𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄 ¹

16. through the trapdoor

She was surprised when Harry spoke up in a hoarse whisper. "Peeves, the Bloody Baron has his own reasons for being invisible."

Harper covered her mouth with her hand as she saw Peeves' horrified expression.

Peeves almost fell out of the air in shock. He caught himself and hovered a foot off the stairs.

"So sorry, your bloodliness, Mr. Baron, sir," he stuttered. "My mistake, my mistake—I didn't see you—of course I didn't, you're invisible—forgive old Peeves his little joke, sir."

"I have business here, Peeves," Harry continued. "Stay away from this place tonight."

"I will, sir." Peeves replied nervously. "I most certainly will. Hope your business goes well, Baron, I'll not bother you."

He flew off and Harper grinned. "Good job, Harry!"

They hurried towards the forbidden corridor and opened the door only to see Fluffy asleep? A harp was playing and Harper cursed under her breath.

"Snape's already been here."

They threw the Cloak off of them and Harper quickly walked over to where the paw of the dog was laying on the trapdoor.

"Quickly, before the music stops," she whispered.

Harry, Hermione and Ron dashed towards her.

"Okay," Harry began. "On three. One. Two. Three." They gently pushed the paw to the side and Harper opened the door.

"What do you think is there?" Ron asked as they stared in the darkness.

"There is only one way to figure it out," Harper replied, before jumping in.

"Harp!" she could hear them cry.

The landing was softer than she had imagined. Placing her hand on the ground, Harper noticed that whatever she had landed on was alive. She quickly pulled her hand back and discovered it was some kind of plant.

Before she could call to to the other, the three of them landed beside her and the plant started moving.

"What's happening?" Ron asked frantically when the plants went to their hands and feet and dragged them down.

"I bet it's Professor Sprout's enchantment," Harper replied. "But which plant is it?"

"It's Devil's Snare!" Hermione said. "Stop moving!"

Harper immediately tried to relax and she noticed she was lowering. All of her instincts told her to get out, to try and survive, but Harper ignored them, trusting Hermione's judgement completely.

Harper let out a grown as she landed on the hard ground below. Next to her, Hermione was rubbing her back as well.

"Harp! Hermione!" Harry and Ron yelled, panic clear in their voice.

"Just relax!" Hermione shouted back, as she and Harper scrambled up.

Harry must have tried to do so because a couple moments later he, too, fell on the ground.

"You all right?" Harper asked him while helping him up.

"Yeah, sure."

The three of them looked up to hear Ron curse.

"He's not relaxing, is he?" Harry asked worried.

"No," Harper replied knowing Ron better than everyone. "He isn't."

"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare," Hermione began, "What did Professor Sprout say? It likes the dark and the damp—"

"—but it hates sunlight!" Harper continued and she nodded at Hermione. The both of them raised their wands and pointed it at the Devil's Snare.