Panicking and not watching where I was going, I tripped and fell straight into a suit of armor. It was loud enough that there was no way he hadn't heard it. I wouldn't be surprised the whole castle had heard it.

"We're getting close!" Filch huffed. I could hear the beat of my heart resonating in my eardrums and kicked the armor off of me. Hermione turned back and helped me off the floor and we followed the others down the hall. Rounding the corner, Harry accidently slid into a tapestry and disappeared.

"In here!" said Brooke. We followed through the tapestry and ended up in a secret passageway. It wouldn't be unusual for Hogwarts to have a few. How else would Fred and George get around?

There was not a shred of light in the passageway. We had to feel along the stone walls to find our way out. The end of the passageway brought us out by the Charms classroom, which was well on the other side of school.

"I'll-need to keep-this in mind-for when I'm late-to class," I said trying to catch my breath.

"Malfoy tricked you, you know," said Hermione, clutching her chest. "How else would Filch know someone was going to be in the trophy room?" Hermione was right. He probably didn't even follow Mrs. Norris to where we were. He'd already been tipped off that we'd be in the trophy room. Malfoy didn't have any intention of coming at all. I need to learn some curses and hexes.

"We need to get back to Gryffindor tower," said Brooke. We didn't even begin walking when Peeves came through the door of the Charms classroom. Oh. Crap.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" he grinned mischievously.

"Peeves, please don't say anything," I pleaded.

"Ickle firsties out of bed. Naughty, naughty you'll get caughty." He cackled loudly and sucked in a deep breath. "STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"

"You stupid-!" Ron took a swing at him, and Peeves swooped down the corridor yelling.

Harry grabbed Ron by his arm and we ran all the way to the end of the corridor and into a door. Harry attempted to open it but it was locked tight.

"We're dead," I said, throwing my hands up in defeat. "We're going to get kicked out of school, and have to live under bridges like mole people and get money by doing magic tricks at children's parties."

"Stop being so dramatic," snapped Hermione pushing past us. She pointed her wand at the lock. "Alohomora." The lock clicked, she opened the door, and we scrambled inside. I panted look around the room as the others pressed their ears against the door.

What I saw, I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. An enormous dog, with three heads was sleeping in front of me. It moved its heads up and one of them yawned showing off its very large teeth. Just one tooth was as big as my arm. Its six eyes blinked sleepily as it tried to focus on what was in front of it.

I was frozen in fear, I couldn't move, no matter how I screamed at my body to do so. I also didn't want to startle it. Any sudden movements and it would attack. I had to at least try get the others attention while it was still slightly asleep. I breathed out slowly and raised my voice, in a low whisper.

"Guys,"

"Shh," said Ron, in a not so quiet whisper. "Filch and Peeves are almost gone."

"Guys, please look," I said with a bit more panic in my voice. My blood was running cold and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"What are you going on abo-, " Ron froze midsentence as he turned around to look at me. His mouth hung open and all that escaped was a mild squeak.

"No one, move," he whispered to the others. The dog was now focused and alert. Saliva dripped from its now growling mouths. The only reason it hadn't attacked us yet was that we had caught it by surprise, but it wouldn't be long until that initial shock wore off.

The others turned around and halted all movement.

"Kristin, you're the expert with animals. What do we do?" whispered Brooke. I was at a loss. I had never seen anything like this before. I found myself wanting a giant bone to throw to it.

"I'm going to try and open the door, very slowly," whispered Hermione. She turned the doorknob and once it clicked, it's like a light switch flicked on. The dog let out several booming barks and rushed toward us. We screamed and scurried out the door. We tried to close the door but one its heads smashed into it knocking us back onto the floor. One, growling head was now sticking through the door.

Adrenaline was coursing through my veins and I found that I was at least able to move around despite the fear. We couldn't force that thing's head through the door. I had to come up with something quick. I gripped my wand in my hand and pointed it straight at the dog's face.

"INCENDIO!" Flames erupted from the end of my wand and hit the dog in the face. It whimpered loudly and backed up into the corridor, pawing at its face. Harry, Ron, Brooke, and Hermione took the chance and rushed to close the door.

