Chapter 429: The Sorting Hat Has a Keen Eye

Just as they were about to enter the Great Hall, Kyle paused. He glanced at Fred and George beside him and asked, "Do you have the Marauder's Map with you?"

"Of course," Fred replied, pulling a folded piece of parchment from his pocket. "We always carry it. Why?"

"Nothing, just wondering if I could borrow it," Kyle said. "I might need it for something."

"Sure," Fred said casually, slipping the Marauder's Map into Kyle's hands before heading off toward the Gryffindor table.

"We've still got a few more ideas to discuss, but it's getting late," George added, hurrying to catch up. "We'll chat about it next time."

Under normal circumstances, they might have been curious about Kyle's plans, especially if he was planning a nighttime adventure. But right now, both twins were too hungry to care; after a long day, they would've settled for even a cold boiled potato.

Kyle tucked the Marauder's Map into his pocket and headed over to the Hufflepuff table on the other side of the hall.

...

After dinner, Kyle went straight back to the dormitory and opened the Marauder's Map, carefully watching the names moving around the castle. With less than a week until the holidays, he knew this would be Sirius Black's last chance to catch Peter Pettigrew if he planned to do it at Hogwarts.

Black could wait until the holidays, of course; St. Catchpole Village had neither Dementors nor professors, making it a safer location than Hogwarts. But Kyle doubted Black would have the patience for such a plan, and besides, the village wasn't close to the castle. If Black didn't know the way, he might never make it there.

Kyle kept scanning the map, but everything seemed ordinary. Even Ron was still in the Gryffindor common room. Probably not tonight, he thought, stretching his neck. But just as he was about to put the Marauder's Map away, he spotted Professor Lupin leaving his office.

Remembering Lupin's strange behavior earlier, Kyle paused. What's he up to? he wondered, deciding to watch him for a bit.

On the map, Kyle saw Professor Lupin walk to the eighth floor, stopping at the entrance of the Gryffindor common room. Soon, the names Ron, Harry, and Hermione began moving towards him. After a few minutes, Lupin left the area, but this time he was accompanied by another name: Peter Pettigrew.

He's found Black?

Kyle quickly realized the truth—Lupin's recent trips to Hogsmeade had nothing to do with the rumors about Madam Rosmerta. Instead, Lupin had been looking for Black. As Black's former best friend, Lupin must have known his hiding places well enough to eventually track him down in Hogsmeade and learn the truth about Pettigrew's disguise. Now it seemed he was preparing for a confrontation.

Decisively, Kyle closed the Marauder's Map. His thoughts raced as he considered how to slip away from his dormmates. Just then, Mikel and Ryan began talking about going outside to play a game of Gobstones.

Perfect, Kyle thought.

After they left, he cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and quietly exited the dormitory. He needed to move quickly; if Lupin found Black, things could escalate fast.

In the bustling common room, no one noticed when the door swung open briefly, assuming someone was headed to the kitchen. Only Kanna, sitting in the corner, glanced towards the empty passage, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.

Kyle made it to the foyer just in time to see Professor Lupin striding out of the castle. Lupin was moving briskly, still deep in thought and oblivious to the faintly shimmering half-arm trailing a short distance behind him.

"He's left the castle," Ron's anxious whisper echoed in the empty foyer. "Does he really need to leave the castle to heal a pet? He's not—"

"Shut up, Ron!" Hermione hissed. "Or we'll be discovered. Hurry up!"

Outside the castle, an odd procession was forming. Professor Lupin walked briskly ahead, with half an arm floating just behind him—clearly Harry, Ron, and Hermione under the Invisibility Cloak, which couldn't quite cover all three of them. Following the half-visible arm was Kyle, who trailed behind at a safe distance.

As Professor Lupin approached the Whomping Willow, a large black dog suddenly sprang out beside him, its intense gaze fixed on a struggling mouse in Lupin's hand.

"You shouldn't be here—go back!" Professor Lupin snapped at the dog.

The dog growled, and a second later, its form twisted and changed into a thin man with a haunted look. "I can't wait any longer, Remus," he rasped. "I waited twelve years in Azkaban…"

"No, we must—"

"So it's you!" A furious voice cut through the tense exchange as Harry, Hermione, and Ron stepped out from under the Invisibility Cloak, confronting the pair.

Harry pointed at Professor Lupin, his face a mix of anger and betrayal. "You helped Black infiltrate the castle—twice! You're his accomplice!"

"I trusted you!" Hermione's voice trembled with fury.

Ron, reckless and angry, lunged forward. "Give me Scabbers back, now!"

Kyle stifled a sigh. That was a close call. He watched as the three Gryffindors stood exposed, facing Sirius Black and Professor Lupin. Only true Gryffindors would confront danger head-on like that… The Sorting Hat definitely judged them right.

In the wrong circumstances, such boldness would have been fatal. If they'd been up against someone like Barty Crouch Jr. or Bellatrix Lestrange, the three might not have survived.

The unexpected confrontation threw Professor Lupin off guard. Before he could react, Black grabbed the rat from his hand and dove into the hollow at the base of the Whomping Willow.

"Sirius, come back!" Lupin, coming to his senses, immediately darted after him.

"Scabbers!" Ron cried, chasing after them.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione shouted, following close behind.

In seconds, Kyle was the only one left standing in front of the Whomping Willow. He sighed, muttering, "The Sorting Hat really does know how to judge people…"

The usually hostile Whomping Willow seemed unusually still. Kyle eyed the branches warily, tempted by the peculiar calm. But he resisted the urge to investigate further and slipped into the hollow under the tree.

Not the time for that, he thought. I'll deal with it later.