Chapter 54. The Secret Passage Leading to the Forest
At dawn the next day, after feeding the magical creatures, Duncan finished tidying the work shed and stepped out.
A paper aeroplane dived straight down at his head like a homing missile and burrowed into his thick hair.
"Who's being so cheeky?"
When Duncan reached up to grab it, the paper aeroplane unfolded of its own accord and drifted into his hand.
It was a letter.
The handwriting was a bit scrawly, many letters twisting about and tangling together.
Duncan stared, racking his brains, and managed to make it out half by guessing.
Professor Kettleburn asked him to pop over to the Forest when he had time; Professor Quirrell's "treasure" had been brought in.
"A troll, then?"
Duncan thought for a moment and decided he ought to have a look.
He said a word to Neville, left the dormitory, and walked straight out of the castle.
By chance he caught sight of two sneaky figures.
They looked like Fred and George.
They used boulders and shrubs as cover, glancing all around, only moving on when they were sure no one was about.
"What are those two up to this time...?"
Duncan's eyes turned.
He crept up softly behind them and suddenly spoke.
"What are you two doing here?"
Fred and George jumped in fright, clapped hands over their mouths, and swallowed the yelp that had leapt to their throats.
Then they looked around again, made sure no one was there, and grumbled, "Duncan, why do you come and go without a sound like the ghosts in the castle?
Nearly scared us to death."
"That's because you've a guilty conscience!"
Duncan retorted.
"What's 'guilty'?
We're prank artists!" Fred rolled his eyes.
"Yes, yes."
Duncan wore an expression that said you're always right, then added, "So, you two artists, what are you doing here?"
George, pleased, nodded and lowered his voice.
"We're going into the Forest to get some materials."
"Then why are you heading this way?"
Duncan looked ahead.
Where they were was plainly farther from the Forest.
Perhaps Fred and George had crammed geography lately, learned the earth is round, and were ready to apply it to daily life?
"Come with us and you'll see."
Fred's mouth curled in a smug smile, and he edged forward carefully.
Curiosity hooked in his chest, Duncan imitated Fred and George and followed along.
After about three minutes, they walked slowly down a small slope to a spot rarely visited.
Even so, they hadn't left the edge of the castle grounds, though the Forest had vanished from view.
"Here we are.
This is it.
Duncan, don't tell anyone else," Fred said mysteriously.
Following his gaze, Duncan saw a millstone-sized slab of stone, moss-grown and snug to the ground.
"Aside from us, no one's likely to know its secret."
George finished speaking, crouched, hooked his fingers under the edge, and felt around for something.
Moments later, George sprang up nimbly and tugged Duncan two steps back.
Under Duncan's astonished eyes, the stone slab flipped upright as if turned by a giant.
Below was a stairway of stone slabs stretching downwards.
A chill wind blew up; the depth seemed anything but shallow.
"Hurry in.
It'll be bad if someone sees," George said, hauling Duncan onto the steps.
They hurried down several steps, and with a roar the stone above slammed back into place, plunging the passage into darkness.
At the same time, there came a rustling sound, as if someone were rubbing along the wall.
Before long, light returned to the passage.
Torches set into the stone flared to life one after another, stretching away into the distance.
"This passage leads to the Forest?"
Duncan stared ahead in wonder.
"How did you find it?"
"It's marked on that map of ours, though only faintly."
"But thanks to our keen powers of observation and dogged effort, we still managed to track it down."
Fred and George spoke one after the other, walking abreast down the passage.
"Step on it, Duncan.
It's still a ways from here to the Forest.
We need to make speed."
"Right."
Duncan nodded and quickened his pace to keep up.
The walls on either side, weathered by the years, were a little pitted, but overall looked neat and regular.
It had been built broad besides; even a burly, brawny troll could pass through with ease.
Oh right—a troll!
On Hallowe'en, would Professor Quirrell have used this very passage to bring a troll into the castle?
After all, the noseless fellow on the back of Professor Quirrell's head would know many of the school's secrets.
If that were true...
Duncan's mouth curled in a smile.
He felt he must leave a little "gift" for that well-loved professor.
Having made up his mind, Duncan's eyes roved constantly over the surroundings, hunting for places to set his gift.
By the time they stepped out of the passage, he had already picked several good spots.
"This place is a bit hidden..."
Duncan looked at the opening veiled by brush and spoke.
"Of course.
If too many people knew of it, it would've been sealed up long ago," said Fred.
George rose on tiptoe, craned his neck to look about, then waved.
"This way.
What we need is over there!"
"No danger, is there?"
Duncan asked.
"Relax.
We know this place like our own back garden," Fred said with a grin.
"That's good.
Since there's no danger, you can go on your own.
I've something to see to," Duncan said, smiling broadly.
"Oh?" George arched a doubtful eyebrow.
"Where are you off to?
Careful—if you're spotted, they'll take points.
Your Hufflepuff hourglass hasn't got many gems."
"Sorry—forgot to mention it just now."
Duncan wore a thoroughly punchable expression.
"I'm official staff now—Professor Kettleburn's assistant.
I can go in and out of the Forest freely."
"Dog shite—there's such a post?
Stuff like that actually exists?"
"And the key thing is, the brat only tells us now, after mooching our secret passage for free?"
Fred and George looked at each other, then ground their teeth and snarled viciously,
"Fred!" "George!" "Lay into him!"
Only, when they turned their heads, Duncan had already sprinted off into the distance.
"Remember to head back early, and be careful.
If you're discovered, you'll be docked points!"
"Get lost!
Next time you're helping us collect materials!" the two shouted in unison.
"Eh?
What was that?
Too noisy here—I can't hear you..."
Duncan called back, nimbly took a corner, slipped round a towering tree, and the twins' voices faded away.
"Time to find Professor Kettleburn."
Duncan caught his breath, took out the paper aeroplane, and tapped it with his wand.
The paper aeroplane moved without wind, floated off into the distance, and led Duncan on.
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