“You’re right. I saw something when I looked out of the window. I saw the beast and hunted a centaur child. I went down to help him. It was like you said. The werewolf didn’t bite. I hurt my arm on a tree stump. It doesn’t look like a bite at all.” Anne explained and showed the scar on her right arm. “The werewolf wasn’t dead. I put a sleeping charm on him. I took him to Hagrid but it ran away when Hagrid, Snape and I were in the hospital wing. But how did you know?” Anne asked. “I didn’t know. It was a dream.” Patience admitted. “You know, we should try to find out what’s that all about.” Patience suggested. “Yes and I know just what to do. Come with me.” Anne said. Patience and Anne went out of the common room and left the castle. In front of the Enchanted Forrest Patience stopped. “You don’t want to go in there?” She asked scared. “It’s broad daylight. There will be no werewolves. Do you want to wait here? I can do it alone.” Anne said understandingly. “No. It’s better to not go in there alone. I’ll come with you.” Patience replied. Both girls kept a firm grip on their wands. Anne led Patience to the clearing where the wishing oaks grew. “Firenze!” Anne shouted. A little centaur approached them. Anne went towards him. “Hello Firenze. Good to see you’re all right. That’s my best friend Patience. We have a question about that night.” Anne explained. Firenze nodded. Anne waved Patience to come and join them. “Hello.” Patience greeted Firenze who remained silent. “Patience dreamt what happened that night. In fact it was she who woke me up because she felt that some – one was hunted by a beast. How can this be possible?” Anne wanted to know. Firenze stared at Patience. “When the good meets the bad nature takes a side.” Firenze said still staring at Patience. “When the time has come there will be no questions.” Firenze told them. “The stars know all the answers.” He added. “Centaurs are very talented in astrology, perhaps you can help us to find some answers?” Patience asked. Firenze looked surprised. “You don’t know who you are.” he stated. “The stars know you and one day you’ll know the stars.” Firenze finished his confusing speech and turned to leave. It was impossible to get a clear answer from a centaur and Firenze was no exception. “Thanks, anyway.” Anne called after him. “That didn’t help a bit.” Anne stated. “On the contrary, it made the whole situation worse.” Patience said thoughtfully. “Was a pretty stupid idea?” Anne remarked. “Well, we just might have got a satisfying answer.” Patience said convincingly. “I think it’s better to check the library.” she added. Both went of.

For days they had searched the library and hadn’t found anything. “Perhaps we better look up stars.” Anne suggested looking at a piece of parchment on which they had listed Firenze’s hints. “I told you that’ll be useless. All centaurs say stars at least once in a conversation.” Patience said impatiently. “Yeah but that doesn’t mean that it is unimportant.” Anne intervened. “Well, there are thousands of books on stars in this library where do you want to start?” Patience asked ironically. “There must be a connection something we couldn’t figure out yet because...” Anne started. “...it is in the restricted section!” Patience interrupted her. “Great. We’ll never find out.” Anne was disappointed. “It must be done before the Christmas break.” Patience thought aloud. “Hello? We’ll get expelled if we are caught.” Anne reminded her friend. “You’re right.” Patience gave in. But in her head she planned how she would get into the restricted section. There was only one week of classes.

The big night had come. Patience got up and dressed. She sneaked out of the common room and went straight to the library her wand gave her a little light. Every now and the she stopped to listen for footsteps or other noises. She entered the restricted section. She took out a piece of parchment. “’When the good meets the bad nature takes a side.’ ‘When the time has come there will be no questions.’ ‘The stars know all the answers.’ ‘You don’t know who you are.’ ‘The stars know you and one day you’ll know the stars.’” Patience read in a whisper. “And of course werewolves.” She added. “There, this is all about werewolves. ‘How to become a werewolf’, ‘how to survive as a werewolf’, ‘how to dress as a werewolf’? That’s weird.” Patience put the book back on the shelf and took another one. “’Secret werewolf colonies’, ‘the misunderstood werewolf’, ‘werewolves don’t want to kill but they have to’. There must be something on ‘how to get rid of them’.” Patience looked through some books on the shelf. “Here, ‘the best way to fight a werewolf is to put a sleeping charm on him. Better take the 24-hour sleeping charm. The werewolf will be back to normal when he wakes up again.’ Anne was right with the sleeping charm. But somehow the werewolf escaped. ‘Another possibility – if you happen to be an animagus – is to become an animal yourself. Werewolves don’t attack animals.’ And centaurs I should write a letter to the author.” Patience said jokingly. Suddenly there were footsteps. Patience put back the book and listened. She put out the light of her wand. The steps were now at the other end of the restricted area. Patience sneaked out of the library and went back to Gryffindor tower. “Zalagadoodle” Patience whispered and the fat lady opened the door to the common room. Silently she went upstairs to the dormitory. Anne was still asleep. Patience undressed and lay in her bed.

“Did you complete the essay last night?” Anne asked Patience while they were both waiting in front of the potions classroom. “I had it finished early on, Anne. And you?” Patience asked. Anne swallowed. “Damn. I should have asked to copy yours,” she said. Patience grinned. “Well, you can still cram in a few sentences, go on.” She shoved a roll of parchment into her friend’s hand. “I owe you one,” Anne said gratefully and began to scribble frantically. She had just found a satisfying conclusion to her work when she got nudged in the back and promptly spilled ink all over the essay. “Oh no!” she called and turned to find Connor MacLeod looking absolutely shocked. “Sorry, Anne, I really didn’t mean to – I was pushed,” Connor apologized. “Here, let me see,” Patience said calmly, drew her wand and began to siphon off the ink. It was no good – the writing was smudged. “Alright, I’d rather do detention than hand that in,” Anne said decidedly and crumpled up the parchment before anyone could stop her. The door opened and Snape beckoned the class in. “Hand me your essays,” he snarled without a greeting. It was in fact a rather useless remark since he had already summoned the parchments and they were stacking themselves neatly on his desk. Snape flicked through the rolls. “I see some of you did not deem it necessary to do their homework. Those of you who did not do their essays will come to me after the lesson.” “How does he know everyone turns up?” Brian muttered. “You’re thinking of sneaking off without seeing him?” Mike asked. “Yep,” Brian confirmed. “I wouldn’t try,” Anne whispered. “Would it be possible for you to pay attention?” Snape asked sarcastically from behind them. Nobody dared to answer. “You, Mr Cullen, and Miss Symmons, will certainly enjoy another essay tonight. Now, let us turn to our subject for the day.” Snape went to the front again. Anne was furious but knew she had no chance to complain. Mike was just happy not to have to do another essay.

