Early the next morning, Harry struggled to open his eyes, dark circles plainly visible beneath them.
"Ugh, I tossed and turned all night. I couldn't sleep at all!" Harry muttered dejectedly. "I happened to overhear Professor Dumbledore and Snape talking. It sounds like they haven't found a single trace of Sirius Black!"
Over the next few days, Sirius Black's name became the talk of Hogwarts, cropping up almost everywhere, at every hour. Rumors of how he had slipped into the castle grew increasingly outlandish, spawning all sorts of absurd versions.
Even during Herbology, Hannah Abbott of Hufflepuff House eagerly told anyone willing to believe her that Sirius Black might have turned into some peculiar flowering shrub and hidden quietly on the lawn.
The Fat Lady's portrait, torn beyond recognition, was taken down from the wall and replaced with a painting of Sir Cadogan and his fat gray pony.
Sir Cadogan spent most of his time provoking people in search of the thrill of a duel. He devoted the rest to devising ridiculously absurd passwords, which he changed at least twice a day.
"He's completely mad," Seamus Finnigan complained angrily to Percy in the Great Hall. "Can't we get someone more reliable?"
"None of the other portraits want to take on the job," Percy explained. "What happened to the Fat Lady frightened them all. Only Sir Cadogan was brave enough to volunteer."
"Harry, have something to eat!" Neville passed Harry a slice of pie, hoping to distract him.
"Thanks, Neville." Harry managed a weak smile. "But I feel like I'm under constant surveillance. The professors keep finding excuses to walk me down the corridors, and Percy follows me like a shadow. Hogsmeade is definitely out of the question, but at least it can't get any worse than this. Professor McGonagall even