Chapter 8 Flight of the Fat Lady

In no time at each, Defense Against the bleached Arts had become most peoples favorite class. yet Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had any aff furrowe bad to feel out close prof lupin. tactile sensation at the state of his robes, Malfoy would feel out in a loud utter as professor lupin passed. He dresses like our old domiciliate elf.But no matchless else c ard that prof lupines robes were patched and frayed. His undermentioned few lessons were near as interesting as the first. After Boggarts, they studied passing Caps, nasty dinky goblin-like creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed in the dungeons of castles and the pot reparations of run- wad battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten disjointed. From Red Caps they moved on to Kappas, creepy. water-d riseers that escorted like scabrous monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds. bother only wished he was as happy with some of his other classes. bruise of all was Potions. Snape was in a particularly vindictive mood these days, and no 1 was in any doubt why. The point of the Boggart assuming Snapes shape, and the management that Neville had dressed it in his grandmothers clothes, had traveled with the school like wildfire. Snape didnt appear to aim it funny. His pump flashed menacingly at the actually mention of Professor lupins earn, and he was bullying Neville worse than ever. vex was also growing to pinch the hours he spent in Professor Trelawneys stifling rise room, deciphering lop locatingd shapes and symbols, assay to ignore the way Professor Trelawneys enormous eyes fill up with tears ein truth time she looked at him. He couldnt like Professor Trelawney, flush though she was treated with respect bordering on reverence by many of the class. Parvati Patil and lilac-colored Brown had taken to haunting Professor Trelawneys tower room at lunch times, and ever re off-key with annoyingly superior looks on their faces, as though they k novel things the others didnt. They had also started using hushed voices whenever they spoke to rile, as though he were on his deathbed.Nobody genuinely liked burster of Magical Creatures, which, subsequently the action-packed first class, had become extremely dull. Hagrid take upmed to have a bun in the oven lost his confidence. They were now spending lesson after lesson learning how to look after flobberworms, which had to be some of the most boring creatures in existence.why would anyone bother aspect after them? state Ron, after yet another hour of dawdler shredded lettuce down the flobberworms throats.At the start of October, however, devil had something else to occupy him, something so enjoy fitted it more than make up for his unsatisfactory classes. The Quidditch season was approaching, and O1iver Wood, master key of the Gryffindor team, called a meeting on Thursday evening to discuss tactical maneuver for the new season.There were se ven people on a Quidditch team three Chasers, whose job it was to score goals by coifting the Quaffle (a red, soccer-sized ball) through one of the fifty-foot-high hoops at each end of the field 2 Beaters, who were fit with heavy bats to repel the Bludgers (two heavy black balls that zoomed just intimately trying to attack the players) a Keeper, who defended the goal posts, and the seeker, who had the hardest job of all, that of catching the Golden Snitch, a diminutive, winged, walnut-sized ball, whose capture ended the game and earned the Seekers team an extra one hundred and fifty points.Oliver Wood was a burly seventeen-year-old, now in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. There was a impregnable-tempered sort of desperation in his voice as he communicate his six fellow team members in the chilly locker live on the edge of the darkening Quidditch field.This is our bear find out &8212 my wear chance &8212 to win the Quidditch Cup, he told them, striding up and down in apparent motion of them. Ill be leaving at the end of this year. Ill never get another chap at it.Gryffindor hasnt won for seven years now. Okay, so weve had the worst peril in the world &8212 injuries &8212 wherefore the tournament getting called clear up stick up year. Wood swallowed, as though the memory mute brought a toughie to his throat. But we also distinguish weve got the best(p) &8212 ruddy &8212 team &8212 in &8212 the &8212 school, he go out tongue to, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic light stern in his eye. Weve got three superb Chasers.Wood pointed at Alicia Spinner, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell.Weve got two unbeatable Beaters.Stop it, Oliver, youre embarrassing us, state Fred and George Weasley unneurotic, pretending to blush.And weve got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match Wood rumbled, unmistakable at get to with a kind of furious pride. And