Wisps of silvery mist swirled from every corner of the castle. Under Professor McGonagall's stunned gaze, the Dementors that had just breached Hogwarts let out guttural howls and fled in disarray.
"This... this is impossible," she murmured.
Moments later, led by their prefects, waves of students who had mastered the Patronus Charm surged forward. They banished the Dementors one by one, their silvery guardians lighting up the halls.
"It's the Hogwarts students! They're casting Patronuses!" Professor Flitwick shouted, his own ethereal form holding off a cluster of the foul creatures.
Beside him, Professor Sprout nodded in admiration. "I never imagined so many in this year could pull it off. They're not perfect yet, but it's remarkable!"
"This solves our biggest headache," Flitwick added, beaming. "Back in my day, only a handful of students ever managed it. Mr. Filch's lessons have been a revelation."
"Let's press the advantage—clear these horrors from Hogwarts for good!"
Freed from immediate threats, Professor McGonagall unleashed her full power. Her tabby cat Patronus bounded from the castle gates, charging into the fray.
Argus's eyes narrowed. His unicorn Patronus dove toward the castle's base, scattering the lurking Dementors. The creatures, caught off guard, panicked like cornered rats, darting wildly in search of escape.
"It's the prefect! Follow his Patronus!"
"Charge with him—let's end this!"
Slytherins, with their dungeon common room closest to the action, reacted first. Under Argus's lead, prefects summoned their own: ferrets, hyenas, hares. A shimmering trail of silver phantoms trailed the unicorn.
The other houses followed suit, students stepping up with growing confidence.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Percy led Gryffindor, his weasel Patronus flushing Dementors from the tower before joining the unicorn's hunt. Penelope and Cedric soon followed from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Hogwarts Castle glowed with a radiant haze of Patronus magic.
Professor Flitwick exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his forehead as the Dementors scattered into the night. "We did it—those dark beasts are gone."
"Minerva, where's Albus?" he asked, scanning the horizon. "With all this chaos, the Headmaster should be here."
McGonagall shook her head. "No idea. Probably off on some urgent errand. But Mr. Filch pulled us through today. Without his Patronus lessons, we'd have lost students to injuries—or worse."
Her words echoed among the professors and heads of house. Eyes turned to Argus, some carrying fresh respect. A few had grumbled earlier about him teaching the charm outside formal classes, skipping professors entirely. But now, with Dementors invading the castle, his foresight shone.
If not for those weekend sessions, casualties would have mounted. And this might not be the last attack.
To the staff, Argus embodied the ideal Hogwarts student—brilliant, principled. This crisis highlighted his leadership as Slytherin's prefect and the school's top talent: facing danger head-on, shielding the younger ones, rallying a united front.
Argus met their gazes modestly, inclining his head. "As a Hogwarts student, it's my duty, Professor. The real credit goes to everyone here."
...
Under McGonagall's direction, the professors split off to check the house common rooms for injuries. She headed off to contact Dumbledore.
Alone at last, Argus received the update he'd been dreading—and craving.
Peter Pettigrew had slipped away.
The Dementors' breach had been a ploy to snag Sirius Black. Harry and Lupin, fixated on guarding Sirius, poured everything into their Patronuses, overlooking the rat.
In the distraction, Peter reverted to his Animagus form—a scrawny rat—and bolted into a shadowy alcove. By the time anyone noticed, he was gone.
Snape's face darkened to a thunderous scowl. Sirius's vindication meant nothing to him; only vengeance against the traitor mattered. "If I'd known he'd wriggle free, I'd have ended him with Avada Kedavra, injury be damned."
Harry and the others wore grim expressions, some staring at the floor, avoiding Argus's eyes. He'd orchestrated the whole trap for Peter. They'd poured effort into it. And they'd botched the basics.
Harry, who'd pushed hardest for the role, seethed with self-recrimination.
"We might still nab him—he can't have gotten far," Argus said, unfolding the Marauder's Map with a sigh of feigned disappointment.
Silence hung heavy. Even Snape, usually quick with a barb, just glowered at the map in Argus's grip.
But Argus had sealed every loophole. No trace of Peter appeared, no matter how they scoured the parchment.
Sighing again, Argus shot Sirius a regretful glance. Sirius, guilt twisting his features, clapped Argus on the shoulder.
"Don't beat yourself up, Argus. I saw it all—you did everything right. Peter's escape isn't on you."
"I'll uphold my end: the package is yours, as promised."
"Should we loop in Dumbledore?" Lupin interjected, drawing nods all around.
The plan had hinged on delivering Peter to the Headmaster. With him vanished, what now?
Snape snorted derisively and stormed off, cape billowing.
Lupin read the room but held his tongue, merely sighing.
"The Dementors breached the grounds—Dumbledore will step in," Argus said calmly. "Brief him on the essentials. His influence and resources give us the best shot at tracking Peter."
Sirius should lie low for now, reveal himself only after gauging Dumbledore's response.
The words, offered as reassurance, subtly steered the group. The others, still reeling from the failure, barely noticed.
They nodded, falling in with Argus's lead.
---
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