When Sean returned to his dorm earlier, he had already checked the Marauder's Map. Jerry's name wasn't on it—nor was Peter Pettigrew's. Perhaps Jerry had accidentally wandered into a room the map couldn't display. Sean didn't even want to consider the worst-case scenario.
As far as he knew, there were only two places the map couldn't reveal: the Room of Requirement and Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets. After curfew, he planned to check the Room of Requirement. As for the Chamber of Secrets, unless Harry opened it, there was no way for him to get inside.
While searching, Sean ran into Snape.
"Curfew is in two hours," Snape said indifferently. "Get back before then. Your cat won't come to harm in Hogwarts."
That wasn't necessarily true. If Jerry ran into Wormtail, he would definitely chase him. And someone as vile as Wormtail might do anything.
Sean gave a verbal acknowledgment, but continued searching his own way. The Marauder's Map stopped working near Hagrid's hut. Maybe Jerry had gone there to play with Fang.
Thinking this, Sean headed outside the castle.
His departing figure was spotted by Harry, who quickly said to the others, "Sean's leaving the castle. Should we follow him?"
"I think we should," Ron agreed.
Hermione glanced at the two of them, then made the final call. "Alright."
Driven by curiosity, the trio followed.
Sean had already reached Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door. "Hagrid, it's me—Sean."
Moments later, the door opened, and Hagrid waved him in. "Sean, come on in."
Inside, Sean noticed someone else sitting at the table. Looking closely, the man seemed familiar.
"Hoff!" Sean called out.
"Hello, Sean," Hoff replied.
Nicolas Flamel's student had been staying at Hogwarts for four days, though Sean hadn't noticed. That wasn't surprising—Sean hadn't visited the hut recently, and Hoff had stayed near it without entering the castle.
"So you're staying here?" Sean glanced at the room. A bed had been placed by the window—Mick used to sleep there temporarily before leaving.
"For now," Hoff said.
Sean could guess why. It had to be related to Flamel's death. Hoff was likely hiding here to avoid whoever had killed his teacher.
"By the way, what brings you here so late?" Hagrid asked.
Sean looked around. Fang was there, but no sign of Jerry.
"Has Jerry come by? He slipped out of my dorm during dinner, and now I can't find him."
"Lost, huh?" Hagrid said casually. "Kneazles usually find their way back after a while."
That was generally true—but Sean's situation was different. Jerry wasn't showing up on the Marauder's Map, and Wormtail was lurking somewhere in the castle. Jerry might already be in serious danger.
At that very moment, Voldemort had nearly met his end.
Not long after sneaking into Hogwarts, he had encountered a thin gray rat—Jerry. Sensing a strong malicious aura from it, Jerry instinctively gave chase.
But Voldemort had spent seven years at Hogwarts and knew the castle well. Taking the shortest route, he dashed into the girls' bathroom on the second floor of the academic building.
Climbing onto the sink, he hissed in Parseltongue. The sinks began to shift with mechanical clicks—rising, sliding outward, then sinking into the floor to reveal a circular tunnel about a meter wide.
Without hesitation, Voldemort jumped in.
Jerry leapt in after him.
Deep within the Chamber of Secrets, Wormtail—now in human form—paced nervously in front of a golden scepter.
Before Christmas, Quirrell and Voldemort had found him. When Wormtail saw Voldemort attached to the back of Quirrell's head, he was both terrified and overjoyed. He immediately reverted to human form and knelt before them.
Together, they had opened the Chamber and hidden the Golden Scepter inside. Knowing that Haerpo might also seek it—especially with Salazar's connection to the Chamber—Voldemort had ordered Wormtail to guard it.
Wormtail had slipped away from Ron nearly half a month ago, though Ron hadn't been too worried. His brothers had told him that Scabbers often disappeared for weeks at a time, only to return later.
After tumbling down the pipe, Voldemort landed hard and scrambled forward across a floor littered with bones—human or animal, it was impossible to tell.
Jerry, now sensing danger, bristled. His fur stood on end as he stared at the bones.
But he didn't stop chasing.
Meanwhile, Harry and the others arrived at Hagrid's hut and knocked. The people inside reacted differently upon seeing them.
"You lot too? Lost a cat as well?" Hagrid asked.
"No," Harry said. "We followed Sean. Thought we might help."
Sean glanced at them. He knew exactly what was driving them—curiosity and a thirst for adventure.
"There's nothing here. I'm heading back," Sean said.
Ron noticed Hoff and leaned toward Harry. "Do you know that guy?"
Harry shook his head. "No idea."
Hoff, however, was studying Harry closely. Then he spoke, "You're Harry Potter?"
He didn't actually know Harry—but the lightning-shaped scar was unmistakable.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"Hoff Stark. It's an honor to meet you," Hoff said, much like the many witches and wizards who reacted the same way upon meeting Harry.
In truth, Voldemort had no idea Hoff was at Hogwarts. He had infiltrated the school simply because Wormtail was the only subordinate he could currently contact. He needed Wormtail's help to find Hoff and obtain the Philosopher's Stone before Haerpo did.
Back in the Chamber, Wormtail noticed a rat enter. He raised his wand, ready to kill it—until the rat suddenly spoke.
"Idiot—it's me!"
The familiar voice stunned him. Instantly, he realized who it was.
"Kill that damned kneazle behind me!" Voldemort roared.
Wormtail had never seen Jerry before. The fact that this creature was chasing Tom Riddle himself filled him with rage.
"Stupid beast—do you even know who that is?!" Wormtail shouted, raising his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
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