Ultimately, Wayne was disappointed.
Throughout the feast, Trelawney kept to herself, eating her meal and drinking her own wine, barely interacting with other staff.
Finally, the ghosts performed a chorus, followed by Nearly Headless Nick's wildly successful reenactment of his own beheading.
"Looks painful, doesn't it?"
On their way back to the common room, Ron rubbed his neck uncomfortably, wincing at the memory of Nick's performance.
"Medieval metallurgy was limited, so blades weren't very sharp. Nick's situation was common - many people died from sheer pain. Extremely cruel."
Hearing Ron's comment, Hermione explained earnestly, to which Ron nodded repeatedly.
A long explanation must mean you're right.
But...
Ron suddenly looked at Harry: "Don't you feel something's missing?"
"What?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"It's too quiet." Ron mused: "Two years ago, I got trapped in the bathroom by a troll, last year Professor Trelawney made her prophecy... but nothing happened this year. Really strange."
"Maybe Professor Lupin's a good person?"
Harry quipped: "As long as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor doesn't cause trouble, the school stays safe."
Ron laughed: "Everyone except Snape wants Lupin to stay. He's brilliant."
The Gryffindors followed their usual route back to Gryffindor Tower, but when they reached the corridor with the Fat Lady's portrait, Harry noticed the procession had abruptly halted.
"Why aren't you going in? What's blocking the doorway?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Let me through!" Percy shoved through the crowd. "What are you all doing? Surely you haven't all forgotten the password? I'm Head Boy—stop pushing me!"
When Percy reached the front, the noise abruptly ceased, the air turning thick with tension.
Then everyone heard him shriek in a high-pitched voice, "Someone fetch Professor McGonagall—code 'two-two-zero'! Now, immediately!"
Soon Professor McGonagall arrived, and the young witches and wizards parted to let her approach the portrait.
Seeing the now-empty painting, Professor McGonagall's expression instantly darkened.
"Who did this?"
The Fat Lady had vanished. The portrait had been viciously slashed, scraps of canvas littering the floor, and even the frame was damaged.
"Where has the Fat Lady gone? Has anyone seen her?"
Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze swept across the crowd as students shook their heads.
"She was crying awfully hard," Peeves suddenly piped up, floating gleefully above their heads. "Poor thing."
"Peeves, what do you know?" Professor McGonagall forced herself to remain calm. "Tell me everything."
"Terrible business," Peeves said, swaying midair, not daring to be too impertinent in McGonagall's presence. "That man was so rude. When she refused to let him in, he went berserk."
"She was terrified. I saw her flee into that landscape painting on the fifth floor—hiding behind a big tree, sobbing her heart out."
"Did the Fat Lady say who did this?" Professor McGonagall pressed.
"Who else?" Peeves somersaulted in the air. "That foul-tempered little brat is back—Sirius Black!"
Gasps erupted through the crowd. Even Professor McGonagall looked up in shock, scanning their surroundings.
"Peeves, you saw him?"
"Nope! The Fat Lady told me. That's all I know."
With that, Peeves zoomed away. The murmurs grew louder, and it took several shouts from Professor McGonagall to restore order.
"What do we do now, Professor?" Percy asked.
"Weasley, take the students to the Great Hall. Send two Prefects to alert the other Heads of House—have them bring their students there too."
Professor McGonagall spoke rapidly, her eyes flickering towards Hermione, who was covertly examining the damaged portrait.
"Miss Granger, you go with the Prefects. Fetch Mr Lawrence first."
"Understood, Professor." Hermione dashed off.
...
Ten minutes later, Wayne arrived outside the Great Hall, accompanied by Snape and Lupin.
Snape was livid upon hearing what had happened, his robes billowing without wind.
"Where is Dumbledore? Why isn't he here when something this serious occurs?"
"He had more pressing matters to attend to—that's why he left," Professor McGonagall retorted, defending Dumbledore. "I'll write to him, Severus."
"I need your help. The portrait is severely damaged—repairing it will require a specialised potion."
Snape said coolly, "Have Filch come to me tomorrow. The portrait isn't the priority right now."
His gaze flickered to Lupin just as students from other houses began arriving.
Professor McGonagall ushered the group into a side chamber to avoid being overheard.
"With such tight security and Dementors patrolling outside, how did Black, a fugitive without a wand, manage to get in?"
"I suspect..." Snape gave Lupin a malicious glance, "Someone inside the castle has been secretly assisting him."