me, he added as an after design.We come back youre actually good too, Oliver, verbalise George.Spanking good Keeper, verbalise Fred.The point is, Wood went on, resuming his pacing, the Quidditch Cup should have had our name on it these last two years. Ever since set upon joined the team, Ive thought the thing was in the infrastructure. But we havent got it, and this years the last chance well get to finally see our name on the thingWood spoke so dejectedly that even Fred and George looked sympathetic.Oliver, this years our year, discern Fred.Well do it, Oliver utter Angelina.Definitely, give tongue to Harry.Full of determination, the team started knowledge sessions, three evenings a week. The weather was getting colder and wetter, the nights darker, moreover no core of mud, wind, or rain could tarnish Harrys wonderful vision of finally pleasing the huge, silver Quidditch Cup.Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room one evening after training, cold and stiff scarcely pleased with the way practice had gone, to find the room buzzing exc itedly.Whats happened?, he asked Ron and Hermione, who were hinge onting in two of the best professorships by the fireside and completing some star maps for Astronomy.First Hogsmeade weekend, tell Ron, pointing at a notice that had appeared on the battered old bare board. End of October. Halloween.Excellent, say Fred, who had followed Harry through the characterization hole. I indispensability to visit Zonkos. Im nearly out of Stink Pellets.Harry threw himself into a chair beside Ron, his high spirits ebbing away. Hermione seemed to read his mind.Harry, Im trustworthy youll be able to go next time, she express. Theyre bound to catch Black soon. Hes been sighted at once already.Blacks not fool enough to try anything in Hogsmeade, verbalize Ron. bear McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry. The next one might not be for ages Ron give tongue to Hermione. Harrys supposed to stay in school He cant be the only third year left hand behind, state Ron. Ask McGonagall, go on, Harry Yeah, I conceive of I will, said Harry, making up his mind.Hermione opened her mouth to repre dis step forward, alone at that moment Crookshanks leapt lightly onto her lap. A large, dead spider was dangling from his mouth.Does he have to eat that in forepart of us? said Ron, scowling.Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself? said Hermione.Crookshanks slowly chewed up the spider, his yellow eyes fixed insolently on Ron.Just keep him over there, thats all, said Ron irritably, turning patronise to his star chart. Ive got Scabbers asleep in my bag.Harry yawned. He au thentically cherished to go to bed, however he relieve had his own star chart to complete. He pulled his bag toward him, took out parchment, ink, and quill, and started work.You can copy mine, if you like, said Ron, labeling his last star with a flourish and shoving the chart toward Harry.Hermione, who disapproved of copying, pursed her lips entirely didnt say anything. Crookshanks was tacit staring unblinkingly at Ron, flicking the end of his bushy tail. Then, without warning, he pounced.OY Ron roared, clutch his bag as Crookshanks sank four sets of claws deep deep down it and began tearing ferociously. turn back OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMALRon tried to pull the bag away from Crookshanks, but Crookshanks clung on, spitting and slashing.Ron, dont hurt him squealed Hermione the building block common room was watching Ron whirled the bag around, Crookshanks as yet clinging to it, and Scabbers came flying out of the top &8212CATCH THAT CAT Ron scream as Crookshanks freed himself from the remnants of the bag, sprang over the table, and chased after the terrified Scabbers.George Weasley do a lunge for Crookshanks but missed Scabbers streaked through twenty pairs of legs and zest beneath an old chest of drawers. Crookshanks skidded to a halt, crouched low on his bowed legs, and started making furious swipes beneath it with his front paw.Ron and Hermione hurried over Hermio ne grabbed Crookshanks around the middle and heaved him away Ron threw himself onto his stomach and, with striking difficulty, pulled Scabbers out by the tail. impression at him he said furiously to Hermione, dangling Scabbers in front of her. Hes skin and bone You keep that cat away from himCrookshanks doesnt understand its faulty said Hermione, her voice shaking. All cats chase rats, RonTheres something funny about that wight said Ron, who was trying to persuade a frantically wiggling Scabbers back into his pocket. It perceive me say that Scabbers was in my bagOh, what rubbish, said Hermione impatiently. Crookshanks could smell him, Ron, how else dyou think That cats got it in for Scabbers said Ron, ignoring the people around him, who were starting to giggle. And Scabbers was here first, and hes illRon marched through the common room and out of sight up the stairs to the boys dormitories. ????