Chapter 176: The Black Dog and His Protege
Chapter 176: The Black Dog and His Protege
The rain intensified, making it increasingly difficult for the students to watch the game.
Those without umbrellas had rain pouring into their eyes if they dared to look up at the sky. Yet, few were willing to leave the Quidditch pitch and return to the castle.
Instead, students cupped their hands over their eyes, struggling to follow the swift, swallow-like figures amidst the curtain of rain.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air, and Harry, high in the air with his arm raised, circled on his broom. The Gryffindor players cheered and rushed towards him.
Soon after, Madam Ho shouted out Gryffindor's victory, and the entire stand erupted in applause and shouts.
Draco Malfoy, his face ashen, watched from the sidelines. The Slytherin team captain flew over and shouted angrily at him.
"That was brilliant! Did you see the way he grabbed the Snitch, Remus? Amazing! He snatched it right past the Chaser's ear!"
Sirius Black joined in the shouting, clapping vigorously. Though blind, Creed could tell that he had just jumped up and down several times.
"Creed, which idiotic Slytherin Chaser was that?" Sirius shouted.
"Draco Malfoy," Creed replied.
"Lucius Malfoy's son?" Sirius snarled, baring his teeth. "That slimy serpent!"
Then, he shouted even louder, "Well done, Harry! Knock that Malfoy off his broom!"
"Shut up, Sirius!" Lupin said irritably. "Are you trying to make sure everyone hears you?"
There were no students near Creed and the others, but a student in the few rows in front of them turned back curiously.
Seeing only Creed, he smiled politely, as if he thought he had misheard.
Sirius relaxed and turned back to Lupin. "Remus, didn't Harry just now remind you of his fourth-year game? I remember James flying right in front of Lily to show off, only to be knocked off his broom by Snape..."
Suddenly, there were cries of surprise from the crowd, and the group turned to look.
An argument had broken out mid-air between the two teams. A large Slytherin player threw a Bludger, knocking Wood off his broom, and the Weasley twins collided with a few others, causing the girls to scream.
Dumbledore swiftly raised his hand, and from a distance, he caused Wood to hover just before he hit the ground.
"Stop! Everyone, stop this instant!"
Madam Ho, like an enraged eagle, rushed into the circle of brawling students and roared, "Whoever continues to fight is banned from future games!"
The players stopped angrily, still muttering curses at each other. Suddenly, a frail figure fell straight down from the sky.
"Harry!"
Sirius shouted and ran towards the pitch, but Lupin grabbed him.
Spells shot out from the teachers' platform and the stands, catching the falling Harry.
"Good, thank you, Creed," Lupin said hastily, putting away his wand. The group hurried down the stands, trying to avoid the other students.
On the ground, Harry was surrounded by a crowd, including the flamboyantly dressed Lockhart, who was pushing his way through the students with his wand raised.
"Watch closely, I can heal him in a second. Don't worry, Harry, it's a simple spell I've used countless times," Lockhart boasted.
Harry, hugging his arms, was groaning and seemed to be speaking, but his words were inaudible over the pouring rain.
Creed stopped abruptly, his wand at the ready to stop Lockhart, but he hesitated and stopped himself.
—Sorry, Harry, he thought.
With eyes wide open, Creed watched intently as Lockhart performed his spell.
Lupin and Sirius were still unaware that this was Gilderoy Lockhart, the professor whom Harry often complained about in his diary. Instinctively, they stopped in their tracks.
Lockhart waved his wand dramatically, pointing it at Harry's arm as he exclaimed, "Arm Repairo!"
A second later, Harry's arm drooped like a rubber glove, and those around him gasped, their faces contorting in fear and disgust.
"The bones in his arm are gone!"
Oliver Wood, who was also bleeding from a head wound, had intended to seek treatment from the professor. But upon witnessing the scene, he cried out in terror, his hands covering his head as he backed away. Frightened, he continued to retreat as Lockhart turned to look at him.
Alicia Spinnet from Gryffindor quickly stepped in front of Wood, as if Lockhart were some fierce beast.
"Ah... well... haha, sometimes there can be little accidents..."
Lockhart offered an embarrassed laugh.
"Okay, Harry, at least you're not in pain now, right? Go to the hospital wing... Let Madam Pomfrey help you... Er... Fix it up."
He scurried away, feeling as though he had heard the roar of a beast.
"I'm going to kill him! I'm going to kill that bastard!" Sirius roared, gritting his teeth.
"Yes, yes, but not now... Remember? We sneaked in..."
As Lupin spoke, he dragged Sirius toward the hospital wing.
Widing took out his wand and quietly cast a Floating Charm on Sirius' clothes. Sirius was lifted up by his own clothes, flailing his arms and legs but unable to resist Lupin's pull.
Finally, Sirius had to give up struggling and reluctantly said, "We must teach him a lesson! How dare he treat Harry like this!"
"Of course, that's a must," Lupin agreed firmly.
...
Madam Pomfrey was the person who could truly heal an arm in just a second. However, after the bones had been extracted, it would take at least an entire evening for the bones to regrow.
Ron pulled the bed curtain shut and helped Harry change into his pajamas. Madam Pomfrey made him drink a large cup of Skele-Gro, then shooed away the students who had brought Harry to the hospital wing.
"He needs rest now. Out! Everyone out!"
In the corner, there were three more people who had cast Disillusionment Charms on themselves.
Regrowing bones was a difficult process. After Madam Pomfrey left, Harry, lying on the hospital bed, endured the pain, emitting intermittent groans.
"Remove the spell, Remus."
Sirius spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Okay."
Lupin agreed and lifted the Disillusionment Charm.
Harry was startled and propped himself up, staring in surprise with wide eyes. "Sirius? Remus? And Widing? How did you get here?"
"I watched your game." Sirius smiled and said, "It was fantastic... You flew brilliantly..."
Harry grinned, as if he had forgotten the pain.
After chatting for a while, Widing and Lupin prepared to leave, but Sirius remained seated by the bed, showing no signs of leaving.
"Sirius?" said Lupin.
"You guys go ahead," Sirius muttered. "I want to stay with Harry tonight."
"Harry needs to sleep, too."
"I'll watch him sleep," Sirius insisted. "I won't disturb him!"
"Alright..." Lupin had no choice but to follow, adding, "Don't get caught."
"I know... Wait, give me back my wand." Sirius added.
Since he couldn't carry his wand while transformed into an Animagus, he had given it to Lupin for safekeeping earlier. After transforming back, he had forgotten to take it back.
Lupin returned the wand, bid farewell, and left the ward.
Widing turned back for one last glance. He saw Sirius sitting by the bed, head bowed, speaking softly to Harry—a loyal dog, indeed.
(End of Chapter)
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