Grim Defeat (PA)

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Grim Defeat is the ninth chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

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Dumbledore sends the Gryffindors to the Great Hall. Slytherins, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws arrive shortly thereafter. McGonagall and Flitwick close all doors into the chamber, and the headmaster announces that a search of the Hogwarts castle is in order; all students will have to spend the night in the Great Hall, with the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Turning to Percy, he determines that disturbances ought to be reported to him at once, via one of the ghosts.

With a wave of Albus' hand, all tables disappear, and hundreds of purple sleeping bags cover the ground. The teachers leave, and Percy determines that all lights will be out in ten minutes. Hermione wonders whether Sirius is still in the castle; she notes that it is lucky that Black chose Hallowe'en night to break into the Gryffindor Tower—it is empty.

Everyone speculates as to how Sirius gained entry to the castle. A Ravenclaw points out Apparition; a fifth-year Hufflepuff suggests disguises. Dean Thomas thinks he could have flown in. Hermione irritably turns to Ron and Harry and asks if she is the only person who's bothered to read Hogwarts: A History ("Probably," Ron replies): the castle is protected by more than just walls. There are several charms to avoid stealth; Apparition isn't allowed in the grounds; and what disguise could fool the Dementors? Considering Filch knows all the passageways, they, too, should be covered.

Percy announces that lights will be off now. The only souces of luminosity are the drifting ghosts, who are chatting with the Prefects, and the starlit ceiling.

A teacher reappears hourly to check on the students. Dumbledore comes at three in the morning and talks to Percy. When the Head Boy confirms that all is well, the headmaster decides that it is pointless to remove the students this late. A temporary guardian has been chosen for the Gryffindor portrait hole. The Fat Lady was hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor; she was very distressed after Sirius' attack on her after she refused to let him enter without a password. Dumbledore will ask Filch to restore her.

Snape appears moments afterwards, announcing that he has searched the entire third floor; Filch has done the dungeons. The Astronomy Tower, Trelawney's room and the Owlery have also been combed. Black is nowhere to be found; Dumbledore is not surprised.

The Potions master asks whether Albus has already any theory as to how Sirius gained entrance ("Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."), and reminds the headmaster of a conversation they had before the start of term, regarding Snape's discomfort with the appointing of a certain someone. It seems impossible for Black to have entered the castle without inside help. But Dumbledore states categorically that no one inside would have helped Sirius to enter.

Albus leaves to inform the Dementors that the search is complete. Percy wonders whether the creatures did not wish to help looking. "Oh yes," the headmaster says coolly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

Snape stares after Dumbledore with resentment on his face. Harry glances at Ron and Hermione; all three heard the entire conversation.

Theories

Everyone talks of nothing but Black for days. Hannah Abbott spends much of the next Herbology lesson telling everyone that she thinks Sirius can turn into a flowering shrub.

Sir Cadogan and his fat pony replace the Fat Lady. He challenges people to duels all the time and makes up new and insanely complicated passwords at least twice a day. When Seamus complains to Percy, the Head Boy states that Sir Cadogan was the only painting brave enough to volunteer; none of the others wanted the position.