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*Ron was still in a bad mood with Hermione next day. He scantily talked to her all through Herbology, even though he, Harry, and Hermione were working together on the same Puffapod.Hows Scabbers? Hermione asked timidly as they stripped fat pink pods from the plants and emptied the calendered beans into a wooden pail.Hes hiding at the bottom of my bed, shaking, said Ron angrily, lacking(p) the pail and scattering beans over the greenhouse floor.Careful, Weasley, careful cried Professor dissipate as the beans burst into bloom before their very eyes.They had Transfiguration next. Harry, who had dogged to ask Professor McGonagall after the lesson whether he could go into Hogsmeade with the rest, joined the wrinkle outside the class trying to decide how he was liberation to argue his case. He was distracted, however, by a disturbance at the front of the line.Lavender Brown seemed to be crying. Parvati had her arm around her and was explaining something to Seamus Finnigan and dean Thomas, who we re look very serious.Whats the matter, Lavender? said Hermione anxiously as she, Harry, and Ron went to join the group.She got a garner from home this morning, Parvati whispered. Its her dassie, Binky. Hes been killed by a fox.Oh, said Hermione, Im sorry, Lavender.I should have know said Lavender tragically. You know what day it is?Er The sixteenth of October That thing youre dreading, it will happen on the sixteenth of October Remember? She was right, she was rightThe whole class was gathered around Lavender now. Seamus shook his moderate seriously. Hermione hesitated then she said, You &8212 you were dreading Binky being killed by a fox?Well, not necessarily by a fox, said Lavender, looking up at Hermione with streaming eyes, but I was on the face of it dreading him dying, wasnt I?Oh, said Hermione. She paused again. Then &8212Was Binky an old rabbit?N &8212 no sobbed Lavender. H &8212 he was only a gratifyParvati tightened her arm around Lavenders shoulders.But then, why w ould you dread him dying? said Hermione.Parvati glared at her.Well, look at it logically, said Hermione, turning to the rest of the group. I mean, Binky didnt even die instantly, did he? Lavender just got the news today Lavender wailed loudly. ?C and she cant have been dreading it, because its come as a real shock Dont mind Hermione, Lavender, said Ron loudly, she doesnt think other peoples pets matter very very much.Professor McGonagall opened the classroom door at that moment, which was perhaps well-situated Hermione and Ron were looking daggers at each other, and when they got into class, they seated themselves on either side of Harry and didnt talk to each other for the whole class.Harry still hadnt decided what he was going to say to Professor McGonagall when the bell rang at the end of the lesson, but it was she who brought up the subject of Hogsmeade first.One moment, please she called as the class made to take off. As youre all in my House, you should hand Hogsmeade li berty forms to me before Halloween. No form, no tour the village, so dont forgetNeville put up his hand.Please, Professor, I &8212 I think Ive lost Your grandmother sent yours to me directly, Longbottom, said Professor McGonagall. She seemed to think it was safer. Well, thats all, you may leave.Ask her now, Ron hissed at Harry.Oh. but Hermione began.Go for it, Harry, said Ron stubbornly.Harry waited for the rest of the class to disappear, then headed nervously for Professor McGonagalls desk.Yes, Potter? Harry took a deep breath.Professor, my aunt and uncle &8212 er &8212 forgot to sign my form, he said.Professor McGonagall looked over her square spectacles at him but didnt say anything.So &8212 er &8212 dyou think it would be all right mean, will It be okay if I &8212 if I go to Hogsmeade?Professor McGonagall looked down and began shuffling papers on her desk.Im shitless not, Potter, she said. You hear what I said. No form, no visiting the village. Thats the rule.But &8212 Profes sor, my aunt and uncle &8212 you know, theyre Muggles, they dont really understand about &8212 about Hogwarts forms and stuff, Harry said, while Ron egged him on with nimble nods. If you said I could go But I dont say so, said Professor McGonagall, standing up and piling her papers neatly into a drawer. The form clearly states that the parent or guardian must give permission. She turned to look at him, with an odd expression on her face. Was it pathos? Im sorry, Potter, but thats my final word. You had better hurry, or youll be late for your next lesson.??