“Your task is to find an antidote against the following sleeping draught,” Snape said and tapped the blackboard with his wand. Neat writing appeared that gave the recipe of a fairly simple sleeping potion. Quills scraped quickly over parchment as the students copied the information down. The last quill had barely stopped when the writing vanished again. “You’ve got 40 minutes to compose an antidote. Use your books if necessary,” Snape ordered. “Oh, I love those lessons,” Patience whispered gleefully and began to heat up her cauldron.

“I hate them,” Anne said miserably and began to brush through One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi to look for an antidote. “Anne, careful, it doesn’t work…” Patience said but quickly fell silent again when a shadow fell over her cauldron. “Miss Symmons, please pack up your things and come to the front so that you can work… undisturbed,” Snape said silkily. Anne took a deep breath and was just about to answer back when Patience’s foot pressed down on her own. Anne closed her mouth again and packed her things. Snape smiled coldly. “Now, Miss Wood, perhaps you had better concentrate on your own work.”

Patience did not bother to answer but began to mix the ingredients for the original sleeping potion. She had to use pulverised poppy seeds, belladonna, coltsfoot and hemlock to create a delicate powder – that promptly made everyone around her sneeze. “Oh dear,” Patience sighed. Something was wrong there, but what? She had worked exactly as the book said. But wait… Sneezing could be prevented by using camomile. Checking if Snape was watching, Patience took two leaves of camomile buds and mixed them among the powder. The sneezing stopped immediately. Patience smiled satisfied. Next she had to use warm oil to stir in the powder. In the end, Patience read, the potion had to be stirred clockwise until a smooth, slightly violet solution was created.

She stirred slowly and deliberately, but the potion remained a swirl of oily spots on the surface of warm water. Patience frowned and looked at her watch. If she wanted to create an effective antidote this stuff should be ready right now. Snape was busy clearing up the mess Roland Banks had created by using his wand to stir the potion. Patience decided that desperate situations needed desperate means. She hoped things would work out fine, took a deep breath – and stirred anti-clockwise. She counted to three, then changed direction. Finally, the violet colour was there as well as the smoothness. Carefully, Patience filled a small phial with the sleeping draught and emptied her cauldron.

“Now for the antidote,” she muttered determinedly and checked her book for the alleged antidotes to the ingredients. She frowned. Why should the antidote to belladonna be artichoke? Patience checked and double-checked, but Phyllida Spore remained quite firm on her point. But artichoke, as Patience knew quite well, was to be used on people who wanted to be aroused – not awaken, to be sure. So why should she use artichoke? Only fifteen minutes to go, and Patience knew she needed to come to a decision. So she decided to go her own way.

Snape watched his class with impatience and unease. He felt that most of them were going to fail abysmally, and he did not really know what to do to prevent this. Actually, he did not really care. With potions, you either had the grasp or you didn’t – and most students did not. He walked slowly through the room, giving off snide remarks on some mixtures. Then he spotted Patience Wood. Her face was red with determination and she was furiously cutting up salsify. Snape frowned. What on earth did the girl want to do with salsify? Quickly he walked over to her, hoping to be able to prevent a catastrophe.

“Miss Wood, what exactly did you chop there?” he asked. Patience did not even stop cutting up her salsify when she answered. “I’m chopping salsify, sir. Or viper’s grass, if you want to call it that – it’s the same thing, isn’t it?” Snape, who liked to test his students on their knowledge of the naming of herbs, nodded. “Yes, it is indeed. But why do you want to use that?” “I… Sir, I’ve got only ten minutes to go, and I’d like to be finished.” The recklessness of twelve years of age made her seem almost invincible. Snape shook his head slightly. “Your cheek, Miss Wood, is astounding, seeing you are heading for disaster. But, well, maybe…” Patience looked up at Snape and her eyes had suddenly turned all green. “Sir, please,” she said firmly. Snape raised an eyebrow. “I wash my hands in innocence – you have your own way, and you will hand in an essay on the use of salsify, Miss Wood,” he decided.

Patience did not really care. If this worked, if she could prove Snape wrong… It would be a dream. She dropped the viper’s grass into her cauldron and watched the antidote breathlessly. It bubbled, then there were a few sparks erupting out of the otherwise smooth surface, then it turned to a colour of molten silver. Patience waited for a few seconds, but the potion did not change again. Carefully she ladled some of it into a phial which she sealed and signed with her name. The time was up, and Patience carried her two phials with potion and antidote to Snape’s desk. “The essay on salsify will be handed in the day after tomorrow, Miss Wood,” Snape said casually. “Of course, sir. Will you let me know if it worked so that I might include the outcome?” Patience enquired. “Out, Miss Wood,” Snape only snapped. Patience scowled at him and left.

Anne was waiting for her outside. “Did you make it?” she asked anxiously. Patience nodded. “Yes, I did – but not in a way Snape approves of,” she sighed. “Well, never mind about that – I’m starving. Let’s go,” Anne replied. Patience followed her friend to the Great Hall for lunch. “Who has to write an extra essay for Snape?” Brian asked around the Gryffindor table. Several hands rose. “What, you, Patience?” Brian asked surprised. “But you’re really good at potions – what did you do?” “I used salsify on the antidote, and Snape thinks that’s cheek,” Patience reported. “Really? He just doesn’t want to give you credit,” Brian said bracingly. Patience beamed at him. “I hope you’re right.”

That night, Snape began to test the potions and antidotes – on owls. Emerson Dicket was there as well. “You know, Rosmerta said I should be more open to other women than her,” he told his friend. Snape watched an owl drop asleep quite quickly. “Indeed? Well, Emerson, maybe you’ve grown out of the phase of falling for Rosmerta.” “Then show me another woman worth it – hey, Severus, will that owl wake up again?” Emerson asked concerned. “Yes – but unfortunately not with that antidote. Failed,” Snape remarked satisfied and scribbled down the ‘D’ on his chart. “How can you be so happy about that? Hey, that looks nice – violet and silver, what a nice combination,” Dicket remarked, taking up a set of small phials.

“Looks are not what counts. Put them back, please, I’ll test them last,” Snape said distractedly. He was having trouble waking the owl up again. “You failed Vargas,” Dicket said amused. “Well, he nearly killed the owl – what if that had been one of us?” Snape asked reasonably. Dicket shuddered. It was common practice that members of staff tested the potions, but this time Snape had thought that was too dangerous. “Why do you want to test those last?” Dicket enquired, turning the phials to look at the labels. “Ah,” he said knowingly. “You can’t stand that.”

