Chapter 223: An Exchange with Sirius Black
Chapter 223: An Exchange with Sirius Black
"Wait, you said you want to kill him here?" Liam asked, his face full of shock.
"Of course, do you expect a child like you to do it? Hurry up, get him out. Ah, right, this is the Common Room, and it might not be appropriate here, but I can take Peter outside to kill him", Sirius Black urged.
"I mean, what will you do after you kill Peter? Continue running as a fugitive? As far as I know, Harry hasn't had a good time with his relatives. You, as his only living relative, left him to suffer for over a decade and avoided your responsibility as his godfather to take care of him."
"No, I didn't avoid my responsibility", Sirius Black retorted, agitated. "I was just atoning, atoning for the sin of misjudging someone and causing my friend's death."
"And then? Feeling better about yourself by rotting in prison while leaving your friend's only child to suffer outside?" Liam retorted mercilessly.
He realized that the issue with Peter had become a psychological burden for Black. Liam could only hope that his words would help Black break free from this mental torment. After all, in the original story, Black was a good person, and if Liam had the chance, he would naturally want to give him a hand. Besides, a good person would naturally reciprocate when given help.
Seeing Black fall into deep thought after his words, Liam quickly added, "You're just avoiding facing your friend's orphan because you don't know how to handle it. If you really want to atone, shouldn't you take on your friend's responsibilities and take care of his orphan?"
"Alright, I think you might be right", Sirius Black said after a few minutes of dead silence. "I have indeed been a coward, unable to face reality. But if that's the case, I don't know what to do next."
"That's simple. I just thought of a plan", Liam said, explaining his plan to Black. Seeing Black nod in agreement, he added, "You should leave now. After all, this is a school, and you might be discovered at any moment."
He untied the ropes, and Black stood there, glaring at the boys' dormitory. Just as Liam thought he might break the agreement and charge in, Black turned his head and walked toward the exit. As he was about to enter the hole, he suddenly asked, "What are you doing in the Common Room in the middle of the night?"
Liam blurted out, "Practicing Kung Fu."
Sirius Black didn't say anything and simply crawled through the hole and left. In fact, Sirius Black had been suspicious about why Liam was in the Common Room at that hour, but Liam's mention of Kung Fu dispelled his doubts.
During his rebellious phase, Sirius Black had a strong interest in Muggle things, and the Flying Motorcycle was one of his masterpieces from that time. He had also watched Kung Fu movies when he first came to the West.
Liam's combat skills, which he had just displayed, were clearly superior to those of an average 13-year-old boy, and he was Chinese. So, in Sirius Black's mind, it was obvious that Liam practiced Kung Fu.
As for why he would practice Kung Fu in the Common Room in the middle of the night, it wasn't hard for Sirius Black, who came from a Pureblood Family, to understand: people with special skills often practiced in secret to avoid drawing attention.
Liam's answer fit perfectly with his assumptions, so he left without another word.
However, Liam had no idea what Sirius Black was thinking. He assumed that Sirius's strange questions were due to his long time in prison, which might have affected his mental state.
A few hours after returning to his bed, Professor Mcgonagall arrived in the Common Room at five in the morning to wake everyone up. Everyone, still in their pajamas and groggy, stood in the Common Room.
"I apologize for waking you so early, but according to the castle portraits, Sirius Black broke into the school again last night and entered the Gryffindor Common Room. Therefore, we need everyone's cooperation for today's search of the castle. By the way, Neville Longbottom, please come with me."
Watching Neville leave with Professor Mcgonagall, Liam silently prayed for him in his heart.
After Professor Mcgonagall left, everyone hurried upstairs to wash up and then waited in the Common Room, all wearing their coats. However, by the time they went to class, there was still no news. It wasn't until lunch that Professor Mcgonagall regretfully informed them that Sirius Black had escaped.
Back in the dormitory, Liam noticed that the paper talisman he had posted on the cage before going downstairs had not been touched. Scabbers was still quietly sleeping in the cage. The Soothing Talisman he had placed on the cage was meant to keep Peter asleep, to prevent him from becoming alert during the search.
During dinner, Neville returned. Professor Mcgonagall was very angry that his lost note had allowed Sirius Black to enter the Common Room. Although no serious consequences had occurred this time, Mcgonagall still forbade him from going to Hogsmeade Village in the future; she placed him in detention and revoked his access to the Tower password. He would have to wait at the door every day and ask someone to let him in.
Additionally, Neville received a Howler from his grandmother. Even though he had run out of the Great Hall as soon as Ron warned him, everyone still heard his grandmother's angry voice condemning him for bringing shame to the family.
“Liam, could you come with me to Hagrid's place later?” Hermione asked as she sat down beside Liam with a few books.
“Sure, but could you tell me why you're going to Hagrid's?”
“As a friend, I spent some time helping Hagrid research defense materials for cases involving magical creatures attacking people. I know his chances of winning this inquiry are slim, so I thought it would be better to have someone accompany me; otherwise, I might feel a bit uncomfortable.”
“Alright, wait for me in the entrance hall. I'll go to the dorm to get something and then we'll go together.” Liam was glad to have an excuse to visit Hagrid.
Ten minutes later, Hermione saw Liam coming down the stairs in the entrance hall, carrying the Mouse's cage. When she noticed the Jade Talismans tied to the cage with red ribbons, her eyebrows raised sharply. However, she didn't say anything and walked with Liam to Hagrid's hut.
Upon arriving, Liam knocked on the door, and Hagrid quickly opened it. “Welcome, you're here to—”
“We heard you're going to London on Friday to defend Buckbeak, so we've compiled some materials that might be useful,” Hermione explained, showing Hagrid the documents she held.
“Thank you so much, come in and have some tea.” Hagrid stepped aside to let them in. The first thing they saw was Buckbeak lying on Hagrid's patchwork quilt, his large wings tightly folded against his body, dozing with his eyes half-closed.
Liam and Hermione chose to sit far away from Buckbeak. Hagrid poured them each a cup of tea and brought out a plate of biscuits. He then took the highlighted documents from Hermione and began to read them.
Liam sipped his tea in silence, listening to the crackling of the fire. After reading through about eight pages, Hagrid looked up, smiling. “The materials you found are really helpful. I think Buckbeak might have a chance now.”
Liam, seeing Hagrid's excitement, decided it was best not to dampen his spirits. He put down his tea and said, “Since we only returned after the Christmas break, we didn't have much time to prepare. But honestly, I doubt the Dangerous Creatures Committee will give you much time to argue your case. I think it would be best to memorize just one or two key cases.”
“Thank you so much,” Hagrid said gratefully. “I know you've been busy recently, and I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.”
(End of Chapter)
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