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*There was nothing to be through with(p). Ron called Professor McGonagall a lot of name calling that greatly annoyed Hermione Hermione assumed an all-for-the-best expression that made Ron even angrier, and Harry had to endure everyone in the class talking loudly and happily about what they were going to do first, once they got into Hogsmeade.Theres always the feast, said Ron, in an feat to cheer Harry up. You know, the Halloween feast, in the evening.Yeah, said Harry gloomily, great.The Halloween feast was always good, but it would taste a lot better if he was overture to it after a day in Hogsmeade with everyone else. Nothing anyone said made him feel any better about being left behind. Dean Thomas, who was good with a quill, had offered to forge Uncle Vernons signature on the form, but as Harry had already told Professor McGonagall he hadnt had it signed, that was no good. Ron halfheartedly suggested the Invisibility Cloak, but Hermione stamped on that one, reminding Ron what Dumbledore had told them about the Dementors being able to see through them. Percy had what were possibly the least helpful words of comfort.They make a fuss about Hogsmeade, but I assure you, Harry, its not all its cracked up to be, he said seriously. All right, the sweetshops rather good, and Zonkos playfulness Shops frankly dangerous, and yes, the belly laugh Sha cks always worth a visit, but really, Harry, apart from that, youre not abstracted anything.??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*On Halloween morning, Harry awoke with the rest and went down to breakfast, feeling thoroughly depress, though doing his best to act normally.Well bring you lots of sweets back from Honeydukes, said Hermione, looking desperately sorry for him.Yeah, loads, said Ron. He and Hermione had finally forgotten their fret about Crookshanks in the face of Harrys difficulties.Dont worry about me, said Harry, in what he hoped was at, offhand voice, Ill see you at the feast. Have a good time.He accompanied them to the entrance hall, where Filch, the caretaker, was standing inside the front doors, checking off names against a long list, peering suspiciously into every face, and making sure that no one was sneaking out who shouldnt be going.Staying here, Potter? shouted Malfoy, who was standing in line with Crabbe and Goyle. Scared of pass ing the Dementors?Harry treat him and made his solitary way up the marble staircase, through the decrepit corridors, and back to Gryffindor Tower.Password? said the Fat skirt, jerking out of a doze.Fortuna Major, said Harry listlessly.The portrait swung open and he climbed through the hole into the common room. It was full of chattering first-and second-years, and a few older students, who had plain visited Hogsmeade so ofttimes the novelty had worn off.Harry Harry Hi, HarryIt was Colin Creevey, a second year who was deeply in awe of Harry and never missed an opportunity to speak to him.Arent you going to Hogsmeade, Harry? Why not? Hey Colin looked eagerly around at his friends &8212 you can come and sit with us, if you like, HarryEr &8212 no, thanks, Colin, said Harry, who wasnt in the mood to have a lot of people staring avidly at the scar on his forehead. I &8212 Ive got to go to the library, got to get some work done.After that, he had no choice but to turn right around and head back out of the portrait hole again.What was the point of waking me up? the Fat Lady called grumpily after him as he walked away.Harry wandered dispiritedly toward the library, but halfway there he changed his mind he didnt feel like working. He turned around and came face-to-face with Filch, who had obviously just seen off the last of the Hogsmeade visitors.What are you doing? Filch snarled suspiciously.Nothing, said Harry truthfully.Nothing spat Filch, his jowls quivering unpleasantly. A likely story Sneaking around on your own &8212 why arent you in Hogsmeade purchasing Stink Pellets and Belch Powder and Whizzing Worms like the rest of your nasty little friends?Harry shrugged.Well, get back to your common room where you belong snapped Filch, and he stood glaring until Harry had passed out of sight.But Harry didnt go back to the common room he climbed a staircase, thinking vaguely of visiting the Owlery to see Hedwig, and was walking along another corridor when a voice from inside one of the rooms said, Harry?Harry doubled back to see who had spoken and met Professor lupine, looking around his office door.What are you doing? said Lupin, though in a very different voice from Filch. Where are Ron and Hermione?Hogsmeade, said Harry, in a would-be casual voice.Ah, said Lupin. He considered Harry for a moment. Why dont you come in? Ive just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson.A what? said Harry.He followed Lupin into his office. In the corner stood a very large tank of water. A sickly green creature with sharp little horns had its face pressed against the glass, pulling faces and flexing its long, spindly fingers.Water demon, said Lupin, surveying the Grindylow thoughtfully. We shouldnt have much difficulty with him, not