Chapter 176: The Black Dog and the Godson
The rain poured harder, making it increasingly difficult for the students to watch the match. Those without umbrellas who tilted their heads upward found rainwater streaming straight into their eyes. Yet few were willing to leave the pitch and head back to the castle. So, students shielded their eyes with their hands, straining to follow the lightning-fast figures darting through the downpour like swallows.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Harry soared high above, arm raised triumphantly atop his broomstick. Gryffindor players erupted in cheers, rushing toward him in a joyful frenzy.
Only then did Madam Hooch announce Gryffindor’s Quidditch victory. The stands erupted in applause and deafening shouts.
Malfoy stood nearby, his face pale and drawn, staring at the scene. The Slytherin captain swooped over, shouting angrily at him.
“Brilliant! Did you see that catch, Remus? Absolutely incredible! He plucked the Golden Snitch right past the opponent’s ear!”
Sirius Black joined in, roaring and clapping with forceful enthusiasm. Though the rain obscured the view, Wade could tell he’d been jumping up and down several times.
“Wade,” Sirius called out loudly, “who’s that silly-looking Slytherin chaser?”
“Draco Malfoy,” Wade replied.
“Lucius Malfoy’s son?” Sirius bared his teeth, muttering, “That sneaky little serpent!”
He shouted even louder, “Well done, Harry! Knock that Malfoy off his broom!”
“Shut up, Sirius Black!” Remus Lupin snapped, annoyed. “Do you want everyone to hear you?”
There were no students nearby, but one in the front rows had already turned to glance curiously. Seeing only Wade, he smiled politely, as if he’d misheard.
Sirius relaxed, glancing back at Remus. “Remus, look at Harry just now—doesn’t he remind you of that time in fourth year? I remember James Potter once flew right past Lily Potter just to show off. The result? Snape knocked him off his broom.”
A sudden scream tore through the crowd. The group spun around.
The players had begun brawling midair. A large Slytherin chaser had thrown the Quaffle, smashing Wood off his broom. The Weasley twins charged into others on their brooms, and girls shrieked in alarm.
Dumbledore intervened instantly, reaching out with his hand from a distance. With a flick, he suspended Wood just before he hit the ground.
“Enough! All of you—stop this this instant!” Madam Hooch stormed into the chaos like a furious eagle, roaring, “No one continues if they keep fighting!”
The players reluctantly stopped, still growling under their breaths. Then, a thin figure plummeted straight from the sky.
“Harry!” Sirius Black yelled, lunging toward the ground—but Remus Lupin grabbed him by the arm.
At the same time, spells shot from both the staff table and the stands, catching Harry mid-fall.
“Thank you, Wade,” Remus said quickly, stowing his wand. The group moved swiftly, avoiding contact with other students, hurrying down the stands.
By the time they reached the ground, Harry was already surrounded. The man in the green peacock-like robes—Lockhart—pushed through the crowd, raising his wand.
“Watch closely! I’ll have you healed in one second. Don’t worry, Harry. It’s a simple spell—I’ve used it countless times.”
Harry lay on the ground, clutching his arm, groaning. He tried to speak, but the roar of the rain drowned him out completely.
Wade froze. He gripped his wand, ready to stop Lockhart—but then stopped abruptly.
—Sorry, Harry. I’m sorry.
He stared, wide-eyed, at Lockhart’s movements.
Remus and Sirius didn’t realize this was the very same Lockhart Harry often mocked in his Book of Friends. Seeing a professor, they instinctively froze.
Lockhart dramatically twirled his wand, pointing at Harry’s arm. “Arm repair!”
One second later, Harry’s arm drooped like a limp rubber glove. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Faces twisted in horror and disgust.
“He’s lost all the bones in his arm!”
Wood, bleeding from a head wound, had been about to ask for help. Now, seeing this, he clutched his head and backed away in panic. “No! Not him!”
Gryffindor’s Aelia stepped forward, shielding Wood as if Lockhart were a monster.
“Ah… uh… well, sometimes minor unexpected incidents happen…” Lockhart stammered, forced to laugh awkwardly.
“Alright, Harry. At least you’re not in pain now, right? Go to the Hospital Wing. Let Madam Pomfrey take care of you—er, reassemble you properly.”
He hurried away, vaguely hearing what sounded like a beast’s growl in the distance.
“I’ll kill him! I’ll kill that bastard!” Sirius Black snarled, grinding his teeth.
“Yeah, yeah, but not now,” Remus said, dragging him toward the Hospital Wing. “Remember—we’re sneaking in.”
Wade quietly cast a Hover Charm on Sirius Black’s clothes. Sirius was lifted off his feet, flailing helplessly, powerless against Remus’s pull.
Finally, Sirius gave up, muttering bitterly, “We’re going to teach him a lesson. How dare he hurt Harry!”
“Of course,” Remus agreed firmly.
…
Madam Pomfrey was the one who could’ve fixed Harry’s arm in a second—but with the bones completely gone, regeneration would take at least a full night.
Ron pulled the bed curtains shut and helped Harry change into pajamas. Madam Pomfrey made him drink a large cup of Bone Regenerator, then shooed everyone else out.
“He needs rest. Out! All of you!”
In the room, three students still under Disguise Charms remained.
Regrowing bones was agony. Once Madam Pomfrey left, Harry lay in the hospital bed, gritting his teeth through sharp, intermittent moans.
“Undo the charm, Remus,” Sirius said, voice hoarse.
“Alright.” Remus nodded, lifting the Disguise Charm.
Harry stirred, half-sitting up in surprise. “Sirius Black? Remus? And Wade? What are you doing here?”
“I watched your match,” Sirius said, smiling. “That was amazing… you flew like a legend.”
Harry grinned, momentarily forgetting the pain.
They chatted for a while. Eventually, Wade and Remus prepared to leave—but Sirius stayed seated by the bed.
“Sirius Black?” Remus asked.
“You two go,” Sirius mumbled. “I want to stay with Harry tonight.”
“Harry should be sleeping.”
“I’ll watch him sleep,” Sirius insisted stubbornly. “I won’t disturb him!”
“Fine…” Remus sighed, reluctantly agreeing. “But don’t get caught.”
“I know… wait—give me my wand back.”
His wand had been entrusted to Remus earlier, since animagus transformations prevented carrying wands. Sirius had forgotten to reclaim it after shifting back.
Remus handed it over, said goodbye, and left the room.
Wade glanced back. Sirius sat on the edge of the bed, head lowered, whispering softly to Harry—like a loyal, silent dog.
(End of Chapter)
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