After calling to the large black dog for a while and seeing that it had no intention of approaching, Hermione ceased her efforts. She pursed her lips, stood up, brushed back her hair, and caught up with Glenn.
Retrieving the monitoring terminal screen from her protective charm's spatial compartment, Hermione concentrated, focusing on The Shrieking Shack's surveillance footage while gently sliding her index finger across the display.
The next second, images of herself and Glenn, along with the black dog in the corner, materialized on the screen.
Based on this visual, Hermione determined the location of the surveillance equipment Glenn had previously installed and glanced upward toward that position.
Hmm...
As expected, she couldn't detect anything—Glenn's concealment magic was functioning perfectly.
Hermione shrugged, then continued swiping the terminal screen, shifting the surveillance view to The Shrieking Shack's second floor. After observing for several moments, she redirected it toward the underground passage leading into Hogwarts.
Everything appeared pitch black with poor visibility. The thermal sensing mode only activated when detecting living creatures.
Hermione continued scrolling through the display with considerable fascination, awaiting Glenn's completion of his inspection.
Meanwhile, Glenn's mission here proved quite straightforward—conducting a thorough examination of The Shrieking Shack and the secret passage's specific structural details. During his previous visit, he'd hastily installed and connected surveillance equipment before departing, without conducting careful observation. Hence today's expedition.
After ascending and descending the structure, he reached his conclusion.
"I suppose the secret passage is where I should focus my efforts..."
His assessment was already crystallizing.
After all, The Shrieking Shack was genuinely nothing more than an ordinary, dilapidated wooden cottage. Designing anti-enemy defensive installations within it seemed impractical.
Firstly, concealing such devices or their activation would prove extremely difficult. Secondly, after the devices engaged, enemies could easily escape.
Far better to tamper with the secret passage itself, just like Hogwarts' other hidden corridors—lure them into the trap, then spring it shut.
For instance, Glenn had already positioned explosive devices and reconstruction mechanisms at most secret passages' entrances and exits. Combined with the detection and warning systems he planned to install, the moment anyone entered a passage, the monitoring terminal would receive signals from the warning devices. If necessary, he could directly detonate the entrance and exit installations while activating reconstruction devices to use alchemical arrays for reforming collapsed areas, effectively trapping intruders within a sealed chamber.
Following additional alchemical reinforcement of the passage's interior walls, the secret corridor with both entrances sealed would become an utterly inescapable "trap."
As for what manner of alchemical devices to install in the passages' middle sections...
That would depend entirely upon the system designer's benevolence.
Unfortunately, the designer was Glenn.
Poison, fire, live burial, explosions, or the spatial distortion caused by his envisioned mobile walls...
The possibilities were endless.
"Let's depart. We'll return to Hogwarts through the secret passage."
Having completed his contemplation, Glenn addressed Hermione, then approached the wardrobe within The Shrieking Shack and moved it aside.
Behind the wardrobe, the dark secret passage entrance revealed itself.
"Oh? Returning directly via the secret passage?"
"Indeed. As long as we ultimately reach Hogwarts, whether we use the main entrance is irrelevant, since Hogwarts lacks any system for registering entry and departure."
"Moreover, traversing this underground passage to reach the entrance within Hogwarts requires more time than our outbound journey. To avoid excessive delay, let's proceed directly."
With this explanation, Glenn turned sideways toward Hermione.
"You descend first. I'll secure this entrance. It's rather narrow below, so mind your head."
"Right then, I'll go down first. Follow quickly."
Carrying the monitoring terminal, Hermione stepped into the secret passage, her right hand against the wall as her figure vanished from sight.
Glenn followed immediately, entering the passage and repositioning the wardrobe. Glenn raised his hand and began employing alchemy.
"Before completing my arrangements, this exit should remain sealed."
Black light flickered as the walls and floor surrounding the passage entrance began melting and reorganizing, gradually fusing until they appeared identical to other wall sections.
Glenn continued retreating, maintaining his alchemical work as soil within the tunnel converged toward the center, ultimately blocking all space behind The Shrieking Shack's wall.
The task was complete.
Glenn lowered his hand and began striding quickly down the serpentine passage, preparing to rejoin Hermione.
Outside the passage exit Glenn had sealed, the black dog that had been eavesdropping for considerable time opened its eyes.
"Never expected young wizards to know about this secret passage nowadays. Wonder if they understand how to handle that violent Whomping Willow."
"Though the methods they employed upon entering seemed rather extraordinary, and they showed no hesitation when accessing the passage. I suppose they should manage fine. Even without knowing about that 'switch,' they should possess means of safe escape."
"Impressive."
Sirius Black contemplated this, then slowly stood and approached the food Hermione had left behind.
"Their hearts are genuinely kind, though. That brown-haired young lady even provided food for me. They must both be wonderful Gryffindor children."
Sirius Black, transformed into a black dog through Animagus metamorphosis, had no intention of reverting to human form. He maintained his current body and began devouring the food ravenously.
After all, an animal's physiology was easier to satisfy.
Crunch crunch, crunch crunch.
To lose sufficient weight for escaping Azkaban in black dog form, followed by constant hiding and extensive travel, he'd had no opportunity for proper meals, let alone eating his fill. Now he was genuinely exhausted and famished. The food Hermione had arranged on the plate arrived like blessed relief, allowing Sirius Black to finally enjoy a substantial meal.
"Burp."
With no one present, Sirius simply collapsed onto the ground, the entire black dog lying sideways with a distended belly. He probably wouldn't desire movement for quite some time.
After resting and digesting briefly, Sirius propped himself up and stood, approaching the newspaper on the floor.
His canine eyes suddenly became razor-sharp and ferocious, as if they might emit crimson light.
Unconscious growling emerged from the black dog's throat. Perhaps only he understood his current thoughts.
After prolonged staring, Sirius finally regained awareness and used his sharp claws to deeply score the newspaper, the marks visibly penetrating the wooden flooring.
"Ah, now that I'm fed and watered, it's time to find you."
"Peter... just wait for me."
Sirius's voice resonated within the black dog's consciousness. Then he approached the secret passage entrance inside The Shrieking Shack.
"So much time has passed, and those two young wizards haven't returned. They should have successfully reached Hogwarts."
With this thought, he used his paws to push aside the wardrobe.
What appeared before him was a familiar wall that absolutely shouldn't exist.
...
"Where the bloody hell is my secret passage?!"
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