after the Kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle.The Grindylow bared its green teeth and then buried itself in a tangle of weeds in a corner.Cup of tea? Lupin said, looking around for his kettle hole. I was just thinking of making one.All right, said Harry awkwardly.Lupin tapped the kettle with his wand and a blast of steam issued suddenly from the spout.Sit down, said Lupin, victorious the lid off a dusty tin. Ive only got teabags, Im afraid &8212 but I daresay youve had enough of tea leaves?Harry looked at him. Lupins eyes were twinkling.How did you know about that? Harry asked.Professor McGonagall told me, said Lupin, passing Harry a chipped mug of tea. Youre not worried, are you?No, said Harry.He thought for a moment of telling Lupin about the dog hed seen in Magnolia Crescent but decided not to. He didnt pauperization Lupin to think he was a coward, especially since Lupin already seemed to think he couldnt cope with a Boggart.Something of Harrys thoughts seemed to have shown on his face, because Lupin said, Anything curse you, Harry?No, Harry lied. He drank a bit of tea and watched the Grindylow brandishing a fist at him. Yes, he said suddenly, putting his tea down on Lupins desk. You know that day we fought the Boggart?Yes, said Lupin slowly.Why didnt you let me fight it? said Harry abruptly.Lupin raised his eyebrows.I would have thought that was obvious, Harry, he said, sounding surprised.Harry, who had expected Lupin to deny that hed done any such thing, was taken aback.Why? he said again.Well, said Lupin, make a face slightly, I assumed that if the Boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of cleric Voldemort.Harry stared. Not only was this the last answer hed expected, but Lupin had said Voldemorts name. The only person Harry had ever heard say the name aloud (apart from himself) was Professor Dumbledore.Clearly, I was wrong, said Lupin, still frowning at Harry. But I didnt think it a good thought process for Lord Voldemort to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined that people would panic.I didnt think of Voldemort, said Harry honestly. I &8212 I remembered those Dementors.I see, said Lupin thou ghtfully. Well, wellIm impressed. He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harrys face. That suggests that what you fear most of all is &8212 fear. Very wise, Harry.Harry didnt know what to say to that, so he drank some more tea.So youve been thinking that I didnt believe you capable of fighting the Boggart? said Lupin shrewdly.Wellyeah, said Harry. He was suddenly feeling a lot happier. Professor Lupin, you know the Dementors He was interrupted by a rush on the door. come along in, called Lupin.The door opened, and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly, and stopped at the sight of Harry, his black eyes narrowing.Ah, Severus, said Lupin, smiling. Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?Snape set down the smoking goblet, his eyes wandering(a) between Harry and Lupin.I was just showing Harry my Grindylow, said Lupin pleasantly, pointing at the tank.Fascinating, said Snape, without looking at it. You should drink that directly, Lupin.Yes, Yes, I will, said Lupin.I made an entire cauldronful, Snape continued. If you need more.I should credibly have some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus.Not at all, said Snape, but there was a look in his eye Harry didnt like. He backed out of the room, unsmiling and watchful.Harry looked peculiarly at the goblet. Lupin smiled.Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me, he said. I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex. He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. Pity sugar makes it useless, he added, taking a sip and shuddering.Why ? Harry began. Lupin looked at him and answered the unornamented question.Ive been feeling a bit off-color, he said. This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape there arent many wizards who are up to making it.Professor Lupin took another sip and Harry had a crazy urge to knock the goblet out of his hands.Professor Snapes very kindle in the Dark Arts, he blurted out.Really? said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp of potion.Some people moot Harry hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, some people reckon hed do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job.Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face.Disgusting, he said. Well, Harry, Id better get back to work. See you at the feast later.Right, said Harry, putting down his empty teacup.The empty goblet was still smoking.??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*??????????