Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

81

"This was only worth two galleons? Blimey! My Mum would be jealous! Coats like these would be worth a hundred galleons at least!" Ginny admitted a bit jealous as she brushed her hands against the velvet coat. They were sitting in the common room as Hermione was researching more about the Crimson Queen she heard so much about... especially her husband. Harry and Ron had shown up and spotted the coat. 

"That's pretty. How much did that thing cost you? About a hundred or so galleons?" Ron asked, sounding a bit upset at the thought of spending that much money on a coat. Ginny turned her head. 

"No! She got it for a measly two galleons!" Ginny cheered. 

"Two galleons for that thing? That's impossible. That real velvet... and it still in perfect condition." Ron pointed out, still unable to believe something so lovely was so cheap. Hermione explained to them about the story the shop manager had told her about the first owner of the coat and how vicious she was. 

"Well that sure will get people to avoid buying it." Harry mumbled, "hang on, if the coat supposedly shrinks so it doesn't fit the person that's not the Crimson Queen, why does it fit you?" 

"I don't know, but I'm looking it up." Hermione said, turning the page. 

"Hey we should get going to the feast." Ron pointed out as he scurried quickly towards the opening. Hermione closed her book as Ginny handed the coat back, clearly still wanting to hold something so lovely. She quickly set the coat on her bed before heading out still with the book under her arm. 

She didn't find any answer to her questions during or after the feast. Harry, Hermione and Ron hurried back to the Gryffindor Tower, Hermione still determined to understand the coat a bit further, when they noticed the long line in front of them. 

"Why isn't anyone going in?" Ron asked, curiously. 

"Let me through, please," came Percy's voice as he made his way through the line, "What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password-- excuse me, I'm Head Boy!" 

Then a silence fell over the crowd when Percy said with a sharp voice, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick!" 

"What's going on?" Ginny asked as she just arrived while the trio began making their way to the front. From where they stood, they saw the Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait which now had slashes all over it with strips of the canvas littering the floor. A moment later, Professor Dumbledore came rushing towards them as everyone made room for him to see what was going on. He took one quick look at the ruined painting and turned to find Professors McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying towards them.

"We need to find her," Dumbledore say, "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady." 

"You'll be lucky!" a cackling voice spoke. Peeves came floating over the crowd of Gryffindors. 

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked. 

"Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful, poor thing." Peeves said happily.

"Did she say who did it?" Dumbledore said quietly. 

"Oh yes, Professorhead! He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see-- nasty temper he's got that Sirius Black." 

Dumbledore sent all the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall, where they were soon joined by the students of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, who looked confused. He then proceeded to explain to them that the professors and himself will be making a thorough search of the castle and due to this, all of them would have to sleep in the Great Hall. After a quick wave of his wand, the Great Hall was cleared of the long tables and the floor covered in hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags. 

Hermione, Harry and Ron seized three sleeping bags and dragged them into the corner while people were trying to figure out how Sirius Black had gotten into Hogwarts. Soon all the candles went out and the only light in there was the enchanted ceiling was scattered with stars. They tried to get as comfortable as they could until Hermione could hear Professor Dumbledore coming in. 

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy asked in a whisper. 

"No, All well here?" 

"Everything under control, sir." 

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow." 

"And the Fat Lady?" 

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password so he attacked. She's still in distress, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her." 

Hermione heard the door creak open again as more footsteps came walking in. 

"Headmaster," it was Snape, "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either." 

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?" 

"All searched..." 

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger." 

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" 

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the the next." 

Hermione opened her eyes in a fraction and squinted up to where they stood. All of their backs were towards her. 

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before-- the start of term?" Snape asked. 

"I do, but I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it. I must go down to the dementors, I promised to inform them when our search was complete." Dumbledore stated. 

"Why not send Hermione? I'm sure they could be great together." Snape suggested with a malice tone. 

"I would prefer it if Hermione is kept as far from the dementors as possible. Don't think I didn't remember what you told me about that incident in class about her outburst. They know her... and they are very keen to...for a lack of a better word... family... I daresay," Dumbledore claimed before turning around and heading out of the Great Hall.