"Curious, curious," muttered Tem. Nathan took this as an opportunity to speak and keep himself from bursting.

"What is curious, Tem? You were awesome, putting together all these observations and deductions," said Nathan.

"Not awesome enough. I couldn't convince the client to confide in me. I think there is more behind this crime than meets the eye."

"What do you mean? Do you think Caervey is framing Rowle?"

"No, he wouldn't use his emotionally valuable watch for something like that. But Caervey appears to have a personal vendetta against Rowle. As Rowle is not the thief, further investigation into the background of their conflict bears no immediate necessity."

"Okay, so who did you see? We're going to look for her now, right? Do you want to look through my notes? I took as many as I could," Nathan said, stumbling over his words in his excitement.

"Thank you, Nathan. That won't be necessary at this moment." Tem glanced at the parchment, which was filled with a messy collection of sentences. "Uhm, I'm sure your notes will come in handy later. Yes, we shall look for the mystery girl to follow up on our lead."

Gerald, standing in the open door of their compartment, made a quiet snorting sound. "Don't you think you're putting it on too thick?"

"What? Detectives talk like that. I didn’t invent it, I merely studied," Tem answered, his face turning slightly pink.

"If you say so," said Gerald and turned back into their compartment.

"What do you reckon, Nathan?" asked Tem, looking anywhere but in his direction.

"It's all fine. My mum always says to do what feels right, unless it's a bad thing, of course." Nathan looked sheepishly. "I'm sure with time you will get the hang of adjusting to the person you're talking to. Based on the investigators I read about, the best ones can adapt to the situation as required. To dig deep and extract the last bit of truth."

"Yes. I'll do that. Before that, one quick stop at our seats."

Tem darted into their compartment, grabbed a couple of his sweets, and put them into his robes. "See you later, Gerald."

Gerald grunted in response. Then Tem started slowly moving along the corridor towards the next wagon. He motioned towards Nathan to follow him.

"My grandfather, while challenging me, was always supportive. To tell you the truth, finding that diadem at the Rowle's party was more a fun minor puzzle than an actual case," said Tem, picking up his pace. "Let's not dwell on that right now. We have a proper case to solve. What could be better to convince the sceptics than to actually unravel it, right?"

"Yes! I have my pen at the ready," said Nathan.

Tem peered inside the compartments they passed by just in case the girl had remained close.

"What does she look like?" asked Nathan.

"Long brown hair, partially braided, and a first- or second-year. I saw little of her face. Quite large for her apparent age.

"Alright, I'll keep looking," said Nathan.

Most students were talking and eating sweets in their compartments, having fun. Some were reading, others casting spells and looking forward to the new year at Hogwarts. No girl matched the description. They reached the next wagon, where more students bustled around on the corridor, going in and out of compartments.

"Oh, it seems we found the party wagon," Nathan said and sniggered.

"Hmm, that might make it more complicated. Wait, over there, at the far end. That could be her," said Tem. Without waiting for Nathan he rushed forward. His pace was slow with all the pupils in the way.

"Excuse me! Coming through!" he shouted. Nathan tried to stay in his wake.

They got closer to a group of students that seemed to be chasing after small, colourful, bird-like creatures flitting between two compartments and the corridor. One boy jumped lithely into the air and caught one bright yellow bird with his mouth, munching on it, cheered on by the assorted crowd. In response, a girl shouted "Wingardium Leviosa!" and soared through the air with a somersault, perfectly timed to catch a pink bird in her mouth, gracefully landing on her feet. Her spectators rejoiced loudly, as did the boy she had clearly surpassed in style.

Just then Tem's eyes widened. She was the girl they were looking for. Now they somehow had to get the girl at the center of everyone’s attention to talk to them.

"It's her," he whispered to Nathan.

"Well, she’s not lying low, if she is connected to the theft," Nathan said. "What are these things they’re eating?"

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Weasley's Jellyflitt Birds. They fly around for a little while after being released from their package. They made a game out of catching them early before they dive into your mouth on their own. Quite tasty, I have to say, but I find them a bit too irksome," answered Tem. "Let's just ask her, I guess. She is a first-year, like us, wearing Hogwarts school robes."

"Go ahead, detective. I'm right behind you. With my notepad," said Nathan, holding onto his parchment, looking at it intensely.

Tem arched one eyebrow but didn’t ask what Nathan's problem might be.

They meandered through the spectators to the far side of the corridor, dodging another student who failed to catch his bird. The crowd cheered him on nonetheless and ignored the two boys. They got to the brown-haired girl, and Tem saw she was bigger than he had assumed, standing nearly a head taller than him. She had a lithe build, a thin face with sharp features, and deep green eyes. The hair on the left side of her head was knotted into one big braid, leaving her ear exposed, while on the other side her long straight hair fell down to below her shoulders. Flustered and grinning, she cheered with the others.

"Ehem, may I take some of your time?" asked Tem with a quiet voice.

She didn't react and interacted with another girl standing at her side, who was pointing into the crowd. He stomped in front of her and said, "Hi! Can I bother you with a couple questions?"

She took a step back, surprised by his sudden appearance, and peered at her friend for a second before answering. "Hmm? I'm kinda busy here. What is it?"