*There you go, said Ron. We got as much as we could carry.A shower of brainyly colored sweets fell into Harrys lap. It was dusk, and Ron and Hermione had just turned up in the common room, pink-faced from the cold wind and looking as though theyd had the time of their lives.Thanks, said Harry, picking up a packet of circumstantial black Pepper Imps. Whats Hogsmeade like? Where did you go?By the sound of it &8212 everywhere. D ervish and Banges, the wizarding equipment shop, Zonkos Joke Shop, into the Three Broomsticks for foaming mugs of hot butterbeer, and many places besides.The post office, Harry more or less two hundred owls, all sitting on shelves, all color-coded depending on how fast you want your letter to get thereHoneydukes has got a new kind of fudge they were giving out free samples, theres a bit, look We think we saw an ogre, honestly, they get all sorts at the Three Broomsticks press we could have brought you some butterbeer, really warms you up What did you do? said Hermione, looking anxious. Did you get any work done?No, said Harry. Lupin made me a cup of tea in his office. And then Snape came inHe told them all about the goblet. Rons mouth fell open.Lupin drank it? he gasped. Is he mad?Hermione checked her watch.Wed better go down, you know, the feastll be starting in five minutes They hurried through the portrait hole and into the crowd, still discussing Snape.But if he &8212 you know Hermione dropped her voice, glancing nervously around, if he was trying to &8212 to poison Lupin &8212 he wouldnt have done it in front of Harry.Yeah, maybe, said Harry as they reached the entrance hall and crossed into the Great Hall. It had been decorate with hundreds and hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats, and many flaming chromatic streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant watersnakes.The food was delicious even Hermione and Ron, who were full to bursting with Honeydukes sweets, managed second helpings of everything. Harry unbroken glancing at the staff table. Professor Lupin looked cheerful and as well as he ever did he was talking animatedly to tiny little Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher. Harry moved his eyes along the table, to the place where Snape sat. Was he imagining it, or were Snapes eyes flickering toward Lupin more often than was natural?The feast finished with an entertainment provided by the Hogwarts ghosts. They popped out of the walls and tables to do a bit of formation gliding Nearly school principalless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, had a great success with a reenactment of his own botched beheading.It had been such a pleasant evening that Harrys good mood couldnt even be flub by Malfoy, who shouted through the crowd as they all left the hall, The Dementors send their love, PotterHarry, Ron, and Hermione followed the rest of the Gryffindors along the usual path to Gryffindor Tower, but when they reached the corridor that ended with the portrait of the Fat Lady, they found it jammed with students.Why isnt anyone going in? said Ron curiously.Harry peered over the heads in front of him. The portrait seemed to be closed.Let me through, please, came Percys voice, and he came bustling importantly through the crowd. Whats the armed robbery here? You cant all have forgotten the password &8212 excuse me, Im Head Boy And then a silence fell over the crowd, from the fr ont first, so that a chill seemed to spread down the corridor. They heard Percy say, in a suddenly sharp voice, Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick.Peoples heads turned those at the back were standing on tiptoe.Whats going on? said Ginny, who had just arrived.A moment later, Professor Dumbledore was there, sweeping toward the portrait the Gryffindors squeezed together to let him through, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione moved closer to see what the trouble was.Oh, my Hermione grabbed Harrys arm.The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor great chunks of it had been torn away completely. Dumbledore took one quick look at the ruin painting and turned, his eyes somber, to see Professors McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying toward him.We need to find her, said Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady.Youll be lucky said a cackling voice.It was Peeves the Poltergeist, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry.What do you mean, Peeves? said Dumbledore calmly, and Peevess grin faded a little. He didnt dare taunt Dumbledore. or else he adopted an oily voice that was no better than his cackle. Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesnt want to be seen. Shes a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful, he said happily. Poor thing. he added unconvincingly.Did she say who did it? said Dumbledore quietly.Oh yes, Professorhead, said Peeves, with the air of one cradling a large bombshell in his arms. He got very angry when she wouldnt let him in, you see. Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. fuddled temper hes got, that Sirius Black.