CHAPTER NINE

They have searched for the last two hours making notes on things that could be hidden passageways, but not sure how to access them. But Lavender did not find that passageway from before, though maybe it never existed in the first place. It could have been her imagination, especially after the precious night.

"So, no sight of the hallway, but we may have found some potential secret passageways" Remus stated.

Lavender nodded her head replying with "maybe I was just tired and went down a normal one."

"Possibly, but magic exists, so there is a possibility of there being rooms appearing and disappearing."

"Fair enough, but for now let's go back and take a break. We could do some research about ways of opening these potential passageways."

"I would agree, but for now I still need to get my assignments done anyways."

"Need any help?"

"No thank you. I think just getting away gave me some time to rethink the homework."

The two friends continued their way back to the main parts of the school, though Lavender split off to go to the empty room. As she walked down the hallway something felt off. She doesn't know what it was, but the hairs at the back of her neck stood up. Stopping in her tracks, Lavender looked around but saw nothing. No one was even in this part of the school, but there was still this feeling as if someone was there. Well except for the paintings, but it wasn't that. Lavender tried to shrug off this feeling and get to the room, where she can lock the door and be safe. As she continued to walk and head to her destination. She felt a presence just behind her to the left. A shadow casted down on her, making the hallway dark. She couldn't see what was behind her, even though she could turn around, to see what was behind her. But fear took over her. It became quiet. She expected to hear this thing behind her or the people in the paintings talking or something, but there was nothing. One would be able to drop a pin that would be the only thing that one would hear.

Then it became apparent. She wasn't even in the same hallway as before. Her eyes finally adjusted and there she was, back in the mysterious hallway, or is it more of a tunnel, she wasn't too sure about that. Last time she was back here, she was still able to see where she was, but now she was deeper down, with something or someone standing right behind her.

Trying to think of what to do, lavender pulled out her wand and casted Lumos, she just wanted to drive out this darkness. A second went by, but nothing happened. This was not supposed to happen. Why didn't it work? Lavender thought of all the reasons why her magic wouldn't work or anything that made logical sense, but nothing was coming to mind. She said and did the right movements, but nothing worked. Maybe it was her wand, maybe it was broken or something. Knowing that going forward was not the right course of action, because who knows what's farther down. So going the other way would lead her out, but that would mean turning around. She didn't even know if that thing was still there but was no other option. Taking a second to ready herself for what is to come, she turned around. But there was nothing there. Not some monster, just a faint light up ahead. Not wanting to stay longer than already have too, she ran towards the hopeful exit.

The hallway became brighter as she ran, until she was finally out back in the same corridor as before. Lavender has no idea how long it has been. She just hoped that it wasn't past curfew. But preferred to be safe than sorry, she sneaked her way back to the Gryffindor tower. Hoping that no one was up and would tell on her, she told the password and went through the painting. When the door closed, she kept her head down, not wanting to bring attention to herself in case there were others still up. Heading to the girl's dorm, she quickly got changed and closed the curtains once she laid down, but not sleeping.

--_--_--

Sirius, James, and Peter were back at the same corner table, finalizing their prank. The trio waited until everyone else was asleep, so that no one would know what they were doing, though it wouldn't be that much of a surprise.

"So, we would have to wake up early tomorrow if we wanted the best seats to see it all go down" stated James.

"How early" Peter questioned, not happy with the prospect of waking up early.

"Early enough that the place isn't filled up" replied Sirus. "Don't worry you'll have food to eat and entertainment at the same time."

Their conversation was cut short when the door opened and walked in was lavender. It would seem that she didn't see them and quickly made her way to the girls' dorms. But something was off as if she saw a ghost, but that wouldn't make sense, since there's ghosts all over Hogwarts. But what struck out to Sirius was that she was shaking, it wasn't that noticeable, but it was there, just slightly.

"Well, it seemed like she didn't want to get caught being out past curfew" James remarked.

"We are always out late as well. It shouldn't be surprising for other students breaking curfew as well" Peter pointed out.

"Yes, but she is part of Slytherin, maybe she knows something. Maybe she warned them about our plan." James replied.

"Would it be that back?"

"Yes. Back me up Sirius."

Sirius shook his head, knowing that that wasn't it. "No one knows what we are planning. Besides she looked nervous more than anything."

"Nervous? Ha, yeah right. Maybe that is what she wants you to think."

The conversation was soon turned back to what they were talking about before, but Sirius kept looking towards the girls' dorms.

--_--_--

Hey I'm back. I'm slowly getting into writing again and am happy with this chapter. I am hopefully able to continue this story. We will see. Have a great day or night.