Colin Creevey had just settled down comfortably with a book when there was a sharp whistle from his pocket.

He sighed, took out the piece of paper and stared down at it. Wilbert (who had a young face and spoke with a cockney accent) stared back up at him, smiled, and said, "Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but you have a patrol scheduled in front of the library at 20:00, which is in ten minutes, twenty three seconds and counting."

Colin grunted. "I don't suppose you could have told me this earlier, could you?"

The little picture shook his head, thoughtfully. "I believe, sir, that last time you reprimanded me for warning you too early, since, as you later informed me, it had quite spoilt your day, waiting around for it."

"Well that was only because you told me that I was going to have to patrol for a whole hour with Loretta Horn of Hufflepuff, who dislikes me intensely. In fact, you may tell me whenever you like, but do not, under any circumstances, tell me who I am going to patrol with."

"Yes, sir."

"I prefer to go unknowingly into the fray."

"Yes, sir."

"I should be off now."

"Yes, sir."

"Have I forgotten something?"

"Yes, sir."

"What?"

"You appear to have forgotten your shoes, sir."

Colin Creevey arrived early, and was waiting around in uneasy anticipation when suddenly a voice said, happily, "Oh, hello, Colin" and Luna Lovegood appeared from round the corner.

"Hello, Luna," said Colin in relief, because he had for some minutes been entertaining visions of a discontented Locretta Horn. "I'm patrolling with you, then."

"It appears so," replied Luna in a spooky voice.

"Stop that."

They walked down a couple of corridors in silence, and just as Colin realised that they were heading downwards towards Slytherin, he felt a strong hand clench round his wrist and he was pulled behind a suit of armour. Another hand clamped round his mouth, and Luna's face looked into his, suddenly surprisingly intense.

"Where are we going to get that stuff from? It can melt bone!" A voice said on the other side of the armour.

"Wheredo you think, numbskull?" Hissed a voice, and there was a pause.

"Oh. I see. From him."

"Never mind him, he was dropped on his head as a baby -" began another.

"Hey!"

"– what we really need to know is where we can brew the potion. There's always someone walking round this place, sticking their neck out – if it's not the Potter kid it's that one who goes round flashing the camera."

Colin gulped.

"The Room of Requirement."

"The Room of Requirement?"

"The Room of Requirement."

"The Room -"

"Stop that!"

The footsteps moved away, and suddenly the grip on his arm was released. He looked up to see that Luna was dreamily looking at the ceiling.

"We have to tell Harry!"

"Sorry, Colin? I was just watching that Spotted Gammock…"

"That's a moth! Now come on!"

Suddenly the corridor was empty, apart from the sound of retreating footsteps. On the ceiling, the Spotted Gammock suddenly flashed silver and began to hum.