Temsivar scanned the corridor, up and down, and especially the floor. While he was certain the Niffler could climb well enough, it probably stayed on floor level most of the time.

That was odd. Something, looking like a fat finger, squeezed underneath one door close to him. It was retracting back inside, at a snail's pace. He peered at it more intently and realised it was no finger, but rather a long snout. The Niffler might have seen Tem coming closer while getting out of the compartment and decided to move back inconspicuously.

Tem dashed forward and slammed open the doors. The girls inside shrieked in surprise and gazed at the detective with shocked eyes, but turned towards the floor at the creature emanating tittering sounds. This increased the cacophony from the girls tenfold, as they seemed to consider the Niffler a rat or mouse.

Tem ignored them and bent down trying to catch the little bugger. He managed to brush his fur, as it ran through between his legs out onto the corridor. The detective turned and bolted after it, ignoring the angry cries from the girls. Hesitating for a second, he drew his wand, aimed as good as he could, and cried, "Locomotor Mortis!". As he expected, nothing happened. With a sneer of frustration, he put his energy into his legs and rushed after it.

They were on the correct course, but the Niffler was too quick to catch him right then and there. Close to their trap, Tem sidestepped around a corner, out of sight of the creature. It wouldn't help if it simply ran past their trap and got back into the storage room, unbeknownst to them how it did it the first time.

He waited for a few breaths and followed again, more slowly this time. If the others failed and the Niffler came back his way, he needed to catch him once and for all.

He peered around the corner into the corridor of the storage wagon and saw the Niffler stuffing their sparkling wrappers into its small belly pouch, gazing around from time to time. Its snout was sniffing in all directions, looking and smelling for any sign of danger, but it couldn't withstand the allure of his prize. Then, with a jolt, it saw the pendant necklace hanging in midair.

It seemed to consider its options for a moment, once again looking around, forcing Tem to duck back around the corner. The Niffler stalked forward a few paces, turned upwards again, and investigated its surroundings. Quite the intelligent little creature, Tem thought. But smart as it may be, it was still unable to resist the urge to collect its prize.

The Niffler sprinted onward, so did Tem, blocking the door and its way back. Norbs jumped and grabbed the necklace, which dropped the jacket, hanging above, over it. All three companions hiding behind various doors came forth and shouted "Locomotor Mortis!" at the bundle, which was falling towards the bag on the floor.

The unexpected result was a ripping sound, as the simultaneous spells tore Nathan's jacket into three pieces. The Niffler appeared in midair, looking around with a confused gaze, stuffing the crafted necklace into his belly pouch. It hit the floor, jerkily moving its head in various directions, looking where to run next with all the surrounding assailants. The spells had not struck home, its movement being unencumbered.

"Norbs!" cried Stuart and ran forward, not according to plan. He threw himself towards his Niffler, but accomplished nothing except sliding next to it, as the creature sidestepped him and two additional jinxes. The boy was rewarded with getting his legs locked together, the jinxes hitting him instead.

"Darn it, Stuart!" cried Ashley, continuing her assault while coming closer.

The Niffler jumped on top of Stuart's head, looked around, and once again evaded the jinxes with agility and grace one would not assume from a rather plump-looking animal. With the other direction barred by Ashley and Nathan, it ran back towards Tem.

Tem placed his wand between his teeth to clear his hands, assuming more probability in being able to grab hold of the little thief than to cast a successful jinx. He had closed the doors behind him and stood in front of them, in a defensive stance similar to a sumo fighter, poised to drop down onto his target.

Stuart panicked and tried to redeem his earlier mistake. His legs were locked, his mobility severely limited. He shoved his upper body back up, pointed his wand in Norbs's direction, and cried "Locomotor Mortis!" He managed the strongest version of the spell yet, despair supporting his attempt. Stuart’s aim was off by his awkward body position.

Instead of the Niffler, he hit Tem squarely in his legs and with an "Ouff!" Tem went down. Tem's wand cluttered to the floor, and he heard cries of "Tem!" and "Oh No!" from the others. A moment later he felt a light thump on his back as the Niffler had jumped on top of him and continued onwards towards the doors.

"Oh no, you don't," cried Tem, turning around and grabbing for his wand. He felt disoriented but saw the Niffler as it was darting towards the gap underneath the doors. Tem had only one thought in his mind. This was the moment he needed a successful jinx to go off the most and shouted with all his might, "Locomotor Mortis!"

The Niffler was merely two of its body lengths away from the doors, seeing a way to escape once again in his tiny, beady eyes. To its astonishment, its legs stopped dead in mid-stride with its paws apparently glued together. The diminutive creature slid forward against the door, and still tried to squeeze underneath the doors, but failed without the help of his legs.

Ashley grabbed hold of the Niffler and pulled the wriggling body close to her chest, holding on tightly but as gentle as possible. She beamed back at the boys. Tem was lying on the floor in front of her, a stunned expression on his face, looking back and forth from his wand and Ashley.

He had done it. He had cast a spell. He did magic.

Slowly, the jubilant cries by Nathan and Ashley registered in his brain and a huge smile crept up onto his face. They did it! They caught the thief. Everything would be fine now.

Nathan slid down next to Tem, helping him up into a sitting position. The small boy beamed at Tem. "You did it! You disabled the Niffler! We caught the little thief!" cried Nathan in delight.

Ashley came closer, gripping the squirming Niffler. "Brilliant, Tem! Just perfect!" She grinned at Tem and he smiled back at her in gratitude. "Here, Nathan, hold him for a second. I want to untie Stuart. Be careful."

After freeing Stuart, he went and dispelled Tem's locked legs. "I'm sorry..., I didn't want to hit you, Tem," said Stuart hoarsely, looking at the floor.

"Don't worry, it happens. We caught your Niffler. That's all that matters," said Tem earnestly.

Nathan dropped the Niffler into its owner's outstretched hands, at which it at least stopped thrashing around as much. It seemed to accept that its foray was at an end for now.

"It is cute, I have to admit," said Tem with a big smile, standing again.