No one said a word and we bolted down corridor after corrido, staircase after staircase. We didn't stop until we reached the Fat Lady's portrait on the seventh floor.

"Where on EARTH have you been?!" she exclaimed looking at our disheveled appearances. We were sweaty, out of breath and Harry, Ron, and Hermione's bathrobes were falling off of them.

"Never mind that," gasped Harry. "Caput Draconis." The portrait swung forward and we scrambled inside. Harry, Hermione, and Brooke fell into the furniture, but Ron and I didn't even make it that far. We just fell onto the floor in front of the dying fire. I was so scared I was still shaking from fear, exhaustion, and adrenaline. I breathed heavily as I tried to get my breathing back to normal. None of us spoke for a while, until Brooke finally broke the silence.

"What was that thing?!"

"I think I know," I said. It had come back to me while we were sitting in silence and I could think clearly. "I've never seen pictures and I don't think it even has a name because of its rarity, but I think it's similar to a Cerberus."

"You mean like the one in Greek Mythology?" questioned Hermione. "The one that guards the entrance to the Underworld?"

"The UNDERWORLD?!" gaped Ron.

"Yes, but that's just a myth. It may even be a Cerberus, but no one's ever studied one, or lived to tell the tale. Newt Scamander, a famous Magizoologist, couldn't even find one."

"Who cares what it is!" exclaimed Brooke. "Why would they ever keep one in a school?"

"That was the forbidden corridor," said Harry. "Now we see why it's forbidden."

"If any dog needs exercise, that one does!" said Ron.

"Do none of you use your eyes?" Hermione asked. "Didn't you see what it was standing on?" Brooke looked at her with a cocked eyebrow.

"I didn't exactly have time to enjoy the scenery, Hermione."

"I was too preoccupied with its heads!" said Harry. Hermione sighed.

"It was standing on a trap door. That means it was guarding something."

"Wait, wait," said Harry. "What if it's guarding whatever Hagrid picked up from Gringotts? He said the only safer place than Gringotts to hide something was Hogwarts."

"I think it's plausible," I said. "Hagrid picked up the package from Gringotts to bring to Hogwarts and that same day someone tries to break into that exact vault. An important package like that, they're not just going to leave lying around. They would keep it locked up tight."

"Did Hagrid say anything else about it, Harry?" asked Brooke.

"He said he was picking it up for Dumbledore and it was very secret."

"I don't think anyone in their right mind, would try to steal it with that dog there," said Ron.

"No one thought that anyone would try and rob Gringotts, either," said Hermione.

"Well, even if they did try to steal it, I don't think they'd come away uninjured. That dog's not going to let anyone pass without a fight," I said.

Everything surrounding this little package just made me want to know what it was even more. The break in, the secrets, and the dog. Dumbledore wanted to make sure no one was getting to that thing. And I'd put my money on it that the dog isn't the only thing guarding it. Going through all of this to make sure it stays hidden, it was bound to have some powerful magic protecting it.

Hermione stood up and walked to the foot of the girl's staircase.

"Well, I'm going to bed, before any of you get us killed, or worse, expelled." She turned her back and marched up the stairs.

"She needs to sort out her priorities," Ron said.

"Well, it's not like we can do anything about this mysterious package," said Brooke, standing up as well. "After all, Dumbledore's here and he's not going to let anyone just waltz out of the castle with it."

"It's either really valuable or really dangerous," said Ron.

"Or both," added Harry.

"Like Brooke said, there's not much we can do about it and we'd have to have more clues to even begin to know what it is. There's no point in worrying about it now," I said, standing up as well. "We're going to go ahead and go to bed. We're going to already be tired tomorrow from lack of sleep," stated Brook.

We left the boys on the couch and walked up the staircase into our room. Hermione was already asleep in her bed, and I just fell on top of mine. The adrenaline dump hit me like a sack of potatoes. I felt like a big bowl of mush. I didn't even have the energy to crawl under the covers. I closed my eyes and immediately fell asleep.