Chapter 80: Cat and Mouse
Chapter 80: Cat and Mouse
"This way, over here!" Fred called out as he ran, his heart pounding with excitement. The game of hide-and-seek with Filch was proving to be more thrilling than he had imagined, his blood pumping with adrenaline.
Filch had just taken a secret passage to cut them off, but Fred wasn't worried. Before Filch could reach the front to block their path, the twins had already slipped away in the opposite direction.
There was no way Filch could intercept them in advance, and besides, the old squib didn't have their stamina! The only nuisance was Mrs. Norris, that cat was more troublesome than Filch himself. She was fast and cunning, making it difficult to shake her off their trail.
Filch's cat would alert him of their whereabouts, and her unblinking gaze followed them wherever they went. Fred felt an urge to kick her, but they knew they didn't have the time, and injuring Mrs. Norris would only enrage Filch further.
"I can hear footsteps again," George panted. "How is Filch moving faster than us?"
"Don't worry, he won't catch us," Fred assured him. "This way!" Fred's knowledge of the castle's passages paled in comparison to Filch's, but with the Marauder's Map, he could easily keep the old squib at bay.
"He's taking the passage!" Fred suddenly laughed. "Turn right up ahead, down the stairs, and we'll head to the fourth floor."
"I bet he's fuming!" George said gleefully.
Indeed, Filch knew the castle's secret passages intimately, far better than the Weasley brothers. But what did it matter? They had the Marauder's Map, and even if Filch intercepted them, they could simply change directions and leave him running in circles.
Fred slowed down to catch his breath, his eyes momentarily leaving the map. "Filch has stopped. I bet he's completely lost by now."
"This is actually quite fun," George said, his earlier sleepiness gone, replaced by a rush of excitement. "We'll have a good story to tell for months."
"Tsk, tsk. Troublesome new students, wandering around at this hour." Peeves suddenly appeared, blocking their path as he emerged from the trophy room, cackling gleefully.
"Good evening," George said, raising his hand in greeting. "Filch's cat is chasing us. Want to cause some trouble for him?"
"I'd rather see you get caught by Filch," Peeves said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"We won't be," Fred shrugged, brandishing his wand and using the Unlocking Charm to open a wooden door leading to another corridor. "Filch is still running around trying to find us."
"Oh, perhaps I should tell Filch," Peeves said earnestly. "It's for your own good."
"Go ahead," George said, closing the door behind them nonchalantly. "But I heard you two don't get along. Wouldn't you rather see Filch in a bad mood?"
Fred waved at Peeves. "I second that."
"Students out of bed!" Peeves suddenly shouted, clearly enjoying the attention. "Loitering outside the trophy room!"
"Peeves, you pest!" George muttered, his eyes narrowing.
"If he didn't shout, he wouldn't be Peeves," Fred said with a grin, glancing at the map again. Filch was rushing towards them at an alarming speed.
"Quiet, Peeves," Fred said, and the twins turned back, only to find Peeves still lingering in the corridor.
"No, you should make Peeves shout louder," Fred muttered. "Really give it some lung power!"
"As you wish," Peeves cackled.
When Peeves saw them returning, he suddenly appeared in front of Fred, shouting, "They're here! Those nasty little first-years are right here!"
Fred shot Peeves a rude gesture before disappearing around the corner with George.
"Peeves?"
A moment later, Filch came huffing and puffing, "Tell me where they went, quickly!"
"You should say 'please'," Peeves replied.
Filch had no intention of exchanging pleasantries with Peeves. He was ready to follow his cat and continue the chase. He was furious tonight—how dare those boys play hide-and-seek with him! Never!
Filch had never been so humiliated. He would catch those students and teach them a lesson they'd never forget.
"What's going on here?" A sleepy-looking Snape appeared in the corridor.
"Professor, there are students wandering around at night, and I'm trying to catch them," Filch said through gritted teeth. "Peeves knows who they are, but he won't tell me."
Snape looked up at Peeves and asked, "Peeves, who is it?"
"Two detestable Gryffindor first-years," Peeves said, glaring at Filch. "Those brats said you couldn't catch them!"
Peeves took pleasure in watching Filch's face twist in anger, and then he flew away, having not revealed Fred and George's names.
"Professor, those Gryffindor students will likely head back to their common room after being disturbed by Peeves," Filch said, his experience shining through as he quickly devised a plan to catch the night wanderers. "I know of a shortcut to the eighth floor..."
Snape agreed, not at all opposed to the idea of catching the Gryffindor students and deducting a substantial number of points.
At that moment, Fred and George, who were also making their way to the eighth floor, realized that Snape had joined the search party. They frowned, knowing they had to hurry back to their common room.
With just Filch, they wouldn't have worried about being intercepted, but with Snape added to the mix, the situation became more unpredictable.
No one wanted to fall into the hands of the Potions Master; he was not known for his leniency. Everyone knew Snape disliked Gryffindor students.
After circling back, the twins returned to the eighth floor, only to find that Fat Lady still hadn't returned.
Fred and George were disappointed. This meant they would have to continue wandering the castle, evading both Snape and Filch.
"This is bad," Fred said, studying the Marauder's Map. "Filch is coming to the eighth floor through the secret passage. We need to find a place to hide, quickly!" Fred's heart sank as he realized their predicament, and he took the lead, preparing to make a run for it.
"Be careful not to get blocked by Snape," George reminded him.
"I know," Fred said, feeling anxious. He backtracked into the corridor, knowing that heading to the seventh floor now would likely lead them straight into Snape and the cat. That combination was even more dangerous than Filch alone.
"There's a room over here," George said, pointing to a deserted room on the right side of the eighth floor. "Maybe we can hide in there."
"No, we'll definitely be found," Fred said, shaking his head. "Filch's cat is more perceptive than we thought. We need to be patient and keep leading Filch in circles. We'll leave through the passage near the lion-headed eagle statue." Fred stopped to catch his breath, his mood turning sour as he realized they might be caught.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
