After the Sun set, the Dementors left the Forbidden Forest and began slowly approaching the school grounds.
Pomona tossed a log into the fireplace, then rubbed her arms. "Why not activate the protective magic?"
"Because that was part of the deal." Snape sat at the desk, reading the book she had newly borrowed as he spoke unhurriedly. "The Dementors do not enter the school grounds during the day. They only enter the school to search at night, when most people are already asleep in their common rooms. Only those who break school rules and wander about at night, like Mr. Potter, might encounter them."
She was very unhappy. "Why doesn't Dumbledore forbid them from entering the school?"
Snape put down his book.
"You know Cornelius Fudge allowed them to go to Hogsmeade, don't you?"
"Yes."
"In fact, whether Fudge allows it or not, they will go. Hunting Black is a hunt to them, and they are excited by it."
"Dementors can feel something like 'excitement'?"
Snape seemed not to know how to explain it to her, so he picked up his book again.
"You mean the Ministry of Magic can't control them either?" Pomona asked.
"Dementors are not like House-elves. They have no magical contract with wizards. Even after Dobby left the Malfoy family, he still could not say anything bad about the Malfoys, nor could he reveal any of their family secrets to anyone." Snape turned a page. "Some suspect they deliberately let Black escape, so they could leave Azkaban and go somewhere with more people."
"I don't think Dementors have that kind of intelligence," Pomona said.
But she regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Do you want to be a prophet too?" Snape asked.
"No!" she said firmly. "Becoming a prophet requires 'talent.' I