"Snape." Lupin's voice rose sharply. "Are you implying it's me? No one wants him caught more than I do!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Snape sneered. "Back in your school days—"
"Enough!" Professor McGonagall suddenly shouted. Snape's words died in his throat, too cowed to continue, while Lupin could only glare at him furiously.
Though they were colleagues of equal standing ordinarily, whenever Professor McGonagall lost her temper, they reverted to being students again.
Wayne chuckled. "I heard from the Headmaster that you were classmates with Black, too, weren't you? By your logic, wouldn't that make you a suspect as well?"
"You—" Snape trembled as he pointed at Wayne, too furious to speak.
Accusing him of helping Sirius was more revolting than shoving Troll saliva down his throat!
"Making baseless accusations against a professor? Twenty points from Hufflepuff!"
"Making baseless accusations against a colleague? Twenty points from Slytherin!" Professor McGonagall snapped. "I'll handle this matter. Your task now is to calm the students. Go to the Great Hall—immediately!"
The two slunk away, still glaring daggers at each other, their tempers flaring.
"He will be caught," Snape muttered under his breath. "You lot should have died long ago—you included."
"He certainly deserves to die." Lupin's facial muscles twitched. "But Snape, do you really think you're any better?"
"Even without James, Lily would never have chosen you. The moment you embraced Dark Magic, you were already a failure."
Snape's heart clenched violently, freezing him in place.
"Lawrence." Watching their bickering, Professor McGonagall felt utterly exhausted. "The Ministry will receive word soon. The Dementors will likely demand entry. What do you suggest we do?"
"Leave this to me," Wayne said, rubbing his hands together with confidence.
...
Outside the castle gates, dozens of Dementors clustered together, floating restlessly. Further away stood two Aurors, wands at the ready, expressions grim.
Suddenly, a white light glowed in the distance, gradually drawing nearer until a young wizard came into view.
"Why is it just a student?" One Auror frowned but paid it no mind as he approached the gates, holding up a parchment.
"I'm an Auror from the Ministry of Magic. This is a search warrant freshly issued by the Department."
"May the Dementors enter now?"
As he spoke, the Auror tightened his coat. Even a brief exposure to the Dementors was unbearable.
Wayne reached out, and the parchment flew into his hand. After a cursory glance, he set it ablaze, reducing it to ashes.
The Auror gaped at him in disbelief.
"Hogwarts only recognises Dumbledore's signature. Without the Headmaster's permission, not even a Ministry dog gets past these gates."
"Turn around and go back where you came from."
Wayne wielded Dumbledore's authority without hesitation—after all, the old man wasn't here to contradict him.
Even if he were present, Dumbledore would never allow Dementors into the castle.
"This is an order from the Ministry of Magic!" the Auror said angrily. "Go and fetch the professors. This is no business for students!"
"Since when did you get so bold?" Wayne sneered. "The school hasn't even started holding you accountable yet."
"With so many Dementors guarding the gates, you still let Sirius slip through. What a bunch of useless fools."
"What exactly do you think you'll find by searching here? The man escaped from Azkaban."
"If you actually had the ability to catch Black, you wouldn't still be dragging your feet now!"
"You!" The Auror's face flushed red with anger. The Dementors seemed to understand Wayne's words, too, their leaders letting out piercing shrieks.
The air grew colder around them, large patches of frost forming on the grass. The two Aurors' expressions changed slightly as they quickly distanced themselves from the Dementors, though they still shouted at Wayne:
"Get out of here now! Bring the professors!"
"Bloody animals, what are you howling about?" Wayne impatiently raised his hand.
A surge of silvery mist erupted, swiftly forming into a beautiful ring of stars that expanded outward.
The previously aggressive Dementors retreated in waves, only stopping when they'd been forced back dozens of metres as the stellar ring ceased its expansion.
"The professors will search the castle. You can wait for their report. As for the Dementors' negligence in allowing Sirius to infiltrate, Dumbledore will demand answers from the Ministry when he returns."
Wayne looked at the two Aurors. "Any other problems now?"
The two Aurors' expressions shifted uncertainly, clearly at a loss about what to do next.
Force their way in with the Dementors?
That would mean directly provoking Dumbledore's wrath - something they didn't dare do.
But if they retreated just like that, where would the Ministry of Magic's dignity be?
However, seeing the Dementors had already flown far away, they knew they wouldn't be getting in today.
The Auror who'd handled the negotiations swallowed his pride and said, "I'll report everything truthfully to the Ministry."
"Oh, then I'll have Professor McGonagall come out to speak with you."