Snape looked up irritably. “I can’t stand what?” he asked. “You can’t stand that a student might be brilliant even in your subject,” Dicket said wisely. Snape shook his head. “Oh no, but she isn’t great, she’s always on the verge of disaster, and if she isn’t then she’s worked her way through the potion with the help of the textbook. No, no, Patience Wood just doesn’t have the guts to work against the book.” “Which, in your eyes, makes the difference between dilettante and genius,” Dicket concluded. “Yes,” Snape admitted curtly and turned back to the potions he was testing.

Dicket smirked. “You are really unbelievable. Those are twelve-year-olds, not your opponents. They might have a nice idea but they surely are not geniuses!” Snape grimaced. “No, not those I’ve tested so far. Hand me Miss Wood’s phials, Emerson.” Carefully Snape uncorked the phials. He called a handsome barn owl to his side. The bird fluttered down gracefully. Snape fed it a spoonful of the violet sleeping potion. The owl fell asleep immediately. Dicket nodded. “That’s good, isn’t it?” “Yes, as the owl still breathes, that’s alright.” Snape opened the other phial. “Do you know, this looks different than the others,” Dicket said. “That’s because Miss Wood insisted on using an uncommon ingredient,” Snape explained. “So she did not work along the textbook,” Dicket realised. Snape nodded. “But that might be a problem.”

He fed the owl with a bit of the antidote. The owl opened its amber eyes and hooted. “Well,” Dicket said amused, “that proves it: working against the textbook brings good results.” Snape looked torn between anger and surprise. “Come on, Severus, admit it: she has done very well.” Dicket’s words did not really help. Snape shook his head. “She did quite alright, yes, but that doesn’t make her…” “A genius? But it does, according to your own definition. And think about it, would you have used whatever she used in that antidote?” “No. It was a great risk, though,” Snape pointed out. “Of course it was. But she succeeded. Maybe you had better tell her that she did best of the class,” Dicket suggested. Snape looked at him as if his friend had just suggested to jump from the highest tower stark-naked.

“I don’t usually tell my students…” “… when they’ve done well, no, but maybe you should,” Dicket said complacently. “I don’t tell you how to teach your students, so please keep your nose out of my business,” Snape snapped. Dicket raised his hands. “No offence, mate. It was just an idea. Anyway, you should have an eye on Patience. She seems up to more than just being top of the class. She might join the Society of Most Able Potioneers.” “Come down, Emerson, this was but one potion. She has made cauldrons explode…” “No, Severus,” Dicket cut into the words of the potions master. “She nearly made them explode. She managed to turn potions back into normal. That does make her a really good potioneer, if you ask me.” Snape was effectively silenced. “Anyway, I won’t tell her. She’s a spoiled brat anyway, so why pamper her more?” he finally said. Dicket grinned. “Alright, then, when she chooses Muggle Studies, I will pamper her.” “What makes you so confident she will choose Muggle Studies?” Snape asked curiously. Dicket shrugged. “I think she’s curious enough, and her dad works with Muggles. I think she’ll do great.” “You’re prejudiced,” Snape accused Dicket who simply shrugged. “So are you, Severus, only you see everything negatively.” Snape knew Dicket was right. Nevertheless he never lost a word about Patience’s success.

“Girls, will you lend me your ear for a moment?” A small boy with loads of brown curls asked. Patience and Anne looked at each other and decided to give him a chance. “You’re very famous for your mischief. And I think we should combine our forces.” “You’re famous for falling off of chairs I don’t see how that could go with mischief.” Patience replied coldly. Hengist – that was the boy’s name decided not to be offended. “It’s nice of you to remember my misfortune…” “Misfortune, I always thought you were simply clumsy.” Anne said but had a smile for him. “Girls, have you ever heard about dwarves?” He asked.

“Dwarves? Do you mean garden gnomes?” Patience asked. “We’re not de-gnoming the greenhouses.” Anne refused categorically. “No, I mean real dwarves!” He insisted. Patience and Anne looked at each other. “What was your name again?” Anne asked. “Hengist, Hengist Alret.” He replied. “Good, Hengist, it might not have gotten through to you, but there are no such things as dwarves.” Anne explained. “I cannot believe that. There are so many legends about dwarves. Just think of the Irish dwarf and of course Snowwhite and the seven dwarves.” He tried to convince them. “I’ve heard of the Irish dwarves but Snowflake and the seven dwarves?” Patience doubted it.

“It’s Snowwhite, don’t you know the movie?” “Dwarf, Snowflake and movie?” Anne asked. “You’re not muggle born by any chance are you? Never mind then.” They shook their heads. “Let’s stick to the Irish dwarf then. You know that they possess a pot of gold which they guard. My precious and the whole stuff.” Hengist tried. “But you must know just as well, that this is just a legend.” Patience intervened. “Are you sure you feel alright? We could drop you at Madam Pomfrey’s!” Anne offered examining the boy with her eyes.

“I heard from a reliable source that there is such a dwarf in the Forbidden Forest.” His voice has turned more and more into a whisper so that the end had been almost lost in the noise of the Gryffindor common room. “The Forbidden Forest?” Patience asked in her normal voice. “Shhhh!” Hengist put his finger to his mouth. “Not so loud.” He turned to see if anybody had turned to watch them. Anne used the time to indicate that she thought her fellow student had gone mad.

“Why would such a thing go to the Forbidden Forest?” Patience asked in a whisper. Hengist shrugged. “I’m not a dwarf, how should I know?” He replied. “Well, you would have the right size.” Anne threw in. Hengist ignored her for the moment. “It was seen there. All dressed in green – as a kind of camouflage – and carrying a bole filled to the top with gold.” Again his voice had ended up in a whisper. The girls waited for a moment if there was more to come.

“And why isn’t your source after the dwarf?” Patience asked. “That’s an easy one. It is forbidden to go into the Forbidden Forest. That’s where the name comes from.” Anne said knowingly. “You’re not taking me seriously, are you?” Hengist asked suspiciously. “He got it.” Patience observed. Anne nodded. “Right, if you’re not interested I’ll go and get rich all by myself.” He said and turned to leave. “We cannot let him go to the Forbidden Forest all by himself.” Anne said to her friend. Patience agreed and so they followed the young boy.

“So you decided to get rich as well.” He started. “No, we only decided not to let you go into the Forbidden Forest alone.” Patience replied looking curiously at the forest. “It’s boring to be the only one to get expelled, you know.” Anne added. “That’s not funny.” Patience snapped. She had been reminded that it was quite dangerous what they had intended. They stood in front of the Forbidden Forest.

