Temsivar hurried away from the compartment door and the others followed. He beckoned them towards the next wagon. Looking through the windows in the door between the wagons, Tem could see a boy snooping around.

The boy glanced up and saw them, eyes shocked for a split second, and turned around. Tem's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure if that boy behaved suspiciously, or despised seeing the worst detective on this train. Tem pushed the doors open and rushed through.

"Did you see that boy?" asked Tem.

"Not clearly. Do you know him, Tem?" asked Nathan.

"I've seen him around, but no. Let's see what that's about."

They hustled after him, moving around the corner they saw how he ran down the corridor. He was saying something intelligible.

"That's weird. After him," said Tem.

The boy's path was erratic, sometimes bending forward, other times nearly stumbling to the floor. He seemed to repeat one word, over and over, which sounded like "Norbs" or "Nobbs". When he realised they chased him, he changed into a straight run himself.

"Oh, no you don't," cried Ashley, as she charged forward and drew her wand out of her robe sleeves. Coming closer, she shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa!", bolted up the wall and pushed herself away from it, landing in front of the fleeing student.

More in surprise than anything else, the boy barrelled into her and knocked her off her feet, as she was still regaining her balance. Ashley fell down to the floor, and he stumbled past her, still running.

"You're not getting away," shouted Ashley, "Locomotor Mortis!" She had pointed her wand at the boy's legs, which suddenly locked together, resulting in a jerked stumble before he went down, hard.

The boy rolled over with effort, groaning in pain and still trying to produce more distance between him and his pursuers. It looked more like a caterpillar and rather ineffective. Tem helped Ashley up while Nathan closed the gap, his wand drawn and pointing at the boy on the floor.

The three of them peered down at a gangly first year, with short curly, brown hair and the least possible amount of chin, giving him a slightly weasel-like appearance. His head showed a weird forward tilt, and he held his hands in front of his face, fearing more attacks coming from the wands directed at him.

While Tem knew of Nathan’s inability to cast anything more than some light, the boy sitting on the floor didn't. Tem considered this a favourable position to be in for his questions.

"Why were you running away?"

"I- I... wasn't. I mean, I didn't mean to, but then you started running at me," said the boy.

"What's your name?" asked Tem with a gruff voice. He needed to keep that boy intimidated for now. In the back of his mind, he had to admit to himself, he wished to resolve his pent-up anger.

"Uhm, Stuart Bilsey. Please, don't hurt me."

At that, a bit of his irritation deflated immediately. With a sigh, Tem said, "We won't," and motioned to the others to drop their wands.

"What were you doing before you ran away from us?"

"Nothing, really. Just looking."

"For what?"

"Uhm..., I lost my pet. Norbs ran away. I was looking for him." Stuart peered around, evidently hoping to glimpse his lost pet.

"What animal is Norbs? A rat perhaps?"

"No, uhm, it's not a rat. It's, er, it's a toad. Slimy little bugger, at that." Stuart laughed unconvincingly. "Keeps getting away from me."

"Why didn't you ask the prefects? They could've helped you," said Nathan.

"Oh, er, I didn't want to bother them. I figured I should take care of my toad myself," said Stuart, looking down at his still locked legs. "Could you please free my legs again?"

"No," said Tem, startling his companions with the fervour in his voice. "I still have a few more questions.

“Before, there was no reason to suspect you of anything more than being an eager spectator. Now, I do recall seeing you near all the crime scenes, lurking about. You kept looking all around like you did a minute ago. Your toad likes to stick around where lots of students are strolling around?"

"Uhm, I don't think so... But I had to keep searching, otherwise somebody might step on him," said Stuart defensively. After a slight pause, he added, "That's why I was there. I had no interest in the thefts."

"Is that so?" asked Tem, unconvinced. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, full-on in examination mode.

"Yes, yes," said Stuart ardently. "I can help you in your investigation. You see, as I was looking around for Norbs, I saw Jim Krane enter the bathroom. Weird clanking sounds came from in there. Very suspicious!"

