Hogwarts Castle in the dead of night was exceptionally quiet; even the portraits along the corridors had drifted off to sleep. The sound of Alistair's footsteps was uncommonly clear in the silent hallway, but he had no time to mind, quickly cutting through the passageway to the first floor and heading toward the dungeons.
"Tap, tap." Alistair knocked softly on the door, listening intently for any sound from within.
Accompanied by a dull dragging noise, the stone door was pulled open, and a dark figure appeared in his line of sight.
Chapter 491