By now, every candle in the Great Hall had been extinguished.
The enchanted ceiling reflected the night sky outside, glittering with countless stars.
The only light beneath it came from the silvery ghosts drifting through the hall.
For once, they had abandoned their usual carefree attitudes.
During this emergency, they carried out their duties with remarkable seriousness.
Thanks to their ability to pass through walls, they searched every hidden corner of the castle for traces of Sirius Black.
They floated back and forth, quietly exchanging information with the professors and prefects.
It was obvious they were reporting everything they had discovered.
Sleeping together in the Great Hall was a novel experience for Lewis.
Looking up at the star-filled ceiling while listening to the whispers echoing throughout the hall…
It almost felt like camping outdoors.
"Do you think Black is still inside the castle?"
Hermione whispered from Lewis's left.
The Ravenclaw and Gryffindor sleeping bags had been placed next to one another, and she'd deliberately chosen the spot closest to him.
"I doubt it."
Cho answered casually from Lewis's other side.
"I don't think anyone would be foolish enough to stay at the scene after breaking in."
"Especially with Professor Dumbledore here."
"Then… how did he get inside in the first place?"
Ciri's voice drifted down from above.
"There are Dementors guarding every entrance."
"He must have Apparated!"
Harry answered immediately.
Only to receive a sigh from Hermione.
"If you'd actually read Hogwarts: A History…"
"You'd know Apparition doesn't work inside Hogwarts."
Harry immediately flushed bright red.
He had completely forgotten that.
"Maybe he used one of the secret passages."
Ron casually sold out his twin brothers.
"Fred and George said Hogwarts has loads of hidden tunnels."
"Maybe he flew in!"
Aiyu enthusiastically contributed her own theory.
"Maybe he has a little dragon too! One that carried him into the castle!"
"Oh no, Aiyu."
Lewis gently rubbed her head.
"Black couldn't possibly have a dragon."
"As a matter of fact…"
"I'm the only one lucky enough to have a little dragon who can fly me into Hogwarts."
"Aiyu is one of a kind."
"Really? Really?"
The little dragon's eyes sparkled.
"I'm really one of a kind?"
"Then…"
"Can one-of-a-kind Aiyu have another cookie?"
"But it's bedtime…"
Lewis sighed in surrender.
"Fine."
"Just one."
He broke off a small butter cookie and handed it to her.
Then…
He noticed every girl nearby staring at him.
"…Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Oh, honestly…"
"You're all becoming as childish as Aiyu."
"What? You want cookies too?"
Grumbling good-naturedly…
Lewis pulled out several more cookies and handed them around.
The girls received theirs.
Harry and Ron got lucky as well.
Even a few nearby students were given some.
Their bedtime conversation was rapidly turning into a midnight tea party.
Everyone enthusiastically discussed possible ways Black might have entered Hogwarts.
Some guessed he'd disguised himself.
Others suggested Polyjuice Potion.
Every theory sounded more ridiculous than the last.
"Lights out!"
Percy's voice suddenly rang across the hall.
"It's bedtime!"
"I want everyone inside their sleeping bags!"
"And stop talking!"
"Listen to him."
George sneered.
"The authority of our dear Head Boy."
"I think 'Humongous Bighead' suits him much better."
Fred added.
The surrounding students burst into laughter.
Lewis's eyes suddenly lit up.
He gently patted Aiyu.
The little dragon immediately understood.
Grinning mischievously, she vanished beneath an invisibility spell before quietly flying toward Percy.
Using Aiyu as the casting medium…
Lewis silently performed a spell.
Moments later…
Percy resumed patrolling.
George and Fred suddenly froze.
Percy's shiny Head Boy badge had somehow transformed into one reading:
HUMONGOUS BIGHEAD
The twins exploded into uncontrollable laughter.
"What's so funny?"
Percy frowned.
"Who laughed?"
But after George and Fred pointed at the badge…
More and more students noticed it.
Within seconds…
Two people's laughter became an orchestra.
Percy's attempts to restore order collapsed completely.
Hidden beneath Lewis's blanket…
Aiyu wagged her tail excitedly.
"This was Aiyu's prank!"
"Aiyu is the greatest little dragon!"
Just then…
The Great Hall doors opened.
Professor Flitwick hurried inside with two pale-faced boys.
They were Lewis's roommates—
Steve Cornfoot and Kevin Entwhistle.
"What happened to them?"
Lewis asked with concern.
Seeing it was Lewis, Flitwick explained immediately.
"They stayed behind in the library."
"They never heard the announcement."
"When they returned…"
"They encountered several Dementors searching the corridors."
The route into the Great Hall wasn't entirely indoors.
Some sections crossed the castle grounds.
The two boys wore expressions of emptiness and despair.
The Dementors had clearly drained a great deal of their happiness.
Lewis immediately handed each of them a butter cookie.
Ever since adopting Aiyu…
He had developed the habit of carrying plenty of them in his pockets.
Flitwick helped the boys find sleeping bags before hurrying off to locate Madam Pomfrey.
Watching Steve and Kevin nibble on their cookies without showing much improvement…
An idea suddenly occurred to Lewis.
Of course.
If anyone could restore happiness instantly…
It would be a Carnival Dragon.
"Aiyu."
He looked toward the curious little dragon.
"I need your help."
"Can you use your powers to cheer them up?"
"So…"
The little dragon's eyes lit up.
"It's Aiyu's singing time?"
"Aiyu loves singing!"
Delighted to finally be useful…
She happily cleared her throat.
Then a clear, melodious song echoed throughout the Great Hall.
"La~ la-la-la…"
"La-la…"
"Laaaa~"
"La-la-la…"
"La-la…"
"Laaaa~"
"La~ la-la-la…"
"La-la…"
"Laaaa~"
"La-la-la…"
"La-la…"
"Laaaa~"
As her song spread through the hall…
The Carnival Dragon's Festival of Joy ability quietly filled the room.
Steve and Kevin suddenly felt warmth blooming inside their frozen hearts.
Memories of happier days flooded back into their minds.
The Dementors' lingering influence was rapidly suppressed.
Color returned to their faces.
Within moments…
The two boys were smiling again.
As expected…
A Carnival Dragon's powers were the perfect counter to Dementors.
By the time Madam Pomfrey hurried over with Professor Flitwick…
Steve and Kevin were already laughing and chatting happily with their friends.
When everyone learned Aiyu had been responsible…
The little dragon instantly became the hero of the evening.
Madam Pomfrey affectionately rubbed Aiyu's head.
"You're such a wonderful little dragon."
"You've done something truly heroic."
"Yay! Yay!"
Aiyu bounced excitedly in place.
"Aiyu is the most capable little dragon!"
"Just like a real hero!"
"Because we are real heroes!"
She even performed a tiny celebratory dance.
Of course…
Aiyu's magical singing came with one unavoidable side effect.
Steve and Kevin weren't the only ones who had heard it.
Every student in the Great Hall had.
Instead of falling asleep…
The entire hall became so cheerful and excited that everyone stayed awake celebrating for most of the night before finally drifting off to sleep.
Thus…
That extraordinary night finally came to an end.
But the consequences of Black's intrusion…
Were only just beginning.
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