All the houses gathered in the Great Hall, attempting to make sense of the unfolding events.

"I'm afraid, for your safety, you will have to spend the night here. Prefects, stand guard at the entrances, and I'm entrusting the Head Boy and Girl to oversee everything. Report any disturbance immediately," Dumbledore instructed Percy, who exuded pride and importance. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

Pausing before leaving the hall, Dumbledore added, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing..."

With a casual wave of his wand, the long tables gracefully glided to the hall's edges and leaned against the walls. Another wave, and the floor was adorned with numerous squashy purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," Professor Dumbledore said, closing the doors behind him.

The hall immediately buzzed with excitement; Gryffindors eagerly shared the night's events, casting fearful glances at the Blacks.

Meanwhile, Cedric discreetly checked on Rosalie without drawing any attention, a privilege befitting his role as Head Boy.

"Everyone in their sleeping bags!" Percy shouted. "Come on, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

"Come on," Ron said to Harry, Alphard, and Hermione, as they grabbed three sleeping bags and retreated to their previous corner.

"Do you think Black's still in the Castle?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"I hope not," said Alphard, attempting to stay composed. "Dumbledore thinks he still is."

"Lucky he came tonight, at that time," Hermione noted as they settled into their sleeping bags. "If he came any later, the common room would be full of drunk teenagers."

"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run and all," Ron speculated. "Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise, he'd come bursting in here."

Hermione shuddered, and throughout the hall, students pondered the same question: How did he get in?

"Maybe he knows how to Apparate," suggested a Ravenclaw.

"Disguised himself, probably," added a Hufflepuff fifth year.

"He could have flown in," suggested Dean Thomas.

"Honestly, am I the only person who's ever bothered to read Hogwarts: A History?" Hermione exclaimed crossly to Harry, Alphard, and Ron.

"Probably," said Harry.

"Yes," added Alphard.

"Not this book again, why?" complained Ron.

"Because the castle's protected by more than just walls," explained Hermione. "There are enchantments to prevent stealth entry. You can't just Apparate in here. And I'd like to see the disguise that could fool those Dementors. They're guarding every entrance to the grounds. Filch knows all the secret passageways," Alphard snorted. "They'll have them covered..."

As everyone conversed, Alphard discreetly glanced at the Slytherins, searching for his sister. Their eyes met briefly, and she quickly averted her gaze, turning back to the Slytherins who were engaged in conversation. The pain of missing their shared memories and pranks weighed heavily on him. Since leaving 12 Grimmauld Place, they hadn't spoken, yet the lingering care for each other added to the ache.

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

The candles extinguished simultaneously, leaving only the silvery ghosts drifting around, conversing with the prefects. The enchanted ceiling scattered with stars provided the only illumination.

Teachers periodically checked for disturbances. Around three in the morning, when most students had succumbed to sleep, Professor Dumbledore entered. Alphard overheard him discussing with Percy before pretending to sleep.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy whispered.

"No, all well here?"

"Everything under control, sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow morning."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in another portrait. She refused to let Sirius Black in, which angered him. Once she recovers, Filch will restore her to her original painting."

The door creaked open again.

"Headmaster?" Snape. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched..."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?"

Alphard stayed perfectly still.

"Many, Severus, each as unlikely as the next."

"You remember our conversation just before the start of the term?" Snape asked, barely opening his lips to block Percy from the conversation.

"I do, Severus," Dumbledore replied, a warning in his voice.

"It seems almost impossible that Black could have entered the school without inside help. What about the boy and girl th--"

"I do not think a single person in this castle helped him get in," Dumbledore said firmly. "Especially the girl; you should have seen her face." Dumbledore's footsteps approached Alphard. "Poor child."

"I did express my concern when you appointed--"

"I do not think they participated in any activities this night," Dumbledore interrupted. "And I don't think they will. Now I must go alert the Dementors that our search is complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy inquired.

"Oh yes," Dumbledore replied coldly. "But I'm afraid no Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I'm Headmaster."

Alphard could only imagine the abashed look on Percy's face when Dumbledore said that. Dumbledore left the room, followed by Snape, leaving Percy to scold the remaining talking students.

****************

Rosalie opened her eyes to find Draco looking at her.

"What was that all about?" Draco asked.

Rosalie simply shrugged and turned onto her back, gazing up at the starry sky. She wasn't sure how Sirius Black had infiltrated the castle or what would happen next, but she had an unsettling feeling that things were not going to end well.

