2 a. m.
Vincent and Hermione, having removed their gear, arrived at the Seventh Floor of the castle.
At this point, they had already assembled outside the Temporary Headquarters, and all the Ministry of Magic personnel in the castle were hanging upside down, so there was no need to use the Disillusionment Charm, allowing them to swagger around a bit more freely.
Just as planned, Sirius Black appeared amidst the chaos, Dumbledore was probably already impatient.
However, when the two of them entered the empty Headmaster's Office, they were dumbfounded.
"This..." Vincent glanced at the portraits of the former principals who were pretending to be asleep.
"Headmaster Black, we've found your great-great-grandson."
The bubbles on Phineas's nose suddenly burst, and then his eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of the portrait.
"What! You're telling the truth, kid?"
Vincent nodded solemnly, "Although I don't have concrete evidence, there's a high chance that he's the intruder tonight."
Phineas looked conflicted.
After all, they are one's own bloodline, so it's still somewhat saddening.
Even Headmaster Dippet Armando Dippert, who was standing next to him, unusually refrained from taking the opportunity to mock him.
Phineas quickly calmed down. "Kid, you want us to inform Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes, Headmaster Black."
"Okay." He nodded in agreement, then looked at Hermione next to Vincent.
Another Muggle-born wizard; the Wizarding World is really getting worse and worse.
Hermione felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at.
"Ahem—" Vincent moved forward slightly, "We don't have much time, so let's set off now."
The gazes of Dippet and the other principals became ambiguous.
Phineas waved his hand, "Go quickly, and remember to spare the life of my unworthy descendant."
Vincent suddenly stopped after walking only a few steps.
Sirius Black is a ruthless man who dares to use the Blasting Curse to slaughter innocent people, and to ask Snape to join him would be giving him too much credit.
"I will do my best."
Phineas looked sad as he silently watched the two leave the Headmaster's Office.
Dippet offered a rare word of comfort, "Old man, this kid always keeps his promises, so don't worry about him."
Phineas remained silent and slowly closed his eyes.
He had to admit that the pure and noble Black Family had indeed declined.
It would be extremely difficult to spare Sirius Black's life.
Fortunately Vincent had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, but he needed to go back to his dorm first.
He opened the Mithril Briefcase and took out the Serpent Staff and the Gunblade.
Time-Turner can minimize the occurrence of accidents, but their usage rules are easily disrupted.
The fewer people the better. Snape needs to be called, and there aren't many professors who can restrain him.
McGonagall knew about the Time-Turner, but she might not be able to use it on her own.
Vincent looked out the window.
Tonight is not a full moon night, and with Lupin, it should be a safe bet.
If all else fails, there's always Dumbledore, but it's unclear when he'll return.
He pushed open the dormitory door and strode out of the dormitory.
Upon arriving at the common room, he handed the Gunblade to Hermione, saying, "Here, I've taught you how to fire a gun."
"But you..."
Vincent raised his Serpent Staff, which was a full meter long. "I have this thing, and it's no less powerful than the Gunblade in your hand."
Hermione accepted it without worry.
It's already 2:30 a. m., and Wales at the Temporary Headquarters should be about to give out.
Without saying much, the two went off separately to wake up the three professors.
But strangely enough, the closed door to the Gryffindor Common Room was opened again, and then quietly closed once more.
If the Fat Lady hadn't gone to visit, she would have definitely shouted that there was a ghost.
Lupin is on the fourth floor, McGonagall is on the second floor.
Vincent and Hermione briefly explained the situation, and both professors understood the seriousness of the matter.
McGonagall knew of the existence of the Time-Turner and was not surprised by their precognition.
Lupin, on the other hand, seemed to be preoccupied.
Perhaps they're wondering why they knew in advance, but there's no time to explain now.
But when the two of them saw the figures hanging upside down, they were clearly terrified.
The Batman Family's true identities are actually students?
Suppressing their shock, the four quickly gathered and headed to the dungeon.
Vincent didn't even knock; he simply pulled the handle and walked into the Potions Office.
When the inner door was opened, Snape, dressed in his pajamas, had already set up his wand.
"Wayne? What brings you here in the middle of the night—"
"Come with us quickly!"
Snape narrowed his eyes. "What mischief are you up to now, you little rascal?"
Vincent pushed his wand aside with his Serpent Staff. "Sirius Black Black here. Hurry up and get dressed..."
Before he could finish speaking, Snape grabbed his arm and rushed out of the room.
"Where is he! Where is Black?!"
Vincent brushed his hand away. "They should still be at the Temporary Headquarters. They'll escape outside the school soon."
"Take me there!" Snape didn't think about why he knew in advance.
His eyes were red, and he had only one thought in his mind.
McGonagall pursed her lips and exchanged glances with Lupin seemed somewhat distracted.
Given the current situation, it's unclear whether we can maintain control.
All we can do is try our best and leave the rest to fate.
Vincent glanced at his watch.
At 2:45, Wales, the Temporary Headquarters, should have already fallen.
"Let's go and stand guard outside the school gate now."
He ran in the lead, with Snape beside him constantly urging him on.
Once they arrived at their destination, the five of them found places to hide.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, making it the perfect time to escape.
At the nearest outpost, Vincent, all alone, planted his Serpent Staff in the ground and channeled his magic into the spot where the tracking spell had disappeared.
Hermione, outside, gripped her wand and Gunblade tightly, intently watching her surroundings.
Behind the hillside not far away, Snape smiled coldly, his eyes red.
Behind him stood Lupin, still preoccupied with his own thoughts.
McGonagall was on another hillside, her gaze fixed on the two of them.
Time passed slowly, bit by bit.
"He's here!" Vincent withdrew his magic, leaped out of the sentry post, raised his Serpent Staff, and pointed it at a grassy field in the distance. "He's over there!"
Snape, who couldn't wait any longer, jumped down the hill and chanted the spell, "Diffindo!"
The entire meadow shattered like ice, and a small dark shadow was mixed in with the flying clods of earth.
Before anyone else could react, Snape had already rushed out.
"Wait!" McGonagall waved her wand at the clods of dirt falling from the sky. "Severus, stop right there!"
The clods of dirt that had gathered together were knocked away one by one by Snape's spell; his eyes were only on that Little Black.
Just as expected, he lost control.
After a running start, Lupin leaped high down the hill and chased after Snape, yelling, "Snape! Calm down right now!"
"Get out of my way, Lupin!" Snape turned and pointed his wand at him.
The two spells clashed, the impact of which tore up patches of grass.
"Squeak—" The Little Black landed on the ground with a miserable cry.
He tried to turn over, but the surrounding clods of earth quickly Transfiguration a cage.
Before Snape's spell could land, McGonagall controlled the newly Transfiguration cage to dodge to the side.
"Severus! I've got him!"
However, Snape seemed not to hear, still gripping his wand tightly.
"Sectumsempra— "
Lupin tackled him to the ground, pinning his hands down. "Get your act together!"
Snape looked pained, as if he had remembered something.