Once in the headmaster's office, Sirius found his eyes automatically drawn to the portrait of Phineas. He had forgotten to talk to the matching one located in Grimmauld Place recently and realised that he should have - his ancestor probably knew most, if not all, of the old goat's plans.
"Headmaster," Madam Bones greeted professionally, if not slightly cold.
"Madam Bones, how good to see you—and of course your companions are also welcome," the man said, his voice sounding genuine. It made Sirius want to curl his lip in distaste.
"Indeed. Headmaster, I have a warrant here for the arrest of one Gilderoy Lockhart," she said, not wanting to waste time
Albus sighed and made sure to look sad. "I see. However, I am very sorry to inform you that it appears as though Mr. Lockhart has somehow managed to find his way out of Hogwarts."
Sirius allowed an eyebrow to rise. "How unfortunate."
Albus held back his snarl. "Forgive me, I do not see how he managed to accomplish this."
Amelia didn't allow her anger to show. "I was lead to believe you had locked him into the wards?" "Yes, but—"
"—but?" Lucius interrupted, pleased to see the old man was no longer infallible.
"I'm sure that Sirius - I mean Lord Black can attest to there being a number of secret passageways into the castle that the wards do not completely cover. It's not unbelievable to say Gilderoy may have managed to escape through one of these weakened gaps."
Amelia allowed her scepticism to show. "You believe him capable of, not only finding these secret passageways, but also getting through the wards of Hogwarts? Even weakened?" Sirius jumped in then. "I also find that hard to believe. The passageways are, as you say, secret."
Albus honestly didn't think it was possible, at least not with his help, but it was the only explanation. The man was gone and Albus hadn't had a damn thing to do with it!
"It is the only plausible explanation. The portraits and ghosts are unable to locate him and all of my spells keep coming back negative. He is no longer within the walls of Hogwarts."
Sirius pondered that and realised Harry probably had something to do with the situation, however he couldn't let it show. "That seems very convenient." He trusted his heir enough to know that he wouldn't be caught. Well, hopefully.
"What are you implying, Lord Black?" Albus asked. He was insulted that his reputation was so diminished that a previously incarcerated Dark wizard could get away with questioning him so bluntly.
"Nothing, of course," Sirius said, although the room knew that was a lie.
Amelia sighed before straightening out. "Headmaster, when was the last time Lockhart was seen?"
"I saw him at breakfast yesterday," Albus said. He had been watching the man closely, trying to work out a way to get him out of the castle before he was arrested and potentially spilled his secrets.
"I see. And do you know the last time he was seen?"
"He was not at the Christmas leaving feast."
"So he potentially had 24 hours to get away?" Amelia said, clearly not impressed with this news.
"Potentially."
"And you didn't think to inform the DMLE of this?" Albus frowned. "I wasn't sure he was missing; sometimes staff do not attend feasts." He had the portraits watching him, but they hadn't seen anything and the ghosts couldn't find him.
"However, the man was bound to the wards and under criminal investigation. I would have thought you would want to keep a closer eye on him."
"I understand, but I did have the portraits keeping a lookout, as well as the Hogwarts' ghosts."
"I see," Amelia said, exasperated. She would now have to issue and find funding for a manhunt. "Ma'am," hesitantly.
"Green?"
Auror
Green
interrupted,
"I think it would be beneficial to check the wards, just in case they have been changed," he said, making Albus want to hurt the man. How dare he accuse him of changing the wards and letting Lockhart escape? He wasn't foolish enough for such an obvious ploy.
Amelia nodded. "I was thinking the same myself."
Dumbledore held in his rage and stood to get the ward book. Handing it over, he frowned when Madam Bones not only read it, but cast multiple charms and detection spells, not trusting him.
"Everything is in order, I presume?"
Amelia admitted she was surprised when the ward book proved to be not tampered with. "Yes, thank you headmaster."
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