accident

Ciaran suddenly heard voices emanating from outside the castle. He opened the window and let the chilly wind sweep in. Looking around, he spotted many students returning from Hogsmeade Village and making their way back to school.

"Sirius, refrain from going out for now. The students are returning one by one," Ciaran muttered. "During dinner, Crookshanks will assist, and more people will gather in the auditorium. Then we can attempt to catch the mouse Banban."

"Remember, you mustn't reveal yourself prematurely. Otherwise, if we fail to catch the mouse it will surely flee immediately, and we may never find it again," Ciaran instructed, fearing that Sirius would lose control upon seeing Scabbers the mouse.

The large black dog barked a "woof" in acknowledgment of the instructions.

"Also, allow Crookshanks to return later; otherwise, we won't be able to access the portrait of the Fat Lady guarding the entrance to the Gryffindor common room," Ciaran added. In the wizarding world, portraits possessed wisdom, and although there was a significant gap between them and their original bodies, they could communicate effectively. As the guardian of the Gryffindor common room entrance, the Fat Lady's portrait wouldn't permit Sirius entry without the password.

Crookshanks belonged to Hermione and could freely come and go from the Gryffindor common room without arousing suspicion.

The large black dog communicated once more with the large ginger cat Crookshanks. Dogs and cats exchanged barks. What about the animals?

Ciaran cast a soundproofing spell on the door.

Another hour or two passed, during which an owl delivered a copy of the Daily Prophet. It contained no significant news, only gossip or trivial updates, such as the illness of a respected wizard in his youth, who was now a senior official at the Ministry of Magic, reportedly leading the Department of International Magical Exchange and Cooperation.

As darkness fell outside and the wind and snow intensified, the temperature dropped, but it remained warm inside the castle.

"Meow." Crookshanks called out, slipping out of Ciaran's office and returning to the Gryffindor common room with a wagging tail.

"Ah, Crookshanks, you're finally back. I thought you wouldn't return until later tonight," Hermione exclaimed happily, hugging Crookshanks. She and Ron had just returned from Hogsmeade, bringing back plenty of food for Harry.

Ron glanced at the sleeping mouse, Scabbers, on his lap and snorted.

Being Peter Pettigrew's Animagus form, Scabbers the mouse was discovered by Crookshanks when they first met. It was natural for cats to catch mice, leading Crookshanks to try to catch Scabbers numerous times. However, this sparked resentment in Ron, who harbored dislike towards Hermione's cat, Crookshanks.

This tension strained Ron and Hermione's relationship, leaving Harry in a difficult position as their mutual friend.

"Alright, dinner is about to begin. Let's head downstairs," Harry suggested, prompting everyone in the common room to leave for the Great Hall.

"I need to put Scabbers away," Ron stated, holding the mouse in his hands as he returned to the boys' dormitory.

Harry noticed Crookshanks' eyes flickering as they remained fixated on Scabbers.

Suddenly feeling uneasy, Harry said, "Hermione, please put Crookshanks away."

He knew that if Crookshanks caught and ate Scabbers, Ron would likely end his relationship with Hermione. Yet, expecting a cat not to chase a mouse seemed unreasonable.

"Alright," Hermione agreed.

Soon after, Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the common room, chatting and laughing, while a large ginger cat silently entered the room and settled in a corner. A few students lingered behind.

*****

Meanwhile, Ciaran headed to the auditorium, while Sirius enjoyed some pastries in the office, awaiting the start of the Halloween dinner. The opportune moment for him to act would be when the school's staff and students gathered in the auditorium.

Upon arriving at the auditorium, Ciaran found it nearly full of people. Thousands of pumpkins adorned with candles illuminated the room, live bats fluttered about, and orange banners with flickering flames adorned the walls, resembling colorful water snakes lazily floating beneath the stormy ceiling.

The Halloween feast offered delectable dishes that Ciaran couldn't resist. He sampled a bit of everything, filling his mouth with the flavorful fare.

Beside him, Lupin and Professor Flitwick engaged in animated conversation, mostly about peculiar occurrences in the wizarding world.

On the other side, Professor Trelawney dined slowly and aloofly, as if intentionally setting herself apart from Ciaran, not wishing to be associated with his perceived rudeness.

Ciaran pondered, wondering if Sirius had succeeded in entering the Gryffindor common room and capturing Scabbers.

"Lost in thought, Ciaran? You seem distracted," Lupin remarked, taking a sip of wine.

Ciaran smiled and replied, "Just pondering a few spells. It's banquet time; let's set aside curses for now," Professor Flitwick chimed in with a chuckle.

The banquet concluded with a performance by the Hogwarts ghosts, who emerged from walls and tables to showcase their ethereal dances.

Nearly Headless Nick, Gryffindor's ghost, successfully reenacted his beheading with great flair.

Suddenly, several senior students who had departed the auditorium earlier burst in, their faces contorted in horror.

"Sirius, the wanted criminal Sirius, has been sighted!"

A hush fell over the auditorium, the silence palpable.

Dumbledore rose to his feet, inquiring, "Where was he spotted?"

"Outside the Gryffindor common room!" the students exclaimed, their fear lingering.

"A few professors will accompany me to the Gryffindor common room. The rest will maintain order here, ensuring the safety of the students and preventing anyone from leaving the auditorium," Dumbledore declared before briskly exiting the hall.

Ciaran followed suit, his brow furrowed. What had Sirius done? Had something gone awry? Why was he apprehended, his identity exposed?

Lupin, Snape, Professor Flitwick, and Professor McGonagall, Gryffindor's Head of House, joined Ciaran as they left the Great Hall.

The young wizards exchanged bewildered and frightened looks. With numerous Dementors guarding Hogwarts, how had Sirius managed to infiltrate the castle?

...

The portrait of the Fat Lady guarding the entrance to the Gryffindor common room remained intact, albeit with a bewildered expression, as if ensorcelled.

The portrait swung open, revealing a passageway strewn with books and clothing fragments. Scorch marks marred the entrance, evidence of recent magical dueling.

Observing this, Ciaran's frown deepened even further.