“Do you reckon this to be a good idea?” Patience asked suddenly. “I’m not sure, what do you say?” Hengist looked at Anne for help. “Hey, leave me out of this.” Anne said. “Isn’t there a strong connection between dwarves and mines?” Patience asked. “I don’t know of any mines in the Forbidden Forest.” She added turning to leave. “But in Snowwhite they have a house.” Hengist intervened. “Leave us alone with your Snowflake. We’ve never heard of this frozen water crystal any way.” Anne complained. “And as I understood you that was a fairy tale any way. Why don’t you tell us about a true story of dwarves.” Patience went on. “There are no true stories about dwarves, only legends and fairy tales.” Anne threw in.

“But every fairy tale and every legend contains something true.” Hengist defended his point of view. “Like Snowflakes live in a house or what?” Anne asked. “No, of course not. But it is always said that dwarves are rich and most of the time they live underground.” “Wait a minute, didn’t you just tell us that they lived in a house with Snowflakes…” Patience interrupted him. “It’s Snowwhite and yes but that’s the only story I know…” “Do you think all muggles are like that?” Anne asked suddenly. Patience shrugged.

The two girls turned to leave. “C’mon, what’s wrong with watching the Forbidden Forest for some time to see for ourselves.” Hengist shouted after them. But the two girls went away and returned to the castle. “Are there any dwarves in the history of magic?” Anne asked. Patience shrugged. “We should check that in the library. And so they went to the library to inform themselves about dwarves in the magical world.

“Do you think we should tell him?” Anne asked at the breakfast table. Patience frowned. “You wouldn’t let him spend another weekend out there, would you?” “At least he’s up to no mischief there.” Anne replied. “As if we cared.” Patience reminded her. “Right you are. The teachers must be very happy though.” Patience laughed. “As if we cared.” “Well, we better tell him then.” Anne decided and got up. Together they went outside and approached the place where Hengist had practically lived the last couple of days including one weekend – except for the time he had to go to classes, the bathroom or the bed.

“Any dwarves in sight?” Patience asked. “No, most probably it was just about to show up but you scared it away.” He complained. Anne sat down next to him – but with her back towards the forest. “You know, you cannot see anything.” She started. Patience joined them on the ground. “At least not a dwarf.” She added. “You already told me you didn’t believe in them.” He spat. “Apart from that, there still is another problem.” Anne replied. “What?” He asked. “They only come out at night.” Patience went on. “Really?”

Together they returned to the common room. “You must know that that wasn’t the only thing we found out about dwarves.” Anne revealed. “Yes, there is a colony said to be located somewhere in Ireland. Maybe one of it found its way down here.” Patience explained. “So you believe me now!” Hengist said very satisfied with himself. “No, we only admit that there is a slight chance that you are right.” Anne said. “That’s good enough for me. So, when will we get the dwarf?” He asked enthusiastically.

“You don’t just go and catch a dwarf!” Anne intervened. “No, there are certain measurements which must be taken. We need an axe, salt and water.” Patience listed. “Girls, I don’t want to have breakfast, I want to catch a dwarf.” Hengist intervened. “An axe not eggs, Hengist!” Anne scolded him. “Sorry, I seem to be slightly hungry.” “You just had breakfast!” Patience observed. “And if I can remember it correctly you had at least three helpings.” Anne completed the report. “I’m still growing!” Hengist defended his eating habits. “I hope you do!” Anne said and Patience commented: “Yeah, you still grow around your waist.”

“So what do we need the axe and the other stuff for – if we don’t eat it?” Hengist wanted to know. “You have to catch a dwarf by its beard and the easiest way to do it is to get it under an axe into a tree trunk.” Patience explained. “Though I think it will only run faster if it sees us following it with an axe like mad.” Anne commented. “Well, you’re not a dwarf, are you?” Patience remarked and went on. “When you have caught it you give it the salt to eat and wait. It will get very thirsty and in exchange for the water it will give you its gold.”

“You two really believe that that is true, do you?” Anne asked suddenly. “It’s good enough to give it a try.” Hengist told her and Patience agreed. “Now, we only have to get hold of a piece of gold.” Anne sighed. “Gold, why do we need gold?” Hengist asked. “Well, the dwarf won’t come for nothing.” Patience told him. “I don’t have anything made of gold.” He admitted. “Yeah, you’re a boy.” Anne remarked and showed a golden chain around her neck. “That settles that. So tonight we go catch a dwarf.” Hengist said happily.

“It’s colder than I thought it would be.” Hengist complained. “I told you to bring a scarf!” Anne scolded the boy. “Shut up you two or we will scare anything away.” Patience lectured her two friends. “I think that’s a good place.” Patience indicated a spot on a large trunk. Anne placed the chain there and the three hid. “Where did you get the axe by the way?” Patience wanted to know. “Hagrid lent it to me.” They waited for two hours and nothing happened. Anne yawned. “I’m falling asleep.” “I think we should get back to the castle and get some sleep.” Patience suggested. “No, let’s wait a little longer.” Hengist begged them. So they waited for another hour.

“Folks, I’m falling asleep.” Patience announced and got up. “Let’s go back.” She said and set off towards the castle. “She’s right.” Anne agreed and picked up her golden chain. “Hey Hengist, aren’t you coming with us?” She asked when the boy didn’t move. “Look at that, he fell asleep.” Patience observed. “Hey, Hengist, wake up, there’s a dwarf.” Anne teased him. “What, where, who?” Hengist exclaimed. The two girls laughed. “You…” “Yes us, we’re going back to the castle now.” Anne declared.

Hengist got up and followed them, however, when they had reached the castle they had to face a problem – a real problem. “What do you mean it’s locked.” Anne asked. “It means that we can’t get in – not even with Alohomora.” She explained. “Great!” Hengist said. The girls looked angrily at him. “What can we do next?” Patience asked. “We could go back and try to catch the dwarf.” Hengist suggested.

“Who told you about the rich dwarf anyway?” Patience wanted to know. “I wasn’t exactly told…” Hengist started but stopped soon. “What do you mean you were not exactly told – did somebody write to you or what?” Anne insisted. “No, I overheard it.” Hengist confessed. “You eavesdropped on someone!” Patience exclaimed. “I didn’t eavesdrop. It was by mere accident.” Hengist defended his deed. “Be that as it may, eavesdropper, who was talking about it anyway.” Anne repeated the question. “Vargas and his friends.” Hengist whispered. “Vargas!” This time it had been Anne who shouted. “Well, you could have at least told us that then we would have let you go to your doom alone.” She complained.

