Chapter 223: Response
Chapter 223: Response
The Phoenix on Dumbledore's shoulder responded with a chirp.
"Go and keep an eye on Harry, but don't reveal yourself", he said, and Fawkes spread its wings, flying into the air and disappearing abruptly.
"Truly remarkable creatures", Felix marveled, "they make you feel an instant connection."
Dumbledore glanced at him, "Hagrid has been particularly happy lately. He told me an old friend is staying with him temporarily. Do you know why, Felix?"
Felix avoided the question, "I'm not sure, Headmaster... I haven't been in touch much recently."
Soon, the Heads of the four Houses and the professors arrived. Professor Mcgonagall briefly explained the situation.
Snape was taken aback, "Black! Still so foolish... How did he break through the Dementors' defenses?"
Felix said somberly, "Severus, if he could escape from Azkaban, a few Dementors wouldn't stop him. To be honest, they are just disgusting and not very useful."
Currently, Dementors had not entered the school grounds. The only way students could see them was by passing Hagrid's Hut and walking down a long slope to the main entrance, where two Dementors stood guard.
If Hogwarts were scaled down, it would be evident that a large number of Dementors were gathered at the edge of Hogwarts, including the nearby Wizarding village of Hogsmeade.
This was why Felix believed Luna's behavior was unsafe. No one could guarantee that a Dementor wouldn't suddenly appear, despite the Ministry of Magic setting up patrol zones. To Dementors, young and emotionally charged students were like a feast.
Dumbledore strongly opposed the Dementors entering the school for this very reason. In his view, the Ministry of Magic could not control the Dementors. However, he had to make a compromise, allowing them to remain outside the school.
Snape calmed down and hinted to Dumbledore, "Headmaster Dumbledore, the newspaper reported just the day before yesterday that Black's trail was found in Diagon Alley. Today, he appears outside the castle. It seems to me—no one could achieve this without help."
The professors looked at Snape in surprise, and Flitwick sharply exclaimed, "Are you saying Black has rallied some Death Eaters?"
Snape froze; that wasn't what he meant...
The professors began to murmur, and they almost instantly accepted Snape's 'idea,' or rather, what seemed to be a reasonable guess.
The newspapers had already portrayed Black as the "first among the Death Eaters under the Dark Lord", and with such a label, it would be strange if he couldn't find help.
"With his reputation..."
"It might be true. We assumed Black was alone, but he might have gathered several Dark Wizards."
Lupin, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "I don't think so, Sirius—" He paused for a second or two, "Black was an undercover agent. I believe his identity was known to very few, even among the Death Eaters."
"Lupin, can I take that as you defending your old friend?" Snape directed his attack at Lupin, emphasizing the word "old friend."
"No, Snape", Lupin replied calmly, "just a simple analysis." He looked at Dumbledore, "He might be welcomed back enthusiastically by the Death Eaters as a returning spy, but the problem is, he failed. His intelligence led to the Dark Lord's disappearance. Would any Death Eaters still trust him?"
"Headmaster, based on my knowledge of him, Black is definitely alone. Perhaps... perhaps he's trying to prove himself, like he did when he was a student, or during the war—every battle, he was always at the forefront." Lupin concluded gloomily, "He enjoys taking risks and being a lone hero."
Snape's eyes turned cold, but he didn't say another word, retreating into the dark corner of the wall in silence.
A professor voiced his opinion: "But how did he travel hundreds of kilometers in just two days without the help of Death Eaters? The Ministry of Magic has offered a substantial reward, and many people have been trying to track him down."
"There are plenty of possibilities: Floo Powder, Portkey, Broomstick..."
"But those methods would leave traces, and Black would never dare to expose himself!"
"Could it be Apparition? Some wizards can use it without a wand."
Flitwick, the authority on spells, dismissed this theory: "Theoretically, Apparition doesn't require a wand, but in reality, very few people can manage it. It's much more difficult than you think and can easily lead to accidents. Besides, Apparition has many limitations. Unless... unless he got his hands on a wand!"
"How could that be possible?"
"By stealing or by force, as long as he sees an opportunity, nothing is impossible."
Dumbledore interrupted the discussion, "Professors, let's search the castle first to ensure everything is secure."
In the end, the entire faculty spent most of the night, until dawn, and found no issues.
The professors gradually dispersed, but Dumbledore, Professor Mcgonagall, Snape, and Felix gathered again. Professor Mcgonagall was there to report the latest developments, Snape clearly had something to say, and Felix had a small question for Dumbledore.
Professor Mcgonagall said, "I've already shown Black's portraits to the Fat Lady, and she's certain she won't mistake him."
"Very good, Minerva", Dumbledore said. "It would be best if all the portraits in the castle recognized Black's appearance, I mean... the ones that can communicate."
Professor Mcgonagall nodded, and Snape let out a low sneer. Dumbledore turned to him, "Severus, it seems you have something to say?"
Snape's voice was devoid of emotion, "Dumbledore, I believe we're wasting our time. Before the term started, we discussed—” he raised his head, his gaze falling from his hooked nose, “as long as there are still hidden dangers in the castle, Black will find his opportunity."
Professor Mcgonagall said sternly, "Are you suggesting someone in Hogwarts is passing information to him? That's impossible! Impossible, Severus."
Dumbledore firmly stated, "Today's events prove that there are no allies of Black within the school."
"That's not necessarily true, Headmaster", Snape's voice was low and quick, "Perhaps the insider is simply unaware of the Scrying Mirror specifically targeting Black. In fact", he added with a mocking expression, "I was kept in the dark as well, wasn't I?"
Felix knew who he was referring to: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black's close friend from their school days. Hours earlier, Snape had tried to steer the conversation toward suspicions about Lupin, but Flitwick had diverted it...
It seemed Dumbledore had warned him not to reveal Lupin's werewolf identity, as it would cause an uproar among the professors and parents—during the war, werewolves had been a significant dark force for Voldemort.
...
After Mcgonagall and Snape left, Felix raised his question.
"You want to know how Dementors reproduce?" Dumbledore repeated the question he had heard.
"Yes, as far as I know, there aren't many Dementors, maybe around a hundred? The information I encountered during my studies indicated that their numbers haven't changed much in the past century", Felix asked.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