"Ah, I see. So you want to direct me to find this?" Tem pulled out one of his small evidence bags, with a couple of the broken chains in it.

"Uh, what's that? I don't know what you mean," said Stuart, a slight tremble in his voice.

"That, as it turns out," Tem paused for effect, "are remnants of a chain necklace you have worn around your neck."

Stuart stared at Tem in shock and his hand went subconsciously to his neck.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"You have fresh bruises around your throat from ripping off a necklace. Looking at the most recognisable bruises, it should fit the size of this one. I wonder if you have left some of the chains yourself, or if you planted them all over the train," said Tem.

"N-no. I... I don't know what you're talking about," stammered Stuart.

"Just a heads up," said Tem, narrowing his eyes, "You're a terrible liar. I suggest you cooperate."

"I'm telling you, I had nothing to do with any of it," said Stuart hoarsely.

Ashley raised her wand again and pointed it at Stuart. "I'm sure I know a spell or two to get the truth out of him, Tem."

"That won't be necessary, Ashley. I'm confident Mr Bilsey will come to the realisation that cooperating with us will be much more enjoyable than having to interact with the Slytherin prefect. Or the Head Boy. I heard this one is quite the mean stickler for rules," said Tem in a casual voice.

"Oh, I wouldn't like to cross that man, not even on the sidewalk, and certainly not for an interrogation," added Nathan, quickly catching up to Tem's intention.

Stuart looked between the three in fear, struggling with indecisiveness.

"B-But honestly..., I have done nothing. Please, you have to believe me."

The boy in front of them still tried to squirm his way out of the situation and Tem felt his temper rising and his patience falling at the same rate.

"Come on now. What do you think will happen, if we present you to Mr Krane? I'm certain he will recognise you. People tend to remember others that bump into them, don't you think?" asked Tem, having a harder time keeping his frustration out of his voice.

He was sure, portraying a calm demeanour gave his arguments more strength than shouting at the boy. Another thing he had to add to the list of things to work on for the future.

Stuart's eyes flitted from side to side, looking for an out. He might have been hoping for other students to see what was going on. So far he concluded that crying out loudly would not necessarily improve his situation. This boy wasn't all that dumb. He must've realised, once again, Tem was working with circumstantial evidence and held on to his story.

Admittedly, based on the information he had, he was unable to ascertain a relevant motive for his behaviour. His patience was running low. Time was short and this lead might provide useful insights. He decided to risk it and throw caution to the wind.

"Ashley, wand at the ready. Stun him, if he attempts anything," said Tem, pretty sure she could not cast a stun jinx, but then again, who knows what her mother had taught her.

Ashley played her part well, looking menacingly at Stuart, who was lying on the floor, his upper body propped up on his elbows.

"What are you going to do? You can't hurt me. I'll scream," said Stuart, fear in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm not going to harm you, don't worry," said Tem, an underlying silky threat in his voice. "Well, unless you force me to, anyway."

Tem went to one knee and patted Stuart's robes. Nathan squeaked softly.

"Stop it! You can't..." started Stuart, with a hoarse outcry. He seemed unsure which outcome would make his situation worse. Getting searched by Tem, or involving the rest of the students, specifically the prefects.

"Tem, are you sure, that's a good idea?" asked Nathan cautiously.

"I'm fed up with going solely by the book. So, yes, I do," replied Tem. Nathan dared not to ask again.

"Aha, what have we here," said Tem, after pulling out an assortment of coins and paper money from one pocket. He continued with the other pocket and a broad grin appeared on his face. "Now, look at that. Jackpot."

He held up a thin piece of chain necklace, which was perfectly matching the links in his evidence bags.

"I- I can explain. P-Please, listen to me," stammered Stuart.

"Sure, go ahead, I'm listening," said Tem as he dropped the money into Nathan's hands. "Please, could you count that for me? I'm not accustomed to Muggle money."

