"Ibi... Professor Grice, are you in?" In the dead of night, a soft yet slightly nervous voice broke the silence outside the door of the Ancient Magic and Mysticism office. Hermione, Ron, and Harry, draped in the Invisibility Cloak, knocked cautiously, terrified of waking the sleeping Castle.
Hermione clenched her hands into fists, tapping lightly against the wooden panel, her eyes flickering with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Beside her, Ron looked rather hesitant, his hands holding up the cloak as his gaze shifted back and forth between Hermione and Harry, who was keeping a vigilant watch on their surroundings. "Hermione, is this really a good idea?" Ron whispered, his voice low and laced with unease. "What if we've got it wrong? Didn't you say before that he isn't him?"
He swallowed hard, casting a nervous glance down the pitch-black corridor to ensure no patrolling professors were around before lowering his voice even further. "Snape's been unusually jumpy tonight. I heard someone blew up his office earlier this evening. If he catches us... the consequences would be unthinkable."
Chapter 173