“I’m sorry girls. I thought they were reliable…” Hengist said. “Reliable is not the adjective I would use to describe Vargas, Banks and Cook.” Patience intervened. “That won’t help it now. We’re outside the castle, the door is locked and any minute somebody will hear us killing Hengist. We will get expelled for this.” Anne listed. Hengist wasn’t quite sure if she meant the murder or their being outside. “Maybe if we explained the whole affair…” He started again. “You keep out of this you’re dead.” Patience spat at him.

“I know something! I will summon my broom and we can fly back to the common room through a window!” Patience decided. She pulled out her wand and whispered as loud as possible: “Accio broom.” They waited for anything to happen and indeed something happened, however, it was not what they had waited for. “You know that sounded just like breaking glass.” Hengist remarked staring up at Gryffindor tower. The girls looked angrily at him. He decided to remain quiet for a while.

“You know, there is something I’m worried about. If it really has been Vargas he wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to set a teacher on us.” Anne mused. “It would still be fatale if we were discovered tomorrow morning – or rather this morning.” Patience said consulting her watch. “But that would be our chance to sneak inside, wouldn’t it?” She asked. “We can hardly sneak into the castle behind the back of a teacher, Anne. There’s nowhere we can hide and if he takes the wrong direction he catches us on the instance.” Patience explained.

“We could make him go in the right direction…” Anne said looking around. “What are you talking about?” Patience wanted to know. “Picture this: we take this little ferret who got us into so much trouble and bind him to the tree over there. He will make such a fuss that the teacher will run out and try to rescue him, if we are lucky that is, and then we two can sneak inside again.” Anne finished her plan. Patience grinned. “Sounds good.” She agreed. “Excuse me girls, you cannot be serious about that – that tree is a whomping willow and it will have killed me before anyone can arrive for my rescue and just imagine what a mess it would be…I don’t think it would be worth the effort.”

“The main question is what will we do until a teacher comes looking for us?” Patience went on ignoring Hengist completely. “Hagrid.” Anne replied and walked over to his hut and knocked at the door. Fang greeted her first. “’Ullo Anne, wha’ ‘re ye doin’ ‘ere?” The giant man asked. “My friends and me have a little problem, we got locked out of the castle… “Yun’ rasc’ls lika ye shoul’n’t be out be night.” He scolded them a little. But he smiled throughout the whole lecture.

“I’s jush fine. I ‘ave somethin’ te de in the castle any way. I’ll let ye in agen.” Hengist was very relieved to hear this. He had feared for his life and had already seen himself struggling with the tree. “Thanks Hagrid, that’s very kind of you!” Patience thanked him. “Yer welcome, but premise me te ne’er de that agen.” “Promised!” Hengist said immediately. “And whe ‘re ye?” “Hengist Alret and you cannot imagine how pleased I am to make your acquaintance.” He stretched out his hand which was taken and shaken by Hagrid.

“Anne, ye bett’r ta’e ca’e ef Fang.” Hagrid asked the young girl who gladly did as she was told. Hengist walked very close to her and the dog for he was still afraid to be left outside. “Patience, wha’ kinda felle is yer new frend?” Hagrid asked. “He’s alright. But I don’t think we will ever be friends. He got us into all this trouble…” And so Patience retold their tale until they had reached the castle. Hagrid opened the door. “Ve’y well then, ye’re on yer own now.” He said, took Fang back and watched them hurry away into the darkness.

A couple of minutes later they reached their common room. “Girls, I’m really sorry for what has happened tonight and, of course, I can understand that you want to punish me – and I see that you have every right to do it, only please, don’t tie me to that tree!” He begged. Patience and Anne looked at each other. “We could try your shrinking solution on him.” Patience mused. “Or we give him a teaspoon of levitotion.” Anne said. “Or we cover him with undiluted bubotuber pus. What do you do when your sister gets on your nerves?” Patience asked. “Furnunculus.” Anne replied. “Yeah, that’s a good one!” Patience agreed. “What do you do to your brother?” “Tarantallegra!” Patience revealed. “I like that one.” Anne replied.

Hengist swallowed. He made a mental note to not note anything again he had just overheard. “We should hold a little conference on this one.” Patience suggested. The two girls turned away and whispered. Sometimes Hengist caught fragments like ‘that’s much too good for him’ and ‘yeah, at least that really hurts’. He sweated. The two girls turned back to him. “We’ve made up our mind. Are you prepared?” Anne asked pulling out her wand. Hengist couldn’t say anything. “Do you want anyone to be notified – just in case?” Patience asked. Hengist went extremely pale and stayed silent. “No, then hear our sentence. Miss Wood, would you do the honours?” “Of course, Miss Symmons, Hengist Alret we sentence you to go to bed now and to stay out of trouble in the future. Good night.” The two girls turned and left for their dormitory. Hengist was so surprised that he didn’t know what to do at first and then decided to go to bed as he had been told.

Vargas was in an extremely good mood. Banks had told him that Hengist together with Patience and Anne had sneaked out of the castle. That had been more than he had ever hoped for. He rubbed his hands. “What a wonderful prospect. To get rid not only of the mudblood but also my two arch enemies Symmons and Wood. Who would have thought the mudblood so stupid!” “It has been a great idea to convince him that there was a rich dwarf in the Forbidden Forest.” “Yeah and he found out that he had to catch it by night all by himself.” Cook remarked. “All by himself? I doubt that. I had already planned to drop a hint in that direction. No, Symmons and Wood must have told him. Who would have thought they were that stupid! We better go down, maybe we’re just in time to wish them farewell and wave them good bye.” Vargas, Banks and Cook almost danced downstairs to the Great Hall.

“We cannot let Vargas get away with that.” Anne complained. “We could tell them that there really was a dwarf in the Forbidden Forest.” Hengist suggested. “Honestly, who let that one join Hogwarts?” Patience asked. “I only wanted to help.” “Didn’t we sentence you to staying away from trouble?!” Patience reminded him. “And Vargas is not as stupid as certain other students. You cannot get him with his own weapon.” Anne lectured Hengist. “You better mind your own business. Vargas is too big for you.” Patience warned him. Hengist was quite angry for he thought it was his own business. However, he knew that Patience and Anne feared to be in even deeper problems if they worked with him. He had to prove to them that he was capable of conducting a good prank.

