Inside he could see a group of Hufflepuff girls chit chatting all at once. He wasn't entirely sure who was talking with whom, his mind felt assaulted by the constantly changing topics, based on the words he could make out. These girls were in their second year, as far as he could tell. Therefore not supporting his theory of using a summoning charm.

He shifted back next to the wall and said, "Only a bunch of second-year girls. I doubt they are involved."

"You could ask them for gossip surrounding Caervey. Or perhaps they saw something. Although they weren't forthcoming after spectating the entire scene earlier," said Nathan.

"Ah, why not. Let's get it over with." Tem pushed himself away from the wall.

"You go right ahead. I'll stand a bit back.

"Hmm? What is it? Are you afraid of girls, or what?" asked Tem.

"No... No, no. That's not it. It's just... I don't want to distract from your investigation. I think they should focus on your inquiries," stuttered Nathan.

Tem pulled up an eyebrow again, but then only shrugged. He stepped up to the doors and knocked. The heads of all four girls snapped towards the doors, looking in surprise. Tem opened the door and said, "Hi. Do you mind a few questions?"

The girls looked at each other, frowning. One of them, a diminutive girl with dark curly hair, started giggling. Another, in the front, slender with brown long hair and overly large teeth, said, "About what? You're still at this detective thing? We're busy, you know."

"I'm sure I won't steal much of your time. You can go right back to your important topics," said Tem, making sure to sound as sincere as possible. "I was wondering if you had seen anything unusual around the time of the theft of Mr Caervey's watch?

"Believe me, if we had seen anything, we would've said so during all the commotion outside. We noticed the eagle as well," said another girl, sitting on the opposite side. She had a plumb face and spoke with an assertive demeanour. The other girl in the back giggled again. Tem gave her a confused look.

"Alright, just checking. I was wondering if you had heard anything interesting concerning Mr Caervey? I'm sure you are all very perceptive of what goes on at school, aren't you?" asked Tem, trying himself at flattery.

"Are you accusing us of being gossips?" The eyes of the plumb girl narrowed accusingly. "Linda, I think that boy is rude, don't you think?"

"I think so, too," said the girl opposite in mock hurt.

"No, no! Not at all. Please. I mean, you're... very astute and..." said Tem quickly, eyes in shock before the girl cut him off.

"It's fine, we're just messing with you a bit. Marie over there can't stop giggling, because we were wondering when you were going to show up. She seems to have come closest," said Linda.

"Ah, alright then." Tem put his hand to his head, scratching, unsure how to handle this situation.

Were these girls mocking him, or could he get anything useful out of this conversation? He had to try. As he had told Nathan, it was not about him, his ego or how people would see him, but about the case. Admittedly, it wasn't as bad as previously. These girls talked to him and acknowledged his existence. Maybe, simply playing along would be the best way to move this chat in a helpful direction.

"Hah, that's actually quite clever of you. Any particular reason you chose this time frame for my arrival?" Tem looked at the grinning, curly-haired girl.

"Just thinking you would want to talk to the person who went through the corridor earlier first," said the girl in a heavy Irish accent.

"Hey, you didn't say you saw anybody," said Linda. The other girl shrugged.

Indeed, that girl has been perceptive enough to notice somebody moving through the corridor, and put that in the context of what followed a few minutes later. Tem had to admit, she impressed him. His fake flattery from before had become a reality.

"Well, you were absolutely correct." Tem couldn't keep his astonishment out of his face.

"Before you ask, no, I did not think of that person to be unusual. Just some girl passing through," she added, in a bored voice. "So, let's keep it short. I'm sure we know a fine little story that might interest you," her voice became conspiratorial.

"Yes? Please tell me," said Tem eagerly, coming closer as if pulled by invisible strings.

"Last year, with all the hubbub going on, nerves were quite strained. So, there were a few altercations between various students. Caervey and a couple of his Gryffindor friends bullied that guy from Slytherin, one year below them. Jim Krane is his name. They chased him towards the Shrieking Shack and locked him up in there. Thought, it would be a real funny scare, if Jim had to stay the night in that haunted house."

"Who was with Caervey? Did he stay the whole night?" asked Tem.

"Patience, I'm coming to that. Not sure who was with him, probably his usual clique. Definitely his friend Morrison.

Anyway, it got dark. Caervey and his group got scared next to that haunted house and left. Jim couldn't get out until midnight when some Slytherins went looking for him. They got him out, white as a ghost and frightened to his bones. He had dropped his wand earlier, running away, so he had to sit in the dark. Well, it's safe to say, he is rather resenting Caervey now." Marie leaned back again into her seat, having finished her story.

"Well, thank you, Marie. That might definitely be a viable motive. I wonder why Caervey didn't mention him as a potential enemy," said Tem.

"Ah, you know, he might not think of it much. The battle and Potter winning against You-Know-Who was surely a more prominent memory for most of the students. I'm sure, Jim Krane hasn't forgotten. Even though he didn't rat out the bullies in front of the teachers, saying they played hide and seek." The other girls nodded in unison.

"The teachers bought that?" asked Tem in astonishment.

"Nah, not really. What could they do when he didn't want to talk? By the way, I'm not saying he stole that watch. Actually, I don't think he is that type of person. Might be worth checking into, though."

"Yes. I concur. We shall ask him. Thank you for your help. One more thing, before I leave you to your conversation again. How can I identify Jim?" asked Tem, slowly moving backward.

"He is a small, stocky boy. Black slightly longer hair, a bit greasy. Good luck with your investigation. I'm curious who did it," said Marie.

"I think it was Jim. He strikes me as capable. Always feel somewhat uneasy around him," said Linda, shuddering a little.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out. Have a nice continued trip," said Tem.

The girls waved at him and he exited their compartment. Nathan was standing next to the door, once again scribbling in his notepad. He looked up at Tem, excitedly.

"Well, that was interesting," said Tem.

"Oh, yes. Yes, it was. I mean, it's not enough for any conclusion, right?" Nathan was beaming at Tem. Both their encouragement had increased considerably. Tem stood upright again, his mind racing.

"Sure, but it's a lead we definitely have to follow up on. We have to be professional about this. It might be nothing. Who knows, these girls might have blown their story out of proportion," said Tem, a mild warning in his tone. “Nevertheless, I'm confident we are going to find Jim in the next wagon.”