Chapter 431: Padfoot and Wormtail
Kyle's sudden appearance stunned everyone, even halting Professor Lupin's clenched fist, which was about to land on Black's face.
Only Black seemed unfazed. He continued lunging toward Scabbers, still clutched tightly in Ron's hands, without looking back. But now, wandless, he was quickly repelled by Harry and Hermione working together, sending him flying backward. He crashed into a table with a loud thud.
"K-Kyle?" Professor Lupin stammered in disbelief, snapping back to reality. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Professor," Kyle replied with a grin, gesturing to the corner he had been standing in. "I've actually been here for a while... just standing over there. None of you noticed."
"What? You were here the whole time?" Professor Lupin frowned. He'd been focused on Black, yes, but surely he'd have noticed an extra person in the room. But that wasn't even his primary question.
"I meant, how did you find your way here?" Lupin pressed.
"I followed the map," Kyle explained, pulling out a large piece of parchment. "I was looking at it in the dorm and saw you five leaving the castle right before curfew. I got curious, so I decided to follow."
"The Marauder's Map!" Professor Lupin recognized the parchment immediately. He'd helped create it and knew it well.
"You took it from Filch's office?"
"No, I've never been to Filch's office," Kyle replied, shaking his head. "I borrowed it."
"Wait, Kyle!" Harry interjected, realizing something was off. "Did you say five people left the castle?"