Breakfast passed and nothing happened. “Why are they still at their table? They ought to be expelled. They don’t even look sad.” Vargas stopped Patience and Anne. “What? Not expelled yet!” He barked. “Oh, why would we?” Anne cooed. Of course Vargas did not blur out his plan. He paused. “Well, I will get you – but first I finish off your little mudblood friend.” He announced. “He’s not a mudblood and he’s not our friend.” Anne spat. In the meantime professor McGonagall had joined them. “Miss Symmons, this is not the tone to communicate with your fellow students – be they Slytherins or not. I will need your wandwork for a moment.” She said and ushered them away.

“That wasn’t fair professor! They threatened to do something to Hengist.” “And you were just about to threaten them. Miss Wood, Miss Symmons, there is one thing you must know: if you want to get at someone you should not tell him or else he will be prepared.” Patience and Anne thought about this for a moment. “And if anything happens to Vargas or one of his friends you will be held responsible for that.” The teacher warned them. “That’s simply not fair.” Anne complained when they walked back to their common room. “I think she’s right. We should not waste our time on revenge but save our energy for the protection of Hengist.” Patience declared. “We’re not his nanny. He must learn to take care of himself.” Anne replied. “We’re talking about Hengist – he’s no match for Vargas.” Patience reminded her.

Hengist had thought the whole day to come up with a good plan to pay back Vargas, Banks and Cook. It was almost impossible to get close enough to them except during classes. He decided to get at them during Herbology. He had found a spell to make a plant grow rapidly. Secretly he applied it first on Vargas’s, then Banks’s and finally Cooks’s plant which as an effect started growing enormously.

The plants wrapped itself around the helpless Slytherin students. They first grew around their mouths so that they could not complain any longer and after two minutes there were only three giant heaps of plants left. Hengist was very satisfied with his work. “Look!” Patience said and pointed at the green heaps. “Tell me that’s not what I think it is.” Anne whispered. “I fear it is.” Patience replied.

“Didn’t I warn you not to do anything to your fellow Slytherin students.” McGonagall lectured them. There was no point in telling her that it hadn’t been them. They would have had to give away Hengist to prove their innocence. “You will polish the trophies in the trophy room tonight and on Saturday you will clean the Quidditch Pitch. Do you want to say anything?” “No, professor.” “No.” They both said. “Very well then, you may go.”

“There’s one good thing about it.” Patience observed. “What?” Anne wanted to know. “We can do something very nasty to the three without being suspected.” She explained. “Yeah, sure, McGonagall will get at us again.” Anne reminded her friend. “Not if we have a perfect alibi.” Patience said. Anne frowned. “What are you talking about?” “It’s quite simply, what are Vargas and his friends doing each Saturday?” “Bullying the first years of the other houses.” “Exactly!”

Anne didn’t know what Patience had planned but she didn’t have a good feeling about it. However, Patience proceeded. And so Saturday arrived and Anne felt very uncomfortable. “Good morning, Miss Wood, Miss Symmons.” Professor McGonagall greeted them. “As I can see you’re on your way to the Quidditch Pitch. Hagrid will supervise your work.” The teacher informed them. “‘Ullo, ye te yun’ rascals!” He greeted them. “Morning Hagrid!” Anne replied being very relieved. “Isn’t it a wonderful morning?” Patience asked. Anne was surprised because she thought her friend would be angry because now she definitely could not play another trick on Vargas and his gang.

Together they went to the Pitch and the two students started working. It was a very dull work and if Hagrid hadn’t joked with them all the time they would have gone mad with boredom. They finished shortly before lunch and returned tired but happy to the Great Hall. “What are they all laughing at?” Anne asked looking questioningly around. Her eyes fell on the Slytherin trio who had slightly changed since she had last seen them. Anne burst into laughter.

“Miss Symmons, this is far from being funny!” Professor McGonagall warned her. “It’s hilarious!” Anne said. “You will not think that funny any longer when I’ve given you your detention.” Anne stopped. “What did we do?” She asked. Professor McGonagall pointed at the Slytherin table. “This did not happen on its own.” She replied angrily. “But we were on the Quidditch Pitch. They were alright at breakfast.” Anne defended herself and her friend. “That’s true professor, just ask Hagrid!” Patience joined in. Professor McGonagall looked at the keeper of keys. “Yes, professor, that’s the truth. ‘Ve been watching them all morning.” He informed her.

“That’s very funny, because you were seen here, Miss Wood.” Professor McGonagall told her. “It couldn’t have been me, I was outside cleaning the Quidditch Pitch.” Patience said innocently. Professor McGonagall frowned. “Yes, it seems so.” She left deeply lost in thought. “Hope that means we won’t get another detention!” Anne observed. Hagrid shrugged and went to the teachers' table. The two girls sat down next to Hengist. “Great job!” He said. “You haven’t seen the Quidditch Pitch.” Anne replied. “No, I mean Vargas and the others.” He explained. “Wait a minute, we don’t have anything to do with it!” Anne told him. “C’mon, everybody says it must have been you!” Brian intervened. “Then everybody is wrong! Patience why don’t you say something!” Anne complained. “Well, we were outside cleaning the Quidditch Pitch.” Patience added.

All of a sudden Charlie stood behind them and clapped them on their shoulders. “That has been a wonderful idea. I don’t know what I like best, Vargas’ giant nose, Banks’ elephant ears or Cook’s bushy eyebrows.” “Hello! We have nothing to do with it!” Anne reminded them one last time. “You may not, but we have!” Charlie whispered into her ear.

“But how did you do it?” Anne asked when they had returned to their common room. “I came across a potion that can make me look like anyone I want to. Some time ago I prepared a whole bottle of it for it might come in handy some day. And actually, so it did. I only had to add a piece of the person I wanted to change into. I added a hair of Patience and so I looked like her on Saturday for an hour or so.” Charlie explained. Anne was overwhelmed. “Then professor McGonagall won’t get us!” “Exactly!” Patience replied.

“But it must have been her professor!” Vargas insisted. “She cannot have done it she was cleaning the Quidditch Pitch. If you had concentrated less on Miss Wood you might have seen the real culprit.” Snape informed the three students coldly. “Who else could have had a reason to do it?” The student replied. “Well, Mr. Vargas, what exactly where you doing when the spell hit you?” This question was followed by a short pause. “As a matter of fact I think loads of people had a reason to get at you. Another fact is that there were a lot of people around you – too many to find the one responsible.” “If it wasn’t Patience then it was her friend Hengist.” Vargas tried. “I’m afraid, Mr. Alret was at the hospital wing during that time, as I understand it he got himself bitten by a raven which he tried to transfigure.” Snape informed him. Vargas didn’t know who else to accuse.

