Soon, Tver learned from the unfortunate child what had happened—the portrait of the Fat Lady at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room had been torn to shreds! Even with just half a cupcake left, Tver knew it had to be Black.
He followed Dumbledore with a look of displeasure, joining the other professors as they pushed through the curious students. At the entrance, however, they only saw the torn portrait of the Fat Lady and the chattering students.
"We need to find the Fat Lady. She's likely hiding in one of the castle's portraits," Dumbledore said with a quick glance.
"Tver, please inform Filch to search the castle's paintings. If possible, you should assist as well."
"No need for such trouble, Headmaster Dumbledore."
It was Peeves, appearing out of nowhere to float above their heads, his voice respectful yet oily.
"I just saw her—she's hiding behind some bushes in the landscape painting on the fifth floor, trembling and crying. Heh heh heh."
Peeves looked utterly delighted, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Did she say who tore the portrait?" Dumbledore asked softly.
Peeves's grin shrank, though his eyes still sparkled with mischief.
"Of course! Who else could it be? That hot-headed man—Sirius Black!"
Dumbledore's expression darkened at once, silencing Peeves's chuckles.
"All Gryffindor students are to return to the Great Hall immediately. No lingering elsewhere in the castle!" He commanded, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
"Minerva, take them there first. Severus, Filius, Pomona, go back to your houses and bring your students to the Great Hall."
"They'll rest in the Great Hall tonight."
"Remus, find the other professors. Everyone is to gather in the Great Hall—"
"Headmaster," Snape stepped forward abruptly, "have you considered how he gained entry?"
"There are many ways into the castle, so we must verify each one." Snape shot Lupin a cold, dismissive glance. "Perhaps someone inside the castle helped him? I imagine someone could—"
"No." Dumbledore met his gaze firmly.
"Severus, I don't believe anyone would aid him. That issue was settled at the start of the term. Everyone, return to your duties!"
The students were led away by their professors. The once-crowded corridors and staircases gradually emptied, leaving only Tver, who had no assignment, and Dumbledore, who was examining the portrait.
"Tver, can you tell how this portrait was torn?" After a long pause, Dumbledore suddenly spoke.
Tver froze. He'd expected a search assignment, but now this felt more like a detective story?
"Probably some kind of sharp weapon? Maybe you should call in the Muggle police to examine it."
"Ha, indeed. Their technology is quite remarkable." Dumbledore chuckled lightly, the tension of the evening easing just a little.
"But not right now," he added with a meaningful glance.
With that, his finger touched the tear, and a strand of golden light poured over it.
After making the gesture, Dumbledore stepped back, standing side by side with Tver as they both watched the portrait. As if reversing time, the cracks in the portrait began to fill, slowly restoring it to its original form.
At the same moment, a large black dog appeared, viciously tearing the portrait apart once more with its claws.
Hour-Reversal Charm?!
Tver's eyes widened slightly.
That spell was based on the principle of the Time-Turner, but it was common knowledge that it could only be used on a single Time-Turner.
Yet Dumbledore had just caused this portrait to briefly rewind time!
Wait—
As the golden light faded, the black dog's phantom disappeared, and the portrait returned to its torn state.
"It's a minor spell for a brief time reversal," Dumbledore explained casually, as if he had just done something trivial. "It lets us glimpse events that happened here earlier."
Of course, Tver couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
If Dumbledore truly had control over time itself, he might as well just surrender and confess everything.
But the old man beside him was more powerful than he had imagined.
Was this little display meant to intimidate him?
Tver wasn't sure whether to laugh at the honor of receiving such a demonstration.
He just wondered if, once Dumbledore had fully regained his strength, he could still defeat him.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, his expression remained unchanged, only a slight frown tugging at his brows.
"So you're saying Black is that black dog?"
"I suspect he's an Animagus."
Though phrased as a suspicion, Dumbledore's tone was so firm it sounded as if he'd witnessed Black's transformation firsthand. But he didn't pursue the subject further.
"Come on, let's head back to the Great Hall."
Tver shrugged indifferently and followed Dumbledore back to the Great Hall. The room was already packed with noisy students, with the Head Boy and prefects struggling to maintain order. But everyone had heard from Gryffindor about what had just happened, and no amount of urging could calm them down.
"Silence!"
Dumbledore's voice boomed, instantly silencing the entire hall as all eyes turned to him.
"Tonight, the instructors and I will search the castle. For safety, you will remain here and rest for the night."
With a wave of his hand, the four long tables were moved to the walls. Hundreds of plush purple sleeping bags drifted down from the air, gently settling before each student. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick then lowered and secured all the doors, leaving only a small passageway open.
"Good night, everyone." Dumbledore turned and walked toward the final doorway.
Thud. The last door closed behind him.
After exiting the Great Hall, Dumbledore glanced at the professors waiting outside.
"Search. Each of you take a section—the Astronomy Tower, the common rooms, everything. Search thoroughly."
He efficiently assigned search duties to everyone, even giving Tver the ground floor.
Seriously, they gave me the biggest area.
He pursed his lips in displeasure. But then again, searching didn't necessarily mean he had to do it himself!
Tver waved his wand triumphantly, and a string of little imps flew out cheerfully, looking somewhat eerie in the dark castle. Anyway, Black had probably already slipped out of the school and made his way to Hogsmeade. A casual search wouldn't cause any problems!
...
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