***************

Two days had passed since Halloween and the breakout scene. Most Slytherins, particularly pure-bloods, were packing their trunks for the Black family's annual ball. The guest list included families like the Lestranges, Malfoys, Abbotts, Averys, Blishwicks, Browns, Crouches, Crabbes, Flints, Gaunts, Goyles, Greengrasses, McMillans, Parkinsons, Rosiers, Zabinis, and many more. Rosalie found herself lost in thought.

"Rose, are you even listening to me?" Pansy asked.

"Hmm, um, I beg your pardon. I wasn't listening," Rosalie admitted.

"Well, which hairstyle would suit my dress?"

"A high ponytail, but with your bangs out of it. It would look marvelous," Rosalie suggested. Pansy continued talking until Draco interjected.

"Rosy, Mum's here."

"I'm coming. Bye, Pans." The girls hugged each other, and Rosalie left.

Narcissa awaited them in the courtyard. As she spotted them, she rushed to her niece, enveloping her in a tight hug.

"Oh, Rosalie, how are you? You look a bit..." Narcissa observed.

"Different, yes. I know. Everyone is saying that," Rosalie acknowledged.

Narcissa scrutinized her with discerning eyes. Rosalie seemed to have grown taller since their last meeting in the summer. Her once short hair now cascaded past her shoulders in a stylish, messy ponytail. Dressed in black jeans and a vibrant green T-shirt with a sleek black leather jacket, she exuded effortless coolness. To Narcissa, it was almost as if she were glimpsing Sirius once more, not his brother Regulus.

Narcissa held their hands as they Apparated to the Black Manor. Entering, they found Walburga waiting for them. Draco bowed to his great-aunt, while Rosalie curtsied.

"Hello, Grandmother," Rosalie greeted, studying Walburga, who appeared paler and skinnier with downcast eyes.

"Get ready in two hours; the guests are arriving soon. And don't think you're going to slip away. Now, Draco, Rosalie shall show you the guest room," Walburga instructed.

As they climbed the stairs, Draco turned to his cousin. "She is mental, I'm telling you."

"You're just not used to her, spoiled child," Rosalie smirked. She led him to the guest room and went to her own.

Her dress draped her in a rich, dark green hue, accentuating her figure. A delicate corset cinched her waist, and the bodice revealed a hint of skin adorned with petite grey pearls. The dress parted at the right leg, exposing white heels that added a subtle contrast. Styled in soft, wavy tendrils, her hair completed a look exuding both elegance and charm with light makeup.

By 8 o'clock, as the guests started arriving, she descended the stairs, breathtaking in her appearance. All eyes were on her as she approached her aunt and uncle.

"You look absolutely fabulous," Narcissa complimented.

"You too, Aunt Cissa. Hello, Uncle Lucius."

"Hello, Rosalie. Well, um, you look great, but you look like—" Lucius began, earning a punch from Narcissa, not escaping Rosalie's notice.

"Like my father. I know. It's okay. I'm not blind," Rosalie replied. She hated the fact that puberty had changed her so much. People stopped telling her that she looked like her uncle because her features became sharper, and her eyes turned lighter grey. All Blacks looked alike; it was just some small details that differed.

They engaged in small talk, while Walburga conversed with Mrs. Crouch. After dancing and having dinner, nearly half an hour before midnight, the guests left, respecting the hosts' rule.

Now alone in the large house with her grandmother, Rosalie braced herself for what she knew was coming.

"Well, well, well, hello, granddaughter," Walburga greeted.

Rosalie swallowed hard, anticipating the inevitable.

"Protecting that blood traitor of a brother, smacking Adrian Pucey's nose, and declining the Crabbe's marriage offer. How proud can I be?"

"CRUCIO!" Walburga's voice echoed through the room, joining the chorus of Rosalie's screams. She was accustomed to the pain, but it still cut deep.

"IMPERIO." Her skin began to cut open slowly, blood flowing from every part of her body—hands, legs, every inch subjected to agony.

Three hours passed in the same rhythm until Walburga stopped.

"This is what you're going to get until you act like a proper lady for the most noble and ancient house of Black," Walburga declared before leaving. Rosalie remained on the floor, covered in blood, attempting to rise, but every part of her body felt immobile. She lay there, crying in pain, knowing that she would have to return to Hogwarts tomorrow.

Hi guys well im late i was supposed to update u yesterday but we had a wifi prob no worries my dad fixed it  but tell me how do u find the story so far?
Urs
-H-