"Can we go somewhere ... a bit quieter?" Tem raised his voice to have a chance against the noise, as another boy ran into a compartment door in his bird chase and went down. The students broke out in loud laughter, so did the girl. Tem waited patiently, until she focused on him again, disappointed he was still there.

"No, why should I? Look, we're having fun here. What do you want?" she asked, frowning.

"Please, I have a few questions regarding my ongoing investigation. Mr Caervey's watch was stolen in the other wagon. Gryffindor student, fifth year. I believe you might have seen who could've done the deed," said Tem, coming closer in an attempt to let only her ears hear what he had to say.

"Investigation? Stolen watch? I might have seen something?" She looked quizzically at Tem.

"Yes, I was hoping you might be willing to help."

Her overall demeanour changed, shoulders tensing up, face determined, and she stopped paying attention to the fun the others were having.

"Fine, alright. I'm back there in the compartment. Should be empty now," she said, and turned to her friend, "Alix, be right back." She motioned with her hand that they should follow her.

She beckoned Tem to enter the empty compartment. "Who is this?" she asked, pointing at Nathan. Tem turned and waited for Nathan’s answer, but none came. The small boy was standing there, motionless, his face resembling that of a deer shocked by car headlights.

"This is Nathan, we met on the train and he offered to help me in the investigation," said Tem, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I'm Temsivar Greengrass. Nice to make your acquaintance, Miss...?"

"Wow, you're more formal than Ministry officials. I'll tell you, these sticklers visiting our house can be tedious. Lucky my father is a Muggle lawyer, otherwise my mum would've cursed the lot of them," she said, rolling her eyes. "Ashley Crofort, nice to meet you. Both of you." She smiled warmly at Nathan.

"So, how come you're investigating this? First-year, too, am I right?"

"Well, it's a ... a habit of mine and I happened to offer my help, Ms Crofort. Thank you for your cooperation. Excuse me for asking, but Crofort as in ex-Auror Kayleigh Crofort?" asked Tem, a little waver in his voice.

"Yep, that's my mum. She was unsure if she should send me to Hogwarts this term, with all that happened last year. I told her I'd straighten up the place." She winked. "So, tell me about this theft. A watch, you said?" She looked eagerly at Tem, and then at Nathan, who hunched over his notes, scribbling furiously.

Tem explained the basic situation to her, omitting any conclusions he had so far. He wanted her answers to be as unbiased as possible.

"Alright. So let me get this straight. You think I might have seen somebody going in or out of the compartment in question because I passed yours a moment later and you saw me?" asked Ashley.

"Exactly. Did you? I mean, did you see anybody else?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no. At least I can't recall anybody moving quickly in or out. But there were a couple of people coming towards me from that direction. As far as I can see your timeline is not perfect, especially considering how narrow it might be. However, I can be sure, nobody else went in the same direction as me. Obviously, this is not much to go on." Ashley frowned apologetically.

"While it might appear as not overly helpful, it still reduces the number of potential suspects to the wagon in question or the first wagon of this train. Considering the occupants of the first carriage consist mostly of older students and most of the prefects, as far as I could ascertain while boarding the train, it is still helpful. Thank you." Tem fell back to his usual thoughtful glance. "Is there anything else you might think of, Ms Crofort?"

"Please call me Ashley. We’ll be classmates soon anyway," she said, smiling. "Anything else... What about the trolley lady? Did you ask her if she saw anything?"

"Actually, no. I haven't thought about her. I doubt she saw anything, with being busy dispensing her goods to us. I guess it might be worth a shot, as she certainly knows the train well," said Tem. "Why were you in the first wagon, anyway?"

"Oh, I see, I'm also a suspect," said Ashley, narrowing her eyes.

Tem looked flustered, quickly answering, "Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm merely collecting all the details routinely. I'm not trying ..."

"Just kidding," her face opened up again, and she laughed. "That’s fine, I have nothing to hide. I was looking for a friend of my family. She’s in her third year now and I didn't see her on the platform. Mallory Wilkins. I'd say she has an alibi now for the time of the theft." Ashley winked again.

"It seems you have already enjoyed an education in the finer points of upholding the law. Not surprising with your parents, I have to say," Tem said, surrendering.

"Guilty," said Ashley, beaming. "But, seriously. Lighten up, will you?"

"I'll try," said Tem, shifting uncomfortably.

"What do you plan to do next then? You can't possibly question everybody in those two wagons, can you?" asked Ashley.

"Well, probably not, but if that is what it takes I shall try. But first, I'll follow up on your suggestion and talk to the trolley witch. Thank you for your cooperation. We shall be going then," said Tem stiffly. "Come on, Nathan." The other boy simply nodded.

"You're welcome. I'll keep an eye out in case I see something suspicious. We can't let it stand that people get their stuff stolen. I expected more from Hogwarts," said Ashley.

"Thank you, once again. See you around then."

She waved them goodbye as they left her compartment. When the doors slid shut, Nathan motioned to talk, but Tem cut him off with a hand gesture. He didn't want to start a conversation with all the students still standing close to them in the corridor.