Chapter 31 - LOCKDOWN

Harry POV

"Daph! Put on my Dad's cloak quickly! We are going to get to the bottom of this!"

"Harry, hang on, I don't understand… didn't you say from before that Sirius Black killed Pettigrew… I mean I know you told me your theory about not getting a trial…what if the map is-"

"No Daph, the Map never lies, it even showed Dumbledore pacing in his office and leaving the school, I know, I have seen it. If the Map says Pettigrew is here, then he is here!"

Daphne seemed to hesitate before nodding at me and then putting on the cloak. I then disillusioned myself and we walked out of the Room to go look for Pettigrew. However, when we went towards the staircase we saw it was crowded with students.

What had happened?

There were murmuring and numerous discussion all throughout the stairwells in Hogwarts. Students talking quickly to one another. Even the paintings on the walls were gossiping and looking at something. I then followed everyone's gaze and looked around at the stairwell and then saw the Gryffindor portrait door with scratches on it that tore through the tapestry of the painting. The fat lady in the portrait is missing! I saw Dumbledore shuffling through the crowd of students. Percy then barked out at the students whilst pointing at his badge.

"Make way! Headmaster is here! C'mon you heard me! Move!"

Once Dumbledore got in front of the portrait, he closed his eyes for a bit while reaching forward and hovered his hand over tapestry. I then suddenly realized it.

He was trying to detect the magical signature! Hey Godric, do you think Dumbledore knows what caused it?

"I am not sure Harry, although my guess is that Dumbledore has a good idea to whom caused it, and in fact, what caused it. However, someone like Dumbledore wouldn't say anything until he is a hundred percent certain, so maybe we should go over and take a look ourselves later? It might be a while before Dumbledore reveals what it is, if you want an immediate answer, I suggest we go examine it ourselves".

I agreed with Godric, as much as I like Dumbledore, he did tend to play his cards quite close to his chest. Dumbledore's voice then echoed around the hall.

"Mister Filch, round up the ghosts! Tell them to search every painting in the castle! Find the fat lady!"

Filch responded straight away while pointing a finger at a painting on the sixth floor corridor.

"There is no need for ghosts professor… The fat lady is there!"

All the students then gasped. Then chaos ensued once again as everyone shifted on the crowded stairwells to make room for Dumbledore. Students pushed and shoved others as they moved around. Once Dumbledore got in front of the painting he asked the fat lady a question.

"Dear lady… who did this to you?"

The fat lady then screeched out, "Agghhhh… eyes like the devil, he's got… and a soul as dark as his name… it's him, Headmaster… the one they all talk about…he is here! Somewhere in the castle…Sirius Black! AGHHHHH!"

Dumbledore then turned to Filch. His eyes losing his customary twinkle.

"Secure the castle Mister Filch… The rest of you! To the great hall!"

Everyone quickly scrambled to the great hall, students started rushing down the staircases towards there. Once the crowd dispersed, I whispered to Daphne, who hopefully was still standing next to me.

"Let's head over to the Gryffindor portrait door, I want to examine it before we go the great hall". Daphne seemed to still be next to me as she whispered back. "Okay… let's be quick…"

After I examined the portrait, I managed to identify residue from a diffindo cutting curse. It seems that whoever left was in a hurry and launched these spells to force the fat lady out of the portrait to not leave a witness. Evidently, the fat lady managed to escape and reported to the Headmaster who she saw. Daphne and I then walked off towards the great hall. On the way, we entered Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and I canceled my disillusionment charm, and she took of My Dad's cloak and gave it back to me. We quickly left the bathroom before entering the great hall.

I was going to tell Dumbledore what I found out before I stopped. I then realized that Pettigrew appearing on the map could mean nothing to him.

I mean nobody has ever seen him, I don't even know what the goddamn person looks like!

No… I need more evidence before telling Dumbledore. Telling him now will only put even more worries onto his shoulder. He already had started to hunt Voldemort's Horcruxes and was dealing with the dementors that were still on the borders of Hogwarts. He has a crap ton of other responsibilities as well… No… it would be better to solve this ourselves before telling him.

Daphne and I then separated as we each went to our house tables. The headmaster stated that Gryffindor Tower would be on lockdown and that all Gryffindor students were to stay in the great hall until it was safe to return. I looked over at Daphne and saw a worried expression on her face. I gave her a reassuring smile back to signal that I was okay. She then unwillingly left with the rest of the Slytherins as they were dismissed to go back to their rooms. I suddenly realized that not many people were wearing their Hogwarts robes… in fact, nearly everyone wore something casual or nice…

Sigh… something like this just had to spoil the fun on Valentines Day…

I then sneaked out of the great hall once everyone but the Gryffindors left. I went searching for Pettigrew, but every time I pinned him down into a room, it was empty. I couldn't find him. After the third try, I gave up. I started to second guess myself, wondering if the Map was actually broken or lying like what Daphne illuded to.

No… but the Map has never lied…

I then gave it one more try. When I didn't find him I finally gave up looking. I then turned around and started heading back towards the great hall.