"Cleaning?" Quoft allowed himself a patronizing smile. "Hardly. I merely wished to point out that you're off to a fine start of flushing your magical careers down one of them."
He leaned back in his chair, regarding the two and sizing up what the best sort of punishment would be.
"First you will both be addressing owls back to your parents tonight. Ignoring this charge will be your first mistake."
He planned to send his own owl to each of their parents the following afternoon, taking special care to mention that the children should have already sent notification of their misdeeds.
"Afterward you're both to begin mopping the entirety of the toilets on each floor. No magic. I want every sink and mirror shining." He paused again, considering anything he'd left out. "If you finish that, I will give you another task to complete and another right until the beginning of your first class. Report back during every break."
If they wanted to be out of bed, he would aide them in their quest. If they were so concerned about wandering the castle at all hours of the night, sleep must not be a very high priority.
He lifted an eyebrow. "You're dismissed."
James.... narrowed his eyes. He didn't know exactly what the caretaker was playing at, but he wasn't sure the old man was going to actually follow through.
Writing home was one thing, but letting them continue staying out of bed?