Nathan nodded, put away his notepad, and started counting. Tem beckoned Stuart to start talking.

"M-my toad, you know. It was struggling, and, er, I was trying to hold on to him. When he jumped away, he tore off my necklace. A-and, some bits and pieces stuck on him. He must've dropped them while jumping around on the train," explained Stuart.

"Into the bathroom? And more interestingly, into Jim Krane's pocket?" asked Tem in disbelief.

"Uhm, well, a toad likes water, doesn't it? So, it must've jumped in after a student left, or so," said Stuart.

"I'm not buying. Next, you tell me your toad jumped into Jim's pocket?"

"Er, could be, don't you think?"

"No, that’s ridiculous. Especially, considering that Mr Krane would opt to omit this tiny fact when we found the chain link on him," said Tem, angrily. "Maybe he thought it would sound stupid, which it does. How far are you with counting, Nathan?"

"It's Marc Ander’s money, except for some knuts," replied Nathan.

"I didn't steal it! I swear, I found it. I was going to give it back. In my search for Norbs I must've spooked the thief, so he dropped it," said Stuart quickly, nearly out of breath.

"Stuart, Stuart, Stuart. Don't you see how you move yourself deeper and deeper into a position you can't possibly hope to get out of?," asked Tem.

"Please, I'm telling you. I'm not the thief you're looking for. I have stolen nothing from the others. Please, you have to believe me," pleaded Stuart.

"I do believe you," said Tem, now calmer again.

"You do?" asked Ashley in surprise, turning towards Tem.

"Yes. I don't see a reasonable way for him to steal all those things, even if we were to suspect him of abilities surpassing the capabilities of a first-year starting at Hogwarts. The question I ask myself, however, is why he would try to mislead us intentionally...," said Tem, his hand back at his chin, deep in thought.

Another moment passed before Tem turned back to Stuart and came closer again. "Who are you protecting? Do you know who the thief is? Tell us!"

"I-I don't know who could be the thief. I'm, uhm, as stumped as you are. You totally convinced me Jim Krane was the culprit, as you pointed out earlier. Nobody could've seen another theft coming," said Stuart.

"Ashley, could you please be so kind as to remove Stuart's shackles?" said Tem, keeping his gaze on Stuart.

"What? Really?" asked Ashley, looking confusedly between Tem and Nathan. The latter could only shrug his shoulders. "Uhm, ok." She pointed her wand at Stuart's legs and with a swing his legs separated.

The boy on the floor rubbed at his limbs for a moment before getting up. "Thanks," he said shakily, uncertain about what angle the detective would choose next.

"Well, I'm sad you won't cooperate with us and we have no choice but to let you go. We will let Mr Ander know that you found his money and give it back to him," said Tem casually, and added more threateningly, pointing a finger at Stuart, "In your stead, I'd be careful, though. People might not react kindly to your actions."

Stuart nodded, taking a step back. "I'll keep that in mind. Please, if you see my toad, let me know."

"Certainly." Tem looked cooly at Stuart, a small smile creeping up.

Stuart turned and distanced himself from them, gazing back twice, before he went around the corner.

"Why would you let him go like that? I don't understand. He was clearly guilty! At least of something, if not the bigger thefts," said Nathan in astonishment.

"We could've intimidated him some more! I know a few interesting spells my Mum taught me," said Ashley, brandishing her wand in front of her.

"Maybe...," said Tem, still in thought. "However, we had nothing meaningful on him. If we had gone to the prefects with him he'd continue to lie and we would be in a situation of one statement against another. I surmise our position is rather weak by now, it wouldn't help. Sadly.

“No, I think we're in a better circumstance to know of him working against us, for whatever reason, and keep an eye out for it. He might slip up and then we know where to look. Do you happen to know a spell to turn invisible, Ashley?"

"Sorry, no," said the girl with a frown.

"Alright. Shadowing him is not an option in the tight confines of this train."