20 the room of requirement

"Professor Frémont, it's rather late. Shouldn't you be heading to bed by now? What a coincidence to run into you here," George remarked casually, discreetly tucking the parchment he held behind his back.

"Yes, Professor Frémont, is everything alright? If there's nothing urgent, we'll bid you goodnight and be on our way," Fred chimed in, coming to George's aid.

Ciaran surmised what the parchment in the hands of the twin brothers might be. It was most likely the Marauder's Map, originally in the possession of the twins and later acquired by Harry without the proper guardian's consent. The map unveiled secret passages in Hogwarts leading to Hogsmeade, the neighbouring wizarding village.

This acquisition occurred during Harry's third year. Even though he was now in his second year, when the twin brothers were caught by Filch, they retrieved a blank parchment among the confiscated magical items. Quietly liberating it from Filch's office, they eventually deciphered its purpose.

It was evident they were up to some mischief tonight, but nearly got caught by Mr. Filch, the diligent caretaker of Hogwarts Castle.

The Marauder's Map, a magical creation by Harry's father James Potter, Sirius Black, the werewolf Remus Lupin, and the later-traitor Peter Pettigrew, revealed the locations of individuals within Hogwarts upon recitation of the phrase "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." It was a convenient tool devoid of adverse effects.

"By the way, I wonder if the Marauder's Map detects Force points," Ciaran mused, retrieving his wand and directing his gaze at Fred and George. "What exactly are you holding there?"

"It's just a regular piece of parchment, Professor," George replied hastily.

"Allow me to inspect it," Ciaran requested.

"Well, Professor..." Sensing Ciaran's stern demeanour, George relented, "Very well, Professor, as you wish."

Realizing they couldn't evade scrutiny any longer, George reluctantly presented the Marauder's Map to Ciaran.

The twins' expressions turned sombre. A moment of carelessness could cost them a valuable tool for their pranks. Over the past two years, the Marauder's Map had been instrumental in their escapades.

Ciaran scanned the parchment, noting numerous names. His own name almost blended with his twin brother's, while a short distance away, Filch's name appeared.

Dumbledore's name roamed the premises, indicating the headmaster was still asleep.

This outcome wasn't what Ciaran expected. He felt no response from his tracking system, indicating the Marauder's Map lacked Force points. His sigh conveyed his disappointment.

"Don't worry about deductions, Professor. We'll head back to our dormitory," Fred assured, fearing a loss of points for Gryffindor. Any unexplained deductions overnight would lead to their reprimand by their housemates.

"Professor, shall we be on our way?" George added.

"Who said anything about deductions?" Ciaran raised an eyebrow in surprise. He intended to return the Marauder's Map to the twins. Since it held no Force points, its utility to him was minimal. As a respected professor, he maintained a flexible approach.

"Professor, are you planning to confine us to detention?" Fred and George exchanged shocked glances. "That might be preferable to losing points."

"That won't be necessary," Ciaran shook his head with a smile. "Simply exercise caution in the future and avoid detection by other professors. No, I will return the Marauder's Map to you." He handed it back to George.

"Really, Professor?" Fred's eyes brightened with hope.

George voiced his scepticism, "Professor, do you recognize the Marauder's Map?"

Ciaran smiled, suddenly recalling something. He realized he had overlooked a crucial detail. "Where did you say you concealed items?" he inquired.

"Oh, it's this peculiar spot on the eighth floor. We stumbled upon a hidden door on the wall and stashed our belongings inside," George explained.

A revelation struck Ciaran. It was the Room of Requirement. He remembered Voldemort had hidden one of his Horcruxes within it—the Ravenclaw's diadem.

At first, Ciaran sought to conceal his abilities and bide his time, avoiding provoking adversaries beyond his current capabilities, leading to a blind spot in his cognition. Yet, there existed a magical artifact potentially containing Force points—the Ravenclaw's diadem in the Room of Requirement—within easy reach and devoid of enchantments or biological defences.

As for the repercussions of absorbing Force points from the diadem—assuming they existed—on a fragment of Voldemort's soul concealed within, such concerns were secondary.

Hadn't Voldemort, despite his might and ruthlessness, failed to escape the trap and return from his demise?

Suddenly, the sound of Filch's footsteps approached.

"Quickly, return to your dormitories," Ciaran instructed.

Fred and George stowed the Marauder's Map and hastened back to Gryffindor Tower.

Ciaran, avoiding an encounter with Filch, cast a Disappearance Curse upon himself, fading from view. Though his mastery of the spell paled in comparison to Dumbledore's, it sufficed in the absence of an Invisibility Cloak. Despite its limitations, it proved advantageous in such situations.

Thus, when Filch traversed the corridor, he found it devoid of occupants, as if the voices he heard were mere figments of his imagination.

Filch, perplexed, departed the area, returning to his quarters to slumber.

Ciaran dispelled the illusion and proceeded to the eighth floor. Recalling the Room of Requirement's location—across from a tapestry depicting Barnabas attempting to teach a troll ballet—he approached the blank wall.

"Conjure in your mind the space you seek," Ciaran murmured. Voldemort likely concealed the Ravenclaw's diadem within a repository of contraband amassed by Hogwarts students over the centuries.

"A space to harbour my belongings... a space to harbour my belongings..."

Ciaran paced the eighth-floor corridor, mentally projecting his intent.

After three passes, a seamless door materialized on the white wall opposite the tapestry. Ciaran grasped the copper handle and pushed open the door.

Within lay a vast expanse, shrouded in silence. The chamber rivalled a cathedral in size, its interior resembling a cityscape, its towering walls adorned with the remnants of myriad students.

Ciaran surveyed the chamber, overwhelmed by its magnitude and implications.

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