A sudden gust of cool air swept into his sleeping bag. Su Er opened his eyes blearily, only to hear voices and footsteps. He cautiously tilted his head and caught sight of Dumbledore and Snape out of the corner of his eye.
Both professors stood very close to them-or rather, very close to Harry.
Snatches of conversation drifted into his ears. The gist was that they had searched the entire castle but found no trace of Black.
Su Er was facing Hermione, so he could not see Professor Snape's expression, but he could clearly hear the intense displeasure beneath Snape's lowered voice.
"Black-without help from inside-breaking in-impossible-"
"No one in this castle would ever help Black break in-" That was Dumbledore's voice, utterly calm.
Then Snape quietly mentioned the Dementors outside the castle. Apparently, they had returned once Hogsmeade Monday was over. Judging by the Great Hall's ceiling, thick layers of dark clouds must have gathered outside again. Tomorrow would be another rainy day.
Percy's voice rang out just then. He made an inappropriate remark at an inappropriate moment, and a rare note of displeasure entered Dumbledore's voice.
"As long as I am headmaster, not a single Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle."
After that, the voices fell silent, accompanied by retreating footsteps.
Only after Snape and Percy had left as well did Su Er turn over. He found Harry staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, his eyes gleaming in the faint light cast by a nearby ghost.
Apparently, he had heard that brief conversation between Dumbledore and Snape very clearly.
Had Dumbledore done that deliberately?
Early the next morning, the students were allowed to leave the Great Hall and return to their common rooms. Su Er immediately went to his dormitory to fetch something, then hurried onto