A tall, handsome young man stepped forward to volunteer. Argus recognized him immediately: Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff's star student. Without Argus's interference, Cedric might have claimed that title for the whole school. It was no surprise he'd been chosen for the Triwizard Tournament—many dubbed him Hufflepuff's Little Prince.
Cedric was Professor McGonagall's star pupil, his Transfiguration skills legendary at Hogwarts. He was just biding his time until the current prefects graduated, ready to step into the role.
"Mr. Grindelwald, I'll handle the headcount for Hufflepuff," Cedric offered.
"Then I leave it to you, Mr. Diggory," Argus replied warmly. He admired the boy's competence and charm; the books had once called him the epitome of a Hogwarts student. Argus might have stolen some of that shine, but Cedric's talent remained undeniable.
With Cedric's assistance and Hermione's sharp organization, the house rosters were compiled swiftly. Ten minutes later, Percy and Penelope returned, trailing over twenty younger students. Argus sorted the lists by house and passed them to an Auror, who ensured the group was escorted back to Hogwarts under guard.
At the school gates, Professor McGonagall paced anxiously. Spotting Argus and the students, she hurried over. "Merlin's beard, you're back! Everyone all right?"
"We're fine, Professor," Argus assured her, handing over his roster. "This covers most of us—the rest are still in Hogsmeade. I've sent a copy to Professor Flitwick via the Aurors. Check this for anyone missing."
"You've been invaluable today, Mr. Grindelwald," McGonagall said gratefully, scanning the parchment. The mixed houses had caused some chaos, but it beat the earlier pandemonium.
"Mr. Filch, fetch the departure log for this outing?" she added, turning to him with an apologetic glance at Argus. "And Mr. Grindelwald, could you escort them to their common rooms? Severus and Filius are out searching Hogsmeade for stragglers. It's just Pomona and me here—I'm manning the gate while she checks the castle."
"Of course, Professor. I'll see them safely there," Argus said with a reassuring smile, betraying no frustration.
McGonagall's respect deepened; the boy handled crises with remarkable poise.
The ordeal dragged until noon. Hogwarts staff and Aurors concluded Sirius Black had either fled or gone to ground elsewhere. Students trickled back under escort, buzzing with lunchtime chatter in the Great Hall.
"Honeydukes is brilliant, but Zonko's Joke Shop is where the real fun's at!" one Gryffindor enthused.
"Pity we missed the Shrieking Shack—it's supposed to be the creepiest spot around!"
"Think Black's already inside Hogwarts? Or still lurking in Hogsmeade?"
"Nah, the professors and Aurors have combed the village half a dozen times. If he was there, they'd have nabbed him by now."
"Merlin's beard! How did the Ministry let a monster like that escape Azkaban?"
Their debate cut short as Dumbledore rose silently from the staff table, clearing his throat to command attention. McGonagall tapped her glass: "Quiet, everyone!"
Dumbledore's face was grave. "You've all heard whispers of recent events in our world. I promise Hogwarts will spare no effort to safeguard you. For your protection, the castle will enter lockdown—immediately."
"House heads, coordinate with your deans to manage arrangements."
Argus, mid-bite, kept his composure. Across the hall, Professor Lupin shifted uneasily on the staff bench. He doubted his knowledge of the castle's secret passages outmatched Dumbledore's decades-long familiarity. What if the lockdown trapped Sirius inside? The man couldn't survive indefinitely in the Shrieking Shack—starving, perhaps reduced to scavenging as his Animagus.
The hall erupted in murmurs. Last year, the Slytherin Chamber crisis had confined them; now, barely months later, restrictions returned. Students grumbled—Hogwarts was for learning, not prison.
Dumbledore raised a hand for silence. "Our ghosts and portraits have been vigilant for anomalies. Mr. Filch will oversee this watch."
Filch hobbled up, his glare raking the students—softening only at Argus—before resuming his scowl.
"Prefects, compile attendance rolls by house and grade this afternoon. Total students, year groups, and gender breakdowns—report to your head."
He paused. "Now, enjoy your lunch. I hope I haven't ruined it."
Dumbledore departed without eating, heading to his office. House heads wolfed down bites before hurrying off to tally numbers—a straightforward task of basic counts.
Argus delegated to Daphne Greengrass and the others, unconcerned.
Night fell swiftly. With a resonant boom, the castle gates sealed, and Hogwarts slipped into uneasy quiet
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