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Chapter 236: Sirius Black
Chapter 236: Sirius Black
At night, deep within the Forbidden Forest.
A black hound ran desperately, his lungs feeling like they were about to burst. The trees in the dark forest seemed to twist and stretch out their branches, menacingly. He leaped over a small stream and turned to look behind him with a wary eye.
The terrifying three-headed dog had not followed.
He collapsed on the ground, stretching out his body. He caught a glimpse of the moon, the full moon having just passed. He wondered how his old friend was doing now, and whether he would draw his wand and attack him the moment they met.
But he had indeed considered kidnapping his old friend on the day of his transformation, to tell him the truth.
However, the Shrieking Shack, which had always been bustling in his memory, was now eerily quiet, covered in a thick layer of dust, showing no signs of recent use.
‘Perhaps only I remember that place.’
He thought this might be why the Whomping Willow passage had not been sealed off.
But even if it were sealed, it wouldn't matter to him. He knew many secret passages, and the one-eyed witch on the fourth floor of the castle was his best option. However, that passage led to Honeydukes sweetshop, which was always crowded with customers.
The Dementors patrolled Hogsmeade day and night. He had taken a quick look and quickly ran away.
He couldn't take the risk. This wasn't school, and it wasn't a fight with a group of young Death Eaters. This was war. He told himself to be patient.
But he didn't know how long he could hold on. In the past, someone would have reminded him, told him not to act rashly. But now, he was alone.
Just like recently, when he couldn't resist sneaking to the edge of the Quidditch pitch, just to catch a glimpse of the boy with messy hair. He looked just like his father, and Sirius had a strong urge to rush out. He almost let the feeling drive him mad.
He didn't know if the information about him being an Animagus had been leaked. His old friend had seen him transform so many times; just as he could instantly recognize that despicable rat, his old friend would surely recognize him.
Perhaps, at this very moment, Ministry of Magic agents were carrying pictures of a black dog.
But they wouldn't recognize him now. The black hound stood up, looking at his reflection in the stream, and let out a low, raspy breath that sounded like a proud laugh.
In the water, he saw a gaunt, large dog, his bones clearly visible through his matted and knotted black fur. He looked no different from a stray.
Maybe he could return to Diagon Alley and scavenge through some bins... The black hound swallowed, but he knew he had to be cautious.
The large dog approached the stream and drank a few sips of water. His stomach cramped, and he scanned the stream, hoping to see a small fish or even a shrimp. But he was undoubtedly disappointed.
‘I can't transform into a human. I've already been seen in Diagon Alley; I can't show up anywhere else, especially near Hogwarts.’ He thought.
That stormy night, the opportunity was too good. He couldn't resist sneaking into the castle. The portraits wouldn't care; he was just some young wizard's pet or a playmate for Hagrid's dog.
By the time a professor discovered him, it would be too late.
But the buzzing at the castle's entrance made him flee in panic. He didn't know what it was, maybe some kind of alarm?
He had seen many such things in his childhood.
It must have been Dumbledore's doing. He knew Nicolas Flamel.
Dumbledore...
The large dog's eyes brightened, then quietly dimmed.
He hates me! He thinks I'm a traitor!
But I did kill James and Lily. I am the murderer.
Sirius's thoughts raced, making it hard to form a coherent thought. He began to recall the three-headed dog he had encountered today.
He had seen it from afar at Hagrid's Hut. Back then, it was only as big as a coconut, and Hagrid was playing a game of fetch with it using a hat. Even the nearby hound could easily knock it over.
But in just over a week, the little thing that could have been flicked away with a single slap had grown as big as a door. This was definitely magic!
He heard Hagrid's sobs, saying he shouldn't have been so selfish and should have let it run freely in the Forbidden Forest.
Damn! That three-headed dog was charging towards him. If he had known, he wouldn't have lent Hagrid his motorcycle.
After all these years, it was probably scrapped by now.
Or maybe it was set free? He had seen a broken-down car deep in the Forbidden Forest. He thought it had been abandoned and was planning to crawl inside for a nap—after all, even a wreck was better than the damp ground, at least it had a cushion.
But then the car's headlights turned on, nearly blinding him. The car charged at him, and he had to flee in a panic...
Half an hour later, the black hounds unexpectedly found a rat hole. Ha, today was his lucky day.
After a hearty meal, he felt reinvigorated and could last at least two more days.
Lying on the ground, he began to think. In his dog form, he couldn't think as clearly, and he didn't want to call out names, only recalling familiar faces.
After some time, he thought of the ginger cat, a clever one. Even though he was a dog, he found himself liking cats.
Cats could hunt rats openly.
Through the cat, he learned a lot of information. The rat was with that boy, and the thought made him restless.
The black hound began to count his ribs, a new method he had discovered to keep calm. One, two, three... thirteen pairs in total, the last one being the shortest and thinnest, something not many people would notice. He felt proud of this discovery.
He finally calmed down.
There was no immediate worry... the rat was a coward. He had seen this even when they were in school. During every gang fight, the rat would hide behind everyone, striking from behind.
And then there was Peter Pettigrew and his Slytherin students. Danger was everywhere, and he was all alone.
The black hound got up and glanced in the direction of Hogwarts before turning to leave.
He planned to visit a Muggle town. It wasn't too dangerous, and he could sneak into a Muggle house to find something to eat.
Soft white bread, fresh and tasty vegetables, and of course, meat.
The black hound's mouth began to water.
He ran slowly, the most energy-efficient way he had recently discovered. In the past, he would always run at the front.
As the sky began to lighten, the black hound quietly slipped into the nearest house, which had a red-painted door. He liked the color.
There was no television in the room, which was better. He didn't want to see news about himself being labeled as a dangerous fugitive.
The black hound's nose twitched as he turned and ran into the kitchen. He saw a white kitten, too young and obviously not very smart.
Ignoring the hissing kitten, he took a large piece of rib from the kitchen. As he left, he patted the white cat's head, leaving a dirty paw print.
Exiting the house, he quietly left with the meat, passing two middle-aged men who were peering around. They were whispering—
"Ready to pick a house to break into?"
"Not sure yet. This town is too poor. Should we try somewhere else?"
"No, we'll just pick one at random."
Suddenly, they saw a black hound slowly emerging from the shadows. It was emaciated, baring its teeth, and its eyes were fixed on them with a fierce gaze.
"Run!"
The black hound watched them disappear, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He let out a joyful howl, and the town's dogs responded with their own barking. A few lights came on in some houses.
'Damn, I did something stupid again.'
He couldn't stay here. The black hound slipped back into the bushes, picked up the rib, and quickly left.
(End of Chapter)
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