"Wait!" The Auror's expression changed instantly. "The Dementors have already left, there's no need to trouble the professor..."
He happened to be a Gryffindor graduate...
Hearing Professor McGonagall's name was somehow more terrifying than encountering Dumbledore himself.
"Aren't you going to report me?" Wayne looked at him innocently. "Of course, I should call my guardian too."
"What I mean is, regarding the Dementors' dereliction of duty, I'll report everything faithfully to the Ministry," the Auror declared righteously. "It has absolutely nothing to do with you."
"You're certain?"
"Absolutely!"
"What's your name?" Wayne studied him. "In case the Ministry comes after me later, I'll know who to tell Professor McGonagall about."
"Dep Parker." The Auror forced a smile that looked more painful than tears. "Rest assured, I would never do such a thing."
"Right, I'll remember that." Wayne nodded and turned back towards the dormitories.
The Auror wiped cold sweat from his brow. "Young wizards these days are so troublesome."
"Pretty impressive too," his companion remarked, gazing at the lingering starry halo. "Could you conjure a Patronus like that when you were in school?"
"Not just in school - I still can't do it now," the Auror admitted, shaking his head. "Let's get back to the Ministry. Remember to pin all the blame on the Dementors."
His companion grabbed his arm seriously. "Not so fast. First, let's discuss why you just gave them my name?"
"You're scared of Professor McGonagall, and you think I'm not?"
...
When Wayne returned to the castle, all the students had gathered in the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall had conjured hundreds of sleeping bags for everyone to make do here tonight.
Prefects guarded the Great Hall's entrance while the Head Boy and Girl patrolled inside, as professors began searching the castle.
They were quite practised at this - last term they'd done the same while searching for the Chamber of Secrets.
After Wayne's report, Professor McGonagall exhaled deeply.
"Well done, Mr Lawrence."
"I'll need you to assist the Head Boy with patrols tonight as well."
Wayne's eyelid twitched - this meant pulling an all-nighter.
"Professor, Black wouldn't dare stay in the school."
"I know, but who's to say he won't double back?" Professor McGonagall said gravely.
"Mr Filch will seal all the secret passages he knows tonight. Students can return to their common rooms tomorrow."
"If you know of any secret passages, you should tell me."
"I think you should ask Fred," Wayne said, shaking his head.
He rarely used secret passages, preferring to enter and exit the school openly.
"That's true..." Professor McGonagall mused thoughtfully.
...
After speaking with Professor McGonagall, Wayne entered the Great Hall.
The atmosphere was positively lively, with students showing no trace of fear as they enthusiastically debated how Black had entered the castle.
Percy and the Head Girl struggled to maintain order, but with little success.
The novelty of sleeping collectively in the Great Hall was met with enthusiasm rather than resistance.
Penelope opened the door for Wayne. Seeing no one was watching, he quickly stole a kiss, earning a playful scolding from the senior girl.
"Stamina potion. We're pulling an all-nighter, drink this first." Wayne produced a vial of deep blue potion.
"Mmm." Penelope took it, gazing at the boy with concern. "Did the professor summon you about Black earlier?"
"Not exactly. I just had to negotiate with the Ministry of Magic people about keeping their Dementors in check."
"All those Dementors failed to detect Black entering?"
"Incompetence, plain and simple." Wayne shrugged. "The Ministry relying on those creatures is asking for trouble."
"That's the Ministry's problem to worry about." Penelope smoothed his wind-ruffled robes. "Go get some sleep. If you're uncomfortable here, use the suitcase."
"No chance of sleeping." Wayne grimaced. "Professor McGonagall assigned me patrol duty."
The hundreds of sleeping bags in the Great Hall resembled silkworm larvae carpeting the floor, some still wriggling restlessly.
"Fred! George!" Percy's irritated voice carried across the hall. "This is my third warning! Keep talking and I'll start deducting points!"
"Quite the authority figure," Fred muttered.
"Must've learned that from How to Wield Power as a Prefect," George grinned. "He probably wishes there was a photographer documenting this."
"If he's bothering you, just Stupefy him," Wayne chimed in unexpectedly.
"Brilliant idea. But why aren't you asleep?" Fred looked up curiously at the smirking Wayne.
"Got the same job as Percy," Wayne cleared his throat, raising his voice slightly.
"Still whispering? One point from Gryffindor!"
The twins: "..."
"Absolute snake," Fred remarked as they watched Wayne's retreating back.
George nodded solemnly. "We still have much to learn."