Goyle and Crabbe snatched the candy and shoved it into their mouths, oblivious to how the Weasley twins had just duped Draco.
The twins didn't care about the switch-up; if anything, their eyes sparkled with mischief as they watched Goyle and Crabbe intently.
Less than ten seconds later, the pair yelped in shock. Their eyebrows and beards sprouted at an alarming rate, while their brown and black hair turned stark white. Ignoring their youthful, vibrant faces, anyone glancing at those wild growths might mistake them for Dumbledore's peers.
Goyle and Crabbe gawked at their reflections, momentarily stunned.
Draco exhaled in relief, pity flickering in his eyes. He'd considered testing the candy himself but backed off, wary of the twins' notorious pranks. Better to let his lackeys go first.
Unexpectedly, it worked like a charm.
The Weasley twins erupted in laughter, as if nothing could go wrong, while Ginny flushed with embarrassment and buried her nose in her butterbeer.
Argus caught the subtle shift in Hermione beside him. He recalled their first Hogwarts Express ride, when she'd berated the twins for copying homework. Now, she merely frowned at Ginny's flagrant rule-breaking. Her management and economics studies had clearly nudged her toward Vinda's pragmatic worldview.
"Argus!"
The duped duo turned to him pleadingly.
"Don't worry—it'll wear off in an hour," Argus assured them with a wry smile.
The twins had recently cooked up this prank sweet, and Argus had already stocked it in the acolytes' shop for mass production. He knew the effects inside out.
Reassured, Goyle and Crabbe dove back into their food and drinks, beards be damned.
The twins circled them, pulling faces that had Argus and the others chuckling.
"Young witches and wizards, your outing's cut short today!"
Professor Flitwick's shrill voice rang from the pub entrance. Peering past him, one could spot Aurors sweeping the street, searching and patrolling.
Dozens of students filled the Three Broomsticks. With no time for details, Flitwick ordered everyone back to Hogwarts.
His eyes lit up at the sight of Argus and his group. "Mr. Grindelwald, you're a godsend. Rally the students here—the Ministry Aurors will escort you all back. If trouble brews, send for help at once. I've got stragglers elsewhere, so you're in charge!"
Argus scanned the stunned crowd and nodded. "You got it, Professor. We'll handle it."
Satisfied, Flitwick briefed the Aurors—former Hogwarts students of his—who saluted and posted up at the door. Two ventured inside to comb the premises, hunting for... something.
"Argus, is this—?"
Draco's eyes widened in alarm; he'd pieced it together.
Argus stayed cool. If anyone was clueless, it wasn't him. Sirius must've had a reckless streak, shapeshifting into his dog form for a prowl. His real quarry was Peter Pettigrew, not a gaggle of Hogwarts kids.
No need for hysterics.
His poise steadied the room. The once-rowdy pub hushed as students took cues from him.
The Aurors traded impressed glances. A student keeping his head amid Azkaban escapees? Calming his peers like a pro? No wonder he led the acolytes—he'd make a stellar Auror someday.
"Argus, need help corralling everyone?" Hermione murmured.
"Round up the ones inside first. I'll handle the stragglers outside."
As he stepped out, wand in hand, Argus recalled a spell Voldemort had taught him—one for summoning Death Eaters via their Dark Marks. He'd never used it, but now...
He aimed skyward. "Ditch the sensing bit, swap the skull for the Hogwarts crest..."
A pale yellow beam lanced from his wand, bursting midair into the glowing Hogwarts emblem: a wise eagle for Ravenclaw, a loyal badger for Hufflepuff, a brave lion for Gryffindor, and a cunning serpent for Slytherin.
The mark blazed over Hogsmeade, drawing every student's gaze despite the daylight. Curiosity overrode caution; they clustered with friends and hurried toward the glow, unsure what sparked it but drawn like moths.
Professor Flitwick, scouting nearby, spotted it too. Brilliant for herding—until he realized his role differed. Argus aimed to pack them in; Flitwick had to ensure none got left behind. The mark would help, but he'd still need a full sweep. Waste of magic.
The Three Broomsticks swelled with students. Inside, Hermione had them sorted by house and year for easy headcounts.
"George? Fred? What's the story?"
Percy and Penelope pushed through, spotting the twins beside Argus.
"Spot-on timing, Perce," George said. "Sirius Black's been sighted. Ministry and professors are on it—full recall to Hogwarts. You and Penelope tally Gryffindors in Hogsmeade, make a list. Hand it to the Aurors for Flitwick."
Penelope nodded before Percy could. "On it. Hermione, handle Ravenclaw?"
She dragged Percy off, leaving him sputtering.
Argus turned to Draco. "Inventory Slytherins."
"George, Fred—Gryffindor."
"Hufflepuff... if it's alright, I'll manage them."
A Hufflepuff stepped forward, volunteering with quiet confidence.
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