The three returned to the Slytherin common room. “We will get them.” Cook clenched his fists. “No, Sebastian, we will get at the mudblood first.” Vargas decided. “What will we do with him, Ramon?” Banks asked. “Well, it didn’t work to expel him for his own doing, it seems we have to lend a helping hand. What did professor Snape say? He got himself bitten by a raven?!” “Yes, we find a raven and set him on the mudblood. It will take him apart.” “Oh, shut up, Roland!” Vargas barked. “What do you plan to do, Ramon?” Cook asked carefully. “What did we have to do during our last transfiguration class, Roland?” He asked. “We had to transfigure an animal into a water goblet.” He told him truthfully. “Exactly, and how did our little mudblood do during this class, Sebastian?” “I don’t know I was preoccupied with my own transfiguration.” He explained. “Sometimes you are really useless. Roland, can you tell us?” Roland remained silent. “Well, just like you two he failed miserably. What do we have from that – no, don’t bother, I’ll answer that one myself, we don’t have all day: our little mudblood is clumsy.” Vargas concluded.

“Great – but how does that help us?” Banks wanted to know. “Obviously he got the raven to practice on it, however, judging from the fact that he got himself bitten he cannot have been very successful…” “How do you know?” “Water goblets don’t bite!” “Mmh, right.” Banks agreed after a short pause. “But how does that help us?” This time it had been Cook who asked this question. Vargas sighed. “Other than you, he will try to improve but certainly he will not ask McGonagall again for another animal…” “Why not?” Banks interrupted him. Vargas glanced at him and didn’t bother to answer this question. “As I said before, we don’t have all day.”

“So, he might not ask for another animal – but he might well try to nick one. And, clumsy as he is, everything would go wrong, no, rather, everything will go wrong!” He fantasized. “Great – but how do we get him to steal the animals?” Banks asked. “He will not steal them.” Vargas replied. “But then nothing will go wrong and he won’t be in trouble.” Cook observed. “Of course, he will be in trouble. We will steal the animals for him!” Vargas explained. Banks and Cook thought about it for a moment. “But then it would be us who was in trouble, wasn’t it?” Cook asked. Vargas let his face fall into his hands. He looked at the two again. “It will look like it had been him!” He told them.

That night they set out to break into the menagerie. “Who’s Making that clapping noise?” Vargas asked. “Sebastian?” “No, not me, it’s Roland!” “I don’t do anything, it’s my shoes.” Banks defended himself . “Get out of them! Now!” Vargas ordered. “But I cannot run around the castle with no shoes upon my feet.” He intervened. “Well, if you prefer to get caught you can leave them on, now, take them off!” Banks took them off and they proceeded.

“Just open any cage and set the animals free, best if you put them in front of the door.” Banks and Cook did as they were told. Vargas himself approached a raven and turned him into a water goblet. He put the goblet into his pocket. “That’s enough, let’s go.” When they had returned to their common room Vargas placed the goblet on one of the tables and sat down. Banks let himself fall into the seat next to him. “Tonight, we really did a great job – even you must admit that, Ramon.” Being very satisfied with himself he placed his feet on the table and by doing so – accidentally – hit the goblet and caused it to fall down and to break into pieces. “Don’t you watch what you’re doing?” Vargas shouted at him. He tried to collect the pieces but only managed to cut his finger. “I’m bleeding, look what you’ve done!” He barked and left for the bathroom.

Only a minute later he returned with a bandaged finger. “Where has the goblet gone?” He interrogated. “We’ve thrown it away for you.” Banks declared happily. “You’ve done what?” He shouted. He looked into all waste paper baskets. “Where is it?” “We’ve thrown it out of the window.” Cook explained. Vargas sat down. “Have you gone mad? That was the raven I wanted to place in the bag of the mudblood.” The others opened their mouths to speak. “No, I don’t want to hear another word, I’ve already had enough for today.” He went to sleep.

“Wake up, Patience! Can’t you hear that noise?” Anne shook her friend until she was almost awake. “I don’t hear anything. Go back to bed.” Patience turned around. Anne shook her again. “Can’t you hear it?” “It’s only Peeves.” Patience replied sleepily. Anne got dressed. “Where are you going?” Patience was finally awake. “I’ll check what’s going on.” She said and left the dormitory. Patience got up and put on her shoes. She followed Anne. “Professor, what is going on here?” Anne had opened the door but stood in the doorframe. “Miss Symmons, it is horrible!” Professor McGonagall approached the student. Patience joined them. “All animals broke out and are running around the castle. All teachers help Hagrid and Mr. Filch to get them back to their cages. The ghosts watch out for the animals. The animals are not dangerous but they will turn the castle into a chaos.” Professor McGonagall explained. Patience who was joined by Bethesda said: “We could help you, professor.” Professor McGonagall thought about it for a moment. “That might be a good idea.” She turned. “Sir Nicholas!” The ghost floated by. “Yes, Minerva?” “Would you help these two students and their cat to search this corridor for animals?” “Of course, I’m delighted to be of help to such charming young ladies.” Bethesda meowed. “And of course, their lovely cat.” Sir Nicholas added.

The four of them walked along the corridor. The pictures – if awake – helped them to locate the animals. “Bethesda found a mouse.” Patience said. She stunned the mouse and put it in a huge box professor McGonagall had given to them for this purpose. “There’s a parrot!” Anne pointed at a bird sitting on top of one of the statues. “I stun it and you summon it.” Anne decided since Patience had the most experience in summoning anything – most of the time her own cat.

Early in the morning they met with professor McGonagall and the other helpers in the Great Hall. There were at least thirty boxes filled with stunned animals. “There you are. We will have to sort the animals now. We all agree that it is better to do it before we undo the spells. Just leave your box here and try to get a bit of sleep. Ah, yes before you go, 15 points to Gryffindor for your kind help.” Patience and Anne smiled. “I will accompany our young ladies safely back to their common room.” Sir Nicholas offered.

“My dear students, last night, some of the animals living in the castle’s menagerie successfully broke free or rather were set free. I must inform you that with the help of the teachers, Hagrid, Mr. Filch and some students we were able to find almost all of them. One animal is still missing, however, we will try to locate it today and take it back to where it belongs.” The students looked at each other. Most of them had not noticed the rumours during the night. But they returned to their breakfasts not caring too much about it all.

