Thick, impenetrable clouds blanketed the ceiling above the Great Hall. The chilly drizzle illusion falling from them vanished midway through its descent.
"Today, someone broke into my office and took a highly classified document.
"If this document is leaked, it will cause serious damage to the British wizarding world. Therefore, the faculty will now search the castle, including the common rooms of all four Houses and the exchange group's quarters. Please be patient—"
Professor Breen's voice echoed back and forth through the Great Hall, drowning out the students' noisy discussions.
After asking the prefects and the Head Boy and Head Girl to maintain order in the Great Hall, Amosta went upstairs via the Entrance Hall staircase.
He climbed the stairs at an unhurried pace and returned all the way to his office.
Minerva and Severus had both gone to direct the search. Only Dumbledore and the four young wizards remained in his office, awaiting the results.
"I'm afraid it will take a little while longer—"
After serving everyone in the office hot tea, Amosta added several logs to the fireplace, then went to the bookcase and took a tin of snacks from a drawer.
"Would you like some cookies, everyone?"
Amosta asked with an amiable smile.
"That would be wonderful, Amosta—"
Dumbledore nodded readily.
"Before you summoned me to the Hospital Wing, I was enjoying an apple pie. Oh, it was quite delicious—"
Harry and Hermione watched as Professor Dumbledore picked through the snack tin Professor Breen had handed him, then took several cookies in his palm.
"Come now, don't be shy, you lot—"
Professor Breen brought the tin over to the four young wizards seated on the sofa.
Harry had barely eaten anything all day, let alone that evening.
But unlike Professor Dumbledore, he had no appetite. He took