Heist at Hogwarts

Where is the Principle Principal's Portrait?

"No!!"

"No!"

"Well, yes, you dummies, isn't it obvious?"

Harry and Hermione stood dumbstruck. They had walked into the Headmistress's office at Hogwarts and the first thing they'd noticed was that the portrait of Dumbledore had disappeared.

Their exclamations of disbelief were answered by Phineas Nigellus Black, sitting casually in his own portrait.

"But - but - " Harry sputtered.

"Did you see who did it?" Hermione asked.

"No, I was visiting my picture at Grimmauld Place."

"Was Dumbledore's portrait there when you left?"

"Yes, it was."

"And it was gone by the time you came back?"

"Muggle borns!" Phineas sneered. "They told me you were intelligent, Mrs. Granger-Weasley!"

"Well, what time did you leave and what time did you get back?" Harry demanded.

"Still the same old arrogant Potter, I see. Ask politely."

"Mr. Nigellus Black, please," Harry said.

"Well, let's see. I left at 5 PM and got back at around 5.30 PM."

"The thief stole the portrait in half an hour?"

"5.30 PM the next day," Phineus drawled.

"We have to trace this portrait. It's the most famous one at Hogwarts, we can't afford to lose it."

At this statement, the subjects of all the portraits shouted indignantly. "Most famous? Dumbledore was eccentric, certainly, but all of us did great things in our time, and don't you youngsters forget it."

"We're sorry," Hermione said. "But please ... give us some leads, some clues ..."

Just then, the door of the office swung open and Ron walked in.

"What're you two doing? We're waiting for you in the Great Hall. Can't you find the Sorting Hat or something?"

"Ron - the Hat is here, but Dumbledore's portrait is gone."

"Gone? How can it be gone?"

"Idiot boy, you don't see it here, do you?" Phineas asked.

"Well, okay, have you tried ACCIO?"

"Ron! Why didn't I think of that!" Hermione pulled her wand out of her pocket. "ACCIO DUMBLEDORE'S PORTRAIT!"

There was a swooshing sound. Then, some of the portraits tilted over. There came the sound of galloping hooves.

A painted pony came into sight in the portrait of Aramando Dippet. Holding its rein and being dragged along was the painting of Sir Cadogan the mad knight. And he was holding ...

"Dumbledore's portrait!"

Hermone reached in and took the portrait thankfully. It wasn't damaged anywhere.

"Sir Cadogan," Ron called, as the knight attempted to sneak out of the portrait of Dilys Derwent, "may I ask why you stole this?"

"Well - it's silly - but I just wanted to say - I didn't steal it, I was framed!"

Sir Cadogan laughed all the way back to his rightful 'frame'.