Vargas was angry. “They will never get at that mudblood now!” He hissed. “We could sneak out of the castle and get the raven.” Cook suggested. “Will you shut up!” Vargas shouted. “Why don’t you just go and tell them it had been us?” He whispered. Cook turned and wanted to go away. “Where are you going?” Banks asked. “I’ll tell them!” “Have you lost your mind?” Vargas approached him. “But you wanted me to…” “Just shut up or I will put a memory charm on you.” “Really, you are so stupid, Sebastian.” Banks told him. Vargas glared at the boy.

After two hours of sleep the two got up again. “You’re late.” Catherine observed. “It’s Sunday, you cannot be late on a Sunday.” Patience replied. “But usually you are already awake by this time – even on a Sunday.” Ghewyn told them. Patience and Anne got dressed and slowly walked down to the Great Hall to enjoy their breakfast. Professor McGonagall greeted them. “Oh, you still looked tired. Don’t you want to go back to sleep. I will get you something to eat…” “We are fine, professor.” Patience assured her. “Did you find all the animals?” Anne asked. Professor McGonagall grinned. “Yes, we’ve found them all. We have even found more than all. We have a surplus of mice. Only one raven seems to be missing still.” She sighed. “But I’m sure it will show up crowing something like ‘nevermore’ sooner or later.”

“Do you know who could have set the animals free?” Patience asked. The professor shook her head. “We have no idea. Maybe it was just an accident.” She sighed. “Can we take a look at the menagerie after breakfast?” Patience wanted to know. “Yes, if you want to…but I don’t see how that should help. It’s nothing left in there. Excuse me now.” Professor McGonagall left. “I don’t think that anybody can run around the castle unnoticed if he or she has just set free several noisy animals.” Anne whispered. “We can ask the pictures if they have seen anyone.” Patience suggested.

Patience and Anne walked along the Slytherin corridor. “What are you doing here?” Vargas barked. “Excuse us, we are talking to somebody.” Patience snapped. “So, you don’t have noticed anything?” She asked. Vargas waited with excitement. The young woman in the picture shook her head. “Did you lose your cat again? Bet that bitch headed for the Forbidden Forest and got itself eaten by one of the monsters in there.” Banks spat. “The only monster around here is you, Banks!” And she added. “Mind you, only judged by looks not ability!”

“You’re looking for the raven that is still missing, aren’t you?” Vargas asked. “No, not really, but have you seen it anyway?” Patience replied. Vargas shook his head. “What about you?” Anne addressed Cook. “Yes, it’s outside…” Vargas shot an angry look at him that made him silent. “There are many ravens outside. Sebastian could not tell the difference between the one and the other.” Vargas explained. Though Patience and Anne were suspicious they thought it only reasonable. Vargas, Banks and Cook left while Patience and Anne continued their investigations.

“This is the scene of the crime.” Patience said. “They are really all gone!” Anne observed. “Well, I’m sure all of them are found by now. Let’s see if we can find anything.” They searched the whole room but couldn’t find anything apart from a tiny feather that had once belonged to a raven. “You don’t want to take this with you!” Patience said as Anne put the feather into her pocket. “You never know, it might come in handy some day.” Anne only replied.

“I don’t even see a reason to do such a thing.” Anne thought aloud as the two girls wondered who could have done it. “Well, my number one suspect is certainly Vargas.” Patience said as she saw him and his friends approach them. “Still trying to find the thief – if I were you I had a closer look at my own house.” Vargas advised them. “We have a closer look at any house.” Anne declared and approached Vargas. “…for you never know what you may find.” Her hand grabbed something behind his ear. “What do we have here? A tiny black feather. Any explanation for that?” She asked. “One feather doesn’t prove anything.” He spat. “What happened to your finger?” Patience pointed at his bandaged hand. “Maybe something with more than one black feather bit you?” She asked. “Sorry to disappoint you…” He stretched his hand into the air. “…but I only cut myself while shaving.” “I didn’t know you were shaving your legs, Vargas.” Anne couldn’t help saying. Vargas angrily stepped closer and looked straight into her eyes. “My face, not my legs.” He turned. “Let’s go!” And with another look at the two girls he added. “We don’t want to distract our hobby detectives.” They went away. “You were right, the feather did come in handy. A pity we couldn’t get him with that!” Patience sighed.

“Here you are!” Professor McGonagall approached them. “The raven has shown up again. It flew back to its cage. And the headmaster asks you to discontinue your search for the culprit. He will take his own measures and doesn’t want you to interfere.” The professor informed them. Patience and Anne shrugged. It seemed that professor McGonagall had been right any way and there were no traces to be found at least all their investigations had not produced any results. They decided to have a little nap in their cosy beds.

The Christmas break arrived sooner than expected. Patience’s and Anne’s last school day would have been Friday but Snape was ill since they had only double potions on Fridays that meant that their break started one day earlier. “He should take vitamins. If I were that pale my mum would feed me vitamins for breakfast, lunch, dinner and between the meals.” Patience said jokingly. “Yeah, somebody should give him vitamins some day.” Anne agreed. “You really want to stay over Christmas? My family would be delighted to have you around, Anne.” Patience offered. “Nay, Patience. I’ll try to find out what’s the thing with the werewolf.” Anne told her. “Your family will miss you. It’s still enough time if you get your things packed you could leave tomorrow.” Patience suggested. “The ‘Munchkins’ will miss me? Are you kidding? They forgot to pick me up at the station last year.” Anne reminded her friend. “That was last year. Such a thing only happens once.” Patience insisted. “I’m not so sure about that. It would be very depressive to be forgotten a second time.” Anne admitted. “I’ll stay here.” Anne finished. “You’ll be the only one in Gryffindor.” Patience reminded her. “That’s okay, professor McGonagall promised me to take me to Hogsmeade to do some Christmas shopping. Hagrid invited me to come to his hut whenever I feel like company. Dumbledore asked me to play wizard’s chess against him. I’ll have the time of my life.” Anne assured her friend. “If you say so.” Patience gave up. On Saturday morning Patience and Anne had breakfast together. “You’ll keep me informed – I want to know all you find out about – well you know!” Patience whispered. “Sure. I’ll send you an owl with the latest news.” Anne promised. “You have to go now.” Anne said sadly with a look on her watch. Patience gave her friend a hug and they parted. Anne went up to the dormitory and fetched her wizard’s chess and a book on werewolves. She didn’t go to Dumbledore but knocked at the office of one of her teacher’s. Preston opened the door. “What do you want?” Preston snapped at her.