The Ministry of Magic's high-profile search naturally drew the school's attention. Right up until dusk, the students watched as Aurors led Hit Wizards in a thorough sweep of the castle and grounds, combing every inch inside and out.
"Is that a Dementor?" a student asked in a tone mixed with curiosity and fear.
A crowd of students without classes had gathered in front of the castle windows, packing them full as they watched from afar those tall, humanoid creatures draped in black hooded cloaks—they floated around the perimeter of the school grounds, drifting from one end to the other. Just then, a noisy group of students came upstairs, their faces a tangle of fear and excitement.
"Did you see it?"
"That was terrifying!"
They'd come in from the entrance hall, chattering nonstop. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood nearby listening for a moment, and soon pieced together what had happened: Sirius Black had appeared near the school, detected by the Ministry's traps, prompting a massive mobilization to capture him. Unfortunately, he'd escaped in the end, leading to this grand-scale investigation.
All the students outside the castle had been herded back inside; the group that had just arrived were from Herbology class. The lesson had been cut short halfway through, with Professor Sprout and two Hit Wizards escorting the students back to the castle.
"There are Dementors at the entrance," Harry said.
"I heard Dementors can spot Sirius Black, even if he's disguised," Hermione said.
"No way," Ron shot back without hesitation. "Think about where he escaped from."
"Hmm... maybe the Dementors were caught off guard, unprepared?" Hermione guessed.
"Anyway," Harry said gravely, "the Dementors have really entered the school this time."
Ron and Hermione fell silent too. They knew Dumbledore had always opposed Dementors coming into the school, but now it seemed they might have to face the prospect of Dementors guarding the gates from here on out.
Harry suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"Hodge?"
Hodge came over, gazing out the window at the staff members and the fully three-meter-tall Dementors passing by, but he only watched for a moment before students from the different houses were led back to their common rooms by their respective heads and prefects.
Ravenclaw Common Room.
In this large circular room, the diminutive Head of House, Professor Flitwick, gathered the students together. Beside him stood several unfamiliar adult wizards, their expressions stern, wands gripped tightly as their eyes scanned the faces—some excited, some tense.
"Ahem." Professor Flitwick cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention. "Please quiet down."
"Children, the Ministry staff have just inspected the dormitories and common room. We're gathering everyone now to check if any outsiders have infiltrated the school through disguise."
The Ravenclaw students immediately began murmuring among themselves.
"Alright," Professor Flitwick said, standing on a chair with the student roster in hand. "Next, I'll call names one by one. When your name is called, move to the other side... Alanter Antonio... Dubois Anthony..."
It took half an hour for all the names to be read. There were no absences or extras, and Professor Flitwick breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the Ministry officials, who nodded back at him before turning to leave.
Professor Flitwick stayed behind to reassure the students.
"Professor Flitwick, are all these people here to catch Sirius Black?"
"That's right," Flitwick said. "So rest assured— if Black shows up, he'll be brought to justice without fail."
"When will the search end?"
Professor Flitwick stroked his chin. "The large-scale sweep will wrap up tonight, but..."
"The Dementors aren't leaving?" a student shouted.
Professor Flitwick sighed; he couldn't say for sure. In his view, whether Dementors could actually protect the students was still an open question, but these emotionless creatures were dangerous enough in their own right.
"I believe the headmaster will handle communications with the Ministry appropriately."
"Professor Flitwick, I heard the school found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" another student asked then, clearly well-informed.
"He arrived this afternoon," Professor Flitwick said, seizing the chance to change the subject. "Alas, if not for this sudden incident, he might have started teaching formally tomorrow." Hmm, announce the appointment at dinner, then formally meet the students tomorrow.
But now, that was uncertain.
Professor Flitwick was well aware of the new professor's connection to Sirius Black, and at a time like this, he wondered if the Ministry might make a big fuss about it. Upon hearing about the new professor, the students' attention shifted immediately.
"It won't be another dud, will it?"
"...Ahem, I assure you, he's absolutely qualified—I taught him myself."
"What's the new professor's name?"
"He's called Remus Lupin."
"Can you tell us about him? What does he look like, what are his hobbies, is he married?"
"Er, best to let him tell you himself."
"Professor Flitwick, can you teach us the Patronus Charm?"
"Well..."
As the most popular of the four heads of house, Professor Flitwick was now feeling a bit overwhelmed. He never put on airs, always kind, humorous, and witty; the students surrounded him in a circle, and before long, sweat beaded on his forehead.
By the time the sky had gone completely dark, the Ministry personnel still hadn't found a trace of Sirius. At that moment, in an open area in front of the castle gates, Fudge led several high-ranking Ministry officials, a dozen Aurors, and over thirty Hit Wizards. Facing them were the Hogwarts professors, with Dumbledore at the front. The grounds were brightly illuminated by magical torches.
"Albus, I must protect the school from threats," Fudge declared loudly, bolstered by the team behind him—which was also why he'd chosen to hold the conversation outside.
"Cornelius—" Dumbledore said gravely.
"Albus!" Fudge waved his hand dramatically. "You're worried the Dementors will harm the students, but that's simply impossible—they're completely under Ministry control—" He paused, then continued in a firm tone: "The most urgent task right now is to capture Black as quickly as possible."
Click!
A dazzling flash went off, capturing Fudge in his triumphant pose.
Among the professors, Professor Flitwick looked quite surprised—it had taken some effort to extricate himself from those "lively and inquisitive" students.
"Where did the photographers and reporters come from?"
"Obviously," Snape said softly from the shadows, "these reporters were summoned by our esteemed Minister. I believe that to catch the most vicious fugitive, a little inconvenience is worth it." His black eyes flicked elsewhere. "Don't you agree, Lupin?"
In the crowd, a wizard in shabby robes wore a bitter expression. He looked quite young, but his light brown hair was already streaked with gray. He'd long since sunk into his memories.
Professor McGonagall snorted through her nose.
"Cornelius," Amelia Bones spoke up then. "I don't oppose stationing Dementors at the school if it's necessary, but we must consider their impact on the students."
"Amelia—" Fudge cut her off, raising his voice. "I know all that. As soon as we catch Black, I'll withdraw the Dementors immediately. But you know what a dangerous criminal we're dealing with—he's already shown up at the school twice. So far, we've been lucky with no deaths or injuries, but no one can guarantee what might happen next time he appears, per-perhaps—" He suddenly bulged his eyes wide.
A man emerged from the shadows at the foot of the hill.
————
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