Disclaimer/Notes: I still don't own Harry Potter. This chapter is from Dumbledore's POV. It's still Halloween night, Harry's third year.
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It had been a lovely feast, simply smashing. Of course, Severus's predictable mood had been foul, but I've learned to deal with that. Every party needs a pooper....
When I stepped outside the Great Hall for a breath of fresh air, I wasn't surprised to see Percy Weasley dashing towards me, looking as though the sky was about to fall. His anxieties were usually no more than a dung bomb being set off. I should have realized that these are the days to take things more seriously, with Black on the loose...
"What great transgression has occurred now, Percy?" I asked, full of mirth. Mr. Weasley, however, was not.
He sweated and stammered for a moment before he could speak the words. "Sir, the Fat Lady has been attacked."
I ran quite quickly for a man my age. Most of the Griffyndors had gathered around the entrance by the time I had arrived, but I squeezed past them towards the abandoned painting. I was shocked to see that it had not only been attacked, but ravaged. The mirth of Halloween died away to give way to the holiday's other aspect. But I would not let myself go as far as fear, I stopped at concealed apprehension. Fear is something that no one would imagine Albus Dumbledore to feel. And why should I be afraid? After all my years, I had certainly come across worse things than a mangled piece of art! There was some gut feeling, maybe because of the holiday, but more likely because that night was James's and Lily's anniversary, their death day, that made me wary of the situation.
When I turned around, I saw Severus, Minerva, and Remus hurrying towards me. Although I didn't dawdle on the thought, I saw that Remus was red around the eyes. Although he had been having a good time at the feast, he had excused himself early, and now he was red in his eyes. I supposed that it being the Potters' anniversary had something to do with it, perhaps his dear old friends had lingered on his mind tonight also. Time means nothing to loss....
Snape and Minerva had both adopted a stern, stoic look that a teacher can have a habit of wearing, but Minerva didn't fool me. I could see the worry in her face. She was speculating the same things I was.
Peeves was talking to me. I listened carefully to him, because he had not teased me since I was a student here. The words I had feared he'd say were said. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."
I knew it. My eyes flickered over the crowd, and I was relieved when they settled on Harry, perfectly safe and unscathed. His green eyes were opened wide with shock. I turned to face my colleagues. Minerva's stern teacher-face had melted into appall and alarm. Severus's eyes had been lit by some inner fire; I could see clearly the way he burned with rage. Remus....Remus was unreadable. He was in another place, another time. I would not be surprised if he was terrified, for everyone knows he was next on Black's list, but I also would not be surprised to find not a scrap of fear in him. I directed the students down to the Great Hall, where I set up camp for them because they would stay the night there. The teachers I took with me into my office.
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It had been a lovely feast, simply smashing. Of course, Severus's predictable mood had been foul, but I've learned to deal with that. Every party needs a pooper....
When I stepped outside the Great Hall for a breath of fresh air, I wasn't surprised to see Percy Weasley dashing towards me, looking as though the sky was about to fall. His anxieties were usually no more than a dung bomb being set off. I should have realized that these are the days to take things more seriously, with Black on the loose...
"What great transgression has occurred now, Percy?" I asked, full of mirth. Mr. Weasley, however, was not.
He sweated and stammered for a moment before he could speak the words. "Sir, the Fat Lady has been attacked."
I ran quite quickly for a man my age. Most of the Griffyndors had gathered around the entrance by the time I had arrived, but I squeezed past them towards the abandoned painting. I was shocked to see that it had not only been attacked, but ravaged. The mirth of Halloween died away to give way to the holiday's other aspect. But I would not let myself go as far as fear, I stopped at concealed apprehension. Fear is something that no one would imagine Albus Dumbledore to feel. And why should I be afraid? After all my years, I had certainly come across worse things than a mangled piece of art! There was some gut feeling, maybe because of the holiday, but more likely because that night was James's and Lily's anniversary, their death day, that made me wary of the situation.
When I turned around, I saw Severus, Minerva, and Remus hurrying towards me. Although I didn't dawdle on the thought, I saw that Remus was red around the eyes. Although he had been having a good time at the feast, he had excused himself early, and now he was red in his eyes. I supposed that it being the Potters' anniversary had something to do with it, perhaps his dear old friends had lingered on his mind tonight also. Time means nothing to loss....
Snape and Minerva had both adopted a stern, stoic look that a teacher can have a habit of wearing, but Minerva didn't fool me. I could see the worry in her face. She was speculating the same things I was.
Peeves was talking to me. I listened carefully to him, because he had not teased me since I was a student here. The words I had feared he'd say were said. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."
I knew it. My eyes flickered over the crowd, and I was relieved when they settled on Harry, perfectly safe and unscathed. His green eyes were opened wide with shock. I turned to face my colleagues. Minerva's stern teacher-face had melted into appall and alarm. Severus's eyes had been lit by some inner fire; I could see clearly the way he burned with rage. Remus....Remus was unreadable. He was in another place, another time. I would not be surprised if he was terrified, for everyone knows he was next on Black's list, but I also would not be surprised to find not a scrap of fear in him. I directed the students down to the Great Hall, where I set up camp for them because they would stay the night there. The teachers I took with me into my office.